Removal device

Abstract

To stably hold a cylindrical container during conveyance.SOLUTION: A pneumatic conveyance element 1 used in a pneumatic tube system A includes: a cylindrical body part 10; a pair of lids 11a and 11b provided for end-part openings 10a and 10b of the body part 10 and capable of taking a closed position and an open position; a storage part 12 that is stored in the body part 10 and has a pipe 12c for storing a blood collection tube T; and a brush 13 that is attached to an inner peripheral surface of the pipe 12c and that urges the blood collection tube T to hold the blood collection tube T with frictional force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pneumatic element used in a pneumatic tube system, and a removal device for removing a tubular container from the pneumatic element. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a pneumatic tube system in which a tubular container such as a blood collection tube is housed in a pneumatic tube and the pneumatic tube is transported to a destination by air force within the pneumatic tube. Such a pneumatic tube system is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-107780 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned pneumatic tube system, it is required to hold the tubular container without damage during transport of the pneumatic tube. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tube that can stably hold the tubular container during transport, and a removal device that removes the tubular container from the pneumatic tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The pneumatic transport element of the present invention is used in a pneumatic tube system and is used to store and transport tubular containers, and comprises a cylindrical main body portion having end openings at both longitudinal ends that communicate with the internal space, a pair of lids provided for each of the end openings at both ends of the main body portion and that can take a closed position that closes the end opening and an open position that opens the end opening, a storage portion that is stored in the internal space, extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion, and has a pipe that can store the tubular container inside, and a friction member attached to the inner surface of the pipe that urges the tubular container stored in the pipe in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the pipe, thereby holding the tubular container by frictional force.

[0006] In this pneumatic element, the friction member that biases the tubular container can hold the tubular container by frictional force, thereby enabling the pneumatic element to stably hold the tubular container during transport in the pneumatic tube system.

[0007] In the air-transmitting element, the friction member may be attached to only one location in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the pipe. In this case, the air-transmitting element can hold the tubular container by sandwiching it between the friction member and the inner circumferential surface of the pipe.

[0008] In the air conveying element, a plurality of pipes may be provided, the pipes being arranged parallel to one another, and the friction member may bias the tubular container toward the center of the assembly of the plurality of pipes when viewed along the direction of extension of the pipes. In this case, the tubular container is positioned closer to the center of the end opening when viewed along the direction of extension of the pipes. This makes it possible to delay the timing at which the tubular container begins to be exposed from the end opening when the lid begins to move from the closed position to the open position and the end opening begins to open gradually from the edge. This makes it possible to prevent the tubular container from immediately falling off the pipe when the lid begins to open, even if, for example, the friction member's holding force on the tubular container is weakened.

[0009] In the air conveying element, the friction member may be a resin brush extending inward from the inner circumferential surface of the pipe. In this case, the air conveying element can easily hold the tubular container by the brush.

[0010] In the above-mentioned air conveying element, the pipe can accommodate a plurality of tubular containers arranged in a line inside, and the friction member can be provided over the entire length of the pipe in the extending direction. In this case, even when a plurality of tubular containers are accommodated in a line inside the pipe, the air conveying element can hold these tubular containers by the friction member.

[0011] The removal device of the present invention is an removal device that removes a tubular container from the above-mentioned air transfer nozzle, and includes a lid moving mechanism that moves each of a pair of lids from a closed position to an open position, and an extrusion mechanism that inserts an extrusion rod into the pipe from above to push the tubular container downward while the air transfer nozzle is supported so that one end opening of the main body faces upward and the other end opening faces downward and the pair of lids are each positioned in the open position.

[0012] This ejection device can use the push rod to push out the tubular container held in the pipe by frictional force, thereby allowing the ejection device to eject the tubular container from the pipe of the air transport element using the pushing mechanism.

[0013] In the above-mentioned take-out device, a plurality of pipes may be provided and gathered in parallel to one another, and the extrusion mechanism may include a plurality of extrusion rods inserted into the plurality of pipes, respectively, and a single drive source that moves the plurality of extrusion rods up and down as a unit. In this case, even if the pneumatic feeder includes a plurality of pipes, the take-out device can easily take out tubular containers from within the plurality of pipes by moving the plurality of extrusion rods up and down as a unit.

[0014] In the above-described ejection device, the height position of the lower end of at least one of the plurality of extrusion rods may be different from the height positions of the lower ends of the other extrusion rods, thereby enabling the ejection device to control the timing at which the tubular container is pushed out from the pipe of the air feed element.

[0015] In the above-mentioned take-out device, a conveyor device for transporting the tubular containers taken out from the pneumatic nozzle is provided below the take-out device, and the height position of the lower end of the extrusion rod may be lower on the downstream side of the conveyor device in the transport direction than on the upstream side in the transport direction. In this case, when the take-out device pushes the tubular containers out of the multiple pipes and drops them onto the conveyor device, the downstream side of the conveyor device in the transport direction drops the tubular containers first, so that they are transported first on the conveyor device. This allows the take-out device to break up the tubular containers on the conveyor device when they are dropped onto the conveyor device from the multiple pipes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air transport element that can stably hold a tubular container during transport, and a removal device that removes a tubular container from the air transport element. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of a take-out device of a pneumatic tube system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the take-out device of the pneumatic tube system of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the air transport element with a part of the main body cut away. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a view showing one end of the air transfer element when the lid has moved from the closed position to the open position, and Figure 4(b) is a view showing one end of the air transfer element when the lid has moved from the open position to the closed position. [Figure 5] Fig. 5(a) is a view showing the other end of the air transfer element when the lid has moved from the closed position to the open position, and Fig. 5(b) is a view showing the other end of the air transfer element when the lid has moved from the open position to the closed position. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the housing portion is removed from the main body portion of the air feed element. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the engagement mechanism, showing a state in which the engagement mechanism of the air feed element is engaged with the accommodation portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the engagement mechanism, showing a state in which the engagement mechanism of the air feed element and the housing portion are disengaged from each other. [Figure 9] 9(a) is a side view of the lifting mechanism and its surroundings, showing how the lifting mechanism moves the air transport element from the transport mechanism to the first position, and FIG. 9(b) is a side view of the lifting mechanism and its surroundings, showing how the lifting mechanism rotates the air transport element. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view of the movement path of the air transport element and the surrounding area, showing a state in which the movement mechanism grips the air transport element at the first position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view of the area around the movement path of the air carrier, showing the location of the cover opening and closing mechanism. [Figure 12] Figure 12(a) is a schematic diagram of the upper lid opening section showing the upper lid opening block in the lid abutment position, Figure 12(b) is a schematic diagram of the upper lid opening section showing the upper lid opening block in the retracted position, and Figure 12(c) is a top view showing the upper lid opening block of the upper lid opening section. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the configuration around the extrusion mechanism. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view of the extrusion mechanism and its surroundings, showing the blood collection tube being extruded from the air transport element. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a side view of the extrusion mechanism and its surroundings, showing the state in which the blood collection tube is extruded from the air transport element. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a top view of the movement path of the air carrier, showing how the lid is opened by the upper lid-opening block and the lower lid-opening block. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a front view of the movement path of the air carrier and its surroundings, showing how the lid is opened by the upper lid-opening block and the lower lid-opening block. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a top view of the path of movement of the air carrier, showing the state in which the lid has begun to be opened by the upper lid-opening block and the lower lid-opening block. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a top view of the path of movement of the air carrier, showing the state in which the lid begins to be opened by the lower lid-opening block. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a top view of the movement path of the air carrier and the surrounding area, showing the state in which the lid has been moved to the open position by the upper lid-opening block and the lower lid-opening block. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a top view of the movement path of the air carrier, showing the state in which the lid has been moved to the open position by the lower lid-opening block. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the timing at which the blood collection tube starts to fall from the lower end opening when the lid is opened. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a top view of the movement path of the air carrier, showing how the lid is closed by the upper lid closing block and the lower lid closing block. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a top view of the path of movement of the air carrier, showing how the lid is closed by the lower lid closing block. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a top view of the movement path of the air carrier, showing the state in which the lid has been moved to the closed position by the upper lid closing block and the lower lid closing block. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a top view of the movement path of the air carrier, showing the state in which the lid has been moved to the closed position by the lower lid closing block. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a front view of the area around the movement path of the air carrier, showing how the upper cover-opening block and the lower cover-opening block are moved to the retracted position. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a view showing one end of an air transport element provided with a brush according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0019] The pneumatic tube system A shown in Figures 1 and 2 is, for example, installed in a facility such as a hospital, and transports blood collection tubes (tubular containers) T (see Figure 3) that contain blood collected from patients. The pneumatic tube system A also includes a removal device 2 installed in a laboratory or the like. The pneumatic tube system A transports an air-transport element 1 containing the blood collection tube T from a station (not shown) that is the source of the blood collection tube T to the removal device 2 via a pneumatic tube 3 by air force. Note that a well-known mechanism can be used as the mechanism for transporting the air-transport element 1 by air force. The removal device 2 removes the blood collection tube T from the transported air-transport element 1. The following description will focus on the air-transport element 1 and removal device 2 provided in the pneumatic tube system A.

