Sterilization unit, unit set, cell culture system and sterilization method

Abstract

To provide a sterilization unit, a unit set, a cell culture system and a sterilization method that can improve treatment efficiency.SOLUTION: A sterilization unit includes a base plate includes: a base plate having a bottom surface extending horizontally; a sterilization device provided on the base plate and having an emitting portion that emits at least one of sterilization light and a sterilization agent; and a power supply device that supplies power for driving the sterilization device. Therein the base plate is provided above the bottom surface and below the emitting portion, and has a supported surface facing downward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sterilization unit, a unit set, a cell culture system, and a sterilization method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile sterilization device that irradiates ultraviolet light while moving, thereby inactivating and sterilizing viruses and bacteria that are attached to areas that people may come into contact with. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-109461 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of a clean bench or the like of a cell culture system, the clean environment is destroyed during maintenance such as replacing an ultraviolet lamp, and a large-scale sterilization operation is required each time. Furthermore, in the case of a clean bench or the like of a cell culture system, it may be difficult for an operator to access the bench, and it is also difficult to secure space to run a mobile sterilization device as described in Patent Document 1, which increases the burden on the operator performing the sterilization operation.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a sterilization unit, a unit set, a cell culture system, and a sterilization method that can improve processing efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sterilization unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a base plate having a bottom surface extending horizontally, a sterilization device provided on the base plate and having an emission part that emits at least one of sterilizing light and a sterilizing agent, and a power supply device that supplies power to drive the sterilization device, wherein the base plate is provided above the bottom surface and below the emission part and has a supported surface facing downwards.

[0007] A unit set according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a flask unit having a flask for containing a culture medium and a flask tray on which the flask is placed, and the sterilization unit.

[0008] A cell culture system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the above-mentioned unit set, a stocker for storing the flask unit, a clean bench having a liquid handling area for performing dispensing operations on the flask unit, an incubator having a culture area for growing cells in the culture medium contained in the flask unit, and a liquid handling area transport device provided within the liquid handling area and capable of transporting the sterilization unit and the flask unit.

[0009] A method for sterilizing a cell culture system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for sterilizing the above-mentioned cell culture system, in which the sterilization unit emitting at least one of germicidal light and a germicide is transported along the same transport route as the transport route of the flask unit. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the sterilization unit, unit set, cell culture system, and sterilization method disclosed herein, treatment efficiency can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cell culture system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flask unit according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sterilization unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a view of the sterilization unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along the arrow IV in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 1 and illustrating a sterilization method for a cell culture system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a side view of a sterilization unit in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a side view of a sterilization unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] A view of the sterilization unit according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from a second direction. [Figure 9] 13 is a view of the sterilization unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from a second direction. FIG. [Figure 10] A diagram showing a sterilization unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from a first direction. [Figure 11] 13 is a view of a sterilization unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from a first direction. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, a cell culture system 100 of this embodiment is a system that uses a flask unit 1 as a processing unit and performs unmanned and automatic cell culture and analysis of the cultured cells.

[0013] The flask unit 1 has a plurality of (for example, two in this embodiment) flasks 2. The flasks 2 contain cells and a culture solution containing a medium to which nutrients necessary for cell growth and the like have been added.

[0014] <Cell culture system> As shown in FIG. 1, the cell culture system 100 includes a stocker 110, a carry-in booth 120, an incubator 130, a clean bench 140, a pass box 150, a waste liquid tank 162, a transport device 170, and a unit set 180.

[0015] <Stocker> The stocker 110 is a facility for storing a plurality of flask units 1 that constitute the unit set 180. The stocker 110 has a stocker body 111, a rack 112, a first stocker door 113, and a second stocker door 114. Stocker body 111 is a housing that forms storage area R1 as a warehouse inside. Stocker body 111 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic or glass. The rack 112 is disposed within the storage area R1, and is capable of storing a plurality of flask units 1 arranged horizontally and vertically.

[0016] The first stocker door 113 is a door for carrying the flask unit 1 and the like into the stocker 110 from the outside, and can be opened and closed by sliding it horizontally, for example. The second stocker door 114 is a door for carrying out the flask unit 1 in the stocker 110 to the clean bench 140, and can be opened and closed by sliding it horizontally, for example.

[0017] <Delivery Booth> The loading booth 120 is a booth that temporarily accommodates the flask unit 1 and the like immediately before being loaded from the outside into the stocker 110. The loading booth 120 has a booth body 121 and a loading door 122. Booth body 121 is a housing disposed adjacent to stocker 110, and is made of, for example, a transparent material. The space inside loading booth 120 is set as loading area R2, which can communicate with storage area R1 via stocker first door 113. The inside of loading area R2 is controlled, for example, to a negative pressure lower than the atmosphere in storage area R1. This prevents air, etc., in loading area R2 from entering storage area R1 when stocker first door 113 is opened. The carry-in door 122 is a door for carrying the flask unit 1 and the like into the carry-in booth 120 from the outside, and can be opened and closed, for example, by sliding up and down.

[0018] <Incubator> The incubator 130 is a facility for growing cells in a culture solution. The incubator 130 includes an incubator body 131 and a shaking stage 132. The incubator body 131 is a housing that forms a culture area R3 therein. The culture area R3 is controlled to have a temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration suitable for cell culture. The incubator body 131 is made of, for example, a heat insulating material. The shaking stage 132 is a device for shaking the flask unit 1. A plurality of shaking stages 132 are arranged in the culture area R3. Each of the shaking stages 132 holds a plurality of flask units 1. The shaking stage 132 is configured to be able to shake the flask unit 1 by, for example, eccentrically rotating about a vertical axis.

[0019] <Clean bench> The clean bench 140 is a facility for performing various operations and treatments on the flask unit 1. The clean bench 140 includes a clean bench main body 141, a dispensing device 143, a waste liquid extracting device 145, and a stage 149.

[0020] The clean bench body 141 is a housing that forms a liquid handling area R4, which is a highly clean and sterile space (bio-clean room) inside. In the clean space, air flows and circulates as a downflow from above to below. The clean bench body 141 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic or glass.

[0021] The dispensing device 143 is provided in the clean room. The dispensing device 143 performs various dispensing operations and other processes for the flask unit 1.

[0022] Waste liquid extractor 145 is provided in liquid handling area R4, and is a device for extracting unused culture liquid from the flask of flask unit 1 as waste liquid. The labeling device 147 is provided in the liquid handling area R4, and is a device for labeling the flasks or trays of the flask unit 1. Filtration device 148 is provided in liquid handling area R4, and is a device for performing a filtration process on the culture liquid. A plurality of stages 149 are provided in liquid handling area R4. On stage 149, flask unit 1 is temporarily placed.

[0023] <passbox> The pass box 150 is provided between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140. The pass box 150 moves the flask unit 1 between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140. The pass box 150 has a box body 151, a first door 152, and a second door 153.

