Direction selection mechanism for analytical tool, and analytical device

The present invention relates to analytical apparatus comprising: a passage (45) in which an analytical tool (2) is moved from above to below; and a movement block (51), made capable of reciprocatory movement in the horizontal directions (D1, D2), for moving the analytical tool (2) incoming through the passage (45) in the direction (D1). This analytical apparatus is constructed such that, by erecting the analytical tool (2) on the movement block (51) positioned directly below the outlet (45B) of the passage (45) and causing the movement block (51) to move in the D1 or D2 direction, the analytical tool (2) is tipped over, and the analytical tool (2) is placed in a horizontal condition on the movement block (51).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mechanism for supplying a plurality of analytical tools to a target location in manner such that the drop faces of the respective analytical tools, on which a drop of a sample is dispensed, face in the same direction, and also relates to analysis apparatus incorporating such a mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

One type of urine analysis apparatus has a construction wherein urine analysis is conducted by extracting specimens one at a time from an accommodating unit where a plurality of specimens are accommodated and supplying these specimens continuously to a photometric unit. Usually a plurality of specimens are accommodated in the accommodating unit but there is no uniformity of arrangement as regards their front and rear faces. The analysis apparatus is therefore constructed to identify front and rear of specimens extracted from the accommodating unit and to supply the specimens to the photometric unit after putting the specimens in a uniform arrangement as regards front and rear on the basis of the results of this discrimination process (see for example Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

As a method of putting the front and rear of the specimens in a uniform arrangement, in some cases a rotary body is utilised formed with through-holes for accommodating specimens (see for example Patent Document 3). In this method, the front and rear directions of the specimens are put in a uniform arrangement by controlling the direction of rotation of the rotary body in accordance with the results of identification of front or rear of the specimens by a sensor, after feeding the specimens extracted from the accommodating unit into the rotary body formed with through-holes.

However, in the method described above, due to the need to provide a rotary body of special shape and a mechanism for rotating this rotary body, the construction of the analysis apparatus becomes complicated, making the apparatus more bulky and tending to increase manufacturing costs. Furthermore, a drive source such as a dedicated motor is required for driving the rotary body, making the problems described above even more severe. Not only this, but running costs are also increased by the need to drive the dedicated motor.Patent Document 1: JP-A-H07-306206Patent Document 2: JP-B-H06-99018Patent Document 3: JP-A-2000-35433

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to supply analytical tools to a photometric location, with the orientation of the drop faces of the analytical tools being unified, without causing bulkiness of the apparatus or an increase in manufacturing costs, and while preventing rise in the running costs needed for conduction of the analysis.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for selecting the orientation of an analytical tool comprising: a passage along which a plate-shaped analytical tool is moved from above to below; and a movement block, made capable of reciprocatory movement in a horizontal direction including a first direction and a second direction constituting a direction opposite thereto, for moving the analytical tool incoming along the passage in the first direction, characterized by being constructed such that, in a condition in which the movement block has been brought to rest directly below the outlet of the passage, the incoming analytical tool that has moved through the passage is erected on the movement block and tipped over to be placed in a horizontal condition on the movement block by movement of the movement block in the first or second direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided analytical apparatus comprising: an accommodating section for accommodating a plate-shaped analytical tool; a passage for moving the analytical tool accommodated in this accommodating section from above to below; a drop dispensing section whence a drop of sample is dispensed onto the analytical tool; and a movement block, made capable of reciprocatory movement in a horizontal direction including a first direction toward the drop dispensing section and a second direction opposite thereto, for moving the analytical tool incoming along the passage towards the drop dispensing section, characterized being constructed such that, in a condition in which the movement block has been brought to rest directly below the outlet of the passage, the incoming analytical tool that has moved through the passage is erected on the movement block and tipped over to be placed in a horizontal condition on the movement block by movement of the movement block in the first or second direction.

A groove is provided for positioning the side face of an analytical tool, when for example the analytical tool is erected, in the movement block. Preferably the cross-section of this groove is V-shaped.

Preferably the movement block is constructed to have an erect face for preventing movement of the analytical tool in the second direction on this movement block when this movement block has moved in the first direction.