[0020] First, the air transport element 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the air transport element 1 is used to transport blood collection tubes T in the pneumatic tube system A. The air transport element 1 can accommodate and transport multiple blood collection tubes T. The air transport element 1 includes a main body 10, a lid 11a, a lid 11b, a storage portion 12, a brush (friction member) 13 (see Fig. 4(a) etc.), and an engagement mechanism 14. Note that Fig. 3 shows a portion of the main body 10 broken away in order to show the storage portion 12 inside the main body 10.

[0021] The main body 10 is cylindrical and has an internal space R capable of accommodating a blood collection tube T. The length of the main body 10 in the direction of extension of the cylinder is longer than the diameter of the cylinder. That is, the main body 10 has end openings 10a and 10b, which communicate with the internal space R, formed at both longitudinal ends (see FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)). The shape of the main body 10 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be any cylindrical shape. On the outer circumferential surface of the main body 10, near both longitudinal ends, sliding portions 10d and 10e are provided, respectively, which slidably abut against the inner circumferential surface of the pneumatic tube 3 during transport.

[0022] A pair of lids 11a and 11b are provided for the end openings 10a and 10b at both ends of the main body 10, respectively. The lid 11a can be in an open position in which it opens the end opening 10a as shown in FIG. 4(a), or in a closed position in which it closes the end opening 10a as shown in FIG. 4(b). Here, the lid 11a is attached so as to be able to swing about a swing axis Sa provided at the end of the main body 10 on the side of the end opening 10a. The swing axis Sa extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10. This allows the lid 11a to swing about the swing axis Sa, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10, to move between the closed position and the open position.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4(a), when the air conveying element 1 is viewed from the lid 11a side, the lid 11a is moved clockwise around the oscillation axis Sa when moved from the closed position to the open position. Note that the movement of the lid 11a is restricted by a stopper or the like so that it cannot move counterclockwise around the oscillation axis Sa when it is located in the closed position. Also, as shown in Figure 4(b), when the air conveying element 1 is viewed from the lid 11a side, the lid 11a is moved counterclockwise around the oscillation axis Sa when it is moved from the open position to the closed position. Note that the movement of the lid 11a is restricted by a stopper or the like so that it cannot move clockwise around the oscillation axis Sa when it is located in the open position.

[0024] In this way, the lid 11a located at the closed position moves toward the open position when a force is applied to move the air transport element 1 clockwise about the oscillation axis Sa when viewed from the lid 11a side along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10. Also, the lid 11a located at the open position moves toward the closed position when a force is applied to move the air transport element 1 counterclockwise about the oscillation axis Sa when viewed from the lid 11a side along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10.

[0025] Similarly, the lid 11b can be in an open position, as shown in Fig. 5(a), in which it opens the end opening 10b, and in a closed position, as shown in Fig. 5(b), in which it closes the end opening 10b. Here, the lid 11b is attached so as to be able to swing about a swing shaft Sb provided at the end of the main body 10 on the side of the end opening 10b. The swing shaft Sb extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10. This allows the lid 11b to swing about the swing shaft Sb, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10, to move between the closed position and the open position.

[0026] When the air conveying element 1 is viewed from the lid 11b side as shown in Figure 5(a), the lid 11b is moved clockwise around the oscillation axis Sb when moved from the closed position to the open position. Note that the movement of the lid 11b is restricted by a stopper or the like so that it cannot move counterclockwise around the oscillation axis Sb when it is located in the closed position. Also, when the air conveying element 1 is viewed from the lid 11b side as shown in Figure 5(b), the lid 11b is moved counterclockwise around the oscillation axis Sb when it is moved from the open position to the closed position. Note that the movement of the lid 11b is restricted by a stopper or the like so that it cannot move clockwise around the oscillation axis Sb when it is located in the open position.

[0027] In this way, the lid 11b located at the closed position moves toward the open position when a force is applied to move the air transport element 1 clockwise about the oscillation axis Sb when viewed from the lid 11b side along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10. Furthermore, the lid 11b located at the open position swings toward the closed position when a force is applied to move the air transport element 1 counterclockwise about the oscillation axis Sb when viewed from the lid 11b side along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10.

[0028] When viewed along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10, the oscillation axis Sa and the oscillation axis Sb face each other across the center of the main body 10. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3, the lids 11a and 11b are located on opposite sides of the main body 10 when in the open position. Note that the lids 11a and 11b of the air transport element 1 are located in the closed position when transported within the air transport tube 3. When the blood collection tube T is removed from the air transport element 1 in the removal device 2, the lids 11a and 11b are moved from the closed position to the open position.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the storage unit 12 is housed in the internal space R of the main body 10. The storage unit 12 has a plurality of pipes 12c capable of housing blood collection tubes T therein. The pipes 12c extend along the longitudinal direction of the main body 10. The pipes 12c can house a plurality of blood collection tubes T arranged in a line inside.

[0030] The multiple pipes 12c are gathered together so that they are parallel to one another. In this embodiment, nine pipes 12c are provided (see FIG. 4(a) and the like). The nine pipes 12c are gathered together so that three pipes are arranged vertically and three pipes are arranged horizontally when viewed along the direction in which the pipes 12c extend. In this embodiment, the multiple pipes 12c are fixed to one another by an end plate 12a provided at one end of the pipes 12c and an end plate 12b provided at the other end of the pipes 12c.

[0031] The housing portion 12 can be inserted into and removed from the main body portion 10 via the end opening 10a, and can be inserted into and removed from the main body portion 10 via the end opening 10b.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6 , the storage unit 12 further includes an engaging protrusion 12d. The engaging protrusion 12d releasably engages with an engaging portion 14a of the engaging mechanism 14, which will be described in detail later. The engaging protrusion 12d is attached to a side surface of the assembly of the multiple pipes 12c. In this embodiment, two engaging protrusions 12d are provided, one attached to one side surface of the assembly of the multiple pipes 12c and the other side surface opposite the one side surface. In this way, by attaching multiple engaging protrusions 12d that releasably engage with the engaging portion 14a of the engaging mechanism 14, restrictions on the orientation of the storage unit 12 when inserting the storage unit 12 into the main body 10 can be reduced.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the brush 13 is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c. The brush 13 is provided for each of the multiple pipes 12c. The brush 13 extends inward from the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c. The brush 13 is attached to only one location in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c. The brush 13 is provided over the entire length of the pipe 12c in the extension direction.

