Abstract:
A device for unstopping a stopped specimen vessel that contains a liquid specimen such as blood is equipped with a mechanism which sucks and captures particles floating around the opening of the specimen vessel and prevents contamination of the specimen. The unstopping device grips a vessel and the stopper of the opening of the vessel, and removes the stopper from the opening of the vessel by changing the relative distance between the vessel-gripping mechanism and the unstopping mechanism. The unstopping device is equipped with: suction holes for sucking therethrough the gas which is present around the opening and contains liquid or solid particles; a pipeline which is connected to the suction holes and through which the sucked gas and particles are led downstream; a suction device connected to the pipeline; and a spirally flexed pipeline part disposed between the pipeline and the suction device.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for uncapping a capped sample container, the uncapping device including a mechanism for preventing contamination from sample to sample by sucking and capturing an airborne material in the air. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    As a background art of the present technical field, there is an uncapping device including a mechanism for sucking and capturing a particle of JP 2014-1926 A (PTL 1). The uncapping device described in PTL 1 includes partition plates for covering the circumference of a sample container transferred, container gripping mechanisms that fix the sample container in a pinching manner and has an air intake function for sucking air around the sample container by means of power of an exhaust fan connected via a pipe, and an uncapping mechanism having a discharge function that removes a cap attached to the sample container and discharges air by means of power of a discharge fan connected to the circumference of the sample container via a pipe. With this apparatus, an airborne material, e.g., mist, is sucked to the container gripping mechanisms by an airflow generated between the uncapping mechanism and the container gripping mechanisms so that a micro-level airborne material, e.g., dirt and mist floating in the atmosphere, do not enter the uncapped sample container. Furthermore, the exhaust fan includes a filter on the suction side so that an airborne material, e.g., sucked mist, is not discharged through the exhaust fan. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0003]    PTL 1: JP 2014-1926 A 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0004]    In PTL 1, the filter provided on the suction side of the exhaust fan is a cloth one that covers the inlet of the fan. However, because a filter of a type embedded in a cartridge is also commercially available, one conceivable way would be to attach the filter in the middle of the pipe. Such filters remove mist in the air or entered dust by filtering the air with a filter member includes porous flow passages in a micrometer order. However, as time elapses, each flow passage is blocked and the fluid resistance is gradually increased so that the air intake rate is gradually reduced. As the air intake rate is reduced, the airborne material is not fully sucked, resulting in a reduction in removal capability. 
         [0005]    Generally, it is said that a filter is replaced at the time when the fluid resistance is doubled. In that case, the air intake rate in the case where the filter is new must be twice or more the rate required for suction of mist, resulting in an increase in size of the fan. Furthermore, in order to know the time for replacement, accessories, e.g., a pressure gauge, are required. Thus, there is a possibility that the size of the apparatus is increased or the costs regarding components and electricity are increased. Furthermore, it is difficult to clean and regenerates the porous flow passages during maintenance in terms of technique, cost, and fouling. Furthermore, in the case of replacement, dried mist or dust is dispersed from the filter member during disassembly and fouls the environment. Thus, there is a possibility that contamination is increased. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides an uncapping device including a particle suction capture mechanism that is small in size, low in cost, allows easy maintenance, and has less contamination from sample to sample. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0007]    In order to solve the aforementioned problem, for example, a configuration is adopted in which an uncapping device with container gripping mechanisms for gripping a container and an uncapping mechanism for gripping a cap of an opening of the container and removes the cap from the opening of the container by changing a relative distance between the container gripping mechanisms and the uncapping mechanism, and the uncapping device includes a suction hole which is present around the opening and sucks gas containing a particle formed of liquid or solid, a pipe which is connected to the suction hole and introduces the sucked gas and particle downstream, a suction device connected to the pipe, and a helically curved pipe portion arranged between the pipe and the suction device. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0008]    According to the present invention, an airborne material floating around the container can be removed from the environment of the opening and the removed airborne material is prevented from fouling the air intake device, eliminating the need of cleaning maintenance for the air intake device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a configurational view of an uncapping device of a first example. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top view of container gripping mechanisms of the uncapping device of the first example. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of a coil portion of the first example. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a configurational view of a mist capture assessment system of the first example. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a diagram indicating the length of a coil portion required for mist capture of the first example. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a diagram indicating an experimental flow of the first example. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of the amount of mist and the amount of capture+the amount of evaporation according to a change of an air flow rate of the first example. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a method of cleaning a coil portion of a second example. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a configurational view of a coil portion of a third example. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a view illustrating the shape of a coil portion of a fourth example. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating the shape of a coil portion of a fifth example. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a view illustrating a surface treatment method for a coil portion of a sixth example. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    In the following, examples of the present invention are described in conjunction with the drawings. 
