Workpiece storage system, workpiece storage apparatus, workpiece, cell culture system

Abstract

To suppress input error of a workpiece by an operator without making a constitution complicated.SOLUTION: A workpiece storage system comprises: a workpiece which is used in a cell culture apparatus; and a workpiece storage apparatus which is equipped with an input part into which the workpiece can be inputted by an operator, and a taking out part capable of automatically taking out the workpiece from a conveying device, and is capable of storing the workpiece therein. The workpiece is in an asymmetric shape in a right / left direction seen from an input direction where the workpiece is input to the input part of the workpiece storage apparatus. The input part of the workpiece storage apparatus is equipped with a regulating part which permits input of the workpiece when the workpiece is in a right direction, and abuts the workpiece in the input direction when the workpiece is in a wrong direction and regulates the input of the workpiece.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a work storage system, a work storage device, a work, and a cell culture system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cell recovery device that only performs cell recovery in cell passage. In the cell recovery device of this Patent Document 1, a culture vessel is grasped and moved by a robot arm.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a cell culture system that automatically transports a work such as a culture vessel as in Patent Document 1, for example, if an incorrect insertion occurs in which an operator inserts the work in the wrong direction, a transport device such as a robot arm will grasp and transport the work in the wrong direction, resulting in a discrepancy in the address of the target work, which may interfere with cell culture. Furthermore, there is a problem that if an attempt is made to detect incorrect insertion using a sensor or the like, the configuration becomes complicated and the cost increases.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a work storage system, a work storage device, a work, and a cell culture system that can suppress incorrect insertion by an operator without complicating the configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A work storage system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a work used in a cell culture system, a loading section into which the work can be loaded by an operator, and an unloading section from which the work can be automatically taken out by a transfer device, and a work storage device capable of storing the work therein. The work has an asymmetric shape when viewed from the loading direction into the loading section of the work storage device. The loading section of the work storage device includes a restricting section that allows the work to be loaded when the work is in the correct orientation, while hitting against the work in the loading direction and restricting the loading of the work when the work is in the wrong orientation.

[0007] A work storage device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a work storage device for storing a work loaded by an operator, and includes a loading section capable of loading the work having an asymmetric shape when viewed from the loading direction. The loading section includes a restricting section that allows the work to be loaded when the work is in the correct orientation, while hitting against the work in the loading direction and restricting the loading of the work when the work is in the wrong orientation.

[0008] A work according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a work that is stored in a work storage device by being loaded from a loading section of the work storage device. The work has an asymmetric shape and does not contact the restricting section when loaded in the correct orientation into the loading section having a restricting section formed asymmetrically when viewed from the loading direction, while hitting against the restricting section when loaded in the wrong orientation into the loading section.

[0009] A cell culture system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a stocker that houses the above work storage system, a clean bench having a liquid operation area for performing a dispensing operation on the work, an incubator having a culture area for growing cells in a culture solution contained in the work, and a stocker internal transfer device provided in the stocker and capable of gripping the work and taking out the work from the work storage system.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress incorrect input by an operator without complicating the configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The cell culture system 100 of the present embodiment is a system that performs cell culture, analysis of cells after culture, etc. unmanned and automatically.

[0013] <Cell culture system> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cell culture system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the cell culture system 100 of the present embodiment includes a stocker 110, an incubator 130, a clean bench 140, and a pass box 150.

[0014] <Stocker> The stocker 110 is a facility for storing a plurality of workpieces W used in the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140. The stocker 110 has at least a stocker main body 111, a workpiece storage device 112, and an in-stocker transfer device 113. Although details will be described later, the workpiece W includes a workpiece main body such as a flask or a well plate, and a workpiece tray that supports the workpiece main body. One workpiece W may include a plurality of workpiece main bodies of the same type.

[0015] The stocker main body 111 forms a storage area R1 inside. The stocker main body 111 maintains the storage area R1 in a sterile state with a positive pressure (higher than atmospheric pressure) and high cleanliness. The stocker main body 111 is provided with a door (not shown) that opens and closes when an operator inserts a new workpiece W into the workpiece storage device 112.

