U.S. patent application number 12/382519 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for case unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Arkray, Inc.. Invention is credited to Yoshiharu Uehata.
Application Number | 20090236248 12/382519 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41087820 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090236248 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uehata; Yoshiharu |
September 24, 2009 |
Case Unit
Abstract
A case unit C1 includes a case 1 which includes a front surface
11 formed with a take-out opening 19 for taking out an article
stored in the case, a cover 2 including a sealing portion 21 for
closing the take-out opening 19, and guiding means 30, 31 for
enabling the cover 2 to slide relative to the case 1 so that the
sealing portion 21 moves reciprocally along the front surface 11.
When the sealing portion 21 is positioned in front of the take-out
opening 19, the guiding means 30, 31 displaces the sealing portion
21 toward the front surface 11 so that the sealing portion 21 is
pressed against the periphery of the take-out opening 19. With this
arrangement, the opening and closing of the take-out opening 19 is
performed smoothly and easily, and the take-out opening 19 is
properly closed even when the sealing portion 21 is worn out.
Further, the case unit C1 is suitable for reduction in size and
weight.
Inventors: |
Uehata; Yoshiharu; (Kyoto,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING, 1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Arkray, Inc.
Kyoto
JP
|
Family ID: |
41087820 |
Appl. No.: |
12/382519 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/363 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 33/48757
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/363 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/00 20060101
B65D083/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 18, 2008 |
JP |
2008-069186 |
Claims
1. A case unit comprising: a case for storing an article, the case
including a front surface formed with a take-out opening through
which the article is to be taken out of the case; a cover including
a sealing portion for closing the take-out opening; and guiding
means for enabling the cover to slide relative to the case so that
the sealing portion moves reciprocally in a first and a second
directions along the front surface; wherein, when the sealing
portion is moved in the first direction from a position spaced from
the take-out opening to a position in front of the take-out
opening, the guiding means displaces the sealing portion toward the
front surface so that the sealing portion is pressed against a
periphery of the take-out opening.
2. The case unit according to claim 1, wherein the periphery of the
take-out opening is formed as a tapered surface which is inclined
to project forward from the front surface in such a manner that the
projecting amount increases as proceeding in the first direction;
and wherein, in closing the take-out opening, the sealing portion
is pressed against the tapered surface.
3. The case unit according to claim 1, wherein, when the sealing
portion is spaced from the take-out opening, the guiding means
keeps a surface of the sealing portion inclined with respect to the
front surface, and wherein, when the sealing portion is moved to a
position in front of the take-out opening to close the take-out
opening, the guiding means rotates the cover so that the surface of
the sealing portion becomes parallel with the periphery of the
take-out opening.
4. The case unit according to claim 2, wherein, when the sealing
portion is spaced from the take-out opening, the guiding means
keeps a surface of the sealing portion inclined at an angle of
inclination which is larger than an angle of inclination of the
tapered surface, and wherein, when the sealing portion is moved to
a position in front of the take-out opening to close the take-out
opening, the guiding means rotates the cover so that the surface of
the sealing portion becomes parallel with the tapered surface.
5. The case unit according to claim 1, wherein the guiding means
includes a guide groove provided at one of the case and the cover,
and a guide projection provided at the other one of the case and
the cover and received in the guide groove; and wherein a movement
path of the guide projection is defined by the guide groove.
6. The case unit according to claim 5, wherein the case includes a
pair of side surfaces at each of which the guide groove is formed;
wherein the cover includes a pair of side walls which face the
paired side surfaces and at each of which the guide projection is
formed; wherein the guide groove includes a front inner wall and a
rear inner wall facing each other and extending in the first and
the second directions, the front inner wall being formed with a
projecting wall portion projecting toward a rear end of the case;
and wherein, when the sealing portion is moved to a position in
front of the take-out opening, the guide projection is guided
toward the rear end of the case by the projecting wall portion so
that the sealing portion is pressed against the periphery of the
take-out opening and maintains the pressed state.