       Example 1 
       [0022]    Example 1 of the present invention is described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 to 7 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a configurational view of an uncapping device  1 . The uncapping device  1  includes a pair of container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102  having a pair of air suction functions, which are divided right and left, a pair of partition plates  111 ,  112  attached to the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 , respectively, and an uncapping mechanism  13 . The uncapping device  1  further includes an air intake system  14  comprised of a pipe  141  both ends of which are connected to the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 , respectively, a pipe  142  branched from a branch portion  144  in the vicinity of the middle of the pipe  141 , and an air intake device  143 , e.g., a pump or a fan, having an air intake port  1431 , which is connected to the pipe  142 , and a discharge port  1432  for discharging sucked air. 
         [0024]    Generally, the pipe is formed to be straight and circular in cross-section. However, the present example includes a coil portion  145 , which is formed as the pipe  142  is partially deformed and is turned in a helical fashion. The coil portion may be formed by preliminarily working a metal pipe or plastic tube into a helical shape. However, a flexible one, e.g., a plastic tube, may be wound and fixed onto a hard cylindrical surface, e.g., of a pipe. Furthermore, a transparent tube may be used. Furthermore, fine irregularities may be formed on the inner wall by processing, e.g., sandblasting. Furthermore, the inner wall may be coated with a surface treatment agent that changes the wettability, provides adhesiveness, or prevents growth of fungi or bacteria. The coil portion may be formed on parts of the pipe  141  near the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102  with respect to the branch portion  144 . Furthermore, a pair of air intake systems may be used in which a pipe with a coil portion and an air intake device are connected to each of the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102  and the partition plates  111 ,  112  attached to the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 , respectively. The container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102  and the partition plates  111 ,  112  have a shape of a cylinder that has been cut along the cylindrical axis. The pair of container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102  are opened and closed right and left by a power source, e.g., a motor, and a power transmission mechanism, e.g., a link mechanism, according to a command from a control device, which is not illustrated. Thus, the pair of container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102  grip and fix a columnar sample container  2 , e.g., a test tube, which stores a sample solution  21 , by means of the cylindrical inner surfaces of the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 . 
         [0026]    A great number of holes  103  of the same shape are uniformly arranged through upper surfaces of the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 , and the insides are hollow. The air intake system  14  of the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102  sucks air through the holes  103  as the air intake device  143  is operated according to a command of the control device, which is not illustrated. Since the great number of holes  103  of the same shape are uniformly arranged through the upper surfaces of the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 , airflows generated by the suction are homogenized. Furthermore, the pair of partition plates  111 ,  112  are attached along the cylindrical outer surfaces of the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102  so as to surround the circumference of the side surface of the sample container  2  when the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102  are closed. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates a state immediately after the cap  22 , which had been attached to the sample container  2 , has been uncapped by being gripped and lifted with the uncapping mechanism  13  that is operated by a power source, e.g., a motor, and a power transmission mechanism, e.g., a link mechanism, according to a command from the control device, which is not illustrated, with the sample container  2  being pinched and fixed by the pair of container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 . When part of the sample solution  21  is adhered to the inner side of the cap  22  or the sample container  2  during conveyance of the sample container  2 , there is a possibility that the part of the sample solution  21  is spread into a liquid film as the sample container  2  and the cap  22  are separated by uncapping, and the liquid film is broken, atomized, and dispersed. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that an airborne material floating in the atmosphere enters the inside of the sample container  2  through the opening made after uncapping. Relatively large airborne droplets  211  and the airborne material floating at a distance from the sample container  2  impinge on and are captured by the partition plates  111 ,  112  that cylindrically cover the circumference of the sample container  2 . The airborne material floating near the sample container  2  and relatively small airborne droplets (mist  212 ) floating around the sample container  2  are sucked into the holes  103  by airflows  146 , which are generated as the air intake system  14  is activated, and are moved in the pipe toward the air intake device  143 . 
