Deep-sinking pipe rack

Abstract

To provide a centrifuge tube rack which can firmly hold an inserted centrifuge tube and maintain appropriate easiness of pulling-out of the centrifuge tube.SOLUTION: This centrifuge tube rack comprises: a body; and one or more roughly cylindrical hole parts which are formed in the body and into which a centrifuge tube rack can be inserted from a closed bottom side. In the peripheral walls of the hole parts, projected parts which come into point-contact with a centrifuge tube on the short sections of the hole parts when at least parts are projected to the inner space side of the hole parts and the centrifuge tube is inserted are provided at a plurality of places different from each other in the peripheral direction of the peripheral walls.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rack for centrifuge tubes.

Background Art

[0002] Centrifuge tubes, which are used not only as containers for centrifuging samples but also as containers for clinical tests and the like, often have a tube with a closed bottom processed into a conical shape or a tube with a closed bottom processed into a round bottom, etc., for visibility and workability in separation, recovery, etc. Therefore, usually, a dedicated rack (rack for centrifuge tubes) is used to stand up this centrifuge tube.

[0003] Note that, for example, there is also known a self-standing centrifuge tube that can stand up without using a rack as described in Patent Document 1, but there are also centrifuges that cannot use such a self-standing centrifuge tube, and the need for a rack for centrifuge tubes is still high at present.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] This rack for centrifuge tubes is required to have a performance such that when a centrifuge tube is inserted, it is neither too loose nor too tight, the inserted centrifuge tube does not come out even when the rack for centrifuge tubes is tilted, and the centrifuge tube can be easily removed by human force.

[0006] However, in the case of the conventional centrifuge tube rack, when sterilization treatment (such as EOG sterilization treatment) is performed with the centrifuge tube inserted, or when the centrifuge tube is repeatedly inserted and removed, its shape (especially the shape of the hole into which the centrifuge tube is inserted) may be deformed, and the centrifuge tube may be easily removed when the centrifuge tube rack is tilted or the like. And if the size of the hole of the centrifuge tube rack is designed to be smaller assuming such a shape deformation, it may be difficult to insert the centrifuge tube.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a centrifuge tube rack that can firmly hold the centrifuge tube when inserted and also appropriately maintains the ease of inserting and removing the centrifuge tube.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The centrifuge tube rack according to the present invention includes a main body portion and at least one substantially cylindrical hole formed in the main body portion through which the centrifuge tube can be inserted from the closed bottom side. On the peripheral wall of this hole, there are provided at a plurality of different positions in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall, protruding portions that at least partially protrude toward the inner space side of the hole and are in point contact with the centrifuge tube in the short-axis cross-section of the hole when the centrifuge tube is inserted.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to firmly hold the centrifuge tube when inserted, and also appropriately maintain the ease of inserting and removing the centrifuge tube. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain a centrifuge tube rack in which these functions are maintained even when sterilization treatment such as ethylene oxide gas sterilization (EOG sterilization) is performed or when repeatedly used.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the centrifuge tube rack according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. That is, the shape, dimensions, arrangement, etc. of the members described below can be changed and improved without departing from the gist of the present invention, and it goes without saying that equivalents thereof are included in the present invention. In addition, in all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate. Note that, for the sake of convenience, there are parts that are not (omitted) labeled in any of the drawings. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the respective members shown in the drawings may be different from the actual dimensional ratios in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention.

[0012] <Summary> First, an overview of the centrifuge tube rack according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Note that FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the entire centrifuge tube rack 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a state in which the centrifuge tube 50 is held in the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to this embodiment. Further, FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to this embodiment from the upper side (the opening side of the hole 13).

[0013] The centrifuge tube rack 100 according to this embodiment includes a main body 11 and a substantially cylindrical hole 13 formed in the main body 11 and into which the centrifuge tube 50 can be inserted from the closed bottom 51 side, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. On the peripheral wall 23 of the hole 13, protrusions 21 that project at least partially toward the inner space of the hole 13 and make point contact with the centrifuge tube 50 in the short cross-sectional direction of the hole 13 when the centrifuge tube 50 is inserted are provided at a plurality of different positions in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 23.

