Decontamination transfer box

Abstract

The present invention provides a kind of decontamination transfer box, when the outer surface of the container containing heat-sensitive substance is decontaminated, the heat quality change of the heat-sensitive substance can not be affected, and the perfect decontamination effect is sought by the decontamination operation of proper temperature and short time.The decontamination transfer box has a transfer box main body and a conveying device, the transfer box main body has a transport area, a decontamination area, an aeration area and a transport area, and the conveying device conveys the goods in the transfer box main body.The decontamination agent imparting device has a compressed gas generating unit, a decontamination agent supplying unit, a mixed gas-liquid adjuster and a heater.The temperature of the decontamination agent mist imparted to the outer surface of the goods is controlled by controlling the amount of compressed gas supplied from the compressed gas generating unit, the amount of decontamination agent supplied from the decontamination agent supplying unit and the heating temperature of the heater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a transfer box for decontamination, and more particularly to a transfer box used for decontaminating the outer surface of a container containing a heat-sensitive substance and transporting the container into a work room maintained as a sterile environment. Background Technology

[0002] Maintaining a sterile environment is crucial in manufacturing facilities for pharmaceuticals or food, as well as in medical settings such as operating rooms. In particular, the decontamination process in pharmaceutical manufacturing workshops, i.e., sterile rooms, must meet high standards of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) validation.

[0003] In small-scale operations within such a sterile environment, isolators are used, which serve as work chambers and allow workers to operate from the outside of these chambers while wearing gloves and a half-length garment. The isolator's chamber is equipped with an exhaust / suction system to maintain sterility and prevent contaminants from entering from the external environment. Furthermore, sterility is maintained when necessary equipment and materials are transported from the external environment into the sterile isolator.

[0004] For example, when moving items into the isolator, a small preparation chamber called a transfer box is provided. The operator moving the items into the isolator first moves them into the transfer box. At this time, the access door between the isolator and the transfer box is sealed. Next, the access door between the transfer box and the external environment is sealed, and the items are decontaminated. After decontamination is completed in the transfer box and the decontamination gases are removed, the access door between the isolator and the transfer box is opened, and the items are moved from inside the isolator.

[0005] In recent years, hydrogen peroxide (gas or mist) has been widely used for decontamination of work rooms such as isolators and transfer boxes (hereinafter referred to as "decontamination chambers") and the items to be transported in. Hydrogen peroxide is effective as a decontamination gas with strong sterilization effects, is inexpensive and readily available, and ultimately decomposes into oxygen and water, making it environmentally friendly. Patent Document 1 describes that the decontamination effect of this hydrogen peroxide is achieved by a condensation film of hydrogen peroxide water that condenses on the surface of the decontamination area.

[0006] Among the items that need to be decontaminated in the transfer box and transported into the isolator, there are containers (medicine bottles, bottles, etc.) containing substances that are relatively unstable in heat (hereinafter referred to as "heat-sensitive substances"). Examples of heat-sensitive substances include pharmaceutical raw materials, pharmaceuticals (including biological preparations, vaccines, etc.), freeze-dried pharmaceuticals, biological cells, cells used in regenerative medicine (including frozen cells), culture reagents, etc. These heat-sensitive substances are strictly managed at the optimal storage temperature where the substance is stable, such as through refrigeration or freezing.

[0007] To effectively decontaminate the surface of a container containing a heat-sensitive substance in a short time, it is preferable to supply the surface of the container with a high-temperature decontamination gas. However, it is undesirable to expose the container containing the heat-sensitive substance to a temperature that deviates significantly from the optimal storage temperature of the heat-sensitive substance for an extended period. Therefore, the inventors have proposed a transfer box in Patent Document 2 below, which can achieve perfect decontamination results and shorten the operation time for low-temperature substances such as frozen samples, thereby improving the efficiency of the decontamination operation.

[0008] Patent Document 2 describes a transfer box that supplies detergent mist toward the surface of a low-temperature article, thereby forming a condensate film of detergent on the surface of the article. Then, in the drying process, dry air is supplied toward the surface of the low-temperature article, and ultrasonic vibration and acoustic radiation pressure are applied to the condensate film to shorten the processing time.

[0009] Existing technical documents

[0010] Patent documents

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-4543

[0012] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-157005 Summary of the Invention

[0013] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0014] In Patent Document 2 mentioned above, when cleaning a low-temperature sample, a detergent mist at a temperature near room temperature (20°C to 25°C) is applied to the surface of the low-temperature sample. In this case, if the surface temperature of the low-temperature sample is in the temperature range of 0°C to 10°C, a high cleaning effect is obtained in a relatively short time. However, in cleaning the surface of an extremely low-temperature sample below -10°C, there is a problem that a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be obtained unless the contact time with the detergent mist is prolonged. Therefore, in cleaning the surface of a container containing a heat-sensitive substance that is very sensitive to changes in thermal quality, there is a problem that the impact on quality becomes greater.

[0015] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to address the above-mentioned problems by providing a perfect decontamination transfer box that achieves a decontamination effect through a decontamination operation at an appropriate temperature and for a short time without causing changes in the thermal quality of the heat-sensitive substance when decontaminating the outer surface of a container containing a heat-sensitive substance.

[0016] Methods for solving problems

[0017] In solving the aforementioned problem, the inventors, through diligent research, discovered that by controlling the temperature of the detergent mist applied to the surface of the article and employing a conveying device that continuously or semi-continuously transports the article within a transfer box, the above objective can be achieved, thus completing the present invention.

[0018] That is, according to the description of technical solution 1, the decontamination transfer box involved in this invention is a transfer box used when transporting items into the interior of a work room that maintains a sterile environment, characterized in that...

[0019] The decontamination transfer box includes a transfer box body and a conveying device. The transfer box body has an inlet area for transporting the items from the external environment, a decontamination area for cleaning the outer surface of the items with a decontamination agent, an aeration area for removing residual decontamination agent from the outer surface of the cleaned items, and an outlet area for transporting the aerated items into the working chamber. The conveying device transports the items inside the transfer box body.

[0020] The transport area is equipped with a transport entrance for transporting the items from the external environment, and this entrance is capable of being airtightly sealed.

[0021] The decontamination zone is equipped with a decontaminant application device for applying a decontaminant mist to the outer surface of the article being transported from the receiving zone by the transport device.

[0022] The aeration zone is equipped with a clean air supply device for supplying clean air to the surface of the items transported from the decontamination zone by the conveying device.

[0023] The transport area has a transport outlet for using the transport device to transport the items into the interior of the work room.

