Patent Description:
Conventionally, in case of observing a powder sample with a microscope such as an electron microscope, a sample is prepared by dispersing the powder sample on an upper surface of an analytical member.

As a device to prepare the sample, as shown in <CIT>, there is a sampler dispersing device that introduces a powder sample into a container that houses a holding member (an analytical member) such as a glass plate and that attaches the powder sample dispersed in the container to the holding member.

For this type of the sample dispersing device, since the powder sample is scattered in all directions in the container and adheres to the inner surface of the container, it is necessary to conduct cleaning work such as washing with water or wiping in order to remove the particles that adheres to the inner surface of the container after use.

However, since it is necessary to conduct the above-mentioned cleaning work manually for each preparation of the powder sample, not only the cleaning work is time-consuming but also it is difficult to prepare the powder samples efficiently. In addition, there is a risk of confusion with other powder samples due to variations in the cleaning states among the workers who conduct the above-mentioned cleaning work.

Document <CIT> discloses a sampling device for grain size distribution measurement sample including a container which inside can be evacuated. In the upper part of the container, a sample introducing tube having a sample hopper in the upper end, a nozzle in the lower end, and a cock in the middle is inserted air-tightly from the container outside into the inside. A diffuser is arranged under the nozzle, and an optical board is horizontally arranged below the nozzle. While the cock is closed and the container inside and the sample hopper are shut off, a powder sample is thrown into the sample hopper and the container inside is evacuated, and afterward, the cock is opened when the container inside reaches a predetermined vacuum condition. <CIT> describes an assembly providing a removable tapered insert for a particulate material container.

The present claimed invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and a main object of this invention is to shorten cleaning time of a container in a sample dispersing device and to reduce variations of the cleaning state.

To this end, the invention provides a sample dispersing device in accordance with claim <NUM> and a method in accordance with claim <NUM>.

More specifically, the sample dispersing device in accordance with this invention is a sample dispersing device for dispersing a powder sample on an upper surface of an analytical member, and is characterized by comprising a container that has a placing surface on which the analytical member is placed, an introducing mechanism that is arranged in the container and that introduces the powder sample into inside of the container, and a covering member that covers an inner surface of the container and that can be attached to and removed from the container.

In accordance with the above-mentioned sample dispersing device, since the covering member that covers the inner surface of the container is removable from the container, it is possible to easily clean the container by replacing the covering member after use. As a result of this, it is possible to shorten the cleaning time of the container of the sample dispersing device, and to efficiently prepare samples with powder samples dispersed on the analytical member. In addition, since a part covered by the covering member can be cleaned by replacing the covering member, it is possible to reduce the variation of the cleaning condition. Furthermore, since the cleaning can be conducted efficiently and without variation, it is possible to reduce the risk of confusion with other powder samples. In addition, it is also possible to reduce the risk of damage to the container during cleaning.

According to the invention the container has a lower wall portion having the placing surface on its upper surface, an upper wall portion facing the lower wall portion, and a side wall portion connecting the lower wall portion and the upper wall portion and surrounding the placing surface.

In accordance with this arrangement, a ratio of the inner surface of the side wall portion to the inner surface of the container becomes relatively large. For this reason, in order to make the effect of providing the covering member in a detachable manner remarkably, it is preferable that the covering member covers at least an inner surface of the side wall portion.

In order both to facilitate the installation and the removal of the analytical member and to facilitate the replacement of the covering member with respect to the side wall portion, it is preferable that the container is configured so that at least the lower wall portion is separable from the side wall portion.

It is preferable that the covering member is made of an elastic body having a sheet shape and covers the inner surface of the side wall portion by being arranged in an elastically deformed state inside of the side wall portion.

In accordance with this arrangement, since the covering member is fixed in contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion by the elastic resilience of the covering member by elastically deforming the covering member into a cylindrical shape and placing it inside the side wall portion, it is possible to eliminate the need for a separate fixing mechanism for fixing the covering member. In addition, it is possible to facilitate the replacing work of the covering member.

Most of the scattered powder is deposited on the lower wall portion. For this reason, it is preferable that a discharging mechanism that sucks and discharges the powder sample is arranged on the lower wall portion.

In accordance with this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the burden of cleaning work by discharging the powder sample before the container is opened.

In order to make it possible to visually recognize the inside of the container, it is preferable that the covering member is made of a material having light transmittance.

