Label peeling device and label peeling method

A label peeling method, comprising:

• supplying a cutter to a process position wherein the cutter is a cutter knife blade extending in a first direction and having a blade portion on one side edge;
• extending in the first direction and configured to hold the cutter, a cutter holder comprising a cutter rail movable in the first direction, and a rail drive portion configured to move the cutter rail in a direction different from the first direction, the cutter holder configured to move the cutter along an axial direction of a specimen container while the cutter is being pressed against a surface of the specimen container;
• forming, in the first direction, a cutter moving path including a process area to which the specimen container is opposed, a supply area located on a primary side of the process area, and a recovery area located on a secondary side of the process area;
• moving the cutter in the first direction through the cutter rail with a cutter sending portion;
• conveying the specimen container along a conveyance pathway extending in the first direction, wherein the container holding portion includes a chuck device configured to hold and move the specimen container on the conveyance pathway, and wherein the cutter rail is disposed on a side of the specimen container that faces the cutter includes an opening in the process area and configured to hold the cutter keeping it inclined with respect to the axial direction of the specimen container at an angle of 10 degrees to 30 degrees;
• in a state in which the cutter is in contact with the specimen container, peeling a label on the specimen container by relatively moving the specimen container and the cutter;
• after peeling the label, moving the cutter from the process position to a recovery position to recover the cutter;
• setting the cutter in the supply area by way of a cutter exchange device;
• and
• recovering the cutter placed in the recovery area by way of a recovery portion.