JP5628756B2 - Exhalation collection container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an exhalation collection container that can collect exhalation and hold it in its internal space. In particular, the container can be easily sealed after collecting exhalation.

  Conventionally, by analyzing the components contained in exhaled breath, diagnosis of diseases, confirmation of health conditions, tests related to drinking, etc. have been performed. Normally, analysis of the components contained in exhalation requires various analyzers, so when performing these diagnoses and tests, seal the exhaled breath that has been blown into the container so that it does not leak. In most cases, the container is transported to an inspection organization or the like equipped with an analyzer and examined by the inspection organization. Conventionally, as a container for sealing such collected breath, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a tubular mouth portion of a bag-like container having a plastic film attached thereto is screwed with a cap or the like. In general, sealing is performed.

JP-A-9-215675

  By the way, the above-described container is a separate member that separates the cap that seals the tubular mouth from the container, and therefore may be lost when removed from the container. After removing the cap from the tubular mouth of the container and collecting the exhalation, it was necessary to insert the cap into the tubular mouth again and screw it in, and there was still room for improvement in terms of ease of use.

  An object of the present invention relates to an exhalation collection container for collecting exhalation, and proposes a new exhalation collection container that can be easily sealed after collecting exhalation and is excellent in usability.

The present invention has a base cap provided with a through hole connected to the internal space of the container body on the top wall covering the mouth of the container body, and a tubular body communicating with the through hole. An exhalation-collecting container comprising a nozzle for introducing exhaled air blown from a tip opening into the internal space,
The top wall rises from an edge of the through hole and rises around the inner cylinder that defines an inlet passage from the tip opening to the through hole between the nozzle and the nozzle. An outer cylinder, and at least one aperture that is provided between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder and communicates with the internal space,
The nozzle has an outer peripheral wall that is suspended from the edge of the upper surface wall integrally connected to the tubular body, is suspended from the outer cylinder, and is supported by the outer cylinder so as to be movable up and down.
The outer peripheral wall includes an outlet passage that discharges the gas in the inner space sent through the opening toward the outside, between the outer cylinder and the outer wall,
The upper surface wall is provided with a seal portion that abuts the outer cylindrical body when the nozzle is lowered to close the outlet passage and opens the outlet passage when the nozzle is raised. A breath collection container.

  It is desirable that the nozzle is provided with an intake valve that closes the inlet passage and keeps the internal space airtight, and that opens only when exhalation is blown in the rising posture of the nozzle.

  It is desirable that an overcap that surrounds the tubular body and is detachably held is provided on the nozzle, and a sealing portion that closes the distal end opening of the tubular body is provided on the overcap.

  The base cap includes a plurality of legs disposed at intervals along an edge of the through hole, and a lid that is supported by being integrally connected to the legs. In addition, it is desirable to provide a closing portion that abuts against the lid portion in a lowered posture of the nozzle and holds the internal space in an airtight manner.

The base cap has a plurality of legs disposed at intervals along an edge of the through hole, and a lid that is integrally connected to the legs and supported.
It is desirable to keep the intake valve closed by bringing the lid into contact with the intake valve in a lowered posture of the nozzle.

  An outer peripheral wall that surrounds the outer cylindrical body provided on the base cap and is supported by the outer cylindrical body so as to be able to move up and down is provided at the edge of the top wall integrally connected to the tubular body of the nozzle. An outlet passage that discharges gas in the internal space toward the outside is formed between the cylindrical body, and the outlet passage is closed on the top wall by contacting the outer cylindrical body when the nozzle is lowered. Since the seal part that opens the outlet passage in the ascending posture is provided, the opening and closing of the outlet passage can be switched according to the upward and downward displacement of the nozzle. It is easy to switch between holding exhalation in the space and improving usability.

  If the nozzle is provided with an intake valve that closes the inlet passage from the nozzle tip opening to the through hole in the base cap, but only opens when exhalation is in the raised position of the nozzle, the exhaled air collected in the internal space Since contact with the outside air in the entrance passage can be prevented, the risk of alteration of exhalation and the like can be sufficiently suppressed.

  When the nozzle is provided with an overcap that surrounds the tubular body and is detachably held, and this overcap is provided with a sealing portion that closes the distal end opening of the tubular body, the airtightness in the internal space is more reliably maintained. Can be.