         [0028]    The mist  212  sucked into the air intake system  14  flows in the pipe  141  parallel to the pipe wall. However, when passing through the coil portion  145  having a helical shape, the mist  212  helically revolves in the coil portion  145 , is moved outward perpendicularly to the helical axis by means of a centrifugal force, and impinges on the pipe wall. The mist  212 , which has impinged on the pipe wall, is captured on the pipe wall of the coil portion  145 . Thus, the mist  212  does not foul the air intake device  143 , which is arranged downstream of the coil portion  145 . The air intake device  143  is prevented from being fouled, eliminating the need of cleaning maintenance of the air intake device  143 . 
         [0029]    According to the present example, a part of the pipe is deformed into a coil shape, and the mist  212  can be captured, eliminating the need of a filter, thereby enabling a reduction in size and cost of the apparatus. Furthermore, regarding cleaning of the pipe, it is sufficient that the pipe  142  including the coil portion  145  is detached, soaked in disinfectant or detergent, and is subject to flushing. Therefore, maintenance is made easier. 
         [0030]    Furthermore, because the mist  212  is captured on the inner wall of the coil portion  145  in the middle of the pipe  142 , the captured mist  212  is isolated from both ends of the pipe  142  during replacement. Thus, there is no chance of external contact, enabling prevention of contamination without fouling the environment. Furthermore, when the coil portion  145  is formed of a transparent member, e.g., a plastic tube, the status of capture of the mist  212  inside can be observed contactlessly and directly by means of visual checking or an optical sensor or the like. Thus, maintenance can be performed reliably and efficiently. Furthermore, when fine irregularities are formed on the inner wall of the coil portion  145 , the mist  212  is prevented from being separated after being closely attached to the inner wall and dried. Thus, the dried mist is hardly separated to foul the suction device  143 , enabling prevention of contamination. Furthermore, when a surface treatment agent that changes the wettability of the inner wall of the coil portion  145  or provides adhesiveness is applied, the mist  212  is closely attached to the inner wall and dust and dirt generated by the separation of the dried mist can be again adhered and fixed to the inside of the coil portion. Therefore, fouling of the apparatus is suppressed and contamination is prevented. Furthermore, when the inner wall of the coil portion  145  is coated with a surface treatment agent that prevents growth of fungi or bacteria, the generation of dust and dirt, e.g., spores, is suppressed and contamination can be prevented. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the shape of the coil portion  145 . The mist  212 , which has reached the coil portion  145  together with air, flows along the flow of airflows while revolving in a helical fashion. At this time, the mist  212  is subject to a centrifugal force pointing outward perpendicularly to the central axis of the coil portion  145 . Thus, the mist  212  moves in a direction of the cross-section of the coil portion  145 , and reliably impinges on and is captured on the wall surface as it moves across the inside diameter at most. 
