Punching apparatus for use in dispensing

Abstract

Provided is a punching apparatus for use in dispensing, having a blood specimen contained therein, and punching a dispensing hole in a plug body of a test tube serving as a specimen container closed by the plug body whose upper end opening is made of a rubber or synthetic resin material, the apparatus comprising a guide rail serving as a transport passage which transports the test tube while the plug body thereof is held at the upper side in a vertical state, an elevating mechanism provided at a punch position P in the middle of the guide rail, and an ultrasonic cutter which is supported by the elevating mechanism, and which is lowered when the test tube reaches the punch position, thereby punching a dispensing hole immediately before penetrating the plug body from a top face thereof.

1 . A punching apparatus for use in dispensing, having a blood specimen contained therein, and punching a dispensing hole on a plug body of a specimen container closed by the plug body which is made of a rubber or synthetic resin material at an upper end opening of the specimen container, the apparatus comprising: 
 a transport passage which transports the specimen container while the plug body thereof is held at the upper side;    an elevating mechanism provided at a punch position in the middle of the transport passage; and    an ultrasonic cutter which is supported by the elevating mechanism, and which is lowered when the specimen container reaches the punch position, thereby punching a dispensing hole immediately before penetrating the plug body from a top face thereof.    
     
     
         2 . A punching apparatus for use in dispensing according to  claim 1 , wherein a sensor which senses a height position of the plug body of the specimen container is further provided at the punch position, and a controller which sets a lowering quantity of the ultrasonic cutter by a sense signal from the sensor is provided.  
     
     
         3 . A punching apparatus for use in dispensing according to  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic cutter is formed in a cross shape at a transverse cross section of a sharpened end part thereof.