WO2023021844A1 - Closure device for container - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure device (1) comprises: a holding member (10) that holds a container main body (51) of a container (50); a rotation member (20) that applies a force in the closing direction, to an open lid part (52) of the container (50) held by the holding member (10), so as to rotationally displace the lid part (52) about a hinge part (53) and toward the container main body (51) and thereby close the container (50); and a guide member (30) that contacts a projecting part (52a) which is the tip end part of the lid part (52) during rotational displacement of the lid part (52) by the rotation member (20) so as to restrict displacement of the lid part (52) in a rotation radial direction.

Description

container capping device

The present disclosure relates to a technique for closing a container having a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid.

Conventionally, there are analyzers that analyze components such as genes contained in specimens using the polymerase chain reaction (hereinafter also referred to as "PCR"). Reagents used for analysis of specimens in such analyzers may be supplied pre-encapsulated in containers.

As a container in which a reagent is enclosed, generally, a resin container (microtube) in which a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid are integrally formed is widely used. used. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-317384 discloses providing microtubes containing reagents as a reagent kit.

JP 2006-317384 A

In the microtube, the container body and the lid are connected via the hinge as described above, and the container can be closed by rotating and displacing the lid toward the container body about the hinge. . In order to mass-produce reagent kits, it is desirable to efficiently close the container while the reagent is contained in the container body. In addition, not only during the production of reagent kits, but also when the component analysis of a sample is performed fully automatically within the analyzer, it is desirable to efficiently close the container within the analyzer.

However, in this type of container, if the capping operation of the container is not properly performed, it is assumed that the capping failure of the container will occur. Specifically, in this type of container, a convex portion is provided on the back surface of the lid portion, and the convex portion is inserted into the container body and fitted into the container body to close the lid. Therefore, if the convex portion of the lid interferes with the edge of the opening of the container body during the closing operation, it is assumed that the convex portion cannot be inserted into the container body and the container cannot be properly closed. be. Although it is possible to manually perform the capping operation carefully to avoid such a capping failure, in this case, there is a concern that the production efficiency of the reagent kit will be lowered, making it impossible to mass-produce the reagent kit.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to efficiently close a container having a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid. It is to be.

A capping device according to the present disclosure is a container capping device having a container body, a lid portion, and a hinge portion connecting the container body and the lid portion, and is a holding member that holds the container body of at least one container. Then, a force in the closing direction is applied to the lid portion of the container in the open state held by the holding member, so that the lid portion is rotationally displaced toward the container body around the hinge portion to close the container. The member is arranged at a position where it contacts the tip of the lid during rotational displacement of the lid by the displacement member, and by contacting the tip of the lid during rotational displacement, displacement of the lid in the radial direction of rotation is restricted. and a guide member.

According to the capping device described above, the displacement of the lid in the rotational radial direction can be restricted by the guide member during the rotational displacement of the lid by the displacement member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the position of the lid portion from being displaced toward the distal end side of the lid portion during the rotational displacement. As a result, the closure failure of the container is suppressed. As a result, the container can be efficiently closed.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently close a container having a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a commercially available 8-tube tube. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of a reagent kit; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the convex portion of the lid portion interferes with the edge of the opening portion of the container body; It is an external view of a capping device. FIG. 10 shows the state of the capping device and the container when the capping operation is started. FIG. 10 shows the state of the capping device and the container during the capping operation; FIG. 10 is a view of the state of the shaft portion and the container during the capping operation as viewed from the L-axis direction; FIG. 8 is a view showing a VIII-VIII cross section in FIG. 7; It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional shape of the front-end|tip part of a shaft part. It is the figure which looked at the plugging device from the Z-axis direction. It is the figure which looked at the capping apparatus from the Y-axis direction. It is the figure which looked at the capping apparatus from the X-axis direction.

The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

<Composition of container>
The capping device according to the present embodiment is a device for capping a container having a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid. Therefore, first, the configuration of the container to be capped will be described.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a generally commercially available 8-tube tube. A commercially available 8-tube tube is a resin-molded product in which eight containers (tubes) 50 are one-dimensionally connected and integrated.