  The base cap is provided with a plurality of legs disposed at intervals along the edge of the through-hole and a lid that is supported by being integrally connected to the legs, and the nozzle is lowered on the tubular body. In the case of providing a closing part that comes into contact with the lid part in the posture, the inlet passage can be opened and closed according to the upward and downward displacement of the nozzle, so it was sampled in the internal space under a simple operation. Contact between exhaled air and outside air in the entrance passage can be prevented.

  The base cap is provided with a plurality of legs arranged at intervals along the edge of the through hole and a lid that is supported by being integrally connected to the legs, and the lid is lowered by the nozzle. When the intake valve is brought into contact with the intake valve in the posture, the intake valve is maintained in the closed posture in the lowered posture of the nozzle, so that the airtightness in the internal space is more reliably maintained.

It is sectional drawing and the expanded view in the downward attitude | position of a nozzle, and sectional drawing which follows XX about embodiment of the breath collection container according to this invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a right half of a member around a nozzle in the breath collection container shown in FIG. 1. It is a partial expanded sectional view which shows the flow of the gas at the time of displacing a nozzle to a raise attitude | position and breathing in. It is sectional drawing in the downward attitude | position of a nozzle about other embodiment of the breath collection container according to this invention. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a right half of a member around a nozzle in the breath collection container shown in FIG. 4. It is a partial expanded sectional view which shows the flow of the gas at the time of displacing a nozzle to a raise attitude | position and breathing in. It is sectional drawing in the downward posture of a nozzle about other embodiment of the expiration | expired_air collection container according to this invention. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a right half of a member around a nozzle in the breath collection container shown in FIG. 7. It is a partial expanded sectional view which shows the flow of the gas at the time of displacing a nozzle to a raise attitude | position and breathing in.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a breath collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention in a lowered position of the nozzle. FIG. 2 shows a right half of a member around the nozzle in the breath collection container shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view, and FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view showing the flow of gas when the nozzle is displaced in the ascending posture and exhalation is blown.

  In FIG. 1, 10 is a container main body. In the illustrated example, the container main body 10 includes a bottom portion 11 that is convex toward the inside of the container main body 10, a trunk portion 12 that surrounds the edge of the bottom portion 11, and a trunk portion 12 via a shoulder portion 13. It is possible to accommodate various gases such as exhaled air introduced through a nozzle, which will be described later, in an internal space M that is partitioned and formed by these. The outer wall of the mouth portion 14 is provided with a coupling portion 14a (screw in the illustrated example) formed by a screw or undercut. Various materials can be used as the material of the container body 10, but it is preferable to use a synthetic resin in order to ensure a certain degree of shape retention and maintain the volume of the internal space M. Furthermore, a barrier layer may be provided on the container main body 10 in order to prevent alteration of the contained exhaled air or the like.

  Reference numeral 20 </ b> A denotes a base cap held by the mouth portion 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the base cap 20 </ b> A includes a top wall 21 that closes the upper end opening of the mouth portion 14, and an outer wall 22 that surrounds the edge of the top wall 21 and hangs down. An inner wall of the outer wall 22 is provided with a coupled portion 22a corresponding to the coupling portion 14a, and the base cap 20A is detachably held in the mouth portion 14.

  A through hole 21 a is provided in the central portion of the top wall 21 so as to penetrate the front and back. At the edge of the through hole 21a, an inner cylindrical body 21b standing from the upper surface wall of the top wall 21 and an annular holding wall 21c hanging from the lower wall of the top wall 21 are formed. A pipe p that extends toward the bottom 11 of the container body 10 is fitted and held on the holding wall 21c. Further, at least one opening 21d that penetrates the top wall 21 and connects to the internal space M is provided on the radially outer side of the inner cylindrical body 21b and the holding wall 21c. Outside the opening 21d in the radial direction, an outer cylinder 21e that stands up from the top wall of the top wall 21 and surrounds the inner cylinder 21b and the opening 21d, and a bottom wall of the mouth 14 that is suspended from the bottom wall of the ceiling wall 21. A seal wall 21f that is in airtight contact with the inner wall is provided. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 2, a threaded portion n is formed on the outer surface wall of the outer cylindrical body 21e.

