Sealable flask and method for sealing flask

Abstract

To provide a sealable flask and a method for sealing the flask that allow sealing to be performed easily and inexpensively.SOLUTION: A sealable flask comprises: a flask body that is filled with a culture solution and has a mouth to be in communication with outside; a lid member that covers the mouth and has an opening to be in communication with the outside; a filter member that is provided between the opening and the mouth; and a cover member that further covers at least the opening from outside. The cover member covers the opening of the lid member, thereby preventing the culture solution filled in the flask body from leaking to outside through the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sealable flask and a method for sealing a flask.

Background Art

[0002] Flasks are widely used as containers for culturing cells. A flask mainly has a container-shaped flask body and a lid member attached to the mouth of the flask body. Cells are cultured in a culture solution filled in the flask body. In order to supply oxygen to the cells during culture, a small opening is formed in the lid member, and the opening is covered with a filter for preventing the entry of foreign substances.

[0003] By the way, the flask may be strongly shaken to perform various treatments on the cells. In this case, there is a possibility that the culture solution may leak to the outside through the above-mentioned opening and filter. In addition, when discarding a flask filled with used culture solution, measures for preventing the leakage of the culture solution are also required. As a technique for performing this type of treatment, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a semi-automatic sealing device that welds a sealing material so as to cover an opening with respect to a well plate, not a flask.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, compared with a well plate, a flask has a relatively large size and physical dimensions, and continuous processing of a large number of flasks is required. Therefore, it is not economical to manufacture a device similar to that of Patent Document 1 above.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a sealable flask that can be easily and inexpensively sealed, and a method for sealing the flask.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a sealable flask according to the present disclosure includes a flask body filled with a culture solution and having a mouth portion communicating with the outside, a lid member covering the mouth portion and having an opening formed therein and communicating with the outside, a filter member provided between the opening and the mouth portion, and a cover member covering at least the opening from the outside.

[0008] A method for sealing a flask according to the present disclosure is a method for sealing a flask that forms the above sealable flask, and includes a step of preparing the flask body filled with the culture solution and having the lid member and the filter member attached thereto, and a step of attaching the cover member so as to cover the opening of the lid member.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a sealable flask that can be easily and inexpensively sealed, and a method for sealing the flask.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the cell culture system 100 of the present embodiment is a system that uses the flask unit 1 as a processing unit to perform cell culture, analysis of cells after culture, etc., and these processes are performed, for example, unmanned and automatically.

[0012] The flask unit 1 is composed of a flask tray 11 and a plurality (for example, two in the present embodiment) of flasks 12 (culture containers) placed on the flask tray 11. A culture solution containing cells and a medium supplemented with nutrients necessary for cell growth is accommodated in the flask 12.

[0013] <Cell Culture System> As shown in FIG. 1, the cell culture system 100 has a stocker 110, an incubator 130, a clean bench 140, and a pass box 150. The cell culture system 100 of the present embodiment further has a carry-in booth 120, a measuring device 160, a medium supply device 161, a waste liquid tank 162, and a transfer device 170.

[0014] <Stocker> The stocker 110 is a facility for storing a plurality of flask units 1. The stocker 110 has a stocker main body 111, a rack 112, a stocker first door 113, and a stocker second door 114. The stocker main body 111 is a housing that forms a storage area R1 as a warehouse inside. The stocker main body 111 is composed of a transparent member such as acrylic or glass, for example. The rack 112 is arranged in the storage area R1, and a plurality of flask units 1 can be stored in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0015] The stocker first door 113 is a door for carrying in the flask unit 1 etc. from the outside, and can be opened and closed by sliding horizontally, for example. The stocker second door 114 is a door for carrying out the flask unit 1 to the clean bench 140, and can be opened and closed by sliding horizontally, for example.

[0016] <Loading Booth> The loading booth 120 is a booth used for carrying in the flask unit 1 etc. from the outside into the stocker 110. The loading booth 120 has a booth main body 121 and a loading door 122. The booth main body 121 is a housing arranged adjacent to the stocker 110 and is composed of a transparent member. The space inside the loading booth 120 is a loading space and can communicate with the storage area R1 through the stocker second door 114. The loading door 122 is a door for carrying in the flask unit 1 etc. from the outside into the loading booth 120, and can be opened and closed by sliding up and down, for example. The inside of the loading space is managed to be at a negative pressure compared to the atmosphere of the storage area R1, for example. This avoids the intrusion of outside air etc. into the stocker 110 when the loading door 122 is open.

