JP7599995B2 - container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container with multiple storage compartments.

In fields that handle hygienic contents such as medical and food products, containers with multiple storage sections are known for storing multiple contents. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a multi-chamber container in which the inside of the container is divided by weak seal sections created by peelably heat sealing a resin film or sheet, and multiple contents are stored in isolation from each other. In this type of multi-chamber container, the contents can be mixed by pressing one of the storage chambers from the outside, peeling off the weak seal section, and connecting the storage chambers.

Patent document 2 describes a multi-chamber container in which a container body having multiple storage chambers formed in one sheet material and a lid material closing the storage chambers with the other sheet material are sealed with high strength on the outside of the storage chambers and with low strength between the storage chambers, and in which a fold line extends to the bottom surface of the storage chambers.
Patent document 3 describes a manufacturing method in which individual bag bodies formed from a body film and a bottom film are cut, in which a reinforcing member is joined to at least one of the body films at a location that will become the side of the packaging bag, and the reinforcing member is heat-sealed to another film.

Patent document 4 describes a packaging bag in which the bag is divided into multiple storage sections, and a pouring tool made of a plastic injection molded product is clamped and fixed to the lower end of the storage section, and tools for pouring out the contents of the storage section are covered by a bag-shaped body.
Patent Document 5 describes a container in which an easy-open portion is opened by applying pressure to the contents by pressing the container, and a narrow, approximately T-shaped seal is formed in the easy-open portion.

Patent Document 6 describes how a reagent pack containing multiple types of reagents required in the clinical testing field, each contained in a separate well (recess), is attached to a measuring device as a measurement kit and the desired measurement is performed. The reagent pack includes wells for containing the reagents for measurement, a well into which the sample to be measured is injected, and a well into which the sample and reagent are mixed, and the opening of each well is sealed with a laminate film.

Patent No. 4412463 Patent No. 6632914 Patent No. 4313660 Patent No. 4686297 Patent No. 3995464 JP 2019-191054 A

In medical tests, etc., reagents containing components that are unstable when heated may be used. For this reason, if the contents are poured into the bag and then heat sealed, as is the case when manufacturing conventional packaging bags, the quality of the contents may be compromised.
Furthermore, in the reagent pack of Patent Document 6, a nozzle or the like provided in the measuring device is used to perforate the laminate film for the purpose of injecting a sample, transferring the reagent between wells, etc. For this reason, it is necessary to proceed with the measurement immediately after injecting the sample into the reagent pack, and it is difficult to transfer the container into which the sample has been injected to another location.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a container that can maintain the quality of the contents even when the contents contain ingredients that are unstable when heated.

To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a container comprising a container body in which a first storage section capable of storing a first content and a second storage section capable of storing a second content are integrally formed, an opening/closing section that allows the first storage section to be repeatedly opened and closed, and a closing section that allows the second storage section to be irreversibly closed without heating the second content when the second content is stored in the second storage section.

The container may be for testing using a specimen and a reagent, wherein the first contents include at least the specimen and the second contents include at least the reagent.
The closure portion may close the second container portion by heat sealing at a location spaced from the second container portion.

The container body may be formed by a packaging film that seals the periphery of the first storage section and the second storage section, and the opening/closing section and the closing section may protrude from the container body.

The container body may include a first pouring portion formed from the first storage portion toward the outside of the container body, and a second pouring portion formed from the second storage portion toward the outside of the container body.

The container may include an outer frame that supports an end portion of the container body.
The outer frame body may have a top plate portion surrounding the tip end of the closing portion, and the top plate portion may be provided with a lid material that closes the tip end of the closing portion.

According to the present invention, even when contents containing components that are unstable when heated are stored, the quality of the contents can be maintained.
Furthermore, when a specimen is injected into the first container, since the first container can be opened and closed, the container can be easily transported to another location.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a container according to an embodiment. 1 is a front view showing an example in which a cap and a lid material are provided on a container of an embodiment. FIG.

The present invention will be described below based on a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings.

<Container>
The container 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a container body 40 in which a first storage section 11 capable of storing a first content and a second storage section 21 capable of storing a second content are integrally formed. As shown in Fig. 2, the container body 40 can be provided with devices such as a cap 14 and a lid member 24 for closing the first storage section 11 and the second storage section 21.

