Label printing system and label printing method

Abstract

To print information on a label of a sample container after the container is dispensed even when the number of target samples is large.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a label print system 1, including: a label attached on a sample container 10; and a laser marker 24 for printing sample information of a sample in a sample container 10 on a label of the sample container 10 on a conveyance line 7 to convey from a dispensation device for dispensing a sample to the sample container 10 to a predetermined rack placing device, by applying a UV laser beam. The label is a heat sensitive sheet that produces color in reception of a UV laser beam.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a label printing system and a label printing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a specimen processing system. The specimen processing system is composed of a preprocessing system that preprocesses biological samples (blood) collected from patients, and an automatic analyzer that analyzes the preprocessed biological samples. The preprocessing system includes a labeler module for barcodes and the like, and a dispensing module. The labeler module prints barcodes on labels and then attaches the printed labels to aliquot specimen containers. The dispensing module receives holders carrying primary specimens and holders holding aliquot specimens, both of which have been removed from the labeler module. The dispensing module performs a dispensing operation. The automatic analyzer analyzes the components of the biological samples preprocessed by the preprocessing system.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a dispensing device for blood containers, etc. The dispensing device for blood containers, etc., includes a barcode reader that reads information from a barcode label affixed to a blood collection tube, and an inkjet printer that prints sorting instruction information based on the information read by the barcode reader in the blank portion of the barcode label affixed to the blood collection tube. A barcode label containing barcoded patient information about the subject, requested test items, a reception number, a sequential number, etc., is affixed to the surface of the blood collection tube. After reading the patient information, etc., from the barcode label affixed to the blood collection tube, the barcode reader inputs the information into a microprocessor or an external host computer disposed in the dispensing device, and the microprocessor or host computer prints sorting instruction information for each test item corresponding to the read patient information via the printer in the blank portion of the barcode label or information-writing label affixed to the blood collection tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5695071 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-59937 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the sample processing system described in Patent Document 1, a labeler module affixes a barcode label to the sample container of each aliquot of a child sample. However, since sample information such as patient information and test items is not printed on the label of each aliquot of a child sample, the sample information cannot be visually confirmed. To enable visual confirmation of the sample information of each aliquot of a child sample, an inkjet printer can be used to print the sample information on a label affixed to a blood collection tube (sample container), as in the dispensing device described in Patent Document 2. However, while the dispensing device described in Patent Document 2 may be able to process the desired number of samples within a specified time in facilities (e.g., hospitals) that process a relatively small number of samples, in facilities (e.g., testing institutions such as registered sanitary laboratories) that process a large number of samples (e.g., approximately 200,000 or more per day), its processing capacity per unit time is low and it may not be possible to process the desired number of samples within a specified time.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a label printing system and a label printing method that are capable of printing sample information on labels of sample containers of samples after dispensing, even when the number of target samples is large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a label printing system comprising: a label to be affixed to a sample container; and a laser marker that prints sample information about the sample contained in the sample container by irradiating it with UV laser light onto the label of the sample container on a transport line that transports the sample from a dispensing device that dispenses the sample into the sample container to a predetermined destination, wherein the label is a heat-sensitive sheet that changes color when exposed to UV laser light.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a label printing system of the first aspect described above, comprising a rack that supports the sample containers and has an RF tag on which the sample information is recorded, and a reading unit that can read the sample information from the RF tag of the rack, wherein the sample containers are transported on the transport line from the dispensing device to the specified destination while supported by the rack, and the laser marker prints the sample information from the RF tag of the rack, read by the reading unit, on the label of the sample container supported by the rack.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a label printing system of the second aspect described above, comprising a holding means for holding at least one of the rack and the sample container and stopping the sample container supported by the rack at a predetermined position on the transport line, and the laser marker prints on the label of the sample container held by the holding means at the predetermined position on the transport line.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a label printing system according to the third aspect, comprising a rotating means for rotating the rack and the specimen container held at the predetermined position on the conveying line by the holding means, and a label detection means for detecting the position of the label on the specimen container rotated at the predetermined position by the rotating means, and the laser marker prints on the label in response to detection of the label by the label detection means.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a label printing system according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the reading unit reads the specimen information from the RF tag of the rack at the predetermined position on the conveying line or at a position immediately before the predetermined position.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a label printing method comprising: a first step of dispensing a sample into a sample container having a label affixed thereto; a second step of transporting the sample container into which the sample has been dispensed toward a predetermined destination after the first step; and a third step of printing predetermined information on the label of the sample container on a transport line transporting the sample container toward the predetermined destination using a laser marker, wherein the label is a heat-sensitive sheet that changes color when exposed to UV laser light, and the laser marker prints the label by irradiating it with UV laser light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, even when the number of target samples is large, sample information can be printed on the labels of sample containers of the samples after dispensing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a sample sorting system having a label printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of a rack and sample containers supported by the rack. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the static sensitivity characteristics of a label. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the dynamic sensitivity characteristics of a label. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a label printing system. [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram of a laser marker, where (a) shows the state before printing, (b) shows the state when a label detection signal is received, (c) shows the state when printing starts, and (d) shows the state when printing ends. [Figure 8] 3 is a flowchart illustrating a label printing method according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the label printing system 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sample sorting system 100 having a label printing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of a rack 11 and sample containers 10 supported by the rack 11. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Fig. 2.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the label printing system 1 according to this embodiment is used in a sample sorting system 100 in a facility (e.g., a testing institution such as a registered sanitary testing laboratory) that processes a large number of samples (e.g., blood samples) (e.g., approximately 200,000 or more samples per day).

