Sample Storage Rack

Abstract

To provide a rack for specimens that is capable of instantly holding Spitz tubes for specimens, even when, for example, large-diameter Spitz tubes for specimens are replaced with small-diameter Spitz tubes for specimens.SOLUTION: A specimen storage rack 1 is capable of storing a plurality of Spitz tubes for specimens, and is constituted of the same polyolefin resin foam. The specimen storage rack 1 is mainly composed of an insertion member 3a, a holding member 5a, an insertion member 3b, a regulation member 7, a holding member 5b, an insertion member 3c, and a bottom member 9, the members being laminated. In the holding members 5a, 5b, a plurality of holes 13 serving as insertion portions of Spitz tubes for specimens are formed. Further, on inner surfaces of the holes 13, a plurality of tongue pieces 15 capable of holding lateral surfaces of the Spitz tubes for specimens are formed. At least, the holding member 5a is disposed above the regulation member 7, whereas the holding member 5b is disposed below the regulation member 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample storage rack capable of storing sample spits used in blood collection and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, specimen containers (containers for storing specimens) are arranged in a specimen storage rack for handling. Such specimen storage racks are generally made of a resin foam and have a large number of holes for inserting specimens (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-202940 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-21027 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional specimen racks, foam resin is used in the portion where the specimen spigots are inserted to hold them. Since the foam resin is flexible, it can be handled in the same way even if the specimen spigots are slightly different in size. In addition, the specimen spigots are pressed down by the compression deformation of the foam resin, so that it is possible to prevent them from falling off during movement.

[0005] On the other hand, conventional specimen racks are laminates mainly made of inexpensive polyethylene foam, and have a structure with multiple holes. However, since polyethylene foam is prone to residual compression strain, it may take several minutes to restore the specimen rack to a state where it can hold specimens of different diameters when they are replaced. In other words, once the specimen rack is compressed and deformed, the hole is enlarged in diameter, and it takes time to return to its original diameter. Therefore, even if a specimen rack with a large diameter is inserted and then replaced with a specimen rack with a small diameter, the diameter of the insertion hole remains large, and the specimen rack may not be able to hold the specimen rack.

[0006] In response to this, a structure has been proposed in which a urethane foam with good compression recovery properties is sandwiched between polyethylene foam resin for the purpose of holding specimen tubes.

[0007] However, using two types of materials increases costs, so there is a need for a specimen rack that can instantly and securely hold specimen spigots of different diameters when replacing them using a single material.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a specimen rack that can instantly hold specimen spouts, for example, when replacing a specimen spout with a larger diameter one with a smaller diameter one. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a specimen storage rack made of a resin foam capable of storing a plurality of specimen spitzes, comprising an insertion member having a plurality of holes through which the specimen spitzes can be inserted, a holding member having a plurality of tongues on the inner surface of a plurality of insertion portions of the specimen spitz capable of holding the sides of the specimen spitz, a regulating member having a plurality of regulating holes whose inner diameter is smaller than the holes and through which specimen spitzes of a predetermined size or smaller can be inserted, and a bottom member that supports the lower ends of the specimen spitzes, wherein each member is stacked, and the holding member is positioned at least above the regulating member and also below the regulating member.

[0010] The resin foam is preferably an antiviral polyolefin foam.

[0011] It is desirable that the insertion member, the holding member, the insertion member, the regulating member, the holding member, the insertion member, and the bottom member are stacked in this order from above.

[0012] The respective members are bonded to each other by an adhesive disposed on at least one of the laminated surfaces, and it is desirable that the adhesive be disposed on the upper or lower surface of a member other than the holding member.

[0013] The bottom member may have a small hole formed at a position corresponding to the specimen spitz.

[0014] According to the present invention, the large diameter specimen spitz is held without being inserted all the way in because the insertion depth is restricted by the restricting member. On the other hand, the small diameter specimen spitz can be inserted further in than the restricting part, so that it can be securely held by the holding member further in than the restricting part even immediately after the large diameter specimen spitz is removed.

[0015] In addition, if the resin foam is an antiviral polyolefin foam, the specimen rack can have an antiviral function. For example, the specimen rack has a complex shape, such as the inside of the holes, and therefore it is not easy to wipe it with alcohol. In addition, since it is made of foamed resin, it is not possible to sterilize it or remove viruses using an autoclave or the like.