The first storage section 11 forms the first container 10 together with the opening/closing section 12. The opening/closing section 12 can repeatedly open and close the first storage section 11. The opening/closing section 12 may be opened and closed multiple times as long as it can be closed again after opening the path leading to the first storage section 11. The tip 13 of the opening/closing section 12 can be closed, for example, by a cap 14. By using an instrument that can be opened and closed without heating, such as the cap 14, the quality of the first contents can be maintained even if the first contents contain components that are unstable to heat. When the first storage section 11 is repeatedly opened and closed, if the first contents are opened and closed without being heated, a method of heating at least a part of the opening/closing section 12 may be used. For example, after the first contents are stored in the first storage section 11, the tip 13 of the opening/closing section 12 may be heat-sealed, or a heated material may be supplied around the cap 14 to fix the cap 14.

The second storage section 21 forms the second container 20 together with the closing section 22. The closing section 22 can be closed irreversibly without the second contents being heated. The tip 23 of the closing section 22 can be temporarily closed, for example, by a lid material 24. The second storage section 21 can also be closed by crimping the tube forming the closing section 22. This allows the quality of the second contents to be maintained even if the second contents contain components that are unstable to heat. The tip 23 of the closing section 22 can be heat sealed. If the closing section 22 is made of a material that can be deformed by heat, the tip 23 can be crushed by heating. The tip 23 can be closed by supplying a heated material around the tip 23.

The use of the container 100 is not particularly limited, but it can be suitably used, for example, as a container for testing using a specimen and a reagent. In the following description, the first storage section 11 and the second storage section 21 may be collectively referred to as storage sections 11, 21. The capacity of the storage sections 11, 21 is not particularly limited, but may be a small capacity of, for example, about 10 μL to 10 mL. The capacity of each storage section 11, 21 may be the same or different from each other.

When the container 100 is used for the above-mentioned testing purposes, the first contents contained in the first storage section 11 may include a specimen. The first storage section 11 may contain only the specimen, or may contain a reagent or other desired drug together with or prior to the specimen for the purpose of stably storing the specimen. The number of first storage sections 11 formed in the container body section 40 is not particularly limited, and one or more first storage sections 11 may be formed in the container body section 40. When it is necessary to store a specific reagent or drug together with the specimen, it is also possible to first store the reagent or drug in the first storage section 11 and then add the specimen.

When the container 100 is used for the above-mentioned testing purposes, the second contents contained in the second storage section 21 may include a reagent. The second storage section 21 may contain only a reagent, or may contain a desired drug together with the reagent. The number of second storage sections 21 formed in the container body section 40 is not particularly limited, and one or more second storage sections 21 may be formed in the container body section 40. When the container 100 has multiple second storage sections 21, each second storage section 21 may contain a different reagent. It is preferable that the reagent is contained in at least the second storage section 21, and the reagent may be contained in the first storage section 11 and the second storage section 21.

The container body 40 can be formed by a packaging film 41 in which the periphery of the storage sections 11, 21 is sealed with a seal section 42. It is preferable that the opening/closing section 12 and the closing section 22 protrude from the container body 40. Parts of the opening/closing section 12 and the closing section 22 may be joined to the packaging film 41. The tip sections 13, 23 of the opening/closing section 12 and the closing section 22 are exposed to the outside of the packaging film 41.

The illustrated container 100 has a plurality of second containers 20 corresponding to the first containers 10. The second storage sections 21 are separated by seal sections 42. In addition, the closure section 22 that is combined with the second storage section 21 is provided independently for each second container 20. This allows the reagents stored in each second storage section 21 to be stored without being mixed with each other.

The packaging films 41 may be arranged facing each other at the front and rear so as to sandwich the opening/closing section 12 or the closing section 22. At the first joint 45, the packaging film 41 is joined to the opening/closing section 12. At the second joint 46, the packaging film 41 is joined to the closing section 22. By sealing the front packaging film 41 and the rear packaging film 41 around the storage section 11, 21, it is possible to form the storage section 11, 21 having the desired shape and capacity.

