Patent Abstract:
A conveying device, intended for use in conveying a rack, which holds a sample container, to a sample supplying position for supplying a sample in the sample container to a sample processing device for processing the sample, comprising a conveying section for conveying the rack in a conveying direction from a predetermined position on the conveying device to the sample supplying position along a path connecting the predetermined position and the sample supplying position, wherein the conveying section is adapted to convey the rack from the sample supplying position in a direction opposite to the conveying direction, is disclosed. A sample processing method is also disclosed.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a conveying device for conveying a rack on which a sample container is held to a sample supplying position for supplying a sample in the sample container to a sample processing device for processing the sample, and sample processing method for processing a sample using the conveying device.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Hitherto, a conveying device is known which conveys a rack on which a sample container is held to a sample supplying position for supplying a sample to a sampler processing device for processing the sample (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open (JP-A) No. Hei 9-43246). The sample processed by the processing device is contained in a sample container held on the rack. JP-A No. H9-43246 discloses a conveying device having a buffer, a first feeder, and a second feeder.  
         [0003]     In the conveying device disclosed in JP-A No. H9-43246, the buffer has the functions of storing a rack introduced from an introduction port of the conveying device and conveying the stored rack to the first feeder. The first feeder has the function of conveying the rack conveyed from the buffer to a sample supplying position and the second feeder. The second feeder has the function of carrying out the rack conveyed by the first feeder to the outside from an outlet of the conveying device. The buffer, the first feeder, and the second feeder can convey the racks only in one direction. Concretely, the racks conveyed from the buffer are moved only toward the first feeder side. The racks conveyed from the first feeder are moved only in a direction toward the sample supplying position (second feeder). The racks conveyed by the second feeder are moved only in a direction toward the outlet of the conveying device.  
         [0004]     When an error occurs in the sample processing device during process of a predetermined sample in the conventional conveying device, in order to re-process the predetermined sample in the same sample processing device, a predetermined rack on which a sample container containing the predetermined sample is held is re-stored in the buffer, and the predetermined rack has to be conveyed again to the sample supplying position by the first feeder. In this case, since the conveying device of JP-A No. H9-43246 is constructed so that the racks are conveyed only in one direction in the buffer, there is an inconvenience such that the user has to move racks already stored in order to assure a space for re-storing the predetermined rack. The technique of JP-A No. H9-43246 has a drawback that the burden on the user is heavy at the time of re-processing a sample in the same sample processing device.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary.  
         [0006]     A first aspect of the present invention is a conveying device, intended for use in conveying a rack, which holds a sample container, to a sample supplying position for supplying a sample in the sample container to a sample processing device for processing the sample, comprising:  
         [0007]     a conveying section for conveying the rack in a conveying direction from a predetermined position on the conveying device to the sample supplying position along a path connecting the predetermined position and the sample supplying position;  
         [0008]     wherein the conveying section is adapted to convey the rack from the sample supplying position in a direction opposite to the conveying direction.  
         [0009]     A second aspect of the present invention is a conveying device, intended for use in conveying racks, which hold sample containers to a sample supplying position for supplying a sample in the sample container to a sample processing device for processing the sample, comprising:  
         [0010]     a conveying mechanism for conveying the racks forward to the sample supplying position one by one; and  
         [0011]     a space maker for making a space for at least one rack, on the conveying device, to receive a rearward-moving rack.  
         [0012]     A third aspect of the present invention is a sample processing method for processing a sample, comprising:  
         [0013]     (a) conveying a sample forward to a sample supplying position;  
         [0014]     (b) processing the sample with a sample processing device;  
         [0015]     (c) in response to a reprocessing command, conveying the sample rearward; and  
         [0016]     (d) again conveying the sample forward to the sample supplying position for reprocessing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a state where a conveying device according to a first embodiment of the invention is connected to an analyzer.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are perspective views each showing the structure of a rack conveyed by the conveying device according to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the structure of the conveying device according to the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a plan view showing the structure of the conveying device according to the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side view showing the structure of the periphery of a storage regulating mechanism in the conveying device according to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a plan view showing the structure of a first rack moving mechanism in the conveying device according to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the first rack moving mechanism shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a plan view showing a state where conveyance of a rack by the first rack moving mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 7  stops.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are side views showing a state where fitting nails of the first rack moving mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 8  fit in the rack.  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a side view showing the structure of the periphery of a reversal preventing member in the conveying device according to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a side view showing a state where the reversal preventing member illustrated in  FIG. 12  swings.  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a side view showing the structure of the periphery of the storage regulating mechanism in the conveying device according to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  is a side view showing a state where a preventing member of the storage regulating mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 14  projects from a mounting surface of a storage plate.  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  is a plan view showing the structure of a conveying section in the conveying device according to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the conveying section shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0032]      FIGS. 18 and 19  are side views showing a state where a fitting member of the conveying section illustrated in  FIG. 17  fits in a rack.  
         [0033]     FIGS.  20  to  29  are schematic diagrams illustrating conveying operation of the conveying device according to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0034]     FIGS.  30  to  36  are schematic diagrams illustrating conveying operation of the conveying section in the conveying device according to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0035]     FIGS.  37  to  39  are schematic diagrams illustrating the conveying operation of the conveying device according to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 40  is a plan view showing the structure of a conveying device according to a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 41  is a plan view showing the structure of a first rack moving mechanism in the conveying device according to the second embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 40 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 42  is a side view of the first rack moving mechanism shown in  FIG. 41 .  
         [0039]     FIGS.  43  to  47  are schematic diagrams illustrating conveying operation of the conveying device according to the second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 48  is a block diagram showing a general configuration of a sample processing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 49  is a flowchart showing processes executed by the sample processing system according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]     The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.  
       First Embodiment  
       [0043]     A sample processing system including a first blood analyzer  2  and a second blood analyzer  3  to each of which a conveying device  1  according to the first embodiment is connected will be described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  3 .  
         [0044]     Two conveying devices  1  according to the first embodiment are connected to, for example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the first blood analyzer  2  for conducting a primary analysis and the second blood analyzer  3  for conducting a secondary analysis. The primary analysis by the first blood analyzer  2  is conducted on all of samples, and the secondary analysis by the second blood analyzer  3  is conducted on only samples determined to be subjected to a detailed analysis on the basis of the result of the primary analysis. Both of the first and second blood analyzers  2  and  3  are devices for processing blood. The first blood analyzer  2  is a hemacytometer, and the second blood analyzer  3  is a blood smear preparing device.  
         [0045]     The conveying device  1  connected to the first blood analyzer  2  is disposed adjacent to a conveying device  1 ′, and receives a rack conveyed from the conveying device  1 ′.  
         [0046]     Samples are contained in sample containers  4  which are held on a rack  5 . The rack  5  can hold 10 sample containers  4  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The rack  5  has a bottom  5   a  which is longer in shorter direction than the part in which the sample containers  4  are housed. A space area is provided on the back side of the rack  5  and a plurality of plates  5   b  are provided in the space area on the back side of the rack  5 . On the side of a part in which the sample containers  4  are housed of the rack  5 , a plurality of slots  5   c  are provided.  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the conveying device  1  has the function of conveying the rack  5  on which the sample containers  4  are held to a sample supplying position  2   a  for supplying the samples to the first blood analyzer  2  and a sample supplying position  3   a  for supplying the samples to the second blood analyzer  3 . The first blood analyzer  2  has a hand member  2   b  for taking the sample container  4  from the rack  5  and stirring the sample in the sample container  4 . The first blood analyzer  2  also has, in a position opposite to the sample supplying position  2   a , a hand member  2   d  for taking the sample container  4  from the rack  5  and supplying the sample into the first blood analyzer  2 .  
         [0048]     On the other hand, the second blood analyzer  3  has, in a position opposite to the sample supplying position  3   a , a hand member  3   b  for taking a sample container  4  from the rack  5 , stirring the sample in the sample container  4 , and supplying the sample into the second blood analyzer  3 .  
         [0049]     In the first and second blood analyzers  2  and  3 , barcode readers  2   c  and  3   c  for reading a barcode adhered to a sample container  4  are disposed, respectively. The barcode readers  2   c  and  3   c  are connected to the conveying devices  1  via not-shown cables and operate on the basis of instructions from the conveying device  1 .  
         [0050]     In a position opposite to each of the barcode readers  2   c  and  3   c , on the conveying device  1 , a sample container turning device  6  for turning the sample containers  4  held on the rack  5  is disposed. A barcode adhered to the sample container  4  is read by the barcode readers  2   c  and  3   c  while turning the sample container  4  by the sample container turning device  6 .  
         [0051]     The two conveying devices  1  are connected to each other via an intermediate conveying device  7 . The two conveying devices  1  have the same structure.  
         [0052]     The structure of the conveying device  1  will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS.  4  to  19 .  
         [0053]     The conveying device  1  has, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a rack receiver  10 , a storing section  20 , a conveying section  30 , a carrying-out section  40 , and an unloading section  50 .  
         [0054]     The rack receiver  10  in the conveying device  1  is provided to move the rack  5  introduced from an inlet  1   a  of the conveying device  1  in the X1 direction and, after that, push the rack  5  to the storing section  20 . The rack receiver  10  includes a rack loading mechanism  11  and a rack pushing mechanism  12 .  
