Breeding isolator

Abstract

To develop a new breeding isolator in which the airtightness of the interior of a breeding chamber can be sufficiently secured, an operation to the interior can be easily performed, and the daily breeding management work can be easily performed.SOLUTION: There is provided an isolator R in which a cage device C is provided on a base in an air-tight chamber device S, a body sheet 31 is attached in a suspended state to a body frame 1 and a bottom part opening of the body sheet 31 is brought into close contact with the base 2 when making the body sheet 31 of the air-tight chamber device S three-dimensional, at least one pair of operation gloves 6 is provided on each of a front surface and a rear surface of the body sheet 31, the operation glove 6 on the front surface is provided at a relatively high position reaching an upper region of the cage device C from a feeding tray 74 and a water supply tray 75, and the operation glove 6 on the rear surface is provided at a relatively low position reaching an animal in the breeding chamber 85 from a floor surface of the breeding chamber 85.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an isolator for rearing, for example, laboratory animals. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, isolators for breeding and managing laboratory animals are required to realize a germ-free environment. As such an isolator, for example, one in which transparent acrylic plates or the like are supported by suitable frame members, and a certain amount of rectangular parallelepiped sealed chambers are used as a breeding room, is known. In addition, a so-called soft chamber type is also known in which the space constituting the breeding room is covered with a flexible transparent resin sheet and the lower floor surface is made of a floor material that exhibits suitable strength.

[0003] However, most of these conventional isolators were designed to ensure airtightness, were intended for relatively small animals such as mice, and were intended for rearing for a relatively short period of time, and were therefore completely unsuitable for rearing relatively large laboratory animals such as pigs, monkeys, and dogs, especially for rearing (growing) them in a sterile environment for a long period of time exceeding six months. Of course, there were isolators capable of raising large animals, but there was still room for improvement in terms of sterilization of the isolator itself, direct manipulation of the animals (medical examinations and vaccinations), daily feeding and watering, disposal of excrement, etc. Furthermore, little consideration was given to reducing the stress of the animals during the long-term rearing period. In particular, when rearing pigs for around 12 months from the time they are removed from the mother pig's uterus, there were no isolators that could be used without causing stress to the animals and with minimal physical strain on the breeders. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-108772 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-191593 A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-227254 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-152864 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned background, and has as its technical objective the development of a novel breeding isolator that can sufficiently ensure airtightness within a breeding room, is easy to operate inside, and further allows for simple daily breeding and management work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] First, the breeding isolator according to claim 1 is The base and The base and a chamber body that is connected in an airtight state to form a three-dimensional space of an appropriate volume constitute an airtight chamber device, and a cage device is provided on the base within the airtight chamber device, thereby forming a breeding isolator. The base has a lower region that is set to be airtight and has a generally rectangular planar shape, And some or all of the sides of the base frame have an arc shape that bulges outward in a plan view, On the other hand, the chamber body has a main body sheet as its main component, and this main body sheet is made of a flexible resin sheet material that allows the interior to be observed, and has a three-dimensional shape with an open bottom. In constructing the chamber body three-dimensionally, the main body sheet is attached in a suspended state to a main body frame that is arranged so as to surround the upper area of ​​the base, and The base and the main sheet are attached in such a manner that the bottom opening of the main sheet is fitted onto the base frame of the base. This is Furthermore, the main sheet is connected to a steril lock and an operation glove that communicate with the outside while maintaining an airtight state, and an air filter that introduces and exhausts air. The cage device is a cage body having a rearing chamber surrounded by a removable cage panel and spaced apart from the chamber body, At least one pair of operation gloves is provided on each of the front and rear surfaces of the main sheet, The cage device is provided with a feeding tray at the lower front part and a water supply tray that communicates with the outside of the breeding room and the inside of the breeding room. be The present invention is characterized by the following points.

[0007] The breeding isolator according to claim 2 has, in addition to the requirements of claim 1, The operating glove is characterized in that the operating glove provided on the front is provided at a relatively high position reaching from the feeding tray and water tray to the upper area of ​​the cage device, and the operating glove provided on the rear is provided at a relatively low position reaching from the floor of the breeding room to the animals in the breeding room.

[0008] Also, claims 3 The breeding isolator described in the claims 1 or In addition to the requirements listed in 2, The cage device is characterized in that it is configured such that frame elements constituting a cage frame are arranged on a base in an upright position on at least four sides so as to surround an internal space, and by fixing these upright frame elements to each other, a breeding room with an open top is formed within the airtight chamber device.

[0009] Also, claims 4 The breeding isolator described above has, in addition to the requirements described in any one of claims 1 to 3, a panel element is provided on a lower rear surface of the cage device and is detachably attached to a cage frame; When entering the breeding room through the operating glove provided on the rear surface, the panel element is removed to form an access opening, and the operating glove is then inserted into the breeding room through this access opening.

[0010] Also, claims 5 The breeding isolator according to the present invention comprises the following features: 4 In addition to any one of the requirements listed above, The base has a base frame portion near the periphery, a porous floor plate is provided inside this base frame portion, and a collection sink that is maintained airtight from the outside is further provided below the base.

[0011] Also, claims 6 The breeding isolator described in the claims 5 In addition to the requirements listed above, The porous floor plate is characterized in that a portion thereof is provided on the base frame portion so as to be hinged upwardly and releasably.

[0012] Also, claims 7 The breeding isolator according to the present invention comprises the following features: 6 In addition to any one of the requirements listed above, The one or more steril locks provided on the main sheet include a steril lock body for constituting the steril lock, a movable frame ring that supports the steril lock body so that it can move inward and outward of the main sheet, and a movable steril lock support that supports a ring leg portion extending downward from the movable frame ring; The steril lock body is characterized in that it can be freely set to an outward protruding state in which the position of the steril lock body is protruding outward away from the breeding chamber, and to an in-fitted state in which the inner tip of the steril lock body is fitted into the breeding chamber.

[0013] Also, claims 8 The breeding isolator according to the present invention comprises the following features: 7 In addition to any one of the requirements listed above, The operation glove provided on the main sheet is characterized in that it can be stored in a folded state at a connection portion with the main sheet.

[0014] Also, claims 9 The breeding isolator according to the present invention comprises the following features: 8 In addition to any one of the requirements listed above, The cage device is characterized in that it is equipped with a partition panel that separates the breeding room, and that this partition panel allows the breeding room to be divided into two or more partitioned breeding rooms while maintaining an airtight state during operation of the isolator.

[0015] Also, claims 10 The breeding isolator according to the present invention comprises the following features: 9 In addition to any one of the requirements listed above, The feeding tray has a trough-shaped tray portion that is perpendicular in vertical cross section, and the tray portion is pivotally supported so as to be tiltable selectively inside and outside the rearing chamber; The tray portion is inclined so as to protrude toward the inside of the rearing room, and has a bottom plate and a front upright wall, and is perpendicular in vertical cross section. This is characterized in that when the tray portion is tilted so as to protrude outside the breeding chamber, the bottom plate closes the breeding chamber.

[0016] Also, claims 11 The breeding isolator according to the present invention comprises the following features: 10 In addition to any one of the requirements listed above, The animals kept in the breeding room are pigs, The breeding method is characterized in that the pigs are removed from the uterus of the parent pig and allowed to grow in a breeding room for 12 months. The above problems are solved by the configurations of the inventions described in each of these claims. Effect of the Invention

[0017] First, according to the invention described in claim 1, the chamber body, which has the main body sheet as its main component, is suspended from the main body frame that is arranged to surround the upper area of ​​the base to form a breeding room, so that a breeding isolator can be constructed with a simple structure, and it has the effect of being easily adaptable for use with relatively large animals such as pigs, dogs, monkeys, chickens, etc. In addition, some or all of the edges of the base frame portion are arcuately bulged outward when viewed in a plane, and the bottom opening of the main sheet is attached to this in an externally fitted manner, so that airtightness within the airtight chamber device is reliably maintained.

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 2, the operation gloves provided on the front and rear sides of the main body sheet are configured to be installed at different heights on the front and rear sides, so that, for example, the operation gloves provided on the front side can be used to easily perform feeding and watering operations, and to introduce and remove materials from the front steril lock, as well as to easily move introduced materials when storing them in the upper area of ​​the cage device. Also, the operation gloves provided on the rear side can easily be used to touch the animals, remove excrement, and introduce and remove animals from the side steril lock. By making the installation heights of the operation gloves different on the front and rear sides in this way, the height difference can be used to share the desired tasks and perform them more efficiently.