[0024] The detergent applicator includes a compressed gas generating unit for generating compressed gas, a detergent supply unit for supplying detergent, a gas-liquid mixture adjuster for mixing the compressed gas and the detergent to adjust the mixed gas-liquid mixture, and a heater for heating the mixed gas-liquid mixture to form the detergent mist.

[0025] The temperature of the detergent mist applied to the outer surface of the article is controlled by controlling the amount of compressed gas supplied from the compressed gas generating unit, the amount of detergent supplied from the detergent supply unit, and the heating temperature of the heater.

[0026] Furthermore, according to technical solution 2, the present invention is the decontamination transfer box described in technical solution 1, characterized in that...

[0027] The conveying device operates in the first conveying process, the second conveying process, and the third conveying process.

[0028] In the first transport step, a portion of the article that has been transported into the receiving area but has not been decontaminated is transported from the receiving area to the decontamination area, where the majority of the article, excluding the supported portion, is decontaminated.

[0029] In the second transport step, the part that was previously decontaminated in the first transport step is transported from the decontamination zone to the aeration zone, where the portion other than the decontaminated part in the first transport step is decontaminated, and the majority of the portion other than the supported part is aerated in the aeration zone.

[0030] In the third transport step, the portion other than the portion aerated in the second transport step is transported from the aeration zone to the transport zone in a state where it is replaced with a portion supported by the portion aerated in the second transport step.

[0031] Furthermore, according to technical solution 3, the present invention is the decontamination transfer box described in technical solution 2, characterized in that...

[0032] The conveying device consists of three conveying devices: a first conveying device, a second conveying device, and a third conveying device.

[0033] The first conveying device operates in the first conveying process.

[0034] The second conveying device operates in the second conveying process.

[0035] The third conveying device operates in the third conveying process.

[0036] Furthermore, according to technical solution 4, the present invention is the decontamination transfer box described in technical solution 2, characterized in that...

[0037] The conveying device consists of two conveying devices: a first conveying device and a second conveying device.

[0038] The first conveying device operates in both the first conveying process and the third conveying process.

[0039] The second conveying device operates in the second conveying process.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the description in technical solution 5, the present invention is a decontamination transfer box as described in any one of technical solutions 2 to 4, characterized in that...

[0041] The conveying device operates continuously or semi-continuously, so that the total working time of the first conveying process, the second conveying process, and the third conveying process is less than 10 minutes.

[0042] Furthermore, according to technical solution 6, the present invention is a decontamination transfer box as described in any one of technical solutions 1 to 5, characterized in that,

[0043] The temperature of the detergent mist is controlled within the range of 30℃ to 60℃.

[0044] Furthermore, according to technical solution 7, the present invention is a decontamination transfer box as described in any one of technical solutions 1 to 6, characterized in that...

[0045] The decontamination transfer box includes a first exhaust device and a second exhaust device. The first exhaust device exhausts air from the inlet area and the decontamination area, and the second exhaust device exhausts air from the aeration area and the outlet area.

[0046] By making the exhaust volume of the first exhaust device greater than that of the second exhaust device, air from the inlet zone and the decontamination zone will not mix into the aeration zone and the outlet zone.

[0047] Furthermore, by making the air pressure of the transfer box body negative compared to the air pressure inside the work chamber, the air in the transfer box body will not mix into the interior of the work chamber.

[0048] Furthermore, according to technical solution 8, the present invention is a decontamination transfer box as described in any one of technical solutions 1 to 7, characterized in that...

[0049] The heater includes an inlet for introducing the mixed gas and liquid, a cylindrical outer tube, a heating element housed inside the outer tube parallel to its length, and an outlet for spraying the detergent mist.

[0050] The mixed gas-liquid mixture is heated during its passage between the outer cylinder and the heating element, and all or part of the mixed gas-liquid mixture becomes a detergent gas, which is atomized by a controlled amount of the compressed gas to become a detergent mist with a controlled temperature.

[0051] Furthermore, according to technical solution 9, the present invention is a decontamination transfer box as described in any one of technical solutions 1 to 7, characterized in that...

[0052] The heater includes an inlet for introducing the mixed gas and liquid, a cylindrical outer tube, a heating element housed inside the outer tube parallel to its length, and an outlet for spraying the detergent mist.

[0053] The heating element includes a rod-shaped heater arranged along the length of the heating element and an evaporation tube spirally wound along the outer periphery of the heater along the length.

[0054] The mixed gas and liquid are heated during passage through the interior of the evaporator tube, and all or part of the mixed gas and liquid become detergent gas, which is atomized by the compressed gas in a controlled amount, becoming detergent mist with a controlled temperature.

[0055] Furthermore, according to technical solution 10, the present invention is the decontamination transfer box described in technical solution 8 or 9, characterized in that...

[0056] The heater has a gas mixing regulator between the heating element and the nozzle, which mixes the detergent gas and the compressed gas.

[0057] By controlling the amount of compressed gas introduced into the mixed gas regulator, the detergent gas is atomized by the compressed gas, becoming the detergent mist with a controlled temperature.

[0058] It should be noted that the numbers in parentheses of the above units indicate the correspondence with the specific units described in the embodiments described below.

[0059] Invention Effects

[0060] According to the above structure, the decontamination transfer box of the present invention has a transfer box body comprising an inlet area, a decontamination area, an aeration area, and an outlet area, and a transport device for transporting articles inside the transfer box body. The inlet area has an airtight inlet for transporting articles from the external environment. The decontamination area has a decontamination agent application device for applying a decontamination agent mist to the outer surface of the articles transported from the inlet area by the transport device. The aeration area has a clean air application device for applying clean air to the surface of the articles transported from the decontamination area by the transport device to remove residual decontamination agent from the outer surface of the decontaminated articles. The outlet area transports the aerated articles out of the sterile working room using the transport device.

[0061] Furthermore, the cleaning transfer box of the present invention controls the temperature of the cleaning agent mist applied to the outer surface of an article by controlling the amount of compressed gas supplied from the compressed gas generating unit, the amount of cleaning agent supplied from the cleaning agent supply unit, and the heating temperature of the heater. Thus, a perfect cleaning transfer box can be provided that, when cleaning the outer surface of a container containing a heat-sensitive substance, achieves a cleaning effect through a cleaning operation at an appropriate temperature and for a short time without causing changes in the thermal properties of the heat-sensitive substance.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the above structure, the conveying device operates in the first conveying step, the second conveying step, and the third conveying step. In the first conveying step, a portion of an article that has been received into the receiving area but has not been decontaminated is conveyed from the receiving area to the decontamination area. During this period, most of the article, except for the portion being supported, is decontaminated in the decontamination area. In the second conveying step, the article is conveyed from the decontamination area to the aeration area with the portion being supported after being decontaminated in the first conveying step replaced by the portion being supported. During this period, the portion other than the portion being decontaminated in the first conveying step is decontaminated in the decontamination area. Moreover, most of the article, except for the portion being supported, is aerated in the aeration area. In the third conveying step, the article is conveyed from the aeration area to the discharge area with the portion being supported after being aerated in the second conveying step replaced by the portion being supported. During this period, the portion other than the portion being aerated in the second conveying step is aerated. As a result, the above-mentioned effects can be performed more specifically and effectively.

