Patent Description:
Pre-processing may be performed on a sample with use of a container such as a centrifuge tube before the sample is analyzed in an analysis device. For example, in pre-processing, a sample to be analyzed and an additive are injected into a container having a cap, and then the contents of the container are stirred, etc. Thereafter, the contents are extracted from the container and injected into a predetermined vial. The contents including the pre-processed sample is supplied from the vial to the analysis device, whereby a desired analysis is performed in regard to the sample.

In the pre-processing, before and after the contents are injected into the container, or before and after the contents are extracted from the container, the cap is attached or detached by the cap attachment-detachment device. For example, in a cap opening-closing device described in <CIT>, a sample container is gripped by a pair of grippers of a grip opening-closing driver, and a cap is gripped by a robot hand. In this state, the grip opening-closing driver is rotated, so that the cap is attached or detached.

<CIT> describes a device and method for removing screw-threaded caps from tubes such as microtubes used in laboratories or micro-biological systems.

<CIT> describes a device for checking the fitting of a threaded cap onto a container, the device being associated with automatic cap-fitting apparatus, particularly of the carousel type, including rotatable support means which can move at least one container about a principal axis of the apparatus and at least one screwing head for screwing a cap onto a respective container so as to close the container as a result of its movement about the principal axis, in which each screwing head is arranged to screw a cap onto a container with a predetermined tightening torque.

<CIT> describes a use of an SBS-formatted bit exchange magazine that enables the automated replacement of adapter bits on a laboratory capper, decapper or combination capper/decapper.

With the cap opening-closing device described in <CIT>, caps are attached or detached one by one. Here, it is preferable to attach or detach a plurality of caps simultaneously in order to improve throughput. However, because the dimensions of a plurality of containers vary, in a case in which the plurality of caps are attached or detached simultaneously, the plurality of caps are fastened non-uniformly. Therefore, the caps cannot be appropriately attached to or detached from the containers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cap attachment-detachment device and a pre-processing device capable of simultaneously attaching or detaching a plurality of caps. Preferred examples are defined in the dependent claims.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a cap attachment-detachment device that includes a rotation driver, a plurality of attachment-detachment portions corresponding to a plurality of containers, and a transmitter that transmits rotation of the rotation driver to the plurality of attachment-detachment portions, wherein each of the plurality of attachment-detachment portions includes an operation portion that moves in a first direction or a second direction that is opposite to the first direction in response to rotation of the rotation driver and rotates a cap to attach the cap to or detach the cap from a corresponding container, and a restricting portion that restricts a torque to be applied to the cap by the operation portion when the cap is attached to the container. The cap attachment-detachment device further includes a rotation detector that detects rotation of the operation portion, a determiner that determines whether the cap is properly fastened to the container based on a result of detection by the rotation detector. The rotation driver includes a drive pulse generator that generates a drive pulse and an electric motor that is rotated based on a drive pulse generated by the drive pulse generator. The determiner determines whether the cap is properly fastened to the container based on a count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator and a result of detection by the rotation detector.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pre-processing device that includes the above-mentioned cap attachment-detachment device that simultaneously attaches a plurality of caps to or detaches the plurality of caps from a plurality of containers, and a pre-processor that performs pre-processing on samples contained in the plurality of containers.

Other features, elements, characteristics, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the attached drawings.

A cap attachment-detachment device and a pre-processing device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cap attachment-detachment device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> includes a plurality (four in the present example) of attachment-detachment portions <NUM> having axes extending in an up-and-down direction and is used together with a container holding rack <NUM>.

The container holding rack <NUM> holds a plurality of containers <NUM> respectively corresponding to the plurality of attachment-detachment portions <NUM>. Each container <NUM> is a centrifuge tube that is used in pre-processing for a sample analysis, for example. The cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> is configured to be capable of simultaneously attaching caps <NUM> to or detaching the caps <NUM> from the upper ends of the plurality of containers <NUM> when the screw-type caps <NUM> (screw caps) of the plurality of corresponding containers <NUM> are operated from above with use of the plurality of attachment-detachment portions <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the plurality of attachment-detachment portions <NUM> are shown to be arranged in a left-and-right direction in order to facilitate understanding. The same applies to <FIG> and <FIG>, described below.

As shown in <FIG>, the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, a rotation driver <NUM>, a mover <NUM> and a transmitter <NUM> in addition to the plurality of attachment-detachment portions <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> is attached to an installation surface of the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> in the pre-processing device. The holder <NUM> holds the plurality of attachment-detachment portions <NUM> with the axes of the plurality of attachment-detachment portions <NUM> extending in the up-and-down direction.