         [0055]     The rack loading mechanism  11  of the rack receiver  10  is provided to move the rack  5  introduced from the inlet  1   a  in the X1 direction. The rack loading mechanism  11  includes a conveyance belt  111 , pulleys  112   a  and  112   b , a motor  113 , a detector  114 , and a transmission sensor  115 . The conveyance belt  111  is attached to the pulleys  112   a  and  112   b , and the pulley  112   a  is coupled to the motor  113 . Consequently, by driving the motor  113 , the conveyance belt  111  is driven via the pulley  112   a . In the case where the rack  5  is introduced from the inlet  1   a , by driving the conveyance belt  111  in the X1 direction, the rack  5  is moved in the X1 direction.  
         [0056]     The detector  114  of the rack loading mechanism  11  is provided to detect that the rack  5  moved in the X1 direction by the conveyance belt  111  arrives at a push position P1. The push position P1 is a position in which the rack  5  can be pushed to the storing section  20  side by the rack pushing mechanism  12 . The detector  114  has a detection pin  114   a , a compression spring  114   b , and a transmission sensor  114   c . The detection pin  114   a  is energized by the compression spring  114   b  so that one end projects toward the push position P1. The transmission sensor  114   c  is disposed at the other end of the detection pin  114   a . In the case where the rack  5  is conveyed to the push position P1 by the conveyance belt  111 , one end of the detection pin  114   a  is pressed against the rack  5 , thereby moving the detection pin  114   a  in the X1 direction against the energizing force of the compression spring  114   b . Since the transmission sensor  114   c  enters a light shield state due to the other end of the detection pin  114   a , arrival at the push position P1 of the rack  5  moved in the X1 direction by the conveyance belt  111  is detected.  
         [0057]     The transmission sensor  115  of the rack loading mechanism  11  is provided to detect the presence/absence of the rack  5  in the push position P1 and to detect that the rack  5  is pushed from the push position P1 to the storing section  20  side by the rack pushing mechanism  12 . The transmission sensor  115  is disposed so as to enter a light shield state when the rack  5  exists in the push position P1.  
         [0058]     The rack pushing mechanism  12  of the rack receiver  10  is provided to push the rack  5  conveyed to the push position P1 to the storing section  20  side. The rack pushing mechanism  12  is constructed by a pushing member  121 , a direct-drive guide  122 , an arm  123 , and a motor  124 . The pushing member  121  is attached to the direct-drive guide  122 , and the direct-drive guide  122  is disposed so as to extend in the Y1 direction (Y2 direction). A long hole  123   a  is formed in one end of the arm  123 . The one end of the arm  123  is attached to the pushing member  121  via the long hole  123   a , and the other end is coupled to the rotary shaft of the motor  124 . With the configuration, when the motor  124  is driven, one end of the arm  123  swings and the pushing member  121  is moved along the extending direction (Y1 direction) of the direct-drive guide  122 . Therefore, in the case where the rack  5  exists in the push position P1, the rack  5  can be pushed to the storing section  20  side by the pushing member  121 .  
         [0059]     The storing section  20  in the conveying device  1  is provided to store the rack  5  conveyed from the inlet  1   a  to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ). Further, in the first embodiment, the storing section  20  also has the function of re-storing the rack  5  moved in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction from the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ) in the case where a re-analysis is conducted. The storing section  20  includes a storage plate  21 , a first rack moving mechanism  22 , transmission sensors  23  and  24 , a reversal preventing member  25 , a storage regulating mechanism  26 , and a barcode reader  27 .  
         [0060]     The storage plate  21  in the storing section  20  has a rack contact part  21   a , a storage regulating part  21   b , a pair of holes  21   c , a pair of holes  21   d , and notches  21   e . The rack contact part  21   a  is provided on the side opposite to the rack receiver  10  side of the storage plate  21 . The rack contact part  21   a  is formed by bending the storage plate  21  in the direction perpendicular to a mounting surface  21   f . An area between the end (reversal preventing member  25 ) on the rack receiver  10  side of the storage plate  21  and the rack contact part  21   a  is a storage area in which the rack can be stored. An area of the size of one rack  5  at the end on the rack receiver  10  side of the storage plate  21  is a rack receive position P2 for receiving the rack  5  pushed from the rack receiver  10 . An area of the size of one rack  5  on the rack contact part  21   a  side of the storage plate  21  is a transverse feed start position P3 in which conveyance of the rack  5  by the conveying section  30  starts.  
         [0061]     The storage regulation part  21   b  of the storage plate  21  is formed by bending a predetermined area in the rack contact part  21   a  so as to be parallel to the mounting surface  21   f . The storage regulating part  21   b  is formed so as to project to the transverse feed start position P3 side from the rack contact part  21   a . The storage regulating part  21   b  is provided so that the user cannot put the rack  5  in the transverse feed start position P3. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the distance from the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage regulating part  21   b  is set to be smaller than the general height of the rack  5  and larger than the height of the bottom  5   a  of the rack  5 . The projection amount from the rack contact part  21   a  of the storage regulating part  21   b  is set so that, when the rack  5  (bottom  5   a ) comes into contact with the rack contact part  21   a , the rack  5  does not come into contact with the storage regulating part  21   b.    
         [0062]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the pair of holes  21   c  in the storage plate  21  is formed so as to extend from the rack receive position P2 to the transverse feed start position P3 in the storage plate  21 . The pair of holes  21   d  in the storage plate  21  is formed in a rectangle shape so as to have a length in the longer direction substantially the same as the length in the shorter direction of the rack  5  (bottom  5   a ). The pair of holes  21   d  in the storage plate  21  is disposed in areas apart from the rack contact part  21   a  by a distance which is substantially the same as the length in the shorter direction of the rack  5  (bottom  5   a ) so as to sandwich the pair of holes  21   c . The area in which the pair of holes  21   d  is formed in the storage plate  21  is the area (reserve storage position P4) in which storage of the rack  5  is regulated. The pair of notches  21   e  in the storage plate  21  is formed at an end on the rack receiver  10  side of the storage plate  21 .  
         [0063]     In the first embodiment, the first rack moving mechanism  22  in the storing section  20  has the function of moving the rack  5  stored on the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21  from the rack receive position P2 side to the transverse feed start position P3 side (Y1 direction) and, in addition, the function of moving the rack  5  in the direction opposite to the conveying direction from the transverse feed start position P3 side to the rack receive position P2 side (Y2 direction). The first rack moving mechanism  22  is constructed by, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a driving unit  22   a  and a rack conveying unit  22   b . The driving unit  22   a  is provided to move the rack conveying unit  22   b  in the Y1 direction (conveyance direction) and the Y2 direction (the direction opposite to the conveyance direction) and is disposed below the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 . The driving unit  22   a  has a motor  221 , an intermediate belt  222 , a motor pulley  223 , a large-diameter pulley  224 , a drive belt  225 , pulleys  226   a  and  226   b , a tension pulley  227 , and a direct-drive guide  228 . The intermediate belt  222  is attached to the motor pulley  223  and the large-diameter pulley  224 , and the motor pulley  223  is coupled to the motor  221 . The drive belt  225  is attached to the pulleys  226   a  and  226   b , and a small-diameter part  224   a  of the large-diameter pulley  224 . Tension is given to the drive belt  225  by the tension pulley  227 . Consequently, by the driving of the motor  221 , the drive belt  225  is decelerated and driven via the intermediate belt  222 , motor pulley  223 , and large-diameter pulley  224 . The direct-drive guide  228  is disposed so as to extend in the Y1 direction (Y2 direction).  
         [0064]     In the first embodiment, the rack conveying unit  22   b  of the first rack moving mechanism  22  is provided to move the rack  5  stored on the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21  in the Y1 and Y2 directions. The rack conveying unit  22   b  includes a first moving member  229  and a second moving member  230 . The first moving member  229  is coupled to the drive belt  225 , and the second moving member  230  is attached to the direct-drive guide  228 . The second moving member  230  has a pair of plates  230   a  disposed with a predetermined interval so as to face each other, and the first moving member  229  is disposed between the pair of plates  230   a  of the second moving member  230 . The second moving member  230  moves so as to follow the movement of the first moving member  229  when the first moving member  229  moves by the driving of the drive belt  225 .  
         [0065]     Concretely, a shaft  231  is attached between the pair of plates  230   a  of the second moving member  230 , and the first moving member  229  is fit to the shaft  231  so as to slide in the extending directions (Y1 and Y2 directions) of the shaft  231 . A compression spring  232  for energizing the first moving member  229  in the Y2 direction is attached to the shaft  231 . Consequently, in the case where the first moving member  229  is moved in the Y1 direction by the drive belt  225  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9  (in the case where the first moving member  229  is moved from the position in  FIG. 7  to the position in  FIG. 9 ), the first moving member  229  presses one of the plates  230   a  in the second moving member  230  in the Y1 direction via the compression spring  232 , so that the second moving member  230  is moved in the Y1 direction along the direct-drive guide  228 . In the case where the first moving member  229  is moved in the Y2 direction by the drive belt  225  (in the case where the first moving member  229  is moved from the position in  FIG. 9  to the position in  FIG. 7 ), the first moving member  229  moves the other plate  230   a  of the second moving member  230  in the Y2 direction, so that the second moving member  230  is moved in the Y2 direction along the direct-drive guide  228 .  
         [0066]     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , to the second moving member  230  of the rack conveying unit  22   b , a cylinder  233  and a direct-drive guide  234  are attached. The cylinder  233  is disposed so that a cylinder rod  233   a  extends in a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 , and the direct-drive guide  234  is disposed so as to extend in the Z direction. A shaft holder  235  is attached to the cylinder rod  233   a  and the direct-drive guide  234 . When the cylinder rod  233   a  extends in the Z direction, the shaft holder  235  is moved in the extending direction (Z direction) of the direct-drive guide  234 .  