[0018] The sample sorting system 100 includes a primary sample input section 2, an information management device 3, an aliquot dispenser 4, multiple rack transfer devices 5, a transport device 6 such as a conveyor, and a label printing system 1. The primary sample input from the primary sample input section 2 is aliquoted by the aliquot dispenser 4 into child samples, and then transported by the transport device 6 to a predetermined rack transfer device (transport destination) 5 corresponding to the test item of each child sample. The label printing system 1 according to this embodiment is installed midway along a transport line 7 from the aliquot dispenser 4 to the rack transfer device 5. The transport line 7 refers to a transport route for sample containers 10 transported from the aliquot dispenser 4 by the transport device 6 such as a conveyor. In the following description, the upstream side refers to the upstream side in the transport direction by the transport device 6, and the downstream side refers to the downstream side in the transport direction by the transport device 6.

[0019] The primary sample input unit 2 is an input unit for primary samples to the sample sorting system 100, and primary samples placed on a rack (not shown) are input into the primary sample input unit 2. The primary sample rack is provided with a recording unit such as a barcode or RF tag, and an ID as an identifier unique to the rack is recorded in this recording unit. The primary sample input unit 2 reads the ID of the rack of the input primary sample and transmits it to the information management device 3.

[0020] The information management device 3 manages rack IDs and information about samples supported on the racks (hereinafter referred to as "sample information") in association with each other. The sample information includes information required for dispensing each parent sample into one or more child samples according to the test items (hereinafter referred to as "aliquot information"). In addition to the aliquot information, the sample information includes, for example, information about the subject (name, age, etc.), the parent sample ID, the test items, the date (processing date), the sorting destination name, etc.

[0021] The dispensing device 4 dispenses aliquots of aliquots (specimens) from the parent sample into sample containers 10 based on the ID of the rack of the parent sample read by the parent sample input unit 2 and the dispensing information stored in the information management device 3. A label 12 is attached to the sample container 10 before dispensing the aliquot. The dispensing device 4 dispenses the aliquots of aliquots of specimen into the sample container 10 supported by a rack 11 (the state shown in FIG. 2). After dispensing, the sample container 10, supported by the rack 11, is transported by the transport device 6 toward the rack transfer device 5 corresponding to the test item.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the specimen container 10 is a container capable of containing a specimen, and is formed of a light-transmitting (transparent) material in a cylindrical shape with a bottom.