Each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> includes an operation portion OP, a restricting portion <NUM>, an opening-closing portion <NUM> and a buffer portion <NUM>. The operation portion OP includes a driven portion <NUM> and a grip portion <NUM>. The driven portion <NUM> includes driven members 31A, 31B having axes that extend in the up-and-down direction and are rotatable about the axes. The driven members 31A, 31B are examples of first and second driven members, respectively. The driven member 31B is arranged below the driven member 31A.

The restricting portion <NUM> connects the driven member 31A and the driven member 31B to each other such that a torque generated when the driven member 31A is rotated is transmittable to the driven member 31B. The restricting portion <NUM> includes a one-way friction clutch, for example, and restricts a torque to be transmitted to the driven member 31B to a value equal to or smaller than a prescribed value when the driven member 31B is rotated in a forward direction (clockwise direction, for example). A prescribed torque value is adjustable. On the other hand, the restricting portion <NUM> does not restrict a torque to be transmitted to the driven member 31B when the driven member 31A is rotated in an opposite direction (counterclockwise direction, for example).

The grip portion <NUM> has a pair of grip claws 33A, 33B that is openable and closable. When the grip claws 33A, 33B are closed with the cap <NUM> located between the grip claws 33A, 33B, the cap <NUM> is gripped. In this state, the grip portion <NUM> is rotated, so that the cap <NUM> is attached to or detached from the container <NUM>. The opening-closing portion <NUM> includes an air cylinder, for example, and opens or closes the grip claws 33A, 33B of the grip portion <NUM>. The opening-closing portion <NUM> may include another actuator such as a solenoid.

The buffer portion <NUM> includes a spring member, for example, and holds the grip portion <NUM> at a lower portion of the driven member 31B such that the grip portion <NUM> is movable in the up-and-down direction with respect to the driven portion <NUM> and a torque generated when the driven member 31B is rotated is transmittable to the grip portion <NUM>. With this configuration, in a case in which an upward pressing force equal to or larger than a predetermined value is applied from the cap <NUM> to a lower portion of the grip portion <NUM>, the pressing force of the grip portion <NUM> is absorbed by upward movement of the grip portion <NUM>.

The rotation driver <NUM> includes a single actuator such as an electric motor and has a rotation shaft <NUM>. The rotation driver <NUM> is fixed to the holder <NUM>, for example. The mover <NUM> includes a linear-motion ball screw member, for example, and is connected to the base portion <NUM> and the holder <NUM>. The pitch of the linear-motion ball screw member is the same as the pitch of the cap <NUM> of <FIG>. The rotation shaft <NUM> of the rotation driver <NUM> is attached to the mover <NUM>. The mover <NUM> moves the holder <NUM> in the up-and-down direction with respect to the base portion <NUM> in response to rotation of the rotation driver <NUM>.

The transmitter <NUM> is a belt member, for example, and is looped around the driven members 31A of the driven portions <NUM> of the plurality of attachment-detachment portions <NUM> and the rotation shaft <NUM> of the rotation driver <NUM>. Thus, the rotation of the rotation driver <NUM> is transmitted to the plurality of driven members 31A. The operation portions OP are moved in a downward direction or an upward direction in response to the rotation of the rotation driver <NUM>, and rotate the caps <NUM> so as to attach the caps <NUM> to or detach the caps <NUM> from the corresponding containers <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the downward direction corresponds to a first direction, and the upward direction corresponds to a second direction. An operation of the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> will be described below.

<FIG> are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> when the caps <NUM> are attached. As shown in <FIG>, when the caps <NUM> are attached, the grip portion <NUM> of each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> is located above the corresponding container <NUM> while gripping the cap <NUM> by closing the grip claws 33A, 33B.

In this state, the rotation driver <NUM> is rotated in the forward direction. In this case, the holder <NUM> is moved downwardly with respect to the base portion <NUM> by the mover <NUM>. Further, the rotation of the rotation driver <NUM> is transmitted to each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> by the transmitter <NUM>. Therefore, the grip portion <NUM> of each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> is moved downwardly together with the movement of the holder <NUM> while rotating.

Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, the rotation of each grip portion <NUM> in the forward direction is continued with the cap <NUM> gripped by each grip portion <NUM> abutting against the upper end of the corresponding container <NUM>. In this case, the cap <NUM> is fastened to the container <NUM>. Thus, the plurality of caps <NUM> are simultaneously and respectively attached to the plurality of containers <NUM>.