[0063] Furthermore, based on the above structure, the conveying device can consist of three conveying devices: the first conveying device operates in the first conveying process, the second conveying device operates in the second conveying process, and the third conveying device operates in the third conveying process. Alternatively, the conveying device can consist of two conveying devices: the first conveying device operates in both the first and third conveying processes, and the second conveying device operates in the second conveying process. This allows for a more specific and effective realization of the aforementioned effects.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the above structure, it is preferable that the conveying device operates continuously or semi-continuously, so that the total working time of the first, second, and third conveying steps is less than 10 minutes. Additionally, the temperature of the detergent mist is preferably controlled within the range of 30°C to 60°C. This allows the aforementioned effects to be achieved more specifically and effectively.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the above structure, the decontamination transfer box of the present invention includes a first exhaust device and a second exhaust device. The first exhaust device mainly exhausts air from the inlet and decontamination zones. The second exhaust device mainly exhausts air from the aeration and outlet zones. Moreover, by making the exhaust volume of the first exhaust device larger than that of the second exhaust device, air from the inlet and decontamination zones will not mix into the aeration and outlet zones. In addition, by making the air pressure of the transfer box body negative compared to the air pressure inside the working chamber, air from the transfer box body will not mix into the interior of the working chamber.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the above structure, the heater can be a heater comprising an inlet for introducing the mixed gas-liquid mixture, a cylindrical outer tube, a heating element housed inside the outer tube parallel to its length, and an outlet for spraying the detergent mist. In this heater, the mixed gas-liquid mixture is heated while passing between the outer tube and the heating element, and all or part of the mixed gas-liquid mixture becomes detergent gas. Moreover, this detergent gas is atomized by a controlled amount of compressed gas, becoming detergent mist with a controlled temperature. Thus, the aforementioned effects can be achieved more specifically and effectively.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the above structure, the heater can use a heater having an inlet for introducing a mixed gas-liquid mixture, a cylindrical outer tube, a heating element built into the outer tube parallel to its length direction, and an outlet for spraying detergent mist. The heating element includes a rod-shaped heater arranged along its length direction and an evaporator tube spirally wound around its outer periphery along its length. In this heater, the mixed gas-liquid mixture is heated while passing through the interior of the evaporator tube, and all or part of the mixture becomes detergent gas. Moreover, this detergent gas is atomized by a controlled amount of compressed gas, becoming detergent mist with a controlled temperature. Therefore, the aforementioned effects can be achieved more specifically and effectively.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the above structure, the heater can have a gas mixing regulator between the heating element and the nozzle, which mixes the detergent gas and the compressed gas. In this heater, by controlling the amount of compressed gas introduced into the gas mixing regulator, the detergent gas is atomized by the compressed gas, becoming a detergent mist with a controlled temperature. This allows the aforementioned effects to be achieved more specifically and effectively. Attached Figure Description

[0069] Figure 1 This is a front view of an isolator device equipped with the decontamination transfer box according to this embodiment.

[0070] Figure 2 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which medicine bottles are being transported from the external environment into the decontamination transfer box.

[0071] Figure 3 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the operation of changing the medicine bottle into the first transport device.

[0072] Figure 4 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state of the medicine bottle being carried on the first transport device.

[0073] Figure 5 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which medicine bottles, carried by the first transport device, are transported from the transport area to the decontamination area.

[0074] Figure 6 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state of the medicine bottle being transferred from the first transport device to the second transport device.

[0075] Figure 7 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the medicine bottle, held in a second conveying device, is conveyed from the decontamination zone to the aeration zone.

[0076] Figure 8 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which a medicine bottle held in the second transport device is replaced with a first transport device in the aeration zone.

[0077] Figure 9 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which medicine bottles, carried by the first conveying device, are transported from the aeration zone to the discharge zone.

[0078] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the medicine bottle being carried by the carrying tool of the first transport device. (A) shows the state before carrying, and (B) shows the state of carrying.

[0079] Figure 11 The diagrams show the relationship between the medicine bottle being cleaned and the fogging device located inside the cleaning area. (A) A perspective view and (B) A top view.

[0080] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the medicine bottle being held by the clamping tool of the second transport device. (A) shows the state before clamping, and (B) shows the state of clamping.

[0081] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a detergent-applying device.

[0082] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram showing another example of the structure of a detergent-applying device.

[0083] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a heater in a detergent applicator.

[0084] Figure 16This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a heater in a detergent applicator. Detailed Implementation

[0085] The present invention will now be described in detail through embodiments of the decontamination transfer box. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0086] Figure 1 This is a front view of the isolator device equipped with the decontamination transfer box according to this embodiment. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the isolator device A consists of a chamber C placed on the floor via a leg B and a device chamber D mounted on the chamber C. Furthermore, the decontamination transfer box according to this embodiment includes a transfer box body E and a transport device (described later) for transporting articles inside the transfer box body E. The transfer box body E is placed on the floor with its top wall joined to the bottom wall of the chamber C. A passage E2 for transporting articles into the chamber C is provided on the front wall E1 of the transfer box body E (details described later). It should be noted that in this embodiment, the "article" is a medicine bottle containing a heat-sensitive substance (hereinafter referred to as a "medicine bottle").

[0087] Chamber C is constructed of stainless steel and operates in a sterile environment. Chamber C is airtightly isolated from the external environment where the operator is located. Additionally, a transparent glass window C1 is provided on the front wall of chamber C, allowing visual inspection of the interior. This glass window C1 has four working openings C1a to C1d connecting the outside to the interior of chamber C. Resin gloves (not shown) are airtightly fitted at each of these working openings C1a to C1d.

[0088] Additionally, an opening (not shown) communicating with the top wall of the transfer box body E is provided on the bottom wall of the interior of chamber C, serving as the inlet for transporting the medicine bottles, after being cleaned inside the transfer box body E, into the interior of chamber C (the outlet of the transfer box body E). It should be noted that the transport of the medicine bottles into chamber C is performed by an operator in the external environment wearing resin gloves (details will be described later).

[0089] The surrounding walls of the equipment chamber D are covered with stainless steel metal panels, and electrical / mechanical devices (not shown) are housed inside. These devices include an intake blower with an intake filtration unit that controls the internal environment of chamber C, and an exhaust blower with an exhaust filtration unit. A control panel (not shown) is also installed on the front wall of equipment chamber D.