[0016] The workpiece storage device 112 is disposed inside the storage area R1 and is capable of storing a plurality of workpieces W. The in-stocker transfer device 113 takes out a predetermined workpiece W from among the plurality of workpieces W stored in the workpiece storage device 112 and delivers it to the clean bench 140. As the in-stocker transfer device 113, a so-called six-axis robot can be exemplified.

[0017] <Incubator> The incubator 130 is a facility for growing cells in a culture solution. The incubator 130 forms a culture area R3 that is controlled at a temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration suitable for cell culture. In the culture area R3 of the incubator 130, for example, a plurality of shaking stages (not shown) are provided, and a configuration is adopted in which a plurality of workpieces W can be shaken. The incubator 130 has a transfer device (not shown) for automatically transferring the workpiece W inside the culture area R3.

[0018] <Clean bench> The clean bench 140 performs various operations and processes such as dispensing operations and extraction of waste liquid on the workpiece W. Inside the clean bench 140, a liquid operation area R4, which is a highly clean and aseptic space, is formed. The clean bench 140 has a transfer device (not shown) for automatically transferring the workpiece W within the liquid operation area R4.

[0019] <Pass box> The pass box 150 is provided between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140. The workpiece W is transferred between the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 through this pass box 150. The pass box 150 has a first door 150a and a second door 150b.

[0020] The first door 150a switches the communication state and the blocking state between the space inside the pass box 150 and the culture area R3. The second door 150b switches the communication state and the blocking state between the space inside the pass box 150 and the liquid operation area R4. These first door 150a and second door 150b are not simultaneously in the open state, and thus the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 do not communicate directly.

[0021] <Schematic 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 workpiece W within the incubator 130. The workpiece W in which cell growth has progressed is transferred to the liquid operation area R4 through the pass box 150. In the liquid operation area R4, the culture solution in the workpiece W is dispensed, or a medium is supplied to the workpiece W.

[0022] On the other hand, when cell growth is performed using a new workpiece W, for example, it is carried out according to the following procedure. First, the in-stocker transfer device 113 takes out a new workpiece W having, for example, a flask from the workpiece storage device 112 and transfers it into the liquid operation area R4. In the liquid operation area R4, a medium is supplied to the new workpiece W that does not contain the culture solution, and a culture solution is dispensed from the workpiece W transferred from the liquid operation area R4 containing the proliferated culture solution in which cell growth has progressed into the new workpiece W. As a result, the operation of transplanting cells onto the new workpiece W is completed. The new workpiece W that has undergone the transplanting operation is transferred to the incubator 130, cell growth is performed, and the above-described processes are repeated.

[0023] <Workpiece storage device> FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the workpiece storage device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the workpiece storage device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the input unit side. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the workpiece storage device 112 is composed of a plurality of workpiece storage units 10. The workpiece storage device 112 in the present embodiment includes a plurality of stages in which a plurality of workpiece storage units 10 are arranged in the vertical direction Dv. The workpiece storage device 112 exemplified in the present embodiment includes a plurality of rows of workpiece storage units 10 in the horizontal direction Dh. A plurality of workpiece storage units 10 are arranged side by side in the vertical and horizontal directions. Note that the number of stages in the vertical direction Dv and the number of rows in the horizontal direction Dh of the workpiece storage units 10 included in the workpiece storage device 112 are not limited at all and can be appropriately set as needed.

[0024] <Workpiece> The workpiece W includes a workpiece body 21 and a workpiece tray 22. The workpiece W may be any one used within the cell culture system 100. In the present embodiment, a flask unit W1 having a flask 21A as the workpiece body 21 and a well plate unit W2 having a well plate 21B as the workpiece body 21 will be described as examples of the workpiece W, respectively. In the following description, the direction in which the operator inserts the workpiece W into the workpiece storage device 112 for storing the workpiece W is referred to as the insertion direction Di. The left - right direction Dh and the up - down direction Dv with respect to the workpiece W are the directions when the workpiece W is stored in the workpiece storage device 112. In the present embodiment, the workpiece storage system is constituted by the workpiece storage device 112 and the workpiece W.

[0025] <Flask unit> FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flask unit in an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a well plate unit in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the flask unit W1 includes a flask 21A and a flask tray 22A. The flask unit W1 is slidably inserted into the workpiece storage device 112. The flask unit W1 has an asymmetric shape when viewed from the insertion direction Di in which it is slidably inserted.