[0023] The label 12 attached to the specimen container 10 is a heat-sensitive sheet (heat-sensitive paper in this embodiment) that can develop color when exposed to UV (ULTRAVIOLET) laser light, and is attached to the surface of the specimen container 10. The attachment angle θ of the label 12 (the central angle θ of the specimen container 10 between one end and the other end of the label 12 in the circumferential direction of the specimen container 10) is set to be smaller than 180 degrees. In this embodiment, the attachment angle θ of the label 12 is set to 140 degrees. The label 12 is provided with a barcode 16 that records an ID as a unique identifier of the specimen container 10. Note that the label refers to something that is attached to the specimen container 10 to display information. Also, the heat-sensitive sheet refers to a sheet that can develop color when exposed to thermal energy from UV laser light. Also, the attachment angle θ of the label 12 is not limited to 140 degrees.

[0024] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the static sensitivity characteristics of the label, and Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the dynamic sensitivity characteristics of the label.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the label 12 is preferably made of thermal paper P1, which has low static sensitivity and high dynamic sensitivity. Static sensitivity characteristics indicate the color development characteristics of thermal paper relative to the ambient temperature and are expressed as the relationship between temperature and color density. When comparing multiple thermal papers, the one with lower color density at a given ambient temperature is said to have low static sensitivity. In Figure 4, thermal paper P1 has lower static sensitivity than thermal paper P2. Dynamic sensitivity characteristics indicate the color development characteristics during actual use and are expressed as the relationship between printing energy and color density. When comparing multiple thermal papers, the one with higher color density at a given printing energy is said to have high dynamic sensitivity. In other words, when comparing thermal papers with the same color density, the one that can be printed with lower printing energy is said to have high dynamic sensitivity. In Figure 5, thermal paper P1 has higher dynamic sensitivity than thermal paper P2. The label 12 of this embodiment is thermal paper P1.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the rack 11 is a member that supports one sample container 10 in an upright position and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The inner peripheral surface of the rack 11 defines a container insertion space 14 that is open upward. The container insertion space 14 is sized to allow the sample container 10 to be inserted from above. A locking groove 15 is formed in the lower part of the rack 11, extending circumferentially while being recessed radially inward from the outer peripheral surface of the rack 11. The locking groove 15 extends around the entire periphery of the rack 11. An RF (Radio Frequency) tag 13 is provided below the locking groove 15 of the rack 11. For example, the RF tag 13 is embedded in a region below the locking groove 15 of the rack 11.

[0027] The RF tag 13 of the rack 11 records sorting information used to transport the sample container 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "sample container 10") supported by the rack 11 from the dispensing device 4 to a predetermined rack transfer device (destination) 5, aliquot sample information including the ID of the aliquot sample in the sample container 10, parent sample information including the ID of the parent sample, and print information to be printed on the label 12 of the sample container 10. This information is extracted from the sample information stored in the information management device 3 and recorded on the RF tag 13 during the dispensing process in which the aliquot sample is dispensed from the parent sample by the dispensing device 4. The print information is, for example, the parent sample ID, test item, date (processing date), sorting destination name, etc., from the sample information stored in the information management device 3. In other words, the print information recorded on the RF tag 13 is sample information (predetermined information) related to the aliquot sample in the sample container 10. The RF tag 13 is capable of contactlessly transmitting and receiving data to and from an antenna 22a of a reader / writer 22 (described later).

[0028] The rack transfer device 5 is a device for transferring sample containers 10 held in a rack 11 from the rack 11 to another rack (not shown) (for example, a rack capable of supporting multiple sample containers 10), and multiple rack transfer devices 5 are provided downstream of the transport line 7 from the dispensing device 4 side. The transport devices 6 are provided in a tree shape branching out from the dispensing device 4 side to multiple rack transfer devices 5. In other words, the transport line 7 is provided with multiple branch sections 8 (see Figure 1). Each rack transfer device 5 corresponds to a test item for the sample.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the label printing system 1.

[0030] The label printing system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that prints information about the sample (sample information) in the sample container 10 on the label 12 of the sample container 10 on the transport line 7 from the dispensing device 4 to the rack transfer device 5. That is, the label printing system 1 is used in the pre-test processing before the sample is tested. The pre-test processing includes a dispensing process (first process) of dispensing the sample into the sample container 10, a transport process (second process) of sorting and transporting the dispensed samples to the rack transfer device 5 according to the test items, and a printing process (third process) of printing on the label 12 of the sample container 10.