[0090] Next, the structure and operation of the decontamination transfer box according to this embodiment will be explained. Figure 2This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which medicine bottles are being transported from the external environment into the decontamination transfer box.

[0091] exist Figure 2 In the diagram, the main body E of the transfer box is a stainless steel box composed of a front wall E1, a back wall E3, a top wall E4, a bottom wall E5, a right side wall (inner side of the attached diagram), and a left side wall (near the front of the attached diagram, not shown). A door E2 for transporting medicine bottles is located on the front wall E1. It should be noted that... Figure 2 In the middle, the inlet E2 is open for the transport of medicine bottles. Additionally, the chamber C (not shown) with the isolator device A mounted on the upper part of the transfer box body E is in a position where it is located. It should be noted that the top wall E4 of the transfer box body E also serves as the bottom wall of the chamber C, and has an outlet E6 for transporting medicine bottles from the inside of the transfer box body E to the inside of the chamber C.

[0092] Inside the main body E of the transfer box, there are an inlet area 10 for transporting medicine bottles from the external environment, a decontamination area 20 for cleaning the outer surface of the medicine bottles after they are transported in with a detergent, an aeration area 30 for removing detergent residue from the outer surface of the cleaned medicine bottles, and an outlet area 40 for transporting the aerated medicine bottles out into the interior of the chamber C.

[0093] exist Figure 2 In the middle, the transport area 10 is the part surrounded by the front wall portion E1, the transport entrance portion E2, the bottom wall portion E5, the longitudinal wall portion E7a, and the transverse wall portion E8a. A platform 11 is provided in the transport area 10 to clamp the upper side of the medicine bottle G after it has been transported from the external environment through the transport entrance portion E2, thereby moving the medicine bottle G inward. The platform 11 consists of a support shaft 12 and a clamping shaft 13. The clamping shaft 13, which clamps the medicine bottle G, rotates around the support shaft 12 to move the medicine bottle G into the interior of the transport area 10 (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0094] Additionally, a first conveying device 50 is provided inside the receiving area 10 to receive medicine bottles G from the rack 11 and transport them through the decontamination area 20 and the aeration area 30 to the delivery area 40. The first conveying device 50 includes a lifting shaft 51 fixed between the bottom wall portion E5 and the transverse wall portion E8b, a carrying shaft 52 that moves vertically along the lifting shaft 51, and a rotating mechanism 53 that rotates the carrying shaft 52. Furthermore, a carrying tool 54 for carrying the bottom of the medicine bottle G is provided at the upper end of the carrying shaft 52. The operation of the first conveying device 50 will be described later.

[0095] exist Figure 2In this system, the decontamination zone 20 is the portion surrounded by longitudinal wall portions E7a, E7b, transverse wall portions E8a, and E8c. Within the decontamination zone 20, an opening 21 is provided in the center of the transverse wall portion E8a, and an opening 22 is provided in the center of the transverse wall portion E8c. These openings 21 and 22 are for the passage of the medicine bottle G carried on the first transport device 50 (details will be described later). Furthermore, a nozzle 64b of a decontaminant applicator 60 is provided in the longitudinal wall portion E7a of the decontamination zone 20 for spraying decontaminant (in this embodiment, a decontaminant mist) (details will be described later). Additionally, a mist hood 23 is provided inside the decontamination zone 20 to surround the medicine bottle G and efficiently apply the decontaminant mist (details will be described later).

[0096] exist Figure 2 In this structure, the aeration zone 30 is surrounded by the front wall portion E1, the longitudinal wall portion E7c, the transverse wall portion E8c, and the top wall portion E4. Within the aeration zone 30, an opening 31 (shared with the opening 22 of the decontamination zone) is formed in the center of the transverse wall portion E8c, and an opening 32 (shared with the discharge outlet E6) is formed in the center of the top wall portion E4. These openings 31 and 32 allow the medicine bottle G, carried on the first conveying device 50 or held in the second conveying device 55 (described later), to pass through. Furthermore, along each opening 31 and 32, annular clean air supply devices 33 and 34 are provided to blow clean air for aeration into the medicine bottle G. It should be noted that opening 32 corresponds to the aforementioned discharge outlet E6, which transports the medicine bottle from the interior of the transfer box body E to the interior of the chamber C.

[0097] Additionally, a second conveying device 55 is provided inside the aeration zone 30 to receive the medicine bottle G from the first conveying device 50 and transport the medicine bottle G from the decontamination zone 20 to the aeration zone 30. The second conveying device 55 has a lifting shaft 56 fixed between the transverse wall portion E8c and the top wall portion E4, and a clamping shaft 57 that moves vertically along the lifting shaft 56. Furthermore, a clamping tool 58 for clamping the upper side of the medicine bottle G is provided at the top end of the clamping shaft 57. The operation of the second conveying device 50 will be described later.

[0098] exist Figure 2 In this embodiment, the discharge zone 40 is a portion shared with the upper part of the aeration zone 30. Specifically, it is the portion with the outlet E6 that functions to discharge medicine bottles from the interior of the transfer box body E into the interior of the chamber C. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the outlet E6 corresponds to the opening 32 of the aeration zone 30, and the discharge zone 40 and the upper part of the aeration zone 30 are shared. However, this is not a limitation; the discharge zone 40 and the aeration zone 30 can also be provided independently.

[0099] exist Figure 2The portion surrounded by the rear wall portion E3, top wall portion E4, bottom wall portion E5, longitudinal wall portion E7a, longitudinal wall portion E7c, and a portion of the transverse wall portion E8c is the machine room 70, which houses the aforementioned detergent dispensing device 60 and two exhaust blowers 71 and 72. Additionally, the machine room 70 contains an exhaust filtration unit, a hydrogen peroxide decomposition unit, and devices related to the drive and control of the detergent transfer box (none are shown).

[0100] Here, the airflow inside the transfer box body E will be explained. By operating two exhaust blowers 71 and 72 installed inside the transfer box body E, the air pressure inside the transfer box body E is lower than the air pressure inside chamber C of the isolator device A. This prevents air (including detergent, etc.) inside the transfer box body E from mixing into the interior of chamber C through the outlet E6. (Description follows) Figure 2 The arrows at each opening and on the wall indicate the direction of airflow.

[0101] Furthermore, the exhaust volume of the two exhaust blowers 71 and 72 is preferably adjusted. Exhaust blower 71 is located at the lower part of the machine room 70 and mainly exhausts air from the intake area 10 and the decontamination area 20. The intake area 10 is where the medicine bottles G before decontamination are transported, and the air cleanliness is low. In addition, the decontamination area 20 is where the decontamination agent is applied, and the decontamination agent is mixed into the air.