         [0067]     A shaft  236  is attached to the shaft holder  235  of the rack conveying unit  22   b , and a pair of fitting nails  237   a  and a pair of fitting nails  237   b  are swingably attached to the shaft  236  around the axis of the shaft  236  as a fulcrum. One of the pair of fitting nails  237   a  is disposed at one end of the shaft  236 , and the other fitting nail  237   a  is disposed at the other end of the shaft  236 . One of the pair of fitting nails  237   b  is disposed at one end of the shaft  236 , and the other fitting nail  237   b  is disposed at the other end of the shaft  236 . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the fitting nails  237   a  and  237   b  are disposed so as to project from the mounting surface  21   f  via the pair of holes  21   c  in the storage plate  21  when the shaft holder  235  moves in the Z direction. The fitting nails  237   a  and  237   b  have fitting faces  237   c  and  237   d  which fit to the inner surface of the bottom  5   a  of the rack  5 . Consequently, in the case of making the fitting nails  237   a  and  237   b  project from the mounting surface  21   f  and moving the rack conveying unit  22   b  in the Y1 direction (Y2 direction), the inner surface of the bottom  5   a  of the rack  5  engages with the fitting face  237   c  ( 237   d ) of the fitting nail  237   a  ( 237   b ), thereby moving the rack  5  in the Y1 direction (Y2 direction). In the case of moving the rack  5  in the Y1 direction, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the fitting nail  237   a  engages with the inner surface of the bottom  5   a  of the rack  5 . In the case of moving the rack  5  in the Y2 direction, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the fitting nail  237   b  engages with the inner surface of the bottom  5   a  of the rack  5 .  
         [0068]     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the fitting nail  237   a  of the rack conveying unit  22   b  is energized by a tension spring  238   a  attached to the shaft holder  235  so that the fitting face  237   c  and the inner surface of the bottom  5   a  of the rack  5  become parallel to each other. The fitting nail  237   b  is energized by a tension spring  238   b  attached to the shaft holder  235  so that the fitting face  237   d  and the inner surface of the bottom  5   a  of the rack  5  become parallel to each other. Consequently, when an external force is applied from above to the fitting nail  237   a  ( 237   b ), the fitting nail  237   a  ( 237   b ) is turned in a predetermined direction against the energization force of the tension spring  238   a  ( 238   b ). In the case where the external force from above to the fitting nail  237   a  ( 237   c ) is eliminated, the fitting nail  237   a  ( 237   b ) is turned in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction by the energization force of the tension spring  238   a  ( 238   b ) so that the fitting face  237   c  ( 237   d ) and the inner surface of the bottom  5   a  of the rack  5  become parallel to each other.  
         [0069]     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a detection piece  239  is attached to the first moving member  229  of the rack conveying unit  22   b , and a transmission sensor  240  is attached to the second moving member  230 . The detection piece  239  and the transmission sensor  240  are provided to detect that conveyance in the Y1 direction of the rack  5  by the first rack moving mechanism  22  is stopped. Concretely, the detection piece  239  and the transmission sensor  240  are disposed so that a state where light is shielded by the detection piece  239  is detected by the transmission sensor  240  in the case where the first moving member  229  moves in the Y1 direction when the second moving member  230  stops as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0070]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the transmission sensor  23  of the storing section  20  is provided to detect the presence/absence of the rack  5  in the storage area other than the transverse feed position P3. The transmission sensor  23  is disposed so as to detect a light shield state in the case where at least one rack  5  is stored in the storage area other than the transverse feed start position P3. The transmission sensor  24  is provided to detect that the rack  5  moved in the Y1 direction from the rack receive position P2 side reaches the transverse feed position P3. The transmission sensor  24  is disposed to detect a light shield state when the rack  5  arrives at the transverse feed start position P3.  
         [0071]     The reversal preventing members  25  in the storing section  20  are provided to prevent the rack  5  pushed from the push position P1 to the rack receive position P2 from moving back from the rack receive position P2 to the push position P1. The reversal preventing members  25  are disposed in areas corresponding to the notches  21   e  in the storage plate  21 . The reversal preventing member  25  has, as shown in  FIG. 12 , a perpendicular surface  25   a  perpendicular to the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21  and a tilted surface  25   b  tilted from the perpendicular surface  25   a  by a predetermined angle. As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the reversal preventing member  25  swings below the storage plate  21  when the rack  5  passes the boundary between the push position P1 and the rack receive position P2 and, after the rack  5  passes the boundary between the push position P1 and the rack receive position P2, swings upward of the storage plate  21  to return in an initial state (state of  FIG. 12 ). The reversal preventing member  25  is constructed so as not to swing in response to the external force in the Y2 direction.  
         [0072]     In the first embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the storage regulating mechanism  26  in the storing section  20  is provided to regulate storage of the rack  5  in the reserve storage position P4 in the storage plate  21 . The storage regulating mechanism  26  has, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 14 , a pair of preventing members  261  and a pair of cylinders  262 . The cylinder  262  is disposed so that a cylinder rod  262   a  extends in a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 . The cylinder rod  262   a  is attached to a surface opposite to the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21  via a bracket  263 . Consequently, as shown in  FIG. 15 , when the cylinder rod  262   a  is extended in the Z direction, the body of the cylinder  262  moves in the Z direction toward the storage plate  21 .  
         [0073]     In the first embodiment, the preventing member  261  is attached to the body on the side opposite to the cylinder rod  262   a  of the cylinder  262 . The preventing member  261  is disposed so as to project from the mounting surface  21   f  via the hole  21   d  in the storage plate  21  when the body of the cylinder  262  moves in the Z direction. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the preventing member  261  is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view like the hole  21   d  in the storage plate  21  and has a length in the longer direction substantially the same as the length in the shorter direction of the rack  5  (bottom  5   a ). Consequently, as shown in  FIG. 15 , when the preventing member  261  projects from the mounting surface  21   f , storage of the rack  5  into the reserve storage position P4 is prevented by the preventing member  261 . When the preventing member  261  projects from the mounting surface  21   f , the distance between an end on the transverse feed start position P3 side of the preventing member  261  and an end on the transverse feed start position P3 side of the storage regulating part  21   b  of the storage plate  21  is smaller than the length in the shorter direction of the rack  5  (bottom  5   a ), so that storage of the rack into the transverse start position P3 is also prevented.  
         [0074]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the barcode reader  27  in the storing section  20  is provided to read a barcode on the rack  5  moving from the rack receive position P2 side to the transverse feed start position P3.  
         [0075]     The conveying section  30  of the conveying device  1  is provided to convey the rack  5  carried to the transverse feed start position P3 to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ) and the carrying-out section  40 . Further, in the first embodiment, the conveying section  30  also has the function of moving the rack  5  conveyed to the carrying-out section  40  side again to the transverse feed start position P3 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction in the case where a re-analysis is conducted. The conveying section  30  includes, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a transverse feed plate  31 , a driver  32 , a rack conveyer  33 , and a detector  34 .  
         [0076]     In a conveyance surface  31   a  of the transverse feed plate  31  in the conveying section  30 , a hole  31   b  extending from the transverse feed start position P3 to an ejection start position P5 which will be described later is formed as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0077]     As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the driver  32  in the conveying section  30  is provided to move the rack conveyer  33  in an X1 direction (conveyance direction) and an X2 direction (direction opposite to the conveyance direction), and is disposed below the conveyance surface  31   a  of the transverse feed plate  31 . The driver  32  is constructed by a motor  321 , a drive belt  322 , pulleys  323   a  and  323   b , and a direct-drive guide  324 . The motor  321  is coupled to the pulley  323   a , and the drive belt  322  is attached to the pulleys  323   a  and  323   b . Consequently, when the motor  321  is driven, the drive belt  322  is driven via the pulley  323   a . The direct-drive guide  324  is disposed so as to extend in the X1 direction (X2 direction).  
         [0078]     In the first embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the rack conveyer  33  in the conveying section  30  has, in addition to the function of moving the rack  5  on the conveyance surface  31   a  of the transverse feed plate  31  from the transverse feed start position P3 to the ejection start position P5 side (X1 direction), the function of moving the rack  5  from the ejection start position P5 side to the transverse feed start position P3 (X2 direction). In the conveying section  30 , an initial position  30   a  in  FIG. 5  is a position from which transverse feed of the rack  5  by the rack conveyer  33  starts. A transverse feed end position  30   b  in  FIG. 5  is a position in which the transverse feed of the rack  5  by the rack conveyer  33  is finished. The rack conveyer  33  includes, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a moving member  331 , a solenoid  332 , a direct-drive guide  333 , a fitting member  334 , and a transmission sensor  335 . The moving member  331  is coupled to the drive belt  322  and is also attached to the direct-drive guide  324 . Consequently, when the drive belt  322  is driven, the moving member  331  moves in the extending directions (X1 and X2 directions) of the direct-drive guide  324 . The solenoid  332  is attached to the moving member  331 , and a rod  322   a  of the solenoid  332  extends in a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the conveyance surface  31   a  of the transverse feed plate  31 . The direct-drive guide  333  is attached to the moving member  331  and is disposed so as to extend in the Z direction. The fitting member  334  is attached to the rod  322   a  of the solenoid  332  and the direct-drive guide  333 . With the configuration, when the rod  332   a  of the solenoid  332  extends in the Z direction, the fitting member  334  is moved in the direction (Z direction) in which the direct-drive guide  333  extends.  
