JP2010054477A - Hanger-type stocker for test tube and system for preparing test tube - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for preparing test tube having superior portability by simple miniaturization, readily installable on desk top, superior emergency response in time of disaster, and the like, and being ready for different kinds of test tubes, according to the order for collecting the blood from the doctor. <P>SOLUTION: Between a couple of reciprocating belt of one conveyer belt, a test tube holding member is arranged along the belt and the bottom plane of a cap of test tubes is supported with the test tube holding member and the top plane of an outgoing side conveyer belt. Here, feeding is given to test tubes through the cap by the going side belt. For such a stocker, because an apparatus-conveying test tubes can be constructed with an all-in-one type for one kind of test tubes, the number of conveyer device can be limited as an absolute minimum. Moreover, because the breadth of one stocker are only few centimeters, even when a plurality of kinds of stockers are established in parallel to respond to a plurality of kinds of test tubes, there is an advantage that the entire breadth dimension can be reduced markedly, as compared with conventional techniques. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention performs pre-preparation work of a test tube in a blood collection process in a pre-process of blood collection test, and includes a hanger type test tube stocker that suspends and holds a test tube using an endless feed belt, , Select different types of test tubes from the hanger type stocker according to the blood collection instruction from the doctor, attach a label printed with blood collection information such as the patient ID and the content of the blood collection instruction, and the test tube after labeling The present invention relates to a test tube preparation device that can be stored in a tray for each patient and has a small and simple structure and excellent mobility.

In blood testing departments at hospitals, clinics, clinics and other medical institutions, blood is collected from patients by blood collection workers (nurses, etc.), and the collected specimens are stored in test tubes and transferred to the testing department. ing. In blood tests, many types of test tubes are prepared according to the blood test items, and usually, a plurality of types of tests are performed on one patient at the same time. Therefore, a plurality of types of test tubes are prepared automatically by a test tube preparation device for one patient. In a blood collection room, it is natural to handle a large number of patients, and a label printed with a barcode such as an order number is attached to each test tube prepared by the test tube preparation device.
In addition, a blood collection reception slip on which a barcode such as a reception number is printed is issued to the patient at the time of blood collection reception. During blood collection work, the contents of these labels and reception slips are read by an optical device such as a barcode reader so that the patient and test tube cannot be mistakenly taken.

As a technique for automating such blood collection work and supporting the blood collection work, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. The technique of Patent Document 1 uses an endless belt driving device that is rotationally driven in a vertical direction (vertical direction). In this belt drive device, the belt width is set to be equal to or greater than the length of the test tube, and has a caterpillar-shaped partition plate that protrudes from the belt surface in the outer diameter direction. A single test tube housing part (stock part) is provided between them, and a large number of test tube housing parts are formed on one belt surface. In this case, one belt drive is set to accommodate the same type of test tube. A stocker mechanism using a belt driving device that accommodates test tubes in such a caterpillar system is arranged in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction so that a plurality of types of test tubes can be handled.
Based on the blood collection order information from the doctor, the test tubes necessary for the patient's blood collection are taken out from the corresponding test tube stocker mechanism, and the information on the patient's blood collection is printed on the label using the label printing / pasting means, and after printing The label is attached to the taken out test tube. Then, the test tube after labeling is transferred to the test tube collection unit by the discharging means, and is stored in the tray for each patient by the test tube collection unit.