[0102] On the other hand, the exhaust blower 72 is located at the top of the machine chamber 70, mainly exhausting air from the aeration zone 30 and the discharge zone 40. The aeration zone 30 is where the detergent is removed, and the detergent mixes into the air. The discharge zone 40 is where the aerated medicine bottles G are discharged; it has a high cleanliness level, but clean air preferably flows in from inside the chamber C. Therefore, by making the exhaust volume of the exhaust blower 71 larger than that of the exhaust blower 72, air from the discharge zone 10 and the decontamination zone 20 will not mix into the aeration zone 30 and the discharge zone 40.

[0103] In this structure, the operation of the decontamination transfer box will be specifically described. The decontamination transfer box according to this embodiment performs a decontamination operation while sequentially transporting the medicine bottle G, supported (carried or clamped) on the first transport device 50 or the second transport device 55, to the inlet area 10, the decontamination area 20, the aeration area 30, and the outlet area 40. Here, the decontamination operation is carried out in the order of inlet step, first transport step, second transport step, and third transport step along the transport of the medicine bottle G. Figures 2-9 To illustrate, it should be noted that each transport process can be performed continuously or semi-continuously. In continuous transport operations, decontamination and aeration are performed while the medicine bottle G is constantly moving. On the other hand, in semi-continuous transport operations, the medicine bottle G is stopped during decontamination or aeration to ensure sufficient operation time.

[0104] <Inbound Process>

[0105] As mentioned above, Figure 2 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which a medicine bottle has been transported from the external environment into the decontamination transfer box. An operator (not shown) in the external environment of the isolator device A opens the access door E2 and supports the medicine bottle G containing the heat-sensitive substance on the stand 11 in the transport area 10. It should be noted that the method of supporting the medicine bottle is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the shape of the medicine bottle. In this embodiment, the upper side (below the upper cap) of the medicine bottle G is clamped using the clamping shaft 13 to accommodate its shape.

[0106] Next, the medicine bottle G is transferred from the stand 11 to the first conveying device 50. Figure 3 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the operation of changing the medicine bottle into the first conveying device. It should be noted that in the following... Figures 3-9 The text only records the labels for the parts describing the transportation process. Figure 3 In this process, the clamping shaft 13, which holds the medicine bottle G, rotates around the support shaft 12 and moves towards the upper part of the carrying tool 54 located at the upper end of the carrying shaft 52 of the first transport device 50. Furthermore, the carrying shaft 52 of the first transport device 50 moves upward along the lifting shaft 51, and the bottom of the medicine bottle G is supported (here, carried) by the carrying tool 54 at the upper end of the carrying shaft 52 for replacement. Next, the clamping shaft 13 of the stand 11 rotates around the support shaft 12 and returns towards the transport door E2 (see reference). Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0107] Here, we will explain the support of the bottom of the medicine bottle G by the first conveying device 50. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the medicine bottle being carried by the carrying tool of the first transport device. (A) shows the state before carrying, and (B) shows the state of carrying. Figure 10 The medicine bottle G shown is a polyethylene component with a height of 7cm, a diameter of 2cm, and a capacity of 15ml. The three claws 54a of the carrying tool 54 of the first conveying device open upwards, stably supporting the bottom G1 of the medicine bottle G. It should be noted that the method of supporting the medicine bottle is not limited to this type of support; other supports can be appropriately selected according to the shape of the medicine bottle.

[0108] <First Transportation Process>

[0109] Next, proceed with the cleaning of medicine bottle G. Figure 4This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the medicine bottle is carried on the first transport device. In this state, preparation for the cleaning operation of the medicine bottle G is completed. In the first transport step, the carrying shaft 52 of the first transport device 50 is moved further upward along the lifting shaft 51, and the medicine bottle G carried by the carrying tool 54 of the carrying shaft 52 is transported from the transport area 10 to the cleaning area 20. Figure 5 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which medicine bottles, carried by the first conveying device, are being transported from the receiving area to the decontamination area. Figure 5 In this first transport process, a decontaminant mist is being sprayed from the nozzle 64b of the decontaminant dispensing device 60. During this process, most of the medicine bottle G, except for the portion carried by the carrying tool 54, is decontaminated.

[0110] Figure 11 These are perspective views (A) and top views showing the relationship between the medicine bottle being cleaned and the fogging device located inside the cleaning area. The fogging device 23 is a semi-cylindrical wall material configured to enclose the medicine bottle G being cleaned inwards. Figure 11 In this process, when the medicine bottle G, carried by the carrying tool 54 of the first conveying device 50, is transported to the decontamination zone 20, a decontaminant mist is sprayed from the decontaminant applicator 60 (not shown) located to the left of the figure. The sprayed decontaminant mist is applied to the front of the medicine bottle G and also travels along the inner surface of the mist cover 23 to the back of the medicine bottle G. Thus, the decontaminant mist is uniformly applied to the entire outer surface of the medicine bottle G.

[0111] Furthermore, in the decontamination zone 20, the carrying shaft 52 is rotated using the rotating mechanism 53 of the first conveying device 50. This allows for a more uniform application of the detergent mist to the entire outer surface of the medicine bottle G. Consequently, the temperature-controlled detergent mist can be applied to the outer surface of the medicine bottle G in an appropriate amount and efficiently, thus improving decontamination efficiency and shortening decontamination time.

[0112] It should be noted that during the decontamination operation, it is preferable to stop the exhaust blower 71 (refer to...). Figure 5 The exhaust volume of the exhaust blower 72 is adjusted to make it work. By stopping the exhaust blower 71, unnecessary discharge of the detergent mist supplied in the decontamination zone 20 is prevented. On the other hand, the exhaust volume of the exhaust blower 72 is adjusted to maintain clean air flowing in from the inside of the chamber C.

[0113] <Second Transportation Process>

[0114] In the second transport process, the medicine bottle G is changed from the first transport device 50 to the second transport device 55. Figure 6 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the medicine bottle carried on the first transport device is transferred to the second transport device. In this state, it is also preferable to stop the exhaust blower 71 and adjust the exhaust volume of the exhaust blower 72 to make it work.

[0115] Here, we will explain the clamping of the upper side of the medicine bottle G by the second conveying device 55. Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the medicine bottle being held by the clamping tool of the second transport device. (A) shows the state before clamping, and (B) shows the state of clamping. Figure 12 The medicine bottle G shown is related to Figure 10 A component made of the same polyethylene material, 7cm high, 2cm in diameter, and 15ml in capacity. The two jaws 58a of the clamping tool 58 of the second conveying device open horizontally, stably clamping the upper side G3 directly below the cap G2 of the medicine bottle G. It should be noted that the method of supporting the medicine bottle is not limited to this clamping; other supporting tools can be appropriately selected according to the shape of the medicine bottle.