         [0079]     A first fitting part  334   a  and a second fitting part  334   b  are integrally provided for the fitting member  334  of the rack conveyer  33 . The first and second fitting parts  334   a  and  334   b  are provided so as to project from the conveyance surface  31   a  via the holes  31   b  in the transverse feed plate  31  when the fitting member  334  moves in the Z direction as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , when the first and second fitting parts  334   a  and  334   b  are projected from the conveyance surface  31   a  and the rack conveyer  33  is moved in the X1 direction, the inner surface on the first sample container  4  side of the rack  5  fits to the first fitting part  334   a , thereby moving the rack  5  in the X1 direction. Further, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the plate  5   b  on the 10th sample container  4  side of the rack  5  is fit to the second fitting part  334   b  and the inner surface of the first sample container  4  side of the rack  5  is fit to the first fitting part  334   a , thereby moving two racks  5  serially, simultaneously in the X1 direction.  FIGS. 18 and 19  show a state where the racks  5  are moved in the X1 direction. Specifically, in  FIG. 18 , in the case of moving the rack  5  in the X2 direction, the first fitting part  334   a  fits to the plate  5   b  on the first sample container  4  side of the rack  5 . In  FIG. 19 , in the case of moving the rack  5  in the X2 direction, the first fitting part  334   a  fits to the plate  5   b  on the first sample container  4  side of the rack  5 , and the second fitting part  334   b  fits to the inner surface on the 10th sample container  4  side of the rack  5 .  
         [0080]     As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the transmission sensor  335  in the rack conveyer  33  is provided to detect projection of the first and second fitting parts  334   a  and  334   b  from the conveyance surface  31   a  of the transverse feed plate  31 . The transmission sensor  335  is disposed so that light is shielded by a detection piece  334   c  attached to the fitting member  334  in the case where the first and second fitting parts  334   a  and  334   b  project from the conveyance surface  31   a  of the transverse feed plate  31 .  
         [0081]     The detector  34  in the conveying section  30  is provided to detect the position of the rack conveyer  33  that moves in the X1 and X2 directions. The detector  34  is constructed by transmission sensors  341   a  and  341   b , transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b , and a detection plate  343 . The transmission sensor  341   a  is provided to detect that the rack conveyer  33  has moved to the initial position  30   a  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The transmission sensor  341   a  is disposed so as to detect that light is shielded by the detection piece  331   a  of the moving member  331  as a component of the rack conveyer  33  when the rack conveyer  33  is moved to the initial position  30   a . The transmission sensor  341   b  is provided to detect that the rack conveyer  33  has moved to the transverse feed end position  30   b  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The transmission sensor  341   b  is disposed so as to detect that light is shielded by a detection piece (not shown) of the moving member  331  as a component of the rack conveyer  33  when the rack conveyer  33  is moved to the transverse feed end position  30   b.    
         [0082]     The transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  of the detector  34  are attached to the moving member  331  as a component of the rack conveyer  33 . The transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  are disposed with a predetermined interval in the movement directions (X1 and X2 directions) of the rack conveyer  33 . The detection plate  343  of the detector  34  has a plurality of rectangular detection holes  343   a  to  343   h  arranged along the movement directions (X1 and X2 directions) of the rack conveyer  33 . The detection holes  343   a  to  343   h  are provided so change the transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  to a transmission (on) state or a light shield (off) state. In the case of moving the rack conveyer  33  in the X1 direction at a pitch of about 20 mm, the detection holes  343   a  to  343   h  are disposed so that the state (on/off state) of at least one of the transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  changes each time the rack conveyer  33  moves one pitch in the X1 direction. Therefore, each time the rack conveyer  33  is moved one pitch in the X1 direction, the combination of the on/off states in the transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  changes. That is, according to the combination of the on/off states in the transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b , the position of the rack conveyer  33  is detected.  
         [0083]     In the case where the transmission sensor  342   a  is positioned in an area corresponding to the detection hole  343   a  in the detector  34 , the rack conveyer  33  is in the initial position  30   a  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). When the transmission sensor  342   a  is positioned in an area corresponding to the detection hole  343   g , the rack conveyer  33  is in the transverse feed end position  30   b  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The detection holes  343   a  to  343   g  are disposed in order in the X1 direction (from the initial position  30   a  to the transverse feed end position  30   b ). The detection hole  343   h  is disposed with a predetermined interval in the X2 direction of the detection hole  343   a.    
         [0084]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the carrying-out section  40  in the conveying device  1  is provided to carry the rack  5  conveyed from the conveying section  30  to the carrying-out section  40  to a position in which the rack  5  can be ejected from an outlet  1   b  by the unloading section  50 . The carrying-out section  40  includes an ejection plate  41 , a second rack moving mechanism  42 , and transmission sensors  43  and  44 .  
         [0085]     The ejection plate  41  in the carrying-out section  40  has a rack contact part  41   a  and a pair of holes  41   b . The area of the size of one rack  5  on the conveying section  30  side in the ejection plate  41  is the ejection start position P5 from which conveyance of the rack  5  starts in the carrying-out section  40 . The area of the size of one rack  5  on the side (unloading section  50  side) opposite to the ejection start position P5 in the ejection plate  41  is an unloading start position P6 from which unloading from the outlet  1   b  of the rack  5  by the unloading section  50  starts. The rack contact part  41   a  is provided on the ejection start position P6 side of the ejection plate  41 . The rack contact part  41   a  is formed by folding the ejection plate  41  in the direction perpendicular to an ejection surface  41   c . The pair of holes  41   b  in the ejection plate  41  is formed so as to extend from the ejection start position P5 to the unloading start position P6 in the ejection plate  41 .  
         [0086]     The second rack moving mechanism  42  in the carrying-out section  40  is provided to move the rack  5  on the ejection surface  41   c  of the ejection plate  41  in the Y2 direction and is disposed below the ejection surface  41   c  of the ejection plate  41 . The second rack moving mechanism  42  has a pair of fitting members  421  which fit to the inner surface of the bottom  5   a  of the rack  5  when the rack  5  is moved in the Y2 direction. The fitting members  421  are disposed in areas corresponding to the holes  41   b  in the ejection plate  41  and are movable in the Y2 direction (Y1 direction) along the holes  41   b  by the driver in the not-shown second rack moving mechanism  42 . Further, the fitting members  421  project from the ejection surface  41   c  via the holes  41   b  in the ejection plate  41  when the rack  5  is moved in the Y2 direction.  
         [0087]     The transmission sensor  43  in the carrying-out section  40  is provided to detect arrival at the ejection start position P5 of the rack  5  moved in the X1 direction from the conveying section  30 . The transmission sensor  43  is disposed so that light is shielded when the rack  5  arrives at the ejection start position P5. The transmission sensor  44  in the carrying-out section  40  is provided to detect arrival at the unloading start position P6 of the rack  5  moved in the Y2 direction from the ejection start position P5. The transmission sensor  44  is disposed so that light is shielded when the rack  5  arrives at the unloading start position P6.  
         [0088]     The unloading section  50  of the conveying device  1  is provided to unload the rack  5  conveyed to the unloading start position P6 in the carrying-out section  40  from the outlet  1   b . The unloading section  50  includes a rack conveying member  51 , a motor  52 , a drive belt  53 , pulleys  54   a  and  54   b , and a direct-drive guide  55 .  
         [0089]     The rack conveying member  51  in the unloading section  50  is provided to move the rack  5  conveyed to the unloading start position P6 in the X1 direction (outlet  1   b  side). The motor  52  is coupled to the pulley  54   a  and the drive belt  53  is attached to the pulleys  54   a  and  54   b . When the motor  52  drives, the drive belt  53  is driven via the pulley  54   a . The direct-drive guide  55  is disposed so as to extend in the X1 direction (X2 direction). The rack conveying member  51  is coupled to the drive belt  53  and is also attached to the direct-drive guide  55 . By driving the drive belt  53 , the rack conveying member  51  is moved in the extending directions (X1 and X2 directions) of the direct-drive guide  55 .  
         [0090]     In the first embodiment, as described above, by constructing the first rack moving mechanism  22  for conveying the rack  5  received in the rack receive position P2 to the transverse feed start position P3 in the storing section  20  so as to be able to move the rack  5  in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction from the transverse feed start position P3 side to the rack receive position P2 side, the rack  5  can be moved in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction from the transverse feed start position P3 side to the rack receive position P2 side by the first rack moving mechanism  22  without requiring an operator. Consequently, at the time of re-analyzing the sample in the sample container  4  held on the first rack  5  by the same analyzer (the first blood analyzer  2  or the second blood analyzer  3 ), the first rack  5  conveyed from the transverse feed start position P3 to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ) can be conveyed in the reserve direction back to the transverse feed start position P3 and re-stored in the storing section  20 . In the case of re-conveying the re-stored first rack  5  from the transverse feed start position P3 to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ), the second rack  5  already conveyed to the transverse feed start position P3 by the first rack  5  moving mechanism  22  can be moved to an area other than the transverse feed start position P3 in the storing section  20  by the first rack moving mechanism  22  without requiring an operator. Thus, an area (transverse feed start position P3) for re-storing the first rack  5  can be assured in the storing section  20 . As a result, at the time of re-analyzing the sample in the same analyzer (first blood analyzer  2  or the second blood analyzer  3 ), the rack  5  (sample) can be re-conveyed to the first blood analyzer  2  or the second blood analyzer  3  without requiring an operator.  