[0034] The brushes 13 urge the blood collection tubes T toward the center of the collection of the nine pipes 12c when viewed along the extension direction of the pipes 12c. That is, the brushes 13 extend from the inner circumferential surface of each pipe 12c toward the center position C of the collection of nine pipes 12c when viewed along the extension direction of the pipes 12c. Note that in FIG. 4(a), the blood collection tubes T housed in the pipes 12c are omitted in order to show the brushes 13. In other drawings (e.g., FIG. 5(a)) that show the ends of the pipes 12c, the blood collection tubes T inside the pipes 12c may also be omitted.

[0035] The brush 13 biases the blood collection tube T housed in the pipe 12c in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the pipe 12c, and holds the blood collection tube T in the pipe 12c by frictional force. The brush 13 is an elastically deformable member. In this embodiment, the brush 13 is made of an elastically deformable resin. The brush 13 can bias and hold the blood collection tube T toward the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c by its elastic force. Here, the brush 13 biases the blood collection tube T so that the blood collection tube T does not fall out of the pipe 12c due to its own weight when the pipe 12c is arranged vertically.

[0036] 3, the engagement mechanism 14 releasably engages with the housing portion 12 housed within the main body portion 10. When the engagement mechanism 14 engages with the housing portion 12, the housing portion 12 is held relative to the main body portion 10. When the housing portion 12 is disengaged from the engagement mechanism 14, it can be inserted into or removed from the main body portion 10 via the end opening 10a or 10b.

[0037] 7, the engagement mechanism 14 includes a pair of engagement portions 14a, a side cover (release force transmission portion) 14b, and a bracket 14c. A side opening 10f that communicates with the internal space R is provided at approximately the center of the outer circumferential surface of the main body 10 in the longitudinal direction. The engagement mechanism 14 is provided around the side opening 10f of the main body 10.

[0038] The pair of engaging portions 14a are each attached to the inner circumferential surface of the main body 10 by a bracket 14c. The engaging portions 14a can swing about a pin 14d as an axis. One end of the engaging portion 14a releasably engages with an end of an engaging protrusion 12d provided on the storage portion 12. The other end of the engaging portion 14a extends to the vicinity of the side opening 10f of the main body 10. The pair of engaging portions 14a can be engaged with the engaging protrusion 12d or disengaged by swinging about the pin 14d as an axis. The engaging portions 14a are biased by a biasing member such as a torsion spring (not shown) to maintain the state of engagement with the engaging protrusion 12d. The pair of engaging portions 14a can hold the storage portion 12 by engaging with the engaging protrusion 12d.

[0039] The side cover 14b transmits an external release force to the engaging portion 14a to release the engagement with the engaging protrusion 12d of the storage portion 12. The release force is applied to the side cover 14b by an operator who removes the storage portion 12 from the main body 10 of the air transfer element 1. The side cover 14b transmits the release force from outside the main body 10 to the engaging portion 14a via the side opening 10f.

[0040] The side cover 14b is a cover that closes the side opening 10f of the main body 10. The side cover 14b is formed of a flexible material such as rubber. The edge of the side cover 14b may be fitted into the edge of the side opening 10f so as to close the side opening 10f. Alternatively, the side cover 14b may be attached to the outer circumferential surface of the main body 10 so as to cover the side opening 10f.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 8, when an operator applies a release force inward from outside the main body 10, the side cover 14b deforms and transmits the release force to the other end of the pair of engaging portions 14a. When the release force is transmitted, the pair of engaging portions 14a swing about the pin 14d as an axis, and are disengaged from the engaging protrusion 12d. When the pair of engaging portions 14a and the engaging protrusion 12d are disengaged, the storage portion 12 can be removed from the main body 10, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0042] The end openings 10a and 10b of the main body 10 each have an opening area large enough for an operator's hands to pass through, allowing the operator to insert their hands into the main body 10 through the end openings 10a and 10b to perform cleaning or other tasks.

[0043] In order to remove the blood collection tube T from the air transfer element 1, it is not necessary to release the engagement by the engagement mechanism 14 and remove the storage part 12 from the main body part 10. The storage part 12 is removed when performing work such as cleaning.

[0044] 3, a mark 15 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10. The mark 15 serves as a reference for a sensor 33 provided in the lifting mechanism 30 to detect the rotational position of the air transport element 1. The mark 15 may be, for example, a reflective material.

[0045] Next, a schematic internal configuration of the take-out device 2 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the take-out device 2 receives the air-transfer element 1 via the air-transfer element 3 and takes out the blood collection tube T from the air-transfer element 1. After taking out the blood collection tube T, the take-out device 2 sends the air-transfer element 1 to a predetermined station via the air-transfer element 3. In addition, a conveyor device 4 that transports the blood collection tube T taken out from the air-transfer element 1 is provided below the take-out device 2. The take-out device 2 discharges the taken-out blood collection tube T onto the conveyor device 4.

[0046] The air transport element 1 is moved within the take-out device 2 with the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 aligned with the vertical direction, and the blood collection tube T is taken out. That is, the air transport element 1 is moved within the take-out device 2 with the lid 11a facing upward and the lid 11b facing downward, or with the lid 11b facing upward and the lid 11a facing downward, and the blood collection tube T is taken out. The state in which the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 of the air transport element 1 is aligned with the vertical direction may be expressed by using the term "vertical," such as "the air transport element 1 is in a vertical position."

[0047] The take-out device 2 includes a conveying mechanism 20, a lifting mechanism 30, a moving mechanism 40, a lid opening / closing mechanism (lid moving mechanism) 50, and a push-out mechanism 60. The conveying mechanism 20 to the push-out mechanism 60 included in the take-out device 2 are attached to a frame of the take-out device 2. The take-out device 2 may also include a cover that covers the conveying mechanism 20 to the push-out mechanism 60. In order to show a schematic internal configuration of the take-out device 2, the cover, frame, etc. are omitted from the illustration, and only the main parts are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The same applies to the other figures.

[0048] The transport mechanism 20 receives the air-transport element 1 transported via the air-transport tube 3. After the blood collection tube T has been removed from the air-transport element 1, the transport mechanism 20 sends the air-transport element 1 to a predetermined station via the air-transport tube 3.

[0049] The lifting mechanism 30 raises and lowers the air transfer element 1 between the first position P1, which is set below the transport mechanism 20, and the transport mechanism 20. Here, a first storage section R1 and a second storage section R2 are provided inside the take-out device 2 (see FIG. 1). The first storage section R1 and the second storage section R2 each have a space capable of storing the air transfer element 1. The first storage section R1 and the second storage section R2 are also in communication with each other so that the air transfer element 1 can be transferred (moved). In this embodiment, the first storage section R1 and the second storage section R2 are offset from each other in a plan view. The first storage section R1 and the second storage section R2 are also adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction.

[0050] The first storage unit R1 is provided below the transport mechanism 20. The lifting mechanism 30 raises and lowers the air transport element 1 between a first position P1 set in the first storage unit R1 and the transport mechanism 20. In other words, the top of the first storage unit R1 serves as an inlet for the air transport element 1, and the lifting mechanism 30 moves the air transport element 1 from the transport mechanism 20 to the first position P1.

[0051] The second storage unit R2 is provided above the conveyor device 4. As will be described later, the blood collection tube T is removed from the air transport element 1 in the second storage unit R2 and discharged onto the conveyor device 4. In other words, the lower part of the second storage unit R2 serves as a discharge port for the blood collection tube T, and the blood collection tube T is discharged from the second storage unit R2.

[0052] The moving mechanism 40 moves the air transfer element 1 within the take-out device 2. The moving mechanism 40 moves the air transfer element 1 between a first position P1 within the first storage unit R1 and a second position P2 set within the second storage unit R2. The second position P2 set within the second storage unit R2 is a position where the blood collection tube T is removed from the air transfer element 1. The moving mechanism 40 can also move the air transfer element 1 from the second position P2 to a third position P3 for closing the lids 11a and 11b of the air transfer element 1.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 are aligned on the same straight line extending horizontally. The second position P2 is located between the first position P1 and the third position P3. The movement mechanism 40 can move the air transport element 1 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, move the air transport element 1 from the second position P2 to the third position P3, and move the air transport element 1 from the third position P3 to the first position P1 via the second position P2.