[0024] The box body 151 is a housing formed so as to be sandwiched between the incubator body 131 and the clean bench body 141 . The first door 152 switches between a communicating state and an unblocked state between the space within the box body 151 and the incubation area R3, for example, by opening and closing in a horizontal direction. Second door 153 switches between a communication state and a non-communication state between the space within box main body 151 and liquid handling area R4, for example, by opening and closing in a horizontal direction. The first door 152 and the second door 153 are never open at the same time. This prevents direct communication between the culture area R3 and the liquid handling area R4. The flask unit 1 is transferred between the culture area R3 and the liquid handling area R4 via this pass box 150. Note that a transport device (not shown) for transporting the flask unit 1 may be provided separately in the pass box 150. The flask unit 1 may be transported from the culture area R3 to the liquid handling area R4 via the pass box 150 by a second transport robot 172 provided in the culture area R3, or may be transported from the liquid handling area R4 to the culture area R3 via the pass box 150 by a third transport robot 173 provided in the liquid handling area R4. Furthermore, the flask unit 1 may be configured to be transportable between the culture area R3 and the liquid handling area R4 via the pass box 150 using both the second transport robot 172 and the third transport robot 173.

[0025] <Waste tank> The waste liquid tank 162 is disposed adjacent to the clean bench 140. The waste liquid tank 162 is connected to the waste liquid extractor 145 via a tube (not shown). The waste liquid is transferred from the waste liquid extractor 145 to the waste liquid tank 162 via the tube.

[0026] <Transportation equipment> The transfer device 170 automatically transfers the flask unit 1 within the cell culture system 100. The transfer device 170 has a first transfer robot 171, a second transfer robot 172, a third transfer robot (transfer device within the liquid handling area) 173, a fourth transfer robot (transfer device within the liquid handling area) 174, and a conveyor 175.

[0027] The first transport robot 171, the second transport robot 172, the third transport robot 173 and the fourth transport robot 174 are each capable of horizontal movement, rotational movement and telescopic movement, and are configured to lift and transport the flask unit 1 using a gripper G (see Figure 2) provided at the tip.

[0028] First transport robot 171 is provided in storage area R1. Second transport robot 172 is provided in culture area R3. Third transport robot 173 and fourth transport robot 174 are provided in liquid handling area R4. Third transport robot 173 and fourth transport robot 174 are transport devices within the liquid handling area that are provided in liquid handling area R4 and can transport flask unit 1 and sterilization unit 60 (described later).

[0029] Conveyor 175 is provided in liquid handling area R4, and horizontally transports flask unit 1 placed on its upper surface. Conveyor 175 is disposed along the inner surface of the main body of liquid handling area R4.

[0030] <Cell culture system operation> In the cell culture system 100 configured as above, cell proliferation is promoted by shaking the culture solution in the flask unit 1 in the incubator 130. The flask unit 1 in which cell proliferation has progressed is transferred to the liquid manipulation area R4 via the second transport robot 172 and the pass box 150. The flask unit 1 transferred to the liquid manipulation area R4 is transferred to the dispensing device 143 via the third transport robot 173. The dispensing device 143 dispenses the culture solution into the flask 2 of the flask unit 1 and supplies the medium. Note that the dispensing device 143 may be connected to a measuring device (not shown) that measures the number of cells in the culture solution dispensed from the flask 2, analyzes the liquid properties, etc., and a medium supplying device (not shown) that supplies the medium to the dispensing device 143.

[0031] Furthermore, when cell proliferation is carried out using a new flask unit 1, the following procedure is carried out, for example. That is, first, the first transport robot 171 transports the flask unit 1 on the rack 112 that does not contain culture medium into the liquid handling area R4 via the stocker second door 114. The flask unit 1 is transferred to the dispensing device 143 via the third transport robot 173, where culture medium is supplied, and the culture medium in the flask 2 of the flask unit 1 where cells have proliferated is dispensed into the flask 2 of a new flask unit 1, completing the subculture operation of the cells into the flask 2 of the new flask unit 1. The flask unit 1 that has undergone the subculture operation is transferred to the incubator 130, where the cells are proliferated.

[0032] <Unit set> The unit set 180 is constituted by a combination of the flask unit 1 and the sterilization unit 60.

[0033] <Flask unit> FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flask unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the flask unit 1 has a flask 2 that contains a culture medium, and a flask tray 10 on which the flask 2 is placed.

[0034] <Flask> The flask 2 of this embodiment is a so-called Erlenmeyer flask, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape centered on a flask axis O1 extending in the vertical direction. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the lower part of the flask 2 has a conical surface centered on the flask axis O1, which decreases in diameter as it goes upward, and the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the flask 2 has a cylindrical shape centered on the flask axis O1. A lid (not shown) is detachably attached to the opening at the top of the flask 2. The flask 2 is not limited to an Erlenmeyer flask.

[0035] <Flask tray> The flask tray 10 is capable of mounting two flasks 2. The flask tray 10 of this embodiment has at least a mounting plate 20, a support portion 40, and an upper frame 50. The flask tray 10 can be formed from a highly corrosion-resistant metal material such as stainless steel or a synthetic resin material.

[0036] <Placement plate> The mounting plate 20 is a member that supports the two flasks 2 from below. The mounting plate 20 has a mounting surface 20a on which the flasks 2 are placed. The mounting plate 20 of this embodiment is in the form of a flat plate extending in the horizontal direction, and is rectangular in plan view. In the following description, the short side direction of the rectangular shape in plan view (the direction in which a pair of short sides extend) is referred to as a first direction D1. Furthermore, the long side direction of the rectangular shape in plan view (the direction in which a pair of long sides extend) is referred to as a second direction D2. That is, the two flasks 2 in this embodiment are placed on the mounting plate 20 side by side in the second direction D2.

[0037] <Support part> The support part 40 is a rod-shaped member extending upward from the mounting surface 20a of the mounting plate 20. A plurality of support parts 40 (four in this embodiment) are provided. Each support part 40 is provided at one of the four corners where the short side and long side of the mounting plate 20 are connected in a plan view. The upper end of the support part 40 is located lower than the upper end of the flask 2 placed on the mounting surface 20a. The heights of the upper ends of the multiple support parts 40 are the same.

[0038] <Upper frame> The upper frame 50 is supported from below by the support parts 40. The contour shape of the upper frame 50 in a plan view is a rectangle with the first direction D1 as the short side direction and the second direction D2 as the long side direction, similar to the contour shape of the mounting plate 20 in a plan view. The size of the upper frame 50 in a plan view is equal to the size of the mounting plate 20. The upper ends of the support parts 40 are connected to the lower surfaces of the four corners of the upper frame 50. As a result, the upper frame 50 is disposed above the mounting plate 20 and parallel to the mounting plate 20.

[0039] The upper frame 50 has an opening 50a that penetrates vertically. The opening 50a has a rectangular shape with a first direction D1 as the short side direction and a second direction D2 as the long side direction in a plan view. The flask 2 placed on the mounting surface 20a penetrates the opening 50a vertically. The upper frame 50 has a first frame piece 51, a second frame piece 52, a third frame piece 53, and a fourth frame piece 54 that surround the periphery of the opening 50a.