Each container 50 has a container body 51 , a lid portion 52 and a hinge portion 53 . The container body 51 and the lid portion 52 are connected via a hinge portion 53, and the container 50 can be closed by rotating and displacing the lid portion 52 toward the container body 51 about the hinge portion 53. . As shown in FIG. 1, when the 8-tube tube is marketed, eight container bodies 51 are connected in one dimension, and the lid portion 52 of each container 50 is opened (opened state).

For example, by cutting a commercially available 8-tube tube as shown in FIG. A set of reagent kits can be produced.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of the reagent kit. As shown in FIG. 2, this reagent kit is provided in a state in which four reagent containers 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d containing different reagents are packed in a packing material. As shown in FIG. 2, when the reagent kit is provided, the lid portion 52 of each container 50 is in a closed state (closed state). The hinge portion 53 is bent in the closed state. The bending point of the hinge portion 53 becomes the center of rotation when the lid portion 52 is closed.

A substantially triangular flange 52a is provided at the tip of the lid 52 of each container 50, and the lid 52 can be opened and closed using the flange 52a. 1 or FIG. 3, which will be described later, is provided on the rear surface of the lid portion 52 of each container 50. The combination closes the container 50 .

Hereinafter, the direction along the height direction of the container body 51 is referred to as the "Z-axis direction," the direction in which the container body 51 is connected is referred to as the "X-axis direction," and the direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction is referred to as the "Y-axis direction." Also called When the direction along the direction from the hinge portion 53 to the tip portion (flange portion 52a) of the lid portion 52 in the unplugged state is defined as the “L-axis direction”, as shown in FIG. It is perpendicular to the axial direction and inclined with respect to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

<Container capping device>
When producing a reagent kit using commercially available tubes such as those described above, it is necessary to first put reagents into the container 50 in an open state, and then close the container 50 . In addition, not only during the production of reagent kits, but also in the case of fully automatic sample component analysis using PCR or the like within the analyzer, it is desirable to efficiently close the container within the analyzer.

However, if the capping operation of the container 50 is not properly performed, it is assumed that the capping failure of the container 50 will occur. Specifically, as described above, the container 50 is closed by inserting the convex portion 52b provided on the back surface of the lid portion 52 into the container body 51 and fitting it into the container body 51 . If the container 50 is not closed properly, the projection 52b of the lid 52 may interfere with the edge of the opening of the container body 51, making it impossible to properly close the container 50.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where the convex portion 52b of the lid portion 52 interferes with the edge of the opening of the container body 51. FIG. When closing the container 50, the lid portion 52 is rotationally displaced in the closing direction about the bending point of the hinge portion 53 as the center of rotation. At this time, if the lid portion 52 is pushed toward the flange portion 52a, the position of the lid portion 52 is shifted toward the flange portion 52a with respect to the position of the container main body 51 . As a result, if the tip of the convex portion 52b of the lid portion 52 interferes with the edge of the opening of the container body 51, the convex portion 52b cannot be fitted to the container body 51. As shown in FIG.

The capping device 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration for preventing the capping failure as described above.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the capping device 1 according to this embodiment. The capping device 1 includes a flat plate 2, a holding member 10, a rail 11, a rotating member (displacement member) 20, a motor M1, and a guide member 30.

The rail 11 is fixed on the flat plate 2 while extending in the X-axis direction. The holding member 10 is configured to be able to hold the container bodies 51 of the four containers 50 . Note that the number of containers 50 that can be held by the holding member 10 may be one. The holding member 10 has a recess that matches the shape of the container body 51 . The container body 51 is held by the holding member 10 by inserting the container body 51 into the recess of the holding member 10 . The holding member 10 is configured to be slidable along the rail 11 in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, it is assumed that an operator manually performs an operation for linearly moving holding member 10 along rail 11 in the X-axis direction.

The motor M1 has a rotor that rotates about the rotation axis C1. The motor M1 is fixed on the flat plate 2 with the rotation axis C1 perpendicular to the LZ plane (the plane including the L axis and the Z axis).