[0031] The label printing system 1 includes a label 12 (see Figure 2) to be affixed to a specimen container 10 that contains a specimen, a rack 11 that supports the specimen container 10, a wheel (holding means) 20 provided on the conveying line 7, a turntable (rotating means) 21 provided on the conveying line 7, a reader / writer (reading unit) 22 that can read the printed information on the RF tag 13 of the rack 11, a label detection sensor (label detection means) 23 that detects the label 12 on the specimen container 10, and a laser marker 24 that can print on the label 12 on the specimen container 10.

[0032] The wheel 20 is a member capable of holding the sample containers 10 and racks 11 during transport and stopping the sample containers 10 and racks 11 at a predetermined position on the transport line 7 (the position where the turntable 21 is provided in FIG. 6 ), and is formed in a substantially circular plate shape that intersects the vertical direction. The wheel 20 is rotatable about a rotation axis CL1 (axial center) extending in the vertical direction. The rotation axis CL1 of the wheel 20 is located at the center of the wheel 20. A plurality of recesses 20a (16 locations in this embodiment) are formed on the outer periphery of the wheel 20 by cutting out radially inward. The plurality of recesses 20a are formed at equal angular intervals around the circumference of the wheel 20. The predetermined positions are located on the movement trajectory of the recesses 20a of the wheel 20. The wheel 20 rotates intermittently through an angle equal to the intervals between the recesses 20a so that each recess 20a stops at the predetermined position for a predetermined time (e.g., 1 to 1.5 seconds). The plurality of recesses 20a are formed in a semicircular shape. The thickness of the wheel 20 is thinner than the locking grooves 15 of the rack 11 (see FIG. 2 ), and the wheel 20 is disposed at a height position that allows it to enter the locking grooves 15 of the rack 11 on the transport line 7. The convex portions 20b between the multiple concave portions 20a of the wheel 20 enter between the racks 11 of multiple sample containers 10 transported from the upstream side of the transport line 7, separating one set of sample containers 10 and rack 11 from the other set of sample containers 10 and rack 11. A wall portion 25 extending in the circumferential direction of the wheel 20 is provided at a position spaced radially outward from the wheel 20 to prevent the sample containers 10 and rack 11 that have entered the concave portions 20a of the wheel 20 from moving radially outward. The wall portion 25 is provided in an area excluding the transport line 7a upstream of the wheel 20 and the transport line 7b downstream of the wheel 20. The rotation direction of the wheel 20 is set so as to guide the sample containers 10 and racks 11 from the upstream transport line 7a to the downstream transport line 7b via the predetermined position (counterclockwise in top view in this embodiment). That is, the transport line 7 for the sample containers 10 and racks 11 continues from the transport line 7a upstream of the wheel 20 to the transport line 7b downstream of the wheel 20 via the predetermined position.

[0033] The turntable 21 is a member that rotates the sample containers 10 and racks 11 stopped at the predetermined position by the wheel 20 around a rotation axis CL2 (axial center) extending in the vertical direction, and is provided at the predetermined position on the conveyor line 7. The turntable 21 is formed in a disk shape that intersects the vertical direction and rotates around the rotation axis CL2 extending in the vertical direction at a predetermined rotation speed (e.g., 105 rpm). The turntable 21 is positioned below the rack 11 at the predetermined position and supports the rack 11 from below. In this embodiment, the turntable 21 rotates continuously while the label printing system 1 is operating. When the sample containers 10 and racks 11 are guided by the wheel 20 from the upstream conveyor line 7a and reach the turntable 21 at the predetermined position, they rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the turntable 21. In this embodiment, the turntable 21 rotates the sample containers 10 and racks 11 multiple times while the wheel 20 is stopped at the predetermined position. The turntable 21 may be rotated intermittently so that the turntable 21 is rotated while the wheel 20 is stopped and the turntable 21 is stopped while the wheel 20 is rotating. In this case, the timing at which the turntable 21 rotates and stops may be matched with the timing at which the wheel 20 stops and rotates.