[0040] The first frame piece 51 is located on the other side of the first direction D1 and extends in the second direction D2. The second frame piece 52 is located on one side of the first direction D1 and extends in the second direction D2. The third frame piece 53 is located on one side of the second direction D2 and extends in the first direction D1. The fourth frame piece 54 is located on the other side of the second direction D2 and extends in the first direction D1. The first frame piece 51, the second frame piece 52, the third frame piece 53, and the fourth frame piece 54 are connected to each other to form a frame shape that surrounds the flask 2 in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the lower surface 51a of the first frame piece 51 and the lower surface 52a of the second frame piece 52 form a flask transfer supported surface that is supported from below by the gripper G when the flask unit 1 is transferred. These lower surfaces 51a and 52a are located above the bottom surface 1b located at the lowest position of the flask unit 1, and both face downward. The specific shape of the gripper G will be described later.

[0041] <Sterilization unit> Fig. 3 is a plan view of the sterilization unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure Fig. 4 is a view of the sterilization unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure as seen from the direction of the arrow IV in Fig. 3 . The sterilization unit 60 sterilizes the cell culture system 100. The sterilization unit 60 of the present embodiment mainly sterilizes the inside of the clean bench 140. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sterilization unit 60 includes a base plate 61, a battery (power supply device) 62, a sterilizer 63, and a reflector 64.

[0042] <Base plate> In this embodiment, the contour shape of the base plate 61 in a plan view is the same as the contour shape of the flask tray 10 in a plan view. That is, the contour shape of the base plate 61 in a plan view is also the same as the contour shape of the upper frame 50.

[0043] The base plate 61 includes a base plate body 65 and a supported portion 66. The base plate body 65 has a bottom surface 61b extending in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 (in other words, a horizontal direction). The bottom surface 61b is located at the lowest part of the sterilization unit 60 and faces downward. The bottom surface 61b in this embodiment is flat. When the sterilization unit 60 is placed on, for example, a stage 149 in the clean bench 140, the bottom surface 61b contacts the upper surface of the stage 149. The base plate body 65 in this embodiment is flat and has a vertical dimension smaller than the dimension in the first direction D1 and the dimension in the second direction D2.

[0044] The supported portion 66 has a supported surface 67 that is disposed above the bottom surface 61b and faces downward. This supported surface 67 is formed so as to be supported from below by the gripper G of the conveying device 170 in the same manner as when the upper frame 50 of the flask unit 1 is supported from below by the gripper G of the conveying device 170. That is, the base plate 61 can be conveyed by the conveying device 170 in the same manner as the flask unit 1.

[0045] The supported portions 66 in this embodiment are provided on one side in the first direction D1 and the other side in the first direction D1. These two supported portions 66 extend in the second direction D2 along the long sides of the base plate body 65. The supported portions 66 in this embodiment are disposed at positions offset toward one side of the base plate body 65 in the second direction D2.

[0046] The supported portion 66 in this embodiment includes a vertical wall portion 68 extending upward from the upper surface of the base plate main body 65, and a supported surface forming wall portion 69 extending in the second direction D2 from the upper end of the vertical wall portion 68. More specifically, the supported portion 66 has two vertical wall portions 68 spaced apart in the first direction D1, and a supported surface forming wall portion 69 formed to connect these two vertical wall portions 68, and the downward surface of the supported surface forming wall portion 69 serves as the supported surface 67.

[0047] Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the gripper G of the transport device 170 (more specifically, the third transport robot 173 and the fourth transport robot 174) of this embodiment includes a pair of arm portions 176. Each of the pair of arm portions 176 includes an arm body portion 177 and a support piece portion 178. The arm body portions 177 extend parallel to each other and extend in the second direction D2 at the same positions in the up-down direction. The arm body portion 177 is displaceable between a separated position (position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3) at the same height as the supported portion 66 and separated from the supported portion 66 in the first direction D1, and a close position (not shown) at the same height as the base plate main body 65 and close to the supported portion 66.

[0048] The support piece portions 178 protrude from the opposing surfaces of the pair of arm main bodies 177 in a direction approaching each other (inward in the first direction D1). The support piece portions 178 form an upwardly facing support surface corresponding to the dimension of the above-mentioned supported surface 67 in the second direction D2. By displacing the pair of arm main bodies 177 from the separated position shown in FIG. 3 to the above-mentioned close position, the support piece portions 178 are disposed below the supported surface 67. Then, by displacing the pair of arm main bodies 177 upward from this state, the supported surface 67 is pushed up by the support piece portions 178, and the base plate 61 is lifted upward.

[0049] <Battery> The battery 62 is provided on the base plate 61. The battery 62 is a power supply device that supplies power to the sterilization device 63. The battery 62 illustrated in this embodiment is fixed on the upper surface 65a on one side of the base plate body 65 from the center in the second direction D2. More specifically, the battery 62 is installed at a position closer to the short side on one side of the second direction D2 than the center in the second direction D2 of the base plate body 65. The battery 62 in this embodiment is a secondary battery, and can be repeatedly charged by connecting it to a charging station 70 (see FIG. 1) provided outside the clean bench 140. Note that, although the battery 62 is illustrated as having a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is longer in the up-down direction than the sterilization device 63, the shape and size of the battery 62 are not limited to these shapes and sizes.

[0050] <Sterilizer> The sterilizer 63 is provided on the base plate 61. The sterilizer 63 is driven by a battery 62 and emits at least one of sterilizing light and a sterilizing agent. The sterilizer 63 illustrated in this embodiment is an ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71 that emits only sterilizing light. The sterilization unit 60 of this embodiment has a first ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71A and a second ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71B as the ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71. The first ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71A and the second ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71B of this embodiment have the same shape and are arranged at an interval in the second direction D2. Specifically, the first ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71A is arranged on one side of the second direction D2, and the second ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71B is arranged on the other side of the second direction D2. The first ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71A and the second ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71B are installed on the base plate body 65.

[0051] The first ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71A and the second ultraviolet ray irradiation device 71B each include a device base portion 72 and an emission portion 73. The device base portion 72 supports a plurality of emission portions 73. The device base portion 72 protrudes upward from an upper surface 65a of the base plate main body 65. An upper surface 72a of the device base portion 72 extends in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. The upper surface 72a of the device base portion 72 is located at the same position in the vertical direction as the upper surface 66a of the above-mentioned supported portion 66, or is located higher than the upper surface 66a.

[0052] The emission unit 73 is composed of a light bulb or a light emitting diode capable of emitting ultraviolet light (for example, UV-C) by supplying power. The emission unit 73 of this embodiment is attached to the device base unit 72 and protrudes upward from the upper surface 72a of the device base unit 72. The ultraviolet irradiation device 71 of this embodiment illustrates a case in which three rows of emission units 73 arranged in the second direction D2 are arranged in three rows in the first direction D1 (in other words, three rows and three columns). Note that the number and arrangement of the emission units 73 in one ultraviolet irradiation device 71 are not limited to the above configuration. In addition, the emission unit 73 is not limited to either a light bulb or a light emitting diode, and for example, both a light bulb and a light emitting diode may be used in combination.

[0053] <Reflector> The reflector 64 reflects the sterilizing light emitted from the emission unit 73. In this embodiment, the reflector 64 reflects the sterilizing light emitted above the device base 72 and directs it downward. The reflector 64 is provided on some of the multiple ultraviolet irradiators 71. In this embodiment, the reflector 64 is provided above the second ultraviolet irradiator 71B. That is, the reflector 64 in this embodiment is disposed on the other side of the supported portion 66 in the second direction D2. As a result, the sterilizing light of the first ultraviolet irradiator 71A is directed above the device base 72, while the sterilizing light of the second ultraviolet irradiator 71B is directed above the device base 72, then reflected by the underside of the reflector 64, and directed downward beyond the base plate 61 through both outer sides of the base plate 61 in the first direction D1.