In such a test tube preparation device, there is a problem in that the size in the height direction becomes considerable due to the stocker mechanism portion being stacked one above the other, and the device itself is increased in size.
On the other hand, as a conventional method for solving the above-described problems, it is conceivable to use, as a stocker, a technique for conveying a product similar to the shape of a test tube as shown in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 by a hanger method. These transport technologies use an annular collar (ring) provided near the mouth of a resin bottle or the like, and an attachment that can engage and support the ring on the transport belt between the two transport belts on the left and right. A ring such as a resin bottle is locked between the pair of attachments and the attachments facing each other and transported in a suspended state.
JP-A-2005-67660 JP 2006-21854 A JP 2007-145493 A

However, in the techniques shown in Patent Documents 2 and 3, one conveying device is configured by a pair of two conveying belts arranged on the left and right, and a driving mechanism for two conveying belts is provided for one conveying device. It was necessary.
In addition, when the two conveyor belts are arranged so as to be rotationally driven in the horizontal direction, the dimension obtained by adding the diameters of the two pulleys of the left and right conveyor belts, the thickness dimension of the belt and the attachment dimension, and the width dimension of the product to be conveyed Is essential. Accordingly, the overall dimensions in the width direction are considerable, and when configured as a device that automatically prepares many types of test tubes, an increase in the size of the entire device is inevitable. Cannot be directly applied to the test tube preparation device.

As described above, in the technique shown in Patent Document 1, there is a problem of enlargement in which the height dimension in the vertical direction becomes large due to the relationship in which the accommodating portions of various types of test tubes are stacked in the vertical direction. When the technology shown in (3) and (3) is used as it is for the test tube preparation device technology, the horizontal dimension becomes large, and the device itself becomes large when configured as a device that handles many types of test tubes. was there. Further, when the techniques shown in Patent Documents 2 and 3 are used as they are, there is a problem that a transport mechanism twice as many as the types of test tubes to be handled is required.
The problem of such an increase in the size of the test tube preparation device is that when the layout is changed, the test tube preparation device cannot be easily moved, and there is a space limitation for application to a personal hospital. There was a problem of receiving. Furthermore, the problem of enlargement is one of the causes that cannot be dealt with even when it is necessary to install simply in the event of a disaster or the like, and there is a disadvantage that emergency response cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been improved and removed in view of the above-described problems, and is simple and compact, excellent in portability, can be easily installed on a desk, etc., excellent in emergency response during a disaster, and the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hanger type test tube stocker and a test tube preparation device capable of preparing different types of test tubes in accordance with a blood collection instruction from a doctor.

  Thus, in order to solve the above problems, the means of claim 1 adopted by the present invention includes an endless feed belt suspended between pulleys disposed at both ends and rotationally driven in a horizontal direction. A test tube holding member disposed along the feed belt between the reciprocating belts of the feed belt, and between the upper end surface of the forward feed belt and the upper end surface of the test tube holding member, A hanger type test tube characterized in that a test tube cap is placed on the opposite lower end surface, and a discharge portion is provided in which the test tube drops and is discharged by its own weight at a position passing the terminal side of the test tube holding member. It is a stocker.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first stopper disposed on the terminal end side of the test tube holding member so as to be able to enter and retreat with respect to the front surface of the cap of the head test tube, and a first stopper from the head. And a bifurcated second stopper disposed so as to freely enter and retract from above with respect to a gap formed between the caps of the second test tube. It is a hanger type test tube stocker.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first stopper and the second stopper are attached to one end side of two arms pivotally supported on the same shaft, and the other end side of each arm is attached to the other end side of each arm. The hanger type test tube stocker according to claim 2, wherein a solenoid is connected.