[0034] The reader / writer 22 is a device capable of writing information to the RF tag 13 and reading information recorded in the RF tag 13, and has an antenna 22a capable of reading printed information from the RF tag 13 of the rack 11. The antenna 22a of the reader / writer 22 is disposed in a position immediately before the predetermined position. The position immediately before the predetermined position is a position where the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 supported in the recess 20a immediately before the predetermined recess 20a stopped at the predetermined position can be read. In this embodiment, the antenna 22a of the reader / writer 22 is disposed in a position below the rack 11 supported in the recess 20a immediately before the predetermined recess 20a. The reader / writer 22 reads printed information from the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 immediately before the predetermined position using the antenna 22a.

[0035] The label detection sensor 23 is a sensor that detects the label 12 on the sample container 10, and its detection target is the label 12 on the sample container 10 at the predetermined position. For example, the label detection sensor 23 detects the label 12 by detecting the front edge 12a (see FIG. 7) in the rotational direction of the label 12 on the sample container 10 that rotates with the rotation of the turntable 21. When the label detection sensor 23 detects the label 12, it transmits a label detection signal to the laser marker 24. The label detection sensor 23 is, for example, a photoelectric sensor that detects an object by emitting light toward the object and receiving light reflected from the object. When the light is blocked by the label 12 from a state where the light is not blocked by the label 12 (a state where the light passes through the transparent sample container 10), the label detection sensor 23 receives the reflected light and detects the front edge 12a of the label 12.

[0036] The laser marker 24 is a device capable of non-contact printing by irradiating the label 12 on the sample container 10 with UV laser light, and irradiates the UV laser light toward the label 12 on the sample container 10 at the predetermined position. The laser marker 24 according to this embodiment is, for example, a Keyence MD-U1000C, and has an output of 2.5 W (at a pulse frequency of 40 kHz). In this embodiment, printing is performed by setting the scan speed of the laser marker 24 to 2500 mm / s, the pulse frequency to 40 kHz, and the output to 80%.

[0037] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the laser marker, where (a) shows the state before printing, (b) shows the state when the label detection signal is received, (c) shows the state when printing starts, and (d) shows the state when printing ends.

[0038] The laser marker 24 does not emit UV laser light before receiving a label detection signal from the label detection sensor 23 (see FIG. 7(a)). Note that, in order to ensure the accuracy of the label detection signal from the label detection sensor 23, the laser marker 24 does not receive the label detection signal from the label detection sensor 23 for a certain time after the sample container 10 and rack 11 reach above the turntable 21 at the above-mentioned predetermined position. When the laser marker 24 receives a label detection signal from the label detection sensor 23 after the certain time has elapsed since the sample container 10 and rack 11 reached above the turntable 21 at the above-mentioned predetermined position, the laser marker 24 prints the printing information most recently read by the reader / writer 22 on the label 12 of the sample container 10. In this embodiment, when the laser marker 24 receives a label detection signal from the label detection sensor 23 (see FIG. 7(b)), the label detection signal is used as a trigger to emit UV laser light at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is the time from when the label detection signal is received from the label detection sensor 23 until the irradiation of UV laser light begins, and the time from when the irradiation of UV laser light ends. That is, after receiving the label detection signal, the laser marker 24 starts irradiating UV laser light when the label 12 of the sample container 10 reaches the front of the laser marker 24 (see FIG. 7(c)), and finishes printing before the rear edge 12b of the label 12 of the sample container 10 in the rotational direction reaches the laser marker 24 (see FIG. 7(d)). In this way, the laser marker 24 finishes printing the print information on the label 12 of the sample container 10 while one sample container 10 is stopped at the predetermined position. After finishing printing, the laser marker 24 does not receive a label detection signal until the next sample container 10 and rack 11 reach the predetermined position. When the stopped wheel 20 starts to rotate, printing on the label 12 has been completed, and the sample container 10 is guided downstream from the above-mentioned predetermined position by the wheel 20 with the printed information (sample information in the sample container 10) printed on the label 12.The above-mentioned predetermined timing at which UV laser light is irradiated from the laser marker 24 after receiving a label detection signal from the label detection sensor 23 is a timing at which the sample information can be printed at a suitable position on the label 12, and is a timing derived in advance through experiments, simulations, etc.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the label printing method according to this embodiment.