The analytical apparatus according to the present invention is constructed such that positional deviation of the analytical tool in the first and second directions in for example the drop dispensing section is corrected. Preferably the construction is such that positional deviation of the analytical tools is corrected by sandwiching the movement block between an erect face of the movement block and an erect face of the drop dispensing section when the analytical tool is positioned in the drop dispensing section.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the analytical tool is erected on the movement block by engagement of one side edge thereof with the movement block while the other side edge engages an edge at the outlet side in the passage.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the construction is such that, on the movement block, whether the drop face onto which a drop of sample is dispensed in the analytical tool is set to face upwards or downwards can be selected by selecting whether the movement block is moved in the first or second direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the construction is such that there is further provided determination means utilised for determining which of the first direction or the second direction is faced by for example the drop face onto which a drop of sample is dispensed in the analytical tool when erected on the movement block. The determination means may be for example provided on a guide having the passage.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movement block is constructed to select whether the movement block is moved in the first direction from a condition in which the analytical tool has been erected or whether the movement block is moved in the first direction after movement in the second direction in accordance with the results of determination by the determination means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The analytical apparatus1shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2is constructed to automatically analyse a plurality of constituents in urine, using a specimen2. As the specimens2used in this analysis apparatus1, a plurality of reagent pads21are arranged on a short rectangular strip-shaped substrate20(seeFIG. 3) adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of this substrate20. The analytical apparatus1comprises a casing3, specimen supply mechanism4, sliding feed mechanism5, sample supply mechanism6, pitch feed mechanism7, photometric mechanism8and discharge box9.

As shown inFIG. 1, apertures30,31are provided in the casing3. The aperture30is employed (seeFIG. 11) when inserting the discharge box9and opens in the upward direction. This aperture30is opened and closed by means of a lid32attached to the casing3and its aperture area is set to be smaller than the bottom wall93E (seeFIG. 9toFIG. 11) of the discharge box9, to be described. A lid32is rotatably attached to the casing3to be positioned above the casing3when the aperture30is open. In this way, when the aperture30is opened by opening the lid32, the lid32cannot project to the front, rear or side of the casing3. In contrast, the aperture31is provided at the front face of the casing3in order to permit insertion of racks64with respect to a rotation box60, by exposing part of this rotation box60, as will be described.

As shown inFIG. 2, the specimen supply mechanism4serves for supplying the specimens2one at a time to the sliding feed mechanism5. This specimen supply mechanism4comprises an accommodating section40, rotary drum41and guide42.

The accommodating section40serves for accommodating a plurality of specimens2in a condition with their long axes directed in the D3, D4directions (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 3), and comprises a lower aperture43. This lower aperture43serves to expose the rotary drum41in the interior of the accommodating section40. Specifically, the plurality of specimens2of the accommodating section40have the appearance of being stacked in the rotary drum41.

The rotary drum41serves for continuously extracting specimens2from the accommodating section40and for moving the specimens2one at a time into the guide42. This rotary drum41is rotated with a fixed angular velocity by control means, outside the Figure, arranged directly below the accommodating section40to permit rotation thereof in the direction D5(anti-clockwise direction in the Figure), so that its axis lies in the directions D3, D4(seeFIG. 1andFIG. 3). Recesses44extending in the axial direction (directions D3, D4(seeFIG. 1andFIG. 3) are provided in the rotary drum41. These recesses44are formed of dimensions such as to permit a single specimen2to be fitted therein. Specifically, the specimen2is moved in the direction D5by rotation of the rotary drum41in the direction D5when held in a recess44of the rotary drum41. The specimen2that is held in the rotary drum41separates from the rotary drum41and falls down under its own weight when positioned at a location corresponding to the guide42. Since the rotary drum41is rotated with angular velocity by control means outside the Figure, specimens2are successively extracted from the accommodating section40at fixed time intervals by the rotary drum41in the specimen supply mechanism4.

It should be noted that in the specimen supply mechanism4the construction may be such that a specimen2that is held in a recess44may be scraped from the rotary drum41(recess44) by means of a blade.