         [0032]    As an example, a coil portion  145  is considered. The coil portion  145  is formed as a pipe  142  having a diameter D 1  is turned about the central axis into a loop having a diameter D 0 .  FIG. 3  expresses one turn for the sake of simplicity. However, in practice, the loop is turned multiple times. Here, D 0 &gt;&gt;D 1 , and a centrifugal force acting on the mist  212  in the coil portion  145  is constant. When a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical surface including the loop is defined as r coordinate, a motion equation composed of an inertia force, a viscous force (air resistance) and a centrifugal force acting on the mist  212  is represented by Formula 1 when the weight of the mist  212  is represented by m, the diameter is represented by d, the density is represented by ρ, the viscosity of air is represented by μ, and the angular velocity around the cylindrical surface is represented by ω. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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                       1 
                     
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         [0033]    When the mist  212  is small, the first term of Formula 1 is negligible. When time is represented by t and integration is performed with respect to time, Formula 2 is obtained. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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         [0034]    Incidentally r 0  is the initial position of the mist  212 . Furthermore, air flow velocity v a  in the coil portion  145  can be regarded as D 0 ω/2. Therefore, Formula 2 can be deformed into Formula 3. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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         [0035]    When the flow rate is represented by Q, the entire length of the coil portion  145  is represented by L, and mixing is assumed to be absent in the coil portion  145 , all the mist  212  reaches the wall surface of the coil portion  145  as the mist moves across the diameter of the coil portion  145  at most after entering the coil portion  145 , i.e., as the movement distance from the initial position r−r 0  becomes equal to D 1 . Thus, the length L a  of the coil portion  145  required for capturing all the mist  212  is given by Formula 4. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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         [0036]    Next, the capability of the coil portion  145  for capturing the mist  212  was assessed through an experiment, and the validity of Formula 4 was examined. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates a mist capture capability assessment system. An ultrasonic medical nebulizer  3  was used to simulate the generation of mist. The mist  212  generated by the nebulizer  3  has a particle size of 1 to 8 μm and moves in line with the flow of air in cloudlike clusters. 
         [0038]    The coil portion  145  is arranged in the middle of a pipe  1421  one end of which is inserted into a mist generation port of the nebulizer  3 . The other end of the pipe  1421  on the downstream side is connected to the interior of a sealed recovery bottle  147 . Furthermore, a pipe  1422  one end of which is inserted into the recovery bottle  147  is provided with a flow rate sensor  1481  and a temperature and humidity sensor  1482 , and is connected to the air intake port  1431  of the air intake device  143  via a control valve  149 . The amount of mist generated by the nebulizer  3  is about 1.5 mL/min. The mist  212  is layered and accumulated on the inner wall of the coil and is formed into a droplet, which is swept away by an airflow. The airflow from the coil portion  145  is temporarily released into the recovery bottle  147 . Therefore, a droplet  215  generated in the coil portion is recovered in the recovery bottle  147 , and the airflow free of a droplet flows toward the air intake device  143 . The air flow rate is adjusted as the opening of the control valve  149  is changed. 
         [0039]    The shape of the coil portion  145  used in the present experiment has an inside diameter of 6 mm, an outside diameter of 8 mm, a length of 4.3 m, and a loop diameter of 60 mm. However, the shape of the coil portion is not limited to the present shape.  FIG. 5  indicates the length of the coil portion  145  required for capturing the mist, which is estimated by Formula 4, according to a change of the air flow rate with respect to the coil portion  145  having an inside diameter of 6 mm and a loop diameter of 60 mm. When the smallest size of the mist generated from the nebulizer  3  is 1 μm, it is estimated that about 4.3 m suffices as the length of the coil portion  145  required for capturing the mist  212  when the air flow rate is 20 L/min or more. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  indicates the flow of a verification experiment. 
         [0041]    Step  1 : The operation is continued until the discharge temperature is stabilized in a state where the nebulizer  3  is stopped and the mist  212  is not generated. 
         [0042]    Step  2 : The opening of the control valve  149  is adjusted to set an air flow rate. 
         [0043]    Step  3 : The weights of the recovery bottle and the nebulizer are measured. 
         [0044]    Step  4 : The nebulizer is driven for two minutes. 
         [0045]    Step  5 : The weights of the recovery bottle and the nebulizer are measured again. 
         [0046]    Step  6 : The liquid recovered in the recovery bottle is removed, and liquid is added to the nebulizer. 
         [0047]    Step  7 : The procedure from Steps  3  to  6  is repeated seven times, and a data set under one flow rate condition is obtained. 