To remove the contents stored in the storage sections 11, 21 from the storage sections 11, 21, a pouring section 15, 25 located at a position different from the opening/closing section 12 and the closing section 22 may be used. The first container 10 has a first pouring section 15 formed from the first storage section 11 toward the outside of the container body section 40. The second container 20 has a second pouring section 25 formed from the second storage section 21 toward the outside of the container body section 40.

The ejection parts 15, 25 are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a port including an inner stopper, a lid material, etc. that can be pierced by an injection needle. The inner stopper may include an elastic body such as rubber that can close the hole left by the injection needle when the injection needle is removed by its restoring force. The lid material may retain the hole left by the injection needle even after the injection needle is removed. The contents may be removed by piercing the packaging film 41 with an injection needle without providing the ejection parts 15, 25 in advance in the container body 40.

The pouring portions 15, 25 in the illustrated example are provided in advance in the container body 40 above the lower edge of the packaging film 41. Although not specifically shown, the pouring portions 15, 25 may be formed by protruding portions of the packaging film 41. In this case, the protruding portion may protrude downward from the lower edge of the packaging film 41. The protruding portion may include an unsealed portion protruding from the storage portion 11, 21 and a sealed portion 42 that closes the periphery of the unsealed portion. To open the pouring portions 15, 25 including the protruding portion, a breaking portion such as a cut that reaches the unsealed portion may be formed in the packaging film 41.

The container body 40 having the storage sections 11, 21 may be formed from a packaging film 41 that does not have the pouring sections 15, 25 provided in advance. In this case, it is also possible to form the pouring sections 15, 25 that connect to the storage sections 11, 21 after it becomes necessary to pour out the contents. To form the pouring sections 15, 25 in the packaging film 41, the packaging film 41 may be partially cut, perforated, or the like.

The seal portion 42 surrounding the periphery of the storage portion 11, 21 at a location other than the pouring portion 15, 25 is preferably sealed with a packaging film 41 with a peel strength stronger than that of an easy peel. The peel strength of the seal portion 42 may be, for example, 15 N/15 mm or more, which is considered to be a somewhat strong heat seal strength in JIS Z0238 (Test method for heat-sealed soft packaging bags and semi-rigid containers). Specific examples of peel strengths due to strong sealing include, for example, 15 N/15 mm, 20 N/15 mm, 23 N/15 mm, 30 N/15 mm, 35 N/15 mm, 40 N/15 mm, etc., or values close to or intermediate between these.

The spouting portions 15, 25 may be formed by easy peeling the packaging film 41. The peel strength by easy peeling may be, for example, less than 15 N/15 mm, which is considered to be equal to or less than the normal heat seal strength in JIS Z0238 (Test method for heat-sealed soft packaging bags and semi-rigid containers). Specific examples of peel strength by easy peeling include, for example, 1 N/15 mm, 3 N/15 mm, 6 N/15 mm, 10 N/15 mm, 12 N/15 mm, etc., or values close to or intermediate between these.

When forming the pouring portions 15, 25 by easy peeling, it is preferable to provide a peel strength difference between the peel strength by the strong seal and the peel strength by the easy peel such that the seal portion 42 does not peel off at the same time as the pouring portions 15, 25. This peel strength difference is not particularly limited, but examples include 1 N/15 mm or more. Specific examples of the difference between the peel strength by the strong seal and the peel strength by the easy peel include 1 N/15 mm, 3 N/15 mm, 5 N/15 mm, 10 N/15 mm, 20 N/15 mm, etc., or values intermediate thereto or greater.

When using the easy-peel spouting portion 15, 25, when the storage portion 11, 21 is pressed, the pressure of the contents stored in the storage portion 11, 21 increases, and pressure acts toward the spouting portion 15, 25. The pressure of the contents causes the easy-peel of the spouting portion 15, 25 to peel off, opening the spouting portion 15, 25. This allows the contents stored in the storage portion 11, 21 to be poured out. Since the storage portions 11, 21 are separated by the seal portion 42, only the spouting portion 15, 25 that contacts the pressed storage portion 11, 21 can be opened.

When opening the pouring portion 15, 25 by easy peel, a tool or the like may be brought into contact with and pressed against the storage portion 11, 21 at a position away from the pouring portion 15, 25. In this case, since there is no need to bring a tool or the like into contact with the vicinity of the pouring portion 15, 25, contamination of the contents poured out from the pouring portion 15, 25 can be suppressed. At the same time, contamination of the tool or the like with the contents can also be suppressed.