[0019] Also, claims 3 According to the described invention, frame elements are provided on a base in an upright position on at least four sides without using supports, and by fixing them together, a breeding chamber with an open top is formed, so that when assembling an isolator, for example, the frame elements are stored (placed) on the base in a disassembled state in advance, and the chamber body is attached and then three-dimensionally formed (assembled), so that the chamber body can be attached to the base without the height of the cage panel being a burden, making the work much easier. In addition, the frame elements can be disassembled and assembled while maintaining an airtight state, which reduces the number of narrow areas and ground surfaces into which sterilization gas cannot easily enter. This also makes it possible to perform decontamination work using sterilization gas more reliably.

[0020] Also, claims 4 According to the described invention, a removable panel element is provided at least on the lower rear surface of the cage device, so that when using the rear operation glove to operate an animal in, for example, a breeding room, this panel element can be removed and the operation glove can be inserted into the breeding room to operate the animal in the breeding room. Furthermore, if a collection sink is provided below the base, the waste matter stored in this collection sink can be easily collected. In addition, if a locking hook is provided on the upper portion of the cage frame, the removed panel element can be hung thereon, and the removed panel element can be easily stored.

[0021] Also, claims 5 According to the described invention, the bottom of the isolator (breeding room) is made of a perforated floor plate, so that the waste from the reared animals can be collected by dropping it into the collection sink below. In addition, since the collection sink is configured to maintain an airtight state against the outside, the waste can be removed to the outside of the isolator while maintaining the airtight state of the rearing room, making such work easy and reliable.

[0022] Also, claims 6 According to the described invention, a part of the porous floor plate is hinged upward, so that when cleaning a collection sink soiled with animal waste, for example, the operator can easily access the collection sink even while wearing operating gloves by hinged upward. In addition, even if animal waste remains on the porous floor plate, it is easy to remove the waste and clean the porous floor plate, making it easy to carry out daily animal care work.

[0023] Also, claims 7 According to the described invention, the Steryl Lock is configured so that the Steryl Lock main body, movable frame ring, and Steryl Lock support are freely movable, so that, for example, when introducing an animal into the breeding room from outside the isolator through the Steryl Lock, or removing it from the breeding room, the Steryl Lock can be fitted into the breeding room, preventing the animal from falling into the space from the breeding room to the Steryl Lock or from entering said space itself, and furthermore, the internal shield cap can be easily attached and removed from the Steryl Lock main body using an operating glove.

[0024] Also, claims 8 According to the described invention, the operation glove provided on the main body sheet can be stored in a folded state at the connection part with the main body sheet, so that the operation glove does not get in the way during transportation, for example. That is, when the inside of the isolator is made positive pressure, the operation glove protrudes outward in a bulging state due to this positive pressure. Normally, this protruding state is acceptable, but for example, during transportation, by storing the operation glove in a folded state at the connection part, damage to the operation glove during transportation (transport) can be prevented, and transportation can be made more convenient.

[0025] Also, claims 9According to the described invention, one breeding room can be divided into two or more separate breeding rooms by installing partition panels while maintaining an airtight state. Therefore, depending on the size of the animals themselves and their growth rate, the entire cage device can be used as one large breeding room, or separate breeding rooms can be created by installing partition panels, and one animal can be housed in each room. In addition, when cleaning the breeding room (cage device), for example, the animals can be driven into one of the separate breeding rooms, and the separate breeding room with no animals present can be cleaned, and this can be done alternately, allowing the entire breeding room (cage device) to be cleaned efficiently.

[0026] Also, claims 10 According to the described invention, the tray part of the feeding tray is formed like a gutter that forms a right angle when viewed in vertical section, and this tray part is configured to be able to tilt freely in and out of the breeding room, and when the worker is replenishing food (feed), the bottom plate of the tray part that stands up almost upwards acts as a lid to close the breeding room. This prevents the animals in the breeding room from sticking their noses or mouths out of the breeding room in their desire for food, and does not interfere with the work of replenishing food. Of course, this also has the effect of reducing the hassle and stress of the worker. In addition, when the animals are not being fed, the feeding tray can be tilted so that it protrudes outside the breeding room, so that the feeding tray does not protrude into the breeding room, making effective use of the space in the breeding room, which has a fixed area (size) (ensuring a large living space for the animals).

[0027] Also, claims 11 According to the described invention, the animals are pigs, and the breeding room is designed to allow the pigs taken out of the mother pig's uterus to grow in the breeding room for about 12 months, so that it is possible to actually breed relatively large pigs over a long period of time, which greatly reduces the physical burden on the breeding manager during the long breeding period. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the isolator of the present invention in an assembled state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the isolator of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1A is a front view showing the isolator of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the state in which the steryl locks extend outside the breeding chamber, and the state in which the inner tip of the steryl locks is fitted into the breeding chamber. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the isolator of the present invention; FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing that the length [L1] of the outer peripheral edge of the base frame is formed to be greater than the circumference [L2] of the bottom opening of the main body sheet; and FIG. 1C is an explanatory diagram showing how, when the bottom opening of the main body sheet is provided in an airtight state on the outer periphery of the base frame, the main body sheet is pulled and fitted tightly around the outer peripheral edge of the base frame. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1A is a side view showing the isolator of the present invention; FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing how the main body sheet is held down by a pressing edge frame when the bottom opening of the main body sheet is attached to the outer periphery of the base; and FIG. 1C is a side cross-sectional view showing how the operating glove can be stored in a folded state near the connection point with the main body sheet. [Figure 6] FIG. 2A is a front view showing an isolator of the present invention together with a cage device, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing the steps of assembling the disassembled cage device into a three-dimensional structure. [Figure 7] FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the isolator of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing how a panel element is attached to a three-dimensionally assembled frame element. [Figure 8] FIG. 2A is a side view showing the isolator of the present invention together with a cage device, and FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view showing how a portion (rear side) of the perforated floor panel of the breeding chamber is opened in a hinged manner. [Figure 9]FIG. 1A is a side view showing the feeding tray inserted into the breeding chamber; FIG. 1B is a side view showing the feeding tray protruding outside the breeding chamber; and FIG. 1C is an enlarged oblique view of the feeding tray in FIG. [Figure 10] This is an oblique view (a) showing how a relatively large opening formed in a rear frame element can be opened and closed freely by a single panel element, and a perspective view (b) showing how the panel element removed from the rear frame element can be engaged with the rear frame element and stored. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The present invention is as shown in the following examples, but these examples can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. EXAMPLES

[0030] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. The breeding isolator R of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as isolator R) is, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as an example, broadly divided into main components: an airtight chamber device S which is directly responsible for maintaining the airtightness of the internal space, and a cage device C which is provided inside the airtight chamber device S.

[0031] The isolator R also comprises a main body frame 1 as a skeletal member, a base 2 is provided below this, and a chamber main body 3 having a main body sheet 31 as a main member is provided above the base 2, thereby making the interior airtight. In the present invention, the animals to be raised are assumed to be pigs such as miniature pigs, and the isolator R is assumed to allow the animals to grow in the cage device C for 12 months from the time they are removed from the mother pig's uterus by Caesarean section (at birth) (so-called 12-month age). For this reason, the isolator R is configured to have an appropriate structure for raising large animals such as pigs, and is configured to ensure sufficient space to prevent stress on the pigs themselves, which are experimental animals. Incidentally, immediately after being removed from the uterus by Caesarean section, a mini pig weighs approximately 400g, is 15cm long, and 12cm tall, but by the age of 12 months it will have reached approximately 15kg in weight, 60cm in length, and 35cm in height. For this reason, the Isolator R is designed to provide sufficient space to accommodate two 12-month-old mini pigs without causing stress to the pigs themselves. For example, the Isolator R has a space of 1.44 m 2 (0.72×2) Floor surface We are trying to ensure that there is a balance. Here, animal welfare regulations require that pigs, whether miniature or domestic, weigh ~15kg 0.72m 2 / head ~25kg 1.08m 2 / head ~50kg 1.35m 2 / head It is said that. Therefore, according to regulations, pigs weighing up to 50 kg can be raised in this Isolator R. In addition, in a demonstration test of this Isolator R conducted by the applicant, mini pigs weighing up to 15 kg x 2 were successfully raised at 12 months of age. Furthermore, domestic pigs weigh approximately 1.5 kg at birth, reach 150-200 kg at 12 months of age, and reach a height of 1.44 m. 2 Although these domestic pigs exceed the maximum weight of 50 kg that can be raised in the conventional isolator R, it is possible to raise such domestic pigs in the present isolator R. Specifically, the present isolator R can raise domestic pigs up to 40 kg at the age of 3 months.