[0016] However, by using antiviral polyethylene foam, it is easy to give it antiviral function. Also, as mentioned above, while normal polyolefin foam requires time to restore after compression deformation, the present invention can hold thin specimen tubes without waiting for restoration, so the entire product can be made of antiviral polyolefin foam.

[0017] In addition, by stacking the following in order from the top: insertion member, holding member, insertion member, regulating member, holding member, insertion member, bottom member, specimen spitzes with a larger diameter can be held by the insertion member, holding member, and insertion member, and specimen spitzes with a smaller diameter can be further held by the holding member, insertion member, and bottom member.

[0018] In addition, by placing an adhesive on the upper or lower surface of a member other than the retaining member and bonding each member with the adhesive placed on at least one of the laminated surfaces of the other member, the adhesive does not adhere to the tip of the tongue of the retaining member, which makes it possible to prevent the adhesive from impeding the restoration of the compressed and deformed tongue.

[0019] Furthermore, by forming small holes in the bottom member at the locations corresponding to the specimen spitzes, moisture and the like will not accumulate in the bottom member. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a specimen rack capable of immediately holding a specimen spout, for example when replacing a specimen spout with a larger diameter one with a smaller diameter one. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the sample storage rack 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the sample storage rack 1. [Diagram 5] Graphs (a) to (d) show the shape and size of each hole. [Figure 6] 1A is a diagram showing a state in which a specimen spitz 23a is being inserted into a specimen storage rack 1, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a state in which the specimen spitz 23a has been inserted into the specimen storage rack 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a diagram showing a state in which a specimen spitz 23b is being inserted into a specimen storage rack 1, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a state in which the specimen spitz 23b has been inserted into the specimen storage rack 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a specimen storage rack 1, Fig. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the specimen storage rack 1, Fig. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the specimen storage rack 1, and Fig. 4 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the specimen storage rack 1. In the illustrated example, the specimen spitz insertion holes are arranged in 4 x 10 rows, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0023] The specimen storage rack 1 can store a plurality of specimen tubes and is made of the same polyolefin resin foam. The specimen storage rack 1 mainly comprises an insert member 3a, a holding member 5a, an insert member 3b, a regulating member 7, a holding member 5b, an insert member 3c, and a bottom member 9, and is configured by laminating each of the members. Note that other layers may be added to this configuration, and some members may be omitted as long as the effect of the present invention is not impaired.

[0024] The inserting members 3a, 3b, and 3c are all substantially the same in shape except for the placement of the adhesive, which will be described later, and the same material can be used. The inserting members 3a, 3b, and 3c are formed with a plurality of large holes 11. The large holes 11 are substantially circular holes into which specimen spitzes, which will be described later, can be inserted.

[0025] The inserting members 3a, 3b, and 3c are members for forming a storage space when the specimen spitz is stored. For this reason, the inserting members 3a, 3b, and 3c are thicker than the other members, and a predetermined part of the specimen spitz is stored in the inserting members 3a, 3b, and 3c.

[0026] 5(a) is a diagram showing the large hole 11. The inner diameter of the large hole 11 is set to a degree that allows the insertion of all of the various specimen spitzes to be stored. In other words, it is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the thickest specimen spitz.

[0027] The holding members 5a and 5b are of substantially the same shape and can be made of the same material. The holding members 5a and 5b are formed with a plurality of holes 13 that serve as insertion portions for the specimen spitz, and the inner surfaces of the holes 13 are formed with a plurality of tongue pieces 15 that can hold the sides of the specimen spitz.

[0028] 5(b) is a diagram showing the hole 13 and the tongue pieces 15. The tongue pieces 15 are formed in, for example, four places in the circumferential direction of the hole 13. In the example shown in the figure, the tongue pieces 15 are formed in a substantially triangular shape that tapers toward the center. Therefore, the hole 13 excluding the tongue pieces 15 is substantially cross-shaped. Note that the number and shape of the tongue pieces 15 are not limited to the example shown in the figure.

[0029] The holding members 5a and 5b are members for holding the specimen spitz by pressing it from the outer periphery when the specimen spitz is stored. As described above, the holding members 5a and 5b are made of foamed resin, so that when the specimen spitz is inserted, the holding members 5a and 5b are compressed and elastically deformed, and a pressing force (and a frictional force due to this) due to a restoring force can be applied to the outer periphery of the specimen spitz. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the specimen spitz from falling out of the hole 13.

[0030] If the minimum distance (C in the figure) between the opposing tongues 15 is too large, the tongues will not come into contact with the thin specimen spitz when it is inserted, and the holding force will not be exerted. For this reason, the minimum distance C between the tongues 15 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the thinnest specimen spitz.

