There is a possibility that an arrangement of a cleaning device and a drying device may result in an inefficient usage of a space for an installation. A cleaning and drying apparatus 30 for a plate including a biochip is provided with: a cleaning device 310 that is configured to clean the plate 60; and a drying device 320 that is configured to dry the plate 60, the drying device 320 is arranged above the cleaning device 310.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2014/081059, filed Nov. 25, 2014, which claims the foreign priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-247162, filed Nov. 29, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cleaning and drying apparatus, a screening apparatus, a cleaning and drying method and a screening method.

BACKGROUND ART

A cleaning apparatus is provided with a supplying part11for a used microplate, a cleaning part12and a housing part13for a cleaned microplate, and the housing part13is provided with a microplate holding and transporting mechanism that is substantially same as the supplying part11and is furthermore configured to dry the cleaned microplate (for example, see a Patent Literature 1).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

There is a possibility that an arrangement of a cleaning device and a drying device may result in an inefficient usage of a space for an installation.

Solution to Problem

One aspect of the present invention is a cleaning and drying apparatus for a plate having a biochip, the cleaning and drying apparatus is provided with: a cleaning part that is configured to clean the plate; and a drying part that is configured to dry the plate, the drying part is arranged above the cleaning part.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the cleaning part is configured to clean the plate in an upright condition and the drying part is configured to dry the plate in an upright condition, in the above described one aspect.

Another aspect of the present invention is provided with a transporting part that is configured to upwardly transport the plate cleaned by the cleaning part to the drying part, in the above described one aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the transporting part is configured to downwardly transport the uncleaned plate to the cleaning part while allowing the uncleaned plate to pass through the drying part, in the above described one aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the transporting part is configured to transport the plate in a vertical direction from the cleaning part to the drying part at an upper side, in the above described one aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the drying part is arranged above the cleaning part in a vertical direction, in the above described one aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the cleaning part is configured to clean both surfaces of the plate and the drying part is configured to dry both surfaces of the plate, in the above described one aspect.

Another aspect of the present invention is provided with a circulating mechanism that is configured to filter exhaust air from the drying part to allow the exhaust air to be reused for the drying, in the above described one aspect.

Another aspect of the present invention is provided with a waste solution storing part below the cleaning part, in the above described one aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a cleaning position in the cleaning part is a position that is displaced in a horizontal direction from a drying position in the drying part, in the above described one aspect.

Another aspect of the present invention is provided with a rotational operating part that is configured to rotate the uncleaned plate in a horizontal condition to an upright condition and then to rotate the dried plate in an upright condition to a horizontal condition again, in the above described one aspect.

One aspect of the present invention is a screening apparatus for a biochip, the screening apparatus is provided with: the cleaning and drying apparatus according to any one of the above described aspects; a dispensing apparatus that is configured to dispense, in a plate having the biochip, a specimen containing a target that is able to react specifically to a biomolecule fixed on the biochip; and a detecting apparatus that is configured to detect affinity between the target and the biomolecule.

Another aspect of the present invention is provided with a transporting apparatus that is configured to transport the plate from the dispensing apparatus to the cleaning and drying apparatus in a horizontal direction and to transport the plate from the cleaning and drying apparatus to the detecting apparatus in a horizontal direction, in the above described one aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the transporting apparatus is configured to transport the plate in a horizontal condition from the dispensing apparatus to the cleaning and drying apparatus in a horizontal direction and to transport the plate in a horizontal condition from the cleaning and drying apparatus to the detecting apparatus in a horizontal direction, in the above described one aspect.

One aspect of the present invention is a cleaning and drying method for a plate having a biochip, the cleaning and drying method is provided with: a first transporting step for transporting the plate to a cleaning position; a cleaning step for cleaning the plate at the cleaning position; a second transporting step for transporting the cleaned plate to a drying position that is located above the cleaning position; and a drying step for drying the plate at the drying position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first transporting step is a step for transporting the plate in a upright condition to the cleaning position, the cleaning step is a step for cleaning the plate in a upright condition, the second transporting step is a step for transporting the plate in a upright condition to the drying position, the drying step is a step for drying the plate in a upright condition, in the above described one aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first transporting step includes a downward transporting step for downwardly transport the plate to the cleaning position while allowing the plate to pass through the drying position, in the above described one aspect, in the above described one aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, both surfaces of the plate are cleaned at the cleaning step and both surfaces of the plate are dried at the drying step, in the above described one aspect.

Another aspect of the present invention is provided with a step for rotating the uncleaned plate in a horizontal condition to an upright condition; and a step for rotating the dried plate in an upright condition to a horizontal condition again, in the above described one aspect.

One aspect of the present invention is a screening method using a plate having a biochip, the screening method is provided with: a dispensing step for dispensing, in a plate having a biochip, a specimen containing a target that is able to react specifically to a biomolecule fixed on the biochip, in a dispensing apparatus; at least one of the steps for performing the cleaning and drying method according to any one of claim15to claim19in a cleaning and drying apparatus; and a detecting step for detecting affinity between the target and the biomolecule in a detecting apparatus.

Another aspect of the present invention is provided with: a step for transporting the dispensed plate from the dispensing apparatus to the cleaning and drying apparatus in a horizontal direction; and a step for transporting the cleaned and dried plate from the cleaning and drying apparatus to the detecting apparatus in a horizontal direction, in the above described one aspect.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the dispensed plate in a horizontal condition is transported from the dispensing apparatus to the cleaning and drying apparatus in a horizontal direction, and the cleaned and dried plate in a horizontal condition is transported from the cleaning and drying apparatus to the detecting apparatus in a horizontal direction, in the above described one aspect.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, with reference to drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a plate60that is used by a screening apparatus10. The plate60is provided with a partitioned member620and a board630. For the convenience of description, inFIG. 1and below describedFIG. 2, a direction that is perpendicular to a second surface630bof the board630that constitutes the plate60is a z axis direction, a direction along a long side of the board630that constitutes the plate60is a x axis direction, and a direction along a short side of the board630that constitutes the plate60is a y axis direction. The x axis, the y axis and the z axis are orthogonal to one another and thus define intersecting coordinates.

The partitioned member620has a first surface620aand a second surface620b. The first surface620aof the partitioned member620is a surface that is parallel to a xy plane. The second surface620bof the partitioned member620is a surface that is parallel to the xy plane. The first surface620aof the partitioned member620is formed at a different position in the z axis direction than the second surface620bof the partitioned member620. The first surface620aof the partitioned member620is parallel to the second surface620bof the partitioned member620.

A partition621is a through hole that penetrates from the first surface620ato the second surface620b. The partition621is a space that substantially has a shape of a quadrangular prism. However, the shape of the partition621is not limited to this shape and thus may be a shape of a cylinder, for example.

The partitioned member620is provided with barrier walls622, a linking part624, and a reinforcing part626.

The barrier wall622is a member that forms the partition621. The partitioned member620has the partitions621that are formed by the barrier walls622.

The partitioned member620has, as the barrier walls622, a first barrier wall622-1, a second barrier wall622-2, a third barrier wall622-3, a fourth barrier wall622-4, a fifth barrier wall622-5, a sixth barrier wall622-6, a seventh barrier wall622-7, an eighth barrier wall622-8, a ninth barrier wall622-9, a tenth barrier wall622-10, an eleventh barrier wall622-11, a twelfth barrier wall622-12, a thirteenth barrier wall622-13, a fourteenth barrier wall622-14, a fifteenth barrier wall622-15, a sixteenth barrier wall622-16, a seventeenth barrier wall622-17, an eighteenth barrier wall622-18, a nineteenth barrier wall622-19, a twentieth barrier wall622-20, a twenty first barrier wall622-21, a twenty second barrier wall622-22, a twenty third barrier wall622-23and a twenty fourth barrier wall622-24.

Thus, the partitioned member620has, as the partitions621, a total of 24 partitions, i.e., a partition621-1that is formed by the first barrier wall622-1, a partition621-2that is formed by the second barrier wall622-2, a partition621-3that is formed by the third barrier wall622-3, a partition622-4that is formed by the fourth barrier wall622-4, a partition621-5that is formed by the fifth barrier wall622-5, a partition621-6formed by the sixth barrier wall622-6, partition621-7that is formed by the seventh barrier wall622-7, a partition621-8that is formed by the eighth barrier wall622-8, a partition621-9that is formed by the ninth barrier wall622-9, a partition621-10that is formed by the tenth barrier wall622-10, a partition621-11that is formed by the eleventh barrier wall622-11, a partition621-12that is formed by the twelfth barrier wall622-12, a partition621-13that is formed by the thirteenth barrier wall622-13, a partition621-14that is formed by the fourteenth barrier wall622-14, a partition621-15that is formed by the fifteenth barrier wall622-15, a partition621-16that is formed by the sixteenth barrier wall622-16, a partition621-17that is formed by the seventeenth barrier wall622-17, a partition621-18that is formed by the eighteenth barrier wall622-18, a partition621-19that is formed by the nineteenth barrier wall622-19, a partition621-20that is formed by the twentieth barrier wall622-20, a partition621-21that is formed by the twenty first barrier wall622-21, a partition621-22that is formed by the twenty second barrier wall622-22, a partition621-23that is formed by the twenty third barrier wall622-23and a partition621-24that is formed by the twenty fourth barrier wall622-24.

The partitions621are arranged in the partitioned member620in a lattice pattern. As an example, a plurality of partitions621are arranged along a direction of a long side of the partitioned member620and a plurality of partitions621are arranged along a direction of a short side of the partitioned member620. That is, the partitions621are arranged in a lattice pattern along the x axis and the y axis.FIG. 1illustrates a partitioned member620in which a total of 24 partitions are formed with six columns thereof along the direction of the long side of the partitioned member620and four rows thereof along the direction of the short side of the partitioned member620. Note that whileFIG. 1illustrates an example of the partitioned member620having 24 barrier walls, that is, a partitioned member having 24 partitions, the number of the barrier walls (the number of the partitions) of the partitioned member620is not limited to this. Note that whileFIG. 1illustrates an example of the partitioned member620in which the barrier walls are formed in the lattice pattern, the arrangement of the barrier walls (an arrangement of the partitions) in the partitioned member620is not limited to this.

The barrier wall622has a first surface622a, a second surface622b, a third surface622cand a fourth surface622d.

The first surface622aof the barrier wall622is a surface that is parallel to the xy plane. The first surface622aof the barrier wall622is included in the first surface620aof the partitioned member620. That is, the first surface622aof the barrier wall622is formed at the same position in the z axis direction as the first surface620aof the partitioned member620. When the plate60is formed by joining the partitioned member620with the board630, the first surface622aof the barrier wall622is a surface that is substantially parallel to the second surface630bof the board630.

The second surface622bof the barrier wall622is a surface that is parallel to the xy plane. The second surface622bof the barrier wall622is formed at a different position in the z axis direction than the first surface622aof the barrier wall622. The second surface622bof the barrier wall622is parallel to the first surface622aof the barrier wall622. When the plate60is formed by joining the partitioned member620with the board630, the first surface622aof the barrier wall622is positioned at more z axis plus side than the second surface622bof the barrier wall622is. The second surface622bof the barrier wall622is the surface that is joined with the board630by welding. A welded part622f, which will be described later, includes the second surface622bof the barrier wall622.

The third surface622cof the barrier wall622is a surface that is formed along an outer edge of the first surface622aof the barrier wall622and an outer edge of the second surface622bof the barrier wall622. The third surface622cof the barrier wall622includes a surface that is parallel to a yz plane and a surface that is parallel to a zx plane. The third surface622cof the barrier wall622is an inner wall surface of the barrier wall622. The third surface622cof the barrier wall622is a surface that defines the partition621.

The fourth surface622dof the barrier wall622is a surface that is formed along the outer edge of the first surface622aof the barrier wall622and the outer edge of the second surface622bof the barrier wall622. The fourth surface622dof the barrier wall622includes a surface that is parallel to the yz plane and a surface that is parallel to the zx plane. The fourth surface622dof the barrier wall622is a surface that is on the opposite side from the third surface622cof the barrier wall622. The fourth surface622dof the barrier wall622is an outer wall surface of the barrier wall622.

The linking part624is a member that links the barrier walls622. For example, the linking part624is a member that links the barrier walls including the first barrier wall622-1to the twenty fourth barrier wall622-24.

Each of the first barrier wall622-1to the twenty fourth barrier wall622-24is linked to another barrier wall by the linking part624. As an example, each of the first barrier wall622-1to the twenty fourth barrier wall622-24is linked to a neighboring barrier wall by the linking part624.

As an example, the first barrier wall622-1is linked to the second barrier wall622-2by the linking part624. The first barrier wall622-1is linked to the fifth barrier wall622-5by the linking part624. Therefore, the first barrier wall622-1is linked to two barrier walls—the second barrier wall622-2and the fifth barrier wall622-5—by the linking part624.

As another example, the second barrier wall622-2is linked to the first barrier wall622-1by the linking part624. The second barrier wall622-2is linked to the third barrier wall622-3by the linking part624. The second barrier wall622-2is linked to the sixth barrier wall622-6by the linking part624. Therefore, the second barrier wall622-2is linked to three barrier walls—the first barrier wall622-1, the third barrier wall622-3and the sixth barrier wall622-6—by the linking part624.

As another example, the sixth barrier wall622-6is linked to the second barrier wall622-2by the linking part624. The sixth barrier wall622-6is linked to the fifth barrier wall622-5by the linking part624. The sixth barrier wall622-6is linked to the seventh barrier wall622-7by the linking part624. The sixth barrier wall622-6is linked to the tenth barrier wall622-10by the linking part624. Therefore, the sixth barrier wall622-6is linked to four barrier walls—the second barrier wall622-2, the fifth barrier wall622-5, the seventh barrier wall622-7and the tenth barrier wall622-10—by the linking part624.

As an example, each of the first barrier wall622-1to the twenty fourth barrier wall622-24is linked not only to the neighboring barrier wall but also to a barrier wall other than the neighboring barrier wall by the linking part624. As an example, the first barrier wall622-1is linked to all the barrier walls from the second barrier wall622-2to the twenty fourth barrier wall622-24by the linking part624. In this way, the partitioned member620is integrated by the linking of the plurality of barrier walls by the linking part624, and thus the partitions621are formed.

The linking part624includes a first surface624aand a second surface624b.

The first surface624aof the linking part624is a surface that is parallel to the xy plane. The first surface624aof the linking part624is included in the first surface620aof the partitioned member620. That is, the first surface624aof the linking part624is formed at the same position in the z axis direction as the first surface620aof the partitioned member620. When the plate60is formed by joining the partitioned member620with the board630, the first surface624aof the linking part624is a surface that is substantially parallel to the second surface630bof the board630.

The second surface624bof the linking part624is a surface that is parallel to the xy plane. The second surface624bof the linking part624is formed at a different position in the z axis direction than the first surface624aof the linking part624. The second surface624bof the linking part624is parallel to the first surface624aof the linking part624. The second surface624bof the linking part624is formed at a different position in the z axis direction than the second surface622bof the barrier wall622. As one example, the second surface624bof the linking part624is formed between the first surface622aof the barrier wall622and the second surface622bof the barrier wall622in the z axis direction.

The partitions621are formed by the barrier walls622in the partitioned member620in a condition where a gap628is formed between the barrier wall622and another barrier wall.

An example using the first barrier wall622-1will be described.

A fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1is separated from a fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2. The fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1and the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1, the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1is separated from a fourth surface622-5dof the fifth barrier wall622-5. The fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1and the fourth surface622-5dof the fifth barrier wall622-5are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1, the fourth surface622-5dof the fifth barrier wall622-5and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1is separated from a fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6. The fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1and the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1, the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The first barrier wall622-1forms the partition621-1in a condition where the gap628is formed between the first barrier wall622-1and each of the second barrier wall622-2, the fifth barrier wall622-5and the sixth barrier wall622-6that are linked to the first barrier wall622-1by the linking part624.

An example using the second barrier wall622-2will be described.

The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2is separated from the fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1. The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2and the fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2, the fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2is separated from a fourth surface622-3dof the third barrier wall622-3. The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2and the fourth surface622-3dof the third barrier wall622-3are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2, the fourth surface622-3dof the third barrier wall622-3and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2is separated from the fourth surface622-5dof the fifth barrier wall622-5. The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2and the fourth surface622-5dof the fifth barrier wall622-5are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2, the fourth surface622-5dof the fifth barrier wall622-5and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2is separated from the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6. The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2and the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2, the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2is separated from a fourth surface622-7dof the seventh barrier wall622-7. The fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2and the fourth surface622-7dof the seventh barrier wall622-7are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2, the fourth surface622-7dof the seventh barrier wall622-7and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The second barrier wall622-2forms the partition621-2in a condition where the gap628is formed between the second barrier wall622-2and each of the first barrier wall622-1, the third barrier wall622-3, the fifth barrier wall622-5, the sixth barrier wall622-6and the seventh barrier wall622-7that are linked to the second barrier wall622-2by the linking part624.

An example using the sixth barrier wall622-6will be described.

