To prevent inclination of a sample container when removing a hand clipper from the sample container, and to thereby prevent wrong reading of an identification label such as a bar code stuck on the sample container and malfunction of a position detection sensor on a sample rack caused by inclination of the sample rack.

In a pickup mechanism, the test tube-shaped sample containers are held on the sample rack having a cutout part on one side for reading the identification label stuck on the side of each sample container, and a plurality of the sample racks are moved successively, and the sample container positioned on the pickup position is picked up from the sample rack by the hand clipper comprising two or more plate springs. The mechanism has a structure equipped with a sample container inclination preventing piece passable between the plate springs of the hand clipper, for preventing inclination of the sample container by abutting on the hand clipper side of the sample container when removing the hand clipper from the sample container.