[0054] The reflector 64 of this embodiment includes a first reflecting portion 74, a second reflecting portion 75, and a support 76. The first reflecting portion 74 is disposed on the other side of the center of the base plate 61 in the first direction D1. The second reflecting portion 75 is disposed on one side of the center of the base plate 61 in the first direction D1. The first reflecting portion 74 and the second reflecting portion 75 are both flat and inclined so as to be positioned lower as they move away from the center of the base plate 61 in the first direction D1 in the first direction D1. The first reflecting portion 74 and the second reflecting portion 75 are connected to each other at the center side in the first direction D1, and form an upside-down V shape when viewed from the second direction D2.

[0055] The support 76 supports the reflector 64 from below. The support 76 extends upward from the upper surface 65a of the base plate body 65. The support 76 in this embodiment is disposed on the other side of the second direction D2 from the second ultraviolet irradiation device 71B. The support 76 is disposed in the center of the first direction D1. The upper end of the support 76 is connected to the edge of the reflector 64 on the other side of the second direction D2. That is, the reflector 64 in this embodiment is supported by the support 76 like a cantilever. This allows the germicidal light emitted from the second ultraviolet irradiation device 71B to reach the reflector 64 without being obstructed by the support 76. Note that, in this embodiment, the case where the reflector 64 is supported by a single support 76 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the reflector 64 may be supported by a plurality of supports 76, or the reflector 64 may be supported by a plurality of supports 76 like a beam fixed at both ends.

[0056] <Sterilization method> Next, a sterilization method in the cell culture system 100 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating the sterilization method for the cell culture system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the cell culture system 100 of this embodiment, the sterilization process in the clean bench 140 is performed using the sterilization unit 60 described above.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, in the sterilization method in the cell culture system 100, an operator removes the sterilization unit 60 from the charging station 70, opens the carry-in door 122 of the carry-in booth 120, places the sterilization unit 60 in the carry-in booth 120, and closes the carry-in door 122. After that, the operator, for example, performs an operation input to an operation input unit (not shown) of the cell culture system 100 to start the sterilization process. Here, the sterilization unit 60 itself may be sterilized in the carry-in booth 120. In this case, for example, an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit (not shown) capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays to the sterilization unit 60 may be provided in the carry-in booth 120, or an ultraviolet ray reflection unit (not shown) may be provided in the carry-in booth 120 to reflect the ultraviolet rays emitted from the emission unit 73 of the sterilization unit 60 and irradiate the ultraviolet rays to the sterilization unit 60 itself.

[0058] When an operation input to start the sterilization process is made, the first stocker door 113 is opened. Then, the sterilization unit 60 placed in the carry-in booth 120 is lifted by the first transport robot 171 and carried into the stocker 110. When the sterilization unit 60 is carried into the stocker 110, the first stocker door 113 is closed and the second stocker door 114 is opened. The sterilization unit 60 carried into the stocker 110 is carried into the clean bench 140 by the first transport robot 171 and placed on the stage 149 near the second stocker door 114. Thereafter, the second stocker door 114 is closed.

[0059] Here, the sterilization unit 60 may start emitting sterilizing light before the transport device 170 starts transporting the sterilization unit 60 within the clean bench 140. Examples of the timing to start emitting sterilizing light include the timing when the unit is removed from the charging station 70, the timing when the unit is placed in the carry-in booth 120, the timing when the unit is carried into the stocker 110, and the timing when the unit is carried into the clean bench 140. Examples of the method for setting these timings include a configuration in which the timing of power supply from the battery 62 to the sterilizer 63 is changed by a timer or the like.

[0060] In the sterilization method exemplified in this embodiment, the sterilization unit 60 continues to emit sterilizing light at least after it is carried into the clean bench 140 until it is carried out of the clean bench 140. The sterilization unit 60 is then transported through the clean bench 140 along the same route as the transport route of the flask unit 1. That is, the sterilization unit 60 placed on the stage 149 is transferred to the dispensing device 143 by the third transport robot 173, and is placed in the dispensing device 143 for a predetermined sterilization time. As a result, the inside of the dispensing device 143 is sterilized by the sterilizing light emitted from the sterilization unit 60.

[0061] The sterilization unit 60 that has completed the sterilization treatment in the dispensing device 143 is transferred to the conveyor 175 by the third transfer robot 173. The sterilization unit 60 transferred onto the conveyor 175 is then transferred by the conveyor 175 to a position (toward the left in FIG. 5) where it can be handed over to the fourth transfer robot 174. The sterilization unit 60 is then placed in the waste liquid extractor 145 by the fourth transfer robot 174 for a predetermined sterilization time. As a result, the inside of the waste liquid extractor 145 is sterilized by the sterilizing light emitted from the sterilization unit 60.

[0062] Thereafter, the sterilization unit 60 is transferred by the fourth transfer robot 174, the conveyor 175, and the third transfer robot 173 onto the stage 149 near the second stocker door 114. Here, the sterilization unit 60 of this embodiment irradiates the periphery of all the transfer routes along which the third transfer robot 173, the fourth transfer robot 174, and the conveyor 175 are transferred with sterilizing light to perform sterilization processing.

[0063] Thereafter, the sterilization unit 60 is transferred to the carry-in booth 120 via the stocker 110 in the reverse order to the carry-in procedure described above, and is removed from the carry-in booth 120 by an operator. Thereafter, the sterilization unit 60 is connected to the charging station 70 by an operator.

[0064] In this embodiment, the sterilization unit 60 is placed in the dispensing device 143 and the sterilization process is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the sterilization process may be performed while the sterilization unit 60 is held up by the third transport robot 173 and the fourth transport robot 174. Furthermore, the transport route of the sterilization unit 60 in the clean bench 140 is not limited to the above route.

[0065] (Action and effect) According to the first embodiment, the base plate 61 of the sterilization unit 60 has a supported surface 67 that faces downward and is provided above the bottom surface 61b and below the emission part 73. This makes it possible to transport the sterilization unit 60 by supporting the supported surface 67 from below. Therefore, the sterilization unit 60 can be easily transported while preventing the sterilizing light emitted from the sterilizer 63 from being blocked by the supported surface 67, thereby improving processing efficiency.

[0066] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the sterilization device 63 is an ultraviolet irradiator 71 that emits sterilizing light, and is provided with a reflector 64 that reflects the sterilizing light. This makes it possible for the sterilizing light to be reflected by the reflector 64 and then irradiated onto the object to be sterilized. Therefore, it is only necessary to arrange the sterilization device 63 on the upper surface 65a of the base plate main body 65, which prevents the structure of the sterilization unit 60 from becoming complicated. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the reflector 64 is disposed only above the second ultraviolet irradiation device 71B. Therefore, the sterilizing light emitted from the second ultraviolet irradiation device 71B can be irradiated downward, and the sterilizing light emitted from the first ultraviolet irradiation device 71A can be irradiated upward. Therefore, the sterilizing light emitted from one sterilization unit 60 can be emitted in a plurality of different directions, so that a wider area can be sterilized with one sterilization unit 60.