7. The case unit according to claim 6, wherein the guide projection
extends in a longitudinal direction of the guide groove; and
wherein, when the sealing portion moves while being spaced from the
take-out opening, at least longitudinally opposite ends of the
guide projection are held in contact with one of the front inner
wall and the rear inner wall, whereas a longitudinally intermediate
portion of guide projection is held in contact with the other one
of the front inner wall and the rear inner wall, so that posture of
the cover is substantially maintained.
8. The case unit according to claim 6, wherein the projecting wall
portion is provided at a position spaced from the take-out opening
in the first and the second directions; and wherein, when the guide
projection is guided by the projecting wall portion to be displaced
toward the rear end of the case, the cover rotates so that the
sealing portion is pressed against the periphery of the take-out
opening.
9. The case unit according to claim 1, wherein the article to be
stored in the case is an analytical tool used for analyzing a
sample; wherein the case unit further comprises positioning means
provided in the case for supporting a plurality of analytical tools
stacked in a thickness direction of the tools and positioning the
analytical tools so that the analytical tool at an end of the stack
faces the take-out opening; and wherein the case and the cover are
structured as an analytical tool cartridge.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a case unit for storing an
analytical tool for analyzing a sample such as blood or urine or
other articles in hygienic conditions.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B show examples of conventional case
unit for storing an analytical tool (see FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A-3C, 14A
and 14B of International Publication WO2006/046701).
[0003] The case unit 9A shown in FIG. 8A includes a case 90 for
storing an analytical tool. The case 90 has a front surface formed
with a take-out opening 91. A cover 93, which is in threading
engagement with a screw shaft 92, is mounted to the case 90. The
cover 93 is movable in the axial direction of the screw shaft 92 by
rotating around the screw shaft 92. The cover 93 includes a sealing
portion (not shown) made of an elastic material. As shown in FIG.
8B, when the sealing portion faces the take-out opening 91 as a
result of the rotation of the cover 93 in the arrow N10 direction,
the take-out opening 91 is closed. In this state, the interior of
the case 90 is hermetically closed, so that moisture or dust is
prevented from entering the case 90.
[0004] The case unit 9B shown in FIG. 9A includes a case 94 for
storing a plurality of analytical tools 99. The case 94 is open at
the upper end. A cover 95 including a head 95a in the form of a cap
is mounted to the case 94. The cover 95 further includes a
cylindrical portion 95b which is slidable vertically by rotating
relative to the case 94. The cylindrical portion 95b is formed with
a take-out opening 96. When the cylindrical portion 95b is moved
downward, the take-out opening 96 enters the case 94 to be closed.
In this state, the upper opening of the case 94 is closed with the
head 95a, as shown in FIG. 9B. Thus, the interior of the case 94 is
hermetically closed, so that moisture or dust is prevented from
entering the case 94.
[0005] However, the above-described conventional structures have
the following drawbacks.
[0006] In the case unit 9A, when the sealing portion of the cover
93 is positioned to face the take-out opening 91, the sealing
portion needs to be pressed strongly against the front surface of
the case 90 to reliably provide hermetic sealing of the case 90.
However, for the smooth rotation of the cover 93, it is desirable
that the sealing portion of the cover 93 is not strongly pressed
against the front surface of the case 90 when the sealing portion
does not face the take-out opening 91. The cover 93 is in threading
engagement with the screw shaft 92 and moves forward or rearward by
the distance corresponding to the angle of rotation when it is
rotated. Thus, it is difficult to set the cover 93 in such a manner
that the sealing portion is to be strongly pressed against the
front surface of the case 90 only when the sealing portion faces
the take-out opening 91 as a result of the rotation of the cover
through a predetermined angle and properly maintain the setting for
a long period of time. Further, when the sealing portion is worn
out, the sealing performance deteriorates.