As a concrete embodiment of the introducing mechanism, it is preferable that the introducing mechanism introduces a gas containing the powder sample into the container by means of a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container and has an introducing pipe through which the gas containing the powder sample flows and which is provided with a plurality of narrowed portions, and one or more mesh members arranged in the introducing pipe.

In accordance with this arrangement, since the mesh members are provided in the introducing tube, it is possible to subdivide the powder sample introduced into the container so that the powder sample can be efficiently dispersed inside of the container.

In addition, a sample dispersing method in accordance with this invention is a sample dispersing method using a sample dispersing device that has a container having a placing surface on which an analytical member is placed and an introducing mechanism that introduces a powder sample into the container, and is characterized by that the powder sample is introduced into the container by the introducing mechanism and dispersed on an upper surface of the analytical member in a state wherein an inner surface of the container is covered by a covering member that can be attached to and removed from the container.

In accordance with the above-mentioned invention, the cleaning time of the container of the sample dispersing device can be shortened and the variation of the cleaning condition can be reduced.

A sample dispersing device <NUM> in accordance with one embodiment of the present claimed invention will be described below with reference to drawings.

The sample dispersing device <NUM> of this embodiment is to disperse a powder sample (W) on an upper surface of an analytical plate <NUM> as being an analytical member. The analytical plate <NUM> in this embodiment is a plate having a flat surface on its top. The analytical member is not limited to a plate-shaped plate, and various types of plates can be used according to the analytical device such as a microscope.

Concretely, as shown in <FIG>, the sample dispersing device <NUM> has a container <NUM> having a placing surface on which the analytical plate <NUM> is placed, an introducing mechanism <NUM> that is arranged in the container <NUM> and that introduces the powder sample (W) into inside of the container <NUM>, and a covering member <NUM> that covers the inner surface of the container <NUM> and that is removable from the container <NUM>.

The container <NUM> has a lower wall portion <NUM> having a placing surface 2x on its upper surface, an upper wall portion <NUM> facing the lower wall portion <NUM>, and a side wall portion <NUM> connected to the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM> and surrounding the placing surface 2x.

The lower wall portion <NUM> has a placing surface 2x on which the analytical plate <NUM> is placed and the placing surface 2x is set, for example, in a center of the lower wall portion <NUM>. A placing stand on which the analytical plate <NUM> is placed is arranged in a center of the lower wall portion <NUM>, and the upper surface of the placing stand may be used as the placing surface 2x.

The upper wall portion <NUM> is provided with an introducing mechanism <NUM> and the introducing mechanism <NUM> is arranged, for example, in a center portion of the upper wall portion <NUM>. In addition, the upper wall portion <NUM> is provided with an exhaust port 2P to make the inside of the container <NUM> in vacuum, and the exhaust port 2P is connected to a pressure reducing pump <NUM> through piping <NUM>. The pressure in the inside of the container <NUM> is reduced to a predetermined vacuum level by the pressure reducing pump <NUM>. In addition, the upper wall portion <NUM> may be provided with an atmospheric opening port to open the inside of the container <NUM> to the atmosphere.

The side wall portion <NUM> has a cylindrical shape arranged between the lower wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM>, and its lower end opening portion is closed by the lower wall portion <NUM> and its upper end opening portion is closed by the upper wall portion <NUM>. The side wall portion <NUM> of this embodiment is made of a material having light transmittance (for example, quartz glass, acrylic glass, etc.) so that the interior part can be seen. The side wall portion <NUM> of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape.

The container <NUM> is configured so that at least the lower wall portion <NUM> can be separated from the side wall portion <NUM>. In this embodiment, not only the lower wall portion <NUM> but also the upper wall portion <NUM> is configured to be separable from the side wall portion <NUM>. The space between the side wall portion <NUM> and the lower wall portion <NUM> is made airtight through a sealing member S1 such as an O-ring, and the space between the side wall portion <NUM> and the upper wall portion <NUM> is also made airtight through a sealing member S2 such as an O-ring.

The introducing mechanism <NUM> introduces a gas containing the powder sample (W) into the container <NUM> by means of a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container <NUM>.

Concretely, the introducing mechanism <NUM> comprises an introducing tube <NUM> through which the gas containing the powder sample (W) flows and a supplying portion <NUM> that supplies the powder sample (W) to the introducing tube <NUM>.