The guide42is provided with the purpose of directing specimens2to the movement block51of the sliding feed mechanism5, to be described, after they have been extracted and moved by the rotating drum41. This guide42comprises a passage45for defining the movement path of the specimens2. This passage45is constructed such that a specimen2introduced from the inlet45A is discharged from the outlet45B without being inverted as to front and rear. Accordingly, the outlet45B of the passage is arranged in a position (seeFIG. 5) where the distance H between this and the carrying face55on the movement block51is shorter than the dimension (width dimension) in the short axis direction of the specimen2when the movement block51, to be described, is positioned directly below the outlet45B.

A sensor46is provided on this guide42in the vicinity of the inlet45A of the passage. This sensor46is provided with the purpose of identifying front and rear of the specimen2held in the recess44of the rotary drum41. Specifically, the sensor46serves to determine whether the reagent pad21(seeFIG. 3) of the specimen2is facing outwards in the radial direction of the rotary drum41(i.e. whether it is front-facing), or whether the reagent pad21of the specimen2is facing inwards in the radial direction (i.e. whether it is rear-facing) when a recess44is positioned in a location corresponding to that of the guide42. For example a reflective type photosensor could be employed as the sensor46. In this case, front and rear of the specimen2can be identified by monitoring the amount of reflected light detected by the reflective type photosensor.

It should be noted that the sensor46could be incorporated within the guide42to make it possible to identify front and rear of the specimen2whilst the specimen2is moving along the passage45, or could be positioned in a location adjacent to the accommodating section40, to make it possible to identify front and rear of the specimen2immediately after extraction thereof from the accommodating section40.

As shown inFIG. 2toFIG. 4, the sliding feed mechanism5is provided with the purpose of feeding a specimen2that has been supplied by the specimen supply mechanism4to a drop dispensing position (end on the side D2on the rail71of the pitch feed mechanism7, to be described) whence reagent can be supplied by the reagent supply mechanism6. This sliding feed mechanism5further comprises a function of aligning the direction (front/rear) of the specimens2that are continuously supplied by the specimen supply mechanism4and of correcting the orientation of the specimens2when the specimens2are moved by the pitch feed mechanism7. This sliding feed mechanism5comprises a drive mechanism50and movement block51.

As shown inFIG. 2, the drive mechanism50is provided with the purpose of moving the feed block51in the direction D1or D2on the feed table70of the pitch feed mechanism7, to be described. This drive mechanism50is constructed as a link mechanism and comprises a fixed arm52and movable arms53,54. The fixed arm52is fixed with respect to the movement block51and comprises a through-hole52A extending in the vertical direction. The movable arm53is linked to the fixed arm52by means of a shaft53A capable of movement through the through-hole52A and is linked to be capable of movement with respect to the casing3by means of the shaft53B. The movable arm54is rotatably linked with the movable arm53by means of the shaft54A and is made capable of movement parallel with the directions D1, D2by means of a mechanism outside the Figure.

In this drive mechanism50, when a force is applied to the movable arm54towards the direction D1, the shaft53A moves upwards through the through-hole52A of the fixed arm52and the movable arm53rotates in the D5direction (anti-clockwise direction in the Figure) and the fixed arm52(movement block51) is moved in the D1direction. On the other hand, when force acts on the movable arm54in the D2direction, the shaft53A is moved downwards through the through-hole52A of the fixed arm52, resulting in the movable arm53rotating in the D6direction (clockwise direction in the Figure) and the fixed arm52(movement block51) being moved in the D2direction. Specifically, operation is effected such that, when the drive mechanism50is to move the movement block51in the D1direction, the movable arm54is moved in the D1direction, whereas, when the movement block51is to be moved in the D2direction, the movable arm54is moved in the D2direction. Drive of the movable arm54is controlled by for example control means, outside the Figure.

However, the drive mechanism for moving the movement block51is not restricted to the mechanism described above and drive mechanisms of other construction could be employed.