  Reference numeral 30A denotes a nozzle that is disposed on the upper portion of the base cap 20A and serves as an exhalation inlet. The nozzle 30 </ b> A stands at the center portion thereof and communicates with the through hole 21 a, a circular upper surface wall 32 that is connected to the outer side of the lower end of the tubular body 31 and extends radially outward, And an outer peripheral wall 33 that hangs around the edge of the upper surface wall 32. A threaded portion n 'corresponding to the threaded portion n is formed on the inner wall of the outer peripheral wall 33, and is supported so as to be movable up and down along the outer cylindrical body 21e. In the illustrated example, a part of the circumferential direction of the thread portion n is notched, and this notch serves as a gas passage (exit passage Kb). In addition, it is good also considering the slight clearance gap formed between the thread part n and the to-be-threaded part n 'as an exit channel | path Kb, without providing a notch. An annular seal portion 32a that is suspended from the lower surface of the upper surface wall 32 is provided on the radially inner side of the outer peripheral wall 33, and comes into airtight contact with the outer cylindrical body 21e when the nozzle 30A is lowered as shown in FIG. ing. An annular inner wall 32b that is in airtight contact with the inner cylinder 21b of the base cap 20A is provided on the radially inner side of the seal portion 32a. Further, an upper surface wall 32 is disposed on the radially inner side of the inner wall 32b. A through-hole 32c is formed so as to penetrate through the front and back. As a result, a passage extending from the distal end opening 31a of the tubular body 31 through the through hole 32c to the through opening 21a of the base cap 20A is defined, and this passage is an inlet passage Ka that conducts the exhaled breath to the internal space M. It has become. A convex portion 31 b is formed on the outer intermediate portion of the tubular body 31.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an intake valve 40A may be provided in the inlet passage Ka. In the illustrated example, the intake valve 40A includes a valve portion 41 that is in airtight contact with the lower surface wall of the upper surface wall 32 provided with the through-hole 32c, and a support portion 42 that surrounds the valve portion 41 with a gap therebetween. As shown in FIG. 1, the valve portion 41 and the support portion 42 are one-point support valves that are integrally connected by a single connection portion. As shown in FIG. 2, the intake valve 40 </ b> A is held out by retaining a support portion 42 by engaging a convex portion provided on the inner wall 32 b. The intake valve 40A configured as described above normally closes the through hole 32c, but functions as a check valve that is opened only when exhalation is blown. The intake valve 40A is not limited to a one-point support valve, and may be a three-point support valve, for example.

  Further, an overcap 50A for closing the distal end opening 31a of the tubular body 31 may be provided. In the illustrated example, the overcap 50 </ b> A has a top wall 51 that covers the tip opening 31 a, and includes an outer peripheral wall 52 that hangs down from the inside in the radial direction leaving the edge of the top wall 51. The top wall 51 is provided with an annular sealing portion 51a that hangs down from the lower wall of the top wall 51 and comes into airtight contact with the tip opening 31a of the tubular body 31. Further, a concave portion 52 a corresponding to the convex portion 31 b is formed on the inner surface wall of the outer peripheral wall 52, and the overcap 50 </ b> A is detachably held on the tubular body 31.

  The internal space M of the container body 10 configured as described above is in a state in which air is previously stored, but is filled with various gases such as an inert gas as necessary. Also good. Then, when collecting exhaled air, the overcap 50A is removed, and the nozzle 30A is relatively rotated to displace the lowered posture shown in FIG. 2 to the raised posture shown in FIG. Thereby, the contact between the seal portion 32a and the outer cylindrical body 21e is released, and the outlet passage Kb is opened. Thereafter, when exhalation is blown from the tip opening 31a while holding the tubular body 31 of the nozzle 30A, the intake valve 40A is opened even when the intake valve 40A is provided in the inlet passage Ka. As shown by solid arrows in FIG. 3, the exhaled air passes through the intake valve 40A of the inlet passage Ka, passes through the inside of the pipe p, and is accommodated in the internal space M. At this time, in the internal space M, the gas previously stored in the internal space M by the introduced exhalation is sent out from the opening 21d, and as shown by the two-dot chain line arrow in FIG. To be discharged. Thereby, the gas previously accommodated in the internal space M and the exhaled breath are replaced, and the exhaled air is collected in the internal space M.