[0054] The lid opening / closing mechanism 50 opens and closes the lids 11a and 11b of the air transfer element 1 as the air transfer element 1 is moved by the movement mechanism 40. The lid opening / closing mechanism 50 opens the lids 11a and 11b as the air transfer element 1 moves so that the blood collection tube T can be removed from the air transfer element 1 at the second position P2. After the blood collection tube T is removed, the lid opening / closing mechanism 50 closes the lids 11a and 11b as the air transfer element 1 moves.

[0055] The pushing mechanism 60 inserts the pushing rod 61 into the air transport element 1 located at the second position P2, and pushes the blood collection tube T out of the air transport element 1 onto the conveyor device 4. The blood collection tube T pushed out (discharged) onto the conveyor device 4 is transported by the conveyor device 4 toward a testing device or the like.

[0056] Next, the configuration of each part in the take-out device 2 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 9(a) and Fig. 9(b), the lifting mechanism 30 includes a table 31, a lifting unit 32, and a sensor 33. The air transport element 1 is placed vertically on the table 31. The table 31 can rotate the placed air transport element 1 around an axis along the vertical direction. The lifting unit 32 raises and lowers the table 31, moving the air transport element 1 between the transport mechanism 20 and the first position P1. There is no particular limitation on the configuration of the lifting unit 32 for raising and lowering the table 31.

[0057] The sensor 33 is a sensor that detects the rotational position of the air transport element 1. The rotational position here refers to the position (orientation) in the rotational direction around the longitudinal direction (here, the vertical direction) of the air transport element 1. In this embodiment, the sensor 33 detects the mark 15 attached to the outer surface of the air transport element 1 to detect the rotational position of the air transport element 1. Based on the detection result of the mark 15 by the sensor 33, the table 31 rotates the air transport element 1 to a predetermined rotational position. The detection of the mark 15 by the sensor 33 and the rotation of the air transport element 1 by the table 31 are performed while the air transport element 1 is being lowered by the lifting unit 32.

[0058] 1 and 10, the moving mechanism 40 grips the outer peripheral surface of the air transport element 1 in the vertical position from the side, and moves the air transport element 1 in the vertical position to each of the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the front side of the take-out device 2 when viewed from the front as shown in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the "front side," and the rear side of the take-out device 2 will be referred to as the "rear side" (see Figs. 2 and 10).

[0059] For the convenience of explaining the opening and closing operation of the lids 11a and 11b, as shown in Figure 10, the air transport element 1 is in a vertical position with the lid 11a on top and the lid 11b on the bottom. However, even if the up-down orientation of the air transport element 1 is reversed, the lids 11a and 11b are opened and closed in the same manner as the opening and closing operation described below. Furthermore, when the air transport element 1 is moved to the first position P1 by the lifting mechanism 30, the oscillation axis Sa, which is the axis of oscillation of the lid 11a, is located on the front side, and the oscillation axis Sb, which is the axis of oscillation of the lid 11b, is located on the rear side. In other words, the table 31 of the lifting mechanism 30 rotates the air transport element 1 so that the oscillation axis Sa is located on the front side and the oscillation axis Sb is located on the rear side, as the predetermined rotation position described above.

[0060] The movement mechanism 40 includes a gripping unit 41, a drive unit 42, and a guide rail 43. The gripping unit 41 grips the outer peripheral surface of the air transport element 1, which is placed on the table 31 at the first position P1 by the lifting mechanism 30, from the side. When the air transport element 1 reaches the first position P1 from the third position P3, the gripping unit 41 releases the grip on the air transport element 1 and places the air transport element 1 on the table 31 of the lifting mechanism 30.

[0061] The guide rail 43 extends horizontally and linearly along the direction in which the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 are arranged. The drive unit 42 moves the gripping unit 41 along the guide rail 43, thereby moving the air transport element 1 to each of the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3. Note that although the movement mechanism 40 moves the air transport element 1 using the drive unit 42 and the guide rail 43, the mechanism for moving the air transport element 1 is not particularly limited.

[0062] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the lid opening / closing mechanism 50 moves the lids 11a and 11b of the air transport element 1 from a closed position to an open position and from an open position to a closed position, respectively. Note that Figures 10 and 11 show only the components necessary for explanation, and some other components are omitted. In other figures, too, only the components necessary for explanation may be shown.

[0063] The lid opening / closing mechanism 50 moves the lids 11a and 11b from the closed position to the open position as the movement mechanism 40 moves the air transport element 1 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. In other words, the lids 11a and 11b of the air transport element 1 are positioned in the open position when the air transport element 1 arrives at the second position P2 from the first position P1. Furthermore, the lid opening / closing mechanism 50 moves the lids 11a and 11b from the open position to the closed position as the movement mechanism 40 moves the air transport element 1 from the second position P2 to the third position P3.

[0064] More specifically, the lid opening / closing mechanism 50 includes an upper lid opening section 51, a lower lid opening section 52, an upper lid closing block (lid closing block) 53, and a lower lid closing block (lid closing block) 54. The upper lid opening section 51 and the lower lid opening section 52 are mechanisms that move the lids 11a and 11b of the air transfer element 1 from a closed position to an open position. The upper lid closing block 53 and the lower lid closing block 54 are mechanisms that move the lids 11a and 11b of the air transfer element 1 from an open position to a closed position.

[0065] First, the upper lid opening portion 51 and the lower lid opening portion 52 will be described. The upper lid opening portion 51 (upper lid opening block 511) and the lower lid opening portion 52 (lower lid opening block 521) are provided in the middle of the movement path of the air transfer element 1 moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Note that being provided in the middle of the movement path means that the upper lid opening portion 51 (upper lid opening block 511) and the lower lid opening portion 52 (lower lid opening block 521) can abut against the lids 11a and 11b of the air transfer element 1 during movement. The upper lid opening portion 51 is provided in a position above the lower lid opening portion 52 and can abut against the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1. The lower lid opening portion 52 can abut against the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1.

[0066] 12(a) to 12(c), the upper lid opening section 51 includes an upper lid opening block (lid opening block) 511, an upper bracket 512, a compression spring 513, a rod 514, a stopper 515, and a swing shaft 516. The upper lid opening block 511 moves the lid 11a from the closed position to the open position by coming into contact with the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1 that is moved by the movement mechanism 40. The upper lid opening block 511 of the upper lid opening section 51 is provided midway along the movement path of the air transfer element 1 that moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

[0067] The upper bracket 512 is attached to a frame or the like of the take-out device 2 (not shown), and supports the upper lid-opening block 511 so that it can swing about a swing shaft 516. The upper bracket 512 swingably supports the end of the upper lid-opening block 511 on the second position P2 side (see FIG. 11). The upper lid-opening block 511 can swing up and down around the swing shaft 516.

[0068] The compression spring 513 is disposed between the upper lid-opening block 511 and the upper bracket 512. The compression spring 513 biases the upper lid-opening block 511 downward. One end of the rod 514 is attached to the upper surface of the upper lid-opening block 511. The other end of the rod 514 is passed through a hole formed in the upper bracket 512. A stopper 515 is attached to the other end of the rod 514. As a result, the rod 514 and the stopper 515 define the lower range of swing of the upper lid-opening block 511 when the compression spring 513 biases the upper lid-opening block 511 downward.

[0069] 12(a), the position of the upper lid-opening block 511 when it is biased by the compression spring 513 and its swing is restricted by the rod 514 and the stopper 515 is referred to as the lid abutment position. Also, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the position of the upper lid-opening block 511 when it is pushed up (when the compression spring 513 swings to compress) is referred to as the retracted position. The upper lid-opening block 511 can move (swing) between the lid abutment position and the retracted position.