As shown inFIG. 3, the movement block51has a fixed length dimension in the D3and D4directions to be capable of carrying a specimen2supplied by the specimen supply mechanism4(seeFIG. 2) such that its long axis lies in the D3or D4direction. The dimensions in the D3and D4directions in the movement block51are set to be smaller than the interval in the D3, D4directions of the pair of rails71in the pitch feed mechanism7, to be described. As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5, this movement block51comprises a carrying face55and an erect wall56.

The carrying face55serves for carrying a sample2and its dimension in the D3, D4directions is larger than in the D1, D2directions. And the dimension in the D3, D4directions of the carrying face55is set to be larger than the width dimension (dimension in the short axis direction) of the specimen2. The carrying face55is formed with grooves57extending in the D3, D4directions in substantially the middle in the D1, D2directions. These grooves57serve for engagement with one side edge of a specimen2when the specimen2is discharged from the outlet45B of the passage45in the guide42, and are formed with V-shaped cross-section.

As shown inFIG. 5, the distance H of the outlet45B of the passage45in the guide42with respect to the carrying face55is set to be smaller than the width dimension of the specimen2, as described above. Consequently, a specimen2that is discharged from the outlet45B engages the groove57with one of its side edges and engages the outlet45B with the other of its side edges. As a result, the specimen2is in an erect condition when it is discharged from the outlet45B. It should be noted that, since, in the passage45of the guide42, the specimen2is moved without being inverted as to front and rear, if the reagent pad21in the recess44of the rotary drum41was directed outwards in the radial direction, the specimen2is erected (seeFIG. 6A) with its reagent pad21facing substantially the D1direction in the movement block51. Contrariwise, if the reagent pad21was facing inwards in the radial direction in the recess44, the specimen2is erected (seeFIG. 6B) with its reagent pad21facing substantially in the direction D2in the movement block51.

As shown inFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B, the specimen2in the erect condition is tipped over by movement in the D1or D2direction along the movement pad51, with the result that the reagent pad21is placed on the carrying face55to face upwards. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 6A, when the specimen2is erected such that the reagent pad21substantially faces D1, the movement block51is moved in the D1direction. In this way, the specimen2is tipped over by relative movement in the D1direction of the side edge that is positioned below further than the side edge that is positioned above, with the result that the reagent pad21assumes an upwardly facing condition. In contrast, as shown inFIG. 6B, when erected such that the reagent pad21of the specimen2substantially faces D2, the movement block51is moved in the D2direction. In this way, the specimen2is tipped over so that the reagent pad21assumes an upwardly facing orientation, by causing the side edge positioned below to be moved relatively further in the D2direction than the side edge positioned above.

As described above, one side edge of the specimen2that has been erected on the carrying face55is engaged with the groove57. Consequently, when the movement block51is moved in the D1or D2direction from a position directly below the outlet45B of the passage45, this side edge can be reliably moved together with the movement block51without the one side edge of the specimen2sliding on the carrying face55.

The cross-sectional shape of the groove57is not restricted to being V-shaped so long as it is of shape permitting engagement with the side edge of the sample, and another shape could be adopted such as for example a U-shape or rectangular shape. Also, a construction could be adopted wherein the grooves57are dispensed with and the side edge of a sample is engaged by generating sufficient frictional resistance between one of the side edges of the specimen2and the carrying face55, by making the surface of the carrying face55a rough face.

The direction of the reagent pad21of the erected specimen2on the carrying face55of the movement block51is determined in accordance with the result of the detection by the sensor46. Specifically, since movement of the specimen2in the passage45of the guide42takes place without front/rear inversion, the direction of the reagent pad21in the recess44of the rotary drum41and the direction of the reagent pad21of the erected specimen2on the carrying face55of the movement block51correspond with each other. Consequently, it is possible to ascertain the direction of the reagent pad21of the specimen2erected on the carrying face55by determining the direction of the reagent pad21in the specimen2accommodated in the recess44. As a result, in the sliding feed mechanism5, it can be arranged that the direction of the reagent pad21of the specimens2that are successively placed on the carrying face55is always upwards, by moving the movement block51in the D1or D2direction in accordance with the result of detection by the sensor46.