[0032] Next, the main body frame 1, which is a framework member of the isolator R, will be described. The main frame 1, as shown in FIG. 2 above, has a base frame 11 below it, which has a rectangular three-dimensional frame structure when viewed from above. The lower ends of the leg frames 12 on the base frame 11 are provided with casters 13 at six locations, for example at the four corners and in the middle in the left-right direction (front-rear), to facilitate the movement of the isolator R itself. The base frame 11 essentially serves as a strength member of the isolator R, and a floor stocker box 92 capable of storing spare parts for the isolator R and the like can be formed therein.

[0033] In addition, a suspension frame 14 having sufficient strength to suspend the airtight chamber device S is supported above the base frame 11. This suspension frame 14 has column frames 16 attached to an overhanging frame 15 supported by the base frame 11 so as to stand up at four corners, and also has a top frame 17 connected to the upper ends thereof. The top frame 17 is used to suspend the main body sheet 31, and in this embodiment, the main body sheet 31 is suspended using two suspension rods 17a arranged at the front and rear of the main body frame 1. The suspension rods 17a are configured so that the installation height can be appropriately adjusted and fixed relative to the suspension frame 14, and this is configured to correspond to the internal pressure of the airtight chamber device S, for example. Furthermore, it is preferable that main body frame 1 be made of an aluminum material having a constant cross section so as to be easily adapted to the needs of reducing the overall weight and to changes in the design of the structure.

[0034] Next, the base 2 supported by the base frame 11 of the main body frame 1 will be described. The base 2 is a plate-like shape having a generally rectangular planar shape, with a large central opening forming a floor opening 20 and a base frame portion 21 disposed near the periphery. 4(b), the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21 bulges outward in a somewhat arc-like shape in plan view. A bottom opening 311 (bottom opening edge in this embodiment) of a main body sheet 31 of the chamber main body 3, which will be described later, is press-fitted onto the outer edge 21a, and the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is pressed and fixed by the pressing edge frame 22.

[0035] Here, Fig. 5(b) shows an example of a structure in which the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fixed in an airtight state to the base frame 21 by the pressing edge frame 22. In this case, as shown in Fig. 5(b)(i), the pressing edge frame 22 is preferably divided into a plurality of pieces to perform the fixing action on the entire circumference of the base frame 21, and its planar shape adopts a shape that fits the shape of the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21 at the place where it shares the fixing action. On the other hand, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the pressing edge frame 22 is also preferably a cross-sectional shape close to a U-shape that is approximately matched to the cross-sectional shape of the outer edge 21a, and is configured to cover the outer edge 21a from the outer periphery side. A clamp bolt 23 that can be tightened upward is provided on the underside of the pressing frame 22. The upper end of the clamp bolt 23 is a flat plate that serves as a pressing pad 23a. Although the clamp bolt 23 may be a normal bolt, it is preferable that the lower end of the bolt is provided with a wing bolt-like hand-operated piece 23b that can be tightened without tools, as also shown in the drawing.

[0036] 5(b)(ii), the outer peripheral surface of the holding edge frame 22 is provided with a stop bolt 24, which is screwed into a female thread block 21b fixedly provided at the bottom of the base frame 21, and serves to prevent the holding edge frame 22 from coming off. The stop bolt 24 also has a hand lever 24a so that it can be tightened manually without tools.

[0037] Here, the symbol t1 in Figure 5 (b) denotes a non-elastic sealing tape containing filaments, which is used to attach the boundary between the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 and the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21, and is wrapped around the outer periphery of the outer edge 21a, for example, three times at approximately the same position. The reference symbol t2 in the figure denotes a pressing tape such as a vinyl tape that is further applied on the sealing tape t1 after the above-mentioned application, and is wound around the outer periphery of the outer edge portion 21a about four times while shifting the position little by little. By applying the double tape in this way, the main body sheet 31 can be more firmly attached to the base frame portion 21. It should be noted that FIG. 5(b) above is merely one configuration example for fixing the main body sheet 31 in an airtight state to the periphery of the base 2, and the present invention is not limited to this fixing method.

[0038] Furthermore, since the base frame 21 is a part of the breeding isolator R, a mesh-like porous floor plate 25 is provided at the floor opening 20 as the floor of the breeding room 85. As shown in FIG. 2 above as an example, the porous floor plate 25 is divided into two parts almost equally in the longitudinal direction of the base frame 21, and further divided into two parts with unequal widths in the front-rear direction. Here, in this embodiment, the unequal widths in the front-rear direction are divided so that the rear side has a shorter dimension, and the rear porous floor plate 25 is configured to be freely openable like a hatch, with the rear side as the free rotating end, with the front-rear dividing portion as the rotation axis 25a. This makes it easy to remove (collect) excrement from the breeding animals when the isolator R is used.

[0039] A collection sink 26 is provided below the base frame 21, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 5(a) as an example. The collection sink 26 receives the excrement of the animals that falls through the porous floor plate 25, and has a sink bottom plate 26a that slopes downward at the center in the width direction of the isolator R and slopes downward at the rear (i.e., upward at the front) in the front-to-rear direction as an example. The periphery of the sink 26 is sealed by sink side plates 26b. The collection sink 26 is preferably formed from a transparent resin plate material that can be seen through from the outside, which makes it easy to check the condition of the excrement of the animals. In this embodiment, collection sink 26 is not integral over almost the entire area below base frame 21, but is divided into two at the center in the width direction (see FIG. 3(a)), and essentially two identically shaped collection sinks 26 are provided symmetrically. This configuration is intended to allow for a collection sink 26 to be provided for each breeding chamber 85 when a partition panel 84 is provided in the center in cage device C described below to form two breeding chambers 85 (partitioned breeding chambers 85a).

[0040] 5(a) is provided on the sink bottom plate 26a near the rear of each of the collecting sinks 26. Since the inside of the isolator R must always be kept airtight, the drain pipe 27 has an inner closure body and an outer closure body, so that the inside can always be kept airtight even when the drain pipe 27 is opened.

[0041] Next, the chamber body 3 will be described. The main component of the chamber body 3 is the main body sheet 31, which is made of a flexible synthetic resin sheet material, such as a polyvinyl chloride resin sheet, that allows the inside of the body to be observed, and thus allows the condition of the animals being kept in the breeding room 85 to be clearly observed from the outside. When unfolded, the main sheet 31 has a three-dimensional shape with only the bottom opening 311, which is the lower end, open, and its planar shape is generally rectangular. All of the surfaces other than the lower end, namely the front sheet 31a, rear sheet 31b, pair of left and right end sheets 31c, and top sheet 31d, are integrally connected by welding or the like. The lower end of the main body sheet 31 is not open entirely at the bottom. As an example, as shown in Figure 4(b) above, the inside of the bottom sheet 31e, which is rectangular in plan view, except for the edges, is carved out in a horizontally elongated shape, i.e., in this embodiment, a plan view shape that is slightly reduced from the outer edge 21a of the base 2 to form an opening, and in this specification, this opening is referred to as a bottom opening 311. 2, for example, hanging straps 32 are provided near the boundary between top sheet 31d and front sheet 31a, and near the boundary between top sheet 31d and rear sheet 31b. As described above, these hanging straps 32 are hung from top frame 17 (here, two front and rear hanging rods 17a) of main body frame 1 to support main body sheet 31 in a hanging state. Incidentally, although they are called straps in this embodiment, hanging straps 32 are sleeve-shaped with relatively long hanging dimensions (hanging length) and are arranged in four places in a plan view.

[0042] Furthermore, the top sheet 31d is provided with air filter connection joints 33, which are provided on both the intake side and the exhaust side. The air filter connection joint 33 is equipped with a ring nut 33a that screws onto both the upper end of the short tubular air filter connection joint 33, which is a member for connecting to the air filter 4 described later, and an air connection pipe 45 that serves as the lower joint of the air filter 4.