[0116] Next, the clamping shaft 57 of the second conveying device 55 is moved upward along the lifting shaft 56, transporting the medicine bottle G carried by the clamping tool 58 of the clamping shaft 57 from the decontamination zone 20 to the aeration zone 30. It should be noted that in the decontamination zone 20, by changing the medicine bottle G from the first conveying device to the second conveying device, the parts that were not decontaminated in the first conveying process (especially the parts carried by the first conveying device) can be decontaminated.

[0117] Figure 7 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the medicine bottle, clamped in the second conveying device, is conveyed from the decontamination zone to the aeration zone. In this second conveying process, most of the medicine bottle G, except for the portion clamped by the clamping shaft 57, is aerated to remove the detergent residue remaining on the surface of the medicine bottle G. During aeration, clean air is blown toward the surface of the medicine bottle G from two annular clean air supply devices 33 and 34 provided at the openings 31 and 32.

[0118] It should be noted that clean air is blown from the clean air supply device 33 located below the opening 31 toward the center of the ring. On the other hand, clean air is blown from the clean air supply device 34 located below the opening 32 toward the center of the ring. Thus, clean air can be blown onto the entire surface of the medicine bottle G passing through the annular center of the two clean air supply devices 33 and 34.

[0119] <Third Transportation Process>

[0120] In the third transport process, the medicine bottle G is transferred from the second transport device 55 to the first transport device 50. Figure 8 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which a medicine bottle held in the second transport device is transferred to the first transport device in the aeration zone. In this state, both the exhaust blower 71 and the exhaust blower 72 are operating.

[0121] In this third conveying process, the clamping shaft 52 of the first conveying device 50 is moved upward along the lifting shaft 51, conveying the medicine bottle G carried by the clamping tool 54 of the clamping shaft 52 from the aeration zone 30 to the delivery zone 40. It should be noted that in the aeration zone 30, by replacing the medicine bottle G from the second conveying device to the first conveying device, the portion that was not aerated in the second conveying process (especially the portion clamped in the second conveying device) can be aerated.

[0122] Figure 9 This is an internal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the medicine bottle, carried by the first conveying device, is transported from the aeration zone to the discharge zone. The upper part (cap portion) of the medicine bottle G is being transported from the discharge outlet E6 (corresponding to opening 32) into the chamber C of the isolator device A. An operator in the external environment uses resin gloves from chamber C to transport the medicine bottle G into the chamber C. It should be noted that, as described above, clean air flows in from inside chamber C through the discharge outlet E6. Therefore, it is not necessarily necessary to install an opening / closing door at the discharge outlet E6. However, an opening / closing door may be installed and opened only when the medicine bottle G is being transported in.

[0123] Next, the detergent applicator 60 in this embodiment will be described. The detergent applicator in this embodiment sprays a detergent mist at a temperature controlled to avoid affecting the heat-sensitive substance contained inside the vial. It should be noted that in this embodiment, hydrogen peroxide water (an aqueous solution of H2O2) is used as the detergent. It should also be noted that the detergent is not limited to hydrogen peroxide water; any liquid detergent can be used.

[0124] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a detergent-applying device. Figure 13 In this process, the detergent dispensing device 60 consists of a compressed gas generating device 61, a detergent supply device 62, a gas-liquid mixing regulator 63, and a heater 64.

[0125] In this embodiment, a compressor for generating compressed air is used as the compressed gas generating device 61, and the supply of compressed air is controlled. The decontamination liquid supply device 62 consists of a hydrogen peroxide water tank, piping, a pump, and a load sensor (none shown), and controls the supply of hydrogen peroxide water. Here, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide water stored in the hydrogen peroxide water tank is not particularly limited, but it is generally preferable to use 30 to 35% by weight of hydrogen peroxide water for the treatment of hazardous materials, etc.

[0126] The gas-liquid mixer 63 mixes hydrogen peroxide water supplied from the detergent supply device 62 and compressed air supplied from the compressed gas generating device 61 to generate an atomized gas-liquid mixture (hereinafter referred to as "primary mist"). It should be noted that in this embodiment, a two-fluid spray nozzle is used as the gas-liquid mixer 63. It should be noted that while a two-fluid spray nozzle is used as the gas-liquid mixer in this embodiment, it is not limited to this; other spray nozzles or ultrasonic mist generators such as ultrasonic humidifiers, sprayers, and piezoelectric atomizers can also be used.

[0127] Heater 64 efficiently heats the primary mist supplied from the gas-liquid mixer 63. Inside heater 64, all or part of the primary mist is vaporized to produce hydrogen peroxide gas and water vapor. The hydrogen peroxide gas and water vapor produced inside heater 64 are cooled by compressed air mixed with the primary mist and re-atomized to become secondary mist, which becomes the detergent mist sprayed from heater 64. Figure 13 In this device, one end 64a of the heater 64 is connected to the discharge section of the gas-liquid mixture regulator 63, supplying primary mist to the heater 64. The other end 64b of the heater 64 serves as the nozzle 64b of the detergent applicator 60, supplying detergent mist to the medicine bottle G.

[0128] In this embodiment, by controlling the amount of compressed air supplied from the compressed gas generating device 61, the amount of hydrogen peroxide water supplied from the detergent supply device 62, and the heating temperature of the heater 64, the temperature of the detergent mist supplied from the nozzle 64b of the detergent applicator 60 to the outer surface of the medicine bottle G can be controlled. That is, the detergent gas (hydrogen peroxide gas and water vapor) generated inside the heater 64 is transformed into a temperature-controlled detergent mist (secondary mist) by controlling the supply amount of compressed air from the compressed gas generating device 61 and the heating temperature of the heater 64.

[0129] Here, other embodiments of the detergent applicator will be described. Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the structure of a detergent-applying device. Figure 14 In this device, the detergent dispensing apparatus 65 comprises a compressed gas generating device 61, a detergent supply device 62, a gas-liquid mixing regulator 63, a heater 64, and a gas-liquid mixing regulator 66. The detergent dispensing apparatus 65 is used in conjunction with... Figure 13 The detergent applicator 60 has the same structure as the new mixed gas conditioner 66.