As described above, the sliding feed mechanism5is constructed to make it possible to unify the direction of the reagent pads21of the specimens2that are successively supplied, instead of simply performing feeding of the specimens2. Specifically, in the analytical apparatus1, it is unnecessary to provide a mechanism for unifying the directions of the reagent pads in the samples separately from the mechanism for feeding the specimens2, as was done conventionally, so increase in size of the analytical apparatus1and increase in running costs can be suppressed.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, an erect wall56is provided in order to suppress movement of the specimen2in the direction D2when the movement block51is moved in the direction D1in a condition with a specimen2placed on the carrying face55. In this way, when the specimen2is moved in the D1direction by the movement block51, it is possible to prevent separation of the specimen2from the movement block51in the D2direction. In addition, the erect wall56has the role of correcting the orientation of the specimen2in the D1and D2directions by gripping the specimen2between the erect faces71C of the pair of rails71in the pitch feed mechanism7when the movement block51is fed to the drop dispensing position referred to above.

As shown inFIG. 7, the sample supply mechanism6serves for dispensing of a drop of reagent in respect of the reagent pads21of the specimens2, in the above drop dispensing position. This reagent supply mechanism6comprises a rotation box60, nozzle61and washing tank62.

The rotation box60serves for supporting a plurality of racks64for holding test-tubes63in rotatable fashion. Specifically, the rotation box60is constructed to enable successive movement of the test-tube63that are the subject of testing on the movement track of the nozzle61, by rotation of the plurality of racks64.

The nozzle61collects sample from the test-tube63in a prescribed position and serves for dispensing of a drop thereof onto the reagent pad21of a specimen2which is in the drop dispensing position, and is accordingly capable of movement in the D3and D4direction and in the vertical direction. This nozzle61is connected with a pump, outside the Figure, and is constructed to make possible the application of suction force and discharging force to the interior of the nozzle61. Two annular projections65are provided at the tip64of the nozzle61. These annular projections65serve to prevent excess sample adhering to the tip64of the nozzle61from dripping when a drop of sample is dispensed onto the reagent pad21. The annular projections65are mounted in a positions that are immersed in the sample held in a test-tube63when the tip64of the nozzle61is inserted in the test-tube63. The annular projections65may be formed for example by surrounding the tip64of the nozzle61with ring-shaped member. For example members obtained by cutting a tube made of polymer in the radial direction may be employed as the ring-shaped members. Such annular projections65can be obtained easily and at low cost, so the beneficial effect of preventing dripping of sample can be obtained without significant adverse effects on costs or ease of operation.

It should be noted that the annular projections65could be integrally built into the tip of the nozzle61, and, regarding the number thereof, a single projection or three or more could be employed.

The washing tank62holds washing liquid such as distilled water or a buffer solution and serves for washing the tip64of the nozzle61after completion of supply of sample in respect of a single specimen2.

When collecting a sample in the sample supply mechanism6, first of all the tip of the nozzle61is inserted in the target test-tube63. The nozzle61is inserted in the test-tube63as far as a position in which the two annular projections65are immersed in the sample held in the test-tube63. Next, the sample is held in the interior of the tip64of the nozzle61by applying suctional force to the interior of the nozzle61.

When sample is supplied to the specimen2in the sample supply mechanism6, first of all, the tip64of the nozzle61is raised from the test-tube63. At this point, thanks to the annular projections65at the tip64of the nozzle61, excess sample adhering to the surface of the tip64of the nozzle61is held in a condition adhering to the annular projections65by surface tension of the sample. InFIG. 7, excess sample adhering to the annular projections65is indicated by black shading at the expanded portion of the nozzle61. Next, the nozzle61is successively moved to locations corresponding to the reagent pads21and a drop of sample is dispensed to each reagent pad21by applying discharging force to the interior of the nozzle61at the timing with which the tip of the nozzle61is facing the reagent pad21. At this point, sample adhering to the surface of the tip64in the nozzle61is maintained in a condition adhering to the annular projections65, so dripping from the nozzle61is suppressed. As a result, dripping of sample from the nozzle61when a drop of sample is dispensed to the reagent pad21at the nozzle61can be prevented. In this way, the amount of sample to be dispensed as a drop at the reagent pad21can be made to be the target amount, so a drop in degree of accuracy of analysis caused by inexactness of the amount of drop dispensation can be suppressed. Since such benefits are obtained merely by appropriate design of the shape of the tip64of the nozzle61, there are no points of alteration to the construction other than the nozzle, so there is no question of the analytical apparatus1becoming bulky.