Here, even though the plurality of containers <NUM> are the same type of containers, their dimensions vary. Therefore, points in time at which the plurality of caps <NUM> abut against the upper ends of the containers <NUM> vary. Therefore, the container <NUM> the upper end of which is located uppermost starts to be fastened earlier than the other containers <NUM>. On the other hand, the container <NUM> the upper end of which is located lowermost starts to be fastened later than the other containers <NUM>.

Even in this case, each grip portion <NUM> is held by the buffer portion <NUM> so as to be movable in the up-and-down direction with respect to the driven portion <NUM>. Therefore, in a case in which an upward pressing force that is equal to or larger than a predetermined value is applied to a lower portion of each grip portion <NUM> due to abutment of the cap <NUM> against the container <NUM>, the pressing force of each grip portion <NUM> is absorbed by upward movement of each grip portion <NUM>. Further, when a torque generated when the driven member 31A is rotated in the forward direction reaches a prescribed value, the driven member 31B idles with respect to the driven member 31A due to the restricting portion <NUM>. Thus, the plurality of caps <NUM> can be fastened uniformly.

After the caps <NUM> are attached to the containers <NUM>, the grip claws 33A, 33B of each grip portion <NUM> are opened as shown in <FIG>. Thus, gripping of the cap <NUM> by each grip portion <NUM> is released. Thereafter, the rotation driver <NUM> is rotated in the opposite direction. In this case, with each holding portion <NUM> not gripping the cap <NUM>, the holder <NUM> is moved upwardly with respect to the base portion <NUM> by the mover <NUM>. Thus, the operation of attaching the caps <NUM> ends.

<FIG> are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> when the caps <NUM> are detached. As shown in <FIG>, when the caps <NUM> are detached, the grip portion <NUM> of each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> is located above the corresponding container <NUM> without gripping the cap <NUM> and with the grip claws 33A, 33B opened. In this state, when the rotation driver <NUM> is rotated in the forward direction, the grip portion <NUM> of each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> moves downwardly together with the movement of the holder <NUM> while rotating.

Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, the grip claws 33A, 33B are closed with the corresponding cap <NUM> located between the grip claws 33A, 33B of each grip portion <NUM>, so that the cap <NUM> is gripped by the attachment-detachment portion <NUM>. In this state, the rotation driver <NUM> is rotated in the opposite direction. At this time, a torque applied to the cap <NUM> by each grip portion <NUM> is not restricted. Therefore, the cap <NUM> is efficiently loosened from the container <NUM>. Further, the holder <NUM> is moved upwardly with respect to the base portion <NUM> by the mover <NUM>. Thus, the plurality of caps <NUM> are respectively and simultaneously detached from the plurality of containers <NUM>.

After the caps <NUM> are detached from the containers <NUM>, the rotation of the grip portions <NUM> in the opposite direction is continued as shown in <FIG>. In this case, with each grip portion <NUM> gripping the cap <NUM>, the holder <NUM> is moved upwardly with respect to the base portion <NUM> by the mover <NUM>. Thus, the operation of detaching the caps <NUM> ends.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing one example of an analysis system including a pre-processing device. As shown in <FIG>, the analysis system <NUM> includes the pre-processing device <NUM> and an analysis device <NUM>. The pre-processing device <NUM> includes a sample container <NUM>, an adder <NUM>, a shaker <NUM>, a separator <NUM>, an injector <NUM> and a discarder <NUM> in addition to the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> of <FIG>. The cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> is provided in each of the sample container <NUM>, the adder <NUM> and the injector <NUM>.

A container holding rack <NUM> that holds the plurality of containers <NUM> is introduced into the sample container <NUM>. After detaching the cap <NUM> from each container <NUM> of the introduced container holding rack <NUM>, the sample container <NUM> contains a sample to be analyzed in each container <NUM> and attaches the cap <NUM> to each container <NUM>. A sample to be analyzed includes food, for example. Thereafter, the sample container <NUM> carries out the container holding rack <NUM> into the shaker <NUM>. Further, the sample container <NUM> carries out the carried container holding rack <NUM> from the shaker <NUM> into the adder <NUM>.