The container body 40 has a first end 43 and a second end 44 in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the pouring portions 15, 25. The multiple storage portions 11, 21 are arranged in parallel between the first end 43 and the second end 44. In this case, by moving the container body 40 using a device, tool, etc. along the direction in which the storage portions 11, 21 are arranged in parallel, it becomes easy to process the contents stored in the storage portions 11, 21 in sequence.

The container 100 may include an outer frame 30 that supports the container body 40. The outer frame 30 in the illustrated example has a top plate 32 that surrounds the tip 23 of the closing section 22 at the top of the storage sections 11, 21, corresponding to the position of the second container 20, and a step section 31 that surrounds the periphery of the opening/closing section 12, corresponding to the position of the first container 10.

The outer frame 30 has a first side 33 and a second side 34 at both ends of the container body 40 in the direction in which the storage sections 11, 21 are arranged side by side. The step 31 and the top plate 32 are supported by the first side 33 and the second side 34. The structure for supporting the container body 40 on the outer frame 30 is not particularly limited, and examples include a structure for sandwiching the container body 40, a structure for suspending the container body 40, and a structure for gluing the container body 40. Although not particularly shown, the step 31 or the top plate 32 may have a structure for supporting the container body 40. The first side 33 and the second side 34 may have a structure for supporting the container body 40.

The illustrated outer frame 30 has a first slit 33a and a second slit 34a as an example of a structure for sandwiching the container body 40. The first slit 33a is formed in the first side 33 and holds the first end 43 of the container body 40. The second slit 34a is formed in the second side 34 and holds the second end 44 of the container body 40. By inserting the first end 43 and second end 44 of the container body 40 into the first slit 33a and second slit 34a of the outer frame 30, respectively, the container body 40 is supported between the first side 33 and the second side 34.

The top plate portion 32 of the outer frame body 30 serves as an attachment surface for the lid material 24. When the lid material 24 is attached to the top plate portion 32, the lid material 24 can close the tip portion 23 of the closing portion 22. When the lid material 24 is peeled off from the top plate portion 32, the contents can be stored in the second storage portion 21. As in the illustrated example, even if the container body portion 40 has multiple second storage portions 21, the multiple closing portions 22 can be easily closed together using the lid material 24.

The lower end 35 of the outer frame 30 has an opening 36 located close to the pouring portions 15, 25. Therefore, while the container body 40 is supported by the outer frame 30, the storage portions 11, 21 can be pressed to pour the contents from the pouring portions 15, 25.

<Container manufacturing method>
In the container 100 of the embodiment, a method for manufacturing the container body 40 having the opening/closing portion 12 and the closing portion 22 includes sandwiching the opening/closing portion 12 and the closing portion 22 between overlapping front and rear packaging films 41, and joining the packaging film 41 with the storage portions 11, 21 unsealed, the pouring portions 15, 25 easy peel, and the sealing portion 42 strongly sealed.

As the packaging film 41, a base material such as a resin-based film that has been conventionally used to construct packaging bags and packaging containers can be suitably used. Examples of resins that can be used as the base material include polyolefin-based resins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), and cyclic olefin resins, polyester-based resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA)-based resins such as nylon, polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polycarbonate (PC), fluorine-based resins, acrylic resins, urethane resins, and epoxy resins.

When the base material of the packaging film 41 is a resin, the resin may be derived from a fossil resource such as petroleum, or may be derived from a biomass such as a plant. The packaging film 41 may be formed by blending or laminating resins of different types, origins, compositions, etc. The packaging film 41 may contain desired additives in addition to the resin. Examples of additives include, but are not limited to, antioxidants, lubricants, antiblocking agents, flame retardants, ultraviolet absorbing agents, light stabilizers, antistatic agents, colorants, crosslinking agents, etc.

The packaging film 41 may be a laminate such as a laminated film. If the front and rear packaging films 41 are joined by heat sealing by heating the resin material contained in the inner surface of the packaging film 41, processing is easy. Methods for manufacturing a laminate such as a laminated film include a dry lamination method, an extrusion lamination method, and a co-extrusion method.