[0017] <Incubator> The incubator 130 is a facility for growing cells in a culture solution. The incubator 130 has an incubator main body 131 and a shaking stage 132. The incubator main body 131 is a housing that forms a culture area R3 inside. The culture area R3 is controlled at a temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration suitable for cell culture. The incubator main body 131 is composed of a transparent member such as acrylic or glass, for example. 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, and each holds a plurality of flask units 1. The shaking stage 132 is configured to be able to shake the flask unit 1 by eccentric rotation around a vertical axis OP, for example.

[0018] <Clean bench> The clean bench 140 is a facility for performing various operations and processes on the flask unit 1. The clean bench 140 has a clean bench main body 141, a dispensing device 142, a waste liquid extraction device 145, and a stage 149.

[0019] The clean bench main body 141 is a housing that forms a liquid operation area R4 which is a highly clean and aseptic space (bio clean room) inside. In the clean space, air circulates as a downflow from above to below. The clean bench main body 141 is composed of a transparent member such as acrylic or glass, for example.

[0020] The dispensing device 142 is provided in the clean room. The dispensing device 142 performs various dispensing operations and other processes on the flask unit 1. Note that not only one but also a plurality of dispensing devices 142 may be provided.

[0021] The waste liquid extraction device 145 is provided in the liquid operation area R4 and is a device for extracting the culture solution that has become unused from the flask 12 of the flask unit 1 as waste liquid. A plurality of stages 149 are provided in the liquid operation area R4. The flask unit 1 is temporarily placed on the stage 149.

[0022] <Pass box> The pass box 150 is provided between the incubator 130 (first chamber) and the clean bench 140 (second chamber). The pass box 150 moves the flask body 21 between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140. The pass box 150 has a box body 151, a first door 152, a second door 153, and a rotary transfer device 154 (transfer device 170).

[0023] 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 the communication state and the non-communication state between the space in the box body 151 and the culture area R3, for example, by opening and closing in the horizontal direction. The second door 153 switches the communication state and the non-communication state between the space in the box body 151 and the liquid operation area R4, for example, by opening and closing in the horizontal direction. The first door 152 and the second door 153 are not simultaneously in the open state. As a result, the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 do not communicate directly.

[0024] The rotary transfer device 154 is housed in the pass box 150. The rotary transfer device 154 is capable of turning between the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 around the vertical axis OP while supporting the flask unit 1. When the rotary transfer device 154 turns, the first door 152 and the second door 153 are in the open state, but the first door 152 and the second door 153 are not simultaneously in the open state. As a result, the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 do not communicate directly, and the flask unit 1 can be moved between the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4. The configurations of the first door 152 and the second door 153 will be described later.

[0025] <Measurement device> The measurement device 160 is arranged adjacent to the clean bench 140. The measurement device 160 is a device capable of measuring and analyzing the number of cells in the culture solution. The culture solution dispensed from the flask 12 by the dispensing device 142 is transferred to the measurement device 160 via a tube (not shown).

[0026] <Medium supply device> The medium supply device 161 is arranged adjacent to the clean bench 140. The medium supply device 161 is a device capable of supplying the medium contained in the flask 12. The medium supplied from the medium supply device 161 is transferred to the dispensing device 142 and supplied into the flask 12 of the flask unit 1 in the dispensing device 142.

[0027] <Waste liquid tank> The waste liquid tank 162 is arranged adjacent to the clean bench 140. The waste liquid tank 162 is connected to the waste liquid extraction device 145 by a tube (not shown). The waste liquid from the waste liquid extraction device 145 is transferred to the waste liquid tank 162 through the tube.

[0028] <Conveying device> The conveying device 170 is a device for realizing unmanned conveyance of the flask unit 1 in the cell culture system 100. The conveying device 170 includes a first conveying robot 171, a second conveying robot 172, a third conveying robot 173, a fourth conveying robot 174 and a conveyor.

