Case Unit

Abstract

A case unit C 1 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 C 1 is suitable for reduction in size and weight.

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.