The rotating member 20 includes a base portion 21 and a shaft portion 22 . The base 21 is connected to the rotor of the motor M1, and rotates about the rotation axis C1 when driven by the motor M1. The shaft portion 22 is connected to the base portion 21 eccentrically with respect to the rotation axis C1 and has a cylindrical shape extending parallel to the rotation axis C1. The shaft portion 22 is driven by the motor M1 to revolve around the rotation axis C1. The rotation angle of the shaft portion 22 is arbitrarily adjusted by driving the motor M1. The distal end portion 22a of the shaft portion 22 comes into contact with the lid portion 52 when the container 50 is closed, and applies force to the lid portion 52 in the closing direction. The diameter of the distal end portion 22 a of the shaft portion 22 is set to a smaller value than the diameter of the proximal end portion in accordance with the size of the lid portion 52 .

In this embodiment, the shaft portion 22 is rotated by driving the motor M1, but instead of driving the motor M1, a mechanism for rotating the shaft portion 22 manually by the user may be provided. may

The shaft portion 22 applies a force in the closing direction to the lid portion 52 in the open state held by the holding member 10 , thereby rotating the lid portion 52 toward the container body 51 around the hinge portion 53 to open the container. 50 is capped.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state of the capping device 1 and the container 50 when the capping device 1 starts the capping operation of the container 50. FIG. At the start of the capping operation, by sliding the holding member 10 along the rail 11, the container 50 is moved to a position where the tip 22a of the shaft portion 22 contacts the lower surface of the lid portion 52 of the container 50 in the open state. Let In the state shown in FIG. 5 , the tip portion 22 a of the shaft portion 22 is in contact with the lower surface of the lid portion 52 . When the shaft portion 22 revolves counterclockwise in this state, the cover portion 52 is rotationally displaced toward the container main body 51 with the hinge portion 53 as the center of rotation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state of the capping device 1 and the container 50 during the capping operation. During the closing operation, the shaft portion 22 revolves around the rotation axis C1 to bend the hinge portion 53, and the lid portion 52 is rotationally displaced toward the container body 51 about the bending point of the hinge portion 53. The size and arrangement of the rotary member 20 are adjusted in advance so that the rotation axis C2 of the lid portion 52 (bending point of the hinge portion 53) is substantially coaxial with the rotation axis C1 of the shaft portion 22 at this time. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the lid portion 52 is rotationally displaced by about 90° from the open state. As the shaft portion 22 revolves further counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 6, the lid portion 52 comes into contact with the container body 51 and is closed.

The guide member 30 is fixed on the flat plate 2. The arrangement and shape of the guide member 30 are adjusted so as to contact the flange portion 52a of the lid portion 52 during the rotational displacement of the lid portion 52 due to the closing operation.

FIG. 7 is a view of the state of the shaft portion 22 and the container 50 during the capping operation, viewed from the L-axis direction. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a VIII-VIII cross section in FIG.

A groove portion 31 is formed in the guide member 30 . The groove portion 31 is formed in a substantially V shape so as to fit the substantially triangular flange portion 52a. The groove portion 31 has a curved surface that extends along the rotational track of the lid portion 52 during the closing operation. During the closing operation, the collar portion 52a of the lid portion 52 comes into contact with the substantially V-shaped groove portion 31, thereby displacing the lid portion 52 in the rotation axis direction (direction along the rotation axis C2) and in the rotation radial direction (rotation axis direction). (direction perpendicular to C2) is regulated.

Specifically, the flange 52a is sandwiched between the substantially V-shaped grooves 31 in the rotation axis direction, thereby restricting displacement of the lid 52 in the rotation axis direction during the closing operation. The width of the groove portion 31 is formed so as to gradually narrow as the lid portion 52 is displaced in the closing direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the width of the portion of the groove portion 31 farthest from the container body 51 (hereinafter also referred to as the “inlet portion”) is W1, and the portion of the groove portion 31 closest to the container body 51 (hereinafter referred to as the “outlet portion”) is W1. ) is W3, and the width of the portion between the entrance portion and the exit portion of the groove portion 31 is W2, the width of the groove portion 31 is formed so that the relationship of width W1>width W2>width W3 is established. ing.