[0029] The first conveying robot 171, the second conveying robot 172, the third conveying robot 173 and the fourth conveying robot 174 are each capable of horizontal movement, turning movement and telescopic movement, and are configured to be able to grip the flask tray 11 by a gripper provided at the tip. The first conveying robot 171 is provided in the storage area R1. The second conveying robot 172 is provided in the culture area R3. The third conveying robot 173 and the fourth conveying robot 174 are provided in the liquid operation area R4.

[0030] The conveyor is provided within the liquid operation area R4 and horizontally transfers the flask unit 1 placed on its upper surface. The conveyor is arranged along the inner surface of the main body of the liquid operation area R4.

[0031] <Operation of the cell culture system> In the cell culture system 100 configured as described above, cell growth is promoted by shaking the culture solution in the flask unit 1 within the incubator 130. The flask unit 1 in which cell growth has progressed is transferred to the liquid operation area R4 via the third transfer robot 173 and the pass box 150. The flask unit 1 transferred to the liquid operation area R4 is transferred to the dispensing device 142 via the third transfer robot 173. In the dispensing device 142, the culture solution is dispensed from the flask 12 of the flask unit 1, and the culture solution is transferred to the measuring device 160. In the measuring device 160, the number of cells in the culture solution is measured, and the properties of the liquid are analyzed, etc.

[0032] Also, when adding a medium into the flask 12, the flask 12 is transferred into the dispensing device 142. Then, in the dispensing device 142, the medium from the medium supply device 161 is supplied to the flask 12.

[0033] Furthermore, when performing cell growth using a new flask unit 1, it is carried out, for example, according to the following procedure. That is, first, the third transfer robot 173 transfers the flask unit 1 without the culture solution on the rack 112 into the liquid operation area R4 through the stocker first door 113. The flask unit 1 is transferred to the dispensing device 142 via the third transfer robot 173, and the medium is supplied.

[0034] At the same time, the dispensed culture medium in the flask 12 of the grown flask tray 11 with advanced detailed growth is transferred to the dispensing device 142. Then, the culture medium in the flask 12 of this grown flask tray 11 is dispensed into the flask 12 of a new flask tray 11. As a result, the operation of transplanting cells to the tray of the new flask tray 11 is completed. The flask unit 1 that has undergone the transplanting operation is transferred to the incubator 130, and cell growth is performed.

[0035] <Configuration of Flask> Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the detailed configuration of the flask 12 according to this embodiment will be described. This flask 12 (sealable flask) can seal the inside with a cover member 24 (described later) in a state where the culture medium is filled inside, in preparation for subsequent disposal and shaking processes.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the flask 12 includes a flask body 21, a lid member 22, a filter member 23, and a cover member 24.

[0037] <Flask Body> The flask body 21 has a bottomed cylindrical shape centered on an axis O extending in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, a triangular flask is adopted as the flask body 21. The flask body 21 is made of transparent glass or the like through which the inside can be visually recognized. The flask body 21 has a bottom portion 31, a cylindrical portion 32, and a mouth portion 33.

[0038] The bottom portion 31 has a disk shape centered on the axis O. The cylindrical portion 32 extends upward from the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom portion 31 and has a cylindrical shape centered on the axis O. The cylindrical portion 32 has a tapered shape that gradually decreases in diameter upward. The mouth portion 33 is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 32 and has a cylindrical shape centered on the axis O. The cross-sectional shape of the mouth portion 33 orthogonal to the axis O is constant in the vertical direction.

[0039] <Lid Member> The lid member 22 is attached to the upper end of the flask body 21. The lid member 22 opens and closes the space inside the flask body 21 to the outside. The lid member 22 is made of a flexible material, for example, it is made of synthetic resin. By pressing the lid member 22 against the mouth portion 33, the lid member 22 itself is slightly elastically deformed while engaging with the mouth portion 33. In addition, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which screw grooves are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lid member 22 and the outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion 33, and the lid member 22 closes the mouth portion 33 by screwing these screw grooves together.

[0040] The lid member 22 has a plurality of openings 40. The openings 40 penetrate the lid member 22 in the direction of the axis O. For example, a plurality of the openings 40 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis O. These openings 40 are formed to supply oxygen from the outside to the cells contained in the culture solution filled in the flask body 21.