The introducing tube <NUM> is arranged along the vertical direction while penetrating the upper wall portion <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The introducing tube <NUM> is provided with a plurality of narrowed portions <NUM> between an upper end opening and a lower end opening of the introducing tube <NUM>. The gas containing the powder sample (W) flowing through the introducing tube <NUM> is repeatedly compressed and expanded by the multiple narrowed portions <NUM>, and a shearing force is applied to a group of particles in an aggregated state to promote dispersion of the powder sample (W). The supplying portion <NUM> is arranged at the upper end opening of the introducing tube <NUM>.

The supplying portion <NUM> comprises a partition membrane <NUM> that blocks the upper end opening of the introducing tube <NUM> and on which the powder sample (W) is placed and a membrane breaking portion <NUM> that breaks the partition membrane <NUM> and supplies the powder sample (W) to the introducing tube <NUM>.

The partition membrane <NUM> has a strength that is substantially strong enough not to be broken even when the inside of the container <NUM> is depressurized, and is a thin film, for example, made of resin.

The membrane breaking portion <NUM> is for breaking the partition membrane <NUM> in a state wherein inside of the container <NUM> is depressurized, and consists of, for example, a needle 322a. The needle 322a is fixed to an inner surface of an elastic body 322b that is roughly hemispherical in shape. The elastic body 322b is arranged in such a way that the needle 322a faces the partition membrane <NUM>. When the elastic body 322b is in a natural state, the needle 322a is separated from the partition membrane <NUM>. When the elastic body 322b is pushed downward, the needle 322a breaks the partition membrane <NUM> so that the powder sample (W) placed on the upper surface of the partition membrane <NUM> is introduced into the inside of the container <NUM> through the introducing tube <NUM> due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

The covering member <NUM> covers at least the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> of the inner surface of the container <NUM>. The covering member <NUM> of this embodiment is configured to cover generally the entire inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM>. The covering member <NUM> is made of a light transmissive material (for example, a resin having light transmission characteristics) so that the inside of the container <NUM> can be seen. The covering member <NUM> may cover a part of the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM>. For example, it may cover a lower half of the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> and may cover the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> below the lower end of the introducing tube <NUM>, or it may cover the part of the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> to which the powder sample (W) easily adheres.

Concretely, the covering member <NUM> is composed of an elastic body having a sheet shape, as shown in <FIG>. The covering member <NUM> is configured to cover the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> by being arranged in a cylindrically elastically deformed state inside of the side wall portion <NUM>.

Here, the covering member <NUM> is arranged inside of the side wall portion <NUM> in a cylindrically elastically deformed state, and the covering member <NUM> expands due to its elastic return force so that the outer surface of the covering member <NUM> makes contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM>. Since the side wall portion <NUM> has a cylindrical shape, the outer surface of the covering member <NUM> makes contact with generally whole part of the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM>.

A sample dispersing method using the sample dispersing device of this embodiment will be briefly explained.

First, the covering member <NUM> is mounted on the inside of the side wall portion <NUM>. With this state kept, the lower wall portion <NUM> and upper wall portion <NUM> are mounted on the side wall portion <NUM>, and the analytical plate <NUM> is placed on the placing surface 2x of the lower wall portion <NUM>.

With this state kept, the powder sample (W) is introduced into the container <NUM> and the powder sample (W) is dispersed on the upper surface of the analytical plate <NUM> by the use of the introducing mechanism <NUM>.

Subsequently, the lower wall portion <NUM> and upper wall portion <NUM> are dismounted from the side wall portion <NUM> and the analytical plate <NUM> is dismounted. In addition, the covering member <NUM> is dismounted from the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM>.

In accordance with the sample dispersing device <NUM> of this embodiment having the above-mentioned arrangement, since the covering member <NUM> that covers the inner surface of the container <NUM> is detachable from the container <NUM>, the cleaning work of the container <NUM> can be simplified by replacing the covering member <NUM> after use. As a result of this, it is possible to shorten the time required for cleaning the container <NUM> of the sample dispersing device <NUM>, and to efficiently prepare the sample wherein the powder sample (W) is dispersed on the analytical plate <NUM>. In addition, since a portion covered by the covering member <NUM> can be cleaned by replacing the covering member <NUM>, it is possible to reduce the variation in the cleaning condition. Furthermore, since the cleaning can be done efficiently and evenly, it is possible to reduce the risk of confusion with other powder samples. In addition, it is also possible to reduce the risk of damage to the container <NUM> or deterioration of the container <NUM> during cleaning.

In addition, since the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> to which the powder sample (W) relatively easily adheres and that occupies a large proportion of the inner surface is covered with the covering member <NUM>, it is possible to make the effect of having the covering member <NUM> removable furthermore conspicuous.