  The means of claim 4 employed by the present invention is the hanger type of the hanger type according to claims 1 to 3, wherein a transport belt for transporting the test tube in a laid state is disposed below the end side of the test tube holding member. Test tube stocker.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the feed belt is provided between an endless feed belt that is suspended between pulleys disposed at both ends and is driven to rotate in the horizontal direction, and the reciprocating belt of the feed belt. A test tube holding member disposed along the belt, and the opposite lower end surface of the test tube cap is placed between the upper end surface of the forward feed belt and the upper end surface of the test tube holding member. In addition, a test tube holding member is provided with a discharge part on the end side of the test tube holding member so that the test tube is dropped and discharged by its own weight. A test tube preparation device provided with a label printing / sticking means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the test tube holding member is disposed between the reciprocating belts of one endless feed belt that is rotationally driven in the horizontal direction. This test tube holding member is a guide frame having a smooth surface such as a rail or plate member, and supports one side of the lower end surface of the cap of the test tube. The opposite lower end surface of the cap is supported by the upper end surface on the forward side of the feed belt. Accordingly, the test tube slides on these members while the lower end surface of the cap is supported by the test tube holding member and the upper end surface of the forward feed belt. Feeding the test tube is performed by joining the upper end surface of the forward feed belt and the lower end surface of the test tube cap.
The test tube is disengaged at the terminal end side of the test tube holding member and is cantilevered on the upper end surface of the feed belt on the forward side, in the direction of the test tube holding member released from the engagement. The cap (head) side tilts and eventually falls. And it is discharged.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a hanger type stocker for supporting the lower end surface of the cap of the test tube is formed between the reciprocating belts of one conveying belt. Therefore, the test tube transfer device in the stocker can be constituted by one for each type of test tube, and the number of transfer devices can be minimized. In addition, since the test tube stocker is configured between the reciprocating belts of one conveyor belt, the width of one stocker is only a few centimeters, and multiple types of stockers are available to accommodate many types of test tubes. Even in the case of providing a side, there is an advantage that the overall width dimension can be remarkably reduced as compared with the prior art.

The invention of claim 2 is a mechanism in which the leading test tube is cut out and discharged one by one in the stocker of the invention of claim 1, and has a first stopper and a second stopper. ing. The first stopper is configured to be able to advance and retreat so as to be able to contact the front side of the cap of the leading test tube. The second stopper is configured to be able to advance and retract with respect to a gap formed between the top and the cap of the second test tube.
The first stopper comes into contact with the front side of the cap of the first test tube, and the second stopper enters a gap formed between the top and the cap of the second test tube. When the first stopper is retracted from this state and the engagement with the front side of the cap of the leading test tube is released, the leading test tube is fed by joining the upper end surface of the forward feeding belt and the lower end surface of the cap. Is further advanced, and the engagement with the terminal side of the test tube holding member is eventually released. For this reason, the top test tube is inclined so that the cap side is free of the test tube holding member, and finally the engagement with the upper end surface of the other forward-side feed belt is released, and it is dropped and discharged by its own weight. The The second and subsequent test tubes remain stopped by the second stopper. After the first test tube is discharged, when the first stopper returns and the second stopper retracts, all the remaining test tubes are pushed forward and moved forward by one test tube. The movement is stopped by the first stopper. Thereafter, the second stopper returns to the original state.

In the invention of claim 3, the first and second stoppers are attached to one end side of the arm, for example, and are pivotally supported at the middle part of the arm, and are attached to the other end side of the arm. Solenoid (solenoid rod tip) is connected. Therefore, by controlling the solenoid on and off, the rod of the solenoid protrudes and retreats with respect to the main body case, and the first and second stoppers attached to one end side of the arm are caps for the test tube, respectively. It is comprised so that the operation | movement which can advance / retreat freely is performed.
As described above, by controlling the forward and backward movement of the first and second stoppers, it is possible to cut out the leading test tubes one by one and discharge them.

  In the invention of claim 4, the conveying belt for conveying the test tube in a laid state is disposed below the end side of the test tube holding member. As described in the second aspect of the present invention, the conveying belt scoops the bottom of the test tube supplied while being inclined from the end side of the test tube holding member, and conveys the sample tube while lying down. Therefore, the direction of the test tube is always conveyed with the bottom side first, and it is possible to omit the trouble of aligning the direction of the test tube in the next labeling step.

  The invention of claim 5 uses the test tube stocker of the invention of claim 4 and lays out the test tubes cut out one by one from the stocker so that the bottom side comes first, and means for printing / pasting labels To the position. In the label printing and pasting means, blood collection information of the blood collection patient is obtained from, for example, a host system or a doctor's personal computer terminal, printed on the label, and the printed label is stuck on the outer peripheral surface of the test tube. After sticking, the same patient is accommodated in the tray.