The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6is separated from the fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1. The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6, the fourth surface622-1dof the first barrier wall622-1and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6is separated from the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2. The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6, the fourth surface622-2dof the second barrier wall622-2and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6is separated from the fourth surface622-3dof the third barrier wall622-3. The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the fourth surface622-3dof the third barrier wall622-3are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6, the fourth surface622-3dof the third barrier wall622-3and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6is separated from the fourth surface622-5dof the fifth barrier wall622-5. The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the fourth surface622-5dof the fifth barrier wall622-5are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6, the fourth surface622-5dof the fifth barrier wall622-5and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6is separated from the fourth surface622-7dof the seventh barrier wall622-7. The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the fourth surface622-7dof the seventh barrier wall622-7are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6, the fourth surface622-7dof the seventh barrier wall622-7and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6is separated from a fourth surface622-9dof the ninth barrier wall622-9. The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the fourth surface622-9dof the ninth barrier wall622-9are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6, the fourth surface622-9dof the ninth barrier wall622-9and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6is separated from a fourth surface622-10dof the tenth barrier wall622-10. The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the fourth surface622-10dof the tenth barrier wall622-10are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6, the fourth surface622-10dof the tenth barrier wall622-10and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6is separated from a fourth surface622-11dof the eleventh barrier wall622-11. The fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the fourth surface622-11dof the eleventh barrier wall622-11are separated only by an amount corresponding to the interposing linking part624. That is, the gap628includes a space that is formed by the fourth surface622-6dof the sixth barrier wall622-6, the fourth surface622-11dof the eleventh barrier wall622-11and the second surface624bof the linking part624.

The sixth barrier wall622-6forms the partition621-6in a condition where a gap628is formed between the sixth barrier wall622-6and each of the first barrier wall622-1, second barrier wall622-2, the third barrier wall622-3, the fifth barrier wall622-5, the seventh barrier wall622-7, the ninth barrier wall622-9, the tenth barrier wall622-10, and the eleventh barrier wall622-11.

In this way, the gap628is a space that is formed between a barrier wall and another barrier wall. The gap628is a space that is surrounded by the barrier wall(s)622and the linking part624.

The reinforcing part626is a member that reinforces a mechanical strength of the partitioned member620. The reinforcing part626is a member that forms an outer edge of the partitioned member620. The reinforcing part626is connected to the barrier wall, of the barrier walls622that constitute the partitioned member620, that is positioned on the outermost circumference. The reinforcing part626extends along the barrier wall at the outermost circumference. As an example, the reinforcing part626extends along the entire circumference of the partitioned member620. InFIG. 1, the reinforcing part626is connected to the first barrier wall622-1, the second barrier wall622-2, the third barrier wall622-3, the fourth barrier wall622-4, the fifth barrier wall622-5, the eighth barrier wall622-8, the ninth barrier wall622-9, the twelfth barrier wall622-12, the thirteenth barrier wall622-13, the sixteen barrier wall622-16, the seventeenth barrier wall622-17, the twentieth barrier wall622-20, the twenty first barrier wall622-21, the twenty second barrier wall622-22, the twenty third barrier wall622-23and the twenty fourth barrier wall622-24. Note that the reinforcing part626may be arranged, for example, along one long or short side of the partitioned member620, which has a rectangular geometry, rather than the entire circumference of the partitioned member620. In this way, the mechanical strength of the outer edge portion of the partitioned member620is reinforced by the reinforcing part626.

The reinforcing part626is also a linking member that links the first barrier wall622-1, the second barrier wall622-2, the third barrier wall622-3, the fourth barrier wall622-4, the fifth barrier wall622-5, the eighth barrier wall622-8, the ninth barrier wall622-9, the twelfth barrier wall622-12, the thirteenth barrier wall622-13, the sixteen barrier wall622-16, the seventeenth barrier wall622-17, the twentieth barrier wall622-20, the twenty first barrier wall622-21, the twenty second barrier wall622-22, the twenty third barrier wall622-23and the twenty fourth barrier wall622-24. The reinforcing part626serves as a linking part that links the barrier walls622.

The reinforcing part626is also a grasping member in the partitioned member620. The reinforcing part626serves as a grasping part when the partitioned member620is grasped.

Note that the partitioned member620may be configured not to have the reinforcing part626.

The partitioned member620is made from a resin, for example. As an example, the partitioned member620is made of a thermally reversible resin. The partitioned member620is a member having translucency, for example. As an example, the partitioned member620is a transparent member. Examples of resins used as the partitioned member620include acrylic resins such as poly methyl methacrylate resin and the like, polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polystyrene (PS) and the like

The board630is a plate-like member. The board630has a first surface630aand the second surface630b. The first surface630aof the board630is a surface that is parallel to the xy plane. In order to ensure a desired flatness, the first surface630aof the board630is polished to an accuracy of several microns, for example.

The second surface630bof the board630is a surface that is parallel to the xy plane. The second surface630bof the board630is formed at a different position in the z axis direction than the first surface630aof the board630. The second surface630bof the board630is parallel to the first surface630aof the board630. When the board630is joined with the partitioned member620, the first surface630aof the board630is positioned at more z plus side than the second surface630bof the board630. In order to ensure a desired flatness, the second surface630bof the board630is polished to an accuracy of several microns, for example. When the plate60is formed by joining the partitioned member620with the board630, the second surface630bof the board630is a surface that is substantially parallel to the first surface620aof the partitioned member620.

The board630is made of a resin, for example. As an example, the board630is made of a thermally reversible resin. The board630is member having translucency, for example. As an example, the board630is a transparent member. Examples of resins used as the board630include acrylic resins such as poly methyl methacrylate resins and the like, polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), and polystyrene (PS).

The board630is joined with the partitioned member620. As an example, the first surface630aof the board630is joined with the second surface620bof the partitioned member620. As an example, the first surface630aof the board630is joined with the second surface620bof the partitioned member620so as to entirely cover the second surface620bof the partitioned member620. The second surface620bof the partitioned member620and the first surface630aof the board630are joined in a condition where the partitions621that are formed in the partitioned member620is closed from the second surface620bside of the partitioned member620by the first surface630aof the board630.

A welded joint is one example of a method for joining the partitioned member620and the board630. In this case, the partitioned member620and the board630are made of thermally reversible resin. The partitioned member620and the board630are joined together by heating a joining location of the partitioned member620and a joining location of the board630to a melting temperature and then applying pressure. When the partitioned member620and the board630are joined by welding, the elution of undesirable chemical compounds can be suppressed more, compared to the case where the partitioned member620and the board630are joined using an adhesive. When the partitioned member620and the board630are joined by the welding, the stability of the joint can be improved more, compared to the case where the partitioned member620and the board630are joined by an adhesive. The partitioned member620is welded to the board630at the entire second surface620bof the partitioned member620. That is, the second surface620bof the partitioned member620is welded to the first surface630aof the board630at the entire second surfaces622bof the barrier walls622that constitute wells610. Welding at the entire second surfaces622bof the barrier walls622forms, in the plate60, a sealing structure that prevents a leakage of a liquid sample stored in the wells610.

For example, an ultrasonic welding can be used for the welded joint of the partitioned member620and the board630. Note that a laser welding, a vibration welding and the like may also be used for the welded joint of the partitioned member620and the board630.

When the partitioned member620and the board630are joined by the welding, it is preferable that the melting temperature of the material used for the partitioned member620be same as the melting temperature of the material used for the board630. Therefore, it is preferable that the material used for the partitioned member620be same as the material used for the board630.

As an example, poly methyl methacrylate resin may be used as both of the material for the partitioned member620and the material for the board630.

As another example, poly carbonate (PC) may be used as both of the material for the partitioned member620and the material for the board630.

As another example, cycloolefin copolymer (COC) may be used as both of the material for the partitioned member620and the material for the board630.

As another example, polystyrene (PS) may be used as both of the material for the partitioned member620and the material for the board630.

When the partitioned member620and the board630are joined by the welding, it is preferable that the melting temperature of the material used for the partitioned member620be close to the melting temperature of the material used for the board630.

As an example, poly methyl methacrylate resin may be used as the material for the partitioned member620and polycarbonate (PC) may be used as the material for the board630.

As another example, polycarbonate (PC) may be used as the material for the partitioned member620and poly methyl methacrylate resin may be used as the material for the board630.

The plate60has the wells610that are formed by the barrier walls622of the partitioned member620and the first surface630aof the board630. The first surface630aof the board630forms bottoms of the wells610. The well610is allowed to store a liquid sample and the like, for example.

The plate60includes, as the wells610, a first well610-1, a second well610-2, a third well610-3, a fourth well610-4, a fifth well610-5, a sixth well610-6, a seventh well610-7, an eighth well610-8, a ninth well610-9, a tenth well610-10, an eleventh well610-11, a twelfth well610-12, a thirteenth well610-13, a fourteenth well610-14, a fifteenth well610-15, a sixteenth well610-16, a seventeenth well610-17, an eighteenth well610-18, a nineteenth well610-19, a twentieth well610-20, a twenty first well610-21, a twenty second well610-22, a twenty third well610-23and a twenty fourth well610-24.

The first well610-1is formed by the first barrier wall622-1and the board630. As an example, the first well610-1is formed by a third surface622-1cof the first barrier wall622-1and the first surface630aof the board630.

The second well610-2is formed by the second barrier wall622-2and the board630. As an example, the second well610-2is formed by a third surface622-2cof the second barrier wall622-2and the first surface630aof the board630.

The third well610-3is formed by the third barrier wall622-3and the board630. As an example, the third well610-3is formed by a third surface622-3cof the third barrier wall622-3and the first surface630aof the board630.

The fourth well610-4is formed by the fourth barrier wall622-4and the board630. As an example, the fourth well610-4is formed by a third surface622-4cof the fourth barrier wall622-4and the first surface630aof the board630.

The fifth well610-5is formed by the fifth barrier wall622-5and the board630. As an example, the fifth well610-5is formed by a third surface622-5cof the fifth barrier wall622-5and the first surface630aof the board630.

The sixth well610-6is formed by the sixth barrier wall622-6and the board630. As an example, the sixth well610-6is formed by a third surface622-6cof the sixth barrier wall622-6and the first surface630aof the board630.

The seventh well610-7is formed by the seventh barrier wall622-7and the board630. As an example, the seventh well610-7is formed by a third surface622-7cof the seventh barrier wall622-7and the first surface630aof the board630.

The eighth well610-8is formed by the eighth barrier wall622-8and the board630. As an example, the eighth well610-8is formed by a third surface622-8cof the eights barrier wall622-8and the first surface630aof the board630.

The ninth well610-9is formed by the ninth barrier wall622-9and the board630. As an example, the ninth well610-9is formed by a third surface622-9cof the ninth barrier wall622-9and the first surface630aof the board630.

The tenth well610-10is formed by the tenth barrier wall622-10and the board630. As an example, the tenth well610-10is formed by a third surface622-10cof the tenth barrier wall622-10and the first surface630aof the board630.

The eleventh well610-11is formed by the eleventh barrier wall622-11and the board630. As an example, the eleventh well610-11is formed by a third surface622-11cof the eleventh barrier wall622-11and the first surface630aof the board630.

The twelfth well610-12is formed by the twelfth barrier wall622-12and the board630. As an example, the twelfth well610-12is formed by a third surface622-12cof the twelfth barrier wall622-12and the first surface630aof the board630.

The thirteenth well610-13is formed by the thirteenth barrier wall622-13and the board630. As an example, the thirteenth well610-13is formed by a third surface622-13cof the thirteenth barrier wall622-13and the first surface630aof the board630.

The fourteenth well610-14is formed by the fourteenth barrier wall622-14and the board630. As an example, the fourteenth well610-14is formed by a third surface622-14cof the fourteenth barrier wall622-14and the first surface630aof the board630.

The fifteenth well610-15is formed by the fifteenth barrier wall622-15and the board630. As an example, the fifteenth well610-15is formed by a third surface622-15cof the fifteenth barrier wall622-15and the first surface630aof the board630.

The sixteenth well610-16is formed by the sixteenth barrier wall622-16and the board630. As an example, the sixteenth well610-16is formed by a third surface622-16cof the sixteenth barrier wall622-16and the first surface630aof the board630.

The seventeenth well610-17is formed by the seventeenth barrier wall622-17and the board630. As an example, the seventeenth well610-17is formed by a third surface622-17cof the seventeenth barrier wall622-17and the first surface630aof the board630.

The eighteenth well610-18is formed by the eighteenth barrier wall622-18and the board630. As an example, the eighteenth well610-18is formed by a third surface622-18cof the eighteenth barrier wall622-18and the first surface630aof the board630.

The nineteenth well610-19is formed by the nineteenth barrier wall622-19and the board630. As an example, the nineteenth well610-19is formed by a third surface622-19cof the nineteenth barrier wall622-19and the first surface630aof the board630.

The twentieth well610-20is formed by the twentieth barrier wall622-20and the board630. As an example, the twentieth well610-20is formed by a third surface622-20cof the twentieth barrier wall622-20and the first surface630aof the board630.

The twenty first well610-21is formed by the twenty first barrier wall622-21and the board630. As an example, the twenty first well610-21is formed by a third surface622-21cof the twenty first barrier wall622-21and the first surface630aof the board630.

The twenty second well610-22is formed by the twenty second barrier wall622-22and the board630. As an example, the twenty second well610-22is formed by a third surface622-22cof the twenty second barrier wall622-22and the first surface630aof the board630.

The twenty third well610-23is formed by the twenty third barrier wall622-23and the board630. As an example, the twenty third well610-23is formed by a third surface622-23cof the twenty third barrier wall622-23and the first surface630aof the board630.

The twenty fourth well610-24is formed by the fourth first barrier wall622-24and the board630. As an example, the twenty fourth well610-24is formed by a third surface622-24cof the twenty fourth barrier wall622-24and the first surface630aof the board630.

FIG. 2is a cross sectional view of the plate60.FIG. 2illustrates a cross section of the plate60that is cut along a cut line A-A inFIG. 1. The plate60has the wells610that are formed by the barrier walls622of the partitioned member620and the board630.FIG. 2illustrates four wells—the first well610-1that is formed by the first barrier wall622-1of the partitioned member620and the first surface630aof the board630, the second well610-2that is formed by the second barrier wall622-2of the partitioned member620and the first surface630aof the board630, the third well610-3that is formed by the third barrier wall622-3of the partitioned member620and the first surface630aof the board630, and the fourth well610-4that is formed by the fourth barrier wall622-4of the partitioned member620and the first surface630aof the board630. The barrier walls622are linked by the linking part624. InFIG. 2, the linking part624is arranged between the first barrier wall622-1and the second barrier wall622-2, between the second barrier wall622-2and the third barrier wall622-3, and between the third barrier wall622-3and the fourth barrier wall622-4. As an example, the barrier walls622are linked by the linking part624at an upper end622eon the z plus direction side of the barrier wall622, that is, at the first surface620aside of the partitioned member620. The barrier walls622are separated below (at a z minus direction side of) the linking part624. The partitioned member620has the gap628below (at the z minus direction side of) the linking part624. In the partitioned member620, the gap628is a space that is surrounded by the barrier walls622and the linking part624. In the plate60, the gap628is a space that is surrounded by the barrier walls622, the linking part624, and the board630.

The degree of freedom for a relative position of the well610on the second surface620bside of the partitioned member620when the gap628is present is higher than that when the gap628is not present. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the partitioned member620has a degree of freedom to displace two adjacent wells (for example, the first well610-1and the second well610-2) away from or closer to one another in directions of arrows A with the linking part624arranged between the adjacent barrier walls (for example, the first barrier wall622-1and the second barrier wall622-2) as a fulcrum.

Rigidity of the partitioned member620at which the gap628is formed is lower than that of the partitioned member620at which the gap628is not formed. Therefore, even if the partitioned member620is pressed against the board630when the partitioned member620and the board630are joined, the pressing force from the partitioned member620does not easily transfer to the board630because the partitioned member620itself deforms. As a result, occurrence of deformation (for example, deflection or distortion) of the board630can be suppressed. Thus, a condition where the board630does not deform can be maintained even after the partitioned member620and the board630are joined. By this, it is possible to perform optical measurement of a sample in the wells610with good accuracy by using the plate60.

The rigidity of the partitioned member620changes depending on a depth (a distance in the z direction) and a width (a distance in the y direction) of the gap628. For example, because the linking part624is formed thinner as the gap628becomes deeper, the rigidity of the partitioned member620decreases. Because the barrier walls622are separated more as the width of the gap628gets wider, the rigidity of the partitioned member620decreases.

In this way, the plate is configured using a partitioned member that forms a partition in a condition where a gap is formed between a barrier wall and another barrier wall, and thus deterioration of surface accuracy of the plate can be suppressed. When the optical measurement is performed on the sample on the plate, it is possible to perform the optical measurement with good accuracy.

FIG. 3is a drawing conceptually illustrating a structure of a screening apparatus10in one embodiment of the present invention. Note that an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis are defined for the convenience of description. The X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis defines intersecting coordinates. Each of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction is a horizontal direction. The Z axis direction is a vertical direction. The screening apparatus10is provided with a dispensing apparatus20, a cleaning and drying apparatus30, a detecting apparatus40and a transporting apparatus50. The dispensing apparatus20, the cleaning and drying apparatus30and the detecting apparatus40are arranged in the X axis direction in an order of the dispensing apparatus20, the cleaning and drying apparatus30and the detecting apparatus40.

The dispensing apparatus20is an apparatus for performing the dispensing to the plate60. The dispensing apparatus20is provided with a transporting device210, a dispensing device220and a controlling device230.

The transporting device210is provided with a plate supporting part211and a driving part212. The plate supporting part211is a member for supporting the plate60. The plate supporting part211is a placement stage on which the plate60is placed, for example.