[0031] On the other hand, if the maximum diameter of the hole 13 (the maximum inner diameter of the portion other than the tongue 15) becomes small, as described above, it becomes difficult to insert a thick specimen spit. This is because, if the specimen spit has an outer diameter in the range of C to B, the crushing allowance of the tongue 15 during insertion can be secured, and when the tongue is crushed, the gap between the tongues 15 or the bending of the tongue 15 does not hinder the insertion of the specimen spit.

[0032] However, when the outer diameter of the specimen spitz 15 exceeds B, the deformation is not caused by the tongue 15, but by the compressive deformation of the entire outer peripheral surface of the hole 13, and since the inner edge of the hole 13 is constrained in the circumferential direction, it becomes difficult to perform sufficient compressive deformation, etc., and the insertion resistance increases significantly. For this reason, the maximum diameter B of the hole 13 is set to be approximately equal to the inner diameter A of the large hole 11.

[0033] The restricting member 7 is a member for restricting further insertion depending on the diameter of the specimen spitz. The restricting member 7 has a plurality of pores 17 formed therein.

[0034] FIG. 5(c) is a diagram showing the fine hole 17. The inner diameter D of the fine hole 17 of the restricting member 7 is smaller than the inner diameter A of the large hole 11 of the insertion member 3a or the like. In addition, since the fine hole 17 does not have a tongue or the like, it is difficult to insert a specimen spitting having a diameter larger than the inner diameter D. Therefore, only specimen spittings of a predetermined size or smaller can be inserted into the fine hole 17. In other words, the fine hole 17 functions as a restricting hole that restricts the insertion of the specimen spitting.

[0035] As described above, only specimen spigots with a predetermined outer diameter or less can pass through the fine hole 17. Therefore, the inner diameter D of the fine hole 17 is larger than the minimum diameter of the specimen spigot to be measured. For example, it is set to be larger than the minimum interval C between the tongue pieces 15 of the holding member 5a or the like described above.

[0036] The bottom member 9 is disposed at the bottom of the specimen storage rack 1. The bottom member 9 is a member for supporting the lower ends of the specimen spindles from below. For this reason, the bottom member 9 does not need to have holes, but as shown in the figure, small holes 19 may be formed in the bottom member 9 at positions corresponding to the specimen spindles. In this way, liquids, etc., after cleaning, etc. do not accumulate in the bottom member 9, but can flow out from the small holes 19.

[0037] 3, the sample storage rack 1 is formed by stacking an insert member 3a, a holding member 5a, an insert member 3b, a restricting member 7, a holding member 5b, an insert member 3c, and a bottom member 9 in this order from above. Each member is bonded with an adhesive 21.

[0038] Before bonding, adhesive 21 is formed on the lower surface of insert member 3a, the upper and lower surfaces of insert member 3b, the lower surface of restricting member 7, and the upper and lower surfaces of insert member 3c. Since adhesive 21 is disposed in portions other than the holes of each member, the laminated members are bonded to each other only in the areas where adhesive 21 is disposed.

[0039] In this way, the respective members are joined by the adhesive 21 disposed on at least one of the laminated surfaces of each other, but the adhesive 21 is not formed on the holding members 5a, 5b. In other words, the adhesive 21 is disposed on the upper or lower surface of a member other than the holding members 5a, 5b. In this way, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 21 from being disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the tongue piece 15.

[0040] For example, if adhesive 21 is placed on the underside of tongue 15, when a specimen spitz is inserted and tongue 15 is compressed and elastically deformed, tongue 15 itself will be stuck by adhesive 21, and tongue 15 will be maintained in a deformed state. In response to this, by not placing adhesive 21 on at least the tip side of tongue 15 where deformation is large, it is possible to prevent the tongue 15 from being hindered from restoring to its original state after compression.

[0041] As described above, the stacked structure of the specimen storage rack 1 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 3, but at least the holding member 5a is arranged above the restricting member 7, and the holding member 5b is arranged below the restricting member 7. That is, the specimen spitz can be held above the restricting member 7, and the specimen spitz can also be held below the restricting member 7.

[0042] As described above, the specimen storage rack 1 of this embodiment can be entirely made of a polyolefin foam such as polyethylene foam. In other words, there is no need to use urethane foam in combination as in the past. In other words, it can be entirely made of the same material.