By forming the width of the groove portion 31 as described above, when the flange portion 52a enters the groove portion 31, it becomes easier for the flange portion 52a to enter the groove portion 31. The position of the flange portion 52 a in the rotation axis direction can be aligned with the opening position of the container body 51 .

Furthermore, the contact of the flange portion 52a with the groove portion 31 restricts displacement of the lid portion 52 in the rotational radial direction during the closing operation. The distance from the rotation axis C2 of the lid portion 52 (bending point of the hinge portion 53) to the groove portion 31 during the closing operation is formed so as to become shorter as the lid portion 52 is displaced in the closing direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the distance from the rotation axis C2 of the lid portion 52 to the vicinity of the entrance portion of the groove portion 31 is D1, the distance from the rotation axis C2 of the lid portion 52 to the vicinity of the exit portion of the groove portion 31 is D3, and the lid Assuming that the distance from the rotation axis C2 of the portion 52 to the portion between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the groove portion 31 is D2, the curved surface of the groove portion 31 is formed so that the relationship of distance D1>distance D2>distance D3 is established. ing.

By forming the curved surface of the groove portion 31 as described above, when the flange portion 52a enters the groove portion 31, the flange portion 52a can be easily inserted into the groove portion 31, and as the flange portion 52a approaches the container main body 51, the flange portion 52a can be moved toward the container body 51. It is possible to gradually displace the lid portion 52 toward the hinge portion 53 by applying a force in the direction toward the hinge portion 53 (the direction indicated by the arrow A1 in FIG. 8) to the portion 52a. Since the container 50 is made of resin and the hinge portion 53 is also relatively soft, such displacement of the lid portion 52 is possible. As a result, displacement of the lid portion 52 in the radial direction of rotation (displacement in the distal direction) is restricted, and displacement of the lid portion 52 toward the collar portion 52a is suppressed. As a result, the tip of the projection 52 b of the lid 52 does not interfere with the edge of the opening of the container body 51 , and the projection 52 b can be properly fitted to the container body 51 .

When the distal end portion 22a of the shaft portion 22 further revolves from the state shown in FIG. At this time, since the convex portion 52b of the lid portion 52 has already begun to fit into the opening of the container body 51, even if a force in the closing direction is applied to the lid portion 52 only by the shaft portion 22 from this state, The lid 52 can be closed without any problem.

As described above, the capping device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the holding member 10 that holds the container body 51 of the container 50 and the force applied to the lid portion 52 of the container 50 in the open state held by the holding member 10 in the closing direction. is applied to rotate the lid portion 52 toward the container body 51 around the hinge portion 53 to close the container 50, and during the rotational displacement of the lid portion 52 by the rotating member 20 (during the closing ) is provided with a guide member 30 that restricts the displacement of the lid portion 52 in the radial direction of rotation by coming into contact with the flange portion 52 a that is the tip portion of the lid portion 52 .

According to the above configuration, displacement of the lid portion 52 in the rotational radial direction during the closing operation is controlled so that the convex portion 52b of the lid portion 52 does not interfere with the edge of the opening of the container body 51 during the closing operation of the lid portion 52. It can be regulated by the guide member 30 . Therefore, the position of the lid portion 52 is prevented from shifting toward the flange portion 52a during the closing operation, and the tip of the convex portion 52b of the lid portion 52 is prevented from interfering with the edge of the opening of the container body 51. As a result, it is possible to efficiently close the container 50 by suppressing the closure failure during the closure operation.

In particular, the guide member 30 according to the present embodiment has a groove portion 31 (curved surface portion) extending along the track of the collar portion 52a of the lid portion 52 during rotational displacement of the lid portion 52 due to the closing operation. The distance from the rotation center of the lid portion 52 to the groove portion 31 (curved surface portion) of the guide member 30 during rotational displacement becomes shorter as the lid portion 52 is displaced in the closing direction. As a result, when the flange portion 52a enters the groove portion 31, the flange portion 52a can be easily inserted into the groove portion 31, and as the flange portion 52a approaches the container body 51, the position of the flange portion 52a in the rotational radial direction is gradually shifted to the container body. 51 opening position.