[0043] In addition, a steril lock connecting rim 34 for forming a steril lock 5 is provided approximately in the center of the front sheet 31a, and similar steril lock connecting rims 34 are also provided on both end sheets 31c, so that a total of three steril locks 5 are provided in one chamber body 3. Furthermore, the front sheet 31a and the rear sheet 31b are provided with operation glove connecting rims 35 for attaching the operation glove 6, and the operation glove connecting rims 35 (operation glove 6) are provided in two pairs (two sets) on each of the front and rear sides in the width direction, as an example. As a result, a total of eight operation glove connecting rims 35 are provided on one chamber body 3. Note that the installation positions of the operation glove connecting rims 35 on the front and rear sides, that is, the installation positions of the operation glove 6, are set, as an example, so that the installation position on the front sheet 31a side is higher and the installation position on the rear sheet 31b side is lower. This is because by setting the operating gloves 6 at different heights on the front and back (setting the front higher and the rear lower), for example, the front operating gloves 6 can be used to facilitate operations such as feeding and watering and reaching the upper area of ​​the cage apparatus C, more preferably the upper shelf 91 described below, and the rear operating gloves 6 can be used to facilitate operations such as reaching the floor of the breeding room 85, more preferably from the drain pipe 27 of the collection sink 26 to the animals in the breeding room 85. By setting the operating gloves 6 at different heights on the front and rear sides in this way, the desired operations can be shared between the front and rear operating gloves 6, making it possible to carry out daily breeding management operations over a long period of time more efficiently.

[0044] Below, a further description will be given of each of the other functional members provided on the main body sheet 31. First, the air filter 4 for supplying filtered and sterilized air to the inside of the chamber main body 3 will be described. Two air filters 4 are connected, one is an inlet air filter 4A and the other is a discharge air filter 4B. A cylindrical opening of an air connection pipe 45 of the discharge air filter 4B is provided with a dust-collecting pre-filter 46 made of nonwoven fabric (see FIG. 3(a)). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a filter box 41 is installed on the top frame 17 of the main body frame 1, and a filter element 42 is provided inside the filter box 41. An air inlet pipe 48 for introducing clean air from the outside is connected to the filter box 41 on the inlet air filter 4A side. On the other hand, an air outlet pipe 49 for discharging air from the airtight chamber device S to the outside is connected to the filter box 41 on the discharge air filter 4B side.

[0045] 3(a) and 4(a), an internal pressure sensor 49a is provided between the discharge side air filter 4B and the air discharge pipe 49 to set the introduction state of the filtered sterilized air to be introduced and to maintain a somewhat positive pressure state inside the chamber main body 3. This air discharge adjustment device using the internal pressure sensor 49a is well known and detailed illustration is omitted, but the path of the air discharge pipe 49 is opened and closed by the vertical displacement of the internal pressure sensor 49a in contact with the top sheet 31d of the main body sheet 31.

[0046] Next, we will explain the steril lock 5, which keeps the inside of the isolator R airtight while supplying breeding materials and feed, etc., or allowing operations such as contact with the experimental animals being raised inside and taking them in and out (in and out). As shown in Figure 3(b) as an example, the steryl lock 5 comprises a steryl lock main body 51 which is connected to the above-mentioned steryl lock connecting rim 34 so as to maintain an airtight state. This steryl lock main body 51 is formed of a tubular member made of transparent resin so that the inside can be observed, and is attached in a movably state so that the steryl lock main body 51 can be fitted inside the cage device C, i.e., into the breeding chamber 85, for example, when the steryl lock 5 is in use (see (ii) of Figure 3(b)). The structure that allows the steryl lock body 51 to move will be described below. Starting from the members that directly support the steryl lock body 51, the movable frame ring 52 is provided to fix the steryl lock body 51 to an outer frame shape. The movable frame ring 52 has ring legs 53 extending downward, and the ring legs 53 are also supported on the steryl lock supports 54 that are provided in a movable state relative to the base frame 21. The ring legs 53 are supported by the steryl lock supports 54 so that the ring legs 53 can move on the steryl lock supports 54, and the fixing is performed by an appropriate fixing bolt 53a or the like. That is, in this embodiment, not only the steryl lock body 51 but also the ring legs 53 that support it in a movable state, and the steryl lock supports 54 that support the ring legs 53 are configured to be movable inward and outward relative to the base frame 21.

[0047] With this configuration, the steril lock body 51 is configured to have a sufficient movement distance, and its position can be set in, for example, three stages. Incidentally, this configuration is for setting the steril lock body 51 to the outermost position when the steril lock 5 is not in use, so that the steril lock body 51 does not interfere with the panel element 81, and for allowing the steril lock body 51 to be fully inserted inward when the steril lock 5 is in use. Here, the above three setting stages will be described. For example, (i) in Figure 3(b) shows a protruding state when the steryl lock 5 is not in use, in which the steryl lock body 51, ring legs 53 and steryl lock support 54 are all protruding outwards to the outermost position (outside the breeding chamber 85), which is the state when breeding animals in the isolator R. Also, (ii) in Figure 3(b) shows a fitted state when the steryl lock 5 is in use, in which the steryl lock body 51, ring legs 53 and steryl lock support 54 are all moved to the innermost position and the inner tip of the steryl lock body 51 is fitted into the breeding chamber 85. And because of this operation, an intermediate position between the above figures (i) and (ii) can be set by the installation positions of the steryl lock body 51, the ring leg 53, and the steryl lock support 54. For example, (iii) in Figure 3(b) shows the steryl lock body 51 and the ring leg 53 moved to the innermost position, while the steryl lock support 54 is extended to the outermost position, which is an intermediate position between the above figures (i) and (ii). Of course, it is also possible to set other positions as intermediate positions between the above figures (i) and (ii) by changing the positional relationship of the three components, the steryl lock body 51, the ring leg 53, and the steryl lock support 54.

[0048] Although a detailed explanation will be given later, the isolator R in this embodiment has a cage frame 7 equipped with a cage panel 8 which is erected within the main sheet 31 to define a breeding chamber 85 within the main sheet 31. Also, because the base frame portion 21 has a shape which bulges outward when viewed in a plane, for example, when introducing an animal into the breeding chamber 85, a gap is likely to form between the main sheet 31 and the cage panel 8 (a gap of about 10 cm, for example), and the animal may fall into this gap, or the animal may become loose when introduced and get into the gap itself. In order to prevent this, the steril lock main body 51 which constitutes the steril lock 5 is itself made to be able to move a large distance (inserting and moving inside the breeding chamber 85) and to be fixed in that position.

[0049] Furthermore, the steril lock 5 is provided with an internal shielding cap 55 that covers the steril lock main body 51 on the inside of the chamber main body 3, and an external shielding cap 56 on the outside, so that the airtight state inside the isolator R can always be maintained even when the steril lock main body 51 is in use. Therefore, when introducing or removing materials or animals using this steril lock 5 from the outside, first remove the external shielding cap 56 (with the internal shielding cap 55 closed), place appropriate items inside the steril lock 5, then close the external shielding cap 56 to sterilize the inside, and then open the internal shielding cap 55 to introduce the necessary materials, etc. into the chamber main body 3. Of course, these operations are performed using the operation gloves 6 described next. In addition, this isolator R can be connected to another isolator by connecting another steryl lock body for connection to the outside of the steryl lock body 51 of the isolator R. When introducing or removing an animal, the isolator R is moved via the steryl lock 5 by connecting them as described above.

[0050] The operation glove 6 will now be described. The operation glove 6 has its base fixed in an airtight manner to an operation glove connecting rim 35 provided on the chamber body 3, and is made of a flexible material in which the arm portion 61 and hand portion 62 are integrally molded as a whole. For example, when the operation glove 6 is always in use, that is, when the animal is kept in a cage, it is in a state where it protrudes outward due to the air pressure (positive pressure) inside the isolator R, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 above. Generally, this protruding state is acceptable, but when transport or the like is taken into consideration, it is also preferable to fold the operation glove 6 into a stored state. In this case, as shown in Fig. 5(c) as an example, an inner holding plate 63 is provided inside the isolator R so as to slide from above to close the inner part of the operation glove connecting rim 35, and an outer holding lid 64 is provided on the outside, and the operation glove 6 is stored in a folded state between the inner holding plate 63 and the outer holding lid 64.

[0051] Furthermore, as the whole of the isolator R, a cage device C is provided in the space within the chamber body 3. This cage device C can be assembled three-dimensionally on the base frame 21 of the base 2, and then the cage device C can be placed on the chamber body 3. However, in order to more reliably obtain a sterile state within the chamber body 3 including the cage device C, each member of the cage device C to be placed within the chamber body 3 can be in a disassembled state before assembly (so-called loose state), and the chamber body 3 can be attached to the top frame 17 in a suspended state, and then a sterilizing gas or the like can be introduced and filled therein, and then the cage device C can be assembled within the chamber body 3. In this case, the components of the cage device C are in a state where almost the entire surface is exposed, and by assembling from this state, the sterilizing gas can reach every corner, and a sterilizing state can be obtained more effectively. Incidentally, if the cage device C is brought into contact with a sterilizing gas or the like in an assembled state (decontamination is attempted), it is expected that the sterilizing gas or the like will not easily act on the components of the cage device C that are joined to other members, and sufficient sterilization effect will not be obtained.