[0041] <Filter member> A filter member 23 is provided below the lid member 22. The filter member 23 is provided to prevent foreign substances from entering the flask body 21 through the above-mentioned openings 40. The filter member 23 is formed in a film shape, for example, by a porous member or a mesh-like member.

[0042] <Cover member> The cover member 24 further covers the opening 40 of the lid member 22 from the outside. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the cover member 24 is attached only to the lid member 22. The cover member 24 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, and it is desirable that an adhesive sealing material is attached to the surface so that it can be pasted onto the lid member 22. In addition, it is also possible to thermally weld or ultrasonically weld the cover member 24 to the lid member 22. As the material of the sealing material itself, resins such as nylon, polyethylene, and vinyl are suitable. As the adhesive substance, various adhesives of acrylic, rubber, and silicone systems are preferably used. Also, as the material of the cover member 24 itself, in addition to solid resins and metals, flexible rubber and the like are suitable. It is also possible to use filling materials such as foamed urethane, liquid gaskets, and putties as the cover member 24.

[0043] <Flask Sealing Device> Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a flask sealing device 50 for attaching the cover member 24 to the flask body 21 will be described. As shown in the figure, the flask sealing device 50 includes a lifting device 51, a supply reel 52, a roll-shaped cover base paper 53, a recovery reel 54, and a guide roller 55.

[0044] <Lifting Device> The lifting device 51 has a pedestal 61 and a linear motion mechanism 62. The pedestal 61 holds the flask body 21 filled with the culture solution and to which the lid member 22 is attached. The linear motion mechanism 62 is an actuator that moves the pedestal 61 on which the flask body 21 is disposed up and down.

[0045] The supply reel 52 is loaded with a roll-shaped cover base paper 53 on which a plurality of the above-described cover members 24 are arranged on the surface. The cover base paper 53 pulled out from the supply reel 52 is sequentially wound up by the recovery reel 54. The guide roller 55 is provided to prevent the cover base paper 53 between the supply reel 52 and the recovery reel 54 from sagging and twisting. In the middle of the cover base paper 53 being sent from the supply reel 52 toward the recovery reel 54, the flask body 21 is lifted upward one by one by the lifting device 51, and the upper surface of the lid member 22 comes into contact with the cover base paper 53. Thereby, the cover member 24 on the cover base paper 53 is attached to the lid member 22 via a sealing material. The above process is continuously performed on a plurality of flask bodies 21.

[0046] <Flask Sealing Method> As shown in FIG. 4, the process by the above-described flask sealing device 50 includes a step S1 of preparing the flask body 21 and a step S2 of attaching the cover member 24. After this step S2, for example, a step S3 of discarding the sealed flask 12 may be executed. In addition to the disposal process, when it is necessary to apply strong shaking to the flask body 21 during culturing, it is conceivable to perform a sealing process on the flask body 21.

[0047] (Function and Effect) Here, in the cell culture process, the flask 12 may be strongly shaken to perform various treatments on the cells. In this case, there is a possibility that the culture solution may leak to the outside through the above-described opening 40 and the filter member 23. Also, when discarding the used flask 12 filled with the culture solution, measures for preventing the leakage of the culture solution are required. However, conventionally, no measures for sealing the flask 12 filled with the culture solution have been proposed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above-described respective configurations are adopted.

[0048] According to the above configuration, since the opening 40 of the lid member 22 is covered by the cover member 24, it is possible to prevent the culture solution filled in the flask main body 21 from leaking to the outside through the opening 40. As a result, for example, it becomes possible to apply strong shaking to the flask main body 21, and the processes related to cell culture can be carried out more widely. In addition, by attaching the cover member 24 with the used culture solution still filled, it becomes possible to discard the culture solution and the flask main body 21 together at once. Therefore, it is possible to further smooth and speed up the cell culture process.

[0049] Also, according to the above configuration, the flask main body 21 can be sealed only by bonding a sealing material to the lid member 22. In particular, since the sealing material only needs to be sized to cover only the lid member 22, it is possible to significantly reduce the costs required for procurement and management of the sealing material. Thereby, the cell culture process can be advanced more economically.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the above sealing method, since the opening 40 of the lid member 22 is covered by the cover member 24, it is possible to prevent the culture solution filled in the flask main body 21 from leaking to the outside through the opening 40.