[0040] The pre-test processing of the specimen includes a dispensing step (first step), a transporting step (second step), and a printing step (third step). In addition to the above steps, the pre-test processing may also include other steps that perform processing other than the above steps.

[0041] The dispensing process (step S1) is a process of dispensing aliquot samples from a parent sample into empty sample containers 10. In the dispensing process, the aliquot samples are dispensed from the parent sample into empty sample containers 10 by the dispensing device 4. In the dispensing process in which the aliquot samples are dispensed from the parent sample by the dispensing device 4, sorting information, aliquot sample information, parent sample information, printing information, etc. are recorded on the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 from the sample information stored in the information management device 3.

[0042] The transport step (step S2) is a step in which, after the dispensing step, the dispensed specimens (subspecimens) are sorted and transported to the rack transfer device 5 according to the test items. In the transport step, specimen containers 10 containing specimens dispensed in the dispensing step are inserted into racks 11 and transported by a transport device 6 such as a conveyor to the rack transfer device 5, which is the destination of the specimens.

[0043] The printing process (step S3) is a process of irradiating UV laser light onto the label 12 of the sample container 10 on the transport line 7 that is being transported by the transport device 6 toward the rack transfer device 5, to print printing information (sample information inside the sample container 10). In the printing process, the label printing system 1 prints the printing information recorded on the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 of the sample container 10 at the predetermined position on the transport line 7 onto the label 12 of the sample container 10.

[0044] 9 is a flowchart explaining the processing (processing in the printing step) of the label printing system 1. This processing is performed for each of the sample containers 10 that reach the predetermined position by the intermittent rotation of the wheel 20, among the multiple sample containers 10 transported from the dispensing device 4. Note that in this flowchart, the processing order of each step may be changed as long as the relationship between input and output of each step is not impaired.

[0045] In this process, first, when the sample container 10 supported by the rack 11 arrives at a position just before the above-mentioned predetermined position on the transport line 7, the reader / writer 22 reads the sample information from the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 (step S31).

[0046] Next, when the sample container 10 reaches the predetermined position on the transport line 7, the sample container 10 supported by the rack 11 is rotated by the turntable 21 (step S32).

[0047] Next, the label detection sensor 23 detects the label 12 on the sample container 10 rotating at the predetermined position on the transport line 7, and transmits a label detection signal to the laser marker 24 (step S33).

[0048] After receiving the label detection signal, the laser marker 24 irradiates UV laser light at the predetermined timing to print print information (specimen information inside the specimen container 10) on the label 12 of the specimen container 10 at the predetermined position (step S34). The laser marker 24 finishes printing the print information on the label 12 of the specimen container 10 while the specimen container 10 is stopped at the predetermined position.

[0049] In this way, in the label printing method according to this embodiment, after the dispensing device 4 dispenses a sample into a sample container 10 having a label 12 affixed thereto, the sample container 10 is transported on the transport line 7 from the dispensing device 4 toward a predetermined rack transfer device 5, and the sample information inside the sample container 10 is printed by the laser marker 24 on the label 12 of the sample container 10. The label 12 is made of thermal paper, and the laser marker 24 prints the label 12 by irradiating it with UV laser light.

[0050] In the label printing system 1 configured as described above, a laser marker 24 is used to print on the labels 12 of the sample containers 10 on the transport line 7 as they are transported from the dispensing device 4 to the rack transfer device 5, which is the specified destination. Therefore, unlike when a printer or the like is used to print on the labels 12 before they are affixed to the sample containers 10, and then the printed labels 12 are affixed to the sample containers 10 after dispensing, it is not necessary to affix the labels 12 on the transport line 7, which saves time and enables the processing of large quantities of samples.

[0051] Furthermore, labels 12 of specimen containers 10 on the transport line 7, which are transported from the dispensing device 4 to the rack transfer device 5, which is the predetermined destination, are printed by a laser marker 24 that irradiates UV laser light. This allows labels 12 of specimen containers 10 on the transport line 7 to be printed at high speed, enabling a large amount of specimens to be processed.