[0052] The cage frame 7, which is a skeletal member constituting the cage device C, is made up of a plurality of panel-like or frame-like frame elements 71 assembled upright on the base frame 21 to form a three-dimensional frame that is rectangular in plan view. That is, the cage device C is configured by providing the frame elements 71 on the base 2 in an upright position on at least four sides so as to surround the inner space, and by fixing these upright frame elements 71 to each other, a breeding room 85 with an open top is formed in the airtight chamber device S. To form the frame element 71 three-dimensionally, as an example, a base frame 72 having a roughly channel-shaped cross section is first placed on the upper surface of the base frame portion 21, close to the floor opening 20, as shown in Figure 6(b)-(i), and this base frame 72 is configured so that it is divided into two parts at the longitudinal center. Next, as shown in Fig. 6(b)-(ii), for example, frame elements 71 constituting the frame side surface are provided in an upright manner using this base frame 72 as a lower support member, and the lower portion of the frame element 71 is first fitted into the base frame 72 and fixed to the base frame 72 side by fixing bolts 72a such as wing bolts. Such frame elements 71 are raised on all four sides and fixed to each other at their connections to form a cage frame 7 that is a three-dimensional frame having a rectangular shape in plan view, as shown in Fig. 6(b)-(iii), for example.

[0053] These frame elements 71 are composed of a front frame element 71a, a rear frame element 71b, an end frame element 71c, and a partition frame element 71d, and the form varies depending on the installation location. First, the front frame element 71a is divided into two at the middle in the longitudinal direction and is composed of two members, but the shape is formed symmetrically. That is, the front frame element 71a has a substantially rectangular opening 73 formed on the upper surface, and a feeding tray 74 that can be opened and closed like a hatch is provided on the lower surface.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 9 as an example, the feeding tray 74 includes a tray portion 741 that essentially stores food (feed), and this tray portion 741 is formed in a tub shape that is perpendicular, i.e., approximately 90°, in a side cross-sectional view, and its lower end portion is connected to the front frame element 71a in a hinged manner. This allows the tray portion 741 to be tilted relative to the front frame element 71a either into the rearing chamber 85 side (Fig. 9(a)) or outward from the front frame element 71a, i.e., protruding outside the rearing chamber 85 (Fig. 9(b)). In other words, the feeding tray 74 is configured so that the tray portion 741 that essentially stores food can be tilted selectively into or out of the rearing chamber 85, with the front frame element 71a as the boundary. Of course, when the operator replenishes feed, the tray portion 741 is tilted outward from the front frame element 71a (toward the operator), and when the operator wants to feed the replenished feed to the animals, the tray portion 741 is tilted inward from the front frame element 71a (inward from the breeding room 85).

[0055] Next, the names of the various parts of the feeding tray 74 will be described in more detail. When viewed in a tilted state with the tray portion 741 stored inside the breeding chamber 85, the feeding tray 74 comprises a bottom plate 742, a rear standing wall (back side standing wall) 743, and a front standing wall (front side standing wall) 744. Therefore, during the work of supplying food, that is, when the tray portion 741 is tilted outside the front frame element 71a, as shown in Fig. 9(b) above, the bottom plate 742 stands up almost upward, and the front standing wall 744 and the rear standing wall 743 are almost horizontal. Of course, the front standing wall 744 is located at the bottom, and the rear standing wall 743 is located at the top.

[0056] And because the feeding tray 74 is configured as described above, when the worker is replenishing the feed, the bottom plate 742, which stands up almost upward, is on almost the same plane as the front frame element 71a, and the opening formed in the front frame element 71a for attaching the feeding tray 74, i.e., the breeding chamber 85, is substantially closed. Therefore, even if there are animals in the breeding chamber 85, it is possible to prevent the animals from sticking their noses or mouths out of the opening because they want food, and the worker's work of replenishing the feed is not hindered by the animals. Of course, this not only improves workability, but also greatly reduces the stress and hassle of the worker.

[0057] In addition, in the inclined state where the tray portion 741 is stored inside the breeding chamber 85 (FIG. 9(a)), a short bar 745 that protrudes toward the inside of the breeding chamber 85 is provided at the upper end of the front standing wall 744. This bar 745 is provided to prevent food from spilling forward when it is replenished. That is, when replenishment is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the front standing wall 744 is in a nearly horizontal state at the bottom, so without this bar 745, the food replenished on the tray portion 741 would spill forward. In particular, when replenishment of food, the animals may peck the bottom plate 742 blocking the breeding chamber 85 from the inside of the breeding chamber 85 in an attempt to request food, which makes the food more likely to spill forward. However, by providing the bar 745, it is possible to prevent the food from spilling forward.

[0058] In addition, the tray section 741 can be provided with a partition 746 between the protruding end of the barb 745 and the protruding end of the rear standing wall 743, which divides the width of the tray section 741 into approximately equal parts. In this embodiment, two partitions 746 are provided, and the tray section 741 is formed to be divided into three parts. As the partition 746, a cord such as a wire or a string can be used, and for example, when three animals are kept in a breeding room, the three animals can be fed at the same time. Conversely, if there is no such partition 746, even if the feed supplied to one tray section 741 is to be fed to three animals, only an animal with a strong appetite may eat the feed from a wide area (a specific animal may eat exclusively), and by providing the partition 746, the feed can be fed to multiple animals almost equally.

[0059] Furthermore, in the front frame element 71a, a water supply tray 75 is provided next to the feeding tray 74 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 8(c) as an example, in the final installation state, this water supply tray 75 is provided so that a substantial water storage section 75a faces the inside of the breeding room 85, i.e., the inside of the front frame element 71a, and a water supply bottle 75b containing drinking water is placed in an inverted state on the outside of the front frame element 71a, and this water storage section 75a and the lower end of the water supply bottle 75b are connected in communication with each other by a water supply pipe 75c. In other words, the water supply pipe 75c is configured to communicate between the inside and outside of the front frame element 71a, and a constant amount of drinking water contained in the water supply bottle 75b is constantly supplied to the water storage section 75a through the water supply pipe 75c. drinking The system is designed so that water can be replenished.

[0060] In addition, a cage panel 8 made of transparent resin, which will be described later, is installed in the opening 73 of the front frame element 71a, as shown in Figure 7(b)-v as an example, and therefore the front frame element 71a is provided with an engaging hook 76 for attaching the cage panel 8. The configuration for installing the cage panel 8 on the frame element 71 is not limited to the front frame element 71a, but is similar for the rear frame element 71b and the end frame element 71c. Therefore, the rear frame element 71b and the end frame element 71c are also formed with openings 73 in which the cage panel 8 is installed, and are also provided with locking hooks 76 for this purpose. In other words, the rear frame element 71b and the end frame element 71c have a simpler configuration than the front frame element 71a, and have a frame structure with a frame-shaped periphery and a large opening on the inside, where the cage panel 8 is installed.

[0061] The cage panel 8 will be described below. The cage panel 8 has panel elements 81 removably attached to each side of the four peripheral portions partially surrounded by the frame element 71, dividing a certain area and thereby forming a breeding room 85, which is a fixed three-dimensional space divided into a rectangular shape in a plan view within the chamber main body 3. The panel element 81 is made of a flat board made of transparent resin, and has a suitable number of see-through holes 82 (here, a number of vertically elongated holes), and also has locking holes 83 formed at the four corners of the panel. As shown in FIG. 7(b)-v, the locking hole 83 has a small diameter at the top and a large diameter at the bottom, and is formed in a shape that can be expressed as a gourd shape, with both holes connected together. The locking hole 83 is used to lock the panel element 81 in a hanging state to the locking hook 76 formed on the frame element 71. As described above, this locking state is freely engaged and disengaged (removable), and the locking hook 76 is formed with a large diameter at the tip end and a small diameter at the base end, so to speak, in a mushroom shape, with the locking hole 83 having the hole shape, so to speak, and this mutual configuration provides a freely engaged and disengaged action as a bayonet engagement. Specifically, for example, when attaching panel element 81 to frame element 71, first the large diameter portion of the tip of the locking hook 76 (frame element 71) is penetrated so that the lower large hole portion of the locking hole 83 (panel element 81) fits into it. Once penetrated, the panel element 81 is lowered under its own weight, whereby the small diameter portion of the base end of the locking hook 76 (frame element 71) fits into the upper small hole portion of the locking hole 83 (panel element 81), thereby locking the two components together.