  If it is a test tube preparation device using such a test tube stocker, its size is extremely small even when it is configured to handle many types of test tubes, and the overall weight and size can be reduced. It has an excellent feature in that respect. For example, even when it is configured to handle six tube types, the size is about 375 mm high × 480 mm wide × 500 mm deep.

Therefore, the test tube preparation device of the present invention is excellent in portability and easy to move. Therefore, in the event of a disaster, it is extremely easy to carry in and install at an on-site emergency facility, etc., and connect to a computer terminal such as a laptop computer used by the doctor to capture information on blood collection of the patient examined by the doctor, It is possible to selectively take out the test tubes necessary for blood collection from the stocker, attach a label on which the blood collection information of the patient is printed, and store it in the tray for each patient to automatically prepare for blood collection. . In addition, there is an advantage that a test tube preparation device can be introduced even in a privately managed hospital or the like. Furthermore, in the hospital ward, the test tube preparation device is placed in a movable wagon, and the test tube is automatically prepared for blood collection by going to the bedside of the patient in each hospital room. It is also possible.

  The configuration of the present invention will be described below based on the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a relationship among a feed belt 2, a test tube holding member 3, and a test tube 4 of one stocker 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the stocker 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a positional relationship among the first stopper 5, the second stopper 6, and the test tube 4. FIG. 5 is a front view of the test tube preparation device, and FIG. 6 is a side view showing the label printing / sticking means 7 of the test tube preparation device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the test tube stocker 1 of this embodiment, an endless feed belt 2 is suspended across a driven pulley 8A and a drive pulley 8B that are arranged flat on both ends. The feed belt 2 is a so-called toothed belt in which a large number of protrusions 9 are provided on the inner surface side where the forward feed belt 2A and the return feed belt 2B face each other. By using a toothed belt, slipping between the driving pulley 8B is eliminated, and the driving force of the driving pulley 8B can be reliably transmitted to the feed belt 2. Of course, the feed belt 2 may be a flat belt.

A test tube holding member 3 disposed along the belt is provided in a space region between the forward side feed belt 2A and the return side feed belt 2B of the feed belt 2. Thereby, a space (groove) for accommodating the test tube 4 is formed between the forward feed belt 2 </ b> A and the test tube holding member 3. The test tube holding member 3 is a guide frame having a smooth upper end surface such as a rail or plate member, and the height of the upper end surface is the same as the height of the upper end surface of the feed belt 2. Is set.

  Thus, the dimension of the width of the groove formed between the tip surface of the protrusion 9 of the forward feed belt 2A and the test tube holding member 3 is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the test tube 4 (maximum (About 1 mm). The interval between the groove widths can be varied according to the size of the outer diameter of the test tube 4 to be stocked. To change the size, the mounting body (not shown) of the test tube holding member 3 is mounted on the mounting body of the test tube holding member 3 by a system such as a long hole and a screw so that the test tube holding member 3 can be translated relative to the forward feed belt 2A. It is only necessary to employ a means for fixing to the head, and the dimensions can be continuously adjusted. 2 and 3, the test tube 4 is composed of a tube-shaped test tube main body 4A and a cap 10, and the lower end surface of the cap 10 has an outer diameter dimension larger than the outer diameter dimension of the test tube main body 4A ( A dimension larger than the groove width). As shown in FIG. 3, the test tube 4 has a lower end surface facing the cap 10 placed on the upper end surface of the forward feed belt 2 </ b> A and the upper end surface of the test tube holding member 3. Suspended and held. That is, the test tube 4 is stocked by the hanger method. The driving force of the feed belt 2 is transmitted to the test tube 4 through the joint portion of the lower end surface of the cap 10 placed on the forward feed belt 2A. The lower end surface of the cap 10 on the opposite side only slides between the upper end surface of the test tube holding member 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, a back-up member 11 configured in the same manner as the test tube holding member 3 as a guide frame is provided on the back side of the forward-side feed belt 2A. The backup member 11 is for ensuring that the upper end surface of the forward feed belt 2A is in contact with and joined to the lower end surface of the cap of the test tube 4. Thereby, the feed belt 2A on the forward side does not deviate from the lower end surface of the cap 10, and feed (feed) can be reliably given to the test tube 4 that is suspended and held.