The driving part212moves the plate supporting part211. As an example, the driving part212moves the plate supporting part211between a placement position P1and a delivery position P3. As an example, the driving part212moves the plate supporting part211in the X axis between the placement position P1and the delivery position P3via a dispensing position P2. The transporting device210is a transport line for transporting the plate60.

The dispensing device220is provided with the dispensing part221. The dispensing part221is configured to have nozzles, for example. The dispensing device220dispenses a specimen from the dispensing part221. A plurality of nozzles whose number is same as the number of the wells formed in the plate60are arranged in the dispensing part221in an arrangement manner that is same as an arrangement manner for the wells formed in the plate60. When the plate60in which 24 wells are formed in a six-by-four matrix manner is used, the dispensing part221is configured to have 24 nozzles that are arranged in a six-by-four matrix manner. By this, the dispensing device220is allowed to perform the dispensing to all wells in one plate60together.

Note that a structure of a dispensing device is not limited to this structure. When a dispensing device having nozzles that are arranged in a liner manner is used, a method of performing the dispensing to the wells in one row together and then performing the dispensing to next row in order may be used. When a dispensing device having only one nozzle is used, a method of performing the dispensing to one well one by one in order may be used.

The controlling device230controls an operation of each of the transporting device210and the dispensing device220.

The plate60is arranged on the placement position P1. As an example, the plate60is placed on the plate supporting part211that is placed at the placement position P1by a not-illustrated robot, for example. By this, the plate60is supported by the plate supporting part211at the placement position P1. The plate60is supported by the plate supporting part211in a condition where openings of the wells face upwardly (the Z axis plus direction). The plate60in which the openings of the wells face upwardly (the Z axis plus direction) may be referred to as the plate60in a horizontal condition in some cases. In the horizontal condition, the x axis (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2) of the plate60coincides with the Y axis illustrated inFIG. 3, the y axis (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2) of the plate60coincides with the X axis illustrated inFIG. 3, and the z axis (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2) of the plate60coincides with the Z axis illustrated inFIG. 3. The plate60may be also referred to as the plate60in the horizontal condition, when a first surface of a below described biochip is parallel to an XY plane illustrated inFIG. 3.

After the plate60is supported by the plate supporting part211at the placement position P1, the controlling device230controls the driving part212to move the plate60from the placement position P1to the dispensing position P2and then to stop the plate60at the dispensing position P2. The driving part212moves the plate supporting part211to move the plate60from the placement position P1to the dispensing position P2and then to stop the plate60at the dispensing position P2. As an example, the driving part212moves the plate supporting part211to move the plate60from the placement position P1to the dispensing position P2in the X axis direction while keeping the plate60in the horizontal condition and then to stop the plate60at the dispensing position P2while keeping the plate60in the horizontal condition. By this, the plate60is located at the dispensing position P2in the horizontal condition.

After the plate60that is supported by the plate supporting part211stops at the dispensing position P2, the controlling device230controls the dispensing device220to perform the dispensing to the plate60. The dispensing device220dispenses the specimen from the dispensing part221. By this, the specimen is dispensed to the wells in the plate60.

After the specimen is dispensed to the wells, the controlling device230controls the driving part212to move the plate60from the dispensing position P2to the delivery position P3and then to stop the plate60at the delivery position P3. The driving part212moves the plate supporting part211to move the plate60from the dispensing position P2to the delivery position P3and then to stop the plate60at the delivery position P3. As an example, the driving part212moves the plate supporting part to move the plate60from the dispensing position P2to the delivery position P3in the X axis direction while keeping the plate60in the horizontal condition and then to stop the plate60at the delivery position P3while keeping the plate60in the horizontal condition. By this, the plate60is located at the delivery position P3in the horizontal condition.

In this way, the plate60moves in the X axis direction from the placement position P1to the delivery position P3via the dispensing position P2while the plate60is supported in the horizontal condition by the plate supporting part211.

The plate60that has been supported by the plate supporting part211at the delivery position P3is transported to the cleaning and drying apparatus30by the transporting apparatus50. The plate supporting part211delivers the supported plate60to the transporting apparatus50at the delivery position P3.

The controlling device230may control the driving part212to swing the plate supporting part211after the specimen is dispensed to the plate60by the dispensing device220and before the plate60is delivered to the transporting apparatus50. The driving part212swings the plate supporting part211after the specimen is dispensed to the plate60by the dispensing device220and before the plate60is delivered to the transporting apparatus50. As an example, the driving part212swings the plate supporting part211around the dispensing position P2. The biochip is supported at a bottom of each well in the plate60. The biochip is provided with a base material and biomolecules. The base material is a plate member, for example. The biomolecule (a probe) is able to react specifically to a target molecule (a target, hereinafter, it is referred to as a “target”) that may be included in the specimen. The biomolecules are fixed to a surface (a first surface) of the base material. The biochip may be referred to as a microarray in some cases. The biochip is supported by the plate60(the bottom of the well) via a surface (a second surface) that is opposite to the surface (the first surface) to which the biomolecules are fixed. As an example, the biochip and the plate60(the bottom of the well) are fixed by bonding them with an adhesive material, a double-stick tape or the like. The swinging of the plate60by the driving part212results in an acceleration of the reaction between the biomolecules fixed to the biochip and the target in the specimen.

When the dispensing apparatus20is provided with a heating device that applies heat to the plate60supported by the plate supporting part211, the controlling device230may control the heating device to heat the plate supporting part211after the specimen is dispensed to the plate60by the dispensing device220and before the plate60is delivered to the transporting apparatus50. The heating device heats the plate60to a temperature at which the biomolecules fixed to the biochip and the target in the specimen react to each other smoothly.

The cleaning and drying apparatus30is an apparatus for performing a cleaning process and a drying process on the dispensed plate60for a subsequent detecting process by the detecting apparatus40. The cleaning and drying apparatus30is provided with a cleaning device310, a drying device320, a transporting device330, a controlling device340, a housing device350, and a waste solution collecting device360. A structure of the cleaning and drying apparatus30will be described later in detail.

The detecting apparatus40is an apparatus for detecting affinity between the biomolecules and the target using the plate on which the cleaning process and the drying process has been performed. The detecting apparatus40is provided with an imaging device410and a placing device420.

The imaging device410includes a light source, an optical system and an imaging element. The light source illuminates the biochip on the plate60. The optical system forms an image of the light from the biochip on the imaging element. The imaging device generates electrical charge depending on the light by which the optical system forms the image to generate image data of the biochip. The placing device420is a device on which the plate60is placed. The placing device420is a stage (a placement stage), for example.

The plate60is transported from the cleaning and drying apparatus30to the detecting apparatus40by the transporting apparatus50. As an example, the plate60is placed on the placing device420of the detecting apparatus40by the transporting apparatus50. The plate60is placed on the placing device420in the horizontal condition. The imaging device410images the plate60that has been placed on the placing device420in the horizontal condition to generate the image data of the biochip.

The detecting apparatus40may detect the affinity between the biomolecules and the target by imaging fluorescence generated from the biomolecules on the biochip with the imaging device410, for example. The biomolecules on the biochip generates the fluorescence only at positions at which the target in the specimen has reacted specifically to the biomolecule, when the light from the light source is irradiated. Thus, a fluorescence image based on the image data that is obtained by imaging the biochip is an image in which positions corresponding to the biomolecules that react the target are brighten by the fluorescence. It is possible to detect which biomolecules on the biochip the target in the specimen has an affinity for by image analyzing the fluorescence image (positions and the brightness of the fluorescence). For example, the detecting apparatus40detects the fluorescence that is obtained from the biochip, as the detection of the affinity.

FIG. 4is a drawing conceptually illustrating the structure of the cleaning and drying apparatus30. The cleaning and drying apparatus30is provided with the cleaning device310, the drying device320, the transporting device330, the controlling device340, the housing device350and the waste solution collecting device360.

The cleaning device310is a device for cleaning the plate60. The cleaning device310performs the cleaning process on the plate60.

The cleaning device310is provided with a cleaning solution supplying part311and cleaning solution nozzles312. The cleaning solution nozzles312include a first cleaning solution nozzle312a, a second cleaning solution nozzle312b, a third cleaning solution nozzle312c, a fourth cleaning solution nozzle312d, a fifth cleaning solution nozzle312e, a sixth cleaning solution nozzle312f, a seventh cleaning solution nozzle312g, an eighth cleaning solution nozzle312h, a ninth cleaning solution nozzle312i, a tenth cleaning solution nozzle312j, a eleventh cleaning solution nozzle312k, a twelfth cleaning solution nozzle312l, a thirteenth cleaning solution nozzle312m, a fourteenth cleaning solution nozzle312n, a fifteenth cleaning solution nozzle312o, a sixteenth cleaning solution nozzle312p, a seventeenth cleaning solution nozzle312q, a eighteenth cleaning solution nozzle312r, a nineteenth cleaning solution nozzle312s, a twentieth cleaning solution nozzle312t, a twenty first cleaning solution nozzle312u, a twenty second cleaning solution nozzle312v, a twenty third cleaning solution nozzle312w, a twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312x, a twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312y, a twenty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312z, a twenty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312A, a twenty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312B, a twenty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312C, a thirtieth cleaning solution nozzle312D, a thirty first cleaning solution nozzle312E, a thirty second cleaning solution nozzle312F, a thirty third cleaning solution nozzle312G, a thirty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312H, a thirty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312I, a thirty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312J, a thirty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312K, a thirty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312L, a thirty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312M, a fortieth cleaning solution nozzle312N, a forty first cleaning solution nozzle312O and a forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P.

The cleaning solution supplying part311has a body311aand cleaning solution supplying pipes311b.

The body311aincludes a container311cfor storing cleaning solution.

The cleaning solution supplying pipes311binclude a first cleaning solution supplying pipe311d, a second cleaning solution supplying pipe311e, a third cleaning solution supplying pipe311f, a fourth cleaning solution supplying pipe311g, a fifth cleaning solution supplying pipe311h, a sixth cleaning solution supplying pipe311iand a seventh cleaning solution supplying pipe311j.

The first cleaning solution supplying pipe311dis connected to the container311c. The first cleaning solution supplying pipe311dis a pipe for supplying the cleaning solution stored in the container311cto each of the first cleaning solution nozzle312a, the second cleaning solution nozzle312b, the third cleaning solution nozzle312c, the fourth cleaning solution nozzle312d, the fifth cleaning solution nozzle312eand the sixth cleaning solution nozzle312f. The first cleaning solution supplying pipe311dis configured to extend toward a Y axis plus direction from the body311a.

The second cleaning solution supplying pipe311eis connected to the container311c. The second cleaning solution supplying pipe311eis a pipe for supplying the cleaning solution stored in the container311cto each of the seventh cleaning solution nozzle312g, the eighth cleaning solution nozzle312h, the ninth cleaning solution nozzle312i, the tenth cleaning solution nozzle312j, the eleventh cleaning solution nozzle312kand the twelfth cleaning solution nozzle312l. The second cleaning solution supplying pipe311eis configured to extend toward the Y axis plus direction from the body311a.

The third cleaning solution supplying pipe311fis connected to the container311c. The third cleaning solution supplying pipe311fis a pipe for supplying the cleaning solution stored in the container311cto each of the thirteenth cleaning solution nozzle312m, the fourteenth cleaning solution nozzle312n, the fifteenth cleaning solution nozzle312o, the sixteenth cleaning solution nozzle312p, the seventeenth cleaning solution nozzle312qand the eighteenth cleaning solution nozzle312r. The third cleaning solution supplying pipe311fis configured to extend toward the Y axis plus direction from the body311a.

The fourth cleaning solution supplying pipe311gis connected to the container311c. The fourth cleaning solution supplying pipe311gis a pipe for supplying the cleaning solution stored in the container311cto each of the nineteenth cleaning solution nozzle312s, the twentieth cleaning solution nozzle312t, the twenty first cleaning solution nozzle312u, the twenty second cleaning solution nozzle312v, the twenty third cleaning solution nozzle312wand the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312x. The fourth cleaning solution supplying pipe311gis configured to extend toward the Y axis plus direction from the body311a.

The fifth cleaning solution supplying pipe311his connected to the container311c. The fifth cleaning solution supplying pipe311his a pipe for supplying the cleaning solution stored in the container311cto each of the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312y, the twenty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312z, the twenty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312A, the twenty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312B, the twenty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312C and the thirtieth cleaning solution nozzle312D. The fifth cleaning solution supplying pipe311his configured to extend toward the Y axis plus direction from the body311a.

The sixth cleaning solution supplying pipe311iis connected to the container311c. The sixth cleaning solution supplying pipe311iis a pipe for supplying the cleaning solution stored in the container311cto each of the thirty first cleaning solution nozzle312E, the thirty second cleaning solution nozzle312F, the thirty third cleaning solution nozzle312G, the thirty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312H, the thirty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312I and the thirty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312J. The sixth cleaning solution supplying pipe311iis configured to extend toward the Y axis plus direction from the body311a.

The seventh cleaning solution supplying pipe311jis connected to the container311c. The seventh cleaning solution supplying pipe311jis a pipe for supplying the cleaning solution stored in the container311cto each of the thirty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312K, the thirty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312L, the thirty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312M, the fortieth cleaning solution nozzle312N, the forty first cleaning solution nozzle312O and the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P. The seventh cleaning solution supplying pipe311jis configured to extend toward the Y axis plus direction from the body311a.

The first cleaning solution supplying pipe311d, the second cleaning solution supplying pipe311e, the third cleaning solution supplying pipe311fand the fourth cleaning solution supplying pipe311gare arranged along the vertical direction. The first cleaning solution supplying pipe311d, the second cleaning solution supplying pipe311e, the third cleaning solution supplying pipe311fand the fourth cleaning solution supplying pipe311gare arranged along the Z axis direction.

The fifth cleaning solution supplying pipe311h, the sixth cleaning solution supplying pipe311iand the seventh cleaning solution supplying pipe311jare arranged along the vertical direction. The fifth cleaning solution supplying pipe311h, the sixth cleaning solution supplying pipe311iand the seventh cleaning solution supplying pipe311jare arranged along the Z axis direction.

Each of the first cleaning solution nozzle312a, the second cleaning solution nozzle312b, the third cleaning solution nozzle312c, the fourth cleaning solution nozzle312d, the fifth cleaning solution nozzle312e, the sixth cleaning solution nozzle312f, the seventh cleaning solution nozzle312g, then eighth cleaning solution nozzle312h, the ninth cleaning solution nozzle312i, the tenth cleaning solution nozzle312j, the eleventh cleaning solution nozzle312k, the twelfth cleaning solution nozzle312l, the thirteenth cleaning solution nozzle312m, the fourteenth cleaning solution nozzle312n, the fifteenth cleaning solution nozzle312o, the sixteenth cleaning solution nozzle312p, the seventeenth cleaning solution nozzle312q, the eighteenth cleaning solution nozzle312r, the nineteenth cleaning solution nozzle312s, the twentieth cleaning solution nozzle312t, the twenty first cleaning solution nozzle312u, the twenty second cleaning solution nozzle312v, the twenty third cleaning solution nozzle312w, the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312x, the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312y, the twenty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312z, the twenty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312A, the twenty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312B, the twenty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312C, the thirtieth cleaning solution nozzle312D, the thirty first cleaning solution nozzle312E, the thirty second cleaning solution nozzle312F, the thirty third cleaning solution nozzle312G, the thirty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312H, the thirty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312I, the thirty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312J, the thirty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312K, the thirty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312L, the thirty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312M, the fortieth cleaning solution nozzle312N, the forty first cleaning solution nozzle312O and the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P is a member for discharging the cleaning solution stored in the container311c.

Each of the first cleaning solution nozzle312a, the second cleaning solution nozzle312b, the third cleaning solution nozzle312c, the fourth cleaning solution nozzle312d, the fifth cleaning solution nozzle312eand the sixth cleaning solution nozzle312fis connected to the first cleaning solution supplying pipe311d. Each of the first cleaning solution nozzle312a, the second cleaning solution nozzle312b, the third cleaning solution nozzle312c, the fourth cleaning solution nozzle312d, the fifth cleaning solution nozzle312eand the sixth cleaning solution nozzle312fis arranged at more X axis minus direction side in the X axis direction than the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P. The first cleaning solution nozzle312a, the second cleaning solution nozzle312b, the third cleaning solution nozzle312c, the fourth cleaning solution nozzle312d, the fifth cleaning solution nozzle312eand the sixth cleaning solution nozzle312fare arranged along the Y axis direction at the first cleaning solution supplying pipe311d. Each of the first cleaning solution nozzle312a, the second cleaning solution nozzle312b, the third cleaning solution nozzle312c, the fourth cleaning solution nozzle312d, the fifth cleaning solution nozzle312eand the sixth cleaning solution nozzle312fis fixed to the first cleaning solution supplying pipe311din a condition where each nozzle faces toward the X axis plus direction, for example. By this, each of the first cleaning solution nozzle312a, the second cleaning solution nozzle312b, the third cleaning solution nozzle312c, the fourth cleaning solution nozzle312d, the fifth cleaning solution nozzle312eand the sixth cleaning solution nozzle312fis allowed to discharge the cleaning solution stored in the container311ctoward the X axis plus direction.