[0062] Furthermore, a partition panel 84 is also prepared as the cage panel 8. This partition panel 84 partitions the middle part (middle part in the left-right direction) of the breeding room 85 partitioned by the panel element 81 to form a small partitioned breeding room 85a. When erecting the partition panel 84, grooves are formed in advance in the inner middle part of the partition frame element 71d so that the partition panel 84 can be slid from above and fitted using these grooves. Incidentally, the partition panel 84 is configured such that, for example, three panels divided in the vertical direction are fitted in series, and thus the breeding room 85 can be appropriately partitioned into a plurality of partitioned breeding rooms 85a using the operation glove 6 while breeding animals in an airtight state.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7(b-iv), the end frame element 71c is formed in a frame shape (frame surface shape) having an opening 73, and an installation form is shown in which two horizontally elongated panel elements 81 are arranged in series, one above the other, in this opening 73. On the other hand, the cage frame 7 (rear frame element 71b) and cage panel 8 on the rear side have a basic structure as described below. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 10(a), the opening 73 of the rear frame element 71b is formed as a relatively large opening that exceeds the lower half, and one cage panel 8 (panel element 81) is detachably provided so as to close this opening 73. The reason why the opening 73 is opened as a large opening that exceeds the lower half of the rear frame element 71b is so that the hands of an operator wearing the operation gloves 6 can reach the opening 73 more easily when operating animals in the breeding room 85 via the operation gloves 6 provided on the rear surface of the main body sheet 31, or when accessing the floor of the breeding room 85, more specifically, the drain pipe 27 of the collection sink 26. That is, for example, in the operation of opening or closing a part of the porous floor panel 25 of the breeding room 85, the hand of an operator wearing the operation glove 6 passes through the opening 73 formed in the rear frame element 71b to access the porous floor panel 25, so that the opening 73 is formed at a low position (lower surface portion) in the rear frame element 71b and with a large size exceeding the lower half, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of access. For this reason, the opening (approximately the same size as the opening 73) formed to access the breeding room 85 by removing the panel element 81 attached to the rear frame element 71b is referred to as an access opening in this specification. Of course, in such a case, the panel element 81 removed from the rear frame element 71b can be stored by hooking it onto another engaging hook 76 provided near the upper end of the rear frame element 71b, as shown in Figure 10(b) above. In addition, reference numeral 77 in the figure denotes a hook piece for holding down the lower edge of the panel element 81 that has closed the opening 73, and has a similar configuration to, for example, the locking hook 76. By making the locking hook 76 and the locking piece 77 have the same configuration, the locking hook 76 that locks the upper part of the panel element 81 when closing the opening 73 as shown in Fig. 10(a) above can be used as the locking piece 77 that holds down the lower edge of the panel element 81 when storing the removed panel element 81 as shown in Fig. 10(b) above. Furthermore, by holding down the lower end edge of the panel element 81 closing the opening 73 with the hook piece 77, even if an animal in the breeding room 85 presses the closed panel element 81 with its nose, mouth, etc., the lower end edge of the panel element 81 will not move out of place, and the closed state of the panel element can be firmly maintained.

[0064] Furthermore, in order to improve usability in breeding laboratory animals, the isolator R is provided with an upper shelf 91 serving as a stocker device 9 on the upper part of the frame element 71 in the cage device C (cage frame 7). This upper shelf 91 is formed of a transparent resin material so as not to impede the lighting in the breeding room 85, and even if sterilized water bottles 75b and food introduced into the airtight chamber device S via the steril lock 5 are stored on the upper shelf 91, the interior can be sufficiently visually inspected. As described above, the base frame 11 is provided with a floor stocker box 92 capable of storing spare parts and the like, and this floor stocker box 92 is also included in the stocker device 9.

[0065] The isolator R of the present invention has the basic structure described above, and the procedure for assembling it and the method of use thereafter will be described below. (1) Initial assembly First, in the initial assembly stage of the isolator R of the present invention, the components of the cage device C are mounted on the base 2, and then the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 in the chamber body 3 is fixed to the peripheral portion of the base 2, particularly the outer edge portion 21a of the base frame portion 21 in this embodiment. That is, the isolator R has a two-layer structure with the chamber body 3 and the cage device C as the main components, and for example, it is easy to assemble the cage device C on the base 2 and then fix the body sheet 31 of the chamber body 3 to the base frame 21. However, when the chamber body 3 (body sheet 31) is placed over the assembled cage device C so as to pass between the hanging frame 14, Compared to the method, Considering that the main body sheet 31 can be installed more easily and that a sterile internal state can be more reliably achieved as an isolator R, it is preferable to first place the components of the cage device C in a stacked state on the base 2 (see Figure 6(b)-(ii)), and then suspend the main body sheet 31 in a three-dimensional manner using the suspension frame 14. Next, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fixed to the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21. After this state is achieved, the inside of the main body sheet 31 is filled with a gas having a sterilizing effect, such as hydrogen peroxide gas, to sterilize the inside of the main body sheet 31, including the components of the cage device C. It is empirically known that this method has a higher overall sterilizing effect, and this procedure is basically adopted here as well. Of course, as in the past, a chemical liquid having a sterilizing effect, such as peracetic acid, can also be sprayed in a mist form together with pressurized air using a spray gun to sterilize the inside of the airtight chamber device S and the cage device C.

[0066] In addition, when the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fixed to the base frame 21, a unique configuration is provided to ensure sufficient airtightness at this connection. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(b) as an example, the circumferential length L2 of the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is formed to be smaller than the circumferential length dimension L1 of the base frame 21. Therefore, when the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fitted into the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21, as shown in FIG. 4(c) as an example, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31, which is flexible and has a certain degree of stretchability, is turned and fitted into the outer edge 21a while being semi-forcibly expanded as if pulled in the circumferential direction. This allows the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 to be fitted into the outer periphery of the base frame 21 in a tightly adhered state, and the airtightness at that portion is sufficiently ensured.

[0067] Furthermore, outer edge 21a of base frame 21 is formed to bulge outward in an arc shape, which also ensures stronger adhesion between outer edge 21a and bottom opening 311 of main body sheet 31. Incidentally, if outer edge 21a is linear, main body sheet 31 and outer edge 21a will adhere firmly at the corners of base frame 21, but adhesion between the two will not necessarily be sufficient in the middle.

[0068] After the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fitted around the periphery of the base frame 21, a non-elastic seal tape t1 is applied to the boundary between them, as shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 4(c) and Fig. 5(b) for example. This seal tape t1 is wound around the outer periphery of the outer edge 21a, for example, three times at approximately the same position. Then, the pressure tape t2 is further applied on top of the sealing tape t1. The pressure tape t2 is wound around the outer periphery of the sealing tape t1 about four times while being shifted little by little. This double tape application makes it possible to more firmly adhere the main body sheet 31 to the base frame 21.

[0069] Thereafter, the base frame 21 to which the main body sheet 31 (bottom opening 311) has been attached as described above is further fixed by the pressing edge frame 22, as shown in Fig. 5(b) as an example. That is, the pressing edge frame 22, which is U-shaped in side cross section, is provided on the outer periphery of the outer edge 21a, and is clamped by clamp bolts 23 and the like, and further, the retaining bolts 24 provided on the outer periphery of the pressing edge frame 22 are screwed into the female thread block 21b fixed to the lower part of the base frame 21. With this configuration, the pressing edge frame 22 is fixed to the base frame 21 from two directions, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, with the main body sheet 31 (bottom opening 311) sandwiched in between, and the pressing edge frame 22 is firmly prevented from coming off. In actual work, a more realistic installation method would be to first temporarily fasten the retaining edge frame 22 with the horizontal anti-slip bolts 24, then tighten the vertical clamp bolts 23, and then fully tighten (additionally tighten) the horizontal anti-slip bolts 24. Furthermore, by adopting such a composite mounting structure, the main body sheet 31 can be attached to the base frame portion 21 without drilling any holes in the main body sheet 31 itself, and even if positive pressure is applied inside the chamber body 3, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 will not come off the base frame portion 21.