[0070] 17, when the upper lid-opening block 511 is located in the lid abutment position, the end portion (abutment surface 511a) of the upper lid-opening block 511 on the first position P1 side can abut from the side against the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1. Also, as shown in FIG. 27, when the upper lid-opening block 511 is located in the retracted position, it is in a state where the air transfer element 1 can pass through the space below the upper lid-opening block 511. In other words, when the upper lid-opening block 511 is located in the retracted position, it is in a state where it is retracted from the space through which the air transfer element 1 passes.

[0071] 12(a), the portion of the underside of the upper lid-opening block 511 on the second position P2 side forms an inclined surface 511b that increases in height as it approaches the second position P2. As will be described later, the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1 moving from the second position P2 to the first position P1 abuts against the inclined surface 511b. When the lid 11a abuts against the inclined surface 511b, the upper lid-opening block 511 swings from the lid abutment position to the retracted position.

[0072] As shown in Figure 11, the inclined surface 511b is inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the air transport element 1 moving from the third position P3 via the second position P2 to the first position P1 when viewed along a direction (from the front to the back of the paper in Figure 11) perpendicular to the direction of movement of the air transport element 1 moving from the third position P3 via the second position P2 to the first position P1 (to the right in Figure 11) and the extension direction of the oscillation axis Sa of the lid 11a (up and down direction in Figure 11).

[0073] As shown in Fig. 10, the upper lid-opening block 511 is provided on the rear side of the swing axis Sa, which is the axis of swing of the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1. Note that Fig. 10 shows only the portion of the upper lid-opening block 511 on the first position P1 side as the upper lid-opening portion 51. As shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 12(c), of the side surface of the upper lid-opening block 511 on the first position P1 side, the abutting surface 511a that abuts against the lid 11a is curved.

[0074] More specifically, the surface (contact surface 511a) of the upper lid-opening block 511 that contacts the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1 moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2 is curved with respect to the moving direction of the air transfer element 1 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 when viewed along the extension direction of the oscillation axis Sa of the lid 11a. That is, the contact surface 511a is curved in an arc shape so as to be positioned closer to the front side (oscillation axis Sa side) as it approaches the second position P2 from the first position P1.

[0075] 11, the lower lid opening section 52 includes a lower lid opening block (lid opening block) 521, a lower bracket 522, a compression spring 523, a rod 524, a stopper 525, and a swing shaft 526. The lower lid opening section 52 is the upper lid opening section 51 with its top and bottom facing inverted. The lower lid opening block 521, lower bracket 522, compression spring 523, rod 524, stopper 525, and swing shaft 526 included in the lower lid opening section 52 are the same as the upper lid opening block 511, upper bracket 512, compression spring 513, rod 514, stopper 515, and swing shaft 516 included in the upper lid opening section 51, and a description of the common parts will be omitted.

[0076] The lower lid-opening block 521 of the lower lid-opening section 52 is provided midway along the path of movement of the air transfer element 1, which moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Similar to the upper lid-opening block 511, the lower lid-opening block 521 can swing (move) between a lid abutment position and a retracted position. The position of the lower lid-opening block 521 shown in FIG. 11 is the abutment position where it can abut against the lid 11b from the side. The position of the lower lid-opening block 521 when it swings downward from the state shown in FIG. 11 is the retracted position (see FIG. 27).

[0077] 11, the lower lid-opening block 521 has an inclined surface 521b similar to the inclined surface 511b of the upper lid-opening block 511. The height of the inclined surface 521b decreases as it approaches the second position P2. As will be described later, the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1 moving from the second position P2 to the first position P1 abuts against the inclined surface 521b. When the lid 11b abuts against the inclined surface 521b, the lower lid-opening block 521 swings from the lid abutment position to the retracted position.

[0078] As shown in Figure 11, the inclined surface 521b is inclined with respect to the movement direction of the air transport element 1 moving from the second position P2 to the first position P1 when viewed along a direction (from the front to the back of the paper in Figure 11) perpendicular to the movement direction of the air transport element 1 moving from the second position P2 to the first position P1 (to the right in Figure 11) and the extension direction of the oscillation axis Sb of the lid 11b (up and down direction in Figure 11).

[0079] As shown in Fig. 10, the lower lid-opening block 521 is provided on the near side of the swing axis Sb, which is the axis of swing of the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1. Note that Fig. 10 only shows the portion of the lower lid-opening block 521 on the first position P1 side as the lower lid-opening portion 52. As shown in Fig. 10, of the side surface of the lower lid-opening block 521 on the first position P1 side, an abutting surface 521a that abuts against the lid 11b is curved.

[0080] More specifically, the surface (contact surface 521a) of the lower lid-opening block 521 that contacts the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1 moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2 is curved with respect to the moving direction of the air transfer element 1 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 when viewed along the extending direction of the oscillation axis Sb of the lid 11b. That is, the contact surface 521a is curved in an arc shape so as to be positioned closer to the back side (oscillation axis Sb side) as it approaches the second position P2 from the first position P1.

[0081] Next, the upper lid closing block 53 and the lower lid closing block 54 will be described. As shown in Figure 10, the upper lid closing block 53 and the lower lid closing block 54 are provided in the middle of the movement path of the air transfer element 1 moving from the second position P2 to the third position P3. The upper lid closing block 53 and the lower lid closing block 54 are fixedly attached to the frame of the take-out device 2 (not shown) or the like.

[0082] Note that being provided midway along the movement path means that the upper lid closing block 53 and the lower lid closing block 54 can respectively come into contact with the lids 11a and 11b of the moving air transfer element 1. The upper lid closing block 53 is provided at a position higher than the lower lid closing block 54 and can come into contact with the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1. The lower lid closing block 54 can come into contact with the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1.

[0083] The upper lid closing block 53 is provided on the near side of the swing axis Sa, which is the axis of swing of the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1. The upper lid closing block 53 comes into contact with the lid 11a, which is located in the open position, as the air transfer element 1 is moved from the second position P2 to the third position P3. As the air transfer element 1 moves, the upper lid closing block 53 swings the lid 11a around the swing axis Sa, moving the lid 11a to the closed position. In this way, the upper lid closing block 53 comes into contact with the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1, which is moved by the movement mechanism 40, thereby moving the lid 11a from the open position to the closed position.

[0084] Of the side surfaces on the second position P2 side of the upper lid closing block 53, the contact surface 53a that contacts the lid 11a is curved. More specifically, the surface (contact surface 53a) of the upper lid closing block 53 that contacts the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1 moving from the second position P2 to the third position P3 is curved with respect to the movement direction of the air transfer element 1 from the second position P2 to the third position P3 when viewed along the extension direction of the oscillation axis Sa of the lid 11a. In other words, the contact surface 53a is curved in an arc shape so as to be positioned further back (towards the oscillation axis Sa) as it approaches the third position P3 from the second position P2.

[0085] The lower lid closing block 54 is located further back than the swing axis Sb, which is the axis for swinging the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1. The lower lid closing block 54 comes into contact with the lid 11b, which is located in the open position, as the air transfer element 1 is moved from the second position P2 to the third position P3. As the air transfer element 1 moves, the lower lid closing block 54 swings the lid 11b around the swing axis Sb, moving the lid 11b to the closed position. In this way, the lower lid closing block 54 comes into contact with the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1, which is moved by the movement mechanism 40, thereby moving the lid 11b from the open position to the closed position.