When supply of sample to the specimen2is completed, the tip64of the nozzle61including the annular projections65is washed by immersing the tip64of the nozzle61in the washing solution held in the washing tank62. Excess reagent adhering to the annular projections65of the nozzle61is thereby removed. As a result, in successively performed supply of sample, contamination of the tip64of the nozzle61by previous solutions is suppressed, and, since a washing solution is employed for the removal of the excess sample, there is no need to employ consumable products such as filter paper, which is beneficial from the point of view of assay costs.

As shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 3andFIG. 8, the pitch feed mechanism7serves for feeding specimens2fed by the sliding feed mechanism6to the position where photometry can be effected in the photometric mechanism8and for causing the specimens2to be accommodated in the discharge box9after completion of photometry. This pitch feed mechanism7comprises a feed table70, a pair of rails71, a feed member72and a drive mechanism73.

The feed table70defines the feed region and serves for holding the pair of rails71. This feed table70is provided with a pair of slits70A. The pair of slits70A serve for permitting rotary movement of carrying elements75on the feed member72, to be described, and extend in the directions of the arrows D1, D2in a condition having a certain mutual interval.

The pair of rails71serve to support a specimen2and are formed to extend in the D1, D2directions, separated by a certain interval in the direction of the arrows D3, D4. Each rail71is provided with a plurality of recesses71A arranged in the D1, D2direction in the Figure. The plurality of recesses71A are arranged at a certain interval in the D1, D2direction on the rails71A and a specimen2is supported on this pair of rails71in a condition parallel with the D3, D4directions. An inclined face71B and erect face71C are provided as best shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 8at the end of the pair of rails71on the D2side. The inclined face71B serves for displacing upwards the position A of an incoming specimen2fed by the sliding feed mechanism5in the vertical direction. Specifically, a gap is formed between a specimen2and the carrying face55of the movement block51while the specimen2is being moved over the inclined face71B. In this way, when the movement block51is caused to move in the D2direction, the movement block51can move away from the specimen2. On the other hand, the erect face71C serves for restricting the movement of the specimen2in the D1direction, and for gripping the specimen2between itself and the erect wall56of the movement block51. In this way, the orientation of the specimen2in the D1, D2directions is corrected. However, correction of the orientation of the specimen2in the D1, D2directions could also be achieved by providing an element exhibiting the same functions as the erect face71C on the feed table70, separately from the rails71.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 8, the feed member72serves for sequential pitch feeding of the specimen2placed on a specific recess71A on the pair of rails71to an adjacent recess71A. This feed member72is constituted to perform circular movement by means of a drive mechanism73, to be described. The feed member72comprises two pairs of linking arms74B (one pair in the Figure) that project downwards from the supporting plate74A and a pair of carrying elements75that project upwards from the support plate74A. The pair of carrying elements75are arranged to extend in the D1and D2directions in a condition separated by an interval in the D3, D4directions on the supporting plate74A. The carrying elements75comprise a plurality of recesses75A arranged in the D1, D2directions. As shown inFIG. 8, the recesses75A in each carrying elements75are defined by a pair of inclined faces75Aa,75Ab, so that a specimen2is fed in a condition with the bottom face23of the specimen2in contact with the inclined face75Aa. Specifically, the specimen2supported on the recess71A of the rail71is raised in a condition supported by the inclined face75Aa when the specimen2passes the portion corresponding to the recess71A of the rail71with the recess75A of the carrying elements75directed upwards from below. In contrast, when a specimen2supported on the inclined face75Aa passes the portion corresponding to the recess71A of the rail71with the recess75A of the carrying elements75directed downwards from above, the specimen2is loaded onto the recess71A from the inclined face75Aa. By repeating this operation of raising and loading the specimens2in this way, the specimens2are successively moved into adjacent recesses in the D1direction.