[0070] (2) Sterilization At this stage, the isolator R is half-assembled, with each component of the disassembled cage device C placed on top of the base frame 21, and the sterilization operation is started in this state. As already mentioned, performing the sterilization operation in this state is preferable because, when a sterilization gas containing, for example, hydrogen peroxide gas is supplied into the chamber main body 3, the sterilization effect reaches each component of the cage device C even if the supply amount is small.

[0071] (3) Assembly of the cage apparatus In this state, the disassembled cage device C is reassembled. At this time, since assembly is performed with the chamber body 3 filled with sterilizing gas, the sterilizing gas can be sufficiently brought into contact (exposed) with the connecting parts between the frame elements 71 and the parts that will become the installation parts of the frame elements 71 when assembled, and more effective decontamination can be expected.

[0072] In addition, when the inside of the chamber body 3 is made positive pressure, the operation glove 6 provided in the chamber body 3 also assumes a state of bulging outward due to this internal pressure (see Figs. 1 and 2). Of course, the operation glove 6 is provided with an internal retaining plate 63 and an external retaining lid 64, which are storage devices for the operation glove 6, and when the operation glove 6 is stored in a folded state, these are released to allow the operation glove 6 to bulge outward and become usable. With this action, when the operator inserts his / her hand into the operation glove 6 and pushes the operation glove 6 into the chamber body 3, the operation glove 6 becomes as if it is turned inside out, and is ready for appropriate work.

[0073] In this state, the assembly work of the cage device C is carried out within the sealed chamber body 3. This work itself is carried out using the above-mentioned operating gloves 6. Note that Figures 6(b) and 7(b) show the assembly status of the cage device C in stages, and although the chamber body 3 (main body sheet 31) is not depicted in these figures, in reality, the assembly is carried out in the sealed space within the chamber body 3 as described above. Therefore, it cannot be denied that the work is somewhat more difficult to carry out than assembly work in an open atmosphere. To assemble the frame elements 71 three-dimensionally, as shown in Fig. 6(b)-(i) as an example, a base frame 72 is first installed on the upper surface around the floor opening 20 on the base frame portion 21. Here, the base frame 72 is configured so as to be divided into two members at the center in the longitudinal direction. Next, as shown in FIG. 6(b)-(ii), for example, frame elements 71 constituting the frame side surfaces are provided so as to stand up using the base frame 72 as a lower support member. Specifically, the lower portion of the frame element 71 is first fitted into the base frame 72, and then the frame element 71 is fixed to the base frame 72 side by fixing bolts 72a such as wing bolts. Such frame elements 71 are raised on all four sides and fixed to each other at the connecting parts to form the cage frame 7, which is a three-dimensional frame having a rectangular shape in a plan view, as shown in Fig. 6(b)-(iii), for example. A partition frame element 71d having a groove on the inner facing portion is provided in the center (center in the left-right direction) of the frame element 71. This groove is a fitting groove for sliding the partition panel 84 so as to drop it from above.

[0074] Thereafter, panel elements 81 of the cage panel 8 made of transparent resin and having a viewing hole 82 are installed in the openings 73 of each frame element 71. The panel elements 81 are installed by detachably engaging the locking hooks 76 of the frame elements 71 with the locking holes 83 of the panel elements 81 as described above (see FIG. 7(b)-v). When all the panel elements 81 are installed on the frame element 71 in this manner (see Figure 7(b)-iv), the cage apparatus C will have two partitioned breeding rooms 85a for laboratory animals, etc., defined by the partition panels 84.

[0075] As for auxiliary equipment, an upper shelf 91 is provided to improve workability in rearing management, and is stocked with, for example, sterilized water to be replenished in the water bottles 75b, feed, etc. Also, a floor stocker box 92 can store, for example, a sealing tape t1 and a pressing tape t2 for attaching the bottom opening 311 of the chamber main body 3 to the base 2, a spare external shield cap 56, etc.

[0076] (4) Animal husbandry and management In the isolator R thus constructed, filtered and sterilized air is introduced through the inlet air filter 4A provided at the top of the chamber body 3, while the air inside the chamber is discharged to the outside through the outlet air filter 4B. This air flow maintains a sterile state inside the chamber body 3, and the internal air pressure is set to be slightly higher than the external air pressure. In other words, the inside of the chamber body 3 is maintained at an appropriate positive pressure by the above-mentioned air flow, and the value is, for example, about 50 to 100 Pascals. The ventilation rate of the air inside the chamber body 3 is approximately 15 rotations / hour.

[0077] Furthermore, when introducing laboratory animals or the like into the isolator R assembled as described above, the steril lock 5, which is the working lid provided on the end sheet 31c, is utilized. When introducing laboratory animals, the left and right steril locks 5 are used, and as already described, the steril lock main body 51 is fitted into the cage device C. On the other hand, when introducing materials or the like, the steril lock 5 on the front sheet 31a side is used, but it is not necessary to fit the steril lock main body 51 into the cage device C. Here, the procedure for introducing an experimental animal (when introducing it from another isolator) is as follows: first, remove the external shield cap 56 of the steryl lock 5, and connect the steryl lock body of another isolator in which the experimental animal to be introduced is stored to the steryl lock body 51 of this isolator R using a connecting sleeve. As a result, the connecting sleeve and each steryl lock body (51) are sealed by each internal shield cap 55. In this state, the space inside the connecting sleeve is sterilized by spraying a chemical solution having a bactericidal effect, such as peracetic acid. Next, the operator puts his / her hand into the operation glove 6, and using this operation glove 6, removes the internal shield cap 55 of the steryl lock 5 from the breeding room 85 side, connects each isolator (R), and uses the operation glove 6 to move the experimental animal. Finally, after covering with the internal shield cap 55, cover with the external shield cap 56, and sterilize the inside of the steryl lock 5 with a chemical solution having a bactericidal effect. The procedure for introducing materials is similar in principle, but if the materials are small enough to fit inside the Steril Lock body 51, the inside of the Steril Lock 5 can be sterilized using a chemical solution that has a bactericidal effect inside the Steril Lock body 51.

[0078] As described above, in the present invention, the animals to be raised are assumed to be pigs, such as mini-pigs, and these are allowed to grow in the cage device C for 12 months from the time they are removed from the mother pig's uterus by Caesarean section (the so-called 12-month age), so the breeding room 85 requires a correspondingly large space. Furthermore, when minipigs grow to 12 months of age, their height (withers height) increases significantly, so in this isolator R, the front and rear operating gloves 6 are attached at different heights, making it possible to efficiently raise minipigs up to 12 months of age. Furthermore, depending on the size and growth of the animals, for example, it is possible to remove the partition panel 84 of the cage device C and use the whole as one larger breeding room 85. Of course, when breeding animals such as young pigs are still small, it is possible to house several animals in each partitioned breeding room 85a provided with the partition panel 84 (or one large breeding room 85 with the partition panel 84 removed) and breed multiple animals. In particular, for social animal species such as pigs and dogs, it is important to breed multiple animals according to the appropriate breeding area and growth, and to have contact with workers to build good relationships with them, so being able to appropriately divide and manage the breeding room 85 brings about good effects in terms of animal welfare.

[0079] (5) Operation in the animal room All the work in the chamber body 3 is done wearing the operation gloves 6. The operation gloves 6 provided at a relatively high position on the front side are used for work such as feeding work for replenishing feed to the feeding tray 74 and water supply work for replenishing sterilized water to the water supply bottle 75b, which are performed near the front inside of the isolator R, and work that extends to the upper area of ​​the cage device C, for example, a relatively high position that reaches the upper shelf 91. That is, for example, when replenishing feed and sterilized water stored in the upper shelf 91 to the feeding tray 74 and the water supply bottle 75b, it is desirable to be able to perform these as a series of operations using the same operation gloves 6, and for this reason, the operation gloves 6 on the front side are provided at a relatively high position. Of course, the height of the upper shelf 91 is determined with an emphasis on the height (withers height) of the reared animals, and is also considered so that the above series of operations can be smoothly performed using the operation gloves 6 on the front side. On the other hand, the operation glove 6, which is provided at a relatively low position on the rear side, is used for other tasks, specifically, tasks at a relatively low position, such as reaching the floor of the breeding room 85 and disposing of excrement from the animals and directly operating the animals in the breeding room 85 (medical examinations and vaccinations). Incidentally, when using the rear operation glove 6 to treat the excrement of the rear animals, the panel element 81 (low position) detachably attached to the rear frame element 71b of the cage frame 7 is temporarily removed, and the operation glove 6 is inserted into the rear room 85 from there to access the floor surface. Furthermore, when cleaning the collection sink 26, the operation glove 6 that has reached the floor surface can be used to open a part of the perforated floor plate 25 in a hinged manner, making it easy to clean the collection sink 26. In addition, after sterilization with a spray gun, the chemical solution stored in the collection sink 26 can be easily discharged from the drain pipe 27 to efficiently dry the isolator R. The operation of removing the panel element 81 is not necessarily limited to accessing the breeding room 85 from the rear side, but may also be appropriately performed when accessing from the front side or the side (gable surface) side.