Each of the seventh cleaning solution nozzle312g, the eighth cleaning solution nozzle312h, the ninth cleaning solution nozzle312i, the tenth cleaning solution nozzle312j, the eleventh cleaning solution nozzle312kand the twelfth cleaning solution nozzle312lis connected to the second cleaning solution supplying pipe311e. Each of the seventh cleaning solution nozzle312g, then eighth cleaning solution nozzle312h, the ninth cleaning solution nozzle312i, the tenth cleaning solution nozzle312j, the eleventh cleaning solution nozzle312kand the twelfth cleaning solution nozzle312lis arranged at more X axis minus direction side in the X axis direction than the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P. The seventh cleaning solution nozzle312g, the eighth cleaning solution nozzle312h, the ninth cleaning solution nozzle312i, the tenth cleaning solution nozzle312j, the eleventh cleaning solution nozzle312kand the twelfth cleaning solution nozzle312lare arranged along the Y axis direction at the second cleaning solution supplying pipe311e. Each of the seventh cleaning solution nozzle312g, the eighth cleaning solution nozzle312h, the ninth cleaning solution nozzle312i, the tenth cleaning solution nozzle312j, the eleventh cleaning solution nozzle312kand the twelfth cleaning solution nozzle312lis fixed to the second cleaning solution supplying pipe311ein a condition where each nozzle faces toward the X axis plus direction, for example. By this, each of the seventh cleaning solution nozzle312g, the eighth cleaning solution nozzle312h, the ninth cleaning solution nozzle312i, the tenth cleaning solution nozzle312j, the eleventh cleaning solution nozzle312kand the twelfth cleaning solution nozzle312lis allowed to discharge the cleaning solution stored in the container311ctoward the X axis plus direction.

Each of the thirteenth cleaning solution nozzle312m, the fourteenth cleaning solution nozzle312n, the fifteenth cleaning solution nozzle312o, the sixteenth cleaning solution nozzle312p, the seventeenth cleaning solution nozzle312qand the eighteenth cleaning solution nozzle312ris connected to the third cleaning solution supplying pipe311f. Each of the thirteenth cleaning solution nozzle312m, the fourteenth cleaning solution nozzle312n, the fifteenth cleaning solution nozzle312o, the sixteenth cleaning solution nozzle312p, the seventeenth cleaning solution nozzle312qand the eighteenth cleaning solution nozzle312ris arranged at more X axis minus direction side in the X axis direction than the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P. The thirteenth cleaning solution nozzle312m, the fourteenth cleaning solution nozzle312n, the fifteenth cleaning solution nozzle312o, the sixteenth cleaning solution nozzle312p, the seventeenth cleaning solution nozzle312qand the eighteenth cleaning solution nozzle312rare arranged along the Y axis direction at the third cleaning solution supplying pipe311f. Each of the thirteenth cleaning solution nozzle312m, the fourteenth cleaning solution nozzle312n, the fifteenth cleaning solution nozzle312o, the sixteenth cleaning solution nozzle312p, the seventeenth cleaning solution nozzle312qand the eighteenth cleaning solution nozzle312ris fixed to the third cleaning solution supplying pipe311fin a condition where each nozzle faces toward the X axis plus direction, for example. By this, each of the thirteenth cleaning solution nozzle312m, the fourteenth cleaning solution nozzle312n, the fifteenth cleaning solution nozzle312o, the sixteenth cleaning solution nozzle312p, the seventeenth cleaning solution nozzle312qand the eighteenth cleaning solution nozzle312ris allowed to discharge the cleaning solution stored in the container311ctoward the X axis plus direction.

Each of the nineteenth cleaning solution nozzle312s, the twentieth cleaning solution nozzle312t, the twenty first cleaning solution nozzle312u, the twenty second cleaning solution nozzle312v, the twenty third cleaning solution nozzle312wand the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xis connected to the fourth cleaning solution supplying pipe311g. Each of the nineteenth cleaning solution nozzle312s, the twentieth cleaning solution nozzle312t, the twenty first cleaning solution nozzle312u, the twenty second cleaning solution nozzle312v, the twenty third cleaning solution nozzle312wand the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xis arranged at more X axis minus direction side in the X axis direction than the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P. The nineteenth cleaning solution nozzle312s, the twentieth cleaning solution nozzle312t, the twenty first cleaning solution nozzle312u, the twenty second cleaning solution nozzle312v, the twenty third cleaning solution nozzle312wand the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xare arranged along the Y axis direction at the fourth cleaning solution supplying pipe311g. Each of the nineteenth cleaning solution nozzle312s, the twentieth cleaning solution nozzle312t, the twenty first cleaning solution nozzle312u, the twenty second cleaning solution nozzle312v, the twenty third cleaning solution nozzle312wand the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xis fixed to the fourth cleaning solution supplying pipe311gin a condition where each nozzle faces toward the X axis plus direction, for example. By this, each of the nineteenth cleaning solution nozzle312s, the twentieth cleaning solution nozzle312t, the twenty first cleaning solution nozzle312u, the twenty second cleaning solution nozzle312v, the twenty third cleaning solution nozzle312wand the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xis allowed to discharge the cleaning solution stored in the container311ctoward the X axis plus direction.

Each of the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312y, the twenty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312z, the twenty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312A, the twenty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312B, the twenty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312C and the thirtieth cleaning solution nozzle312D is connected to the fifth cleaning solution supplying pipe311h. Each of the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312y, the twenty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312z, the twenty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312A, the twenty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312B, the twenty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312C and the thirtieth cleaning solution nozzle312D is arranged at more X axis plus direction side in the X axis direction than the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312x. The twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312y, the twenty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312z, the twenty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312A, the twenty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312B, the twenty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312C and the thirtieth cleaning solution nozzle312D are arranged along the Y axis direction at the fifth cleaning solution supplying pipe311h. Each of the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312y, the twenty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312z, the twenty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312A, the twenty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312B, the twenty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312C and the thirtieth cleaning solution nozzle312D is fixed to the fifth cleaning solution supplying pipe311hin a condition where each nozzle faces toward the X axis minus direction, for example. By this, each of the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312y, the twenty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312z, the twenty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312A, the twenty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312B, the twenty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312C and the thirtieth cleaning solution nozzle312D is allowed to discharge the cleaning solution stored in the container311ctoward the X axis minus direction.

Each of the thirty first cleaning solution nozzle312E, the thirty second cleaning solution nozzle312F, the thirty third cleaning solution nozzle312G, the thirty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312H, the thirty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312I and the thirty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312J is connected to the sixth cleaning solution supplying pipe311i. Each of the thirty first cleaning solution nozzle312E, the thirty second cleaning solution nozzle312F, the thirty third cleaning solution nozzle312G, the thirty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312H, the thirty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312I and the thirty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312J is arranged at more X axis plus direction side in the X axis direction than the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312x. The thirty first cleaning solution nozzle312E, the thirty second cleaning solution nozzle312F, the thirty third cleaning solution nozzle312G, the thirty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312H, the thirty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312I and the thirty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312J are arranged along the Y axis direction at the sixth cleaning solution supplying pipe311i. Each of the thirty first cleaning solution nozzle312E, the thirty second cleaning solution nozzle312F, the thirty third cleaning solution nozzle312G, the thirty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312H, the thirty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312I and the thirty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312J is fixed to the sixth cleaning solution supplying pipe311iin a condition where each nozzle faces toward the X axis minus direction, for example. By this, each of the thirty first cleaning solution nozzle312E, the thirty second cleaning solution nozzle312F, the thirty third cleaning solution nozzle312G, the thirty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312H, the thirty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312I and the thirty sixth cleaning solution nozzle312J is allowed to discharge the cleaning solution stored in the container311ctoward the X axis minus direction.

Each of the thirty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312K, the thirty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312L, the thirty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312M, the fortieth cleaning solution nozzle312N, the forty first cleaning solution nozzle312O and the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P is connected to the seventh cleaning solution supplying pipe311j. Each of the thirty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312K, the thirty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312L, the thirty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312M, the fortieth cleaning solution nozzle312N, the forty first cleaning solution nozzle312O and the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P is arranged at more X axis plus direction side in the X axis direction than the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312x. The thirty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312K, the thirty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312L, the thirty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312M, the fortieth cleaning solution nozzle312N, the forty first cleaning solution nozzle312O and the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P are arranged along the Y axis direction at the seventh cleaning solution supplying pipe311j. Each of the thirty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312K, the thirty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312L, the thirty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312M, the fortieth cleaning solution nozzle312N, the forty first cleaning solution nozzle312O and the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P is fixed to the seventh cleaning solution supplying pipe311jin a condition where each nozzle faces toward the X axis minus direction, for example. By this, each of the thirty seventh cleaning solution nozzle312K, the thirty eighth cleaning solution nozzle312L, the thirty ninth cleaning solution nozzle312M, the fortieth cleaning solution nozzle312N, the forty first cleaning solution nozzle312O and the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P is allowed to discharge the cleaning solution stored in the container311ctoward the X axis minus direction.

In the cleaning device310, a space between the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xthat are arranged at the X axis minus side and the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P that are arranged at the X axis plus side is a cleaning position P6. The plate60is cleaned at the cleaning position P6. For example, the plate60is supported in an upright condition and cleaned at the cleaning position P6. The upright condition is a condition where the second surface630bof the board630that constitutes the plate60is perpendicular to the XY plane. In the upright condition, the x axis of the plate60coincides with the Y axis illustrated inFIG. 3, the y axis of the plate60coincides with the Z axis illustrated inFIG. 3, and the z axis of the plate60coincides with the X axis illustrated inFIG. 3. The plate60is supported at the cleaning position P6in a condition where the openings of the wells face toward the X axis minus direction. Alternatively, the plate60is supported at the cleaning position P6in a condition where the openings of the wells face toward the X axis plus direction. The plate60may be referred to as the plate in the upright condition, when the first surface of the biochip is parallel to a YZ plane illustrated inFIG. 3. The cleaning solution nozzles312discharge the cleaning solution to the plate60that has been supported at the cleaning position P6from both sides of the plate60. As an example, the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xdischarge the cleaning solution from the X axis minus side of the plate60to the X axis plus direction, and the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P discharge the cleaning solution from the X axis plus side of the plate60to the X axis minus direction. By this, both surfaces of the plate60at the X axis minus side and the X axis plus side, i.e., the entire plate including a portion at the X axis minus side and a portion at the X axis plus side can be cleaned effectively.

Note that the cleaning solution nozzles312may be configured to include only the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xat the X axis minus side and not to include the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P at the X axis plus side.

It is preferable that a purified water such as deionized water (DIW) be used as the cleaning solution, for example. When the cleaning solution is used after being heated to a temperature that does not change properties of the biomolecule on the biochip due to the heat, for example a temperature of 30 Celsius degree, a cleaning performance can be improved and the cleaning solution is easily vaporized at the subsequent drying process and thus a time for the drying process can be reduced. In this case, the cleaning solution supplying part311is configured to deionize usual tap water to generate the purified water and then to supply this as warm water to the cleaning solution nozzles312via the cleaning solution supplying pipes311bafter heating this to about 30 Celsius degree.

The cleaning solution nozzles312may be configured not only to directly discharge from the cleaning solution nozzles312the warm water supplied by the cleaning water supplying part311in this way but also to nebulize the warm water with inactive gas such as nitrogen and then inject it from the cleaning solution nozzles312. By this, an amount of used water can be reduced. The reason why the inactive gas is used is for preventing oxidization of the biomolecule on the biochip.

The drying device320is a device for drying the plate60. The drying device320performs the drying process on the plate60.

The drying device320is provided with a blower part321and blower outlets322. The blower outlets322includes a first blower outlet322a, a second blower outlet322b, a third blower outlet322cand a fourth blower outlet322d.

The bower part321has a body321aand blower pipes321b.

The body321asupplies wind from the blower outlets322via the blower pipes321b. The body321asupplies inactive gas from the blower outlets322, for example. One example of the inactive gas is nitrogen. Using the inactive gas results in the prevention of the oxidization of the biomolecule on the biochip. The body321amay be configured to supply warm wind from the blower outlets322. For example, the body321asupplies the inactive gas whose temperature is adjusted to 30 to 40 Celsius degree from the blower outlets322.

The blower pipes321binclude a first blower pipe321c, a second blower pipe321d, a third blower pipe321eand a fourth blower pipe321f.

The first blower outlet321cis connected to the body321a. The first blower outlet321cis a pipe for supplying the wind from the body321ato the first blower outlet322a. The first blower pipe321cis configured to extend from the body321atoward the Y axis plus direction.

The second blower outlet321dis connected to the body321a. The second blower outlet321dis a pipe for supplying the wind from the body321ato the second blower outlet322b. The second blower pipe321dis configured to extend from the body321atoward the Y axis plus direction.

The third blower outlet321eis connected to the body321a. The third blower outlet321eis a pipe for supplying the wind from the body321ato the third blower outlet322c. The third blower pipe321eis configured to extend from the body321atoward the Y axis plus direction.

The fourth blower outlet321fis connected to the body321a. The fourth blower outlet321fis a pipe for supplying the wind from the body321ato the fourth blower outlet322d. The fourth blower pipe321fis configured to extend from the body321atoward the Y axis plus direction.

The first blower outlet322ais an opening along the Y axis direction. A length of the opening along the Y axis direction is longer than a length of a short side of the plate60, for example. The first blower outlet322ais connected to the first blower pipe321c. The first blower outlet322ais arranged at more X axis minus direction in the X axis direction than the third blower outlet322cand the fourth blower outlet322d. The first blower outlet322ais connected to the first blower pipe321cin a condition where the first blower outlet322afaces toward the X axis plus direction, for example. By this, the first blower outlet322ais allowed to blow the wind toward the X axis plus direction.

The second blower outlet322bis an opening along the Y axis direction. A length of the opening along the Y axis direction is longer than the length of the short side of the plate60, for example. The second blower outlet322bis connected to the second blower pipe321d. The second blower outlet322bis arranged at more X axis minus direction in the X axis direction than the third blower outlet322cand the fourth blower outlet322d. The second blower outlet322bis connected to the second blower pipe321din a condition where the second blower outlet322bfaces toward the X axis plus direction, for example. By this, the second blower outlet322bis allowed to blow the wind toward the X axis plus direction.

The third blower outlet322cis an opening along the Y axis direction. A length of the opening along the Y axis direction is longer than the length of the short side of the plate60, for example. The third blower outlet322cis connected to the third blower pipe321e. The third blower outlet322cis arranged at more X axis plus direction in the X axis direction than the first blower outlet322aand the second blower outlet322b. The third blower outlet322cis connected to the third blower pipe321ein a condition where the third blower outlet322cfaces toward the X axis minus direction, for example. By this, the third blower outlet322cis allowed to blow the wind toward the X axis minus direction.

The fourth blower outlet322dis an opening along the Y axis direction. A length of the opening along the Y axis direction is longer than the length of the short side of the plate60, for example. The fourth blower outlet322dis connected to the fourth blower pipe321f. The fourth blower outlet322dis arranged at more X axis plus direction in the X axis direction than the first blower outlet322aand the second blower outlet322b. The fourth blower outlet322dis connected to the fourth blower pipe321fin a condition where the fourth blower outlet322dfaces toward the X axis minus direction, for example. By this, the fourth blower outlet322dis allowed to blow the wind toward the X axis minus direction.

In the drying device320, a space between the first blower outlet322ato the second bower outlet322bthat are arranged at the X axis minus side and the third blower outlet322cto the fourth bower outlet322dthat are arranged at the X axis plus side is a drying position P5. The plate60is dried at the drying position P5. For example, the plate60is supported in the upright condition and dried at the drying position P5. For example, the plate60is supported at the drying position P5in a condition where the openings of the wells face toward the X axis minus direction. The blower outlets322supply the wind to the plate60that has been supported at the drying position P5from both sides of the plate60. As an example, the first blower outlet322ato the second bower outlet322bsupply the wind from the X axis minus side of the plate60to the X axis plus direction, and the third blower outlet322cto the fourth bower outlet322dsupply the wind from the X axis plus side of the plate60to the X axis minus direction. By this, both surfaces of the plate60at the X axis minus side and the X axis plus side, i.e., the entire plate including a portion at the X axis minus side and a portion at the X axis plus side can be dried effectively.

Note that the blower outlets322may be configured to include only the first blower outlet322ato the second blower outlet322bat the X axis minus side and not to include the third blower outlet322cto the fourth blower outlet322dat the X axis plus side.

The transporting device330is provided with a plate supporting part331and a driving part332. The plate supporting part331is a member for supporting the plate60. The driving part332moves the plate supporting part331. As an example, the driving part332moves the plate supporting part331among a delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6. In this way, the transporting device330is a transport line for transporting the plate60.

The controlling device340controls an operation of each of the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330. The control by the controlling device340will be described later in detail with reference toFIG. 5toFIG. 8.

The housing device350houses the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330. The housing device350is provided with a case351and a door352.

The case351forms a space in which the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330are housed. The case351is a chassis whose shape is box-like, for example. The cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330are housed in the inner space that is formed by the case351. The case351includes an opening351aand a drain outlet351b.

The opening351ais a gate through which the plate60is inserted from an outside of the case351to an inside of the case351and the plate60is extracted from the inside of the case351to the outside of the case351. The transporting apparatus50uses the opening351ain delivering the plate60that has been received from the dispensing apparatus20to the plate supporting part331of the transporting device330and receiving the plate60that has been supported by the plate supporting part331of the transporting device330.