[0014] Here, the overall shape of the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it has a shape and size that can function as a rack for holding one or more centrifuge tubes 50 in an upright state. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the main body 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape of a size capable of holding a plurality of centrifuge tubes 50 upright, and a plurality of substantially cylindrical holes 13 are formed so as to open in the flat surface portion 15 on the upper side (the side that becomes the upper part when standing on its own) of the main body 11 and hang down from this flat surface portion 15. Examples include such structures. Regarding the lower side of the main body 11, for example, it may have a flat bottom and be able to stand on its own when this flat bottom is placed on a placement surface, or the lower side of the main body 11 may have a gap except for at least a part of the periphery, and it may be able to stand on its own when at least a part of the periphery of the lower side of the main body 11 is placed on a placement surface. That is, the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to this embodiment may have any shape and size that can stand on its own while holding one or more centrifuge tubes 50 in an upright state.

[0015] Further, it is preferable that the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment has at least a main body portion 11 in which a hole portion 13 is formed and is made of a resin material. This is because it is easy to manufacture the main body portion 11 including the hole portion 13 by vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, injection blow molding, or the like. Here, "being made of a resin material" means that the resin material is included as a main material (the resin material is contained in 70% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, and even more preferably 90% by mass or more of the total mass of the member), and materials other than the resin material such as additives may be included within a range that does not affect the effects of the present invention.

[0016] Note that not only the main body portion 11 but also the entire centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment may be made of a resin material, or at least a part of other members (for example, a gripping portion) other than the main body portion 11 may be made of a material other than the resin material (for example, glass). However, since it is easy to integrally mold the entire centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment, it is more preferable that the entire centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment is made of a resin material (particularly the same resin material).

[0017] Examples of this resin material include polyolefin resins such as polypropylene resin, polyethylene resin, polymethylpentene resin, and ethylene-propylene copolymer, or cyclic polyolefin resins, polystyrene resins such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, polyacrylic resins such as polyethylene terephthalate resin and polybutylene terephthalate resin, methacrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate resin, fluorine resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylic resins such as polyacrylonitrile, cellulose resins such as propionate resin, polycarbonate resin, vinyl chloride resin, polyarylate resin, polysulfone resin, polyethersulfone resin, polyetheretherketone resin, polyetherimide resin, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0018] Among these, when sterilization treatment such as ethylene oxide gas sterilization (EOG sterilization) is performed at around 40°C with the centrifuge tube 50 inserted into the hole portion 13 before clinical examination or the like, the amount of deformation (especially the amount of deformation of the hole portion 13) is smaller. Therefore, it is more preferable to use a polystyrene-based resin. That is, it is more preferable that at least the main body portion 11 of the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment is made of a polystyrene-based resin. And it is even more preferable that the entire centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment is made of a polystyrene-based resin.

[0019] In addition, since foreign matters derived from the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment are less likely to occur, it is more preferable to use a polystyrene-based resin other than expanded polystyrene, which is polystyrene containing bubbles, as the polystyrene-based resin. That is, it is more preferable that the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment is made of a polystyrene-based resin excluding expanded polystyrene for the main body portion 11 and the like.

[0020] Also, the number of hole portions 13 formed in the main body portion 11 of the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment may be 1 or more. However, from the viewpoint of workability when inserting the centrifuge tube 50 and performing operations, it is preferable that a plurality of hole portions 13 are formed in the main body portion 11, more preferably 5 or more are formed, even more preferably 10 or more are formed, even more preferably 15 or more are formed, and even more preferably 20 or more are formed. And for the same reason, it is preferable that the number of these hole portions 13 is 50 or less, more preferably 45 or less, even more preferably 40 or less, even more preferably 35 or less, and even more preferably 30 or less. Here, the hole portion 13 formed in the main body portion 11 of the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment includes not only its internal space but also the portion of the peripheral wall 23. That is, this hole portion 13 means a hollow structure with a wall.

[0021] Furthermore, since this hole portion 13 facilitates the insertion of the centrifuge tube 50, it is preferable that the main body portion 11 (particularly the upper side of the main body portion 11) is provided with a flat portion 15, and the hole portion 13 opens into this flat portion 15. And it is preferable that the peripheral wall 23 of this hole portion 13 is formed by hanging down from the flat portion 15. When a plurality of hole portions 13 are formed in the main body portion 11, it is preferable that all of the plurality of hole portions 13 open into one flat portion 15, and it is more preferable that these peripheral walls 23 are all formed by hanging down from this flat portion 15. Note that the interval between the plurality of hole portions 13 is not particularly limited, and it may be designed in consideration of workability and the like.