[0080] And, of course, if you continue to raise these kinds of laboratory animals, they will produce excrement, etc. In the first place, because pigs and other large animals are large, they will excrete a lot in one go, and if they are raised for a long period of 12 months, a large amount of excrement will be produced, and the work of collecting and cleaning it will naturally be a heavy burden on the workers who do this. Furthermore, the excrement falls from the porous floor plate 25 of the base 2 into the collection sink 26 below, and accumulates on the sink bottom plate 26a, etc. Since it is not practical for workers to collect and wash excrement every time an animal excretes, in the short term, workers may drop excrement under the porous floor plate 25 when they find it. In order to collect the excrement that has accumulated over a long period of rearing, at least a part of the porous floor plate 25 is configured to open like a hatch as described above, so that the porous floor plate 25 can be opened to easily collect the excrement and the like in the collection sink 26 provided below it, and the collection sink 26 can also be washed. The collected excrement is led out of the isolator R via the steril lock 5. Of course, the excrement that has fallen (accumulated) into the collection sink 26 may not flow smoothly, and in that case, for example, it may be necessary to push the animals such as pigs to one of the compartmented rearing rooms 85a, open the porous floor panel 25 of the compartmented rearing room 85a where the pigs are no longer present, and move the accumulated excrement to a position where it is easy to collect with a ladle, etc. For this reason, in the present invention, the rear operation glove 6 is provided at a relatively low position as described above, and without such a configuration, it is considered that the above work would be extremely difficult to perform (imposing a great burden on the operator) or would be impossible to perform at all. When the isolator R is disassembled and cleaned after the rearing is completed, the cleaning liquid applied to the base 2 can be discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 27 or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] R Isolator C Cage device S Airtight chamber device t1 sealing tape t2 holding tape L1 Circumference (Circumference of base frame) L2 Circumference (Circumference of the bottom opening of the main sheet) 1 Main frame 2 Base 3. Chamber body 4. Air Filter 4A Inlet air filter 4B Exhaust air filter 5. Steril Rock 6 Operation Gloves 7 Cage Frame 8 Cage Panel 9. Stocker equipment 11 Base frame 12 Leg frame 13 Caster 14 Hanging frame 15 Extension frame 16 Column Frame 17 Top frame 17a Lifting rod 20 Floor opening 21 Base frame 21a Outer edge 21b Female thread block 22 Pressing edge frame 23 Clamp bolt 23a Pressing pad 23b Hand-cranked piece 24 Anti-fall bolt 24a Hand lever 25 Perforated floor plate 25a Rotating shaft 26 Collection sink 26a Sink bottom plate 26b Sink side panel 27 Drain line 31 Main sheet 31a Front sheet 31b Rear seat 31c Wife's seat 31d Top sheet 31e Bottom sheet 311 Bottom opening 32 Hanging strap 33 Air filter connection joint 33a Ring nut 34 Sterillock connection rim 35 Operation Glove Connection Rim 41 Filter Box 42 Filter element 45 Air connection pipe 46 Dust collection pre-filter 48 Air intake pipe 49 Air exhaust pipe 49a Internal pressure sensor 51 Sterillock body 52 Movable frame ring 53 Ring leg 53a Fixing bolt 54 Sterillock Support 55 Inner shield cap 56 External shield cap 61 Arm section 62 Hand section 63 Inner retaining plate 64 Outer holding lid 71 Frame Elements 71a Front frame element 71b Rear frame element 71c Gable frame element 71d Partition frame element 72 Base Frame 72a Fixing bolt 73 Opening 74 Feeding Tray 75 Water Tray 75a Water storage section 75b Water bottle 75c water supply pipe 76 Locking hook 77 Latch piece 81 Panel Elements 82 Transparent hole 83 Locking hole 84 Partition Panel 85 Breeding Room 85a Separated breeding room 91 Upper Shelf 92 Floor Stocker Box 741 Tray section 742 Bottom plate 743 Rear standing wall (back standing wall) 744 Front standing wall (front standing wall) 745 Return (short size) 746 Division Body

Claims

1. The base and The base and a chamber body that is connected in an airtight state to form a three-dimensional space of an appropriate volume constitute an airtight chamber device, and a cage device is provided on the base within the airtight chamber device, thereby forming a breeding isolator. The base has a lower region set to an airtight state, a generally rectangular shape in plan view, and a part or all of the sides of the base frame have an arc shape bulging outward in plan view, On the other hand, the chamber body has a main body sheet as its main component, which is made of a flexible resin sheet material that allows the interior to be observed, and has a three-dimensional shape with an open bottom. In constructing the chamber body three-dimensionally, the main body sheet is attached in a suspended state to a main body frame that is arranged so as to surround the upper area of ​​the base, and the base and the main body sheet are attached in a state where the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted externally to the base frame portion of the base. Furthermore, the main sheet is connected to a steril lock and an operation glove that communicate with the outside while maintaining an airtight state, and an air filter that introduces and exhausts air. The cage device is a cage body having a rearing chamber surrounded by a removable cage panel and spaced apart from the chamber body, At least one pair of operation gloves is provided on each of the front and rear surfaces of the main sheet, The cage device is characterized in that it has a feeding tray provided at the lower front part thereof and a water supply tray that communicates from the outside of the breeding chamber to the inside of the breeding chamber.

2. The breeding isolator as described in claim 1, characterized in that the operating gloves are configured such that the operating gloves provided on the front are positioned at a relatively high position reaching from the feeding tray and water tray to the upper area of ​​the cage device, and the operating gloves provided on the rear are positioned at a relatively low position reaching from the floor of the breeding room to the animals in the breeding room.

3. 3. The breeding isolator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cage device is configured by providing frame elements constituting a cage frame on a base, with at least four sides in an upright position, surrounding an internal space, and by fixing these upright frame elements to each other, a breeding room with an open top is formed within the airtight chamber device.

4. a panel element is provided on a lower rear surface of the cage device and is detachably attached to a cage frame; A breeding isolator as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when entering the breeding chamber through the operating glove provided on the rear surface, the panel element is removed to form an access opening, and the operating glove is entered into the breeding chamber through this access opening.

5. A breeding isolator as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the base has a base frame portion near the periphery, a perforated floor plate is provided inside this base frame portion, and a collection sink that is maintained in an airtight state from the outside is further provided below the base.

6. 6. The breeding isolator according to claim 5, wherein a portion of said porous floor plate is provided on the base frame portion so as to be hinged upwardly and releasably.

7. The one or more steril locks provided on the main sheet include a steril lock body for constituting the steril lock, a movable frame ring that supports the steril lock body so that it can move inward and outward of the main sheet, and a movable steril lock support that supports a ring leg portion extending downward from the movable frame ring; 7. A breeding isolator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the position of the steril lock main body can be freely set to an outward protruding state in which it protrudes outward away from the breeding chamber, or an inwardly fitted state in which the inner tip of the steril lock main body is fitted into the breeding chamber.

8. 8. The breeding isolator according to claim 1, wherein the operation glove provided on the main body sheet can be stored in a folded state at a connection portion with the main body sheet.

9. 9. The breeding isolator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cage device is provided with a partition panel that separates the breeding room, and the partition panel is configured to enable the breeding room to be divided into two or more partitioned breeding rooms while maintaining an airtight state during operation of the isolator.

10. The feeding tray has a trough-shaped tray portion that is perpendicular in vertical cross section, and the tray portion is pivotally supported so as to be tiltable selectively inside and outside the rearing chamber; The tray portion is inclined so as to protrude toward the inside of the rearing room, and has a bottom plate and a front upright wall, and is perpendicular in vertical cross section.

10. The breeding isolator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that when the tray portion is tilted so as to protrude outside the breeding chamber, the bottom plate closes the breeding chamber.

11. The animals kept in the breeding room are pigs, 11. The breeding isolator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the breeding is configured to allow pigs removed from the uterus of a parent pig to grow in a breeding room for 12 months.

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