The packaging film 41 may have light-shielding and gas-barrier properties as necessary. A laminate such as a laminated film may have a metal foil such as aluminum foil, a metal vapor deposition layer, an inorganic vapor deposition layer such as ceramic, or a barrier resin such as EVOH or PVDC laminated thereon to enhance the barrier properties against gases and ultraviolet rays. Paper, cellophane, etc. may be laminated in the laminate. The packaging film 41 may have a printing layer. The printing layer may be intended to display each part of the container body 40, or may be intended for design purposes.

The method of providing a difference in peel strength between the pouring portion 15, 25 and the sealing portion 42 is not particularly limited, but a different material may be applied between the front and rear packaging films 41 in at least one of the pouring portions 15, 25 or the sealing portion 42 by coating, part coating, or the like, or the surface treatment may be changed. Also, a composition such as a polymer blend in which two or more materials are mixed may be used, and the processing conditions such as the sealing temperature may be changed for each region to provide a difference in peel strength for each region.

In order to adjust the shape, capacity, etc. of the storage section 11, 21, a recess or protrusion may be formed in the packaging film 41. The recess or protrusion may be formed in the packaging film 41 on both the front and rear sides of the storage section 11, 21, or may be formed in only one of the packaging films 41. The method for forming the recess or protrusion is not particularly limited, but examples include pressure forming, vacuum forming, deep drawing, injection molding, etc.

The shape of the recesses or protrusions on the surface of the packaging film 41 is not particularly limited, but examples include a hemisphere, a cylinder, a cone, a truncated cone, an elliptical cylinder, an elliptical cone, an elliptical truncated cone, a prism, a pyramid, and a truncated pyramid. The recesses or protrusions may have a shape that guides the contents toward the pouring portion 15, 25. For example, the width of the recesses or protrusions may be tapered toward the pouring portion 15, 25. Specific examples of tapered shapes include a triangular shape and a trapezoidal shape.

The container 100 of the embodiment can be manufactured by attaching the container body 40 having the opening/closing portion 12 and the closing portion 22 to the outer frame 30, attaching the cap 14 to the opening/closing portion 12, and attaching the lid material 24 to the tip portion 23 of the closing portion 22.

The materials forming the opening/closing portion 12, the cap 14, and the closing portion 22 are not particularly limited, but examples include molded resins, elastomers, metals, etc. Examples of molded resins include the above-mentioned polyolefin resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate, fluorine resins, acrylic resins, urethane resins, epoxy resins, etc. Examples of elastomers include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, etc. Examples of metals include aluminum, tin, zinc, etc.

To join the opening/closing portion 12 or the closing portion 22 to the packaging film 41 at the first joint 45 or the second joint 46, a sealant, adhesive, etc. may be used between the opening/closing portion 12 or the closing portion 22 and the packaging film 41. The opening/closing portion 12 or the closing portion 22 may be formed from a material that can be heat-sealed to the packaging film 41. The packaging film 41 may be formed from a material that can be heat-sealed to the opening/closing portion 12 or the closing portion 22.

The material from which the outer frame body 30 is formed is not particularly limited, but examples include molded resin, elastomer, metal, paper, wood, pulp mold, etc. The molded resin may be a resin derived from a fossil resource such as petroleum, or may be a resin derived from biomass such as plants. When the outer frame body 30 is formed from molded resin, resins of different types, origins, compositions, etc. may be blended or laminated.

At least a part of the container 100, such as the outer frame 30, may contain at least a portion of recycled resin. The resin may be recycled in a mechanical manner, in which the polymer is not chemically decomposed but is physically regenerated by crushing, washing, etc., or in a chemical manner, in which the polymer is chemically decomposed into raw materials such as monomers and then the resin or other materials are chemically regenerated.

The method for closing the opening/closing part 12 of the first container 10 when the first storage part 11 is empty is not particularly limited, but for example, repeated opening and closing can be achieved by using a screw, fitting, or the like. The number of times opening and closing can be repeated is not particularly limited, but it is sufficient if, after closing the opening/closing part 12 when the first storage part 11 is empty, the cap 14 can be removed before injecting the contents into the first storage part 11, and the opening/closing part 12 can be closed again after the contents have been injected.