On the end side of the test tube holding member 3, a discharge portion 12 for the test tube 4 is provided. The discharge portion 12 is provided in a space region between the terminal end side of the test tube holding member 3 and the pulley 8A. When the test tube 4 reaches the end side of the test tube holding member 3, the lower end surface of the cap 10 is released from engagement with the test tube holding member 3 and naturally falls due to its own weight.
Incidentally, first and second stoppers 5 and 6 are provided at positions facing the discharge portion 12. These first and second stoppers 5 and 6 are provided with bifurcated bar-like projections 5A, 5B and 6A on the lower surfaces of one ends of the arms 14 and 15 pivotally supported on the same shaft 13 so that the intermediate portion is swingable. , 6B are provided upright. In the first and second stoppers 5 and 6, the portions where the rod-like protrusions 5A, 5B and 6A, 6B are provided, the portions bent in an L shape in a plan view enter each other back and forth and do not interfere with each other. It is made like that. The first stopper 5 is configured to be able to advance and retreat so as to be able to contact the front side of the cap of the leading test tube 4, and the second stopper 6 is a cap for the leading and second test tubes 4, 4. It is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the gap formed between the two.

Further, rods 16A, 17A of solenoids 16, 17 are connected to the lower surfaces of the arms 14, 15 at the other end side. In this case, the solenoids 16 and 17 have the same outer diameter as that of the ballpoint pen for the purpose of miniaturization. When the power is turned on, the rods 16A and 17A retreat, and the arms 14 and 15 are shown in FIG. As shown by a chain line 2, the head is swung to the raised position. The solenoids 16 and 17 are normally set to operate alternately. Return springs (tension springs) 18 and 19 are attached between the pivots 13 of the arms 14 and 15 and the rod-shaped protrusions 5A and 5B and 6A and 6B, respectively. This is for the arms 14 and 15 to return to the horizontal posture by the pulling force of the return springs 18 and 19 when the power of the solenoids 16 and 17 is turned off. The return springs 18 and 19 also serve to prevent the falling test tube 4 from jumping forward.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, six rows of hanger type test tube stockers 1 configured as described above are provided side by side. Below the discharge unit 12, a single conveyor belt 20 disposed in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the feed belt 2 is disposed, and the test tubes 4 that are dropped and supplied from each of the six rows of stockers 1. Is conveyed from the left side of FIG. At this time, since the engagement of the test tube 4 with the lower end surface of the cap 10 is released on the terminal end side of the test tube holding member 3, the cap 10 side is inclined to the side released from the test tube holding member 3. Thereby, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 5, the bottom side of the test tube 4 is always aligned toward the front side in the transport direction, and in this state, the test tube 4 is dropped and supplied onto the transport belt 20.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the conveyor belt 20 is constituted by one continuous belt. However, the conveyor belt 20 is divided into an area of the stocker 1 and an area of the label printing means 7 and is constituted by two conveyor belts. It is also possible to allow the test tube 4 to automatically transfer between the two conveyor belts. In this case, the test tube preparation device can be separated into a stocker device and a label printing / applying device, so that the stocker device can be used independently and maintenance can be performed separately. Convenient.