         [0091]     In the first embodiment, the first rack moving mechanism  22  is constructed so as to include the fitting nails  237   a  and  237   b  which fit to the rack  5 , so that the racks  5  can be moved one by one with the fitting nails  237   a  and  237   b  of the first rack moving mechanism  22 . In this case, by setting the area of the size of one rack  5  adjacent to the rack receive position P2 side of the transverse feed start position P3 as the area (reserve storage position P4) in which storage of the rack  5  is prevented, at the time of re-analyzing the sample in the sample container  4  held on the first rack  5  by the same analyzer (the first blood analyzer  2  or the second blood analyzer  3 ), by conveying only the second rack  5  already carried to the transverse feed start position P3 to the area (reserve storage position P4) adjacent to the rack receive position P2 side of the transverse feed start position P3, an area (transverse feed start position P3) for re-storing the first rack  5  can be easily assured in the storing section  20 .  
         [0092]     In the first embodiment, by providing the preventing members  261  for regulating storage of the rack  5  in the area (reserve storage position P4) in which storage of the rack  5  is regulated, storage of the rack  5  into the area (reserve storage position P4) in which storage of the rack  5  is regulated can be easily prevented by the preventing members  261 .  
         [0093]     In the first embodiment, by disposing the preventing members  261  below the mounting surface  21   f  of the storing section  20  and allowing the preventing members  261  project from the mounting surface  21   f , in the case where the rack  5  is moved from the transverse feed start position P3 side to the rack receive position P2 side (in the case of re-analyzing the sample) and in the case where the rack  5  does not exist in the transverse feed start position P3 and is moved from the rack receive position P2 side to the transverse feed start position P3 side (in the case of conveying the rack  5  to the transverse feed start position P3 at the time of normal conveyance), by housing the preventing members  261  below the mounting surface  21   f  of the storing section  20 , movement from the transverse feed start position P3 side to the rack receive position P2 side or from the rack receive position P2 side to the transverse feed start position P3 side is not disturbed by the preventing members  261 . By allowing the preventing members  261  project from the mounting surface  21   f  of the storing section  20  in the case where the rack  5  exists in the transverse feed start position P3 and the rack  5  is moved from the rack receive position P2 side to the transverse feed start position P3 side, storage of the rack  5  into the area (reserve storage position P4) in which storage of the rack  5  is regulated can be prevented by the preventing members  261 .  
         [0094]     In the first embodiment, the conveying section  30  for conveying the rack  5  conveyed to the transverse feed start position P3 to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ) and the ejection start position P5 is constructed so as to be able to move the rack  5  in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction from the ejection start position P5 side to the transverse feed start position P3. With the configuration, at the time of re-analyzing the sample in the sample container  4  held on a predetermined rack  5  by the same analyzer (the first blood analyzer  2  or the second blood analyzer  3 ), the predetermined rack  5  conveyed from the transverse feed start position P3 to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ) by the conveying section  30  can be easily conveyed again to the transverse feed start position P3.  
         [0095]     FIGS.  20  to  39  are schematic diagrams illustrating the conveying operation of the conveying device according to the first embodiment of the invention. With reference to  FIGS. 1, 5 , and  9  and FIGS.  20  to  39 , the conveying operation of the conveying device  1  according to the first embodiment will be described.  
         [0096]     First, as shown in  FIG. 20 , the first rack  5  is introduced into the rack receiver  10  in the conveying device  1  via the inlet  1   a . At this time, the conveyance belt  111  in the rack loading mechanism  11  is driven in the rack receiver  10 . Consequently, the first rack  5  is conveyed from the inlet  1   a  to the push position P1 (refer to  FIG. 5 ) by the conveyance belt  111 . The detector  114  detects that the first rack  5  arrives at the push position P1. The transmission sensor  115  detects the existence of the first rack  5  in the push position P1.  
         [0097]     As shown in  FIG. 21 , in the rack receiver  10 , after the first rack  5  is conveyed to the push position P1, the pushing member  121  of the rack pushing mechanism  12  is moved in the Y1 direction. By the operation, the first rack  5  is pushed from the push position P1 to the rack receive position P2 (refer to  FIG. 5 ). At this time, the transmission sensor  115  detects that the first rack  5  is pushed from the push position P1 to the rack receive position P2. The transmission sensor  23  in the storing section  20  detects the existence of the first rack  5  in the rack receive position P2 (storage area other than the transverse feed start position P3 in the storing section  20 ).  
         [0098]     After that, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the first rack  5  pushed to the rack receive position P2 is moved in the Y1 direction by the fitting nails  237   a  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the first rack moving mechanism  22  in the storing section  20 . At this time, the preventing members  261  in the storage regulating mechanism  26  are housed below the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 .  
         [0099]     Consequently, as shown in  FIG. 23 , the first rack  5  moved in the Y1 direction by the fitting nails  237   a  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the first rack moving mechanism  22  is conveyed to the transverse feed start position P3 (refer to  FIG. 5 ) without disturbance of movement in the Y1 direction by the preventing members  261 . Arrival of the first rack  5  at the transverse feed start position P3 is detected by the transmission sensor  24 .  
         [0100]     When the first rack  5  arrives at the transverse feed start position P3 (refer to  FIG. 5 ) in the storing section  20 , the first rack  5  comes into contact with the rack contact part  21   a  of the storage plate  21 , thereby stopping the movement in the Y1 direction of the first rack  5 . At this time, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the rack conveying unit  22   b  as a component of the first rack moving mechanism  22  operates as follows. To the first moving member  229  of the rack conveying unit  22   b , the drive belt  225  driven by the motor  221  is coupled but the fitting nail  237   a  which fits to the first rack  5  is not attached. In a state where the motor  221  drives, movement in the Y1 direction of the first moving member  229  continues. On the other hand, to the second moving member  230  of the rack conveying unit  22   b , the drive belt  225  is not coupled and the fitting nails  237   a  which fits the first rack  5  are attached via various parts, so that movement in the Y1 direction of the second moving member  230  is stopped. Therefore, only the first moving member  229  moves in the Y1 direction against the energizing force of the compression spring  232 , so that the transmission sensor  240  attached to the second moving member  230  enters a light shield state by the detection piece  239  attached to the first moving member  229 . As a result, completion of conveyance of the first rack  5  to the transverse feed start position P3 by the first rack moving mechanism  22  is detected.  
         [0101]     After that, as shown in  FIG. 24 , by moving the first rack  5  conveyed to the transverse feed start position P3 at a pitch of about 20 mm (pitch between neighboring sample containers  4 ) by the conveying section  30 , the sample containers  4  held on the first rack  5  are sequentially conveyed to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ). The second to fourth racks  5  are conveyed to the storage area in the storing section  20  in a manner similar to the first rack  5 . At this time, in the storing section  20 , the preventing members  261  of the storage regulating mechanism  26  are allowed to project from the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 . Consequently, conveyance of the second and subsequent racks  5  to the reserve storage position P4 is regulated by the preventing members  261 .  
         [0102]     As shown in  FIG. 25 , when the first rack  5  is completely moved from the transverse feed start position P3 in the storing section  20 , the preventing members  261  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the storage regulating mechanism  26  are housed below the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 . In a state where the preventing members  261  are housed below the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 , the second to fourth racks  5  are moved in the Y1 direction by the fitting nails  237   a  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the first rack moving mechanism  22 . Until the second rack  5  is conveyed to the transverse feed start position P3 (refer to  FIG. 5 ), the second to fourth racks  5  are moved in the Y1 direction.  
         [0103]     After that, as shown in  FIG. 26 , in the storing section  20 , the third and fourth racks  5  are moved in the Y2 direction as a direction opposite to the conveyance direction by the fitting nails  237   b  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the first rack moving mechanism  22 . Until the third rack  5  is conveyed to the storage area adjacent to the reserve storage position P4, the third and fourth racks  5  are moved in the Y2 direction. After that, the preventing members  261  of the storage regulating mechanism  26  are allowed to project from the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 .  
         [0104]     The operation performed in the case where it is determined that a re-analysis is necessary on the sample in the sample container  4  held on the first rack  5  in the state shown in  FIG. 26  will be described.  
         [0105]     In the case where a re-analysis is determined on the sample in the sample container  4  held on the first rack  5 , as shown in  FIG. 27 , first, in the storing section  20 , the preventing members  261  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the storage regulating mechanism  26  are housed below the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 . After that, in a state where the preventing members  261  are housed below the mounting surface  21   f  of the storage plate  21 , the second rack  5  is conveyed to the reserve storage position P4 (refer to  FIG. 5 ) by the fitting nails  237   b  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) in the first rack moving mechanism  22 .  
         [0106]     Nest, as shown in  FIG. 28 , by moving the first rack  5  in the X2 direction (the direction opposite to the conveyance direction) by the conveying section  30 , the first rack  5  is conveyed to the transverse feed start position P3 (refer to  FIG. 5 ). After that, as shown in  FIG. 29 , by moving the first rack  5  conveyed to the transverse feed start position P3 again in the X1 direction at a pitch of about 20 mm by the conveying section  30 , the first rack  5  is re-conveyed to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ).  
         [0107]     Subsequently, after the first rack  5  has been completely moved from the transverse feed start position P3, the second rack  5  is conveyed to the transverse feed start position P3 by the fitting nails  237   a  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the first rack moving mechanism  22 , the state before the re-analysis (refer to  FIG. 26 ) is obtained.  
         [0108]     The conveying operation by the conveying section  30  will now be described in detail.  
         [0109]     First, as shown in  FIG. 30 , in the initial state, the rack conveyer  33  as a component of the conveying section  30  is in the initial position  30   a . When the rack conveyer  33  moves at a pitch of about 20 mm in the X1 direction, the transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  of the rack conveyer  33  operate as follows.  