After detaching the cap <NUM> from each container <NUM> of the container holding rack <NUM> that has been carried in from the sample container <NUM>, the adder <NUM> adds a predetermined solvent, an internal standard reagent, etc. to each container and attaches the cap <NUM> to each container <NUM>. Thereafter, the adder <NUM> carries out the container holding rack <NUM> into the shaker <NUM>. Further, the adder <NUM> carries out the carried container holding rack <NUM> from the shaker <NUM> into the separator <NUM>.

After stirring the contents of each container <NUM> by shaking the container <NUM> of the container holding rack <NUM> that has been carried in from the sample container <NUM>, the shaker <NUM> carries out the container holding rack <NUM> into the sample container <NUM>. Further, after stirring the contents of each container <NUM> by shaking the container <NUM> of the container holding rack <NUM> that has been carried in from the adder <NUM>, the shaker <NUM> carries out the container holding rack <NUM> into the adder <NUM>.

The separator <NUM> separates the contents of each container <NUM> into components by applying a centrifugal force to the container <NUM> of the container holding rack <NUM> that has been carried in from the adder <NUM>. Thereafter, the separator <NUM> carries out the container holding rack <NUM> into the injector <NUM>. The adder <NUM>, the shaker <NUM> or the separator <NUM> is an example of a pre-processor that performs pre-processing on samples contained in the plurality of containers <NUM>.

A vial rack <NUM> holding a plurality of vials <NUM> for an analysis is introduced into the injector <NUM>. After detaching the cap <NUM> from each container <NUM> of the container holding rack <NUM> that has been carried in from the separator <NUM>, the injector <NUM> extracts part of the contents from each container <NUM> and injects the extracted contents into each vial <NUM> of the vial rack <NUM>. Thus, the contents including a pre-processed sample is contained in each vial <NUM>.

Thereafter, the injector <NUM> attaches the cap <NUM> to each container <NUM> of the container holding rack <NUM> and carries out the container holding rack <NUM> into the discarder <NUM>. Further, the injector <NUM> carries out the vial rack <NUM> into the analysis device <NUM>. The discarder <NUM> discards the contents of each container <NUM> of the container holding rack <NUM> that has been carried in from the injector <NUM>.

The analysis device <NUM> performs a predetermined analysis in regard to the contents of each vial <NUM> of the vial rack <NUM> that has been carried in from the pre-processing device <NUM>. An analysis includes determining quantity of pesticide residue in food, which is a sample, for example. The analysis device <NUM> may be a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC/MS), a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC/MS) or another analysis device, for example.

In each of the sample container <NUM>, the adder <NUM> and the injector <NUM> of the pre-processing device <NUM>, it is possible to attach the caps <NUM> to or detach the caps <NUM> from the plurality of containers <NUM> simultaneously and automatically by using the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM>. Thus, throughput can be improved. Further, it can save human labor.

While each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> includes an opening-closing portion <NUM> for opening and closing the grip portion <NUM> in the present embodiment, the embodiment is not limited to this. <FIG> is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> according to a modified example. As shown in <FIG>, in the modified example, each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> does not include the opening-closing portion <NUM>. Further, the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> includes an opening-closing portion <NUM>.

The opening-closing portion <NUM> includes an actuator such as an air cylinder or a solenoid and is fixed to the holder <NUM>, for example. A driving force of the opening-closing portion <NUM> is transmitted to grip portions <NUM> of a plurality of attachment-detachment portions <NUM> via a transmitter <NUM> such as a belt member. Thus, grip claws 33A, 33B of each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> are opened or closed.

In the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> according to the present embodiment, when the rotation driver <NUM> is driven, the rotation is transmitted to the plurality of attachment-detachment portions <NUM> via the transmitter <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to move the grip portion <NUM> of each attachment-detachment portion <NUM> in the up-and-down direction and rotates a cap <NUM> to attach the cap <NUM> to or detach the cap <NUM> from a corresponding container <NUM> by using the single rotation driver <NUM>. Here, when the cap <NUM> is attached to the container <NUM>, a pressing force applied from the cap <NUM> to the grip portion <NUM> is absorbed by the buffer portion <NUM>. Further, when the cap <NUM> is attached to the container <NUM>, a torque applied to the cap <NUM> by the grip portion <NUM> is restricted by the restricting portion <NUM>.