[0051] The first embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration and method without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0052] <Modification example of the cover member> In the above first embodiment, the configuration in which only the opening 40 of the lid member 22 is covered by the cover member 24 has been described. However, the aspect of the cover member 24 is not limited to the above, and it is also possible to adopt the configuration shown in FIG. 5 as a modification. In the example of the figure, the entire flask body 21 and the lid member 22 are covered from the outside by the cover member 24. The cover member 24 preferably has a film shape such as a shrink pack, for example. In addition, a bag-shaped container may be used as the cover member 24, or a configuration in which the entire flask body 21 is covered with the above-described filling material may be adopted.

[0053] According to the above configuration, since the entire flask body 21 is covered with the cover member 24, the risk of leakage of the culture solution can be further reduced as compared with the case where only the lid member 22 is covered with the cover member 24, for example. Further, even if the flask body 21 formed of glass or resin is damaged, since the cover member 24 covers the whole, the possibility of leakage of the culture solution can be further reduced. As a result, the risk that the leaked culture solution stains other devices can be minimized, and the cell culture process can proceed more smoothly.

[0054] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the configuration of the cover member 24 is different from that in the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the cover member 24 includes a cover member main body 71 and a coupling member 72.

[0056] <Coupling Member> The cover member 24 is integrally formed with the lid member 22, and the lid member 22 and the cover member main body 71 are connected by a connecting member 72. The connecting member 72 extends in the direction of the axis O from the edge on the outer peripheral side of the lid member 22, and a plurality of them are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The cover member 24 is integrally attached to the upper end of the connecting member 72. The connecting member 72 is preferably formed of a synthetic resin that can be elastically deformed or plastically deformed. More preferably, the cover member 24, the connecting member 72, and the lid member 22 are integrally formed of the same material (a material that can be elastically deformed or plastically deformed). By the interposition of the connecting member 72, a space is formed between the cover member main body 71 and the lid member 22. Therefore, in the initial state, the opening 40 of the lid member 22 is not covered by the cover member main body 71 and is open to the outside. This state is called the "open state".

[0057] Under the above configuration, in order to seal the flask body 21 with the cover member 24, the cover member main body 71 is pressed toward the lid member 22 to deform the connecting member 72, and the cover member main body 71 and the lid member 22 are brought into close contact with each other (see Fig. 7). Thereby, the opening 40 of the lid member 22 is in a state of being closed by the cover member main body 71 (the "closed state"). An adhesive seal 71a is provided in advance on the lower surface of the cover member main body 71. That is, the cover member main body 71 is fixed to the lid member 22 by the seal 71a.

[0058] (Function and effect) According to the above configuration, when culturing cells, by setting the coupling member 72 in an open state, oxygen can be supplied through the opening 40 of the lid member 22. On the other hand, when it is necessary to discard or apply strong shaking, by deforming the coupling member 72 to a closed state, the flask body 21 can be easily sealed. Thus, since the lid member 22 and the cover member 24 are integrated by the coupling member 72, the number of components constituting the sealable flask 12 can be reduced. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the manufacturing cost. Also, the flask body 21 can be easily sealed only by pressing the cover member 24 toward the lid member 22. For this reason, not only manual work but also automation of the sealing process by a mechanical device can be easily and inexpensively realized. Furthermore, since it is easily visible from the outside whether the flask body 21 is sealed or not, the risk of misusing the flask 12 or the like can also be reduced. Therefore, the cell culture process can be made even smoother.

[0059] According to the above configuration, the coupling members 72 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the lid member 22. Oxygen can be circulated inside the flask body 21 through this interval. Therefore, without disturbing the culture of cells, the cover member 24 can be provided in advance and can be easily brought into a sealed state afterwards. Thereby, it becomes possible to make the cell culture process proceed even more smoothly.

[0060] (Other Embodiments) As described above, each embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure are also included.