[0007] In the case unit 9B, on the other hand, the inner diameter
of the cylindrical portion 95b of the cover 95 needs to be made
larger than the length or width of the analytical tool 99. Further,
since the case 94 needs to accommodate the cylindrical portion 95b
of the cover 95 slidably and rotatably, the case 94 also needs to
be made large correspondingly to the cover 95. Thus, the case unit
9B is not suitable for reduction in size and weight.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a case unit
which is capable of reducing or alleviating the problems described
above.
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a case
unit comprising a case for storing an article which includes a
front surface formed with a take-out opening through which the
article is to be taken out of the case, a cover including a sealing
portion for closing the take-out opening, and guiding means for
enabling the cover to slide relative to the case so that the
sealing portion moves reciprocally in a first and a second
directions along the front surface. When the sealing portion is
moved in the first direction from a position spaced from the
take-out opening to a position in front of the take-out opening,
the guiding means displaces the sealing portion toward the front
surface so that the sealing portion is pressed against a periphery
of the take-out opening.
[0010] The orientation and posture of the case of the case unit may
be varied in many ways. In the present invention, the front and the
rear of the case are determined based on the surface formed with
the take-out opening. Thus, when the case has a plurality of
surfaces, the surface region formed with the take-out opening is
the front surface of the present invention regardless of in which
directions the surfaces are oriented.
[0011] Preferably, the periphery of the take-out opening is formed
as a tapered surface which is inclined to project forward from the
front surface in such a manner that the projecting amount increases
as proceeding in the first direction. In closing the take-out
opening, the sealing portion is pressed against the tapered
surface.
[0012] Preferably, when the sealing portion is spaced from the
take-out opening, the guiding means keeps the surface of the
sealing portion inclined with respect to the front surface. When
the sealing portion is moved to a position in front of the take-out
opening to close the take-out opening, the guiding means rotates
the cover so that the surface of the sealing portion becomes
parallel with the periphery of the take-out opening.
[0013] Preferably, when the sealing portion is spaced from the
take-out opening, the guiding means keeps the surface of the
sealing portion inclined at an angle of inclination which is larger
than the angle of inclination of the tapered surface. When the
sealing portion is moved to a position in front of the take-out
opening to close the take-out opening, the guiding means rotates
the cover so that the surface of the sealing portion becomes
parallel with the tapered surface.
[0014] Preferably, the guiding means includes a guide groove
provided at one of the case and the cover, and a guide projection
provided at the other one of the case and the cover and received in
the guide groove. The movement path of the guide projection is
defined by the guide groove.
[0015] Preferably, the case includes a pair of side surfaces at
each of which the guide groove is formed, whereas the cover
includes a pair of side walls which face the paired side surfaces
and at each of which the guide projection is formed. The guide
groove includes a front inner wall and a rear inner wall facing
each other and extending in the first and the second directions.
The front inner wall is formed with a projecting wall portion
projecting toward the rear end of the case. When the sealing
portion is moved to a position in front of the take-out opening,
the guide projection is guided toward the rear end of the case by
the projecting wall portion so that the sealing portion is pressed
against the periphery of the take-out opening and maintains the
pressed state.
[0016] Preferably, the guide projection extends in the longitudinal
direction of the guide groove. When the sealing portion moves while
being spaced from the take-out opening, at least longitudinally
opposite ends of the guide projection are held in contact with one
of the front inner wall and the rear inner wall, whereas a
longitudinally intermediate portion of guide projection is held in
contact with the other one of the front inner wall and the rear
inner wall, so that posture of the cover is substantially
maintained.
[0017] Preferably, the projecting wall portion is provided at a
position spaced from the take-out opening in the first and the
second directions. When the guide projection is guided by the
projecting wall portion to be displaced toward the rear end of the
case, the cover rotates so that the sealing portion is pressed
against the periphery of the take-out opening.
[0018] Preferably, the article to be stored in the case is an
analytical tool used for analyzing a sample. The case unit further
comprises positioning means provided in the case for supporting a
plurality of analytical tools stacked in a thickness direction of
the tools and positioning the analytical tools so that the
analytical tool at an end of the stack faces the take-out opening.