With this configuration, even in a case in which the dimensions of the plurality of containers <NUM> vary, the attachment-detachment portions <NUM> can absorb the variations and attach the caps <NUM> to the containers <NUM> with a constant torque. Further, because the plurality of caps <NUM> can be fastened uniformly to be attached to the plurality of containers <NUM>, a problem such as liquid leakage due to insufficient fastening does not occur. As a result, the plurality of caps <NUM> can be attached or detached appropriately and simultaneously.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cap attachment-detachment device according to another embodiment. The cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> of <FIG> further includes a plurality of rotation detectors <NUM> and a controller <NUM> in addition to the configuration of the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> of <FIG>. The plurality of rotation detectors <NUM> are provided to correspond to the plurality of driven members 31B of the driven portions <NUM> of the operation portions OP.

Each rotation detector <NUM> includes a photoelectric sensor 80a, a light-shielding plate 80b and a rotation-stop determiner <NUM> (see <FIG>). <FIG> is a schematic plan view showing the positional relationship between the photoelectric sensor 80a and the light-shielding plate 80b included in each rotation detector <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the light-shielding plate 80b is formed in a disc shape. Further, in the light-shielding plate 80b, a plurality of slits SLs are provided at equal angular intervals. The slit SLs of each light-shielding plate 80b extend in a radial direction from the outer periphery toward the center portion of the light-shielding plate 80b.

As shown in <FIG>, each light-shielding plate 80b is attached to each driven member 31B. The photoelectric sensor 80a includes an emitter e and a light receiver r. The emitter emits laser light, for example, and the light receiver receives the laser light emitted by the emitter. Further, the emitter e and the light receiver r of the photoelectric sensor 80a are provided so as to interpose the peripheral edge of the light-shielding plate 80b therebetween.

Here, in a case in which the driven member 31B is rotating, the laser light emitted by the emitter e intermittently enters the light receiver r through the plurality of slits SLs in response to the rotation of the driven member 31B. In a case in which the driven member 31B is not rotating, the laser light emitted by the emitter e continuously enters the light receiver r through the plurality of slits SLs or shielded by the light-shielding plate 80b. Thus, the rotation-stop determiner <NUM> of each rotation detector <NUM> detects whether the driven member 31B of the corresponding operation portion OP is rotating based on the laser light received by the light receiver r. Hereinafter, an operation of detecting rotation of the driven member 31B by the rotation-stop determiner <NUM> of the rotation detector <NUM> is referred to as a rotation detecting operation.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system of the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> of <FIG>. The controller <NUM> includes a pulse counter <NUM> and a proper fastening determiner <NUM>. The proper fastening determiner <NUM> is an example of a determiner.

In the present embodiment, the controller <NUM> is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a storage device, for example. A proper fastening determination program for performing a proper fastening determining operation, described below, is stored in the ROM or a storage device included in the controller <NUM>. Each constituent element (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the controller <NUM> is implemented by execution of a computer program such as the proper fastening determination program stored in the ROM or the storage device on the RAM. Part or all of the constituent elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the controller <NUM> may be constituted by hardware such as an electronic circuit.

In the present embodiment, the rotation driver <NUM> includes an electric motor 40a and a drive pulse generator 40b. The drive pulse generator 40b applies a drive pulse for controlling driving of the electric motor 40a to the electric motor 40a. The electric motor 40a is rotated in response to a drive pulse.

Each rotation-stop determiner <NUM> of each rotation detector <NUM> determines whether each driven member 31B of <FIG> is rotating based on a signal output from each photoelectric sensor 80a. Further, the rotation-stop determiner <NUM> provides a determination signal indicating whether the driven member 31B is rotating to the proper fastening determiner <NUM>.

The pulse counter <NUM> counts the number of drive pulses provided from the drive pulse generator 40b of the rotation driver <NUM> to the electric motor 40a. The proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines whether a cap <NUM> (not shown) is properly attached to a container <NUM> (not shown) based on the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b and a determination signal provided from each rotation-stop determiner <NUM> of each rotation detector <NUM>. Specifically, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines whether each cap <NUM> (not shown) is properly attached to each container <NUM> (not shown) based on a determination signal provided from each rotation-stop determiner <NUM> when the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b is in a predetermined allowable range. The predetermined allowable range is a range in regard to the count of drive pulses to be generated by the drive pulse generator 40b in a case in which the cap <NUM> can be properly fastened to the container <NUM>. The predetermined allowable range may be set based on an operation of fastening a cap <NUM> of a cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> which is experimentally performed in advance.

The proper fastening determiner <NUM> may determine whether each cap <NUM> is properly attached to each container <NUM> based on a determination signal that is provided from each rotation-stop determiner <NUM> in an allowable period of time that is set as a period from start of rotation of the electric motor 40a to a point in time at which a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of rotation of the electric motor 40a. In this case, the allowable period of time is described in the proper fastening determination program.