[0022] Furthermore, the main body portion 11 (particularly the upper side of the main body portion 11) has a flat portion 15, a plurality of hole portions 13 each open into this flat portion 15, and the peripheral walls 23 of these hole portions 13 are formed by hanging down from the flat portion 15. Further, when the area of this flat portion 15 is equally divided into an end region 15b including all of the outer peripheral edge 15c of the flat portion 15 and a central region 15a (for example, a central region 15a similar to the flat portion 15 shown in FIG. 3), it is preferable that at least one or more hole portions 13 are formed in the end region 15b and at least one or more hole portions 13 are formed in the central region 15a. In this configuration, the hole portions 13 where the dividing line when the area of the flat portion 15 is equally divided overlaps with the opening are not included in either region. For example, in the flat portion 15 on the upper side of the main body portion 11 as shown in FIG. 3, among the 25 hole portions 13 where the peripheral wall 23 is formed by hanging down from the flat portion 15, 16 hole portions 13 open in the end region 15b, and 9 hole portions 13 open in the central region 15a similar to the flat portion 15. Such an embodiment is exemplified. Even in such an embodiment, in the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment, since a plurality of protruding portions 21 described later are provided on the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13, in the centrifuge tube rack 100 after sterilization treatment such as EOG sterilization, etc., both the hole portions 13 in the end region 15b and the hole portions 13 in the central region 15a exhibit the above-described effects (the effect that the ease of inserting and removing the centrifuge tube 50 is appropriately maintained) in the same manner. That is, it is characteristic that the difference in the above-described effects is small between the hole portions 13 in the end region 15b and the hole portions 13 in the central region 15a.

[0023] <Configuration of the hole portion> Next, the configuration of the hole 13 formed in the main body 11 of the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7. Note that FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the hole 13 of the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 5 to 7 are schematic cross-sectional views in the short side direction of the hole 13 showing a state in which the centrifuge tube 50 is inserted into the hole 13 of each embodiment of the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0024] The hole 13 provided in the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment is a substantially cylindrical portion formed in the main body 11 and capable of inserting the centrifuge tube 50 from the closed bottom 51 side. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a substantially cylindrical hole 13 that opens in the upper flat portion 15 of the main body 11 and whose peripheral wall 23 is formed to hang down from this flat portion 15 is exemplified. Note that this hole 13 may be formed as a concave portion in the main body 11, or may be formed so as to penetrate the main body 11.

[0025] And on the peripheral wall 23 of this substantially cylindrical hole 13, protrusions 21 that at least partially protrude toward the inner space side of the hole 13 (the space side where the centrifuge tube 50 is inserted) and that are in point contact with the centrifuge tube 50 in the short side direction cross section of the hole 13 when the centrifuge tube 50 is inserted are provided at a plurality of different locations in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 23.

[0026] Here, "at least partially protrudes toward the inner space side of the hole 13" means that, for example, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the short side direction cross section of the peripheral wall 23 of the substantially cylindrical hole 13, at least a part of the protrusion 21 protrudes toward the inner space side from the virtual inner peripheral line of the hole 13 (the inner peripheral line shown by a dotted line in FIGS. 5 to 7) when it is assumed that no protrusion 21 is provided at all. Further, "a plurality of different positions in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 23" means a plurality of positions that are different in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 23 and do not overlap with each other. Therefore, between each of the plurality of protrusions 21 provided on the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13, there is provided, for example, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 7, a region where no protrusion 21 is provided, that is, a region where the aforementioned virtual inner peripheral line and the actual inner peripheral line (the inner peripheral line shown by a solid line in FIGS. 5 to 7) overlap and continue.

[0027] For example, an embodiment is exemplified in which four protrusions 21 are provided at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the central axis 25 on the peripheral wall 23 of the substantially cylindrical hole portion 13 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, each protrusion 21 has a corrugated shape in which two valleys are repeated in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13, and in the cross section in the short side direction of the hole portion 13 (the cross section parallel to the flat portion 15 in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5), point contact with the sedimentation tube 50 occurs at the convex portions of this corrugated shape. Note that in the cross section in the longitudinal direction (depth direction) of the hole portion 13, the contact form between the protrusion 21 and the sedimentation tube 50 is not limited.

[0028] And if this protrusion 21 is provided at a plurality of different positions in the circumferential direction, that is, two or more positions, on the peripheral wall 23 of the substantially cylindrical hole portion 13, the effects of the present invention are exhibited. For example, even in an embodiment in which protrusions 21 are provided at two different positions in the circumferential direction on the peripheral wall 23 of the substantially cylindrical hole portion 13 as shown in FIG. 6, when the sedimentation tube 50 is inserted into the hole portion 13, in the cross section in the short side direction of the hole portion 13, the sedimentation tube 50 makes point contact with the two protrusions 21 and the peripheral wall 23 where no protrusion 21 is provided at one position. In this case, due to the point contact with these three positions in total in the cross section in the short side direction of the hole portion 13, the sedimentation tube 50 is firmly held, and the ease of insertion and removal of the sedimentation tube 50 is also appropriately maintained.