Furthermore, the groove portion 31 of the guide member 30 according to the present embodiment is formed so as to sandwich the collar portion 52a of the lid portion 52 during rotational displacement in the rotation axis direction. Thereby, the position of the flange portion 52 a in the rotation axis direction can be appropriately matched with the opening position of the container body 51 by the guide member 30 .

In particular, the width of the groove portion 31 according to the present embodiment is formed so as to become narrower as the lid portion 52 is displaced in the closing direction. As a result, when the flange portion 52a enters the groove portion 31, the flange portion 52a can easily enter the groove portion 31, and as the lid portion 52 approaches the container main body 51, the position of the flange portion 52a in the rotation axis direction is gradually changed to the container main body. 51 opening position.

<Modification 1>
In the above-described embodiment, the tip portion 22a of the shaft portion 22 has a cylindrical shape, but the shape of the tip portion 22a of the shaft portion 22 may be changed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional shape of the distal end portion 22b of the shaft portion 22 according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG. The distal end portion 22b of the shaft portion 22 according to Modification 1 has a portion that contacts the lid portion 52 and extends to contact the flange portion 52a of the lid portion 52 as a whole. As a result, it is possible to suppress deformation of the flange portion 52 a of the cover portion 52 during rotational displacement due to frictional force generated by contact with the groove portion 31 .

<Modification 2>
In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the operator manually performs the operation for linearly moving the holding member 10 along the rails 11 in the X-axis direction. It may be transformed so that it can move automatically.

FIG. 10 is a view of the capping device 1A according to Modification 2 as viewed from the Z-axis direction. FIG. 11 is a view of the capping device 1A according to Modification 2 as seen from the Y-axis direction. FIG. 12 is a view of the capping device 1A according to Modification 2 as viewed from the X-axis direction.

A capping device 1A according to Modification 2 is provided by changing the holding member 10 of the capping device 1 described above to a holding member 10A, and furthermore, the capping device 1 has a motor M2, a belt BL, an operating device 60, and a control device 70. , power supply 80 and detector 90 are added. Since other configurations of the capping device 1A are the same as those of the above-described capping device 1, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

The holding member 10A is configured to be able to hold four sets of four containers 50 arranged side by side in the X-axis direction. The holding member 10A is connected to a predetermined portion of the annular belt BL.

The motor M2 is an actuator for linearly moving the holding member 10 along the rail 11 in the X-axis direction. A rotating shaft of the motor M2 is connected to a pulley around which the belt BL is wound. When the belt BL is rotated by driving the motor M2, the holding member 10 linearly moves in the X-axis direction.

The power supply device 80 supplies power necessary for operating each part of the capping device 1A to each part of the capping device 1A. The operating device 60 has a power switch 61 , an indicator 62 and a start switch 63 .

The control device 70 automatically controls each part of the capping device 1A including the motors M1 and M2 according to a predetermined procedure. When the user sets the container 50 in the opened state on the holding member 10A at the predetermined initial position and operates the power switch 61 and the start switch 63 of the operating device 60, the indicator 62 lights up and the capping device 1A performs the capping operation. is started. When the capping operation is started, the control device 70 drives the motor M2 to slide the holding member 10A to a position where the shaft portion 22 of the rotating member 20 contacts the lid portion 52, and then drives the motor M1. Closing of the container 50 by the rotating member 20 is performed. The control device 70 sequentially performs such capping operation for all the containers 50 set on the holding member 10A. Then, when all the containers 50 are closed, the motor M2 is driven to return the holding member 10A to the initial position.

When the user takes out the closed container 50 from the holding member 10A that has returned to the initial position, sets the next container 50 on the holding member 10A, and operates the start switch 63, the capping device 1A starts the capping operation again. do.