The pre-processing device <NUM> (see <FIG>) further includes a display unit <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> includes a liquid crystal display device or an organic electroluminescence display device, for example. A warning indicating that a cap <NUM> is not properly attached to any one of the containers <NUM> is displayed on the display unit <NUM>. Hereinafter, an operation of determining whether a cap <NUM> is properly fastened to a container <NUM> is referred to as a proper fastening determining operation.

One example of the proper fastening determining operation performed by the proper fastening determiner <NUM> of the controller <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a flowchart showing one example of the proper fastening determining operation performed by the proper fastening determiner <NUM> of the controller <NUM> of <FIG>. While the proper fastening determining operation corresponding to one driven member 31B out of the plurality of driven members 31B is shown in <FIG>, the proper fastening determining operation corresponding to the other driven members 31B is similar to the operation shown in <FIG>.

First, in the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM>, the operation of attaching a cap <NUM> shown in <FIG> is started. In this state, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines whether the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b has reached a predetermined allowable range (step S1). In a case in which the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b has not reached the allowable range, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines whether the stop of rotation of a corresponding driven member 31B is detected based on a determination signal of the corresponding rotation-stop determiner <NUM> (step S2). Here, in a case in which the stop of rotation of the corresponding driven member 31B is detected, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines that the cap <NUM> is not properly fastened to the corresponding container <NUM>.

In this case, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> causes the display unit <NUM> to display a warning indicating that the cap <NUM> is not properly fastened to the corresponding container <NUM> (step S6). In the step S2, in a case in which the stop of rotation of the corresponding driven member 31B is not detected, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> returns to the step S1.

In the step S1, in a case in which the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b has reached the allowable range (the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b is in the allowable range), the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines whether the stop of rotation of the corresponding driven member 31B is detected based on a determination signal of a corresponding rotation-stop determiner <NUM> (step S3). Here, in a case in which the stop of rotation of the corresponding driven member 31B is detected, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines that a cap <NUM> is properly fastened to a container <NUM>. In this case, the proper fastening determining operation in regard to the corresponding driven member 31B ends.

In the step S3, in a case in which the stop of rotation of the corresponding driven member 31B is not detected, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines whether the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b has exceeded the allowable range (step S4). In a case in which the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b has not exceeded the allowable range (the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b is in the allowable range), the proper fastening determiner <NUM> returns to the step S3. In a case in which the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b has exceeded the allowable range (the count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator 40b is larger than the upper limit of the allowable range), the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines whether the rotation of the corresponding driven member 31B is detected based on a determination signal of the corresponding rotation-stop determiner <NUM> (step S5).

Here, in a case in which rotation of the corresponding driven member 31B is detected, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines that the cap <NUM> is not properly fastened to the container <NUM>. In this case, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> causes the display unit <NUM> to display a warning indicating that the cap <NUM> is not properly fastened to the container <NUM> (step S6). In a case in which rotation of the corresponding driven member 31B is not detected, the proper fastening determiner <NUM> determines that the cap <NUM> is properly attached to the container <NUM>. In this case, the proper fastening determining operation in regard to the corresponding driven member 31B ends.

In the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM>, when inclination or positional deviation of the container <NUM> or the cap <NUM> occurs, for example, the screw of the container <NUM> and the screw of the cap <NUM> may not be engaged with each other accurately. In such a state, in a case in which a torque generated when the driven member 31A is rotated in the forward direction reaches a prescribed value, rotation of the driven member 31A is stopped. Further, in a case in which a container <NUM> is not held below each cap <NUM>, for example, a driven member 31A continues to be rotated with a grip portion <NUM> holding a cap <NUM>. In this case, although the cap <NUM> is not properly fastened to the container <NUM>, fastening of the cap <NUM> to the container <NUM> ends.

In the cap attachment-detachment device <NUM> of <FIG>, in the above-mentioned case, it is displayed as a warning that the cap <NUM> is not properly fastened to the container <NUM>. Therefore, a user can identify that the cap <NUM> is not properly fastened to any of the containers <NUM>. On the other hand, when fastening of all the containers <NUM> ends without a warning, it can be determined that all the containers <NUM> are appropriately fastened.

It is understood by those skilled in the art that the plurality of above-mentioned illustrative embodiments are specific examples of the below-mentioned aspects.