The case and the cover are structured as an analytical tool
cartridge.
[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent from the detailed description given below with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of case unit
according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the case unit
shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines III-III in FIG.
1;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines IV-IV in FIG.
3, showing the internal structure of the case 1 with partial
omission;
[0024] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are sectional views showing the sliding
operation of the cover of the case unit shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the case unit of FIG. 1
in the state in which the take-out opening is closed;
[0026] FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view showing another example of
case unit according to the present invention, FIG. 7B is a
longitudinal sectional view of the case unit, and FIG. 7C is a
longitudinal sectional view of the case unit shown in FIG. 7B in
the state in which the take-out opening is closed;
[0027] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are perspective views showing an example
of conventional structure; and
[0028] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show another example of conventional
structure.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030] FIGS. 1-6 show an example of case unit according to the
present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case unit C1 of
this embodiment includes a case 1 including a front surface 11
formed with a take-out opening 19, and a cover 2. The cover 2 is
slidable along the case 1 in the vertical direction indicated by
the arrows D1 and D2. The downward direction D1 is an example of
first direction of the present invention. The upward direction D2
is an example of second direction of the present invention.
[0031] The case unit C1 is designed to be used in combination with
e.g. an analytical apparatus A illustrated by phantom lines in FIG.
1. The analytical apparatus A is designed to perform measurement of
blood glucose level in blood or other kinds of analysis when an
analytical tool 8, which will be described later, is inserted into
a predetermined portion of the analytical apparatus A and blood is
applied to the analytical tool 8. The case unit C1 stores a
plurality of analytical tools 8 to be used for such analysis (see
FIGS. 3 and 6).
[0032] The case 1 may be made of a relatively hard synthetic resin.
As shown in FIG. 2, the case 1 includes a main portion 10 which is
generally in the form of a prism extending in the vertical
direction and an auxiliary portion 14 extending forward from a
lower part of the main portion 10. The main portion 10 includes the
front surface 11, a rear surface 13 and a pair of side surfaces 12.
As shown in FIG. 3, the case 1 is provided by combining a front
case member 15A which is open at the rear end and a rear case
member 15B which is open at the front end together so that a space
16 for storing articles is defined in these members. To put
analytical tools 8 into the space 16, the front case member 15A and
the rear case member 15B are separated from each other.
[0033] A support 17 is provided in the case 1. The support 17
supports a plurality of analytical tools 8 stacked in the vertical
direction and placed on the support 17. A pushing member 41 is also
provided in the case 1. The pushing member 41 pushes the top of the
analytical tools 8 downward by utilizing the resilient force of a
spring 40. The support 17 is so positioned that the lowermost one
of the plurality of analytical tools 8 faces the take-out opening
19. Thus, the analytical tools 8 are taken out of the case 1
through the take-out opening 19 one by one from the lowermost one.
For instance, as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 1, the
analytical tools 8 are taken out of the case 1 utilizing a pair of
arms 70 of the analytical apparatus A. Each of the arms 70 has a
hook-shaped end. The take-out opening 19 has a shape which allows
the insertion of the end of each arm 70 into the case 1. Each
analytical tool 8 is formed with a cutout. When the arms 70 are
inserted into the case 1 through the take-out opening 19, the arms
70 engage the cutout. Thus, the analytical tool 8 is taken out of
the case 1 through the take-out opening 19 while being held by the
arms 70. The lower portion within the case 1 is utilized for
accommodating a desiccant 89. The analytical tool 8 may be provided
with a reagent for causing reaction of a sample. The desiccant 89
prevents the quality of the reagent from deteriorating due to
moisture.