[0086] Of the side surface on the second position P2 side of the lower lid closing block 54, the contact surface 54a that contacts the lid 11b is curved. More specifically, in the lower lid closing block 54, the surface (contact surface 54a) of the air transfer element 1 that contacts the lid 11b as it moves from the second position P2 to the third position P3 is curved with respect to the movement direction of the air transfer element 1 from the second position P2 to the third position P3 when viewed along the extension direction of the oscillation axis Sb of the lid 11b. In other words, the contact surface 54a is curved in an arc shape so as to be positioned closer to the front (oscillation axis Sb side) as it approaches the third position P3 from the second position P2.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 13 , the pushing mechanism 60 is provided above the second position P2. The pushing mechanism 60 inserts multiple push rods 61 into the multiple pipes 12c of the air-transfer element 1 from above, respectively, when the air-transfer element 1 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2, and pushes the blood collection tube T downward through the pipes 12c. The air-transfer element 1 moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 is supported by the moving mechanism 40 so that the end opening 10a (one end opening) of the main body 10 faces upward and the end opening 10b (the other end opening) of the main body 10 faces downward. The lids 11a and 11b of the air-transfer element 1 are both positioned in the open position. Therefore, the pushing mechanism 60 can insert the push rods 61 into the pipes 12c of the air-transfer element 1 and push out the blood collection tube T.

[0088] More specifically, the extrusion mechanism 60 includes a plurality of extrusion rods 61, a holding unit 62, and an elevating unit 63. The plurality of extrusion rods 61 are arranged to extend in the vertical direction, and are inserted into the plurality of pipes 12c of the air transport element 1, respectively. In this embodiment, nine extrusion rods 61 are provided, the same number as the number of pipes 12c. The upper ends of the extrusion rods 61 are held by the holding unit 62. In other words, the plurality of extrusion rods 61 are integrated by the holding unit 62. The plurality of extrusion rods 61 are arranged so that they can be inserted into the plurality of pipes 12c provided in the air transport element 1, respectively.

[0089] Furthermore, the diameter of the lower end of the extrusion rod 61 is greater than the length of the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c and the blood collection tube T. This allows the extrusion rod 61 to more reliably extrude the blood collection tube T when inserted into the pipe 12c. The lower end of the extrusion rod 61 may have a tapered shape with a diameter that decreases toward the lower end so that the extrusion rod 61 can be easily inserted into the pipe 12c.

[0090] The lifting unit 63 is provided with one drive source 63a that moves the holding unit 62 in the up and down direction. As a result, the extrusion mechanism 60 can move the multiple extrusion rods 61 up and down as a unit by being provided with one drive source 63a.

[0091] 13, 14, and 15, the pushing mechanism 60 gradually moves the pushing rod 61 downward. As a result, the pushing mechanism 60 can push the blood collection tube T downward from the inside of the pipe 12c of the air transfer head 1 located at the second position P2 and discharge it onto the conveyor device 4. Here, the lifting unit 63 moves the pushing rod 61 so as to overcome the frictional force applied by the brush 13 to hold the blood collection tube T in the pipe 12c.

[0092] The length of the extrusion rod 61 is set to a length that allows all of the blood collection tubes T in the pipe 12c to be extruded. Furthermore, the height position of the lower end of at least one of the multiple extrusion rods 61 is different from the height positions of the lower end of the other extrusion rods 61. In other words, the height positions of the lower end of the multiple extrusion rods 61 are not the same as each other.

[0093] In this embodiment, the height positions of the lower ends of the multiple extrusion rods 61 are located lower on the downstream side in the transport direction of the blood collection tubes T on the conveyor device 4 than on the upstream side in the transport direction. That is, in this embodiment, the length of the extrusion rod 61 is longer on the downstream side in the transport direction of the blood collection tubes T on the conveyor device 4 than on the upstream side in the transport direction.

[0094] The lifting unit 63 moves the multiple extrusion rods 61 (holding units 62) downward to a height position where all of the blood collection tubes T in the pipe 12c can be pushed downward. As described above, the thickness of the lower end of the extrusion rod 61 is larger than the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c and the blood collection tubes T. Therefore, when the lifting unit 63 moves the extrusion rod 61 downward to a height position where all of the blood collection tubes T can be pushed downward, no blood collection tubes T remain in the pipe 12c.

[0095] That is, the pushing mechanism 60 can determine that no blood collection tubes T remain in the pipe 12c by moving the pushing rod 61 downward to a height position where all blood collection tubes T can be pushed downward. This eliminates the need for a separate sensor in the pushing mechanism 60 to detect whether or not any blood collection tubes T remain in the pipe 12c.

[0096] Next, a series of operations of each part of the take-out device 2 when the blood collection tube T is taken out from the air-transfer element 1 transported to the take-out device 2 and the air-transfer element 1 is transported after the blood collection tube T has been taken out will be described. Here, the explanation will begin with the point where the air-transfer element 1 containing the blood collection tube T arrives at the transport mechanism 20 of the take-out device 2 via the air-transfer tube 3.

[0097] When the air transport element 1 arrives at the transport mechanism 20, the lifting mechanism 30 moves the air transport element 1 to the first position P1 in the transport mechanism 20, as shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b). At that time, the lifting mechanism 30 rotates the table 31 so that the rotational position of the air transport element 1 becomes a predetermined rotational position.

[0098] 10, the movement mechanism 40 grips the side of the main body 10 of the air transport element 1 located at the first position P1, and starts to move the air transport element 1 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. During this movement from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the contact surface 511a of the upper lid-opening block 511 comes into contact with the lid 11a of the air transport element 1, and the contact surface 521a of the lower lid-opening block 521 comes into contact with the lid 11b of the air transport element 1, as shown in FIGS.

[0099] When the movement mechanism 40 further moves the main body 10 of the air transfer element 1 toward the second position P2, the lid 11a is pressed against the upper lid-opening block 511, and moves from the closed position toward the open position around the swing axis Sa, as shown in Fig. 18. Similarly, the lid 11b is pressed against the lower lid-opening block 521, and moves from the closed position toward the open position around the swing axis Sb, as shown in Fig. 19. Note that in Fig. 19, in order to show the lid 11b, the main body 10, the lid 11a, and other components positioned above the lid 11b are not shown. The same applies to other figures showing the swinging of the lid 11b.

[0100] When the upper lid-opening block 511 is in the lid abutment position, it does not swing even when the lid 11a abuts against its abutment surface 511a, and remains in the lid abutment position. Similarly, when the lower lid-opening block 521 is in the lid abutment position, it does not swing even when the lid 11b abuts against its abutment surface 521a, and remains in the lid abutment position. This allows the upper lid-opening block 511 and the lower lid-opening block 521 to continue abutting against the lids 11a and 11b, respectively, and allows the lids 11a and 11b to swing about the swing axes Sa and Sb, respectively.

[0101] When the movement mechanism 40 further moves the main body 10 of the air transfer element 1 and the air transfer element 1 (main body 10) reaches the second position P2, the lids 11a and 11b move to the open position (fully open state) as shown in Figures 20 and 21. In this way, by moving the air transfer element 1 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the movement mechanism 40 can move the lids 11a and 11b from the closed position to the open position using the upper lid opening 51 and the lower lid opening 52.

[0102] As described above, the contact surface 511a of the upper lid-opening block 511 is curved in an arc shape. Therefore, the upper lid-opening block 511 can smoothly move the lid 11a from the closed position to the open position along the curved contact surface 511a. Furthermore, by appropriately designing the shape of the curved contact surface 511a of the upper lid-opening block 511, the speed at which the lid 11a opens can be changed midway through opening.

[0103] Similarly, the contact surface 521a of the lower lid-opening block 521 is curved in an arc shape. Therefore, the lower lid-opening block 521 can smoothly move the lid 11b from the closed position to the open position along the curved contact surface 521a. Furthermore, by appropriately designing the shape of the curved contact surface 521a of the lower lid-opening block 521, the speed at which the lid 11b opens can be changed midway through opening.

[0104] The upper lid-opening block 511 does not come into contact with the lid 11a after moving the lid 11a to the open position. Similarly, the lower lid-opening block 521 does not come into contact with the lid 11b after swinging the lid 11b to the open position. As a result, the air transport element 1 can move to the second position P2 after the lids 11a and 11b are moved to the open position by the upper lid-opening block 511 and the lower lid-opening block 521 during movement from the first position P1 to the second position P2. In this way, when the air transport element 1 arrives at the second position P2, the lids 11a and 11b have been moved to the open position.