(Item <NUM>) A cap attachment-detachment device according to one aspect may include a rotation driver, a plurality of attachment-detachment portions corresponding to a plurality of containers, and a transmitter that transmits rotation of the rotation driver to the plurality of attachment-detachment portions, wherein each of the plurality of attachment-detachment portions may include an operation portion that moves in a first direction or a second direction that is opposite to the first direction in response to rotation of the rotation driver and rotates a cap to attach the cap to or detach the cap from a corresponding container, and a restricting portion that restricts a torque to be applied to the cap by the operation portion when the cap is attached to the container.

In the cap attachment-detachment device, when the rotation driver is driven, the rotation is transmitted to the plurality of attachment-detachment portions via the transmitter. Thus, it is possible to move the operation portion of each attachment-detachment portion in one direction and rotates a cap to attach the cap to or detach the cap from a corresponding container by using the single rotation driver. Further, when the cap is attached to the container, a torque applied to the cap by the operation portion is restricted by the restricting portion.

With this configuration, even in a case in which the dimensions of the plurality of containers vary, the attachment-detachment portions can absorb the variations and attach the caps to the containers with a constant torque. Further, because the plurality of caps can be fastened uniformly to be attached to the plurality of containers, a problem such as liquid leakage due to insufficient fastening does not occur. As a result, the plurality of caps can be attached or detached appropriately and simultaneously.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to item <NUM>, wherein each of the plurality of operation portions may further include a grip portion that grips the cap, and a driven portion that is rotated when the grip portion is connected and rotation of the rotation driver is transmitted by the transmitter.

In this case, it is possible to easily rotate the operation portion to attach the cap to or detach the cap from the container in response to rotation of the rotation driver.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to item <NUM>, wherein each driven portion may include a first driven member to which rotation of the rotation driver is transmitted by the transmitter, and a second driven member to which the grip portion is connected, wherein each restricting portion may connect the first driven member and the second driven member to each other such that a torque transmitted from the first driven member to the second driven member is restricted when the cap is attached to the container.

In this case, when the cap is attached to the container, the restricting portion can easily restrict a torque to be applied to the cap by the operation portion.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to any one of items <NUM> to <NUM> may further include a rotation detector that detects rotation of the operation portion, and a determiner that determines whether the cap is properly fastened to the container based on a result of detection by the rotation detector.

In this case, when the cap is properly fastened to each container, a torque transmitted to the operation portion is restricted. Thus, the rotation of the operation portion is stopped at a certain point in time. With the above-mentioned configuration, whether each cap is properly fastened to each container can be determined based on a result of detection of the rotation detector. Thus, a user can identify whether the cap is properly fastened to each container.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to item <NUM>, wherein the rotation driver may include a drive pulse generator that generates a drive pulse, and an electric motor that is rotated based on a drive pulse generated by the drive pulse generator, and the determiner may determine whether the cap is properly fastened to the container based on a count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator and a result of detection by the rotation detector.

In this case, the count of drive pulses applied to the electric motor for rotation of the first driven member is used as a means for determining a point in time at which the rotation of the second driven member is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether each cap is properly fastened to each container without an extra configuration.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to item <NUM>, wherein the determiner may determine whether the cap is properly fastened based on a result of detection by the rotation detector when a count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator is in a predetermined allowable range in which the cap is properly fastenable to the container.

In a case in which each cap is properly fastened to each container, rotation of the second driven member is stopped when the count of drive pulses reaches a predetermined allowable range. Therefore, whether the cap is properly fastened can be determined based on a result of detection by the rotation detector when the count of drive pulses is in the allowable range.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to item <NUM>, wherein the determiner may determine that the cap is properly fastened in a case in which rotation of a second driven member is detected by the rotation detector when a count of driven pulses generated by the drive pulse generator does not reach the allowable range, and a stop of the second driven member is detected by the rotation detector when a count of pulses is in the allowable range.

In a case in which each cap is properly fastened to each container, rotation of the second driven member continues until the count of drive pulses reaches the allowable range, and rotation of the second driven member is stopped when the count of drive pulses reaches the allowable range. Therefore, with the above-mentioned configuration, in a case in which the rotation of the second driven member is detected when the count of drive pulses has not reached the allowable range, and the stop of the second driven member is detected when the count of pulses is in the allowable range, it can be determined that the cap is properly attached.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to item <NUM> or <NUM>, wherein the determiner may determine that the cap is not properly fastened in a case in which a stop of a second driven member is detected by the rotation detector when a count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator is smaller than a lower limit of the allowable range.