         [0048]    The amount of increase in weight of the recovery bottle  147  and the amount of reduction in weight of the nebulizer  3  before and after the nebulizer  3  is driven in Step  4  are calculated from a difference between the weights obtained in Steps  3  and  5 . Thus, the capture amount of the mist captured by the coil portion  145  and the amount of the mist introduced into the coil portion  145  are determined. While the mist  212  generated moves in the pipe, the water is likely to evaporate. Therefore, during experiment, the temperature and humidity of the air flowing in the pipe is continuously measured with the temperature and humidity sensor  1482 , and the amount of evaporation is calculated in combination with the temperature and humidity of outdoor air. 
         [0049]    The amount of mist=the weight of nebulizer measured in Step  3 −the weight of nebulizer measured in Step  5   
         [0050]    The amount of capture=the weight of recovery bottle measured in Step  5 −the weight of recovery bottle measured in Step  3  The amount of evaporation=air flow rate×mist generation time×(the amount of water vapor in pipe−the amount of water vapor in outdoor air) 
         [0051]    The amount of water vapor a is calculated on the basis of the Tetens formula indicated in Formula 5. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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         [0052]    Here, in Formula 5, T: temperature [° C.], e: saturation water vapor pressure [hPa], RH: relative humidity [%], a: the amount of water vapor [g/m 3 ]. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  illustrates a graph plotting the amount of mist (o), and the sum of the amount of capture and the amount of evaporation (x) according to a change of the air flow rate. Each data is an average value of five out of seven experiment trials excluding the largest value and the smallest value. When the air flow rate is smaller than 20 L/min, the amount of mist is greater by about three to four percent than the sum of the amount of capture and the amount of evaporation. This indicates that part of the mist  212  generated by the nebulizer  3  has flown downstream of the recovery bottle  147 , i.e., part of the mist  212  has not been captured but has flown out to the air intake device  143 . It is indicated that, when the air flow rate is 20 L/min or more, the amount of mist almost corresponds to the sum of the amount of capture and the amount of evaporation, and almost all the mist generated by the nebulizer  3  has been captured by the coil portion  145 . According to the above experimental results, it can be confirmed that the mist can be captured 100% when the air flow rate is 20 L/min or more. This corresponds to the value estimated in Formula 4, and the validity of Formula 4 was verified. 
         [0054]    The present example has the following effect. When a target mist size or intake flow rate is given, the shape of the coil portion  145  can be arbitrarily designed according to Formula 4. Therefore, the mist  212  can be recovered reliably, and the reliability of the apparatus is increased. Furthermore, because the length of the coil portion  145  can be set to the minimum, the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost. Furthermore, because the capture capability of the coil portion  145  can be assessed by the mist capture assessment system, inspection and quality assurance of the capture mechanism are made possible, increasing the reliability of the product. 
         [0055]    Furthermore, only when a part of the pipe is deformed into a coil shape, the mist can be captured. Therefore, the need of a filter is eliminated, enabling a reduction in size and cost of the apparatus. Furthermore, regarding cleaning of the pipe, it is sufficient that the pipe including the coil portion is detached, soaked in disinfectant or detergent, and is subject to flushing. Therefore, maintenance is made easier. Furthermore, because the mist is captured on the inner wall of the coil portion arranged in the middle of the pipe, the captured mist is isolated from both ends of the pipe during replacement. Thus, there is no chance of external contact, enabling prevention of contamination without fouling the environment. 
         [0056]    Furthermore, when the coil portion is formed of a transparent member, e.g., a plastic tube, the internal capture status can be observed contactlessly and directly by means of visual checking or an optical sensor or the like. Thus, maintenance can be performed reliably and efficiently. 
         [0057]    Furthermore, when fine irregularities are formed on the inner wall of the coil portion, the mist is prevented from being separated after being closely attached to the inner wall and dried. Thus, the apparatus is not fouled by the separation, enabling prevention of contamination. Furthermore, when the inner wall of the coil portion is coated with a surface treatment agent that changes the wettability of the inner wall or provides adhesiveness, the mist is closely attached to the inner wall and dust and dirt separated after being dried is again adhered and fixed to the inside of the coil portion. Therefore, fouling of the apparatus is suppressed and contamination can be prevented. Furthermore, when a coating of a surface treatment agent that prevents growth of fungi or bacteria is applied, the generation of dust and dirt, e.g., spores, is suppressed and contamination can be prevented. 