         [0110]     In the case where the rack conveyer  33  is in the initial state  30   a  as shown in  FIG. 30 , the transmission sensor  342   a  detects a light transmission (on) state, and the transmission sensor  342   b  detects a light shield (off) state. In the case where the rack conveyer  33  is moved from the initial position  30   a  only by about 20 mm (one pitch) as shown in  FIG. 31 , the transmission sensor  342   a  detects the off state, and the transmission sensor  342   b  detects the on state. In the case where the rack conveyer  33  is moved from the initial position  30   a  by about 40 mm (two pitches) as shown in  FIG. 32 , the transmission sensor  342   a  detects the on state, and the transmission sensor  342   b  detects the off state. In the case where the rack conveyer  33  is moved from the initial position  30   a  by about 60 mm (three pitches) as shown in  FIG. 33 , both of the transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  detect the on state.  
         [0111]     As described above, each time the rack conveyer  33  is moved one pitch in the X1 direction, the combination of the transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  becomes one of the above-described patterns and always becomes a different pattern. Consequently, in the case where the position of the rack  5  is deviated by one pitch, the deviation can be easily detected. The three patterns are a first pattern in which the transmission sensor  342   a  detects the on state and the transmission sensor  342   b  detects the off state, a second pattern in which the transmission sensor  342   a  detects the off state and the transmission sensor  342   b  detects the on state, a third pattern in which both of the transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  detect the on state.  
         [0112]     In the conveying section  30 , when the first rack  5  is moved from the initial position  30   a  only by about 40 mm by the rack conveyer  33  (refer to  FIG. 32 ), a barcode adhered to the first sample container  4  on the first rack  5  is read. As shown in  FIG. 34 , when the first rack  5  is moved from the initial position  30   a  only by about 80 mm (four pitches) by the rack conveyer  33 , the sample in the first sample container  4  on the first rack  5  is stirred by the hand member  2   b  ( 3   b ) (refer to  FIG. 1 ) of the first blood analyzer  2  (the second blood analyzer  3 ). As shown in  FIG. 35 , when the first rack  5  is moved from the initial position  30   a  only by about 100 mm (five pitches) by the rack conveyer  33 , the sample in the first sample container  4  on the first rack  5  is supplied to the first blood analyzer  2  (the second blood analyzer  3 ) (refer to  FIG. 1 ) by the hand member  2   d  ( 3   b ).  
         [0113]     In the case where it is determined that a re-analysis is necessary on the sample in the sample container  4  held on the first rack  5 , as shown in  FIG. 36 , the rack conveyer  33  is moved in the X2 direction. At this time, the rack conveyer  33  is moved in the X2 direction until the transmission sensor  342   a  of the rack conveyer  33  reaches the area corresponding to the detection hole  343   h . The transmission sensors  342   a  and  342   b  detect the on state and the off state, respectively.  
         [0114]     As shown in  FIG. 37 , by moving the first rack  5  in the X1 direction at a pitch of about 20 mm by the conveying section  30 , the first rack  5  is conveyed to the ejection start position P5 (refer to  FIG. 5 ). At this time, arrival at the ejection start position P5 of the first rack  5  is detected by the transmission sensor  43  in the carrying-out section  40 .  
         [0115]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 38 , in the carrying-out section  40 , by moving the first rack  5  conveyed to the ejection start position P5 (refer to  FIG. 5 ) in the Y2 direction by the fitting members  421  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the second rack moving mechanism  42 , the first rack  5  is conveyed to the unloading start position P6 (refer to  FIG. 5 ). At this time, arrival at the unloading start position P6 of the first rack  5  is detected by the transmission sensor  44  in the carrying-out section  40 .  
         [0116]     Finally, as shown in  FIG. 39 , in the unloading section  50 , the first rack  5  is conveyed to the unloading start position P6 and, after that, the rack conveying member  51  is moved in the X1 direction. By the operation, the first rack  5  conveyed to the unloading start position P6 is moved in the X1 direction, so that the first rack  5  is unloaded from the outlet  1   b.    
         [0117]     With reference to  FIGS. 48 and 49 , the sample processing system including the first and second blood analyzers  2  and  3  to each of which the conveying device  1  according to the first embodiment is connected will be further described. As shown in  FIG. 48 , the conveying device  1  has a controller  1001 . The first blood analyzer  2  has a controller  1002 , and the second blood analyzer  3  has a controller  1003 . The first and second blood analyzers  2  and  3  are connected to a host computer  1004 . The host computer  1004  is a computer including a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, and the like. On the hard disk of the host computer  1004 , the rack number, sample number, and orders (information such as whether measurement is necessary or not and measurement items) on the sample are stored so as to be associated with each other. Each of the controllers  1001  to  1003  has a CPU, a memory, and the like, the controller  1001  is constructed so as to be able to perform communications with the controllers  1002  and  1003 , and the controllers  1002  and  1003  can perform communications with the host computer  1004 .  
         [0118]     With reference to  FIG. 49 , part of processes executed by the controllers  1001  and  1002  and the host computer  1004  in order to convey a rack and process a sample will be described.  FIG. 49  shows processes started when the rack  5  arrives at the transverse feed start position P3.  
         [0119]     First, in step S 1 , the controller  1001  transverse-feeds the rack  5  only by one pitch (corresponding to the distance between two sample containers). At this time, one sample container reaches the position facing the barcode reader  2   c , another sample container reaches the position (stir position) facing the hand member  2   b , and further another sample container reaches a position (suction position) facing the hand member  2   d . In step S 2 , the controller  1001  makes the barcode reader  2   c  read the barcode adhered to the sample container facing the barcode reader  2   c . In step S 3 , the controller  1001  transmits a stir instruction to the controller  1002 . In step S 4 , the controller  1001  transmits the number of the rack  5  (rack number) and the number of a barcode (sample number) adhered to a sample container in the suction position which are preliminarily read by the barcode reader  27  to the controller  1002 . The sample number transmitted in step S 4  was read by the barcode reader  2   c  when the sample container position in the suction position was in the position facing the barcode reader  2   c . The processes in steps S 2  to S 4  are executed substantially at the same time. During the processes, the rack  5  is stopped and continuously stopped until stirring of the sample container in the stir position is finished and suction of the sample from the sample container in the suction position is completed.  
         [0120]     On the other hand, the controller  1002  waits until the stir instruction is received from the controller  1001  (step S 21 ) and, on receipt of the stir instruction, executes a process of stirring the sample with the hand member  2   b  in step S 22 . The controller  1002  waits until the rack number and the sample number are received from the controller  1001  in step S 23  and, on receipt of the numbers, executes a process of transmitting the numbers to the host computer  1004  in step S 24 .  
         [0121]     The host computer  1004  waits until the rack number and the sample number are received from the controller  1002  in step S 41 . On receipt of the numbers, in step S 42 , the host computer  1004  extracts the orders (information such as whether measurement is necessary or not and measurement items) of the sample on the basis of the numbers, and executes a process of transmitting the extracted orders to the controller  1002 .  
         [0122]     On the other hand, the controller  1002  waits until the orders are received from the host computer  1004  in step S 25  and, on receipt of the orders, executes a process of taking the sample container  4  from the rack  5  with the hand member  2   d , sucking the sample, and analyzing the sample in step S 26 .  
         [0123]     After completion of analysis of the sample, the controller  1002  transmits the result of the sample process to the controller  1001  in step S 27 . In the case where the analysis of the sample is finished normally, the sample process result includes information indicating that the analysis of the sample has completed normally. When a re-analysis of the sample is necessary, the sample process result includes information indicative of a measurement error. In step S 28 , the controller  1002  transmits the sample measurement result (measurement data) to the host computer  1004 .  
         [0124]     On the other hand, the controller  1001  waits for reception of the sample process result in step S 5 . In step S 6 , the controller  1001  executes a process of determining whether the sample process results have been received on all of sample containers  4  held on the rack  5  or not. When it is determined that the sample process results on all of sample containers have not been received, the controller  1001  returns to step S 1 . The rack is transverse-fed by one pitch, the sample number of a new sample is read, a stir instruction is transmitted, and the rack number and the sample number are transmitted. In reality, irrespective of reception of the sample process result, when stirring of the sample is finished and suction of the sample is finished, transverse feed of one pitch of the rack is executed. However, to simplify the description, it is assumed that the reception of the sample process results relate to the beginning of transverse feed. When it is determined that the sample process results on all of the sample containers  4  have been received, the controller  1001  determines whether information indicative of a measurement error is included in the received sample process results or not ins step S 7 . In the case where information indicative of even one measurement error is included on all of the sample containers  4  held on the rack  5 , the controller  1001  executes a process of moving the rack  5  back to the transverse feed start position P3 in step S 8 .  
         [0125]     Next, in step S 9 , the controller  1001  transverse-feeds the rack  5  until the sample container  4  containing the sample indicating the measurement error arrives at the stir position. In step S 10 , the controller  1001  transmits the stir instruction to the controller  1002 .  
         [0126]     In step S 11 , the controller  1001  transverse-feeds the rack  5  until the sample container  4  containing the sample indicative of the measurement error reaches the suction position. In step S 12 , the controller  1001  transmits the rack number and the sample number to the controller  1002 .  
         [0127]     The controller  1001  executes the processes in steps S 9  to S 12  on all of samples indicative of a measurement error.  
         [0128]     Further, the controller  1001  waits for receipt of the sample processing results in step S 13 . In the case where all of sample process results are received, in step S 14 , the controller  1001  executes a process of transverse-feeding the rack  5  to the ejection start position P5. In reality, irrespective of reception of the sample process results, when stir of the sample is finished and suction of the sample is finished, the rack is transversely fed. However, to simplify the description, the process as described above is assumed.  
