Method and apparatus for corking up sample-contained containers

An apparatus for corking up each of sample-contained containers comprising:

• a means for supplying stoppers one by one each having a portion inserted into the open top of each container;
• a stopper positioning means for holding each of the stoppers successively supplied from the stopper supply means by a stopper holder and opposing the inserted portion of the stopper to the open top of the container, which is supported at its corked-up position, while holding the stopper at a certain state;
• a means for pushing the inserted portion of the stopper, which has been positioned by the stopper positioning means, into the open top of the container;
• and
• a control unit for controlling stopper pushing and positioning processes of both stopper pushing and positioning means, said control unit including a first control means for causing the stopper pushing means to push the inserted portion of the stopper, which has been opposed to the open top of the container by the stopper positioning means, into the open top of the container to a first predetermined position, while holding the stopper at a certain state by the stopper holder, a second control means for releasing the stopper holder from the stopper and retreating the holder to its waiting position after control is conducted by the first control means, and a third control means for causing the stopper pushing means to push the inserted portion of the stopper into the open top of the container to a second predetermined position, deeper than the first one, after control is made by the second control means.