The drain outlet351bis an opening through which the waste solution in the case351is discharged to the outside of the case351. The cleaning solution that has been used to clean the plate60in the cleaning device310is the waste solution. This waste solution is discharged to the outside of the case351through the drain outlet351b.

The door352can be in an opening condition where the opening351ais opened and in a closing condition where the opening351ais closed. When the transporting apparatus50delivers the plate60that has been received from the dispensing apparatus20to the plate supporting part331of the transporting device330and the transporting apparatus50receives the plate60that has been supported by the plate supporting part331of the transporting device330, the door352is in the opening condition. When the cleaning device310cleans the plate60and the drying device320dries the plate60, the door352is in the closing condition. By this, the inactive gas can be circulated and reused effectively, and thus an amount of the used inactive gas can be reduced. Moreover, the discharge of the inactive gas from the inner space of the case351to an outer space of the case351can be prevented.

Note that an emission processing unit370for discharging (exhausting) the inactive gas that is blew from the blower outlets322may be arranged near the drying device320in the housing device350. For example, the emission processing unit370is configured to be provided with a filter for filtering and removing dust and undesired material included in the discharged gas and to return (circulate) the discharged gas that has passed through the filter, i.e., the clean inactive gas, to the blower part321.

The waste solution collecting device360is provided with a drain pipe361and a waste solution storing part362.

The drain pipe361connects the drain outlet351band the waste solution storing part362. As an example, the drain pipe362is a pipe for supplying the waste solution that is discharged from the inside of the case351to the waste solution storing part362via the drain outlet351b.

The waste solution storing part362is a case for storing the waste solution that is supplied by the drain pipe361. The waste solution storing part362is a tank, for example. The waste solution storing part362is configured to be exchangeable to the cleaning and drying apparatus30.

The cleaning device310is arranged below the drying device320. The cleaning device310is arranged at more Z axis minus side in the Z axis direction than the drying device320.

The cleaning solution nozzles312are arranged below the blower outlets322. The cleaning solution nozzles312are arranged is arranged at more Z axis minus side in the Z axis direction than the blower outlets322.

The cleaning solution supplying part311is arranged below the blower part321. The cleaning solution supplying part311are arranged is arranged at more Z axis minus side in the Z axis direction than the blower part321.

The cleaning device310is arranged at a height level lower than a height level at which the transporting device210of the dispensing apparatus20is arranged, for example. The cleaning device310is arranged at more Z axis minus side in the Z axis direction than the height level at which the transporting device210of the dispensing apparatus20is arranged, for example.

The cleaning device310is arranged at a height level lower than a height level at which the placing device420of the detecting apparatus40is arranged, for example. The cleaning device310is arranged at more Z axis minus side in the Z axis direction than the height level at which the placing device420of the detecting apparatus40is arranged, for example.

The drying device320is arranged above the cleaning device310. The drying device320is arranged at more Z axis plus side in the Z axis direction than the cleaning device310.

The bower outlets322are arranged above the cleaning solution nozzles312. The bower outlets322are arranged at more Z axis plus side in the Z axis direction than the cleaning solution nozzles312.

The blower part321is arranged above the cleaning solution supplying part311. The blower part321is arranged at more Z axis plus side in the Z axis direction than the cleaning solution supplying part311.

The drying device320is arranged at a height level lower than the height level at which the transporting device210of the dispensing apparatus20is arranged, for example. The drying device320is arranged at more Z axis minus side in the Z axis direction than the height level at which the transporting device210of the dispensing apparatus20is arranged, for example.

The drying device320is arranged at a height level lower than the height level at which the placing device420of the detecting apparatus40is arranged, for example. The drying device320is arranged at more Z axis minus side in the Z axis direction than the height level at which the placing device420of the detecting apparatus40is arranged, for example.

The plate60that has been transported to the delivery position P3in the dispensing apparatus20after being dispensed is grasped by a robot arm (not illustrated) of the transporting apparatus50and then is delivered to the cleaning and drying apparatus30. At this time, the robot arm (a rotational operating part) of the transporting apparatus50grasps the plate60that is placed on the plate supporting part211of the dispensing apparatus in the horizontal condition, then rotates the grasped plate60by 90 degree to the upright condition and then sets the plates60in the upright condition to the plate supporting part331of the transporting device330in the cleaning and drying apparatus30at the delivery position P4. For example, the plate60is rotated by 90 degree to a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction around the Y axis to be from the horizontal condition to the upright condition.

The cleaning and drying apparatus30transports the plate60in the upright condition that has been set to the plate supporting part311of the transporting device330downwardly in the vertical direction (toward the Z axis minus direction) to the cleaning position P6in the cleaning device310, then cleans the plate60in the cleaning device310, then transports the plate60upwardly in the vertical direction (toward the Z axis plus direction) to the drying position P5in the drying device320, and then dries the plate60in the drying device320. While the plate60passes through the drying device320when it is transported downwardly, the drying device320does not operate. The plate60is cleaned and dried in order as described above while being held in the upright condition, and then transported to the delivery position P4in the cleaning and drying apparatus30by the transporting device330.

FIG. 5is a drawing for describing the control for the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330by the controlling device340.

FIG. 5(a)is a drawing conceptually illustrating a positional relationship among the cleaning device310, the drying device320, the transporting device330, the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6. InFIG. 5(a), the cleaning device310is arranged below (at the Z axis minus side of) the drying device320. The cleaning device310includes therein the cleaning position P6. As described above, the cleaning position P6is the space between the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xand the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P. The cleaning position P6is a position at which the plate60is cleaned in the cleaning device310. The drying device320includes therein the drying position P5. As described above, the drying position P5is the space between the first blower outlet322ato the second bower outlet322band the third blower outlet322cto the fourth bower outlet322d. The drying position P5is a position at which the plate60is dried in the drying device320. Therefore, the cleaning position P6is arranged below (at the Z axis minus side of) the drying position P5. The delivery position P4is a position at which the delivering and the receiving of the plate60are performed between the transporting apparatus50and the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30. The delivery position P4is arranged above (at the Z axis plus side of) the drying position P5. In this way, the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6are arranged in an order of the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6from an upper side to a lower side. The delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6are arranged in a line along the Z axis. The transporting device330is arranged so as to transport the plate60to each of the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6. As described above, the transporting device330transports the plate60among the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6.

FIG. 5(b)conceptually illustrates a condition where the plate60is at the delivery position P4. The plate60is at the delivery position P4, when the plate60is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30after being dispensed and when the plate60is delivered from the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30to the transporting apparatus50after being cleaned and dried. The plate60is supported in the upright condition at the delivery position P4, for example.

FIG. 5(c)conceptually illustrates a condition where the plate60is at the drying position P5. The drying position P5is a position via which the plate60is transported between the delivery position P4and the cleaning position P6by the transporting device330. The plate60is at the drying position P5, when the plate60is dried in the drying device320. The plate60is supported in the upright condition at the drying position P5, for example.

FIG. 5(d)conceptually illustrates a condition where the plate60is at the cleaning position P6. The cleaning position P6is a position to which the plate60is transported from the delivery position P4via the drying position P5by the transporting device330. The plate60is at the cleaning position P6, when the plate60is cleaned in the cleaning device310. The plate60is supported in the upright condition at the cleaning position P6, for example.

The controlling device340starts the control for the cleaning process and the drying process after the dispensed plate60is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30to be at the delivery position P4inFIG. 5(b).

Firstly, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60downwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60that is at the delivery position P4from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6via the drying position P5. As an example, the controlling device340controls the controlling device340to transport the plate60that is at the delivery position P4from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6without stopping the plate60at the drying position P5. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the drying device320so that the drying device320does not perform a drying operation when the plate60passes through the drying position P5. The transporting device330transports the plate60from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6via the drying position P5in response to the control by the controlling device340. The drying device320keeps the drying operation in a suspended condition during a period when the plate60is transported by the transporting device330from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6via the drying position P5in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the plate60is transported by the transporting device330from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6via the drying position P5. The plate60is transported by the transporting device330from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6via the drying position P5while being supported in the upright condition, for example. The drying device320does not perform the drying process on the plate60when the plate60passes through the drying device320. The drying device320does not perform the drying process on the plate60when the plate60passes through the drying position P5. In this way, the position of the plate60is changed from a condition where the plate60is at the delivery position P4as illustrated inFIG. 5(b)to a condition where the plate60is at the cleaning position P6as illustrated inFIG. 5(d)via a condition where the plate60is at the drying position P5as illustrated inFIG. 5(c).

Next, the controlling device340controls the cleaning device310to clean the plate60. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the plate60to stop at the cleaning position P6during a cleaning operation by the cleaning device310. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the plate60to be at the cleaning position P6and the cleaning device310cleans the plate60. By this, the plate60is cleaned at the cleaning position P6by the cleaning device310. The plate60is cleaned at the cleaning position P6by the cleaning device310while being supported in the upright condition, for example. At this timing, the position of the plate60keeps being in the condition where the plate60is at the cleaning position P6as illustrated inFIG. 5(d).

Next, after the cleaning of the plate60is finished, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60upwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60that is at the cleaning position P6from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P5. The transporting device330transports the plate60from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P5in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the plate60is transported by the transporting device330from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P5. The plate60is transported from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P5while being supported in the upright condition, for example. In this way, the position of the plate60is changed from the condition where the plate60is at the cleaning position P6as illustrated inFIG. 5(d)to the condition where the plate60is at the drying position P5as illustrated inFIG. 5(c).

Next, the controlling device340controls the drying device320to dry the plate60. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the plate60to stop at the drying position P5during the drying operation by the cleaning device310. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the plate60to be at the drying position P5and the drying device320dries the plate60. By this, the plate60is dried at the drying position P5by the drying device320. The plate60is dried at the drying position P5by the drying device320while being supported in the upright condition, for example. At this timing, the position of the plate60keeps being in the condition where the plate60is at the drying position P5as illustrated inFIG. 5(c).

Next, after the drying of the plate60is finished, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60upwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60that is at the drying position P5from the drying position P5to the delivery position P4. The transporting device330transports the plate60from the drying position P5to the delivery position P4in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the plate60is transported by the transporting device330from the drying position P5to the delivery position P4. The plate60is transported from the drying position P5to the delivery position P4while being supported in the upright condition, for example. In this way, the position of the plate60is changed from the condition where the plate60is at the drying position P5as illustrated inFIG. 5(c)to the condition where the plate60is at the delivery position P4as illustrated inFIG. 5(b).

The plate60on which the cleaning process and the drying process has been performed and which has returned to the delivery position P4is received by the transporting apparatus50and then transported to the detecting apparatus40.

FIG. 6is a drawing for describing a first modified example of the control for the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330by a controlling device340.

FIG. 6(a)is a drawing conceptually illustrating a positional relationship among the cleaning device310, the drying device320, the transporting device330, the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6.

The cleaning device310is arranged below (at the Z axis minus side of) the drying device320. The cleaning device310includes therein the cleaning position P6. As described above, the cleaning position P6is the space between the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xand the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P. The cleaning position P6includes a first cleaning position P6aand a second cleaning position P6b. The first cleaning position P6ais a space at the X axis minus side in the cleaning position P6. The second cleaning position P6bis a space at the X axis plus side in the cleaning position P6. The first cleaning position P6ais a position at which the plate60is cleaned in the cleaning device310.

The drying device320includes therein the drying position P5. As described above, the drying position P5is the space between the first blower outlet322ato the second bower outlet322band the third blower outlet322cto the fourth bower outlet322d. The drying position P5includes a first drying position P5aand a second drying position P5b. The first drying position P5ais a space at the X axis minus side in the drying position P5. The second drying position P5bis a space at the X axis plus side in the drying position P5. The first drying position P5ais a position through which the plate60passes when the plate60is transported from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6. The second drying position P5bis a position at which the plate60is dried in the drying device320.

The delivery position P4is a position at which the delivering and the receiving of the plate60are performed between the transporting apparatus50and the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30. The delivery position includes a first delivery position P4aand a second delivery position P4b. The first delivery position P4ais a space at the X axis minus side in the delivery position P4. The second delivery position P4bis a space at the X axis plus side in the delivery position P4. The first delivery position P4ais a position at which the transporting apparatus50delivers the dispensed plate60to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30. The second delivery position P4bis a position to which the plate60is transported for the transporting device50to receive the cleaned and dried plate60.

The cleaning position P6is arranged below (at the Z axis minus side of) the drying position P5. The delivery position P4is arranged above (at the Z axis plus side of) the drying position P5. The delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6are arranged in an order of the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6from an upper side to a lower side. The delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6are arranged in a line along the Z axis. The first delivery position P4a, the first drying position P5aand the second cleaning position P6aare arranged in a line along the Z axis. The second delivery position P4b, the second drying position P5band the second cleaning position P6bare arranged in a line along the Z axis.

The transporting device330is arranged so as to transport the plate60to each of the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6. As described above, the transporting device330transports the plate60among the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6. As an example, the transporting device330transports the plate60from the first delivery position P4to the first drying position P5a, then to the first cleaning position P6a, then to the second cleaning position P6b, then to the second drying position P5band finally to the second delivery position P4b. The transporting device330is provided with two plate supporting parts331. The driving part332of the transporting device330is configured to move two plate supporting parts331separately. The transporting device330is able to transport two plates60in parallel by using two plate supporting parts331.

An example using a first plate60-1, a second plate60-2and a third plate60-3will be described.

The first plate60-1is a plate on which the cleaning process by the cleaning device310is performed first, among the first plate60-1, the second plate60-2and the third plate60-3. The first plate60-1is a plate on which the drying process by the drying device320is performed first, among the first plate60-1, the second plate60-2and the third plate60-3. The first plate60-1is a plate on which the cleaning process by the cleaning device310and the drying process by the drying device320are performed first, among the first plate60-1, the second plate60-2and the third plate60-3. The first plate60-1is a plate on which the cleaning process by the cleaning device310and the drying process by the drying device320are performed at the earliest timing.

The second plate60-2is a plate on which the cleaning process by the cleaning device310is performed after the cleaning process on the first plate60-1. The second plate60-2is a plate on which the drying process by the drying device320is performed after the drying process on the first plate60-1. The second plate60-2is a plate on which the cleaning process by the cleaning device310and the drying process by the drying device320are performed after the cleaning process and the drying process on the first plate60-1.

The third plate60-3is a plate on which the cleaning process by the cleaning device310is performed after the cleaning process on the second plate60-2. The third plate60-3is a plate on which the drying process by the drying device320is performed after the drying process on the second plate60-2. The third plate60-3is a plate on which the cleaning process by the cleaning device310and the drying process by the drying device320are performed after the cleaning process and the drying process on the second plate60-2.

FIG. 6(b)illustrates a condition where the first plate60-1is at the first delivery position P4a. The first plate60-1is at the first delivery position P4a, when the first plate60-1is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30after being dispensed. The first plate60-1is supported in the upright condition at the first delivery position P4a, for example.

FIG. 6(c)illustrates a condition where the first plate60-1is at the first drying position P5a. The first plate60-1is at the first drying position P5ain the middle of the transportation of the first plate60-1from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6aby the transporting device330. The first plate60-1is supported in the upright condition at the first drying position P5a, for example.

FIG. 6(d)illustrates a condition where the first plate60-1is at the first cleaning position P6a. The first plate60-1is at the first cleaning position P6a, when the first plate60-1is cleaned in the cleaning device310. The first plate60-1is supported in the upright condition at the first cleaning position P6a, for example.

FIG. 6(e)illustrates a condition where the first plate60-1is at the second cleaning position P6band the second plate60-2is at the first delivery position P4a. The first plate60-1is transported from the first cleaning position P6aby the transporting device330after being cleaned and then is at the second cleaning position P6b. The first plate60-1is supported in the upright condition at the second cleaning position P6b, for example. The second plate60-2is at the first delivery position P4a, when the second plate60-2is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30after being dispensed. The second plate60-2is supported in the upright condition at the first delivery position P4a, for example.

FIG. 6(f)illustrates a condition where the first plate60-1is at the second drying position P5band the second plate60-2is at the first drying position P5a. The second plate60-2is at the first drying position P5ain the middle of the transportation of the second plate60-2from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6aby the transporting device330. When the second plate60-2is at the first drying position P5a, the first plate60-1is at the second drying position P5b. The first plate60-1is supported in the upright condition at the second drying position P5b, for example. The second plate60-2is supported in the upright condition at the first drying position P5a, for example.

FIG. 6(g)illustrates a condition where the first plate60-1is at the second drying position P5band the second plate60-2is at the first cleaning position P6a. The first plate60-1is at the second drying position P5b, when the first plate60-1is dried in the drying device320. The first plate60-1is supported in the upright condition at the second drying position P5b, for example. The second plate60-2is at the first cleaning position P6a, when the second plate60-2is cleaned in the cleaning device310. The second plate60-2is supported in the upright condition at the first cleaning position P6a, for example.

FIG. 6(h)illustrates a condition where the first plate60-1is at the second delivery position P4b, the second plate60-2is at the second cleaning position P6band the third plate60-3is at the first delivery position P4. The first plate60-1is at the second delivery position P4b, when the first plate60-1is delivered from the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30to the transporting apparatus50after being cleaned and dried. The plate60is supported in the upright condition at the second delivery position P4b, for example. The second plate60-2is transported from the first cleaning position P6aby the transporting device330after being cleaned and then is at the second cleaning position P6b. The second plate60-2is supported in the upright condition at the second cleaning position P6b, for example. The third plate60-3is at the first delivery position P4a, when the third plate60-3is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30after being dispensed. The third plate60-3is supported in the upright condition at the first delivery position P4a, for example.