Furthermore, since the lower wall portion <NUM> is configured to be separable from the side wall portion <NUM>, it is possible to facilitate installation and removal of the analytical plate <NUM> and to facilitate replacement of the covering member <NUM> with respect to the side wall portion <NUM>.

In addition, since the covering member <NUM> is fixed in contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> by its elastic return force just by elastically deforming the covering member <NUM> into a cylindrical shape and placing it inside of the side wall portion <NUM>, it is possible to eliminate the need for an another separate fixing mechanism in order to fix the covering member <NUM>. Furthermore, it is possible to facilitate an exchanging work of the covering member <NUM>.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

For example, the covering member <NUM> of the above-mentioned embodiment covers the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> of the container <NUM>, but it may also cover the inner surface of the lower wall portion <NUM> or the inner surface of the upper wall portion <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

In case of covering the inner surface of the lower wall portion <NUM> of the container <NUM>, it may be configured to cover the inner surface excluding the placing surface 2x, or it may be configured to cover the entire inner surface including the placing surface 2x. In case of covering the entire inner surface including the placing surface 2x, the analytical plate <NUM> is placed on the covering member <NUM>.

In addition, the above-mentioned covering member <NUM> may be in the form of a sheet or a bag, for example, and may cover both the inner surface of the side wall portion <NUM> and the inner surface of the lower wall portion <NUM>.

Furthermore, the covering member <NUM> may be fixed to the inner surface of the container <NUM> using an adhesive or other fixing means.

The covering member <NUM> may be disposable or may be used repeatedly by washing. In case of a configuration wherein the sheet-shaped material is elastically deformed as in the above-mentioned embodiment, since the covering member <NUM> becomes sheet-shaped after removal, it becomes easy to clean the covering member <NUM>.

As the introducing mechanism <NUM> of the powder sample (W), in addition to the decompression type as described in the above-mentioned embodiment, it may be a pressurized type that uses compressed air to introduce the powder sample (W) into the container <NUM>, or it may be a free-fall type. In addition to the configuration of the introducing mechanism <NUM> arranged on the upper wall portion <NUM>, it may also be installed on the lower wall portion <NUM>, or on the side wall portion <NUM>.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, a discharging mechanism <NUM> may be provided in the lower wall portion <NUM> of the container <NUM> to suck and discharge the powder sample (W). This discharging mechanism <NUM> may be provided with a function as a decompression pump of the above-mentioned embodiment.

Concretely, the discharging mechanism <NUM> comprises a discharging channel <NUM> arranged in the lower wall portion <NUM>, an exhaust pipe <NUM> connected to the discharging channel <NUM>, and a suction pump <NUM> arranged in the exhaust pipe <NUM>. After the powder sample (W) is dispersed inside of the container <NUM> (after the container <NUM> is used), the suction pump <NUM> sucks and discharges the powder sample (W) deposited on the lower wall portion <NUM> from the discharging channel <NUM>.

Here, in order to increase the efficiency of discharging the powder sample (W) by the discharging mechanism <NUM>, a funnel-shaped guide surface <NUM> is formed on the inner surface of the lower wall portion <NUM> to guide the powder sample (W) toward the discharging channel <NUM>. By making the guide surface <NUM> funnel-shaped, it is possible to prevent the powder sample (W) from flying up. In addition, it is also preferable to open the inside of the container <NUM> to the atmosphere before discharging the powder sample (W) by the discharging mechanism <NUM>. Furthermore, a filter to remove the powder sample (W) may be arranged upstream of the suction pump <NUM> in the discharging channel <NUM> or the exhaust pipe <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, one or more mesh members <NUM> may be provided inside of the introducing tube <NUM> in the introducing mechanism <NUM>. In addition to the narrowed portion <NUM> arranged in the introducing tube <NUM>, the mesh member <NUM> promotes dispersion of the powder sample (W). In <FIG>, the mesh member <NUM> is arranged on a vacuum side in the introducing mechanism <NUM>. As mentioned above, since the powder sample (W) that is accelerated inside the introducing tube <NUM> due to the pressure difference collides with the mesh member <NUM> by arranging the mesh member <NUM> on the vacuum side, it is possible to refine the powder sample (W). The mesh member <NUM> is a mesh filter. This mesh member <NUM> may be arranged upstream or downstream of the narrowed portion <NUM>. As the powder sample (W) passes through the mesh member <NUM>, it is possible to disperse the powder sample (W) whose particle size is smaller than the mesh size (mesh opening) of the mesh member <NUM>. This makes it easy to take an observation image free from aggregated particles so that working hours required for the operation can be reduced. In addition, the particles that remain in an aggregated state remain on the mesh member so that it is possible to easily remove the particles that remain in the aggregated state. Furthermore, if a mesh member is changed to a mesh member having a different mesh size, it is possible to set conditions suitable for the power sample (W). In addition, a plurality of mesh members <NUM> with different mesh sizes may be provided. In this case, it is considered that the mesh members <NUM> with different mesh sizes are arranged inside of the introducing tube <NUM> in a descending order of the mesh size starting from the upstream side.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is to place the powder sample (W) on the upper surface of the partition membrane <NUM> and to introduce the powder sample (W) into the introducing tube <NUM> by breaking the partition membrane <NUM> with the membrane breaking portion <NUM>, however, the following configuration is also possible.