[0029] In addition, in an embodiment where, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the protruding portions 21 are provided at three or more different positions in the circumferential direction on the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13, and at least a part of the protruding portions 21 is provided at a rotationally symmetric position with respect to the central axis 25 of the hole portion 13, it is suitable because the sedimentation tube 50 can be easily inserted into the hole portion 13 and the sedimentation tube 50 can be more easily removed.

[0030] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, as described above, on the peripheral wall 23 of the substantially cylindrical hole portion 13, four protruding portions 21 are provided at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the central axis 25 of the hole portion 13. The protruding portion 21 has a corrugated shape in which two valleys are repeated in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13. In the short-side cross section of the hole portion 13, the sedimentation tube 50 is in point contact with two locations (eight locations in total) at each protruding portion 21. And in this cross section, the sedimentation tube 50 is not in contact with the peripheral wall 23 where the protruding portion 21 is not provided.

[0031] Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, on the peripheral wall 23 of the substantially cylindrical hole portion 13, three protruding portions 21 are provided at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the central axis 25 of the hole portion 13. The protruding portion 21 has a mountain shape having one convex portion facing the inner space side of the hole portion 13. In the short-side cross section of the hole portion 13, the sedimentation tube 50 is in point contact with one location (three locations in total) at each protruding portion 21. Also in this cross section, the sedimentation tube 50 is not in contact with the peripheral wall 23 where the protruding portion 21 is not provided.

[0032] In addition, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the protruding portions 21 may be provided at positions other than the rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the central axis 25 of the hole portion 13 (for example, a modification in which another protruding portion 21 is provided between any of the four protruding portions 21 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5). That is, an embodiment in which a part of the protruding portion 21 is not provided at a rotationally symmetric position with respect to the central axis 25 of the hole portion 13 may be used. Alternatively, an embodiment in which all the protruding portions 21 are provided at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the central axis 25 of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13 may be used.

[0033] Here, in the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment, when the centrifuge tube 50 is inserted into the hole 13, the point contact locations between the centrifuge tube 50 and the protruding portion 21 or the peripheral wall 23 without the protruding portion 21 in the short-side cross section are preferably four or more, more preferably six or more, and even more preferably eight or more, because it is easier to make the difference in the effects caused by the formation region of the hole 13 in the main body portion 11 smaller. Also, although the upper limit is not limited, it is preferably 20 or less, more preferably 18 or less, and even more preferably 16 or less, because it is easier to maintain the ease of inserting and removing the centrifuge tube 50.

[0034] Furthermore, it is more preferable that at least one of the plurality of protruding portions 21 has a corrugated shape in which valleys are repeated in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole 13 as described above. This is because the insertion and removal of the centrifuge tube 50 into and from the hole 13 can be made smoother, and the difference in the effects caused by the formation region of the hole 13 in the main body portion 11 can also be made smaller. For example, embodiments of the protruding portion 21 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are exemplified, and it is more preferable that all the protruding portions 21 provided on the peripheral wall 23 of the hole 13 have a corrugated shape, but a part of them may not have a corrugated shape.

[0035] This corrugated shape may be a shape in which the center waveform of the protruding portion 21 in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole 13 is a convex portion toward the inner space side of the hole 13, or a shape in which the center waveform is a concave portion, and it may be appropriately selected according to the design such as the number of point contact locations between the centrifuge tube 50 and one protruding portion 21 as described above. When the number of point contact locations between the centrifuge tube 50 and one protruding portion 21 is larger, it becomes easier to hold the centrifuge tube 50 more stably. On the other hand, when the number of point contact locations between the centrifuge tube 50 and one protruding portion 21 is smaller, it becomes easier to remove the centrifuge tube 50 inserted into the hole 13.

[0036] Therefore, although the number of repetitions of valleys in the circumferential direction of the corrugated peripheral wall 23 is not limited, it is preferably a corrugated shape in which the valleys are repeated 2 to 4 times in one protrusion 21. Further, when a plurality of corrugated protrusions 21 are provided, the number of repetitions of valleys in the circumferential direction of these corrugated peripheral walls 23 does not have to match, but it is preferable that all of the plurality of corrugated protrusions 21 provided on the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13 have the same number of repetitions of valleys in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 23.