[0052] Furthermore, since the label 12 is printed using a laser marker 24 that irradiates it with UV laser light, printing can be done with low energy. Therefore, unlike printing using high energy, such as a CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser, the label 12 can be prevented from burning and producing soot.

[0053] Furthermore, since the label 12 is made of thermal paper, it can be printed at a higher speed than a normal paper label (a paper label other than thermal paper), and printing time can be reduced.

[0054] Furthermore, since the label 12 is a heat-sensitive sheet that can develop color when exposed to UV laser light, the label 12 can be printed satisfactorily with low energy using a laser marker 24 that irradiates UV laser light.

[0055] Furthermore, since the label 12 is made of the thermal paper P1, which has low static sensitivity and high dynamic sensitivity, the laser marker 24 can print on the label 12 satisfactorily with low energy.

[0056] Furthermore, the reader / writer 22 reads the printed information from the RF tag 13 on the rack 11 supporting the sample container 10, and the laser marker 24 prints the read printed information on the label 12. Therefore, unlike a case where the reader / writer 22 reads the sample ID from the sample container 10 or the rack 11, reads the printed information corresponding to the read ID from the information management device 3 or the like, and prints the read printed information on the label 12 by the laser marker 24, it is possible to print the label 12 on the sample container 10 on the transport line 7 at high speed and with fewer steps.

[0057] Furthermore, the laser marker 24 prints on the label 12 of the sample container 10 held at the above-mentioned predetermined position on the transport line 7 by the wheel 20. Therefore, unlike when printing on the label 12 of the sample container 10 while it is moving on the transport line 7 in the transport direction, it is possible to print accurately on the label 12.

[0058] The laser marker 24 prints on the label 12 of the sample container 10 that is rotated at the predetermined position on the conveyance line 7 by the wheel 20. In this way, the label 12 to be printed is moved relative to the position where the UV laser light is irradiated, allowing for high-speed printing.

[0059] Furthermore, since the label detection sensor 23 detects the label 12 on the specimen container 10 rotating at the predetermined position on the conveyor line 7, the laser marker 24 can reliably print on the label 12.

[0060] The reader / writer 22 also reads the printed information from the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 located just before the predetermined position on the conveyor line 7. In this way, since the printed information from the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 just before it reaches the predetermined position on the conveyor line 7 is read, there is no need to wait for the printed information to be read, and the read printed information can be immediately printed by the laser marker 24. Furthermore, since the printed information from the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 just before it reaches the predetermined position on the conveyor line 7 is read, there is no need to store a large amount of printed information before it is printed.

[0061] Therefore, according to this embodiment, even when the number of target samples is large, sample information can be printed on the label 12 of the sample container 10 of the sample after dispensing, so that the sample information of the child samples can be visually confirmed.

[0062] In this embodiment, the reader / writer 22 reads the printed information on the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 at a position just before the predetermined position on the conveyor line 7, but this is not limiting, and for example, the printed information on the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 may be read further upstream of the position just before the predetermined position on the conveyor line 7. Alternatively, the reader / writer 22 may read the printed information on the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 at the predetermined position on the conveyor line 7.

[0063] In addition, in this embodiment, the label detection sensor (label detection means) 23 is a photoelectric sensor, but this is not limited to this, and various other label detection means can be applied as long as they can detect the label 12 of the sample container 10 rotating at the above-mentioned predetermined position on the conveying line 7.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the specimen container 10 is rotated at the above-mentioned predetermined position on the conveyor line 7, but if marking is possible with the laser marker 24, the specimen container 10 does not need to be rotated.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, the sample container 10 is held by the wheel 20 on the conveying line 7 and stopped at the above-mentioned predetermined position on the conveying line 7, but this is not limited to this, and the sample container 10 does not have to be stopped at the above-mentioned predetermined position on the conveying line 7 as long as it can be printed by the laser marker 24.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printed information on the RF tag 13 on the rack 11 supporting the sample container 10 is read by the reader / writer 22, and the read printed information is printed by the laser marker 24, but this is not limited to this. For example, the reader / writer 22 may read the sample ID from the sample container 10 or the rack 11, read the printed information corresponding to the read ID from the information management device 3, etc., and print the read printed information on the label 12 by the laser marker 24.