The method for closing the closure portion 22 of the second container 20 when the second storage portion 21 is empty is not particularly limited, but a method that allows the closure portion 22 to be easily opened before the contents are poured is preferable. Examples include an easy-peel film, an adhesive film, a shrink film, etc. As described above, when the lid material 24 is attached to the top plate portion 32 of the outer frame body 30, the lid material 24 covers the tip portion 23 of the closure portion 22, thereby closing the closure portion 22.

When transporting the container 100 without contents in the storage section 11, 21, the container 100 may be protected using an exterior material such as a soft packaging bag or a box, if necessary. The exterior material may have light-blocking and gas-barrier properties, if necessary.

<How to inject the contents>
To inject contents into the container 100 of the embodiment, the contents can be injected in a desired order into each of the storage sections 11, 21. The order of the first injection process of injecting the first contents into the first storage section 11 and the second injection process of injecting the second contents into the second storage section 21 is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate.

The second injection step may be performed before the first injection step. The first injection step and the second injection step may be performed simultaneously. The second injection step may be performed after the first injection step. When there are multiple second storage sections 21, the contents may be injected into a specific second storage section 21 before the first injection step, and the contents may be injected into a specific second storage section 21 after the first injection step. The contents of the storage sections 11, 21 are preferably fluid, and examples of such fluids include liquids, powders, and granules. The liquid contents may be a solution, dispersion, viscous liquid, etc.

To inject the first contents into the first storage section 11, the opening/closing section 12 can be used as an injection port. The cap 14 is removed from the opening/closing section 12, the first contents are injected from the tip 13 of the opening/closing section 12, and then the cap 14 is attached from the opening/closing section 12. By suppressing heating of the first storage section 11, the quality of the first contents can be maintained.

To inject the second contents into the second storage section 21, the closure section 22 can be used as an injection port. After removing the lid material 24 and injecting the second contents from the tip 23 of the closure section 22, the closure section 22 can be irreversibly closed without the second contents being heated. For example, the flow path cross-sectional area of the closure section 22 may be crushed by crimping the tube that forms the closure section 22 or by thermal deformation of the tip 23. By suppressing heating of the second storage section 21, the quality of the second contents can be maintained.

When closing the closure portion 22 by crimping, if the deformation of the tube after closure is irreversible, the closed state of the closure portion 22 can be maintained as is. To prevent the tube from recovering from the deformation after crimping and opening the flow path of the closure portion 22, a device that maintains the crimped state may be attached around the tube. The location where the closure portion 22 is crimped is not particularly limited, but may include the tip portion 23 of the closure portion 22, or the tip portion 23 may be excluded from the crimping.

To ensure that the closure portion 22 is closed, after the second contents are poured into the second storage portion 21, the tip 23 of the closure portion 22 may be sealed using a method that includes heating. For example, the tube may be heat sealed at a location away from the second storage portion 21. Alternatively, a hot melt sealant may be applied to the tip 23 of the closure portion 22. After the second contents are poured into the second storage portion 21, the closure portion 22 may be closed using a non-heating method in combination with a method in which the tip 23 is heated.

When pouring the contents into the storage sections 11, 21, the container 100 may be surrounded by an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen gas. After pouring the contents into the storage sections 11, 21, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas may be blown into the storage sections 11, 21 before closing the storage sections 11, 21. To prevent the contents from adhering to the inner walls of the flow path of the opening/closing section 12 or the closing section 22, a tube thinner than the flow path may be inserted until it reaches the storage sections 11, 21, and the contents may be poured from the tip of the tube.

The first contents contained in the first container 11 may include a specimen. In medical and veterinary care, specimens derived from living organisms such as humans and livestock include, but are not limited to, blood (whole blood), plasma, serum, urine, sweat, lymph, saliva, sputum, gastric juice, body cavity fluid, bodily fluids, fluids extracted by washing a living organism, dental plaque, blood cells, cells, tissue fragments, secretions, excretions, etc. The specimen is not limited to specimens collected from living organisms, and may be samples containing bacteria, viruses, genes, etc. The specimen may be a sample derived from an animal or plant, or a sample derived from an industrial product such as food, cosmetics, medicine, or drug.