A detecting device 90 detects whether or not the container 50 has been capped by the capping operation. The detection device 90 has a plate 91 biased by an elastic body (not shown) and a photosensor 92 for detecting displacement of the plate 91 . If the lid portion 52 of a certain container 50 is not properly closed and remains open despite the capping operation of a certain container 50, when the holding member 10A is slid to close the next container 50, 10, the lid portion 52 in the open state abuts against the plate 91, displacing the plate 91 from the initial position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. be. This makes it possible to detect whether the container 50 is properly closed by the closing operation.

When the detecting device 90 detects that the container 50 is not closed by the capping operation, the control device 70 stops the subsequent capping operation and blinks the indicator 62 to notify the user that the capping abnormality has occurred. to be notified.

As described above, the capping device 1A according to Modification 2 includes the motor M1 for rotating and displacing the lid portion 52 of the container 50 around the hinge portion 53, and the motor M1 for displacing the holding member 10A along the rail 11. It comprises a motor M1 and a control device 70 for automatically controlling the motors M1 and M2. Therefore, the capping operation of the container 50 and the linear movement of the holding member 10A can be automatically performed.

Further, the capping device 1A according to Modification 2 includes a detection device 90 that detects that the container 50 has been capped by rotational displacement of the lid portion 52 by the rotating member 20 . Therefore, for example, when the detecting device 90 detects that the container 50 is not closed by the capping operation, it is possible to take appropriate measures such as promptly notifying the user of this fact.

<Modification 3>
In the above-described embodiment, the guide member 30 is provided with the substantially V-shaped groove 31 to restrict the displacement of the lid portion 52 in the rotation axis direction and the rotation radial direction. Anything that restricts the displacement of the portion 52 in the radial direction of rotation may be used. That is, the guide member 30 is not necessarily limited to having the substantially V-shaped groove portion 31. At least, the guide member 30 is in contact with the flange portion 52a of the lid portion 52 during rotational displacement due to the closing operation. It is sufficient that it is formed so as to restrict the displacement in the radial direction of rotation.

<Modification 4>
The capping device according to the above-described embodiment and modifications 1 to 4 may be provided in an analysis device that fully automatically analyzes the components of a sample using PCR or the like. As a result, the capping operation of the container 50 can be efficiently performed in the analyzer.

[Aspect]
Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof are specific examples of the following aspects.

(Section 1) A capping device according to one aspect is a container capping device having a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid, wherein the container body of at least one container and a force in the closing direction to the lid portion of the container in the open state in which the container body is held by the holding member, so that the lid portion is rotationally displaced toward the container body around the hinge portion. and a displacement member for closing the container, which is disposed at a position where it contacts the tip of the lid during rotational displacement of the lid by the displacement member, and the rotational diameter of the lid is adjusted by contacting the tip of the lid during rotational displacement. and a guide member that restricts directional displacement.

According to the capping device described in the first aspect, the guide member can restrict the displacement of the lid in the rotational radial direction during the rotational displacement of the lid by the displacement member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the position of the lid portion from being displaced toward the distal end side of the lid portion during the rotational displacement. As a result, the closure failure of the container is suppressed. As a result, the container can be efficiently closed.

(Section 2) In the capping device described in Section 1, the guide member has a curved portion extending along the trajectory of the tip portion of the lid portion during rotational displacement. The distance from the center of rotation of the lid to the curved surface during rotational displacement becomes shorter as the lid is displaced in the closing direction.

According to the capping device described in the second item, the lid can be gradually displaced in the direction of the hinge as the tip of the lid approaches the container body. As a result, it is possible to appropriately prevent the position of the lid from deviating toward the distal end of the lid during rotational displacement.

(Section 3) In the capping device described in Section 2, the curved surface portion is formed by a groove portion that sandwiches the tip portion of the lid portion during rotational displacement in the rotation axis direction of the lid portion.

According to the capping device described in the third item, the position of the tip of the lid in the rotation axis direction can be appropriately aligned with the opening position of the container body by means of the guide member.

(Section 4) In the plugging device described in Section 3, the width of the groove portion is formed so as to narrow as the lid portion is displaced in the closing direction.