[0026] <Flask> The flask 21A is a so - called Erlenmeyer flask in which a culture solution is accommodated, 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 21A has a conical surface shape centered on the flask axis O1 that tapers upward, and the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the flask 21A has a cylindrical shape centered on the flask axis O1. A lid is detachable from the opening at the upper part of the flask 21A. Note that the flask is not limited to an Erlenmeyer flask.

[0027] <Flask tray> The flask tray 22A supports the flask 21A and is capable of sliding on the sliding surface 12f of the storage part 12 of the work storage unit 10 described later. This flask tray 22A is capable of placing two flasks 21A side by side in the input direction Di. The flask tray 22A has at least a placement plate 23, a support part 24, and an upper frame 25.

[0028] <Placement plate> The placement plate 23 is a member that supports the two flasks 21A from below. The placement plate 23 has a rectangular flat plate shape in plan view. In the flask unit W1 of the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the rectangular shape in the above plan view (the direction in which a pair of long sides extend) coincides with the input direction Di by the operator. The two flasks 21A are placed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the placement plate 23 and are placed shifted to one side in the left - right direction Dh with respect to the central axis O2 in the left - right direction Dh of the placement plate 23. In other words, on the placement plate 23, the flasks 21A are placed only on one side in the left - right direction Dh when viewed from the input direction Di. Note that in the flask unit W1 illustrated in the present embodiment, with the direction in which the flask axes O1 of the two flasks 21A are both arranged on the right side with respect to the central axis O2 in the left - right direction Dh of the placement plate 23 when viewed from the operator as the correct direction, they are input from the input part 11 (see FIG. 2).

[0029] <Support part> The support part 24 is a rod - shaped member that extends upward from the placement plate 23. The upper end of the support part 24 is located below the upper end of the flask 21A placed on the placement plate 23. A plurality of support parts 24 are provided, and the upper ends of these support parts 24 are at the same height. Note that in the present embodiment, the case where four support parts 24 are provided on one flask tray 22A is illustrated, but the number of support parts 24 provided on one flask tray 22A may be three, five, or more.

[0030] <Upper frame> The upper frame 25 is supported from below by the support portion 24. The contour shape of the upper frame 25 in plan view is rectangular with the input direction Di by the operator as the longitudinal direction, similar to the contour shape of the placement plate 23 in plan view. The size of the upper frame 25 in plan view is made equivalent to the size of the placement plate 23. The upper frame 25 is arranged parallel to the placement plate 23.

[0031] An opening 25a is formed in the upper frame 25. This opening 25a is for passing the flask 21A vertically through the upper frame 25, and is formed shifted to one side in the left - right direction Dh with respect to the central axis in the left - right direction Dh of the upper frame 25. That is, the upper frame 25 is arranged below the upper end of the flask 21A, whereby the flask 21A protrudes above the flask tray 22A. In the present embodiment, on the other side of the upper frame 25 in the left - right direction Dh with respect to the central axis O2, that is, on the upper frame 25 on the side where the flask 21A is not arranged in the left - right direction Dh, it is used as a placement area 25b for the lid of the flask 21A. When the flask unit W1 of the present embodiment is conveyed by the in - stock conveyor 113 (see FIG. 1), the lower surface of the upper frame 25 forms a supported surface for conveyance that is supported from below by the hand 113h of the in - stock conveyor 113.

[0032] <Well plate unit> As shown in FIG. 5, the well plate unit W2 includes a well plate 21B, a well plate tray 22B, and a plate portion 26. The well plate unit W2 is slid - input into the work storage device 112. The well plate unit W2 has an asymmetrical shape when viewed from the input direction Di in which it is slid - input.

[0033] <Well plate> The well plate 21B has a flat plate shape with a plurality of wells (in other words, holes; not shown) on its upper surface. The well plate 21B is conveyed to, for example, a clean bench 140. The plurality of wells of this well plate 21B are used as containers for performing various tests on cultured cells and as containers for culturing cells. Note that the well plate 21B has a thickness corresponding to the depth of the wells. The well plate 21B may be a so-called deep well plate.