The controlling device340starts the control for the cleaning process and the drying process after the dispensed first plate60-1is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30and as a result is at the first delivery position P4ainFIG. 6(b).

Firstly, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1downwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1that is at the first delivery position P4afrom the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6avia the first drying position P5a. As an example, the controlling device340controls the controlling device340to transport the first plate60-1that is at the first delivery position P4afrom the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6awithout stopping the first plate60-1at the first drying position P5a. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the drying device320so that the drying device320does not perform the drying operation when the first plate60-1passes through the first drying position P5a. The transporting device330transports the first plate60-1from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6avia the first drying position P5ain response to the control by the controlling device340. The drying device320keeps the drying operation in the suspended condition during a period when the first plate60-1is transported by the transporting device330from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6avia the first drying position P5ain response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the first plate60-1is transported by the transporting device330from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6avia the first drying position P5a. The first plate60-1is transported from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6avia the first drying position P5awhile being supported in the upright condition, for example. The drying device320does not perform the drying process on the first plate60-1when the first plate60-1passes through the drying device320. The drying device320does not perform the drying process on the first plate60-1when the first plate60-1passes through the first drying position P5a. In this way, the position of the first plate60-1is changed from a condition where the first plate60-1is at the first delivery position P4aas illustrated inFIG. 6(b)to a condition where the first plate60-1is at the first cleaning position P6aas illustrated inFIG. 6(d)via a condition where the first plate60-1is at the first drying position P5aas illustrated inFIG. 6(c).

Next, the controlling device340controls the cleaning device310to clean the first plate60-1. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the first plate60-1to stop at the first cleaning position P6aduring the cleaning operation by the cleaning device310. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the first plate60-1to be at the first cleaning position P6aand the cleaning device310cleans the first plate60-1. By this, the first plate60-1is cleaned at the first cleaning position P6aby the cleaning device310. The first plate60-1is cleaned at the first cleaning position P6aby the cleaning device310while being supported in the upright condition, for example. At this timing, the position of the first plate60-1keeps being in the condition where the first plate60-1is at the first cleaning position P6aas illustrated inFIG. 6(d).

Next, after the cleaning of the first plate60-1is finished, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1toward a second direction. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1that is at the first cleaning position P6afrom the first cleaning position P6ato the second cleaning position P6btoward a plus X axis direction. The transporting device330transports the first plate60-1from the first cleaning position P6ato the second cleaning position P6btoward the plus X axis direction in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the first plate60-1is transported by the transporting device330from the first cleaning position P6ato the second cleaning position P6btoward the plus X axis direction. The first plate60-1is transported from the first cleaning position P6ato the second cleaning position P6btoward the plus X axis direction while being supported in the upright condition, for example. Moreover, the transporting device330receives the dispensed second plate60-2at the second delivery position P4afrom the transporting apparatus50. In this way, the position of each of the first plate60-1and the second plate60-2is in a condition where the first plate60-1is at the second cleaning position P6band the second plate60-2is at the first delivery position P4aas illustrated inFIG. 6(e).

Note that the cleaning device310may perform the cleaning process on the first plate60-1that has been transported to the second cleaning position P6b. For example, the cleaning device310may perform the cleaning process on the first plate60-1only at the first cleaning position P6a, may perform the cleaning process on the first plate60-1only at the second cleaning position P6b, and may perform the cleaning process on the first plate60-1at both of the first cleaning position P6aand the second cleaning position P6b. When the cleaning process is performed on the first plate60-1at both of the first cleaning position P6aand the second cleaning position P6b, the cleaning process may be performed during a period when the first plate60-1is transported from the first cleaning position P6ato the second cleaning position P6b.

Next, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1upwardly and to transport the second plate60-2downwardly. The controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1upwardly while transporting the second plate60-2downwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1that is at the second cleaning position P6bfrom the second cleaning position P6bto the second drying position P5band to transport the second plate60-2that is at the first delivery position P4afrom the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6a. The transporting device330transports the first plate60-1from the second cleaning position P6bto the second drying position P5bin response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the first plate60-1is transported by the transporting device330from the second cleaning position P6bto the second drying position P5b. The first plate60-1is transported from the second cleaning position P6bto the second drying position P5bwhile being supported in the upright condition, for example.

Moreover, the transporting device330transports the second plate60-2from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6ain response to the control by the controlling device340. At the timing when the first plate60-1is at the second drying position P5bas a result of the transportation, the second plate60-2is at the first drying position P5athat is in the middle of the transportation to the first cleaning position P6acorresponding to a destination, as illustrated inFIG. 6(f). In other words, the first plate60-1reaches the second drying position P5bcorresponding to a destination before the second plate60-2reaches the first cleaning position P6acorresponding to the destination. The controlling device340controls the drying device320so that the drying device320does not perform the drying operation when the second plate60-2passes through the first drying position P5a. The drying device320keeps the drying operation in the suspended condition in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the drying device320does not perform the drying operation when the second plate60-2passes through the first drying position P5a, even when the first plate60-1already reaches the second drying position P5bcorresponding to the destination. That is, the drying of the first plate60-2is temporarily suspended. The second plate60-2is furthermore transported downwardly by the transporting device330and finally reaches the first cleaning position P6aas illustrated inFIG. 6(g). The second plate60-2is transported from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6awhile being supported in the upright condition, for example. Note that the drying process may starts to be performed on the first plate60-1that has already reached the second drying position P5bbefore the second plate60-2reaches the first cleaning position P6a. For example, the controlling device340may start controlling the drying device320to dry the first plate60-1after the second plate60-2finishes passing through the entire first drying position P5aand before the second plate60-2reaches the first cleaning position P6a.

In this way, the position of each of the first plate60-1and the second plate60-2is changed from the condition illustrated inFIG. 6(e)to the condition illustrated inFIG. 6(g)via the condition illustrated inFIG. 6(f).

Next, the controlling device340controls the drying device320to dry the first plate60-1and controls the cleaning device310to clean the second plate60-2. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the first plate60-1to stop at the second drying position P5bduring the drying operation by the drying device320and to keep the second plate60-2to stop at the first cleaning position P6aduring the cleaning operation by the cleaning device310. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the first plate60-1to be at the second drying position P5band the drying device320dries the first plate60-1. By this, the first plate60-1is dried at the second drying position P5bby the drying device320. The first plate60-1is dried at the second drying position P5bby the drying device320while being supported in the upright condition, for example. Moreover, in response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the second plate60-2to be at the first cleaning position P6aand the cleaning device310cleans the second plate60-2. By this, the second plate60-2is cleaned at the first cleaning position P6aby the cleaning device310. The second plate60-2is cleaned at the first cleaning position P6aby the cleaning device310while being supported in the upright condition, for example. At this timing, the position of each of the first plate60-1and the second plate60-2keeps being in the condition illustrated inFIG. 6(g).

Next, after the drying of the first plate60-1and the cleaning of the second plate60-2are finished, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1upwardly and to transport the second plate60-2toward the plus X axis direction. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1that is at the second drying position P5bfrom the second drying position P5bto the second delivery position P4bupwardly and to transport the second plate60-2that is at the first cleaning position P6afrom the first cleaning position P6ato the second cleaning position P6btoward the plus X axis direction. The transporting device330transports the first plate60-1from the second drying position P5bto the second delivery position P4bin response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the first plate60-1is transported by the transporting device330from the second drying position P5bto the second delivery position P4b. The first plate60-1is transported from the second drying position P5bto the second delivery position P4bwhile being supported in the upright condition, for example. Moreover, the transporting device330transports the second plate60-2from the first cleaning position P6ato the second cleaning position P6btoward the plus X axis direction in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the second plate60-2is transported by the transporting device330from the first cleaning position P6ato the second cleaning position P6btoward the plus X axis direction. The second plate60-2is transported from the first cleaning position P6ato the second cleaning position P6btoward the plus X axis direction while being supported in the upright condition, for example. Moreover, the transporting device330receives the dispensed third plate60-3at the first delivery position P4afrom the transporting apparatus50. In this way, the position of each of the first plate60-1, the second plate60-2and the third plate60-3is in a condition illustrated inFIG. 6(h).

The first plate60-1on which the cleaning process and the drying process have been performed and which has been transported to the second delivery position P4bis received by the transporting apparatus50and then transported to the detecting apparatus40. After that, an operation that is same as an operation performed on the first plate60-1and the second plate60-2is performed on the second plate60-2and the third plate60-3.

FIG. 7is a drawing for describing a second modified example of the control for the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330by the controlling device340.

FIG. 7(a)is a drawing illustrating a positional relationship among the cleaning device310, the drying device320, the transporting device330, the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6.

The cleaning device310is arranged below (at the Z axis minus side of) the drying device320. The cleaning device310includes therein the cleaning position P6. As described above, the cleaning position P6is the space between the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xand the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P. The cleaning position P6includes the first cleaning position P6aand the second cleaning position P6b. The first cleaning position P6ais the space at the X axis minus side in the cleaning position P6. The second cleaning position P6bis the space at the X axis plus side in the cleaning position P6. The first cleaning position P6ais a position at which the plate60is cleaned on a first transport line. The second cleaning position P6bis a position at which the plate60is cleaned on a second transport line.

The drying device320includes therein the drying position P5. As described above, the drying position P5is the space between the first blower outlet322ato the second bower outlet322band the third blower outlet322cto the fourth bower outlet322d. The drying position P5includes the first drying position P5aand the second drying position P5b. The first drying position P5ais the space at the X axis minus side in the drying position P5. The second drying position P5bis the space at the X axis plus side in the drying position P5. The first drying position P5ais a position at which the plate60is dried on the first transport line. The second drying position P5bis a position at which the plate60is dried on the second transport line.

The delivery position P4is a position at which the delivering and the receiving of the plate60are performed between the transporting apparatus50and the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30. The delivery position P4includes the first delivery position P4aand the second delivery position P4b. The first delivery position P4ais the space at the X axis minus side in the delivery position P4. The second delivery position P4bis the space at the X axis plus side in the delivery position P4. The first delivery position P4ais a position at which the transporting apparatus50delivers and receives the plate60on the first transport line. The second delivery position P4bis a position at which the transporting apparatus50delivers and receives the plate60on the second transport line.

The cleaning position P6is arranged below (at the Z axis minus side of) the drying position P5. The delivery position P4is arranged above (at the Z axis plus side of) the drying position P5. The first delivery position P4a, the first drying position P5aand the first cleaning position P6aare arranged on the first transport line in an order of the first delivery position P4a, the first drying position P5aand the first cleaning position P6afrom an upper side to a lower side. The first delivery position P4a, the first drying position P5aand the first cleaning position P6aare arranged in a line along the Z axis. The second delivery position P4b, the second drying position P5band the second cleaning position P6bare arranged on the second transport line in an order of the second delivery position P4b, the second drying position P5band the second cleaning position P6bfrom an upper side to a lower side. The second delivery position P4b, the second drying position P5band the second cleaning position P6bare arranged in a line along the Z axis.

The transporting device330is arranged so as to include the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6. As described above, the transporting device330transports the plate60among the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6. More specifically, the transporting device330transports the plate60on the first transport line among the first delivery position P4a, the first drying position P5aand the first cleaning position P6a. Moreover, the transporting device330transports the plate60on the second transport line among the second delivery position P4b, the second drying position P5band the second cleaning position P6b. The transporting device330is provided with one plate supporting part331on each of the first transport line and the second transport line. The driving part332of the transporting device330is configured to move two plate supporting parts331separately. The transporting device330is able to simultaneously transport two plates60by using two plate supporting parts331on the first transport line and the second transport line.

FIG. 7(b)illustrates a condition where the first plate60-1is at the first drying position P5aon the first transport line and the second plate60-2is at the second cleaning position P6bon the second transport line. The first plate60-1is at the first drying position P5a, when the first plate60-1is dried in the drying device320. The first plate60-1is supported in the upright condition at the first drying position P5a, for example. The second plate60-2is at the second cleaning position P6b, when the second plate60-2is cleaned in the cleaning device310. The second plate60-2is supported in the upright condition at the second cleaning position P6b, for example.

FIG. 7(c)illustrates a condition where the first plate60-1is at the first delivery position P4aon the first transport line and the second plate60-2is at the second drying position P5bon the second transport line. The first plate60-1is transported from the first drying position P5aby the transporting device330after being dried and then is at the first delivery position P4a. The first plate60-1is supported in the upright condition at the first delivery position P4a, for example. The second plate60-2is transported from the second cleaning position P6bby the transporting device330after being cleaned and then is at the second drying position P5b. The second plate60-2is supported in the upright condition at the second drying position P5b, for example.

FIG. 7(d)illustrates a condition where the third plate60-3is at the first delivery position P4aon the first transport line and the second plate60-2is at the second drying position P5bon the second transport line. The third plate60-3is at the first delivery position P4a, when the third plate60-3is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30after being dispensed. The third plate60-3is supported in the upright condition at the first delivery position P4a, for example. The second plate60-2is at the second drying position P5bwhen the third plate60-3is at the first delivery position P4a.

FIG. 7(e)illustrates a condition where the third plate60-3is at the first cleaning position P6aon the first transport line and the second plate60-2is at the second drying position P5bon the second transport line. The third plate60-3is at the first cleaning position P6a, when the third plate60-3is cleaned in the cleaning device310. The third plate60-3is supported in the upright condition at the first cleaning position P6a, for example. The second plate60-2is at the second drying position P5b, when the second plate60-2is dried in the drying device320.

FIG. 7(f)illustrates a condition where the third plate60-3is at the first drying position P5aon the first transport line and the second plate60-2is at the second delivery position P4bon the second transport line. The third plate60-3is transported from the first cleaning position P6aby the transporting device330after being cleaned and then is at the first drying position P5a. The third plate60-3is supported in the upright condition at the first drying position P5a, for example. The second plate60-2is transported from the second drying position P5bby the transporting device330after being dried and then is at the second delivery position P4b. The second plate60-2is supported in the upright condition at the second delivery position P4b, for example.

FIG. 7(d)illustrates a condition where the third plate60-3is at the first drying position P5aon the first transport line and a fourth plate60-4is at the second delivery position P4bon the second transport line. The fourth plate60-4is at the second delivery position P4b, when the fourth plate60-4is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30after being dispensed. The fourth plate60-4is supported in the upright condition at the second delivery position P4b, for example. The third plate60-3is at the first drying position P5awhen the fourth plate60-4is at the second delivery position P4b.

FIG. 7(h)illustrates a condition where the third plate60-3is at the first drying position P5aon the first transport line and the fourth plate60-4is at the second cleaning position P6bon the second transport line. The third plate60-3is at the first drying position P5a, when the third plate60-3is dried in the drying device320. The fourth plate60-4is at the second cleaning position P6b, when the fourth plate60-4is cleaned in the cleaning device310. The fourth plate60-4is supported in the upright condition at the second cleaning position P6b, for example.

The controlling device340repeats the control among a condition illustrated inFIG. 7(b)to a condition illustrated inFIG. 7(h). For the convenience of description, the control by the controlling device340that starts from a condition illustrated inFIG. 7(b)will be described.

Firstly, the controlling device340controls the drying device320to dry the first plate60-1that is at the first dying position P5a. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the first plate60-1to stop at the first drying position P5aduring the drying operation by the drying device320. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the first plate60-1to be at the first drying position P5aand the drying device320dries the first plate60-1. By this, the first plate60-1is dried at the first drying position P5aby the drying device320. The first plate60-1is dried at the first drying position P5aby the drying device320while being supported in the upright condition, for example. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the cleaning device310to clean the second plate60-2that is at the second cleaning position P6b. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the second plate60-2to stop at the second cleaning position P6bduring the cleaning operation by the cleaning device310. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the second plate60-2to be at the second cleaning position P6band the cleaning device310cleans the second plate60-2. By this, the second plate60-2is cleaned at the second cleaning position P6bby the cleaning device310. The second plate60-2is cleaned at the second cleaning position P6bby the cleaning device310while being supported in the upright condition, for example. At this timing, the position of each of the first plate60-1and the second plate60-2is in the condition illustrated inFIG. 7(b).

Next, after the drying of the first plate60-1and the cleaning of the second plate60-2are finished, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1upwardly and to transport the second plate60-2upwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the first plate60-1that is at the first drying position P5afrom the first drying position P5ato the first delivery position P4aupwardly and to transport the second plate60-2that is at the second cleaning position P6bfrom the second cleaning position P6bto the second drying position P5bupwardly. The transporting device330transports the first plate60-1from the first drying position P5ato the first delivery position P4ain response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the first plate60-1is transported by the transporting device330from the first drying position P5ato the first delivery position P4. The first plate60-1is transported from the first drying position P5ato the first delivery position P4awhile being supported in the upright condition, for example. Moreover, the transporting device330transports the second plate60-2from the second cleaning position P6bto the second drying position P5bin response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the second plate60-2is transported by the transporting device330from the second cleaning position P6bto the second drying position P5b. The second plate60-2is transported from the second cleaning position P6bto the second drying position P5bwhile being supported in the upright condition, for example. In this way, the position of each of the first plate60-1and the second plate60-2is changed to a condition illustrated inFIG. 7(c).