The first storage section 11 may contain a desired drug together with the specimen for the purpose of adjusting the concentration, viscosity, etc. of the specimen, improving the preservation properties of the specimen, etc. For example, when blood is used as the specimen, an anticoagulant may be added. When a drug is contained in the first storage section 11, the specimen and drug may be mixed in any manner. The specimen may be added after the drug is injected into the first storage section 11. The specimen may be added after the drug is injected into the first storage section 11. A mixture of the specimen and drug may be injected into the first storage section 11. It is preferable that the first contents contain at least the specimen, and the first contents may further contain a reagent.

The second contents contained in the second container 21 may contain a reagent. The reagent may be a substance that is common to a plurality of specimens. Examples of the reagent include enzymes, proteins, surfactants, diluents, cleaning agents, dissolving agents, extractants, fluorescent substances, luminescent substances, radioisotopes, primers (nucleic acid fragments), inorganic salts, and organic substances. It is preferable that the reagent is contained in at least the second contents, and the first contents may further contain a reagent.

When transporting the container 100 containing contents in at least one of the storage sections 11, 21, the container 100 may be protected using an exterior material such as a soft packaging bag or a box, if necessary. The exterior material may have light-blocking and gas barrier properties, if necessary. The exterior material used when the container 100 contains a specimen may be different from the exterior material used when the container 100 does not contain a specimen.

In the container 100 for testing, the first storage section 11 may be a specimen storage section for storing contents including a specimen. Before storing the specimen in the first storage section 11, the second storage section 21 may store a reagent to be mixed with the specimen. The closing section 22 leading to the second storage section 21 in which the reagent is stored may be irreversibly closed without the reagent being heated. When two or more types of reagent are used for testing, the reagents may be stored separately in different storage sections 11, 21. When the container body section 40 has two or more second storage sections 21, it is sufficient that at least one of the second storage sections 21 stores a reagent, and all of the second storage sections 21 may store a reagent. The container body section 40 may have storage sections 11, 21 that do not store a reagent.

In the container 100 for testing, the first storage section 11 may store only a specimen, or may store contents including substances other than the specimen. The first storage section 11 may store a reagent before storing the specimen. In this case, the opening/closing section 12 can be closed after storing the reagent in the first storage section 11. Furthermore, when injecting the specimen into the first storage section 11, the opening/closing section 12 can be opened. Reagent may be further injected into the first storage section 11 after the specimen has been injected.

<How to dispose of contents>
The container 100 of the embodiment can be suitably used for applications in which the contents are processed using a processing device such as a testing instrument or a testing kit.

The processing device may include a transport mechanism for transporting the container 100. When the container body 40 has multiple storage sections 11, 21 arranged in parallel between the first end 43 and the second end 44, the container 100 may be transported in the direction in which the storage sections 11, 21 are arranged in parallel. This makes it easier to simplify the processing device by employing a simple transport mechanism that performs linear transport.

The processing device may be equipped with a pressing mechanism that presses the storage sections 11, 21. If the storage sections 11, 21 have easy-peel dispensing sections 15, 25, the contents can be poured out by pressing the storage sections 11, 21 to open the dispensing sections 15, 25 without touching the contents.

To pour out the contents contained in the multiple storage sections 11, 21 in sequence, the container 100 may be transported using a transport mechanism while the storage sections 11, 21 located at the pressing mechanism are pressed to pour out the contents. The contents may be poured out by moving the pressing mechanism and pressing the storage sections 11, 21 in sequence without moving the container 100.

The processing device may include a receiving section that receives the contents poured out from the storage section 11, 21. The receiving section may be a container that contains the contents, or a porous material that absorbs the contents. The container used for the receiving section may have side walls rising from the bottom, may be a depression that is recessed from the top, or may be groove-shaped. Examples of porous materials used for the receiving section include paper, cotton, cloth, nonwoven fabric, sponge, xerogel, etc.

By pouring the contents from the multiple storage sections 11, 21 in order onto the receiving section, the respective contents can be collected and mixed in the same receiving section. The contents in the receiving section may consist only of the contents poured out from the storage sections 11, 21. Other substances provided in the processing device may be added to the receiving section. The processing device may be provided with a diluent, etc., for the purpose of promoting the mixing of the contents poured out into the receiving section or adjusting the concentration, viscosity, etc. of the mixture.