[0034] Of the front surface 11 of the case 1, the periphery of the
take-out opening 19 is formed as a tapered surface 18 against which
the sealing portion 21 of the cover 2, which will be described
later, is to be pressed. The tapered surface 18 is inclined to
project forward from the front surface 11 in such a manner that the
projecting amount increases as proceeding in the downward direction
D1. For instance, the tapered surface 18 is in the form of a
rectangular loop surrounding the entire periphery of the take-out
opening 19.
[0035] The cover 2 includes a frame 20 made of a synthetic resin
and the sealing portion 21 for closing the take-out opening 19. The
frame 20 includes a tubular portion 22 slidably fitted around the
main portion 10 of the case 1. The sealing portion 21 comprises a
block 21A made of e.g. synthetic rubber or other elastic materials
and held by the frame 20. The sealing portion 21 is arranged to
face the front surface 11 of the case 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the
block 21A may be formed with a slit 210 for increasing elastic
deformation.
[0036] The frame 20 is provided with an extension 23 extending
forward from the case 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the extension 23
includes projections 23a. When the analytical apparatus A is moved
toward the front surface 11 of the case 1, the projections 23a are
fitted into guide grooves 72 formed at the upper surface of the
analytical apparatus A. By this fitting, the analytical apparatus A
and the case unit C1 are properly positioned relative to each other
so that the paired arms 70 are properly inserted into a
predetermined portion of the take-out opening 19. The auxiliary
portion 14 of the case 1 is formed with guide grooves 14a extending
in the front-rear direction. The guide grooves 14a are to be fitted
to positioning guide portions (not shown) formed at the lower
portion of the analytical apparatus A and helps the precise
positioning of the analytical apparatus A and the case unit C1.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the side surfaces 12 of
the case 1 is formed with a guide groove 30. Each of the side walls
22a of the cover 2 is formed with a guide projection 31 to be
received in the guide groove 30. The combination of the guide
groove 30 and the guide projection 31 is an example of guiding
means of the present invention.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, each of the guide grooves 30 is
provided by forming two projecting ribs 32a on the side surface 12
of the case 1. The front inner wall 30a and the rear inner wall
30b, which define the guide groove 30, extend generally in parallel
with each other and linearly in the vertical direction D1, D2. At a
lower portion of the front inner wall 30a, a projecting wall
portion 30a' is provided which projects toward the rear end of the
case 1 (toward the rear surface 13 in this embodiment). The rear
inner wall 30b is formed with a recess 30b' at a longitudinally
intermediate portion. The recess 30b' is formed to avoid
interference with a bulging portion 31b, which will be described
later.
[0039] Each of the guide projections 31 has a thin elongated form
extending in the same direction as the guide groove 30. The upper
end 31a of the guide projection 31 has a width Wa which is
substantially equal to the width of the guide groove 30. The lower
end 31c of the guide projection 31 has a width Wc which is smaller
than the width of the guide groove 30. With this arrangement, as
shown in FIG. 5B, the lower end 31c can be inserted into a narrow
portion at the lower end of the guide groove 30 behind the
projecting wall portion 30a'. At a longitudinally intermediate
portion of the guide projection 31, a bugling portion 31b is
provided which bulges toward the rear end of the case 1. As shown
in FIG. 5A, when the sealing portion 21 is spaced from the take-out
opening 19, the bulging portion 31b is held in contact with the
rear inner wall 30b, and the front surface of the guide projection
31 is held in surface contact with the front inner wall 30a
substantially throughout the length. In this state, the guide
projection 31 is slidable in the vertical direction D1, D2 while
maintaining the posture. In this state, the angle of the surface
21a of the sealing portion 21 is also maintained constant. As
another means for maintaining the posture of the guide projection
31, two bulging portions which bulge toward the front end of the
case 1 may be provided at the upper end 31a and the lower end 31c
of the guide projection 31. In this instance, the two bulging
portions are held in contact with the front inner wall 30a, whereas
the bulging portion 31b is held in contact with the rear inner wall
30b, whereby three-point contact is achieved.