Next, the first plate60-1that has been transported to the first delivery position P4ais received by the transporting apparatus50and then transported to the detecting apparatus40. Moreover, the transporting device330receives the dispensed third plate60-3at the first delivery position P4afrom the transporting apparatus50, after the transporting apparatus50has received the first plate60-1. By this, the position of each of the second plate60-2and the third plate60-3is in a condition illustrated inFIG. 7(d).

Next, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the third plate60-3downwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the third plate60-3that is at the first delivery position P4afrom the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6avia the first drying position P5a. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the drying device320so that the drying device320does not perform the drying operation when the third plate60-3passes through the first drying position P5a. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330transports the third plate60-3from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6avia the first drying position P5aand the drying device320keeps the drying operation in the suspended condition. By this, the third plate60-3is transported by the transporting device330from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6avia the first drying position P5a. The third plate60-3is transported from the first delivery position P4ato the first cleaning position P6avia the first drying position P5awhile being supported in the upright condition, for example. The second plate60-2and the third plate60-3are not dried when the third plate60-3passes through the first drying position P5a. In this way, the position of each of the second plate60-2and the third plate60-3is changed to a condition illustrated inFIG. 7(e).

Next, the controlling device340controls the drying device320to dry the second plate60-2. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the second plate60-2to stop at the second drying position P5bduring the drying operation by the drying device320. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the second plate60-2to be at the second drying position P5band the drying device320dries the second plate60-2. By this, the second plate60-2is dried at the second drying position P5bby the drying device320. The second plate60-2is dried at the second drying position P5bby the drying device320while being supported in the upright condition, for example. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the cleaning device310to clean the third plate60-3. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the third plate60-3to stop at the first cleaning position P6aduring the cleaning operation by the cleaning device310. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the third plate60-3to be at the first cleaning position P6aand the cleaning device310cleans the third plate60-3. By this, the third plate60-3is cleaned at the first cleaning position P6aby the cleaning device310. The third plate60-3is cleaned at the first cleaning position P6aby the cleaning device310while being supported in the upright condition, for example. At this timing, the position of each of the second plate60-2and the third plate60-3is in the condition illustrated inFIG. 7(e).

Next, after the drying of the second plate60-2and the cleaning of the third plate60-3are finished, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the second plate60-2upwardly and to transport the third plate60-3upwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the second plate60-2that is at the second drying position P5bfrom the second drying position P5bto the second delivery position P4bupwardly and to transport the third plate60-3that is at the first cleaning position P6afrom the first cleaning position P6ato the first drying position P5aupwardly. The transporting device330transports the second plate60-2from the second drying position P5bto the second delivery position P4bin response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the second plate60-2is transported by the transporting device330from the second drying position P5bto the second delivery position P4b. The second plate60-2is transported from the second drying position P5bto the second delivery position P4bwhile being supported in the upright condition, for example. Moreover, the transporting device330transports the third plate60-3from the first cleaning position P6ato the first drying position P5aupwardly in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the third plate60-3is transported by the transporting device330from the first cleaning position P6ato the first drying position P5a. The third plate60-3is transported from the first cleaning position P6ato the first drying position P5awhile being supported in the upright condition, for example. In this way, the position of each of the second plate60-2and the third plate60-3is changed to a condition illustrated inFIG. 7(f).

Next, the second plate60-2that has been transported to the second delivery position P4bis received by the transporting apparatus50and then transported to the detecting apparatus40. Moreover, the transporting device330receives the dispensed fourth plate60-4at the second delivery position P4bfrom the transporting apparatus50, after the transporting apparatus50has received the second plate60-2. By this, the position of each of the third plate60-3and the fourth plate60-4is in a condition illustrated inFIG. 7(g).

Next, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the fourth plate60-4downwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the fourth plate60-4that is at the second delivery position P4bfrom the second delivery position P4bto the second cleaning position P6bvia the second drying position P5b. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the drying device320so that the drying device320does not perform the drying operation when the fourth plate60-4passes through the second drying position P5b. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330transports the fourth plate60-4from the second delivery position P4bto the second cleaning position P6bvia the second drying position P5band the drying device320keeps the drying operation in the suspended condition. By this, the fourth plate60-4is transported by the transporting device330from the second delivery position P4bto the second cleaning position P6bvia the second drying position P5b. The fourth plate60-4is transported from the second delivery position P4bto the second cleaning position P6bvia the second drying position P5bwhile being supported in the upright condition, for example. The third plate60-3and the fourth plate60-4are not dried when the fourth plate60-4passes through the second drying position P5b. In this way, the position of each of the third plate60-3and the fourth plate60-4is changed to a condition illustrated inFIG. 7(h).

After that, an operation that is same as an operation performed on the first plate60-1and the second plate60-2is performed on the third plate60-3and the fourth plate60-4.

FIG. 8is a drawing for describing a third modified example of the control for the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330by the controlling device340.

FIG. 8(a)is a drawing illustrating a positional relationship among the cleaning device310, the drying device320, the transporting device330, the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6.

The cleaning position P6is arranged below (at the Z axis minus side of) the delivery position P4. The drying position P5is arranged above (at the Z axis plus side of) the delivery position P4. The cleaning position P6is arranged below (at the Z axis minus side of) the drying position P5. The delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6are arranged in an order of the drying position P5, the delivery position P4and the cleaning position P6afrom an upper side to a lower side. The delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6are arranged in a line along the Z axis.

The cleaning device310includes therein the cleaning position P6. As described above, the cleaning position P6is the space between the first cleaning solution nozzle312ato the twenty fourth cleaning solution nozzle312xand the twenty fifth cleaning solution nozzle312yto the forty second cleaning solution nozzle312P. The cleaning position P6is a position at which the plate60is cleaned in the cleaning device310. The drying device320includes therein the drying position P5. As described above, the drying position P5is the space between the first blower outlet322ato the second bower outlet322band the third blower outlet322cto the fourth bower outlet322d. The drying position P5is a position at which the plate60is dried in the drying device320. The delivery position P4is a position at which the delivering and the receiving of the plate60are performed between the transporting apparatus50and the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30. The transporting device330is arranged so as to include the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6. As described above, the transporting device330transports the plate60among the delivery position P4, the drying position P5and the cleaning position P6.

FIG. 8(b)illustrates a condition where the plate60is at the delivery position P4. The plate60is at the delivery position P4, when the plate60is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30after being dispensed, when the plate60is delivered from the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30to the transporting apparatus50after being cleaned and dried and when the plate60is transported from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P4by the transporting device330. The plate60is supported in the upright condition at the delivery position P4, for example.

FIG. 8(c)illustrates a condition where the plate60is at the drying position P5. The plate60is at the drying position P5, when the plate60is dried in the drying device320. The plate60is supported in the upright condition at the drying position P5, for example.

FIG. 8(d)illustrates a condition where the plate60is at the cleaning position P6. The plate60is at the cleaning position P6, when the plate60is cleaned in the cleaning device310. The plate60is supported in the upright condition at the cleaning position P6, for example.

The controlling device340starts the control after the dispensed plate60is delivered from the transporting apparatus50to the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30and as a result is at the delivery position P4inFIG. 8(b).

Firstly, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60downwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60that is at the delivery position P4from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6. The transporting device330transports the plate60from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the plate60is transported by the transporting device330from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6. The plate60is transported from the delivery position P4to the cleaning position P6while being supported in the upright condition, for example. In this way, the position of the plate60is changed from a condition where the plate60is at the delivery position P4as illustrated inFIG. 8(b)to a condition where the plate60is at the cleaning position P6as illustrated inFIG. 8(d).

Next, the controlling device340controls the cleaning device310to clean the plate60. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the plate60to stop at the cleaning position P6during the cleaning operation by the cleaning device310. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the plate60to be at the cleaning position P6and the cleaning device310cleans the plate60. By this, the plate60is cleaned at the cleaning position P6by the cleaning device310. The plate60is cleaned at the cleaning position P6by the cleaning device310while being supported in the upright condition, for example. At this timing, the position of the plate60keeps being in the condition where the plate60is at the cleaning position P6as illustrated inFIG. 8(d).

Next, after the cleaning of the plate60is finished, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60upwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60that is at the cleaning position P6from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P5via the delivery position P4. The transporting device330transports the plate60from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P5via the delivery position P4in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the plate60is transported by the transporting device330from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P5via the delivery position P4. The plate60is transported from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P5via the delivery position P4while being supported in the upright condition, for example. In this way, the position of the plate60is changed from the condition where the plate60is at the cleaning position P6as illustrated inFIG. 8(d)to the condition where the plate60is at the drying position P5as illustrated inFIG. 8(c).

Next, the controlling device340controls the drying device320to dry the plate60. Moreover, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to keep the plate60to stop at the drying position P5during the drying operation by the drying device320. In response to the control by the controlling device340, the transporting device330keeps the plate60to be at the drying position P5and the drying device320dries the plate60. By this, the plate60is dried at the drying position P5by the drying device320. The plate60is dried at the drying position P5by the drying device320while being supported in the upright condition, for example. At this timing, the position of the plate60keeps being in the condition where the plate60is at the drying position P5as illustrated inFIG. 8(c).

Next, after the drying of the plate60is finished, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60downwardly. As an example, the controlling device340controls the transporting device330to transport the plate60that is at the drying position P5from the drying position P5to the delivery position P4downwardly. The transporting device330transports the plate60from the drying position P5to the delivery position P4downwardly in response to the control by the controlling device340. By this, the plate60is transported by the transporting device330from the drying position P5to the delivery position P4downwardly. The plate60is transported from the drying position P5to the delivery position P4downwardly while being supported in the upright condition, for example. In this way, the position of the plate60is changed from the condition where the plate60is at the drying position P5as illustrated inFIG. 8(c)to the condition where the plate60is at the delivery position P4as illustrated inFIG. 8(b).

The cleaned and dried plate60that has returned to the delivery position P4is received by the transporting apparatus50and then transported to the detecting apparatus40.

FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating a screening method by the screening apparatus10.

Firstly, a dispensing step is performed in the dispensing apparatus20(a step S901). For example, an operator who is an operator of the screening apparatus10sets the plate60that is an inspected target to the transporting device210of the dispensing apparatus20and inputs a start command into a control computer (not illustrated) that controls the operation of the screening apparatus10, and the dispensing step starts by the above operator's operation. After the dispensing step starts, the dispense apparatus20transports the set plate60to the dispensing position P2using the transporting device210and dispenses the specimen to each well in the plate60from the nozzles of the dispensing part221, in accordance with the control by the control computer. After being dispensed, the plate60is transported to the delivery position P3by the transporting device210.

Next, a cleaning and drying step is performed in the cleaning and drying apparatus30(a step S902). This step will be described later.

After the cleaning and drying step is finished, next, a detecting step is performed in the detecting apparatus40(a step S903). The detecting apparatus40receives the plate60that has been cleaned and dried by the cleaning and drying apparatus30from the transporting apparatus50and measures the biochip on the plate60, in accordance with the control by the control computer. As an example, the detecting apparatus40images each biochip on the plate60by the imaging device410to generate the image data of each biochip. Then, the detecting apparatus40detects the affinity between the biomolecule on the biochip and the target included in the specimen by analyzing the image data. This inspection result may be stored as electrical data in a storing part in the control computer, for example.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating the cleaning and drying step in the cleaning and drying apparatus30.FIG. 10illustrates, as one example, the cleaning and drying step performed when the controlling device340performs the control illustrated inFIG. 5.

Firstly, the transporting apparatus50grasps the dispensed plate60that is placed in the horizontal condition on the transporting device210of the dispensing apparatus20by the robot arm and then rotates the grasped plate60by 90 degree to the upright condition, by moving the robot arm in accordance with the control by the control computer (a step S1001). Moreover, the transporting apparatus50moves the robot arm in accordance with the control by the control computer to sets the plate60in the upright condition in the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30at the delivery position P4.

Next, the cleaning and drying apparatus30transports the plate60that has been set in the transporting device330to the cleaning position P6in the cleaning device310by driving the transporting device330in accordance with the control by the controlling device340to perform a first transporting step (a step S1002). This first transporting step may be a downward transporting step that transports the plate60to the cleaning position P6in the cleaning device310downwardly via the drying position P5in the drying device320. Note that, at this time, the controlling device340controls the drying device320to be in the suspended condition so that the drying device320does not dry the uncleaned plate60when the plate60passes through the drying position P5in the drying device320.

Next, the cleaning and drying apparatus30drives the cleaning device310in accordance with the control by the controlling device340to perform a cleaning step on the plate60(a step S1003). The cleaning device310performs the cleaning of the plate60by using a suitable method that nebulizes and injects the cleaning solution from the cleaning solution nozzles312, intermittently injects it or the like. Moreover, for example, the controlling device340may spread the cleaning solution uniformly over the entire plate60so that cleaning residue does not occur by controlling the transporting device330to move up and down the plate60, in addition to performing an injection control for the cleaning solution on the cleaning device310.

Next, the cleaning and drying apparatus30transports the cleaned plate60to the drying position P5in the drying device320upwardly by driving the transporting device330in accordance with the control by the controlling device340to perform a second transporting step (a step S1004).

Next, the cleaning and drying apparatus30drives the drying device320in accordance with the control by the controlling device340to perform a drying step on the plate60(a step S1005). After the drying is finished, the transporting device330transport the plate60to the delivery position P4in the cleaning and drying apparatus30in accordance with the control by the controlling device340.

Next, the transporting apparatus50grasps the dried plate60that is hold at the delivery position P4by the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30in the upright condition and then rotates the grasped plate60by 90 degree to the horizontal condition by moving the robot arm in accordance with the control by the control computer (a step S1006).

Next, the transporting apparatus50moves the robot arm in accordance with the control by the control computer to deliver the plate60in the horizontal condition to the detecting apparatus40(a step S1007).

According to the cleaning and drying apparatus30in the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively use a space where the cleaning device310and the drying device320are placed, because the cleaning device310and the drying device320are placed in a vertical positional relationship.

According to the cleaning and drying apparatus30in the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively use the space where the cleaning device310and the drying device320are placed and it is possible to effectively perform the cleaning and the drying of the plate.

Although the screening apparatus10is configured to be provided with one cleaning and drying apparatus30in the embodiment described above, the screening apparatus may be configured to be provided with a plurality of cleaning and drying apparatuses. As an example, the screening apparatus may be configured to be provided with two cleaning and drying apparatuses. Moreover, the screening apparatus may be configured to be provided with a plurality of cleaning devices, not the plurality of cleaning and drying apparatuses. As an example, the screening apparatus may be configured to be provided with two cleaning devices.

FIG. 11is a drawing conceptually illustrating a structure of a screening apparatus11that is provided with two cleaning and drying apparatuses in one embodiment of the present invention. Note that an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis are defined for the convenience of description. The X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis defines intersecting coordinates. Each of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction is the horizontal direction. The Z axis direction is the vertical direction. The screening apparatus11is provided with the dispensing apparatus20, a first cleaning and drying apparatus31, a second cleaning and drying apparatus32, the detecting apparatus40and the transporting apparatus50. The dispensing apparatus20, the first cleaning and drying apparatus31, the second cleaning and drying apparatus32and the detecting apparatus40are arranged in the X axis direction in an order of the dispensing apparatus20, the first cleaning and drying apparatus31, the second cleaning and drying apparatus32and the detecting apparatus40.

The screening apparatus11is configured to perform a dispensing process on the plate in the dispensing apparatus20, then to perform a first cleaning and drying process on the plate in the first cleaning and drying apparatus31, then to perform a second cleaning and drying process on the plate in the second cleaning and drying apparatus32and then to perform the detecting process on the plate in the detecting apparatus40. In the screening apparatus11, the first cleaning and drying process is performed on the plate in the first cleaning and drying apparatus31and subsequently the second cleaning and drying process is performed on the same plate in the second cleaning and drying apparatus32.

In the screening apparatus11, the transporting apparatus50transports the plate on which the dispensing process has been performed from the dispensing apparatus20to the first cleaning and drying apparatus31, transports the plate on which the first cleaning and drying process has been performed from the first cleaning and drying apparatus31to the second cleaning and drying apparatus32, and transports the plate on which the second cleaning and drying process has been performed from the second cleaning and drying apparatus32to the detecting apparatus40.

In the screening apparatus11, the dispensing apparatus20and the detecting apparatus40have same structures as the dispensing apparatus20and the detecting apparatus40of the screening apparatus10, respectively. Moreover, in the screening apparatus11, each of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31and the second cleaning and drying apparatus32has a same structure as the cleaning and drying apparatus30of the screening apparatus10. For the purpose of a simple description, a description about a detailed structure of each of the dispensing apparatus20, the first cleaning and drying apparatus31, the second cleaning and drying apparatus32and the detecting apparatus40is omitted.

The controlling device340of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31controls the operation of each of the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31so that the first cleaning and drying process is performed on the plate. The controlling device340of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31may perform the control by using any of the control method illustrated inFIG. 5, the control method illustrated inFIG. 6, the control method illustrated inFIG. 7and the control method illustrated inFIG. 8. The controlling device340of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32controls the operation of each of the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the transporting device330of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32so that the second cleaning and drying process is performed on the plate. The controlling device340of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may perform the control by using any of the control method illustrated inFIG. 5, the control method illustrated inFIG. 6, the control method illustrated inFIG. 7and the control method illustrated inFIG. 8. The control method that is performed by the controlling device340of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31may be same as or different from the control method that is performed by the controlling device340of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32. As an example, both of the controlling device340of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31and the controlling device340of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may perform the control by using the control method illustrated inFIG. 5. As another example, the controlling device340of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31may perform the control by using the control method illustrated inFIG. 5and the controlling device340of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may perform the control by using the control method illustrated inFIG. 6,FIG. 7orFIG. 8.