[0061] <Modification of the Second Embodiment> For example, as the coupling member 72 described in the second embodiment, it is also possible to use a bellows-like member as shown in FIG. 8. It is desirable that this member has holes formed in a part of the circumferential direction so as not to inhibit the supply of oxygen to the cells through the opening 40. With this configuration, the same operational effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0062] In addition, in the above-described first embodiment, an example in which the cover member main body 71 is fixed to the lid member 22 by an adhesive seal has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to provide a locking portion 73 on the cover member main body 71. The locking portion 73 is provided on the lid member 22 and the cover member main body 71 so that the cover member main body 71 does not separate from the lid member 22 again. The locking portion 73 is constituted by, for example, a locking hole 81 and a locking claw 82 that engage by a snap fit.

[0063] According to the above configuration, by simply connecting the cover member 24 to the lid member 22 by the locking portion 73, the sealed state of the flask main body 21 can be stably maintained. Thereby, even if the flask main body 21 is moved or shaken, the possibility of the culture solution leaking to the outside can be greatly reduced. Further, since the connection state of the cover member 24 by the locking portion 73 is maintained only by pressing the cover member 24, the sealing process can be completed more easily and in a shorter time. Therefore, the cell culture process can proceed more smoothly.

[0064] <Modifications common to each embodiment> Furthermore, the shape and material of the flask 12 are not limited by the above-described embodiments, and the above-described respective configurations can be applied to other flasks 12 such as a round-bottomed type. In any case, the same operational effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0065] In addition, as the contents of the flask 12, in addition to the above-described culture solution, substances used in various chemical processes can be applied. That is, in general, an opening 40 for supplying oxygen is required, but any substance that needs to seal the opening 40 during waste treatment or the like can be applied with the above-described respective configurations.

[0066] <Supplementary Note> The sealable flask 12 and the method for sealing the flask 12 described in each embodiment can be understood as follows, for example.

[0067] (1) The sealable flask 12 according to the first aspect includes a flask body 21 filled with a culture solution and having a mouth portion 33 communicating with the outside, a lid member 22 covering the mouth portion 33 and having an opening 40 formed therein and communicating with the outside, a filter member 23 provided between the opening 40 and the mouth portion 33, and a cover member 24 further covering at least the opening 40 from the outside.

[0068] According to the above configuration, since the opening 40 of the lid member 22 is covered by the cover member 24, it is possible to prevent the culture solution filled in the flask body 21 from leaking to the outside through the opening 40.

[0069] (2) The sealable flask 12 according to the second aspect is the sealable flask 12 of (1), wherein the cover member 24 has a sealing material that can be coupled to the lid member 22 so as to cover the opening 40.

[0070] According to the above configuration, the flask body 21 can be sealed only by coupling a sealing material to the lid member 22.

[0071] (3) The sealable flask 12 according to the third aspect is the sealable flask 12 of (1), wherein the cover member 24 covers the opening 40 and the entire flask body 21 from the outside.

[0072] According to the above configuration, since the entire flask body 21 is covered by the cover member 24, the risk of leakage of the culture solution can be further reduced as compared with the case where only the lid member 22 is covered by the cover member 24, for example.

[0073] (4) The sealable flask 12 according to the fourth aspect is the sealable flask 12 of (1), further comprising a coupling member 72 that couples the lid member 22 and the cover member 24, and the coupling member 72 is in an open state with a gap between the cover member 24 and the lid member 22, and the cover member 24 and the lid member 22 are in contact with each other to close the opening 40. It is possible to transition between the closed state.

[0074] According to the above configuration, when culturing cells, by setting the coupling member 72 in the open state, oxygen can be supplied through the opening 40 of the lid member 22. On the other hand, when discarding or when strong shaking is required, if the coupling member 72 is deformed to the closed state, the flask body 21 can be easily sealed.

[0075] (5) The sealable flask 12 according to the fifth aspect is the sealable flask 12 of (4), further comprising a locking portion 73 that maintains the cover member 24 in a state of being coupled to the lid member 22 when in the closed state.

[0076] According to the above configuration, the sealed state of the flask body 21 can be stably maintained only by coupling the cover member 24 to the lid member 22 by the locking portion 73.