[0037] Furthermore, in the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13, it is more preferable that all of the plurality of protrusions 21 extend from the opening into which the deep settling tube 50 of the hole portion 13 is inserted to a position that is 20% or more of the depth D of the hole portion 13, that is, to a position where the length from the opening of the protrusion 21 in the depth direction (longitudinal direction) of the hole portion 13 is 20% or more of the depth D of the hole portion 13. This is because it is easier to be firmly held when the deep settling tube 50 is inserted into the hole portion 13.

[0038] For example, among the depth D of the hole portion 13 shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the protrusion 21 extends from the opening (flat surface portion 15) of the hole portion 13 toward the lower side to a position that is 20% or more of the depth D of the hole portion 13. Furthermore, embodiments in which the protrusion 21 extends to a position that is 50% or more of the depth D of the hole portion 13 or embodiments in which the protrusion 21 extends to the same position as the depth D of the hole portion 13 may also be acceptable.

[0039] Note that the depth D of the hole portion 13 is not limited, but is preferably 20% or more of the height H of the deep settling tube 50 inserted into the hole portion 13, and more preferably 25% or more. Also, the upper limit is not limited, but is preferably 50% or less of the height H of the deep settling tube 50 inserted into the hole portion 13, more preferably 45% or less, even more preferably 40% or less, and even more preferably 35% or less. Here, the height H of the deep settling tube 50 is the longitudinal length of the deep settling tube 50, and in the case of the deep settling tube 50 with a cap, it is the longitudinal length in the state where the cap is attached (FIG. 2).

[0040] And, the length (the extending length) from the opening of the protruding portion 21 in the hole portion 13 with such a depth D is preferably a length that extends to a position that is 20% or more of the depth D of the hole portion 13 from the opening as described above. Further, the length from the opening of the protruding portion 21 is preferably a length that can be in direct contact with the straight tube portion 53 having a smaller taper than the closed bottom portion 51 when the deep sinking tube 50 is inserted into the hole portion 13.

[0041] Furthermore, regarding the wall thickness of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13 including the protruding portion 21, an embodiment in which the wall thickness at the protruding portion 21 of the hole portion 13 and the wall thickness of the region of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13 where the protruding portion 21 is not provided are uniform is more preferable. That is, an embodiment in which the wall thickness at the protruding portion 21 of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13 is not thicker than other regions is more preferable. This is because when the deep sinking tube 50 is inserted, the protruding portion 21 is easily bent outward, and the protruding portion 21 expands and contracts outward according to the insertion and extraction of the deep sinking tube 50, making it easier to insert and remove the deep sinking tube 50. In this embodiment, the region surrounding the peripheral wall 23 (the portion having the wall thickness of the peripheral wall 23) of the hole portion 13 in the main body portion 11 is a void.

[0042] For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, regarding the wall thickness T of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13, it is preferable that the wall thickness at the protruding portion 21 and the wall thickness of the peripheral wall 23 of the region where the protruding portion 21 is not provided are uniform, that is, the wall thickness of the entire peripheral wall 23 forming the substantially cylindrical shape of the hole portion 13 is uniform. With such a configuration, as described above, it becomes easier to insert and remove the deep sinking tube 50.

[0043] Here, "the wall thickness is uniform" means that the variation (the difference between the maximum and the minimum) of the measured values when the wall thickness of the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13 at the protruding portion 21 or the region where the protruding portion 21 is not provided is measured at 10 locations is within 1 mm. Note that the specific wall thickness of the peripheral wall 23 including the protruding portion 21 is not particularly limited.

[0044] <Method for manufacturing a rack for a deep sinking tube> Next, a method for manufacturing the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0045] The method for manufacturing the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment may follow a conventional method in plastic instrument manufacturing or the like, and is not particularly limited. For example, using a material composed of the resin material as described above, it can be manufactured by performing molding by vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, injection blow molding, or the like. Note that the entire centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment, including members other than the main body portion 11 and the hole portion 13, may be integrally molded, or a member separately manufactured from other materials or the like may be connected to the main body portion 11 or the like.

[0046] Then, a plurality of the above-described protruding portions 21 are provided at predetermined positions on the peripheral wall 23 of the hole portion 13. For example, using a mold corresponding to the shape of the centrifuge tube rack 100 according to the present embodiment (including the shape of the hole portion 13), after softening a resin sheet composed of a polystyrene-based resin or the like, it can be manufactured by a method such as stretching and molding according to this mold (vacuum forming).