  Thereafter, the nozzle 30 </ b> A is rotated in the reverse direction relatively and displaced to the lowered posture shown in FIG. 2, whereby the outlet passage Kb is closed and the collected exhaled air can be confined in the internal space M. Even when the intake valve 40A is not provided, the outlet passage Kb is closed by the seal portion 32a, and outside air does not enter the inner space M through the outlet passage Kb, and the pressure in the inner space M is kept constant. Therefore, intrusion of outside air from the inlet passage Ka can be effectively prevented, but the provision of the intake valve 40A is more preferable because contact between the exhaled air collected in the internal space M and outside air can be reliably prevented.

  Further, when the overcap 50A is provided, the inner space M that is quickly sealed by the downward displacement of the nozzle 30A can be more reliably maintained in an airtight state. Thus, for example, even when the container 12 is inadvertently pushed inward during handling of the container or during transportation of the container, there is no possibility that exhaled air in the internal space M is discharged to the outside world. The airtightness in the internal space can be more reliably maintained.

  4 to 6 show another embodiment of the breath collection container according to the present invention. The overlapping parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted here.

  The base cap 20B shown in detail in FIG. 5 has a base cap 20A as a basic shape, and is provided with a locking portion m and a claw portion t instead of the screw portion n provided on the outer surface wall of the outer cylindrical body 21e. . The top wall 21 has a plurality of leg portions 21g disposed at intervals along the edge of the through hole 21a, and a lid portion 21h that is integrally connected to and supported by the leg portions 21g. It has. In the illustrated example, the lid portion 21h has an upper wall 21i and a shape in which an annular peripheral wall 21j is suspended from the edge of the upper wall 21i.

  The nozzle 30 </ b> B has a nozzle 30 </ b> A as a basic shape, and is provided with a finger hook portion 31 c on the upper outer side in place of the convex portion 31 b provided on the tubular body 31. On the inner wall surface of the outer peripheral wall 33, a locked portion m 'corresponding to the locking portion m is provided instead of the screwed portion n'. The outlet passage Kb is formed by a gap between the locking part m and the inner wall surface of the outer peripheral wall 33 and a gap between the locked part m 'and the outer surface wall of the outer cylindrical body 21e. Further, an annular blocking portion 34 that is in airtight contact with the peripheral wall 21j of the lid portion 21h when the nozzle 30B is lowered is provided on the inner wall of the tubular body 31.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, between the base cap 20B and the nozzle 30B, the gas in the internal space M sent through the opening 21d can be sent out toward the outlet passage Kb, while the internal space M An exhaust valve 40B may be provided to prevent the introduction of outside air. In the illustrated example, the exhaust valve 40B has a circular valve portion 43 that is hermetically in contact with the upper surface wall of the top wall 21 provided with an opening 21d on one end side, and a cylindrical shape that is integrally connected to the other end side of the valve portion 43. The support portion 44 is inserted into the inner cylindrical body 21b and is fitted and held.

  In the breath collection container according to another embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the locking portion m and the locked portion m ′ are engaged in the lowered posture of the nozzle 30B shown in FIG. The descending posture can be stably maintained. When the finger hook portion 31c is gripped and the nozzle 30B is pulled up in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6 (upward), the engagement between the locking portion m and the locked portion m ′ is released, and the locked portion m ′. Is engaged with the claw t, and the nozzle 30B is displaced to the upward posture. In the rising posture of the nozzle 30B, the inlet passage Ka and the outlet passage Kb are in an open state. Therefore, when exhalation is blown in the direction indicated by the solid line arrow in FIG. The gas introduced into the internal space M through the gap between the adjacent leg portions 21g, and instead stored in the internal space M in advance, was released from the opening 21d as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is discharged from the outlet passage Kb to the outside through the exhaust valve 40B. Thereby, similarly to the container according to FIGS. 1 to 3 described above, the gas previously stored in the internal space M and the exhaled breath are replaced, and the exhalation is collected in the internal space M. Can do.

  7 to 9 show still another embodiment of the exhalation collection container according to the present invention. The overlapping portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted here.