         [0129]     In step S 15 , the controller  1001  executes a process of conveying the rack  5  from the ejection start position P5 to the unloading start position P6.  
         [0130]     In the case where no measurement error is included in the information on all of the sample containers  4  held on the rack  5  in step S 7 , the processes in steps S 8  to S 13  are not executed but the processes in step S 14  and subsequent steps are executed.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0131]      FIG. 40  is a plan view showing the structure of a conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 41 and 42  are detailed diagrams showing the structure of the conveying device according to the second embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 40 . With reference to  FIG. 3  and FIGS.  40  to  42 , the second embodiment will be described. Different from the foregoing first embodiment, conveyance of the rack  5  in a storing section  80  will be performed with a conveyance belt  825 . The rack  5  conveyed by a conveying device  100  according to the second embodiment is the same as the rack  5  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0132]     The conveying device  100  according to the second embodiment includes, as shown in  FIG. 40 , a rack receiver  70 , the storing section  80 , the conveying section  30 , the carrying-out section  40 , and the unloading section  50 . The configurations of the conveying section  30 , carrying-out section  40 , and unloading section  50  in the conveying device  100  according to the second embodiment are similar to those of the conveying section  30 , carrying-out section  40 , and unloading section  50  in the conveying device  1  according to the first embodiment.  
         [0133]     The rack receiver  70  in the conveying device  100  is provided to load the rack  5  introduced from an inlet  100   a  in the conveying device  100  to the storing section  80  side by moving the rack  5  in the X1 direction. The rack receiver  70  includes a driver  71 , a rack conveyer  72 , and transmission sensors  73   a  and  73   b.    
         [0134]     The driver  71  in the rack receiver  70  is provided to move the rack conveyer  72  in the X1 and X2 directions. The driver  71  is constructed by a motor  711 , a drive belt  712 , pulleys  713   a  and  713   b , and a direct-drive guide  714 . The motor  711  is coupled to the pulley  713   a , and the drive belt  712  is attached to the pulleys  713   a  and  713   b . Consequently, when the motor  711  is driven, the drive belt  712  is driven via the pulley  713   a . The direct-drive guide  714  is disposed so as to extend in the X1 direction (X2 direction).  
         [0135]     In the second embodiment, the rack conveyer  72  in the rack receiver  70  is provided to move the rack  5  introduced from the inlet  100   a  in the X1 direction and also has the function of a preventing member. A loading start position  70   a  in  FIG. 40  is a position in which loading of the rack  5  by the rack conveyer  72  starts, and a loading end position  70   b  in  FIG. 40  is a position in which loading of the rack  5  by the rack conveyer  72  is finished. The rack conveyer  72  includes a moving member  721 , a solenoid  722 , and a micro switch  723 . The moving member  721  is coupled to the drive belt  712  and is also attached to the direct-drive guide  714 . Consequently, when the drive belt  712  is driven in the X1 direction, the moving member  721  moves in the X1 directions along the direct-drive guide  714 . The moving member  721  has a contact part  721   a  with which the rack  5  introduced from the inlet  100   a  comes into contact. The rack  5  is moved in the X1 direction by the rack conveyer  72  in a state where it is in contact with the contact part  721   a  of the moving member  721 .  
         [0136]     The micro switch  723  of the rack conveyer  72  is attached to the contact part  721   a  of the moving member  721 . The micro switch  723  is disposed so that a switch part of the micro switch  723  is pressed by the rack  5  when the rack  5  comes into contact with the contact part  721   a  of the moving member  721 . When the rack  5  comes into contact with the contact part  721   a  of the moving member  721 , the micro switch  723  is switched from the on (off) state to the off (on) state, so that contact of the rack  5  with the contact part  721   a  can be detected.  
         [0137]     The solenoid  722  in the rack conveyer  72  is attached to the moving member  721 . The solenoid  722  is disposed so that a rod  722   a  of the solenoid  722  extends in the Y1 direction (Z direction) and is inserted in the slot  5   c  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) in the rack  5  which is in contact with the contact part  721   a  of the moving member  721 . Consequently, in the case where the rod  722   a  of the solenoid  722  is inserted in the slot  5   c  in the rack  5  and the rack conveyer  72  is moved in the X1 direction, the rod  722   a  of the solenoid  722  is fit in the slot  5   c  in the rack  5  so that the rack  5  is moved in the X1 direction.  
         [0138]     The transmission sensors  73   a  and  73   b  in the rack receiver  70  are provided to detect the position of the rack conveyer  72  that moves in the X1 and X2 directions. Specifically, the transmission sensor  73   a  is provided to detect that the rack conveyer  72  has moved to the loading start position  70   a . The transmission sensor  73   a  is disposed so as to detect that light is shielded by a detection piece (not shown) of the moving member  721  as a component of the rack conveyer  72  when the rack conveyer  72  is moved to the loading start position  70   a . The transmission sensor  73   b  is provided to detect that the rack conveyer  72  has moved to the loading end position  70   b . The transmission sensor  73   b  is disposed so as to detect that light is shielded by a detection piece (not shown) of the moving member  721  as a component of the rack conveyer  72  when the rack conveyer  72  is moved to the loading end position  70   b . In the case where the rack conveyer  72  is moved to the loading start position  70   a , the moving member  721  as a component of the rack conveyer  72  is positioned in a predetermined area above a storage plate  81  which will be described later. On the other hand, in the case where the rack conveyer  72  is moved to the loading end position  70   b , the moving member  721  as a component of the rack conveyer  72  is positioned in an area deviated from the storage plate  81  which will be described later.  
         [0139]     The storing section  80  of the conveying device  1  is provided to store the rack  5  conveyed from the inlet  100   a  to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ). Further, in the second embodiment, the storing section  80  also has the function of re-storing the rack  5  moved in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction from the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ) in the case where a re-analysis is conducted. The storing section  80  includes the storage plate  81 , a first rack moving mechanism  82 , and a barcode reader  83 .  
         [0140]     The storage plate  81  in the storing section  80  is divided into three parts. The three divided storage plates  81  are disposed with predetermined intervals from each other. The storage plates  81  are disposed so as to provide an area through which the rack conveyer  72  (the contact part  721   a  of the moving member  721 ) of the rack receiver  70  which moves in the X1 (X2) direction passes. The storage plate  81  has a rack contact part  81   a . The rack contact part  81   a  is provided on the side opposite to the rack receiver  70  side of the storage plate  81 . The rack contact part  81   a  is formed by folding the storage plate  81  in the direction perpendicular to a mounting surface  81   b . The area between the end on the rack receiver  70  side of the storage plate  21  and the rack contact part  81   a  is a storage area in which the rack  5  can be stored. In the storage plate  81 , the area through which the rack conveyer  72  of the rack receiver  70  passes is a rack receive position P22 for receiving the rack  5  conveyed by the rack receiver  70 . An area of the size of one rack  5  on the rack contact part  81   a  side of the storage plate  81  is a transverse feed start position P23 in which conveyance of the rack  5  by the conveying section  30  starts.  
         [0141]     In the second embodiment, when the rack conveyer  72  (moving member  721 ) of the rack receiver  70  is moved to the loading start position  70   a , storage in the rack receive position P22 of the rack  5  is regulated by the moving member  721 . Specifically, when the rack conveyer  72  (moving member  721 ) of the rack receiver  70  is moved to the loading start position  70   a , the rack conveyer  72  (moving member  721 ) functions as a preventing member for preventing the rack  5  from being stored in the rack receive position P22. When the rack conveyer  72  is moved to the loading end position  70   b , since the rack conveyer  72  (moving member  721 ) is positioned in an area deviated from the storage plate  81 , the rack conveyer  72  (moving member  721 ) does not function as a preventing member. The rack conveyer  72  starts loading of the rack  5  to the rack receive position P22 when there is an area in which at least one rack  5  can be stored other than the rack receive position P22 in the storing section  80 .  
         [0142]     In the second embodiment, the first rack moving mechanism  82  in the storing section  80  has, in addition to the function of moving the rack  5  stored on the mounting surface  81   b  of the storage plate  81  from the rack receive position P22 side to a transverse feed start position P23 side (Y1 direction), a function of moving the rack  5  in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction from the transverse feed start position P23 side to the rack receive side P22 (Y2 direction). The first rack moving mechanism  82  is disposed below the mounting surface  81   b  of the storage plate  81 . The first rack moving mechanism  82  has, as shown in  FIGS. 41 and 42 , a cylinder  821 , a direct-drive guide  822 , a holder  823 , a motor  824 , two conveyance belts  825 , a pair of pulleys  826   a , a pair of pulleys  826   b , a plurality of tension pulleys  827 , a pulley shaft  828 , a drive belt  829 , and a transmission sensor  830 . The cylinder  821  is disposed cylinder rod  821   a  to extend in a direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the mounting surface  81   b  of the storage plate  81 , and the direct-drive guide  822  is disposed so as to extend in the Z direction. The holder  823  is attached to a cylinder rod  821   a  and the direct-drive guide  822 . When the cylinder rod  821   a  extends in the Z direction, the holder  823  is moved in the extending direction (Z direction) of the direct-drive guide  822 .  