[0043] In this embodiment, it is more preferable that all of the components are made of antiviral polyolefin foam (for example, antiviral polyethylene foam).

[0044] As an example of an antiviral polyolefin foam, a polyolefin-based extruded resin foam with excellent foaming properties containing, as an antiviral agent, silver or a silver compound, or a phosphate-based compound carrying silver ions, in an amount of 0.8 to 5.0 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of polyolefin resin, can be applied (Patent Publication No. 2022-119552).

[0045] Alternatively, at least one surface of a polyolefin-based extruded resin foam containing an antiviral agent is a sliced ​​surface (or cut surface) in which the cell walls constituting the foam layer are opened, and the antiviral agent is exposed on the sliced ​​surface (or cut surface) (Patent Publication No. 2022-64037).

[0046] In this way, since all components are made of antiviral polyolefin foam resin and the antiviral agent is exposed on the entire surface, there is no need to perform virus removal work after use.

[0047] Next, a method of using the specimen storage rack 1 will be described. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams showing the process of inserting a relatively thick specimen spitz 23a into the specimen storage rack 1. As described above, each member is layered, and from the top, the large hole 11, the hole 13, the large hole 11, the small hole 17, the hole 13, the large hole 11, and the small hole 19 are arranged in a row.

[0048] When the specimen spitz 23a is inserted from above the specimen storage rack 1, the outer diameter of the relatively thick specimen spitz 23a is smaller than the large hole 11, so that the specimen spitz 23a can be easily inserted into the large hole 11.

[0049] On the other hand, tongue pieces 15 are formed in the holes 13 of the holding member 5a, and the distance between the tongue pieces 15 is smaller than the outer diameter of the specimen spitz 23a. Therefore, the specimen spitz 23a comes into contact with the tongue pieces 15. However, since the tongue pieces 15 are arranged spaced apart (cut off) in the circumferential direction, the specimen spitz 23a easily elastically deforms when it is pushed in. In this way, the specimen spitz 23a can be easily inserted into the large hole 11 of the insertion member 3a, the hole 13 of the holding member 5a, and the large hole 11 of the insertion member 3b.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6(b), when the specimen spitz 23a reaches the restricting member 7, the inner diameter of the pore 17 of the restricting member 7 is smaller than the outer diameter of the specimen spitz 23a, so the lower end of the specimen spitz 23a comes into contact with the restricting member 7 (the edge of the pore 17). At this time, since the pore 17 does not have a tongue-like structure, there is a very large resistance when the specimen spitz 23a is pushed in. Therefore, further insertion is restricted.

[0051] Even in this state, the specimen spitz 23a is held by the holding member 5a. This makes it possible to prevent the specimen spitz 23a from accidentally falling out of the specimen storage rack 1. Furthermore, the specimen spitz 23a can be stored in the specimen storage rack 1 by at least the thickness of the insertion members 3a, 3b and the holding member 5a. This makes it possible to stably hold the specimen spitz 23a.

[0052] Next, a process of inserting another specimen spitz into the specimen storage rack 1 will be described. Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing a process of inserting a relatively thin specimen spitz 23b into the specimen storage rack 1.

[0053] When the specimen spitz 23b is inserted from above the specimen storage rack 1, the outer diameter of the relatively thin specimen spitz 23b is smaller than that of the large hole 11, so that the specimen spitz 23b can be easily inserted into the large hole 11.

[0054] In addition, the holes 13 of the holding member 5a are formed with tongues 15, and the distance between the tongues 15 is smaller than the outer diameter of the specimen spitz 23b, but since the tongues 15 are arranged spaced apart (cut off) in the circumferential direction, the specimen spitz 23b is easily elastically deformed when it is pressed in. At this time, since the distance between the opposing tongues 15 is smaller than the outer diameter of the specimen spitz 23b, the tongues 15 can be reliably pressed against the specimen spitz 23b.

[0055] Furthermore, since the inner diameter of the narrow hole 17 of the restricting member 7 is larger than the outer diameter of the specimen spitz 23b, the specimen spitz 23b can be easily inserted into the narrow hole 17. Also, the hole 13 and the large hole 11 are arranged below the restricting member 7, and as described above, the specimen spitz 23b can be easily inserted into the hole 13 and the large hole 11. Therefore, the specimen spitz 23b can be pushed into the specimen storage rack 1 until the lower end of the specimen spitz 23b contacts the bottom member 9.