In a case in which each container and each cap are not accurately engaged with each other, rotation of the second driven member is stopped before the count of driving pulses reaches the allowable range. Therefore, in a case in which the stop of the second driven member is detected when the count of drive pulses is smaller than the lower limit of the allowable range, it can be determined that the cap is not properly attached.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to any one of items <NUM> to <NUM>, wherein the determiner may determine that the cap is not properly fastened in a case in which rotation of a second driven member is detected by the rotation detector when a count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator is larger than an upper limit of the allowable range.

In a case in which no cap to be attached or detached by each attachment-detachment portion or no container is present, the rotation of the second driven member continues even when the count of drive pulses exceeds the upper limit of the allowable range. Therefore, in a case in which the rotation of the second driven member is detected when the count of drive pulses is larger than the upper limit of the allowable range, it can be determined that the cap is not properly attached.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to any one of items <NUM> to <NUM> may further include a buffer portion that absorbs a pressing force applied from the cap to the operation portion when the cap is attached to the container.

In this case, when the cap is attached to the container, a pressing force applied from the cap to the operation portion is absorbed by the buffer portion.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to item <NUM>, wherein the buffer portion may movably hold the operation portion in the second direction with respect to the cap.

In this case, the buffer portion can easily absorb a pressing force applied from the cap to the operation portion when the cap is attached to the container.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to any one of items <NUM> to <NUM>, wherein the restricting portion does not have to restrict a torque to be applied to the cap by the operation portion when the cap is detached from the container.

In this case, the plurality of attachment-detachment portions can be simultaneously and efficiently detach the plurality of caps from the plurality of containers.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to any one of items <NUM> to <NUM>, may further include a base portion, a holder that holds the plurality of attachment-detachment portions, and a mover that moves the holder with respect to the base portion in the first or second direction in response to rotation of the rotation driver.

In this case, the plurality of operation portions can be easily moved in one direction in response to rotation of the rotation driver.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to item <NUM>, wherein the cap may include a screw cap, and the mover may include a linear-motion ball screw member having a same pitch as that of the screw cap.

In this case, with a simple configuration, it is possible to move the operation portion in one direction while rotating the operation portion using a single rotation driver such that a screw cap can be attached or detached.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to any one of items <NUM> to <NUM>, wherein the restricting portion may include a friction clutch.

In this case, a torque applied to a cap can be restricted with a simple configuration.

(Item <NUM>) The cap attachment-detachment device according to any one of items <NUM> to <NUM>, wherein the buffer portion may include a spring member.

In this case, a pressing force of an operation portion applied to a cap can be absorbed with a simple configuration.

(Item <NUM>) A pre-processing device according to another aspect may include the cap attachment-detachment device according to any one of items <NUM> to <NUM> that simultaneously attaches a plurality of caps to or detaches the plurality of caps from a plurality of containers, and a pre-processor that performs pre-processing on samples contained in the plurality of containers.

Claim 1:
A cap attachment-detachment device (<NUM>) comprising:
a rotation driver (<NUM>);
a plurality of attachment-detachment portions (<NUM>) corresponding to a plurality of containers (<NUM>); and
a transmitter (<NUM>) that transmits rotation of the rotation driver (<NUM>) to the plurality of attachment-detachment portions (<NUM>), wherein
each of the plurality of attachment-detachment portions (<NUM>) includes an operation portion (OP) that moves in a first direction or a second direction that is opposite to the first direction in response to rotation of the rotation driver (<NUM>) and rotates a cap (<NUM>) to attach the cap (<NUM>) to or detach the cap (<NUM>) from a corresponding container (<NUM>), and a restricting portion (<NUM>) that restricts a torque to be applied to the cap (<NUM>) by the operation portion (OP) when the cap (<NUM>) is attached to the container (<NUM>), and characterized in that the cap attachment-detachment device (<NUM>) further comprises:
a rotation detector (<NUM>) that detects rotation of the operation portion (OP); and
a determiner that determines whether the cap (<NUM>) is properly fastened to the container (<NUM>) based on a result of detection by the rotation detector (<NUM>), wherein
the rotation driver (<NUM>) includes
a drive pulse generator (40b) that generates a drive pulse, and
an electric motor (40a) that is rotated based on a drive pulse generated by the drive pulse generator (40b), and
the determiner determines whether the cap (<NUM>) is properly fastened to the container (<NUM>) based on a count of drive pulses generated by the drive pulse generator (40b) and a result of detection by the rotation detector (<NUM>).