An arrival detection plate 21 for the test tube 4 is provided on the terminal side of the conveyor belt 20. In a normal state, the arrival detection plate 21 stands by in a slanted posture as shown by a chain line in FIG. 5, and when the test tube 4 is fed, it is pressed to stand upright as shown by a solid line. At the same time, the stop position of the test tube 4 is determined. The arrival detection plate 21 has a U-shaped bent portion, and in an inclined standby state, the irradiation light of a detection sensor (not shown) composed of a light emitter / receiver such as an infrared sensor or a photo sensor is blocked, In the upright state where the test tube 4 has arrived, the light emitted from the projector is received by the light receiver. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a test slider 4 cutting slider 22 that reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport belt 20 is provided on the side surface portion of the test tube 4 at the stop position. The test tube 4 is pushed out from the conveying belt 20 and supplied to the labeling device 7 at a position where it is dropped.
In addition, a direction detection means for detecting the direction of the test tube 4 is provided immediately before the arrival detection plate 21 (not shown). This is so that when the cap 10 is accidentally brought into contact with the arrival detection plate 21 and stopped, the irradiation light from the projector is blocked by the cap 10 and the direction of the test tube 4 can be detected. Is.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the label sticking device 7 has a label supply roll 23 stuck on a continuous release paper and a take-up roll 24 for winding the release paper. The label fed from the supply roll 23 and the release paper are folded back and moved at an acute angle, so that only the strong label (more elastic than the release paper and less likely to break) is peeled from the release paper. The label goes straight and is supplied to the affixing means 29 side, and only the remaining release paper after that is taken up by the take-up roll 24. A printing device 25 for printing patient information and the like on the label is disposed on the upstream side of the peeling portion. Information to be printed is acquired from a database or a hard disk by connecting the interface of the control unit of the blood collection tube preparation apparatus to a computer such as a higher-level medical system or a computer terminal of a doctor. Further, a sticking means 29 including a driving roller 26, a supporting roller 27, and a pressure roller 28 that can be moved forward and backward is disposed in the traveling direction of the label peeled from the release paper. Further, a placing portion for the tray 30 is provided obliquely below the sticking means 29.

  Next, an operation mode of the test tube preparation device configured as described above will be described. First, different types of tests are manually performed in the grooves (stock portions of the test tubes 4) formed between the test tube holding members 3 of the six rows of test tube stockers 1 and the forward feed belt 2A. Set tube 4 The test tube 4 can be set only by inserting the test tube 4 into the groove from the bottom side. As a result, the opposite lower end surface of the cap 10 of each test tube 4 is placed across the upper end surface of the test tube holding member 3 and the upper end surface of the forward feed belt 2A, and is suspended and held by this. In the state prior to the start of operation, the rod-like protrusions 5A and 5B of the first stopper 5 of the test tube preparation device abut against the front side of the cap 10 of the leading test tube 4 and restrain its forward movement. . Further, the rod-shaped protrusions 6A and 6B of the second stopper 6 enter the gaps 31 and 31 formed on the left and right side surfaces formed between the caps 10 and 10 of the test tubes 4 and 4 positioned at the top and the second, respectively. The forward movement of the second test tube 4 is constrained.

  In such a state, the test tube preparation apparatus is turned on, and blood collection information of a patient to be collected is obtained from a host computer or a doctor's computer terminal. Based on the obtained information, the control unit of the test tube preparation device determines the type of test tube to be selected, and rotates the drive pulley 8B of the test tube stocker 1 in which the corresponding type of test tube 4 is stocked. Drive. Thereby, in all the test tubes 4 of the stocker 1, the lower end surface of the cap 10 joined to the upper end surface of the forward feed belt 2A receives the feed of the forward feed belt 2A. In this state, the movement of the first and second test tubes 4 is restrained by the action of the first and second stoppers 5 and 6, respectively, so that all the test tubes 4 remain stopped.