The drive mechanism73serves for rotary movement of the feed member72. This drive mechanism73comprises two pairs of pullies77A,77B (one pair in the Figure) making a total of four pullies77A,77B that are rotated by a drive source (for example a motor) outside the Figure. In each of the pulley pairs77A,77B pullies77A,77B are connected by an endless belt78. Each of the pulley pairs77A,77B are mutually arranged with an interval in the D3, D4directions (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 3), although not shown in the Figure. The pullies77A,77B are fixed with respect to the linking arm74B by means of a linking member79. The linking member79comprises a pair of shaft sections79A,79B that are mutually offset in position, being rotatably fixed at these shaft sections79A,79B with respect to the linking arm74B and the pulley77A. In the drive mechanism73that is thus constituted, the pullies77A are rotated in the same direction by a drive source (not shown) and the turning force of these pullies77A acts as a force for rotating the linking arm74B (feed member72) i.e. carrying elements75.

However, a cam mechanism or other type of mechanism could be adopted as the drive mechanism for circular movement of the feed member72. Also, movement of the specimens2in the feed table70could be arranged to be performed by means of a feed arm, or could be arranged to be performed by means of a sliding feed mechanism5, ensuring a large reciprocatory stroke of the movement block51in the sliding feed mechanism5.

The photometric mechanism8shown inFIG. 2serves for obtaining information corresponding to the degree of coloration of the reagent pads21by photodetection of the reflected light when light is directed onto the reagent pads21of the specimens2. This photometric mechanism8comprises a light-emitting section omitted in the Figure and a photodetector section72and is capable of performing reciprocatory movement in the D3, D4directions (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 3). The light-emitting section is capable of emitting light having for example a specified peak wavelength and is constituted by an LED. In contrast, the photodetector section serves for photodetection of light that is reflected from the reagent pads21and is constituted by for example a photodiode.

In the photometric mechanism8, reflected light from the plurality of reagent pads21is continuously detected by the photodetection section, by directing the light onto the reagent pads21by means of a light emission section, while moving the photometric mechanism8in the D3, D4directions (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 3) along the row of reagent pads21of the specimens2. The photodetection results at the photodetector section form the basis used for calculation when analysis of the samples is conducted.

As shown inFIG. 9toFIG. 11, the discharge box9serves for accommodating specimens2whose photometry has been completed and is provided adjacent to the D1side of the pitch feed mechanism7. This discharge box9is capable of being removed or inserted through an aperture30of the casing3and comprises a main body90, lid91and handle92.

The main body90comprises a space93for accommodating specimens2defined by sidewalls93A to93D and a bottom wall93E and an upper aperture94. At the top of the sidewall93A, there is provided a mounting section93afor fixing a handle92, that projects to the outside. The height dimension of the sidewall (sidewall adjacent to the pitch feed mechanism7)93B is made smaller than that of the other side walls93A,93C,93D. An inclined section95projecting upwards in inclined fashion towards the outside of the main body section90is provided on the side wall93B. Specifically, the inclined section95is formed such that the height of its upper face95A is smaller in the D1direction. This inclined section95functions (see in particularFIG. 8andFIG. 10) as a guide for directing specimens2moved from the photometric location by the carrying elements75of the feed member72into the space93of the main body90. A pair of recesses96are provided with a fixed interval on the inclined section95. This pair of recesses96serve to allow rotary movement of the end of the carrying elements75. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 3,FIG. 8andFIG. 10, when the end of the carrying elements75moves the recesses96from above to below, the specimen2that is supported to bridge the pair of carrying elements75interferes with the upper surface95A of the inclined section95. As a result, while the carrying elements75move relatively downwards with respect to the specimen2, the specimen2is supported on the upper face95A of the inclined section95. As described above, the upper face95A of the inclined section95is formed such that its height becomes smaller in the D1direction, so a specimen2placed on the upper face95A of the inclined section95slides down the upper face95A of the inclined section95due to its own weight, and is accommodated in the interior of the main body90.