[0067] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the outline shape of the base plate 61 of the sterilization unit 60 in a plan view is the same as the outline shape of the flask tray 10 in a plan view. This makes it possible to transport the sterilization unit 60 along the same transport route as the flask tray 10. This makes it possible to easily sterilize objects to be sterilized around the transport route of the flask tray 10 by the sterilization unit 60.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the flask unit 1 has lower surfaces 51a, 52a facing downward as supported surfaces for flask transport, above the bottom surface 1b of the flask unit 1. This allows the flask unit 1 to be lifted by supporting the lower surfaces 51a, 52a from below. Therefore, the flask unit 1 can be lifted and transported in the same manner as the sterilization unit 60.

[0069] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the third transport robot 173 and the fourth transport robot 174 are equipped with grippers G capable of supporting the supported surface 67 of the sterilization unit 60 and 51a, 52a of the flask unit 1 from below. Therefore, the transport device 170 for transporting the flask unit 1 and the transport device 170 for transporting the sterilization unit 60 within the liquid manipulation area R4 can be shared, thereby reducing the number of transport devices 170.

[0070] <Modification of the first embodiment> FIG. 6 is a side view of a sterilization unit in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the above first embodiment, a case has been described in which one supported portion 66 includes two vertical wall portions 68. However, the shape of the supported portion 66 is not limited to that of the first embodiment. For example, as in a supported portion 166 in a modified example of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a supported surface forming wall portion 69 may be supported by one vertical wall portion 68 like a cantilever beam. In the modified example of this embodiment, a case in which the edge portion of the supported surface forming wall portion 69 on the other side in the second direction D2 is supported by the vertical wall portion 68 is illustrated.

[0071] With this configuration, for example, the arm portion 276 of the gripper G can be moved horizontally in the second direction D2 to be disposed below the supported surface 67, as shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, it is possible to omit a mechanism for displacing the arm portion 276 in the first direction D1. In addition, since the above-mentioned flask unit 1 has portions that protrude outward beyond the support columns 76 on both sides of the upper frame 50 in the first direction D1, it is possible to move the arm portion 276 horizontally in the second direction D2 to be disposed below the upper frame 50. In other words, the flask unit 1 can also be lifted and transported by the arm portion 276 in the same manner as the sterilization unit 60 of this modified example.

[0072] Further, in this modified example, the supported surface 67 is formed with a positioning protrusion 67a that protrudes downward, and the upper surface of the arm portion 276 is formed with a positioning recess 67b that is recessed downward to correspond to the positioning protrusion 67a. As a result, when the supported surface 67 is supported from below by the arm portion 276, the positioning protrusion 67a enters the positioning recess 67b, and the sterilization unit 60 is prevented from being displaced in the second direction D2 relative to the arm portion 276. Although the case where the positioning protrusion 67a is formed on the supported surface 67 and the positioning recess 67b is formed on the upper surface of the arm portion 276 has been exemplified, the positioning recess 67b may be formed on the supported surface 67 and the positioning protrusion 67a may be formed on the upper surface of the arm portion 276. Furthermore, the shapes of the positioning recess 67b and the positioning protrusion 67a are not limited to the above shapes as long as positioning is possible.

[0073] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the sterilization device. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. <Sterilization unit> FIG. 7 is a side view of a sterilization unit according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, a sterilization unit 80 of the second embodiment includes a base plate 61, a battery 62, and a sterilization device 63.

[0074] <Base plate> In this embodiment, the contour shape of the base plate 61 in a plan view is the same as the contour shape of the flask tray 10 in a plan view. That is, the contour shape of the base plate 61 in a plan view is the same as the contour shape of the upper frame 50.

[0075] The base plate 61 includes a base plate body 65 and a supported portion 66. The supported portion 66 has a supported surface 67 that is disposed above the bottom surface 61b and faces downward. The supported portion 66 is provided on one side in the first direction D1 and on the other side in the first direction D1. The supported portion 66 includes a vertical wall portion 68 and a supported surface forming wall portion 69, and the surface of the supported surface forming wall portion 69 facing downward forms the supported surface 67.

[0076] <Battery> The battery 62 supplies power to the sterilization device 63. The battery 62 illustrated in the second embodiment is installed on an upper surface 65a of the base plate body 65 on one side from the center in the second direction D2.

[0077] <Sterilizer> The sterilizer 63 is provided on a base plate 61. The sterilizer 63 is driven by a battery 62. The sterilizer 63 of this embodiment is a sterilant sprayer 81 that sprays only a sterilant. Examples of the sterilant sprayed from the sterilant sprayer 81 include ethanol and a sodium hypochlorite solution. The sterilization unit 80 of this embodiment has a first sterilant sprayer 81A and a second sterilant sprayer 81B as the sterilant sprayer 81. The first sterilant sprayer 81A and the second sterilant sprayer 81B have the same shape.

[0078] The first sterilizing agent spraying device 81A and the second sterilizing agent spraying device 81B each include a chemical liquid tank 82 and an ejection section 83. The chemical liquid tank 82 stores a sterilizing agent therein. The chemical liquid tank 82 is installed on the upper surface 65a of the base plate main body 65. The sterilizing agent stored in the chemical liquid tank 82 is supplied to the ejection section 83 by a chemical liquid pump (not shown) or the like installed in the chemical liquid tank 82. The ejection section 83 is installed on the chemical liquid tank 82. The upper surface 82a of the chemical liquid tank 82 is located at the same position as the upper surface 66a of the supported section 66 in the vertical direction, or higher than the upper surface 66a.

[0079] The ejection part 83 is a nozzle capable of ejecting the germicide liquid in mist form in all directions. The ejection part 83 in this embodiment protrudes upward from the upper surface 82a of the chemical liquid tank 82. Although the germicide spraying device 81 in this embodiment is exemplified as having one ejection part 83, one germicide spraying device 81 may have multiple ejection parts 83.

[0080] (Action and effect) According to the second embodiment, the base plate 61 of the sterilization unit 80 has a supported surface 67 that faces downward and is provided above the bottom surface 61b and below the emission part 83. This makes it possible to transport the sterilization unit 80 by supporting the supported surface 67 from below. Therefore, the sterilizing agent emitted from the sterilization device can be easily transported while preventing it from being blocked by the supported surface 67, thereby improving the processing efficiency.

[0081] In the second embodiment, the sterilization device 63 is a sterilization agent injection device 81 that ejects a sterilization agent. This allows the sterilization agent to come into contact with the objects to be sterilized around the sterilization unit 80. In addition, a portion of the sterilization agent ejected into the air moves downward by gravity and can move below the base plate 61 of the sterilization unit 80, so that objects to be sterilized that are located below the base plate 61 can also be sterilized without using a reflector 64 or the like.

[0082] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the outline shape in plan view of the base plate 61 of the sterilization unit 80 is the same as the outline shape in plan view of the flask tray 10. This makes it possible to transport the sterilization unit 80 along the same route as the transport route of the flask tray 10. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily sterilize objects to be sterilized around the transport route of the flask tray 10 by the sterilization unit 80. In addition, objects to be sterilized that become embrittled by ultraviolet irradiation can also be sterilized.