[0040] When the sealing portion 21 is spaced from the take-out
opening 19, the surface 21a of the sealing portion 21 is inclined
at a predetermined angle .alpha.1 with respect to the flat surface
region of the front surface 11 except the tapered surface 18. The
direction of inclination of the surface 21a is the same as that of
the tapered surface 18. The angle of inclination .alpha.1 of the
surface 21a and the angle of inclination .alpha.2 of the tapered
surface 18 are set to satisfy the relationship
.alpha.1>.alpha.2.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 5B, when the sealing portion 21 is moved to
face the take-out opening 19, the lower end 31c of the guide
projection 31 comes into contact with the projecting wall portion
30a' and is displaced toward the rear end of the case 1. As a
result, the sealing portion 21 is displaced toward the front
surface 11 to be pressed against the tapered surface 18. Herein,
the contact between the projecting wall portion 30a' and the lower
end 31c is made at a position lower than the take-out opening 19.
Further, when the lower end 31c is displaced toward the rear end of
the case 1, the cover 2 rotates in the direction indicated by the
arrow N1. Due to this rotation, the surface 21a of the sealing
portion 21 becomes parallel with the tapered surface 18.
[0042] The operation and advantages of the case unit C1 will be
described below.
[0043] To take an analytical tool 8 out of the case 1, the cover 2
is moved upward so that the sealing portion 21 is positioned higher
than the take-out opening 19. By this operation, the take-out
opening 19 is opened. In this state, the analytical tool 8 is taken
out in the manner as described before.
[0044] To close the take-out opening 19 after the analytical tool 8
is taken out, the cover 2 is moved downward so that the sealing
portion 21 is positioned in front of the take-out opening 19. As
described with reference to FIG. 5A, when the cover 2 moves
downward, the guide projections 31 slide within the guide grooves
30 while maintaining the posture, and the surface 21a of the
sealing portion 21 is kept inclined at a predetermined angle
.alpha.1 with respect to the front surface 11. Therefore, even when
the surface 21a comes into sliding contact with the front surface
11, the entirety of the surface 21a does not come into contact with
the front surface 11, and only part of the surface 21a comes into
contact with the front surface 11. Thus, the resistance generated
during the reciprocal movement of the cover 2 reduces. Further,
since the surface 21a maintains the same posture during the
movement, the degree of contact between the surface 21a and the
front surface 11 does not vary largely. For these reasons, the
cover 2 moves smoothly even by the application of a small force,
whereby the usability is enhanced.
[0045] As described with reference to FIG. 5B, when the cover 2 is
moved downward so that the sealing portion 21 faces the take-out
opening 19, the lower end 31c of the guide projection 31 is guided
toward the rear end of the case 1 by coming into contact with the
projecting wall portion 30a' of the guide groove 30. As a result,
the sealing portion 21 is displaced toward the front surface 11 to
be pressed against the tapered surface 18. Thus, the sealing
portion 21 properly closes the take-out opening 19 (see also FIG.
6). With this arrangement, since the sealing portion 21 is
displaced toward the take-out opening 19 when moved to face the
take-out opening 19, the sealing portion 21 is reliably pressed
against the periphery of the take-out opening 19 even when it is
slightly worn. Moreover, in this embodiment, the sealing portion 21
is pressed against the tapered surface 18. Therefore, as compared
with a structure which does not include a tapered surface, the
sealing portion 21 is strongly pressed against the periphery of the
take-out opening 19 even when the amount of displacement 21 is
small. Thus, the sealing portion 21 provides reliable hermetic
sealing.
[0046] In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 5B,
in closing the take-out opening 19, the cover 2 rotates in the
direction indicated by the arrow N1 so that the surface 21a of the
sealing portion 21 becomes parallel with the tapered surface 18.
The sealing portion 21 is pressed against the tapered surface 18 by
utilizing the rotation. With this arrangement, it is not necessary
to strongly press the sealing portion 21 against the tapered
surface 18 in moving the sealing portion 21 to face the tapered
surface 18. This also enhances the usability.