         [0143]     In the first rack moving mechanism  82 , the motor  824 , the pair of pulleys  826   a , the pair of pulleys  826   b , and the plurality of tension pulleys  827  are attached to the holder  823 . The pulleys  826   a  as a pair are disposed so as to face each other with a predetermined interval, and the pulleys  826   b  as a pair are disposed so as to face each other with the same interval as that between the pulleys  826   a . One of the two conveyance belts  825  is attached to the pulleys  826   a  and  862   b  on one side, and the other conveyance belt  825  is attached to the pulleys  826   a  and  826   b  on the other side. The conveyance belts  825  are disposed so as to project from the mounting surface  81   b  via areas corresponding to the internals among the three divided storage plates  81  when the holder  823  moves in the Z direction. Tension is applied to the conveyance belts  825  attached to the pulleys  826   a  and  826   b  by the plurality of tension pulleys  827 .  
         [0144]     In the first rack moving mechanism  82 , the pulley shaft  828  is coupled to the pair of pulleys  826   a , and the drive belt  829  is attached to the rotary shaft of the motor  824  and the pulley shaft  828 . With the configuration, by driving of the motor  824 , the conveyance belt  825  is driven via the drive belt  829 , pulley shaft  828 , and pulley  826   a . In the case of driving the conveyance belt  825  in the Y1 direction (Y2 direction) in a state where it projects from the mounting surface  81   b , the rack  5  comes into contact with the driving conveyance belt  825 , thereby moving the rack  5  in the Y1 direction (Y2 direction).  
         [0145]     The transmission sensor  830  of the first rack moving mechanism  82  is provided to detect that the conveyance belt  825  projects from the mounting surface  81   b  of the storage plate  81 . The transmission sensor  830  is disposed so as to detect that light is shielded by a detection piece  823   a  attached to the holder  823  in the case where the conveyance belt  825  projects from the mounting surface  81   b  of the storage plate  81 .  
         [0146]     In the second embodiment, as described above, in the storing section  80 , the first rack moving mechanism  82  for conveying the rack  5  received in the rack receive position P22 to the transverse feed start position P23 is constructed so as to be able to move the rack  5  in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction from the transverse feed start position P23 side to the rack receive position P22 side. Consequently, in a manner similar to the first embodiment, at the time of re-analyzing the sample in the sample container  4  held on the first rack  5  by the same analyzer, the second rack  5  already conveyed to the transverse feed start position P23 by the first rack moving mechanism  82  can be moved to an area other than the transverse feed start position P23 in the storing section  80 . Thus, an area (transverse feed start position P23) for re-storing the first rack  5  can be assured in the storing section  80 . As a result, in a manner similar to the first embodiment, at the time of re-analyzing the sample in the same analyzer, the rack  5  (sample) can be re-conveyed to the analyzer without requiring an operator.  
         [0147]     In the second embodiment, by constructing the first rack moving mechanism  82  so as to include the conveyance belt  825  for moving the rack  5 , by the conveyance belt  825  of the first rack moving mechanism  82 , all of the racks  5  stored in the area other than the rack receive position P22 in the storing section  80  can be simultaneously moved from the transverse feed start position P23 side to the rack receive position P22 side in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction. In this case, by using the rack receive position P22 as an area in which storage of the rack  5  is regulated, at the time of re-analyzing the sample in the sample container  4  held on the first rack  5  by the same analyzer, the second rack  5  already conveyed to the transverse feed start position P23 can be moved together with the third or subsequent rack  5  to the area other than the transverse feed start position P23 in the storing section  80 . Thus, the area for re-storing the first rack  5  (transverse feed start position P23) can be easily assured in the storing section  80 .  
         [0148]     In the second embodiment, in the case where the rack conveyer  72  of the rack receiver  70  is moved to the loading start position  70   a  of the rack  5 , the rack conveyer  72  functions as the preventing member for regulating storage of the rack  5  in the rack receive position P22. Consequently, by moving the rack conveyer  72  to the loading start position  70   a , storage of the rack  5  to the rack receiving position P22 can be easily regulated. By making the rack conveyer  72  function as the preventing member for regulating storage of the rack  5  into the rack receive position P22, it becomes unnecessary to separately provide a preventing member for regulating storage of the rack  5  to the rack receive position P22. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.  
         [0149]     In the second embodiment, in the case where the rack conveyer  72  of the rack receiver  70  is moved in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the loading end position  70   b  of the rack  5 , the rack conveyer  72  does not function as a preventing member. With the configuration, in the case where the rack  5  is moved in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction from the transverse feed start position P23 side to the rack receive position P22 side (in the case of re-processing the sample), by moving the rack conveyer  72  to the loading end position  70   b , movement of the rack  5  from the transverse feed start position P23 side to the rack receive position P22 side is not disturbed by the rack conveyer  72 .  
         [0150]     In the second embodiment, in the case where an area in which at least one rack  5  can be stored exists other than the rack receive position P22 in the storing section  80 , loading of the rack  5  to the rack receive position P22 by the rack conveyer  72  in the rack receiver  70  starts. With the configuration, even if the rack is conveyed to the rack receive position P22 (the area in which storage of the rack  5  is regulated), the rack  5  can be conveyed to an area other than the rack receive position P22 in the storing section  80 . Thus, the rack  5  is not stored in the rack receive position P22.  
         [0151]     FIGS.  43  to  47  are schematic diagram showing the conveying operation of the conveying device according to the second embodiment of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 40  and FIGS.  43  to  47 , the rack conveying operation of the conveying device  100  according to the second embodiment will now be described.  
         [0152]     First, as shown in  FIG. 43 , in the storing section  80 , the first to sixth racks  5  sequentially conveyed from the rack receiver  70  are moved in the Y1 direction (conveyance direction) by the conveyance belts  825  of the first rack moving mechanism  82 . By moving the first rack conveyed to the transverse feed start position P23 (refer to  FIG. 40 ) in the X1 direction (conveyance direction) at a pitch of about 20 mm by the conveying section  30 , the first rack  5  is conveyed to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ). When the first rack  5  has been completely moved from the transverse feed start position P23, the second to sixth racks  5  are moved in the Y1 direction by the conveyance belt  825  of the first rack moving mechanism  82 . Until the second rack  5  is conveyed to the transverse feed start position P23, the second to sixth racks  5  are moved in the Y1 direction. After that, the rack conveyer  72  in the rack receiver  70  is moved in the loading start position  70   a  (X2 direction).  
         [0153]     As stated in  FIG. 43 , the operation performed in the case where it is determined that a re-analysis is necessary on the sample in the sample container  4  held on the first rack  5  will be described.  
         [0154]     In the case where it is determined that a re-analysis is necessary on the sample in the sample container  4  held on the first rack  5 , as shown in  FIG. 44 , first, the rack conveyer  72  is moved to the loading end position  70   b  (X1 direction) in the rack receiver  70 .  
         [0155]     As shown in  FIG. 45 , the second to sixth racks  5  are moved in the Y2 direction as the direction opposite to the conveyance direction by the conveyance belt  825  of the first rack moving mechanism  82 . Until the sixth rack  5  is conveyed to the rack receive position P22 (refer to  FIG. 40 ), the second to sixth racks  5  are moved in the Y2 direction.  
         [0156]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 46 , by moving the first rack  5  in the X2 direction as the direction opposite to the conveyance direction by the conveying section  30 , the first rack  5  is moved to the transverse feed start position P23. After that, as shown in  FIG. 47 , the first rack  5  conveyed to the transverse feed start position P23 is moved again at a pitch of about 20 mm in the X1 direction by the conveying section  30 , thereby re-conveying the first rack  5  to the sample supplying position  2   a  ( 3   a ). After the first rack has been completely conveyed from the transverse feed start position P23, the second rack  5  is conveyed to the transverse feed start position P23 by the conveyance belt  825  of the first rack moving mechanism  82 , thereby resetting the state before the re-analysis (refer to  FIG. 43 ).  
         [0157]     The operations of conveying the rack  5  in the conveying section  30 , carrying-out section  40 , and unloading section  50  in the second embodiment are similar to those of the conveying section  30 , carrying-out section  40 , and unloading section  50  in the first embodiment, respectively.  
         [0158]     It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed here are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description of the embodiments and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.  
         [0159]     For example, in the first and second embodiments, the conveying device of the present invention is connected to the blood analyzer. The invention, however, is not limited to the embodiments. The conveying device of the invention may be connected to a sample processing device other than the blood analyzer.  
         [0160]     Although a rack is conveyed by the first moving mechanism having the fitting nails or the conveyance belt in the storing section in the foregoing first and second embodiments, the invention is not limited to the above. A rack may be conveyed by a first moving mechanism other than the first moving mechanism having the fitting nails or the conveyance belt.  
         [0161]     In the foregoing first and second embodiments, the controller  1001  provided for the conveying device  1  controls the operation of the conveying device  1  and performs communications with the first blood analyzer  1  or the second blood analyzer  2 . Alternately, the sample processing system may have a computer having functions similar to those of the controller  1001 , and the computer may be connected to the conveying device  1 .  
         [0162]     Although the sample processing system in which a plurality of conveying devices  1  are connected has been described in the first and second embodiments, the invention may be applied to a sample processing system in which a single or a plurality of analyzer(s) is/are connected to a single conveying device  1 .  
         [0163]     In the first and second embodiments, a space (reserve storage position P4) of one rack is assured in the storing section  20  or  80  and, in the case where a re-analysis is necessary on a sample, a rack is moved backward by using the space. The size of the space may be a size in which two or more racks can be mounted.  
         [0164]     Although the conveying device  1  conveys the rack  5  in the Y2 direction and, after that, in the X1 direction in the first and second embodiments, the conveyance directions are not limited. By conveying the rack  5  only in the X1 direction, the rack  5  may be conveyed to the sample supplying position  2   a  or  3   a.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6