[0077] (6) The sealable flask 12 according to the sixth aspect is the sealable flask 12 of (4) or (5), and the coupling member 72 is arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis of the lid member 22.

[0078] According to the above configuration, the coupling members 72 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the lid member 22. Oxygen can be circulated inside the flask body 21 through this gap. Therefore, the cover member 24 can be provided in advance without disturbing the cell culture, and the sealed state can be easily achieved afterwards.

[0079] (7) The flask sealing method according to the seventh aspect is a flask sealing method for forming a sealable flask 12 according to any one of the aspects (1) to (6), the method including: preparing the flask body 21 filled with the culture solution and having the lid member 22 and the filter member 23 attached thereto; and attaching the cover member 24 so as to cover the opening 40 of the lid member 22.

[0080] According to the above method, since the opening 40 of the lid member 22 is covered by the cover member 24, it is possible to prevent the culture solution filled in the flask body 21 from leaking to the outside through the opening 40.

[0081] (8) The flask sealing method according to the eighth aspect is the flask sealing method according to (7), wherein the sealable flask 12 further includes a coupling member 72 for coupling the lid member 22 and the cover member 24, and in the step of attaching the cover member 24, a pressing force is applied to the cover member 24 in a direction approaching the lid member 22 to deform the coupling member 72.

[0082] According to the above method, when culturing cells, the coupling member 72 can be opened to supply oxygen through the opening 40 of the lid member 22. On the other hand, when discarding or when strong shaking is required, the coupling member 72 can be deformed to be in a closed state, so that the flask body 21 can be easily sealed.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0083] 1…Flask unit 11…Flask tray 12…Flask 21…Flask body 22…Cover member 23…Filter member 24…Cover member 31…Bottom 32…Cylindrical part 33…Mouth part 40…Opening 50…Flask sealing device 51…Lifting device 52…Supply reel 53…Cover base paper 54…Recovery reel 55…Guide roller 61…Base 62…Linear motion mechanism 71…Cover member body 71a…Seal 72…Coupling member 73…Locking part 81…Locking hole 82…Locking claw 100…Cell culture system 110…Stocker 111…Stocker body 112…Rack 113…Stocker first door 114…Stocker second door 120…Loading booth 121…Booth body 122…Loading door 130…Incubator 131…Incubator body 132…Shaking stage 140…Clean bench 141…Clean bench body 142…Dispensing device 145…Waste liquid extraction device 149…Stage 150…Pass box 151…Box body 152…First door 153…Second door 154…Rotary transfer device 160…Measuring device 161…Culture medium supply device 162…Waste liquid tank 170…Transfer device 171…First transfer robot 172…Second transfer robot 173…Third transfer robot 174…Fourth transfer robot O…Axis line R1…Storage area R2…Loading area R3…Culture area R4…Liquid operation area

Claims

1. A flask body filled with a culture solution and having a mouth portion communicating with the outside, A lid member that covers the mouth portion and has an opening formed therein communicating with the outside, A filter member provided between the opening and the mouth portion, A cover member that further covers at least the opening from the outside, A sealable flask comprising the above.

2. The sealable flask according to claim 1, wherein the cover member has a sealing material that can be coupled to the lid member so as to cover the opening.

3. The sealable flask according to claim 1, wherein the cover member covers the opening and the entire flask body from the outside.

4. Further comprising a coupling member that couples the lid member and the cover member, The coupling member is capable of transitioning between an open state in which there is a gap between the cover member and the lid member and a closed state in which the opening is closed by the cover member and the lid member being in close contact with each other. The sealable flask according to claim 1.

5. The sealable flask according to claim 4, further comprising a locking portion that maintains the cover member in a state of being coupled to the lid member when in the closed state.

6. The sealable flask according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the coupling members are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis of the lid member.

7. A flask sealing method for forming the sealable flask according to claim 1, comprising: Preparing the flask body filled with the culture solution and having the lid member and the filter member attached thereto; Attaching the cover member so as to cover the opening of the lid member; A flask sealing method including the above steps.

8. The sealable flask further comprises a coupling member that couples the lid member and the cover member, In the step of attaching the cover member, a pressing force is applied to the cover member in a direction approaching the lid member to deform the coupling member. The flask sealing method according to claim 7.

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