[0047] Since the lower end 31c of the guide projection 31 engages
the projecting wall portion 30a' and is held behind the projecting
wall portion 30a', the closed state of the take-out opening 19 is
properly maintained. Particularly, in this embodiment, the lower
end 31c of the guide projection 31 is inserted and held in the
narrow portion at the lower end of the guide groove 30, as shown in
FIG. 5B. With this arrangement, the closed state of the take-out
opening 19 is maintained further reliably.
[0048] Analytical tools 8 need to be maintained in hygienic
conditions, and particularly, need to be stored in moisture-proof
and dust-proof conditions. As will be understood from the above,
the case unit C1 reliably provides such conditions, and hence, is
suitable for storing the analytical tools 8. Sometimes it may be
necessary to carry analytical tools 8 e.g. on a trip along with the
analytical apparatus A. The case unit C1 comprises the case 1 and
the cover 2 slidably fitted around the case 1. The case 1 itself
does not need to be made so large. As for the cover 2, it is only
necessary to make the cover 2 to be slidable along the case 1, so
that the thickness of each part can be made small. Thus, the case
unit C1 can be reduced in size and weight, which is suitable for
carrying.
[0049] FIGS. 7A-7C show another embodiment of the present
invention. In these figures, the elements which are identical or
similar to those of the foregoing embodiment are designated by the
same reference signs as those used for the foregoing
embodiment.
[0050] In the case unit C2 shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, a vertically
extending guide groove 30A is provided at the rear surface 13 of
the case 1. A projecting wall portion 39 projecting toward the rear
end of the case 1 is provided at a lower portion of the guide
groove 30A. The cover 2 has a rear wall 22a formed with at least
one guide projection 31A which is to be received in and move along
the guide groove 30A. As shown in FIG. 7C, when the sealing portion
is moved to face the take-out opening 19, the guide projection 31A
is guided toward the rear end of the case 1 by the projecting wall
portion 39. As a result, the sealing portion 21 is pressed against
the tapered surface 18.
[0051] In this embodiment again, due to the combination of the
guide groove 30A and the guide projection 31A, the sealing portion
21 is pressed against the periphery of the take-out opening 19 in
closing the take-out opening 19 and is prevented from strongly
engaging the front surface 11 in other situations. Thus, the
opening and closing of the take-out opening 19 is performed
smoothly and easily, while ensuring hermetic sealing.
[0052] As will be understood from this embodiment, when the guiding
means of the present invention comprises a guide groove and a guide
projection, the guide groove and the guide projection can be
provided at portions other than the side surface of the case and
the side wall of the cover. Moreover, it is only necessary that the
case is provided with one of the guide groove and the guide
projection, whereas the cover is provided with the other one of the
guide groove and the guide projection. Thus, unlike the foregoing
embodiments, the cover may be provided with the guide groove,
whereas the case may be provided with the guide projection. The
guide projection does not necessarily need to be elongate in the
longitudinal direction of the guide groove. For instance, the guide
projection may be a columnar projection.
[0053] The present invention is not limited to the foregoing
embodiments. The specific structure of each part of the case unit
according to the present invention may be varied in design in many
ways.
[0054] The guiding means of the present invention is not limited to
the combination of a guide groove and a guide projection. For
instance, a cam mechanism of a type which is different from the
combination of a groove and a projection may be employed as the
guiding means. As for the case, it is only necessary that the case
includes a wall (front surface) formed with a take-out opening, and
the shape and the size may be varied. The case may store articles
other than analytical tools. In the present invention, the concept
of the articles which can be stored in the case includes liquid or
other substances which do not have a fixed shape. Since the present
invention ensures hermetic sealing of the take-out opening of the
case, the case unit of the present invention is also suitable for
storing liquid or other flowable substances without leakage. The
shape and material of the cover are not limited. Although it is
preferable to make the sealing portion of the cover using an
elastic material, the material is not limited to a specific
one.
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