[0083] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the sterilization unit. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. FIG. 8 is a view of the sterilization unit according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from a second direction.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 8, the sterilization unit 90 according to the third embodiment includes a base plate 61, a battery 62, a sterilizer 63, and a shielding plate 85. Although the reflection plate 64 is not shown in the third embodiment, the reflection plate 64 may be provided in the same manner as the sterilization unit 60 according to the first embodiment.

[0085] The shielding plate 85 shields the ultraviolet rays emitted from the emission part 73 of the sterilization device 63. In this embodiment, a clean bench outer wall 200 made of acrylic resin or the like is arranged near the conveyor 175. The acrylic resin becomes brittle when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the shielding plate 85 is arranged on the side closer to the clean bench outer wall 200 in the first direction D1 to prevent the ultraviolet rays emitted from the emission part 73 from reaching the clean bench outer wall 200. The shielding plate 85 of this embodiment has a flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction and the second direction D2, and extends upward from the upper surface of the base plate 61 closer to the clean bench outer wall 200 in the first direction D1 than the emission part 73. The length of the shielding plate 85 in the second direction D2 can be, for example, equal to the range in which the emission part 73 is arranged.

[0086] In the third embodiment, the case where the shielding plate 85 blocks irradiation of ultraviolet rays to the outer wall 200 of the clean bench has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, when there is a structure made of a material that is easily embrittled by irradiation of ultraviolet rays other than the outer wall 200 of the clean bench around the transport route of the sterilization unit 60, a shielding plate having an appropriate shape may be provided at a position on the base plate 61 that can block irradiation of ultraviolet rays to the structure. In addition, the object to be shielded by the shielding plate 85 is not limited to the above-mentioned acrylic resin as long as it is an object that is adversely affected by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, such as accelerated deterioration.

[0087] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the sterilization unit. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. FIG. 9 is a view of the sterilization unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from a second direction.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 9, a sterilization unit 95 according to the fourth embodiment comprises a base plate 91, a battery 62, a sterilizer 63, and a bracket 86. Note that the fourth embodiment does not comprise a reflector 64. The sterilizer 63 is an ultraviolet irradiator 71, which has a first ultraviolet irradiator 71A and a second ultraviolet irradiator 71B arranged side by side in the second direction D2.

[0089] The bracket 86 supports the second ultraviolet irradiator 71B. The bracket 86 supports the second ultraviolet irradiator 71B in a position in which the emission part 73 is disposed lower than the device base part 72 so that the germicidal light of the second ultraviolet irradiator 71B is directed downward. In other words, the second ultraviolet irradiator 71B of the fourth embodiment is supported by the bracket 86 and thus has a position that is upside down compared to the second ultraviolet irradiator 71B of the first embodiment.

[0090] The base plate body 96 has a through-hole 97 that penetrates vertically. In this embodiment, the through-hole 97 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer edge of the second ultraviolet irradiating device 71B in a plan view. This allows the germicidal light from the second ultraviolet irradiating device 71B to be emitted through the through-hole 97 downward from the base plate body 96. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which the emission unit 73 is disposed within the through-hole 97, it is sufficient that the emission unit 73 is disposed above the bottom surface 91b, and the arrangement is not limited to the above arrangement.

[0091] (Action and effect) Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to irradiate the germicidal light emitted from the second ultraviolet irradiation device 71B supported on the base plate body 96 below the base plate 91 without using the reflector 64 of the first embodiment.

[0092] <Fifth embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the fifth embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiments only in the configuration of the sterilization unit. Therefore, the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. FIG. 10 is a view of a sterilization unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from a first direction.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 10, a sterilization unit 98 according to the fifth embodiment includes a base plate 191, a battery 62, a sterilizer 63, and a side sterilizer 93. The contour shape of the base plate 191 in plan view is the same as the contour shape of the flask tray 10 in plan view, as in each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0094] The base plate 191 of the present embodiment includes a base plate main body 196 and a supported portion 266 . The base plate body 196 has a bottom surface 61b extending in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 (in other words, the horizontal direction). The supported portion 266 has a supported surface 67 that is disposed above the bottom surface 61b and faces downward. The supported surface 67 can be supported from below by a gripper G of the transport device 170.

[0095] The supported portion 266 of this embodiment includes two vertical wall portions 168 and a supported surface forming wall portion 169. The vertical wall portions 168 extend upward from two edges of the base plate main body 196 in the second direction D2. The supported surface forming wall portion 169 extends in the second direction D2 so as to cross the upper edges of these two vertical wall portions 168. The supported surface forming wall portion 169 of this embodiment is formed in a flat plate shape having the same contour shape as the base plate main body 196 in a plan view, and its lower surface serves as the supported surface 67. The supported surface 67 is provided above the bottom surface 61b and below the emission portion 83.

[0096] The battery 62 is provided on the base plate body 196. In this embodiment, the battery 62 is located below the supported surface forming wall portion 169. The battery 62 supplies the sterilization device 63 with electric power.

[0097] The sterilizer 63 is provided on a base plate 191. The sterilizer 63 is driven by a battery 62. The sterilizer 63 of this embodiment is a sterilizing agent sprayer 81 that sprays a sterilizing agent. The sterilizing unit 98 of this embodiment has, as the sterilizing agent sprayer 81, a first sterilizing agent sprayer 81A and a second sterilizing agent sprayer 81B.

[0098] The first sterilizing agent sprayer 81A and the second sterilizing agent sprayer 81B each have an ejection section 83, a pump section 87, and a chemical tank 82. The chemical tank 82 and the pump section 87 of this embodiment are shared by the first sterilizing agent sprayer 81A and the second sterilizing agent sprayer 81B. The chemical tank 82 is capable of storing a sterilizing agent, and the sterilizing agent in the chemical tank 82 is supplied to each of the ejection sections 83 by the pump section 87. The chemical tank 82 is installed on the base plate main body 65, similar to the battery 62. The ejection section 83 is installed on the supported surface forming wall section 169.

[0099] The side sterilization device 93 is provided on the base plate 191. The side sterilization device 93 is driven by the battery 62. The side sterilization device 93 of this embodiment emits ultraviolet light. The side sterilization device 93 of this embodiment is an ultraviolet lamp with the second direction D2 as the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of them are arranged in the vertical direction. These side sterilization devices 93 are arranged on both sides of the sterilization unit 98 so as to sandwich the battery 62 and the chemical solution tank 82 in the first direction D1, and each emits ultraviolet light toward the outside of the first direction D1 (in other words, toward the side). These side sterilization devices 93 are each arranged at a position spaced downward from the supported surface 67 so as not to obstruct access to the supported surface 67 by the gripper G.

[0100] According to the fifth embodiment, sterilization can be performed by the germicide emitted from the emission part 83, and sterilization can be performed by emitting ultraviolet light from the sterilization unit 98 laterally, i.e., toward the outside in the first direction D1, using the side sterilization device 93. Therefore, sterilization can be performed by ultraviolet light even on the surface of the object to be sterilized that extends in the vertical direction and to which the germicide emitted from the emission part 83 is unlikely to adhere.