[0034] <Well plate tray> The well plate tray 22B is configured to support the well plate 21B and slide on the sliding surface 12f of the storage unit 12 of the work storage unit 10 described later. This well plate tray 22B is capable of placing two well plates 21B with different thicknesses stacked in the vertical direction Dv. The well plate tray 22B has at least a base plate 27, a support portion 28, and an upper placement plate 29.

[0035] <Base plate> The base plate 27 is the member disposed at the lowermost position in the well plate tray 22B, and its lower surface is flat. The base plate 27 supports the upper placement plate 29 from below via the support portion 28. The base plate 27 has a rectangular flat plate shape in plan view. In the well plate unit W2 of the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction (the direction in which a pair of long sides extend) of the rectangular shape in the above plan view is perpendicular to the input direction by the operator.

[0036] <Support portion> The support portion 28 is a rod-shaped member extending upward from the base plate 27. A plurality of support portions 28 are provided, and the upper ends of these plurality of support portions 28 are at the same height. In the present embodiment, a case where four support portions 28 are provided in one well plate tray 22B is illustrated, but the number of support portions 28 provided in one well plate tray 22B may be three or five or more.

[0037] <Upper mounting plate> The upper mounting plate 29 forms a mounting surface for mounting the well plate 21B. The upper mounting plate 29 is in the shape of a flat plate parallel to the base plate 27 and is supported from below by the support portion 28. The contour shape of the upper mounting plate 29 in plan view is a rectangular shape with the operator's input direction as the longitudinal direction, similar to the contour shape of the base plate 27 in plan view. The size of the upper mounting plate 29 in plan view is made equivalent to the size of the base plate 27.

[0038] Here, the well plate 21B exemplified in the present embodiment is mounted on the upper mounting plate 29 via the sub-tray 31. Further, the upper mounting plate 29 of the present embodiment has a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the well plate 21B in plan view. And the well plate 21B is mounted inside the peripheral portion of the upper mounting plate 29. When the well plate unit W2 of the present embodiment is conveyed by the in-stocker conveying device 113 (see FIG. 1), the lower surface of the upper mounting plate 29 forms a supported surface for conveyance that is supported from below by the hand 113h of the in-stocker conveying device 113.

[0039] <Plate portion> The plate portion 26 is formed asymmetrically left and right when viewed from the input direction in which the operator inputs. Here, the assembly of the well plate 21B and the well plate tray 22B described above has a symmetric shape left and right when viewed from the input direction of the operator. That is, by attaching the plate portion 26 to this assembly having a symmetric shape left and right, the well plate unit W2 has an asymmetric shape left and right when viewed from the operator's input direction Di.

[0040] The plate portion 26 extends upward from the well plate tray 22B. The well plate unit W2 of the present embodiment includes two plate portions 26 having the same shape, and these two plate portions 26 are flat plate shapes extending upward from two edge portions 29a, 29b of the upper placement plate 29 extending in a direction perpendicular to the input direction Di. These two plate portions 26 sandwich the well plates 21B stacked on the upper placement plate 29 from both outer sides in the input direction Di. The length in the left-right direction Dh of the plate portion 26 illustrated in the present embodiment is shorter than the length in the left-right direction Dh of the upper placement plate 29 and the well plates 21B placed on the upper placement plate 29.

[0041] The plate portion 26 has a left-right asymmetric portion 32 protruding upward from the well plate 21B placed on the upper placement plate 29. The left-right asymmetric portion 32 is formed asymmetrically in the left-right direction with reference to the central axis O3 in the left-right direction Dh of the plate portion 26. The left-right asymmetric portion 32 of the present embodiment has different heights on one side and the other side with reference to the central axis O3 in the left-right direction Dh. The left-right asymmetric portion 32 of the present embodiment has a convex portion 32a on the right side in order to form a larger height on the right side than on the left side in the left-right direction Dh. Note that the shape of the left-right asymmetric portion 32 in the present embodiment is an example, and the shape of the left-right asymmetric portion 32 is not limited to the above shape as long as it is asymmetric in the left-right direction when viewed from the input direction Di. Also, although the case where two left-right asymmetric portions 32 are provided has been described, the left-right asymmetric portion 32 may be one.