       Example 2 
       [0058]    As Example 2 of the present invention, decontamination or maintenance of the particle suction capture mechanism is described.  FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a state in which maintenance of cleaning the interior of the coil portion  145  is being carried out. 
         [0059]    The other end of the pipe  1421  including the coil portion  145  on the downstream side is opened into a sealed, waste liquid collection equipment  1471 . Furthermore, the pipe  1422  one end of which is inserted into the waste liquid collection equipment  1471  is connected to the air intake port  1431  of the air intake device  143 . The waste liquid collection equipment  1471  recovers a droplet. The waste liquid collection equipment  1471  may be the recovery bottle  147  indicated in Example 1 or a cyclone. Furthermore, the connection of the air intake device  143  may be released and an air intake device for maintenance may be connected. 
         [0060]    During maintenance, the air intake device  143  is activated, and then cleaning mist  2121  obtained as cleaning liquid is atomized by a cleaning mist source  31 , e.g., a spray or a nebulizer, is fed to the great number of holes  103 , which are present through the upper surfaces of the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 . The size of the cleaning mist  2121  is equal to or more than the smallest size that can be recovered by the coil portion. The cleaning mist  2121  passes through the holes  103 , and reaches and is captured by the coil portion  145 . Then, the cleaning mist  2121  contacts and dissolves in the mist  212 , which has been captured on the inner wall of the coil portion  145 , and is formed into a waste droplet  2151 . The waste droplet  2151  is stored in the waste liquid collection equipment  1471  on the downstream side and does not flow to the air intake device  143 . The waste liquid collection equipment  1471  and the pipe  1422  may be attached during maintenance or may always be mounted on the air intake system  14 . Furthermore, the coil portion  145  and the waste liquid collection equipment  1471  may be formed of transparent material, e.g., plastic or glass. 
         [0061]    The present example has the following effect. Without removing the particle suction capture mechanism, the suction function of the particle suction capture mechanism may be used to suck the cleaning mist  2121  and cleans the interior of the pipe. Therefore, maintenance is made easier and contamination due to fouling of the environment during disassembly can be prevented. Furthermore, because the cleaning liquid is turned into mist, the mist is similarly adhered to a portion where the mist of the sample solution has been accumulated, enabling an increase in cleaning efficiency and a reduction in amount of cleaning liquid. 
       Example 3 
       [0062]    Example 3 of the present invention is described in conjunction with  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 9 , a pipe includes multiple coil portions.  FIG. 9  exemplifies a case where the number of coil portions is two, but the number may be two or more. 
         [0063]    The range of the size of particle to be taken care of by the coil portions is determined according to Formula 6 for determining the target size of particles to be captured, which is a deformation of Formula 4. It is desirable that the shapes of the coil portions are determined such that the size of particles to be captured by the coil portion  1452  on a downstream side is smaller than that to be captured by the coil portion  1451  on an upstream side. 
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         [0064]    As can be seen from Formula 6, the inside diameter D 1  of the coil portion makes the greatest contribution to a diameter d of the mist. The smaller the inside diameter the finer mist can be captured. Therefore, it is favorable that, in comparison between the inside diameter of the coil portion  1451  on the upstream side and that of the coil portion  1452  on the downstream side, large mist is captured on the upstream side and small mist is captured by the coil portion  1452  on the downstream side. 
         [0065]    The present example has the following effect. In cases where the distribution of target mist sizes covers a wide range or the distribution of mist sizes includes several peaks, when the shape of each coil portion is determined such that large mist is captured by the coil portion  1451  on the upstream side and small mist is captured by the coil portion  1452  on the downstream side, the lengths of the coil portions can be set to the minimum, enabling a reduction in size and cost of the apparatus. 
       Example 4 
       [0066]    Example 4 of the present invention is described in conjunction with  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a coil portion the inside diameter of which gradually varies from upstream to downstream.  FIG. 10  indicates that the inside diameter is reduced uniformly. However, the inside diameter may vary in stages. 