The sample dispersing device having this configuration is a sample dispersing device that disperses a powder sample on an upper surface of an analytical member, and comprises a container having a placing surface on which the analytical member is placed, and an introducing mechanism that is arranged in the container and that introduces the powder sample into the container, and the introducing mechanism has an introducing tube inside of which the powder sample is housed and a gas that contains the powder sample is introduced into the container by a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container from a state in which the powder sample is housed inside of the introducing tube.

Concretely, as shown in <FIG>, it may be configured that a powder sample (W) is housed inside of the introducing tube <NUM>, and with this state kept, a partition membrane <NUM> is broken by a membrane breaking portion <NUM> and the powder sample (W) is introduced into the inside of the container <NUM>. In other words, in a state before the partition membrane <NUM> is broken, the powder sample (W) housed inside of the introducing tube <NUM> is in a decompressed state. More specifically, it can be configured that the powder sample (W) is housed in at least one (the second narrowed portion <NUM> in <FIG>) of a plurality of the narrowed portions <NUM> of the introducing tube <NUM>. In <FIG>, the introducing tube <NUM> is divided into parts for each of the narrowed portions <NUM>, and after housing the powder sample (W) in one narrowed portion <NUM> in a disassembled state, the introducing tube <NUM> housing the powder sample (W) is formed by assembling the disassembled narrowed portions <NUM>. If the powder sample (W) comes out of the narrowed portion <NUM> in case that the powder sample (W) is housed in the narrowed portion <NUM>, a valve structure or a film may be provided at an opening portion of the narrowed portion <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the powder sample (W) is housed inside of the introducing tube <NUM> (narrowed portion <NUM>), and the partition membrane <NUM> is broken by the membrane breaking section <NUM> in a state wherein the container <NUM> is depressurized, then air flows into the inside of the introducing tube <NUM> from the outside so that the powder sample (W) is introduced into inside of the container <NUM>. In this embodiment, since the powder sample (W) is not placed on the partition membrane <NUM>, it is possible to solve the problem that the powder sample (W) remains on the partition membrane <NUM> and the desired amount of dispersion cannot be obtained. In addition, if the powder sample (W) is placed inside of the introducing tube <NUM>, since the shear force that acts on the group of particles in the aggregated state becomes weaker than a case wherein the powder sample (W) is placed on the partition membrane <NUM> and a distance to the analytical plate <NUM> can be shortened, it is possible to control the dispersed state of the powder sample (W) and to obtain the powder sample (W) in a desired state (aggregated state or a state wherein a mixed state is maintained).

Claim 1:
A sample dispersing device (<NUM>) for dispersing a powder sample (W) on an upper surface of an analytical member (<NUM>), comprising
a container (<NUM>) that has a placing surface (2X) on which the analytical member (<NUM>) is placeable
wherein the container (<NUM>) has a lower wall portion (<NUM>) having the placing surface (2X) on its upper surface, an upper wall portion (<NUM>) facing the lower wall portion (<NUM>), and a side wall portion (<NUM>) connecting the lower wall portion (<NUM>) and the upper wall portion (<NUM>) and surrounding the placing surface (2X),
an introducing mechanism (<NUM>) that is arranged in the container (<NUM>) and that is configured to introduce the powder sample (W) into inside of the container (<NUM>), and
a covering member (<NUM>) that covers at least an inner surface of the side wall portion (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) to prevent the powder sample (W) from adhering to the side wall portion (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) and that can be attached to and removed from the container (<NUM>).