[0130] The gas mixture regulator 66 is connected to end 64b of the heater 64 and receives compressed air from the compressed gas generator 61. The detergent gas (hydrogen peroxide and water vapor) generated inside the heater 64 is transformed into a temperature-controlled detergent mist (secondary mist) by controlling the amount of compressed air supplied from the compressed gas generator 61 inside the gas mixture regulator 66. Figure 14 In the middle, one end 66a of the mixed gas regulator 66 becomes the nozzle 66a of the detergent dispensing device 65, supplying detergent mist to the medicine bottle G.

[0131] Here, fog will be explained. The term "fog" in this embodiment is broadly interpreted to include the state of finely dispersed detergent droplets suspended in the air, the state of a mixture of detergent gas and droplets, and the state of a detergent undergoing repeated condensation and evaporation between gas and droplets. Furthermore, the term "particle size" is also broadly interpreted to include fog / dense fog / droplets that are finely differentiated depending on the situation.

[0132] On the other hand, the secondary fog involved in this embodiment can be considered as a finer fog than the primary fog. It is considered to be a substance re-atomized from the detergent gas (hydrogen peroxide gas and water vapor) generated inside the heater, and in terms of particle size, it is mainly centered on substances referred to as fog (sometimes defined as 10 μm or less) or dense fog (sometimes defined as 5 μm or less). Thus, it can be considered that the temperature is controlled and the decontamination efficiency is improved.

[0133] Here, the construction of the heater 64 used in this embodiment will be described. Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a heater included in a detergent applicator. Figure 15 In this design, the heater 64 comprises a cylindrical outer tube 81 extending from one end 64c to the other end 64d, and a heating element 82 housed within it, parallel to the length direction of the outer tube 81. The outer tube 81 is made of stainless steel. The heating element 82 includes a heater 83 extending parallel to the length direction of the outer tube 81. It should be noted that a gap is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 81 and the heating element 82 to allow the passage of the mixed gas-liquid mixture (primary mist).

[0134] The heater 83 is disposed at one of the outer peripheral ends of the outer tube 81 (on one end 64c side of the heater 64) via a connecting terminal 83b made of silicone rubber, and heats up by receiving power from the wire 83a. It should be noted that the surface of the heater 83, which becomes hot, is covered with quartz glass 84. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 81 is also covered with quartz glass. It should be noted that the heater 83 is not particularly limited in its construction; it can be a rod-shaped heater or a coil-shaped heater. Additionally, the covering of the heater surface and the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube with quartz glass is not necessarily required, but in this embodiment, dust prevention and improved thermal efficiency are achieved.

[0135] In such a heater 64, an atomized gas-liquid mixture (primary mist) supplied from a gas-liquid mixer 63 is introduced into the heater 64 through an inlet 64a opening at one end 54c. The primary mist, introduced into the heater 64, is heated by a heating element 82 and moves through the gap between the outer tube 81 and the heating element 82 towards an outlet 64b opening at the other end 64d. During this process, the hydrogen peroxide water in the gas-liquid mixture is vaporized by the heating element 82 (primarily on the surface of the heating element 82), becoming a detergent gas (hydrogen peroxide gas and water vapor). This detergent gas is cooled by controlling the supply of compressed air from the compressed gas generator 61, becoming a temperature-controlled detergent mist (secondary mist). This detergent mist is then ejected from the outlet 64b. It should be noted that the temperature of the ejected detergent mist can also be controlled while measuring the temperature of the detergent mist at the outlet 65b using a temperature sensor.

[0136] Here, other embodiments of the heater will be described. Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a heater incorporated into a detergent applicator. Figure 16 In this heater 85, a cylindrical outer tube 86 extending from one end 85c to the other end 85d and a heating element 87 housed within it parallel to the length direction of the outer tube 86. The outer tube 86 is made of stainless steel and filled with heat-insulating material 86a. The heating element 87 includes a rod-shaped cylindrical heater 88 extending parallel to the length direction of the outer tube 86 and an evaporating tube 89 spirally wound along the outer circumference of the cylindrical heater 88 in the length direction. It should be noted that the cylindrical heater 88 and the evaporating tube 89 are covered by the heat-insulating material 86a. The cylindrical heater 88 is located at one end of the outer tube 86 (on one end 85c side of the heater 85) and receives power from an electrical wire 88a to generate heat.

[0137] In such a heater 85, an atomized gas-liquid mixture (primary mist) supplied from a gas-liquid mixer 63 is introduced into the interior of an evaporator tube 89 through an inlet 85a that opens at the outer periphery of one end 85c of the heater 85. The primary mist introduced into the interior of the evaporator tube 89 is heated by a cylindrical heater 88 in contact with the evaporator tube 89 and moves through the interior of the evaporator tube 89 towards an outlet 85b of the evaporator tube 89 that opens at the other end 85d of the heater 85. During this process, the hydrogen peroxide water in the gas-liquid mixture is vaporized by the cylindrical heater 88, becoming a detergent gas (hydrogen peroxide gas and water vapor). This detergent gas is cooled by controlling the supply of compressed air from the compressed gas generator 61, becoming a temperature-controlled detergent mist (secondary mist). This detergent mist is then ejected from the outlet 85b. It should be noted that the temperature of the ejected detergent mist can also be controlled while measuring the temperature of the detergent mist at the outlet 85b using a temperature sensor.

[0138] As explained above, according to this embodiment, a perfect decontamination transfer box can be provided that, when decontaminating the outer surface of a container containing a heat-sensitive substance, achieves a decontamination effect through a decontamination operation at an appropriate temperature and for a short time without causing changes in the thermal quality of the heat-sensitive substance.

[0139] It should be noted that the implementation of this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be given as follows.

[0140] (1) In the above embodiment, the medicine bottles transported in the receiving process are changed from the rack to the first conveying device. However, it is not limited to this, and the rack may not be used. In this case, when the operator transports the medicine bottles into the decontamination transfer box in the receiving process, the carrying tool of the first conveying device may be used to carry them directly.

[0141] (2) In the above embodiment, the first or second conveying device moves the carrying shaft or clamping shaft up and down in the vertical direction along the lifting shaft. However, it is not limited to this; the lifting mechanism and other working mechanisms can be appropriately selected based on the shape and size of the container such as the medicine bottle. Alternatively, a small robotic arm or the like can also be used.

[0142] (3) In the above embodiment, in the first to third transport steps, the medicine bottles and other containers are transported using two transport devices, namely the first transport device and the second transport device. However, it is not limited to this, and in the first to third transport steps, the medicine bottles and other containers may be transported using three separate transport devices.

[0143] (4) In the above embodiment, the containers such as medicine bottles are transported vertically in the first to third transport steps. However, this is not a limitation; the transport direction of each transport device may be horizontal, and the containers such as medicine bottles may be transported laterally. In this case, the decontamination transfer box may be disposed on the side wall of the isolator device.