The first cleaning and drying process that is performed by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31may be same as or different from the second cleaning and drying process that is performed by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32. One example of the case where the first cleaning and drying process that is performed by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31is different from the second cleaning and drying process that is performed by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32is a case where the cleaning process that is performed by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31is different from the cleaning process that is performed by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32. As an example in this case, the cleaning device310of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31and the cleaning device310of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may be configured to perform the cleaning process by using different types of liquids, respectively. For example, the cleaning device310of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31may be configured to perform the cleaning process by using the cleaning solution and the cleaning device310of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may be configured to perform the cleaning process by using deionized water. Alternatively, as another example, the cleaning device310of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31and the cleaning device310of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may be configured to perform the cleaning process by using liquids whose types are same as each other but whose temperatures or amounts are different from each other, respectively. Another example of the case where the first cleaning and drying process that is performed by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31is different from the second cleaning and drying process that is performed by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32is a case where the drying process that is performed by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31is different from the drying process that is performed by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32. As an example in this case, the drying device320of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31and the drying device320of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may be configured to perform the drying process by using different types of inactive gases, respectively. Alternatively, as another example, the drying device320of the first cleaning and drying apparatus31and the drying device320of the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may be configured to perform the drying process by using inactive gases whose types are same as each other but whose temperatures or amounts are different from each other, respectively. Moreover, another example of the case where the first cleaning and drying process that is performed by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31is different from the second cleaning and drying process that is performed by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32is a case where the cleaning process that is performed by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31is different from the cleaning process that is performed by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32and, in addition, the drying process that is performed by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31is different from the drying process that is performed by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32.

In the screening apparatus11, the first cleaning and drying apparatus31and the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may simultaneously perform the first cleaning and drying process and the second cleaning and drying process, respectively. That is, in the screening apparatus11, the first cleaning and drying process that is performed by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31and the second cleaning and drying process that is performed by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32may be performed in parallel.

Note that the second plate is a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed after the cleaning and drying process on the first plate. For example, if the first plate is a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed nth from the start among a plurality of plates that are processed in the screening apparatus11, the second plate is a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed n+1th or more from the start. For example, the second plate may be a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed n+1th from the start, a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed n+2th from the start or a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed n+3th from the start. The first cleaning and drying process is performed on the second plate by the first cleaning and drying apparatus31, and subsequently the second cleaning and drying process is performed on the same second plate by the second cleaning and drying apparatus32, as with the first plate.

FIG. 12is a drawing conceptually illustrating a structure of a screening apparatus12that is provided with two cleaning devices in one embodiment of the present invention. Note that an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis are defined for the convenience of description. The X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis defines intersecting coordinates. Each of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction is the horizontal direction. The Z axis direction is the vertical direction. The screening apparatus12is provided with the dispensing apparatus20, a first cleaning device310-1, the cleaning and drying apparatus30; the detecting apparatus40and the transporting apparatus50. The cleaning and drying apparatus30is provided with the cleaning device310(it is referred to as a second cleaning device310-2in the description relating toFIG. 12), the drying device320, the transporting device330and the controlling device340. The dispensing apparatus20, the first cleaning device310-1, the cleaning and drying apparatus30and the detecting apparatus40are arranged in the X axis direction in an order of the dispensing apparatus20, the first cleaning device310-1, the cleaning and drying apparatus30and the detecting apparatus40.

The screening apparatus12is configured to perform the dispensing process on the plate in the dispensing apparatus20, then to perform a first cleaning process on the plate in the first cleaning device310-1, then to perform a second cleaning process and the drying process on the plate in the cleaning and drying apparatus30and then to perform the detecting process on the plate in the detecting apparatus40. In the screening apparatus12, the first cleaning process is performed on the plate in the first cleaning device310-1and subsequently the second cleaning process and the drying process are performed on the same plate in the cleaning and drying apparatus30.

In the screening apparatus12, the transporting apparatus50transports the plate on which the dispensing process has been performed from the dispensing apparatus20to the first cleaning device310-1, transports the plate on which the first cleaning process has been performed from the first cleaning device310-1to the cleaning and drying apparatus30, and transports the plate on which the second cleaning process and the drying process have been performed from the cleaning and drying apparatus30to the detecting apparatus40.

In the screening apparatus12, the dispensing apparatus20, the cleaning and drying apparatus30and the detecting apparatus40have same structures as the dispensing apparatus20, the cleaning and drying apparatus and the detecting apparatus40of the screening apparatus10, respectively. Moreover, in the screening apparatus12, the first cleaning device320-1has a same structure as the cleaning device310that is one element of the cleaning and drying apparatus30. That is, in the screening apparatus12, the first cleaning device310-1has a same structure as the second cleaning device310-2. For the purpose of a simple description, a description about a detailed structure of each of the dispensing apparatus20, the first cleaning device310-1, the cleaning and drying apparatus30and the detecting apparatus40is omitted.

The first cleaning process that is performed by the first cleaning device310-1may be same as or different from the second cleaning process that is performed by the second cleaning device310-2. As an example of the case where the first cleaning process that is performed by the first cleaning device310-1is different from the second cleaning process that is performed by the second cleaning device310-2, the first cleaning device310-1and the second cleaning device310-2may be configured to perform the cleaning process by using different types of liquids, respectively. For example, the first cleaning device310-1may be configured to perform the cleaning process by using the cleaning solution and the second cleaning device310-2may be configured to perform the cleaning process by using deionized water. Alternatively, as another example, the first cleaning device310-1and the second cleaning device310-2may be configured to perform the cleaning process by using liquids whose types are same as each other but whose temperatures or amounts are different from each other, respectively.

In the screening apparatus12, the first cleaning device310-1performs the first cleaning process while the cleaning and drying apparatus30performs the second cleaning process or the drying process. That is, in the screening apparatus12, the first cleaning process that is performed by the first cleaning device310-1and the second cleaning process or the drying process that is performed by the cleaning and drying apparatus30may be performed in parallel.

As an example, the first cleaning process is performed on a first plate by the first cleaning device310-1and subsequently the second cleaning process is performed on the same first plate by the second cleaning device310-2of the cleaning and drying apparatus30. The first cleaning process is performed on a second plate by the first cleaning device310-1while the second cleaning process is performed on the first plate by the second cleaning device310-2. That is, in the screening apparatus12, the second cleaning process that is performed on the first plate by the second cleaning device310-2and the first cleaning process that is performed on the second plate by the first cleaning device310-1are performed in parallel. Alternatively, as another example, the second cleaning process is performed on the first plate by the second cleaning device310-2and then the drying process is performed on the same first plate by the drying device320of the cleaning and drying apparatus30. The first cleaning process is performed on the second plate by the first cleaning device310-1while the drying process is performed on the first plate by the drying device320. That is, in the screening apparatus12, the drying process that is performed on the first plate by the drying device320and the first cleaning process that is performed on the second plate by the first cleaning device310-1are performed in parallel. Alternatively, as another example, in the screening apparatus12, the second cleaning process that is performed on the first plate by the cleaning device310-2and the drying process that is performed on the first plate by the drying device320are performed in parallel with the first cleaning process that is performed on the second plate by the first cleaning device310-1.

Note that the second plate is a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed after the cleaning and drying process on the first plate. For example, if the first plate is a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed nth from the start among a plurality of plates which the screening apparatus12processes, the second plate is a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed n+1th or more from the start. For example, the second plate may be a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed n+1th from the start, a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed n+2th from the start or a plate on which the cleaning and drying process is performed n+3th from the start. The first cleaning process is performed on the second plate by the first cleaning device310-1, and subsequently the second cleaning process and the drying process is performed on the same second plate by the cleaning and drying apparatus30, as with the first plate.

Although the above described screening apparatus10in the embodiment is configured to transport the plate by using the transporting device210provided in the dispensing apparatus20, the transporting device330provided in the cleaning and drying apparatus30, the placing device420provided in the detecting apparatus40and the transporting apparatus50, the screening apparatus may be configured to be provided with an integrated transporting apparatus that is configured to include a continuous transport line, instead of being provided with a plurality of devices or apparatuses for the transport.

FIG. 13is a drawing conceptually illustrating a structure of a screening apparatus13that is provided with an integrated transporting apparatus50that is configured to have the continuous transport line in one embodiment of the present invention. Note that an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis are defined for the convenience of description. The X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis defines intersecting coordinates. Each of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction is the horizontal direction. The Z axis direction is the vertical direction. The screening apparatus13is provided with a dispensing apparatus21, a cleaning and drying apparatus33, a detecting apparatus41and the transporting apparatus55. The dispensing apparatus21, the cleaning and drying apparatus33and the detecting apparatus41are arranged in the X axis direction in an order of the dispensing apparatus21, the cleaning and drying apparatus33and the detecting apparatus41.

In the screening apparatus13, the dispensing apparatus21is provided with the dispensing apparatus220and the controlling device230. The dispensing apparatus220and the controlling device230of the dispensing apparatus21have same structure and function as the dispensing apparatus220and the controlling device230of the dispensing apparatus20in the screening apparatus10, respectively. The dispensing apparatus21of the screening apparatus13is not provided with the transporting device210provided in the dispensing apparatus20. Instead, one portion of the transporting apparatus55is arranged in the dispensing apparatus21. In the dispensing apparatus21of the screening apparatus13, the plate is transported by the transporting apparatus55. A route through which the transporting apparatus55transports the plate in the dispensing apparatus21is same as a route through which the transporting device210of the dispensing apparatus20transports the plate.

In the screening apparatus13, the cleaning and drying apparatus33is provided with the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the controlling device340. The cleaning device310, the drying device320and the controlling device340of the cleaning and drying apparatus33have same structure and function as the cleaning device310, the drying device320and the controlling device340of the cleaning and drying apparatus30in the screening apparatus10, respectively. The cleaning and drying apparatus33of the screening apparatus13is not provided with the transporting device330provided in the cleaning and drying apparatus30. Instead, one portion of the transporting apparatus55is arranged in the cleaning and drying apparatus33. In the cleaning and drying apparatus33of the screening apparatus13, the plate is transported by the transporting apparatus55. A route through which the transporting apparatus55transports the plate in the cleaning and drying apparatus33is same as a route through which the transporting device330of the cleaning and drying apparatus30transports the plate.

In the screening apparatus13, the detecting apparatus41is provided with the imaging device410. The imaging device410of the detecting apparatus41has same structure and function as the imaging device410of the detecting apparatus40in the screening apparatus10. The detecting apparatus41of the screening apparatus13is not provided with the placing device420provided in the detecting apparatus40. Instead, one portion of the transporting apparatus55is arranged in detecting apparatus41. In the detecting apparatus41of the screening apparatus13, the plate is transported to a predetermined imaging position by the transporting apparatus55.

In the screening apparatus13, the transporting apparatus55has a continuous transport line56. The transport line56is a transporting route through which the plate is transported. As an example, the transporting apparatus55is provided with a continuous rail and a robot arm that is allowed to move on the rail. The plate is continuously move, namely transported, along the rail with the robot arm in a condition where the plate is grasped by the robot arm. In this case, the rail corresponds to the transport line56. The transport line56includes a horizontal part56aand a vertical part56b. The horizontal part56aof the transport line56continuously extends in the horizontal direction from an initial position P1in the dispensing apparatus21to an imaging position P7in the detecting apparatus41. The vertical part56bof the transport line56continuously extends in the vertical direction from one point (it is referred to as an intermediate position P4) on the horizontal part56bof the transport line56to the cleaning position P6via the drying position P5in the cleaning and drying apparatus33. Note thatFIG. 13illustrates the vertical part56bof the transport line56as one line and this illustration corresponds to the case where the cleaning and drying apparatus33operates in accordance with the above described control method illustrated inFIG. 5. However, the vertical part56bof the transport line56may be configured so that the cleaning and drying apparatus33operates in accordance with the above described control method illustrated inFIG. 6,FIG. 7orFIG. 8.

In the screening apparatus13, the dispensing apparatus21, the cleaning and drying apparatus33and the detecting apparatus41share the transporting apparatus55. The transport of the plate between the dispensing apparatus21and the cleaning and drying apparatus33and the transport of the plate between the cleaning and drying apparatus33and the detecting apparatus41are performed by the common transporting apparatus55. The transporting apparatus55is an apparatus for transporting the plate between the dispensing apparatus21and the cleaning and drying apparatus33and also an apparatus for transporting the plate between the cleaning and drying apparatus33and the detecting apparatus41.

An operation of the transport of the plate in the screening apparatus13will be described. The transport of the plate starts at the initial position P1in the dispensing apparatus21. As an example, the direction to which the plate faces at the initial position P1is in the horizontal condition. Firstly, the transporting apparatus55transports the plate from the initial position P1to the dispensing position P2along the transport line56in the horizontal direction. The dispensing process is performed on the plate at the dispensing position P2. After the dispense process is finished, the transporting apparatus55transports the plate from the dispensing position P2in the dispensing apparatus21to the intermediate position P4above the cleaning and drying apparatus33along the transport line56in the horizontal direction. As an example, the plate is rotated at the intermediate position P4from the horizontal condition to the upright condition. Furthermore, the transporting apparatus55transports the plate from the intermediate position P4to the cleaning position P6via the drying position P5in the cleaning and drying apparatus33along the transport line56in the vertical direction. The cleaning process is performed on the plate at the cleaning position P6. After the cleaning process is finished, the transporting apparatus55transports the plate from the cleaning position P6to the drying position P5along the transport line56in the vertical direction. The drying process is performed on the plate at the drying process. After the drying process is finished, the transporting apparatus55transports the plate from the drying position P5to the intermediate position P4along the transport line56in the vertical direction. As an example, the plate is rotated at the intermediate position P4from the upright condition to the horizontal condition. Furthermore, the transporting apparatus55transports the plate from the intermediate position P4to the imaging position P7in the detecting apparatus41along the transport line56in the horizontal direction. The detecting process is performed on the plate at the imaging position P7. In this way, the plate is transported by the transporting apparatus55from the initial position P1to the dispensing position P2, then to the intermediate position P4, then to the drying position P5, then to the cleaning position P6, then to the drying position P5, then to the intermediate position P4and finally to the imaging position P7along the continuous transport line56. In the screening apparatus13, the dispensing apparatus21, the cleaning and drying apparatus33and the detecting apparatus41share the transporting apparatus55.

While the embodiments of the present invention were described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and thus a variety of changes are possible within a scope that does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

Although an example in which the plate is cleaned at the cleaning position by the cleaning device while being supported in the upright condition is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this example. The plate may be cleaned at the cleaning position by the cleaning device while being supported in the horizontal condition, or may be cleaned at the cleaning position by the cleaning device while being supported in an inclined condition that is different from both of the upright condition and the horizontal condition. As an example, in the inclined condition, the x axis (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2) of the plate coincides with the Y axis (seeFIG. 3toFIG. 8,FIG. 11toFIG. 13), the y axis (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2) of the plate60does not coincide with the X axis and the Z axis (seeFIG. 3to FIG.8,FIG. 11toFIG. 13), and the z axis (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2) of the plate60does not coincide with the X axis and the Z axis (seeFIG. 3toFIG. 8,FIG. 11toFIG. 13). As an example, in the inclined condition, the openings of the wells do not face to the X axis direction and the Z axis direction (seeFIG. 3toFIG. 8,FIG. 11toFIG. 13).

A direction to which the plate60faces at the cleaning position may be same as or different from a direction to which the plate faces at the placement position. A direction to which the plate faces at the cleaning position may be same as or different from a direction to which the plate faces at the dispensing position. A direction to which the plate faces at the cleaning position may be same as or different from a direction to which the plate faces at the delivery position.

Although an example in which the plate is dried at the drying position by the drying device while being supported in the upright condition is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this example. The plate may be dried at the drying position by the drying device while being supported in the horizontal condition, or may be dried at the drying position by the drying device while being supported in an inclined condition that is different from both of the upright condition and the horizontal condition. As an example, in the inclined condition, the x axis (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2) of the plate coincides with the Y axis (seeFIG. 3toFIG. 8,FIG. 11toFIG. 13), they axis (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2) of the plate does not coincide with the X axis and the Z axis (seeFIG. 3toFIG. 8,FIG. 11toFIG. 13), and the z axis (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2) of the plate does not coincide with the X axis and the Z axis (seeFIG. 3toFIG. 8,FIG. 11toFIG. 13). As an example, in the inclined condition, the openings of the wells do not face to the X axis direction and the Z axis direction (seeFIG. 3toFIG. 8,FIG. 11toFIG. 13).

A direction to which the plate faces at the drying position may be same as or different from the direction to which the plate faces at the placement position. A direction to which the plate faces at the drying position may be same as or different from the direction to which the plate60faces at the dispensing position. A direction to which the plate aces at the drying position may be same as or different from the direction to which the plate faces at the delivery position.

When the plate is cleaned at the cleaning position while being supported in the inclined condition and the plate is dried at the drying position while being supported in the inclined condition, the plate may be transported between the cleaning position and the drying position by the transporting device while being supported in the inclined condition.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CODES