When the first contents contained in the first storage section 11 include at least a specimen, and the second contents contained in the second storage section 21 include a reagent, the first contents containing the specimen and the second contents containing the reagent are mixed in the receiving section to perform a specimen test. The specimen tests include, but are not limited to, genetic tests, antibody tests, antigen tests, platelet aggregation tests, allergen tests, tumor marker tests, component tests, microbial tests, biochemical tests, and immunological tests.

The container 100 of the embodiment can store contents in the multiple storage sections 11 and 21 independently, so it is possible to significantly shift the time when the contents are stored in the first storage section 11 and the time when the contents are stored in the second storage section 21. For example, in the case of POCT (Point of Care Testing) performed in a medical setting such as a clinical site, the container 100 may be prepared in which at least the second storage section 21 stores contents including a reagent before a specimen is collected. In this case, the specimen is injected into the first storage section 11, and then the container 100 is processed in a processing device to perform the test.

The first container 10 containing the sample can be easily closed with a closing device such as a cap 14, so even if there is a time lag between sample collection and testing, the sample can be stored in the first container 10 for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, it is possible to start the test at the location where the sample is collected from the test subject, but it is also possible to conduct the test at a location away from where the sample is collected.

<How to dispose of container>
Since the container 100 of the embodiment has a structure in which the container body 40 mainly made of the packaging film 41 is supported by the outer frame 30 mainly made of a molded product, the container body 40 and the outer frame 30 may be separated before discarding the container 100. The container body 40 may be disposable for one-time use. The outer frame 30 may be disposable or may be capable of being used multiple times.

In cases where contamination of the contents is undesirable, such as for medical use, it may be preferable to dispose of the container or reuse it for another purpose, but depending on the application, disposable use of the container body 40 or the outer frame 30 may not be necessary. If multiple uses of the outer frame 30 are permitted, the outer frame 30 after use can be collected and cleaned, disinfected, etc., and then used to manufacture the container 100. If the outer frame 30 can be reused, waste generation can be reduced.

When disposing of a container 100 containing contents such as a specimen or a reagent, it is preferable to encase the container 100 in an exterior material such as a soft packaging bag or a box as necessary to prevent the contents from scattering. The container 100 may be collected with the container body 40 attached to the outer frame 30. The container body 40 and the outer frame 30 may be collected separately. It is preferable if the container 100 and the exterior material are made mainly of flammable materials such as plastic or paper, as this allows the container body 40 or the container 100 to be omitted while still encased in the exterior material.

The present invention has been described above based on a preferred embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The container 100 of the embodiment is not limited to use as an inspection container, but can also be used as a packaging container or other desired container. The types of contents are not particularly limited, but may include detergents, medicines, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, beverages, seasonings, inks, paints, fuels, etc.

10...first container, 11...first storage section, 12...opening/closing section, 13...tip of opening/closing section, 14...cap, 15...first pouring section, 20...second container, 21...second storage section, 22...closing section, 23...tip of closing section, 24...lid material, 25...second pouring section, 30...outer frame, 31...step section, 32...top plate section, 33...first side section, 33a...first slit, 34...second side section, 34a...second slit, 35...bottom end section, 36...opening section, 40...container body section, 41...packaging film, 42...seal section, 43...first end section, 44...second end section, 45...first joint section, 46...second joint section, 100...container.

Claims (5)

a container body portion integrally formed with a first storage portion capable of storing a first content and a second storage portion capable of storing a second content;
An opening/closing unit capable of repeatedly opening and closing the first storage unit;
a closing portion that can irreversibly close the second storage portion without heating the second content in a state in which the second content is stored;
and an outer frame supporting an end portion of the container body ,
A container characterized in that the container body is formed by a packaging film that seals the periphery of the first storage section and the second storage section, and the opening/closing section and the closing section protrude from the container body . The container according to claim 1, which is a container for testing using a specimen and a reagent, characterized in that the first contents include at least the specimen, and the second contents include at least the reagent. The container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing portion closes the second storage portion by heat sealing at a location away from the second storage portion. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the container body portion comprises a first pouring portion formed from the first storage portion toward the outside of the container body portion, and a second pouring portion formed from the second storage portion toward the outside of the container body portion. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the outer frame has a top plate portion surrounding the tip of the closing portion, and the top plate portion is provided with a lid material that closes the tip of the closing portion.

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