Next, the control unit of the test tube preparation device turns on the solenoid 16 of the first stopper 5 of the corresponding stocker 1. As a result, the solenoid 16 has its rod retracted to rotate the arm 14 counterclockwise in FIG. 6 with the pivot 13 as a fulcrum. Therefore, the rod-like protrusions 5A and 5B attached to one end side of the arm 14 are separated from the front side of the cap 10 of the leading test tube 4, and the restraint of the leading test tube 4 is released. The leading test tube 4 is in a free state, and starts to advance from the stop position upon receiving the feed from the forward feed belt 2A. Eventually, the leading test tube 4 reaches the discharge portion 12 on the terminal end side of the test tube holding member 3, and the engagement with the test tube holding member 3 is released, so that the cap 10 is removed from the test tube holding member 3. 5 and is cantilevered by the forward feed belt 2A, and finally the engagement with the forward feed belt 2A is released. As shown by the chain line in FIG. It falls onto the conveyor belt 20 by its own weight in a state where the head 20 is directed in the forward direction.

On the other hand, the solenoid 14 of the first stopper 5 is turned OFF, so that the arm 14 is returned to the original horizontal state by the return spring 18. Subsequently, the solenoid 17 of the second stopper 6 is turned ON, and the arm 15 is rotated counterclockwise to the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. As a result, the rod-shaped protrusions 6A and 6B release the joint of the second test tube 4 with the cap 10. For this reason, all the remaining test tubes 4 after the second are advanced by receiving the driving force of the forward feed belt 2A, and the test tube 4 which is newly at the top has the rod-like protrusions 5A, 5A of the first stopper 5. The front side of the cap 10 comes into contact with 5B and stops. Finally, the solenoid 17 of the second stopper 6 is turned OFF and returned to the horizontal state by the return spring 19, and the cap 10 between the test tube 4 newly positioned at the top and the test tube 4 positioned second is connected. It enters into the gap and waits in this state until a supply command for the next test tube 4 is issued.

The conveyor belt 20 starts to be driven at the same timing as the solenoid 16 of the first stopper 5 is turned on. Therefore, the test tube 4 dropped and supplied by its own weight is conveyed from the left direction to the right direction in FIG. 5 by the conveyance belt 20 and presses and urges the arrival detection plate 21. Even if the test tube 4 is dropped and supplied to the conveyor belt 20 in an upright state, the conveyor belt 20 is driven from the left to the right in FIG. It will be transported with the side first. The test tube 4 on the conveyor belt 20 has its bottom contacting the arrival detection plate 21 on the end side of the conveyance path and pressing it, and swings the arrival detection plate 21 from an inclined posture to an upright posture and stops. To come.
At this stop position, a direction detection sensor (not shown) of the test tube 4 detects the cap 10 of the test tube 4 so that an alarm is generated by voice or a flashing signal of the light emitting element to notify the operator. Yes. In this case, the operator may take out the test tube 4 and change the direction to continue the operation.

When the arrival detection plate 21 is pressed and urged in an upright posture, arrival detection means such as a light projecting / receiving sensor works to detect that the test tube 4 has been supplied. In response to this arrival detection signal, the slider 22 that reciprocates in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying belt 20 starts to operate, pushes the arrived test tube 4 in the lateral direction, and falls to the affixing means 29 side of the label affixing device 7 To supply. In the affixing means 29, the pressure roller 28 is in the retracted position, and advances when receiving the test tube 4, presses the test tube 4 toward the driving roller 26 and the support roller 27, and tests the driving force of the driving roller 26. This is transmitted to the tube 4 and the test tube 4 is rotated in the circumferential direction.

On the other hand, the label printing device 25 prints necessary items of blood collection information such as a patient ID, a test item, a blood collection type, and a blood collection amount obtained from a host computer and a doctor's computer terminal on a label fed from the supply roller 23. . As shown in FIG. 6, the label after printing is folded and moved at an acute angle, so that only the strong label moves straight and is naturally peeled off from the release paper. The peeled label enters between the driving roller 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the test tube 4 and is wound up, and is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the test tube 4. The test tube 4 after the label is attached is released from the attaching portion when the pressure roller 28 moves backward and returns obliquely downward (lower left in FIG. 6), falls due to its own weight, and is accommodated in the tray 30.