According to the capping device described in the fourth item, as the lid approaches the container body, the position of the lid in the rotation axis direction can be gradually aligned with the opening position of the container body.

(Section 5) In the capping device according to any one of Sections 1 to 4, the displacement member revolves around the rotation axis while in contact with the lid, thereby rotationally displacing the lid about the hinge. It has a shaft portion that allows

According to the capping device described in item 5, the container can be capped by revolving around the rotation axis while the shaft portion is in contact with the lid portion.

(Section 6) In the capping device according to any one of Sections 1 to 5, the holding member is configured to hold a plurality of containers. The capping device further comprises a rail for sliding the position of the holding member so as to sequentially switch the container capped by the displacement member.

According to the capping device described in paragraph 6, a plurality of containers can be capped more efficiently by sequentially switching the capped containers by sliding the position of the holding member along the rail.

(Section 7) The capping device according to Section 6 further comprises at least one of a first motor that rotates the lid portion around the hinge portion and a second motor that displaces the holding member along the rail. .

According to the capping device described in item 7, at least one of the capping operation of the container and the movement of the holding member along the rail can be performed by the driving force of the motor.

(Section 8) The capping device described in Section 7 further comprises a control device that automatically controls at least one of the first motor and the second motor.

According to the capping device described in item 7, at least one of the capping action of the container and the movement of the holding member along the rail can be performed automatically.

(Item 9) The capping device according to any one of items 1 to 8 further includes a detection device that detects that the container is closed by rotational displacement of the lid portion by the displacement member.

According to the capping device described in item 9, it is possible to automatically detect that the container is not capped by rotational displacement of the displacement member.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1, 1A capping device, 2 flat plate, 10, 10A holding member, 11 rail, 20 rotating member, 21 base, 22 shaft, 22a, 22b tip, 30 guide member, 31 groove, 50 container, 50a, 50b, 50c , 50d reagent container, 51 container body, 52 lid portion, 52a collar portion, 52b convex portion, 53 hinge portion, 60 operating device, 61 power switch, 62 indicator, 63 start switch, 70 control device, 80 power supply device, 90 detection Device, 91 plate, 92 photo sensor, BL belt, C1, C2 rotary shaft, M1, M2 motor.　

Claims (9)

A capping device for a container comprising a container body, a lid portion, and a hinge portion connecting the container body and the lid portion,
a holding member that holds the container body of at least one of the containers;
The container main body applies a force in the closing direction to the lid portion in the open state of the container held by the holding member, thereby rotating the lid portion toward the container main body around the hinge portion, thereby displacing the container. a displacement member for closing the
Displaced in the rotational radial direction of the lid by contacting the tip of the lid during rotational displacement of the lid by the displacement member. A capping device for a container, comprising a guide member that regulates the The guide member has a curved surface portion extending along the trajectory of the tip portion of the lid portion during rotational displacement,
2. The capping device for a container according to claim 1, wherein the distance from the center of rotation of said lid portion to said curved surface portion during rotational displacement becomes shorter as said lid portion is displaced in the closing direction. The container capping device according to claim 2, wherein the curved surface portion is formed by a groove portion that sandwiches the tip portion of the lid portion during rotational displacement in the direction of the rotational axis of the lid portion. The capping device for a container according to claim 3, wherein the width of the groove portion is formed so as to become narrower as the lid portion is displaced in the closing direction. 5. The displacement member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the displacement member has a shaft portion that rotates and displaces the lid portion around the hinge portion by revolving around a rotation axis while being in contact with the lid portion. Closing device for containers. the holding member is configured to hold a plurality of the containers;
2. The container capping device according to claim 1, further comprising a rail for sliding the position of the holding member so as to sequentially switch the containers to be capped by the displacement member. The container capping device according to claim 6, further comprising at least one of a first motor that rotationally displaces the lid portion around the hinge portion and a second motor that displaces the holding member along the rail. The container capping device according to claim 7, further comprising a control device that automatically controls at least one of the first motor and the second motor. The capping device for a container according to claim 1, further comprising a detection device for detecting that the container has been capped by rotational displacement of the lid portion by the displacement member.

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