As shown inFIG. 9toFIG. 11, the lid91serves for closing the upper aperture94of the main body90and is freely rotatably fixed with respect to the main body90. As described above, the height dimension of the side wall93B of the main body90is made smaller than that of the other side walls93A,93C,94D. Consequently, in a condition in which the upper aperture94of the main body90is closed by the lid91, a gap is formed between the top of the sidewall93B (inclined section95) and the lid91. As can also be anticipated from the description given above, this gap constitutes an inlet for the accommodation of specimens2in the discharge box9.

As shown inFIG. 9andFIG. 11, the handle92is a portion that is utilised by the user when moving the discharge box9, such as for example when removing or inserting the discharge box9with respect to the casing3, and comprises a grip section97and a pair of bent arms98. The grip section97is a portion for the purpose of gripping by a user when the discharge box9is to be moved. The bent arms98serve for fixing the handle92on the main body90and are provided for the purpose of defining the position of the grip section97. The bent sections98extend from the grip section97and are rotatably journalled in the mounting section93aof the main body90at the ends99thereof. Specifically, the entire handle92is rotatable about the journalled portion as a fulcrum and the relative position of the grip section97with respect to the main section90is defined by rotating the handle92.

As shown inFIG. 11, the ends99of the bent arms98are arranged to interfere with the sidewall93A when the grip section97is rotated in the direction such as to approach the lid91. Specifically, the construction is such that the discharge box9can maintain an attitude in which the handle92is folded up, in a condition with the grip sections97positioned above the lid91. Consequently, the discharge box9can be accommodated in the interior of the casing3without excessive increase in the volume thereof, thanks to the folding up of the handle92. As a result, there is no need to secure a large space for the handle92in the interior of the casing3. Also, if the discharge box9is accommodated in the interior of the casing3in a condition with the grip sections97positioned above the lid91, the grip sections97are exposed through the aperture30in positions in which they are easily gripped by a user in a condition with the aperture30opened by opening the lid32of the casing3. In this way, extraction of the discharge box9from the interior of the casing3is facilitated.

The mounting section93aof the main body90is provided above the sidewall93A of the main body90as described above. Consequently, the handle92are linked with the main body90at the corners of the main body90. As a result, when the entire discharge box9is raised using the grip sections97, as best shown inFIG. 11, a configuration is produced in which the main body90and lid91are suspended by the handle92. Consequently, even if the aperture area at the aperture30of the casing3is set to be smaller than the area of the bottom wall93E of the main body90, insertion and removal of the discharge box9can be performed through the aperture30of the casing3when this is opened at the top. In this way, insertion/removal of the discharge box9with respect to the casing3can be performed easily and reliably even when arranged adjacent to another analytical apparatus at the side of the analytical apparatus1, or even when implements necessary for performing analysis etc are arranged in front of the analytical apparatus1. Also, since another analytical apparatus or the like can be arranged beside the analytical apparatus1in a condition adjacent thereto, the degree of freedom of the apparatus layout is increased, and spatial efficiency when arranging the apparatus can be improved. Also, even when reagents etc are arranged in front of the analytical apparatus1, the discharge box9can be inserted/removed with respect to the casing3without having to specially move these.

At least one or other of the lid91and handle92could be dispensed with in the discharge box9. Also, even when a lid91or handle92is employed, it is not necessarily essential that the lid91or handle92should be permanently fitted to the main body90. For example, by adopting a construction in which the lid91or handle92is detachable with respect to the main body90, the lid91or handle92not being mounted thereon when the main body90is accommodated in the casing3, a method of use could be adopted wherein the lid91or handle92is arranged to be mounted on the main body90before or after the main body90is extracted from the casing3.

Although, in the present embodiment, an example has been described of analytical apparatus employing specimens wherein a plurality of reagent pads are arranged next to each other, the present invention could also be applied to analytical apparatus employing analytical tools other than the samples referred to above. In this case, it may be envisioned that the analytical tools may be fed with the drop faces (faces to which sample is supplied) in the analytical tools directed downwards. Even in such a case, feeding can be effected with the direction of the drop faces in the analytical tools made to be uniformly downwards, by using the sliding feed mechanism5described above.