[0047] As described above, the centrifuge tube rack 100 of the present embodiment obtained by the above manufacturing method can firmly hold the centrifuge tube 50 when the centrifuge tube 50 is inserted, and can also maintain an appropriate ease of insertion and removal of the centrifuge tube 50 even when sterilization treatment such as EOG sterilization is performed by inserting the centrifuge tube 50 or when it is repeatedly used.

[0048] And the above embodiment includes the following technical ideas. (1) A rack used for inserting and holding a centrifuge tube, comprising a main body portion, and one or more substantially cylindrical hole portions formed in the main body portion into which the centrifuge tube can be inserted from the closed bottom side, and on the peripheral wall of the hole portion, there are provided at a plurality of different positions in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall protruding portions that at least partially protrude toward the inner space side of the hole portion and are in point contact with the centrifuge tube in the short-axis cross-section of the hole portion when the centrifuge tube is inserted, the centrifuge tube rack. (2) On the peripheral wall of the hole portion, the protruding portions are provided at three or more different positions in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall, and at least a part of the protruding portions is provided at a rotationally symmetric position with respect to the central axis of the hole portion. The rack for centrifugation tubes according to (1). (3) At least one of the plurality of protruding portions has a corrugated shape in which valleys are repeated in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall of the hole portion. The rack for centrifugation tubes according to (1) or (2). (4) On the peripheral wall of the hole portion, all of the plurality of protruding portions extend from the opening for inserting the centrifugation tube of the hole portion to a position that is 20% or more of the depth of the hole portion. The rack for centrifugation tubes according to any one of (1) to (3). (5) The main body portion has a flat portion, and a plurality of the hole portions open to the flat portion respectively, and the peripheral walls are formed by hanging down from the flat portion. When the flat portion is divided into two equal areas in terms of area into an end region and a central region including all of the outer peripheral edge of the flat portion, at least one or more of the openings of the hole portions are formed in the end region and at least one or more are formed in the central region. The rack for centrifugation tubes according to any one of (1) to (4). (6) The wall thickness of the protruding portion of the hole portion and the wall thickness of the region of the peripheral wall where the protruding portion is not provided are uniform. The rack for centrifugation tubes according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) The main body portion is made of a polystyrene-based resin. The rack for centrifugation tubes according to any one of (1) to (6).

Explanation of Signs

[0049] 100 Rack for centrifugation tubes 11 Main body portion 13 Hole portion 15 Flat portion 15a Central region of the flat portion 15b End region of the flat portion 15c Outer peripheral edge of the flat portion 21 Protruding portion 23 Peripheral wall of the hole portion 25 Central axis 50 Centrifugation tube 51 Closed bottom of the centrifugation tube Straight tube part of the deep-sinking pipe Depth of the D hole part Wall thickness of the circumferential wall of the T hole part Height of the H deep-sinking pipe

Claims

1. A rack used for inserting and holding a centrifuge tube, comprising: a main body portion; and at least one substantially cylindrical hole formed in the main body portion and capable of inserting the centrifuge tube from the closed bottom side; on the peripheral wall of the hole, there are provided at a plurality of different positions in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall, protruding portions that at least partially protrude toward the inner space side of the hole and are in point contact with the centrifuge tube in the short-axis cross section of the hole when the centrifuge tube is inserted; the thickness of the protruding portions of the hole is uniform with the thickness of the region of the peripheral wall where the protruding portions are not provided; A rack for centrifuge tubes.

2. The rack for centrifuge tubes according to claim 1, wherein on the peripheral wall of the hole, the protruding portions are provided at three or more different positions in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall, and at least a part of the protruding portions is provided at rotationally symmetric positions with respect to the central axis of the hole.

3. The rack for centrifuge tubes according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of protruding portions has a corrugated shape in which valleys and peaks are repeated in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall of the hole.

4. The rack for centrifuge tubes according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein on the peripheral wall of the hole, all of the plurality of protruding portions extend from the opening for inserting the centrifuge tube of the hole to a position that is 20% or more of the depth of the hole.

5. The main body portion has a flat surface portion; the plurality of holes each open to the flat surface portion and the peripheral wall is formed to hang down from the flat surface portion; when the flat surface portion is divided into two equal areas in terms of area into an end region including all of the outer peripheral edge of the flat surface portion and a central region, at least one or more holes are formed in at least the end region and one or more holes are formed in the central region. The rack for centrifuge tubes according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The rack for centrifuge tubes according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main body portion is made of a polystyrene-based resin.

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