[0042] The plate portion 26 includes a first edge portion 41 extending in the vertical direction Dv and a second edge portion 42 extending in the horizontal direction Dh. In the present embodiment, the first edge portion 41 extends in the vertical direction, and the second edge portion 42 extends in the horizontal direction. The plate portion 26 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the input direction Di by these first edge portion 41 and second edge portion 42. And the plate portion 26 of the present embodiment is provided with chamfered portions 43 at the corner portions of this rectangular shape, respectively. In other words, the chamfered portion 43 connects the end portion of the adjacent first edge portion 41 and the end portion of the second edge portion 42. Although the case where the chamfered portion 43 is formed in a straight line connecting the end portion of the first edge portion 41 and the end portion of the second edge portion 42 is illustrated, the chamfered portion 43 only needs to be chamfered, and for example, it may be curved or a combination of straight lines at different angles, etc.

[0043] <Work storage unit> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the work storage unit 10 includes a loading unit 11, a storage unit 12, an unloading unit 13, and a regulating unit 14. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates the work storage unit 10 storing the flask unit W1 among the workpieces W. <Loading unit> The workpiece W is loaded into the loading unit 11 by an operator. The loading unit 11 of the present embodiment is arranged at the uppermost part of the work storage unit 10. In the present embodiment, only workpieces W of the same type are stored in one work storage unit 10. A plurality of types of workpieces W are slid into the loading unit 11 of the work storage unit 10 corresponding to each type by an operator.

[0044] <Storage unit> The storage unit 12 can store a plurality of workpieces W loaded from the loading unit 11 side by side. The storage unit 12 of the present embodiment has a sliding surface 12f that slopes downward as it moves away from the loading unit 11 in the horizontal direction. The sliding surface 12f can slide the workpiece W loaded from the loading unit 11 obliquely downward by gravity. Note that in the present embodiment, the case where the sliding surface 12f forms a flat surface is illustrated, but the sliding surface 12f can also be formed by arranging a plurality of rollers in the sliding direction Dr.

[0045] The storage unit 12 of this embodiment includes a pair of side walls (not shown) that rise upward from the left and right edges of the sliding surface 12f. The posture of the workpiece W sliding on the sliding surface 12f is maintained in the posture when it is input into the input unit 11. The workpieces W stored in one storage unit 12 are stored in a row.

[0046] <Taking-out unit> The taking-out unit 13 is formed so that the workpiece W stored in the storage unit 12 can be taken out to the outside of the workpiece storage unit 10. The taking-out unit 13 is arranged at the lowermost position in the workpiece storage unit 10. In other words, the taking-out unit 13 is provided on the most downstream side of the storage unit 12. The taking-out unit 13 has a stopper 13s above the sliding surface 12f. The stopper 13s of this embodiment is formed in a flat plate shape extending vertically upward from the edge of the downstream side Drd of the sliding surface 12f to the sliding surface 12f, but the shape of the stopper 13s is not limited to the flat plate shape. The stopper 13s can be formed of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. The workpiece W that has slid on the sliding surface 12f hits the stopper 13s and stops. The subsequent workpiece W input from the input unit 11 hits the stationary preceding workpiece W and stops.

[0047] The taking-out unit 13 can take out the workpiece W stored on the most downstream side Drd among the workpieces W stored in the workpiece storage unit 10 to the outside of the workpiece storage unit 10 by the in-stocker transfer device 113 (see FIG. 1).

[0048] The above-described in-stocker transfer device 113 (see FIG. 1) stores in advance the position information of each of the plurality of take-out units 13 in association with the information on the type of the workpiece W stored, and automatically moves in front of the take-out unit 13 where the workpiece W to be taken out is stored. Then, the in-stocker transfer device 113 inserts the hand 113h into the inside of the workpiece storage unit 10, sandwiches the workpiece W arranged on the most downstream side Drd, and lifts the workpiece W in a posture inclined toward the downstream side Drd in the sliding direction Dr until it becomes a horizontal posture. The in-stocker transfer device 113 then lifts the workpiece W to a height at which it can overcome the stopper 13s, moves the lifted workpiece W in the horizontal direction (in other words, forward) away from the workpiece storage unit 10, and takes out the workpiece W from the take-out unit 13 to the outside. When the workpiece W is taken out to the outside, the subsequent workpiece W stored in the workpiece storage unit 10 moves downstream in the sliding direction Dr by gravity. Then, the workpiece W on the most downstream side Drd hits the stopper 13s, and the movement of the workpiece W stored in the workpiece storage unit 10 stops.