[0144] (5) In the above embodiments, the first or second conveying device carries or clamps the container such as the medicine bottle for transport. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the container such as the medicine bottle may be placed on a mesh platform and transported with the container in point contact with the platform. Moreover, it may be transported while the mesh platform is vibrating and the contact point between the container and the platform is shifted.

[0145] Label Explanation

[0146] 10…Inbound area, 11…Standing platform, 12…Support shaft, 13…Clamping shaft,

[0147] 20…Decontamination area, 21, 22…Openings,

[0148] 30…Aeration zone, 31, 32…Openings, 33, 34…Clean air supply device,

[0149] 40…Outbound Zone

[0150] 50…First conveying device, 51…Lifting shaft, 52…Loading shaft, 53…Rotating mechanism, 54…Loading tool,

[0151] 55…Second conveying device, 56…Lifting shaft, 57…Clamping shaft, 58…Clamping tool,

[0152] 60, 65… Detergent dispensing device, 61… Compressed gas generating device, 62… Detergent supply device,

[0153] 63… Mixing gas-liquid regulator, 64, 85… Heater, 64b… Injector outlet, 66… Mixing gas regulator, 70… Machine room, 71, 72… Exhaust blower,

[0154] 81, 86…outer cylinder, 82, 87…heating element, 83, 88…heater, 84…quartz glass,

[0155] 86a… thermal insulation material, 83a, 88a… electrical wires, 89… evaporator pipe,

[0156] A…isolator device, B…legs, C…chamber, C1…glass window,

[0157] C1a~C1d…Openings for operation, D…Equipment compartment, E…Main body of transfer box,

[0158] E1, 3-5, 7, 8...wall, E2...entry point, E6...exit point, G...medicine bottle.

Claims

1. A decontamination transfer box, used when transporting items into a work room that maintains a sterile environment, characterized in that, The decontamination transfer box includes a transfer box body and a conveying device. The transfer box body has an inlet area for transporting the items from the external environment, a decontamination area for cleaning the outer surface of the items with a decontamination agent, an aeration area for removing residual decontamination agent from the outer surface of the cleaned items, and an outlet area for transporting the aerated items into the working chamber. The conveying device transports the items inside the transfer box body. The transport area is equipped with a transport entrance for transporting the items from the external environment, and this entrance is capable of being airtightly sealed. The decontamination zone is equipped with a decontaminant application device for applying a decontaminant mist to the outer surface of the article being transported from the receiving zone by the transport device. The aeration zone is equipped with a clean air supply device for supplying clean air to the surface of the items transported from the decontamination zone by the conveying device. The transport area has a transport outlet for using the transport device to transport the items into the interior of the work room. The detergent applicator includes a compressed gas generating unit for generating compressed gas, a detergent supply unit for supplying detergent, a gas-liquid mixture adjuster for mixing the compressed gas and the detergent to adjust the mixed gas-liquid mixture, and a heater for heating the mixed gas-liquid mixture to form the detergent mist. The temperature of the detergent mist applied to the outer surface of the article is controlled by controlling the amount of compressed gas supplied from the compressed gas generating unit, the amount of detergent supplied from the detergent supply unit, and the heating temperature of the heater. The conveying device operates in the first conveying process, the second conveying process, and the third conveying process. In the first transport step, a portion of the article that has been transported into the receiving area but has not been decontaminated is transported from the receiving area to the decontamination area, where the majority of the article, excluding the supported portion, is decontaminated. In the second transport step, the part that was previously decontaminated in the first transport step is transported from the decontamination zone to the aeration zone, where the portion other than the decontaminated part in the first transport step is decontaminated, and the majority of the portion other than the supported part is aerated in the aeration zone. In the third transport step, the portion other than the portion aerated in the second transport step is transported from the aeration zone to the transport zone in a state where it is replaced with a portion supported by the portion aerated in the second transport step.

2. The decontamination transfer box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying device consists of three conveying devices: a first conveying device, a second conveying device, and a third conveying device. The first conveying device operates in the first conveying process. The second conveying device operates in the second conveying process. The third conveying device operates in the third conveying process.

3. The decontamination transfer box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying device consists of two conveying devices: a first conveying device and a second conveying device. The first conveying device operates in both the first conveying process and the third conveying process. The second conveying device operates in the second conveying process.

4. The decontamination transfer box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The conveying device operates continuously or semi-continuously, so that the total working time of the first conveying process, the second conveying process, and the third conveying process is less than 10 minutes.

5. The decontamination transfer box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The temperature of the detergent mist is controlled within the range of 30℃ to 60℃.

6. The decontamination transfer box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The decontamination transfer box includes a first exhaust device and a second exhaust device. The first exhaust device exhausts air from the inlet area and the decontamination area, and the second exhaust device exhausts air from the aeration area and the outlet area. By making the exhaust volume of the first exhaust device greater than that of the second exhaust device, air from the inlet zone and the decontamination zone will not mix into the aeration zone and the outlet zone. Furthermore, by making the air pressure of the transfer box body negative compared to the air pressure inside the work chamber, the air in the transfer box body will not mix into the interior of the work chamber.

7. The decontamination transfer box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heater includes an inlet for introducing the mixed gas and liquid, a cylindrical outer tube, a heating element housed inside the outer tube parallel to its length, and an outlet for spraying the detergent mist. The mixed gas-liquid mixture is heated during its passage between the outer cylinder and the heating element, and all or part of the mixed gas-liquid mixture becomes a detergent gas, which is atomized by a controlled amount of the compressed gas to become a detergent mist with a controlled temperature.

8. The decontamination transfer box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heater includes an inlet for introducing the mixed gas and liquid, a cylindrical outer tube, a heating element housed inside the outer tube parallel to its length, and an outlet for spraying the detergent mist. The heating element includes a rod-shaped heater disposed along the length of the heating element and an evaporation tube spirally wound along the outer periphery of the heater along the length. The mixed gas and liquid are heated during passage through the interior of the evaporator tube, and all or part of the mixed gas and liquid become detergent gas, which is atomized by the compressed gas in a controlled amount, becoming detergent mist with a controlled temperature.

9. The decontamination transfer box according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heater has a gas mixing regulator between the heating element and the nozzle, which mixes the detergent gas and the compressed gas. By controlling the amount of compressed gas introduced into the mixed gas regulator, the detergent gas is atomized by the compressed gas, becoming the detergent mist with a controlled temperature.

10. The decontamination transfer box according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heater has a gas mixing regulator between the heating element and the nozzle, which mixes the detergent gas and the compressed gas. By controlling the amount of compressed gas introduced into the mixed gas regulator, the detergent gas is atomized by the compressed gas, becoming the detergent mist with a controlled temperature.

Images