[0101] In the fifth embodiment, an ultraviolet lamp extending in the second direction D2 is illustrated, but a plurality of LEDs emitting ultraviolet light may be arranged in the second direction D2. Furthermore, the side sterilization device 93 emits ultraviolet light, but may be configured to emit a sterilizing agent to the side (outside the first direction D1). Similarly, the sterilization device 63 may be configured to emit ultraviolet light. Furthermore, the arrangement of the chemical tank 82 and the battery 62 is merely an example and is not limited to the above arrangement. Furthermore, the chemical tank 82 and the pump unit 87 are shared by the first sterilizing agent sprayer 81A and the second sterilizing agent sprayer 81B, but the chemical tank 82 and the pump unit 87 may be provided separately.

[0102] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the sixth embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiments only in the configuration of the sterilization unit. Therefore, the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. FIG. 11 is a view of a sterilization unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from a first direction.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 11, a sterilization unit 99 according to the sixth embodiment includes a base plate 291, a battery 62, and a sterilization device 63. The contour shape of the base plate 291 in plan view is the same as the contour shape of the flask tray 10 in plan view, as in each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0104] The base plate 291 of the present embodiment includes a base plate main body 296 and a supported portion 366 . The base plate body 296 has a bottom surface 61b extending in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 (in other words, the horizontal direction). The supported portion 366 has a supported surface 67 that is disposed above the bottom surface 61b and faces downward. The supported surface 67 can be supported from below by a gripper G of the transport device 170.

[0105] The supported portion 366 of this embodiment includes a vertical wall portion 268 and a supported surface forming wall portion 269. The two vertical wall portions 268 extend upward from two edges of the base plate main body 296 in the second direction D2. The supported surface forming wall portion 269 extends in the second direction D2 so as to cross the upper edges of these two vertical wall portions 268. The supported surface forming wall portion 269 of this embodiment is formed in a flat plate shape having the same contour shape as the base plate main body 296 in a plan view, and its lower surface serves as the supported surface 67. The supported surface 67 is provided above the bottom surface 61b and below the emission portion 73.

[0106] The battery 62 is provided on the base plate body 296. In this embodiment, the battery 62 is located below the supported surface forming wall portion 269. The battery 62 supplies the sterilization device 63 with electric power.

[0107] The sterilization device 63 is provided on the base plate 291. The sterilization device 63 is driven by a battery 62. The sterilization device 63 in this embodiment is ultraviolet ray irradiation devices 71A, 71B. The ultraviolet ray irradiation devices 71A, 71B have an apparatus base part 72 and an emission part 73. The ultraviolet ray irradiation devices 71A, 71B are installed on the supported surface forming wall part 269 in a position where the emission part 73 protrudes upward from the apparatus base part 72.

[0108] According to the sixth embodiment, the battery 62 is disposed below the base plate body 269. Therefore, irradiation of the ultraviolet light emitted from the emission portion 73 onto the battery 62 can be suppressed.

[0109] <Other embodiments> Although each embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure are also included.

[0110] For example, the emission timing of the emitters 73 and 83 may be controllable wirelessly or the like. Furthermore, when a single sterilization unit is provided with a plurality of sterilizing agent sprayers 81, the types of sterilizing agents sprayed from each sterilizing agent sprayer 81 may be different. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a description has been given of the case where the battery 62 is installed on the base plate body 65, 96, 196. However, the battery 62 may be built into the base plate body 65, 96, 196, or the battery 62 may be formed into a flat plate shape and the battery 62 itself may be used as the base plate body 65. Furthermore, the configurations of the first to fifth embodiments may be used in appropriate combination.

[0111] <Additional Notes> The sterilization unit, unit set, cell culture system, and sterilization method described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0112] (1) A sterilization unit 60, 80, 90, 95, 98, 99 of the first embodiment comprises a base plate 61, 91, 191, 291 having a bottom surface 61b extending horizontally, a sterilization device 63 provided on the base plate 61, 91, 191, 291 and having an emission part 73, 83 which emits at least one of sterilizing light and a sterilizing agent, and a power supply device 62 which supplies power to drive the sterilization device 63, and the base plate 61, 91, 191, 291 is provided above the bottom surface 61b and below the emission part 73, 83 and has a supported surface 67 facing downwards. Examples of the power supply device 62 include a battery, a solar panel, and the like. With this configuration, the sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, 98, 99 can be transported by supporting the supported surface 67 from below. Therefore, the sterilization units can be easily transported while preventing the sterilizing light and sterilizing agent emitted from the sterilization device 63 from being blocked by the supported surface 67, thereby improving the processing efficiency.

[0113] (2) The sterilization unit of the second aspect is the sterilization unit 60, 80 of (1), wherein the base plate 61 comprises a base plate main body 65 having the bottom surface 61b, and a supported part 66 provided on the base plate main body 65 and having the supported surface 67, and the sterilization device 63 is installed on the base plate main body 65. With this configuration, the sterilizing light and sterilizing agent emitted from the sterilizing device 63 can be easily transported while preventing them from being blocked.

[0114] (3) A sterilization unit according to a third aspect is the sterilization unit 99 of (1), wherein the base plate 291 comprises a base plate main body 296 having the bottom surface 61b, and a supported portion 366 provided on the base plate main body 296 and having the supported surface 67, the supported portion 366 comprises a plurality of vertical wall portions 268 extending upward from the base plate main body 296, and a supported surface forming wall portion 269 extending between the vertical wall portions 268 and having the supported surface 67 at its lower surface, and the sterilization device 63 is installed on the supported surface forming wall portion 269. Such a configuration prevents the sterilizing light and sterilizing agent emitted from the sterilizer 63 from being blocked and allows for easy transport. Furthermore, since the sterilizing light and sterilizing agent do not reach below the supported surface forming wall portion 269, the effects of the sterilizing light and sterilizing agent on articles placed below the supported surface forming wall portion 269 can be suppressed.

[0115] (4) A sterilization unit according to a fourth aspect is the sterilization unit 60 of (1), wherein the sterilization device 63 is an ultraviolet irradiation device 71 that emits the sterilizing light and is provided with a reflector 64 that reflects the sterilizing light. With this configuration, it is possible to irradiate the object to be sterilized with the sterilizing light after it is reflected by the reflector 64. This improves the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the sterilizer 63, and prevents the configuration of the sterilization unit 60 from becoming complicated.

[0116] (5) A sterilization unit according to a fifth aspect is the sterilization unit 95 of (1), wherein the base plate 91 has a through hole 97 penetrating vertically, and the sterilization device 63 emits the sterilizing light below the base plate 91 through the through hole 97. With this configuration, it becomes possible to irradiate the germicidal light below the base plate 91 without using the reflector 64.

[0117] (6) A sterilization unit according to a sixth aspect is any one of the sterilization units 90 of (1) to (5), and includes a shielding plate 85 that blocks the sterilizing light. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent ultraviolet light from being irradiated onto items that may be adversely affected by ultraviolet light.

[0118] (7) The sterilization unit of the seventh aspect is any one of the sterilization units 98 of (1) to (5), further comprising a side sterilization device 93 that is disposed below the emission parts 73, 83 and emits sterilizing light or a sterilizing agent to the side. With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently perform sterilization treatment even on the surface of the object to be sterilized that extends in the vertical direction.