[0049] <Regulating unit> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the regulating unit 14 is provided in the loading unit 11. The regulating unit 14 allows the sliding loading of the workpiece W when the workpiece W is in the correct orientation, while restricting the loading of the workpiece W by hitting the workpiece W in the loading direction Di when the workpiece W is in the wrong orientation. The regulating unit 14 of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape with the loading direction Di as the thickness direction.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, since the workpiece storage device 112 of the present embodiment is configured to load and store two types of workpieces W, namely, the above-described flask unit W1 and well plate unit W2, the regulating unit 14 includes a first regulating unit 14A for the flask unit W1 and a second regulating unit 14B for the well plate unit W2. The first regulating unit 14A is provided in the loading unit 11 of the workpiece storage unit 10 that stores the flask unit W1, and the second regulating unit 14B is provided in the loading unit 11 of the workpiece storage unit 10 that stores the well plate unit W2.

[0051] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the insertion part into which the flask unit in the embodiment of the present disclosure is inserted. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the insertion part into which the well plate unit in the embodiment of the present disclosure is inserted.

[0052] <First regulation part> As shown in FIG. 6, the first regulation part 14A is provided above the insertion part 11 into which the flask unit W1 is slidably inserted. The lower edge 14u of the first regulation part 14A forms the upper edge of the opening 33 into which the flask unit W1 is inserted. The first regulation part 14A has an asymmetric shape in the left-right direction when viewed from the insertion direction Di corresponding to the asymmetric shape of the flask unit W1 in the left-right direction. Specifically, the first regulation part 14A of the present embodiment includes a base part 34, a first recess 35, and a second recess 36 so as to follow the asymmetric shape of the flask unit W1 inserted in the correct orientation.

[0053] The base part 34 is formed at the lowest position among the first regulation parts 14A. The base part 34 is formed at a height that allows the flask tray 22A in the correct orientation to pass through in the insertion direction Di. On the other hand, the base part 34 is located below the upper end of the flask 21A. The base part 34 of the present embodiment is formed in a straight line extending in the left-right direction Dh when viewed from the insertion direction Di, and is formed separately on both the left and right sides of the insertion part 11.

[0054] The first recess 35 is formed to be recessed upward from the above-mentioned base part 34. The first recess 35 is formed so that the flask 21A of the flask unit W1 inserted in the correct orientation does not contact the first regulation part 14A. The first recess 35 is formed wider in the left-right direction Dh than the upper part of the flask 21A and reaches above the upper end of the flask 21A. The first recess 35 of the present embodiment is formed at a position shifted to one side with respect to the central axis O4 in the left-right direction Dh of the insertion part 11, similar to the flask 21A. The central axis O5 of the first recess 35 of the present embodiment illustrates the case where it is located on the flask axis O1 of the flask 21A passing through the insertion part 11.

[0055] The second recess 36 is formed at a position shifted to the other side in the left - right direction Dh. The second recess 36 is, for example, for preventing the lid of the flask 21A from contacting the first regulating portion 14A when the lid of the flask 21A is placed on the flask tray 22A and the flask unit W1 is inserted in the correct orientation. The second recess 36 is formed to be recessed upward from the base portion 34. The second recess 36 is located below the upper end of the flask 21A. Note that the second recess 36 may be provided as needed and may be omitted.

[0056] <Second regulating portion> As shown in FIG. 7, the second regulating portion 14B is provided above the insertion portion 11 into which the well plate unit W2 is inserted. The lower edge 14u of the second regulating portion 14B forms the upper edge of the opening 37 into which the well plate unit W2 is inserted. The second regulating portion 14B has an asymmetrical shape corresponding to the shape of the asymmetrical portion 32 on the left and right of the plate portion 26 of the well plate unit W2. Specifically, the second regulating portion 14B of the present embodiment includes a base portion 38, a first recess 39, and a second recess 40 so as to follow the asymmetrical shape of the well plate unit W2 inserted in the correct orientation.