  Thus, preparation of one test tube of one tube type is completed. Thereafter, if there are other required test tubes, the stocker 1 of the tube type is driven, and the above operation is sequentially repeated to accommodate the test tubes 4 in the tray 30. In this way, if the preparation of the test tubes of all the tube types requested by the information from the host computer and the doctor's computer terminal is completed, the preparation of the test tubes for blood collection for one patient is completed. It will be. Thereafter, other patient test tubes may be prepared in the same manner.

By the way, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A suitable change is possible. For example, the feed belt 2 used for the test tube stocker 1 has been described as being a toothed belt, but may be a normal flat belt. Moreover, although the case where six test tube stockers 1 are provided side by side has been described, the number of test tube stockers 1 may be six or less such as one, two, or three, or may be six or more. The number can be arbitrarily set according to the purpose.
Furthermore, although the solenoids 16 and 17 have been described with respect to the case where the rod retracts during the ON operation, the solenoids 16 and 17 may be reciprocated between protrusion and retraction. In this case, the return springs 18 and 19 can be omitted.

Furthermore, the conveyor belt 20 is divided into the area of the stocker 1 and the area of the label applicator 7 so that the two conveyor belts are continuous so that the test tube 4 can be transferred automatically. It is also possible. In this case, the external cover constituting the casing of the test tube preparation device can be separated into the region of the stocker 1 and the region of the label applicator 7, and a specific maintenance operation can be performed in each region. it can. It is also possible to configure the test tube stocker device and the label applicator 7 separately, sell the test tube stocker device separately, and connect the both as an optional product to configure the test tube preparation device. is there.

It is a top view which shows the basic composition of the test tube stocker which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a side view showing the whole test tube stocker concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which concerns on one embodiment of this invention and shows the 1st and 2nd stopper. It is a front view which shows the test tube preparation apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the positional relationship of the member which comprises the label sticking apparatus of the test tube preparation apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Test tube stocker, 2 ... Feed belt, 2A ... Forward side feed belt, 2B ... Return side feed belt, 3 ... Test tube holding member, 4 ... Test tube, 5 ... First stopper, 5A, 5B ... Rod-shaped protrusion , 6 ... Second stopper, 6A, 6B ... Rod projection, 7 ... Label sticking device, 8A, 8B ... Pulley, 9 ... Teeth, 10 ... Cap

Claims (5)

An endless feed belt suspended between pulleys arranged at both ends and driven to rotate in the horizontal direction, and a test tube holding member disposed along the feed belt between the reciprocating belts of the feed belt The opposite lower end surface of the test tube cap is placed between the upper end surface of the feed belt on the forward side and the upper end surface of the test tube holding member, and passes the end side of the test tube holding member. A hanger-type test tube stocker provided with a discharge portion where the test tube is dropped and discharged by its own weight at the position where the test tube is placed. On the terminal side of the test tube holding member, between the first stopper and the first and second test tube caps from the top, which are arranged to be able to enter and retreat with respect to the front face of the top test tube cap The hanger-type test tube stocker according to claim 1, further comprising a bifurcated second stopper disposed so as to be freely enterable and retreatable from above with respect to the gap formed at the top.   The first stopper and the second stopper are attached to tip ends of two arms pivotally supported on the same shaft, and a solenoid is connected to one end of each arm. Hanger type test tube stocker.   The hanger type test tube stocker according to claim 1, wherein a transport belt for transporting the test tube in a laid state is disposed below the end side of the test tube holding member. An endless feed belt suspended between pulleys arranged at both ends and driven to rotate in the horizontal direction, and a test tube holding member disposed along the feed belt between the reciprocating belts of the feed belt The opposite lower end surface of the test tube cap is placed between the upper end surface of the feed belt on the forward side and the upper end surface of the test tube holding member, and on the end side of the test tube holding member A test tube is provided with a discharge section that drops and discharges by its own weight, a test belt transport belt is provided below the discharge section, and a label printing / pasting means is provided on the terminal end side of the transport belt. Test tube preparation device.

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