[0105] The blood collection tube T is held in the pipe 12c by frictional force due to the brush 13 biasing it against the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c. Therefore, even if the lower lid 11b of the air transfer element 1 moves from the closed position to the open position, the blood collection tube T does not fall. However, if the biasing force of the brush 13 is reduced, for example, and the lower lid 11b is moved to the open position while the air transfer element 1 is in the vertical position, the blood collection tube T may fall from the pipe 12c due to its own weight. The take-out device 2 of this embodiment begins to open the lid 11b before reaching the second position P2 on the conveyor device 4. Therefore, even if the blood collection tube T falls due to its own weight, it is preferable to drop the blood collection tube T as slowly as possible so that it falls onto the conveyor device 4.

[0106] As described above, the air transfer element 1 in this embodiment biases the blood collection tube T toward the center of the assembly of the multiple pipes 12c when viewed along the extension direction of the pipes 12c. That is, the blood collection tube T is biased toward the center of the assembly of the multiple pipes 12c within the pipes 12c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22 , even immediately after the lid 11b at the lower end of the air transfer element 1 begins to open, the blood collection tube T does not immediately fall because it is biased toward the center (note that although the blood collection tube T is omitted in FIG. 22 , the blood collection tube T is biased toward the center of the assembly of the multiple pipes 12c). In this way, even if the blood collection tube T is in a state where it would fall under its own weight, the air transfer element 1 prevents the blood collection tube T from falling immediately after the lid 11b begins to open, and allows the blood collection tube T to fall as much as possible on the conveyor device 4.

[0107] Although the case where the lid 11b is positioned downward has been described as an example, even when the lid 11a is positioned downward, the air transport element 1 can similarly prevent the blood collection tube T from falling immediately after the lid 11a begins to open. Furthermore, the take-out device 2 may be provided with a guide plate or the like for guiding the blood collection tube T, which falls under its own weight, onto the conveyor device 4.

[0108] When the air transfer element 1 arrives at the second position P2, as described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, the pushing mechanism 60 moves the pushing rod 61 downward to insert it into the pipe 12c of the air transfer element 1, and pushes the blood collection tube T downward from the pipe 12c. As a result, the pushed-out blood collection tube T falls onto the conveyor device 4 and is transported by the conveyor device 4. After the blood collection tube T is pushed out, the lifting unit 63 of the pushing mechanism 60 lifts the holding unit 62. As a result, the pushing rod 61 is pulled upward from the pipe 12c.

[0109] After the blood collection tube T is removed, the movement mechanism 40 moves the air transfer element 1 from the second position P2 to the third position P3, as shown in Figures 23 and 24. During this movement from the second position P2 to the third position P3, the contact surface 53a of the upper lid closing block 53 comes into contact with the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1, and the contact surface 54a of the lower lid closing block 54 comes into contact with the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1.

[0110] When the movement mechanism 40 further moves the main body 10 of the air transfer element 1 toward the third position P3, the lid 11a is pressed against the upper lid closing block 53, and moves from the open position toward the closed position around the swing axis Sa. Similarly, the lid 11b is pressed against the lower lid closing block 54, and moves from the open position toward the closed position around the swing axis Sb.

[0111] When the movement mechanism 40 further moves the main body 10 of the air transfer element 1 and the air transfer element 1 reaches the third position P3, the lids 11a and 11b have moved to the closed position as shown in Figures 25 and 26. In this way, by moving the air transfer element 1 from the second position P2 to the third position P3, the movement mechanism 40 can use the upper lid closing block 53 and the lower lid closing block 54 to move the lids 11a and 11b from the open position to the closed position (to bring them into a completely closed state).

[0112] As described above, the contact surface 53a of the upper lid closing block 53 is curved in an arc shape. Therefore, the upper lid closing block 53 can smoothly move the lid 11a from the open position to the closed position along the curved contact surface 53a. Furthermore, by appropriately designing the shape of the curved contact surface 53a of the upper lid closing block 53, the speed at which the lid 11a closes can be changed midway through the closing process.

[0113] Similarly, the contact surface 54a of the lower lid closing block 54 is curved in an arc shape. Therefore, the lower lid closing block 54 can smoothly move the lid 11b from the open position to the closed position along the curved contact surface 54a. Furthermore, by appropriately designing the shape of the curved contact surface 54a of the lower lid closing block 54, the speed at which the lid 11b closes can be changed midway through the closing process.

[0114] When the air transport element 1 reaches the third position P3, the movement mechanism 40 moves the air transport element 1 from the third position P3 to the first position P1 via the second position P2. An upper cover-opening block 511 and a lower cover-opening block 521 are provided on the path of movement of the air transport element 1 from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0115] 27, during movement from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1 abuts against the inclined surface 511b of the upper lid-opening block 511. Then, as the movement mechanism 40 further moves the air transfer element 1, the lid 11a pushes up (moves) the upper lid-opening block 511 from the lid abutment position to the retracted position. In this way, the upper lid-opening block 511 abuts against the lid 11a of the air transfer element 1 moving from the second position P2 to the first position P1, and is biased by the lid 11a, thereby being moved from the lid abutment position to the retracted position.

[0116] Similarly, during movement from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1 abuts against the inclined surface 521b of the lower lid-opening block 521. Then, as the movement mechanism 40 further moves the air transfer element 1, the lid 11b pushes down (moves) the lower lid-opening block 521 from the lid abutment position to the retracted position. In this way, the lower lid-opening block 521 abuts against the lid 11b of the air transfer element 1 moving from the second position P2 to the first position P1, and is biased by the lid 11b, thereby being moved from the lid abutment position to the retracted position.

[0117] As explained with reference to Figures 4(a) and 5(a), the lids 11a and 11b can only move (swing) in one direction, from the closed position to the open position. When the air transfer element 1 is moved from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the lid 11a is biased by contact with the inclined surface 511b in a direction in which the lid 11a cannot move in the opening direction (a direction in which movement is restricted). Therefore, when the lid 11a contacts the inclined surface 511b, it does not move in the opening direction, but can push up the upper lid-opening block 511 to the retracted position along the inclination of the inclined surface 511b.

[0118] Similarly, when the air transfer element 1 is moved from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the direction in which the lid 11b is biased by contact with the inclined surface 521b is a direction in which the lid 11b cannot move in the opening direction (a direction in which movement is restricted). Therefore, when the lid 11b contacts the inclined surface 521b, it does not move in the opening direction, but can press the lower lid-opening block 521 down to the retracted position along the inclination of the inclined surface 521b. With the upper lid-opening block 511 and the lower lid-opening block 521 each moved to their retracted positions, the air transfer element 1 can pass between the upper lid opening portion 51 and the lower lid opening portion 52.

[0119] When the air transport element 1 reaches the first position P1, the movement mechanism 40 releases its grip on the air transport element 1 and places it on the table 31 of the lifting mechanism 30. At this time, the table 31 may rotate the air transport element 1 so that the mark 15 on the air transport element 1 faces the sensor 33. The lifting mechanism 30 raises the table 31 to transport the air transport element 1 to the transport mechanism 20. The air transport element 1 is then returned to the station from which it was transported via the pneumatic tube 3.

[0120] In this way, the take-out device 2 can automatically take out the blood collection tube T from the transported air transport element 1, and return the air transport element 1 after the blood collection tube T has been taken out to the station from which it was transported.

[0121] As described above, the pneumatic transport element 1 used in the pneumatic transport system A can hold the blood collection tube T by frictional force due to the brush 13 that biases the blood collection tube T. This allows the pneumatic transport element 1 to stably hold the blood collection tube T during transport in the pneumatic transport system A.