[0056] In addition, a small hole 19 is formed in the bottom member 9, but the inner diameter of the small hole 19 is sufficiently smaller than the outer diameter of the specimen spitz 23b, so that the lower end of the specimen spitz 23b comes into contact with the bottom member 9 (the edge of the small hole 19). At this time, since the small hole 19 does not have a tongue-like structure, there is a very large resistance when the specimen spitz 23b is pushed in. Therefore, further insertion is restricted.

[0057] In this case, the specimen spitz 23b is held by both the holding members 5a and 5b. Therefore, the specimen spitz 23a is prevented from accidentally falling off the specimen storage rack 1.

[0058] Next, a case will be described in which a relatively thick specimen spitz 23a is inserted into the same part, the specimen spitz 23a is removed, and the specimen spitz 23b is inserted into the same part again. In the state shown in FIG. 6(b), as described above, the tongue piece 15 of the holding member 5a is strongly compressed and elastically deformed. In addition, since the holding member 5a is, for example, a polyethylene resin foam, even after the specimen spitz 23a is removed, the compressed deformation does not immediately return to its original state, but a certain time is required.

[0059] For example, depending on the conditions, when a thick specimen spitz 23a was inserted into a specimen rack made of polyethylene foam resin for 24 hours and then removed, the time it took for the tongue to completely return to its original shape was measured, and it took about 6 minutes. In other words, even if a relatively thin specimen spitz 23b is inserted into the holding member 5a before it is restored, the holding member 5a (tongue 15) cannot hold the specimen spitz 23b. Therefore, there is a risk of it falling off.

[0060] On the other hand, the specimen spitz 23a is not inserted deeper than the restricting member 7. Therefore, even when the specimen spitz 23a is inserted, the tongue 15 of the holding member 5b is not deformed. Also, as described above, the specimen spitz 23b can be inserted deeper than the restricting member 7. Therefore, even if the holding member 5a is not strong enough when the specimen spitz 23b is inserted, the holding member 5b can hold the specimen spitz 23b. Therefore, the work can be continued without waiting for the tongue 15 to return to its original shape.

[0061] As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the specimen storage rack 1 is made of a single polyethylene foam resin, it can be used without waiting for the compressed foam resin to restore when replacing the specimen spitzes. In addition, even if the specimen spitzes 23b are thin, they are securely held by the holding member 5b, so that the specimen spitzes 23b are prevented from falling off during transportation, etc.

[0062] In addition, since the material can be made of a single polyolefin foam resin, known antiviral polyethylene foam resins, etc. can be used, which reduces the need for virus removal and other tasks.

[0063] Furthermore, by not disposing adhesive 21 on the upper and lower surfaces of holding members 5a and 5b, it is possible to prevent tongue piece 15 from being hindered from returning to its original shape after deformation.

[0064] Furthermore, by providing the small holes 19 in the bottom member 9, for example, it is possible to prevent liquid or the like from accumulating in the bottom member 9.

[0065] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1: Sample storage rack 3a, 3b, 3c……Insert parts 5a, 5b……Holding member 7. Regulating member 9……Bottom member 11………Large hole 13……hole 15……Tongue piece 17....Pore 19……Small hole 21...Adhesive 23a, 23b: Specimen Spitz

Claims

1. A specimen storage rack made of a resin foam capable of storing a plurality of specimen tubes, An insertion member having a plurality of holes into which specimen spitzes can be inserted; A holding member having a plurality of tongues capable of holding the side surfaces of the specimen spitz on the inner surfaces of the plurality of insertion portions of the specimen spitz; a restricting member having a plurality of restricting holes each having an inner diameter smaller than that of the hole and into which a specimen spitz of a predetermined size or smaller can be inserted; A bottom member for supporting the lower end of the specimen spitz; Equipped with Each component is layered to form a A specimen storage rack, characterized in that the holding member is disposed at least above the regulating member, and the holding member is also disposed below the regulating member.

2. 2. The specimen storage rack according to claim 1, wherein the resin foam is an antiviral polyolefin foam.

3. From the top, 2. The specimen storage rack according to claim 1, wherein the insert member, the holding member, the insert member, the regulating member, the holding member, the insert member and the bottom member are stacked in this order.

4. The respective members are bonded to each other by an adhesive disposed on at least one of the lamination surfaces, 2. The specimen storage rack according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is disposed on an upper surface or a lower surface of a member other than the holding member.

5. 2. The specimen storage rack according to claim 1, wherein said bottom member is formed with small holes at locations corresponding to specimen spitzes.

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