         [0067]    The present example has the following effect. In cases where the distribution of target sizes of the mist  212  covers a wide range or the distribution of the sizes of the mist  212  includes several peaks, when the shape of the coil portion  145  is determined such that large mist  212  is captured by an upstream side of the coil portion  145  (a region having a larger inside diameter) and small mist  212  is captured by a downstream side of the coil portion  145  (a region having a smaller inside diameter), the length of the coil portion  145  can be set to the minimum, enabling a reduction in size and cost of the apparatus. 
       Example 5 
       [0068]    Example 5 of the present invention is described in conjunction with  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a coil portion the inside diameter and the loop diameter of which gradually vary from upstream to downstream.  FIG. 11  indicates that the inside diameter and the loop diameter are reduced uniformly. However, the inside diameter and the loop diameter may vary in stages. 
         [0069]    The present example has the following effect. In cases where the distribution of target sizes of the mist  212  covers a wide range or the distribution of the sizes of the mist  212  includes several peaks, when the shape of the coil portion  145  is determined such that large mist  212  is captured by an upstream side of the coil portion  145  (a region having larger inside diameter and loop diameter) and small mist  212  is captured by an downstream side of the coil portion  145  (a region having smaller inside diameter and loop diameter), the length of the coil portion  145  can be set to the minimum, enabling a reduction in size and cost of the apparatus. 
       Example 6 
       [0070]    Example 6 of the present invention is described in conjunction with  FIG. 12 . 
         [0071]    The present example facilitates treatment that ensures the capture of mist with the particle suction capture mechanism. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the air intake device  143  is activated, and then treatment mist  2122  obtained as surface treatment liquid is atomized by a treatment mist source  32 , e.g., a spray or a nebulizer, is fed to the great number of holes  103 , which are present through the upper surfaces of the container gripping mechanisms  101 ,  102 . The surface treatment liquid changes the wettability of the interior surface of the coil portion, provides adhesiveness, or provides a function of preventing growth of fungi or bacteria. The size of the treatment mist  2122  is equal to or more than the smallest size that can be recovered by the coil portion. The treatment mist  2122  passes through the holes  103 , reaches the coil portion  145 , is captured on the inner wall, and is coated on the inner wall. Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the waste liquid collection equipment  1471  and the pipe  1422  may be inserted between the pipe  142  and the air intake device  143  on a downstream side of the coil portion  145  and on an upstream side of the air intake device so that, when the surface treatment liquid is turned into a droplet and flows downward, the droplet does not enter the air intake device  143 . Furthermore, the connection between the pipe  142  and the air intake device  143  may be released, and an air intake device for surface treatment may be connected. 
         [0072]    The present example has the following effect. Without disassembling the particle suction capture mechanism, the suction function of the particle suction capture mechanism may be used to suck the surface treatment mist  2122  and coat the inside of the pipe. Therefore, the operation is made easier. Furthermore, even when the coating is separated due to maintenance, e.g., cleaning, coating can easily be performed again. Furthermore, because the surface treatment liquid is turned into mist, the mist is adhered to a portion where the sample solution tends to be accumulated, enabling a reduction in amount of the surface treatment liquid and a reduction in processing cost. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1  uncapping device 
           2  sample container 
           3  nebulizer 
           13  uncapping mechanism 
           14  air intake system 
           21  sample solution 
           22  cap 
           31  cleaning mist source 
           32  treatment mist source 
           101  container gripping mechanism (left side) 
           102  container gripping mechanism (right side) 
           103  hole 
           111  partition plate (left side) 
           112  partition plate (right side) 
           141  pipe 
           142  pipe 
           143  air intake device 
           144  branch portion 
           145  coil portion 
           146  airflow 
           147  recovery bottle 
           149  control valve 
           211  airborne droplet 
           212  mist 
           215  droplet 
           1421  pipe 
           1422  pipe 
           1431  air intake port 
           1432  discharge port 
           1451  coil portion 
           1452  coil portion 
           1471  waste liquid collection equipment 
           1481  flow rate sensor 
           1482  temperature and humidity sensor 
           2121  cleaning mist 
           2122  treatment mist 
           2151  waste droplet