  The base cap 20C shown in detail in FIG. 8 has a base cap 20B as a basic shape, and is replaced with a screw portion in the same manner as the base cap 20A, instead of the locking portion m and the claw portion t provided on the outer surface wall of the outer cylinder 21e. n is provided. Note that the leg portion 21g and the lid portion 21h have the same structure as the base cap 20B. However, in the example shown in the drawing, the leg portion 21g is extended to cover the upper wall 21i of the lid portion 21h as compared with the base cap 20B. It is close to the upper surface wall 32 of the nozzle 30A. An intake valve 40A is held on the inner wall 32b of the nozzle 30A.

  In the breath collection container according to still another embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, when the breath is collected, the overcap 50A is removed, the nozzle 30A is relatively rotated, and the lowered posture shown in FIG. To the raised posture shown in FIG. Thereby, the contact between the seal portion 32a and the outer cylindrical body 21e is released, and the outlet passage Kb is opened. Thereafter, when the exhalation is blown from the tip opening 31a while holding the tubular body 31 of the nozzle 30A, the intake valve 40A provided in the inlet passage Ka is opened, and the exhaled breath is indicated by a solid line arrow in FIG. As shown, the gas that has passed through the intake valve 40A of the inlet passage Ka, introduced into the internal space M through the gap between the adjacent leg portions 21g, and stored in the internal space M in advance is shown in FIG. As indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9, the gas is discharged from the opening 21d to the outside through the outlet passage Kb. Thereby, the gas previously stored in the internal space M is replaced with the exhaled breath, and the exhaled air is collected in the internal space M.

  After that, when the nozzle 30A is rotated in the reverse direction relatively and displaced to the lowered posture shown in FIG. 8, the intake valve 40A is supported from below by contacting the upper wall 21i of the lid portion 21h. Maintained. Thereby, the airtightness in the internal space M is reliably maintained.

  According to the present invention, since the container can be easily sealed after collecting exhalation, a new exhalation collecting container excellent in usability can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Container main body 14 Mouth part 20A Base cap 20B Base cap 20C Base cap 21 Top surface wall 21a Through-hole 21b Inner cylinder 21d Open hole 21e Outer cylinder 21g Leg part 21h Lid part 22 Outer wall 30A Nozzle 30B Nozzle 31 Tubular body 31a Tip Opening 32 Upper surface wall 32a Seal portion 33 Outer peripheral wall 34 Closed portion 40A Intake valve 40B Exhaust valve 50A Overcap 51a Sealing portion M Internal space Ka Inlet passage Kb Outlet passage

Claims (5)

The top wall that covers the mouth of the container body has a base cap provided with a through hole connected to the internal space of the container body, and a tubular body that communicates with the through hole, and is blown from the distal end opening of the tubular body A breath collection container comprising a nozzle for guiding the exhaled breath into the internal space,
The top wall rises from an edge of the through hole and rises around the inner cylinder that defines an inlet passage from the tip opening to the through hole between the nozzle and the nozzle. An outer cylinder, and at least one aperture that is provided between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder and communicates with the internal space,
The nozzle has an outer peripheral wall that is suspended from the edge of the upper surface wall integrally connected to the tubular body, is suspended from the outer cylinder, and is supported by the outer cylinder so as to be movable up and down.
The outer peripheral wall includes an outlet passage that discharges the gas in the inner space sent through the opening toward the outside, between the outer cylinder and the outer wall,
The upper surface wall is provided with a seal portion that abuts the outer cylindrical body when the nozzle is lowered to close the outlet passage and opens the outlet passage when the nozzle is raised. Breath collection container.   The exhalation-collecting container according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is provided with an inhalation valve that closes the inlet passage and keeps the internal space airtight, and that is opened only when exhalation is blown in a rising position of the nozzle.   The exhalation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle is provided with an overcap that surrounds the tubular body and is detachably held, and the overcap is provided with a sealing portion that closes a distal end opening of the tubular body. Collection container.   The base cap includes a plurality of legs disposed at intervals along an edge of the through hole, and a lid that is supported by being integrally connected to the legs. The breath collection container according to claim 1, further comprising: a closed portion that abuts the lid portion to hold the internal space in an airtight manner when the nozzle is lowered. The base cap has a plurality of legs disposed at intervals along an edge of the through hole, and a lid that is integrally connected to the legs and supported.
The exhalation-collecting container according to claim 2, wherein the inhalation valve is maintained in a closed state by contacting the lid portion with the inhalation valve in a lowering posture of the nozzle.

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