[0122] In the air transport element 1, the brush 13 is attached to only one location in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c. In this case, the air transport element 1 can hold the blood collection tube T by sandwiching it between the brush 13 and the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c.

[0123] The brush 13 biases the blood collection tube T toward the center of the assembly of the multiple pipes 12c when viewed along the extension direction of the pipes 12c. In this case, the blood collection tube T is positioned toward the center of the end openings 10a and 10b of the main body 10 when viewed along the extension direction of the pipes 12c. This delays the timing at which the blood collection tube T begins to be exposed from the end openings 10a and 10b when the lids 11a and 11b begin to move from the closed position toward the open position and the end openings 10a and 10b begin to open gradually from the ends. This prevents the blood collection tube T from immediately falling out of the pipe 12c when the lids 11a and 11b begin to open, even when the holding force (biasing force) of the brush 13 on the blood collection tube T is weakened.

[0124] The air transport element 1 can easily hold the blood collection tube T by means of a resin brush 13 that extends inward from the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c.

[0125] The brush 13 is provided over the entire length of the pipe 12c in the extending direction. In this case, the air transport element 1 can hold the blood collection tubes T with the brush 13 even when a plurality of blood collection tubes T are accommodated in a line inside the pipe 12c.

[0126] The take-out device 2 is equipped with a push-out mechanism 60 that inserts a push-out rod 61 into the pipe 12c from above and pushes the blood collection tube T downward. As a result, the take-out device 2 can push out the blood collection tube T, which is held in the pipe 12c by frictional force, with the push-out rod 61, and take out the blood collection tube T from the pipe 12c.

[0127] The air transport element 1 includes a plurality of pipes 12c. The extrusion mechanism 60 includes a plurality of extrusion rods 61 inserted into the plurality of pipes 12c, respectively, and an elevating unit 63 that moves the plurality of extrusion rods 61 up and down as a unit. In this case, even when the air transport element 1 includes a plurality of pipes 12c, the take-out device 2 can easily take out the blood collection tubes T from the plurality of pipes 12c by moving the plurality of extrusion rods 61 up and down as a unit.

[0128] In the take-out device 2, the height position of the lower end of at least one of the multiple push rods 61 is different from the height positions of the lower ends of the other push rods 61. This allows the take-out device 2 to control the timing of pushing out the blood collection tube T from inside the pipe 12c of the air transport element 1.

[0129] In this embodiment, the height position of the lower end of the pusher rod 61 is located lower on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the conveyor device 4 than on the upstream side in the conveying direction. In this case, when the take-out device 2 pushes out the blood collection tubes T from the multiple pipes 12c and drops them onto the conveyor device 4, the take-out device 2 can drop the blood collection tubes T first from the downstream side in the conveying direction of the conveyor device 4 and transport them first on the conveyor device 4. This allows the take-out device 2 to separate the blood collection tubes T on the conveyor device 4 when dropping the blood collection tubes T from the multiple pipes 12c onto the conveyor device 4.

[0130] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, some of the brushes 13 (here, brush 13A) may extend outward from the main body 10. In FIG. 28, the brushes 13A at the lower right and upper left of the drawing face the outside of the main body 10. The brushes 13A urge the blood collection tube T toward the outside of the main body 10. Note that the above-described statement that "the brushes 13 urge the blood collection tube T toward the center of the collection of the collected pipes 12c when viewed along the extension direction of the pipes 12c" may be defined as long as more than half of the brushes 13 urge the blood collection tube T toward the center. In other words, even if two brushes 13A facing outward are provided as brushes 13, as shown in FIG. 28, more than half of the brushes 13 urge the blood collection tube T toward the center of the collection of the pipes 12c. Therefore, the configuration shown in Figure 28 is included in the configuration in which "the multiple brushes 13 urge the blood collection tube T toward the center of the collection of multiple gathered pipes 12c when viewed along the extension direction of the pipes 12c."

[0131] Although the upper lid-opening block 511 and the lower lid-opening block 521 move vertically when moving from the lid abutment position to the retracted position, this is not limited to vertical movement. For example, the upper lid-opening block 511 and the lower lid-opening block 521 may be biased by the lids 11a and 11b, respectively, to swing about a swing axis extending vertically, thereby moving from the lid abutment position to the retracted position.

[0132] The air transport element 1 is not limited to biasing the blood collection tube T with the brush 13. The air transport element 1 may bias the blood collection tube T with an elastically deformable holding member (friction member) that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the pipe 12c and hold the blood collection tube T by frictional force. In this way, various members (friction members) other than the brush 13 can be used for the air transport element 1 as long as they can bias the blood collection tube T and hold it by frictional force.

[0133] In the air transfer element 1, the configuration of the engagement mechanism 14 that engages with the storage portion 12 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the engagement mechanism 14 is not limited to using the side cover 14b, and may be a push-button-like member (release force transmission portion) that moves when pressed and transmits a release operating force to the engagement portion.

[0134] The air-transfer element 1 is not limited to accommodating the blood collection tube T, but can also accommodate tubular containers other than the blood collection tube T.

[0135] The curved shapes of the contact surface 511a of the upper lid-opening block 511, the contact surface 521a of the lower lid-opening block 521, the contact surface 53a of the upper lid-closing block 53, and the contact surface 54a of the lower lid-closing block 54 may be set appropriately depending on the opening and closing speed of the lids 11a and 11b as the air transfer element 1 moves, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 1...pneumatic transport element, 2...removal device, 4...conveyor device, 10...main body, 10a, 10b...end opening, 11a, 11b...lid, 12...storage section, 12c...pipe, 13...brush (friction member), 50...lid opening / closing mechanism (lid moving mechanism), 60...extrusion mechanism, 61...extrusion rod, 63a...driving source, A...pneumatic transport tube system, R...internal space, T...blood collection tube (tubular container).

Claims

1. A cylindrical main body having end openings at both longitudinal ends thereof, the end openings communicating with the internal space; a pair of lids provided for the end openings at both ends of the body portion, the lids being capable of taking a closed position that closes the end openings and an open position that opens the end openings; a housing portion that is housed in the internal space, extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion, and has a pipe that can house a tubular container therein; a friction member attached to an inner peripheral surface of the pipe, the friction member urging the tubular container housed in the pipe in a direction intersecting an extending direction of the pipe to hold the tubular container by friction, a lid moving mechanism that moves each of the pair of lids from the closed position to the open position; and an extrusion mechanism that inserts an extrusion rod into the pipe from above and extrudes the tubular container downward while the air transfer element is supported so that one end opening of the main body faces upward and the other end opening faces downward and while the pair of lids are each positioned in the open position.

2. A plurality of the pipes are provided and gathered together so as to be parallel to each other, 2. The take-out device according to claim 1, wherein the push-out mechanism comprises: a plurality of push-out rods inserted into the plurality of pipes, respectively; and a single drive source that moves the plurality of push-out rods up and down as a unit.

3. 3. The take-out device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of push rods has a lower end portion positioned at a height different from the lower end portions of the other push rods.

4. a conveyor device for conveying the tubular container removed from the pneumatic transport element is provided below the removal device; 4. The take-out device according to claim 3, wherein the height position of the lower end of the push rod is located lower on the downstream side of the conveying direction of the conveyor device than on the upstream side of the conveying direction.

5. 5. The take-out device according to claim 1, wherein the friction member is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the pipe at only one location in the circumferential direction.

6. A plurality of the pipes are provided and gathered together in parallel with each other, 6. The take-out device according to claim 5, wherein the friction member biases the tubular container toward a center of the assembly of the plurality of pipes when viewed along the extending direction of the pipes.

7. 7. The take-out device according to claim 1, wherein the friction member is a resin brush extending inward from an inner circumferential surface of the pipe.

8. the pipe is capable of accommodating a plurality of the tubular containers in a line therein; The take-out device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the friction member is provided over the entire length of the pipe in the extending direction.

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