[0057] The base portion 38 is formed at the lowest position of the second regulating portion 14B. The base portion 38 is formed to have a height that allows the flask tray 22A in the correct orientation to pass through in the insertion direction Di. On the other hand, the base portion 38 is located below the upper end of the plate portion 26. The base portion 38 of the present embodiment is formed in a straight line extending in the left - right direction Dh as viewed from the insertion direction Di and is formed separately on both the left and right sides of the insertion portion 11.

[0058] The first concave portion 39 and the second concave portion 40 are formed to be recessed upward from the above-mentioned base portion 38. The first concave portion 39 and the second concave portion 40 are formed so that the plate portion 26 of the well plate unit W2 inserted in the correct orientation does not contact the second regulating portion 14B. The first concave portion 39 is formed wider in the left-right direction Dh than the convex portion 32a of the left-right asymmetric portion 32 and is formed to reach above the upper end of the convex portion 32a. The first concave portion 39 of the present embodiment is formed at a position shifted to one side with respect to the central axis O6 in the left-right direction Dh of the insertion portion 11, similarly to the convex portion 32a of the left-right asymmetric portion 32.

[0059] The second concave portion 40 is formed at a position shifted to the other side in the left-right direction Dh. The second concave portion 40 is, for example, for preventing the left-right asymmetric portion 32 other than the convex portion 32a from contacting the second regulating portion 14B when the well plate unit W2 is inserted in the correct orientation. The second concave portion 40 is formed to be recessed upward from the base portion 38. The second concave portion 40 is located below the upper end of the convex portion 32a.

[0060] (Function and Effect) In the above embodiment, the work storage system includes a work W used in the cell culture system 100, an insertion portion 11 into which the work W can be inserted by an operator, and a take-out portion 13 from which the work W can be automatically taken out by the stocker internal transfer device 113, and a work storage device 112 capable of storing the work W therein. The work W has an asymmetric shape when viewed from the insertion direction Di in which the work W is inserted into the insertion portion 11 of the work storage device 112. The insertion portion 11 of the work storage device 112 includes a regulating portion 14 that allows the insertion of the work W when the work W is in the correct orientation, while hitting the work W in the insertion direction Di and restricting the insertion of the work W when the work W is in the wrong orientation.

[0061] Accordingly, when an operator attempts to slide and insert the workpiece W into the insertion unit 11 in a wrong left or right orientation, the restricting unit 14 hits against the workpiece W, and the slide insertion of the workpiece W is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the workpiece W from being inserted into the insertion unit 11 in a wrong orientation by the operator. Therefore, it is possible to suppress incorrect insertion by the operator without complicating the configuration of the workpiece storage system.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the well plate unit W2 includes a plate portion 26 formed asymmetrically with respect to left and right when viewed from the insertion direction Di. Accordingly, when an operator attempts to slide and insert the well plate unit W2 into the insertion unit 11 in a wrong left or right orientation, the restricting unit 14 hits against the plate portion 26, and the slide insertion of the well plate unit W2 can be restricted. In addition, since the well plate unit W2 can be formed into an asymmetric shape with respect to left and right by the plate portion 26, even for a workpiece W having a symmetric shape, it can be easily formed into an asymmetric shape by adding the plate portion 26.

[0063] Also, in the above embodiment, the well plate unit W2 includes a well plate 21B stacked in the vertical direction Dv, a well plate tray 22B that supports the well plate 21B from below, and a plurality of plate portions 26 that extend upward from the well plate tray 22B and extend in a direction intersecting the insertion direction Di to sandwich the well plate 21B and the well plate tray 22B from both sides in the insertion direction Di.

[0064] Accordingly, the plate portion 26 can be effectively used as a member for suppressing the displacement of the well plates 21B stacked vertically in the insertion direction Di. Therefore, an increase in the number of components of the well plate unit W2 can be suppressed.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it includes a flask 21A extending in the vertical direction Dv and a flask tray 22A that supports the flask 21A only in one of the left-right directions Dh. The flask 21A protrudes above the flask tray 22A. The restricting portion 14 is provided above the charging portion 11. When the flask unit W1 is in the correct orientation, it allows displacement of the flask 21A in the charging direction Di. When the flask unit W1 is in the wrong orientation, it abuts against the flask 21A in the charging direction Di and restricts displacement of the flask 21A in the charging direction Di.