[0067] In this embodiment, a substantially disk-shaped wheel 20 is provided to hold the sample containers 10 and racks 11 during transport and stop the sample containers 10 and racks 11 at the predetermined positions on the transport line 7, and the wheel 20 functions as the holding means, but the holding means is not limited to this. The holding means may be any means as long as it is capable of holding the sample containers 10 and racks 11 on the transport line 7 and stopping them at the predetermined positions.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, a turntable 21 is provided to rotate the sample container 10 at the predetermined position on the transport line 7, and the turntable 21 functions as a rotating means, but the rotating means is not limited to this. For example, the rotating means may be a roller or belt that rotates while in contact with at least one side of the sample container 10 or rack 11 at the predetermined position on the transport line 7.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, the placement position of the antenna 22a of the reader / writer 22 is set to a position below the rack 11 supported by the recess 20a just before the above-mentioned specified recess 20a, but this is not limited to this and may be set to any other position as long as the printed information on the RF tag 13 of the rack 11 can be read.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the label 12 is made of thermal paper, but is not limited to this and may be any thermal sheet that can develop color when irradiated with UV laser light. For example, the label 12 may be a thermal sheet made of a resin film that can develop color when irradiated with UV laser light.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the content of the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, all other embodiments, examples, operational techniques, etc. made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1: Label printing system 4: Dispensing device 5: Rack transfer device (transport destination) 7: Conveyor line 10: Sample container 11: Rack 12: Label 13: RF tag 20: Wheel (holding means) 21: Turntable (rotation means) 22: Reader / writer (reading unit) 23: Label detection sensor (label detection means) 24: Laser marker

Claims

1. a label to be attached to the specimen container; a laser marker that prints sample information about the sample contained in the sample container on the label of the sample container on a transport line that transports the sample from a dispensing device that dispenses the sample into the sample container to a predetermined destination by irradiating the label with UV laser light; a rack for supporting the sample containers, the rack having an RF tag on which print information, which is the sample information to be printed on the label of the sample container, is recorded; a reading unit capable of reading the printed information from the RF tag of the rack supporting the sample container on the transport line, The specimen container is transported on the transport line from the dispensing device to the predetermined destination while being supported by the rack, the label is a heat-sensitive sheet that changes color when exposed to UV laser light, A label printing system, wherein the laser marker prints the printed information of the RF tag of the rack read by the reading unit onto the label of the sample container supported by the rack.

2. a holding means for holding at least one of the rack and the sample container and stopping the sample container supported by the rack at a predetermined position on the transport line; 2. The label printing system according to claim 1, wherein the laser marker prints on the label of the specimen container held by the holding means at the predetermined position on the conveying line.

3. a rotating means for rotating the rack and the specimen container held at the predetermined position on the conveying line by the holding means; a label detection means for detecting the position of the label on the specimen container rotated at the predetermined position by the rotation means, 3. The label printing system according to claim 2, wherein the laser marker prints on the label in response to detection of the label by the label detection means.

4. The holding means has a plurality of holding parts capable of holding the specimen containers in a state supported by the rack, and stops the holding parts in sequence at the predetermined positions, the reading unit reads the printed information of the RF tag of the rack at the predetermined position on the conveying line or at a position immediately before the predetermined position, 4. The label printing system according to claim 2, wherein the immediately preceding position is the position of the holding unit that is located just before the holding unit that is stopped at the predetermined position, among the plurality of holding units of the holding means, and that next moves to the predetermined position.

5. a first step of dispensing a sample into a labeled sample container; a second step of transporting the sample container into which the sample has been dispensed toward a predetermined destination after the first step; a third step of printing predetermined information on the label of the sample container on the transport line transported toward the predetermined destination by using a laser marker; The specimen containers transported on the transport line toward the predetermined destination are supported on a rack having an RF tag on which print information, which is the predetermined information to be printed on the label of the specimen container, is recorded; In the third step, the print information stored in the RF tag of the rack is read, and the read print information is printed on the label of the sample container by the laser marker; the label is a heat-sensitive sheet that changes color when exposed to UV laser light, The label printing method includes the step of: printing the label by irradiating the label with UV laser light using the laser marker.

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