[0119] (8) The unit set 180 according to the eighth aspect comprises a flask unit 1 having a flask 2 for containing a culture medium and a flask tray 10 on which the flask 2 is placed, and any one of the sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, 98 of (1) to (7). With this configuration, the area in which the flask unit 1 is used can be sterilized by the sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, and 98.

[0120] (9) The unit set 180 according to the ninth aspect is the unit set 180 of (8), in which the outline shape in a plan view of the base plates 61, 91, 191 of the sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, 98 is the same as the outline shape in a plan view of the flask tray 10. With this configuration, it becomes possible to transport the sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, and 98 along the same route as the flask unit 1.

[0121] (10) The unit set 180 according to the tenth aspect is the unit set 180 of (8) or (9), wherein the flask unit 1 has flask transport supported surfaces 51a, 51b facing downward and above the bottom surface 1b of the flask unit 1. With this configuration, the flask unit 1 can be lifted by supporting it from below the flask transport supported surfaces 51a and 51b. Therefore, the flask unit 1 can be lifted and transported in the same manner as the sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, and 98.

[0122] (11) The cell culture system 100 of the eleventh aspect comprises a unit set 180 of (8) to (9), a stocker 110 for storing the flask unit 1, a clean bench 140 having a liquid handling area R4 for performing dispensing operations on the flask unit 1, an incubator 130 having a culture area R3 for growing cells in the culture medium contained in the flask unit 1, and liquid handling area transport devices 173, 174, 175 provided in the liquid handling area R4 and capable of transporting the sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, 98 and the flask unit 1. With this configuration, the sterilization process of liquid handling area R4 in clean bench 140 can be easily carried out.

[0123] (12) The cell culture system 100 according to the twelfth aspect is the cell culture system 100 of (11), wherein the transporting devices 173, 174 within the liquid handling area are equipped with a gripper G capable of supporting the supported surface 67 and the flask transporting supported surfaces 51a, 51b of the flask unit 1 from below. With this configuration, a device for transporting flask unit 1 within liquid handling area R4 can be used in common with a device for transporting sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, 98, so the number of devices installed in liquid handling area R4 can be reduced.

[0124] (13) The cell culture system 100 according to the thirteenth aspect is a sterilization method for the cell culture system 100 of (11) or (12), in which the sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, 98 emitting at least one of sterilizing light and a germicide are transported along the same transport route as the transport route of the flask unit 1. This allows the sterilization units 60, 80, 90, 95, and 98 to automatically sterilize the inside of the device, which is difficult for people to reach. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1... flask unit 1b... bottom surface 2... flask 10... flask tray 20... mounting plate 20a... mounting surface 40... support portion 50... upper frame 50a... opening 51... first frame piece 51a, 52a... bottom surface 52... second frame piece 53... third frame piece 54... fourth frame piece 60, 80, 90, 95, 98, 99... sterilization unit 61, 91, 191, 291... base plate 61b, 91b... bottom surface 62... battery 63... sterilization device 64... reflector 65, 96, 196, 296... base plate body 65a... upper surface 66, 166, 266, 366... ​​supported portion 67... supported surface 67a... positioning protrusion 67b... positioning recess 68, 168, 268... vertical wall portion 69,169,269...support surface forming wall portion 70...charging station 71...ultraviolet irradiator 71A...first ultraviolet irradiator 71B...second ultraviolet irradiator 72...apparatus base portion 72a...upper surface 73,83...emission portion 74...first reflecting portion 75...second reflecting portion 76...support 81...sterilizing agent sprayer 81A...first sterilizing agent sprayer 81B...second sterilizing agent sprayer 82...chemical liquid tank 85...shielding plate 86...bracket 87...pump portion 93...side sterilizing device 97...through hole 100...cell culture system 110...stocker 111...stocker body 112...rack 113...stocker first door 114...stocker second door 120...delivery booth 121...booth body 122...delivery door 130...incubator 131...incubator body 132... Shaking stage 140... Clean bench 141... Clean bench main body 143... Dispensing device 145... Waste liquid extraction device 149... Stage 150... Pass box 162... Waste liquid tank 170... Transport device 171... First transport robot 172... Second transport robot 173... Third transport robot 174... Fourth transport robot 175... Conveyor 176, 276... Arm part 177... Arm main body part 177a... Opposing surface 178... Support piece part 180... Unit set 200... Clean bench outer wall R1... Storage area R2... Loading area R3... Cultivation area R4... Liquid handling area

Claims

1. a base plate having a bottom surface extending in a horizontal direction; A sterilization device provided on the base plate and having an emission unit that emits at least one of sterilizing light and a sterilizing agent; A power supply device that supplies power for driving the sterilization device; Equipped with The base plate is The support surface is located above the bottom surface and below the light exit portion and faces downward. Sterilization unit.

2. The base plate is A base plate body having the bottom surface; a supported portion provided on the base plate and having the supported surface, The sterilization device is installed on the base plate body. The sterilization unit according to claim 1.

3. The base plate is A base plate body having the bottom surface; a supported portion provided on the base plate body and having the supported surface, The supported portion is a plurality of vertical wall portions extending upward from the base plate body; A supported surface forming wall portion extending between the vertical wall portions and having a lower surface that forms the supported surface, The sterilization device is installed on the wall portion forming the supported surface. The sterilization unit according to claim 1.

4. The sterilization device is an ultraviolet irradiator that emits the sterilization light, A reflector that reflects the sterilizing light is provided. The sterilization unit according to claim 1.

5. The base plate has a through hole extending vertically therethrough, The sterilization device emits the sterilizing light below the base plate through the through hole. The sterilization unit according to claim 1.

6. A shielding plate for blocking the sterilizing light is provided. The sterilization unit according to claim 1.

7. The device further includes a side sterilization device that is provided below the emission unit and emits sterilizing light or a sterilizing agent to the side. The sterilization unit according to claim 1.

8. a flask unit including a flask for containing a culture medium and a flask tray on which the flask is placed; The sterilization unit according to claim 1 , A unit set comprising:

9. The outline shape of the base plate of the sterilization unit in a plan view is The shape is the same as the outline shape of the flask tray in a plan view. The unit set according to claim 8.

10. The flask unit comprises: A flask carrying support surface facing downward is provided above the bottom surface of the flask unit. The unit set according to claim 9.

11. A unit set according to claim 8; A stocker for storing the flask unit; A clean bench having a liquid handling area for dispensing the flask unit; an incubator having a culture area for growing cells in a culture solution contained in the flask unit; a liquid handling area intra-transport device that is provided in the liquid handling area and is capable of transporting the sterilization unit and the flask unit; A cell culture system comprising:

12. The liquid handling area transport device includes: A gripper capable of supporting the supported surface and the flask-transporting supported surface of the flask unit from below is provided. The cell culture system according to claim 11.

13. A method for sterilizing a cell culture system according to claim 11, comprising the steps of: The sterilizing unit emitting at least one of sterilizing light and a sterilizing agent is transported along the same transport route as the flask unit. Methods for sterilizing cell culture systems.

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