[0066] As a result, when an operator attempts to slide and insert the flask unit W1 into the charging portion 11 in the wrong left-right orientation, the restricting portion 14 abuts against the flask 21A, and the slide insertion of the flask unit W1 is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flask unit W1 from being inserted into the charging portion 11 in the wrong orientation by the operator.

[0067] Also, the cell culture system 100 of the above-described embodiment includes a work storage device 112 as a work storage system, a stocker 110 that houses the work W, a clean bench 140 having a liquid operation area R4 for performing a dispensing operation on the work W, an incubator 130 having a culture area R3 for growing cells in the culture solution contained in the work W, and a stocker internal transfer device 113 provided in the stocker 110 and capable of gripping the work W and taking out the work W from the work storage system.

[0068] As a result, in the cell culture system 100 that automatically transfers the work W in the stocker 110, performs a dispensing operation by the clean bench 140, and grows cells by the incubator 130, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of problems caused by incorrect loading of the work W by the operator and improve reliability.

[0069] <Other Embodiments> As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have 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. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the left-right asymmetric portion 32 is provided above the plate portion 26 has been described as an example. However, the plate portion 26 may have a left-right asymmetric shape that abuts against the restricting portion in the insertion direction Di when the workpiece W is inserted in the wrong direction. Examples of the left-right asymmetric shape include a shape having a protrusion protruding laterally of the workpiece W from either the right edge or the left edge of the plate portion 26.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the restricting portion 14 has a flat plate shape in the thickness direction of the insertion portion 11 has been exemplified. However, the shape of the restricting portion 14 is not limited to a flat plate shape.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the flask unit W1 and the well plate unit W2 have been described as examples of the workpiece W. However, the workpiece W is not limited to these flask unit W1 and well plate unit W2, and may be any workpiece W that is automatically transported within the cell culture system 100.

[0072] Furthermore, the case where the well plate unit W2 has the plate portion 26 has been exemplified. However, the flask unit W1 may be configured to include the plate portion 26. The workpiece storage device 112 of the above embodiment has been described in the case where it can store the flask unit W1 and the well plate unit W2 as the workpiece W, respectively. However, the type of the workpiece W stored in the workpiece storage device 112 is not limited to the above flask unit W1 and well plate unit W2. Also, the combination of the flask unit W1 and the well plate unit W2 is not limited. The workpiece storage device 112 may store, for example, only the flask unit W1 or only the well plate unit W2.

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the workpiece storage device 112 includes a plurality of stages of the workpiece storage units 10 in the vertical direction Dv has been described. However, the workpiece storage device 112 is not limited to one that includes a plurality of stages of the workpiece storage units 10 in the vertical direction Dv.

[0074] Similarly, in the above-described embodiments and each modification, the case where the work storage device 112 includes a plurality of rows of work storage units 10 arranged in the left-right direction Dh has been described. However, the work storage device 112 is not limited to having a plurality of rows of work storage units 10 in the left-right direction Dh. Further, in the above-described embodiments and each modification, the case where the work storage device 112 is composed of a plurality of work storage units 10 has been exemplified. However, the work storage device 112 may be composed of a single work storage unit 10.

[0075] <Appendix> The work storage system, work storage device, work, and cell culture system described in each embodiment are understood as follows, for example.

[0076] (1) The work storage system according to the first aspect includes works W, W1, W2 used in the cell culture system 100, an input unit 11 into which the works W, W1, W2 can be inserted, and a take-out unit 13 from which the works W, W1, W2 can be taken out, and includes a work storage device 112 capable of storing the works W, W1, W2 therein. The works W, W1, W2 have an asymmetric shape when viewed from the input direction Di in which they are inserted into the input unit 11 of the work storage device 112. The input unit 11 of the work storage device 112 includes restricting portions 14, 14A, 14B that allow the insertion of the works W, W1, W2 when the works W, W1, W2 are in the correct orientation, while hitting against the works W, W1, W2 in the input direction Di and restricting the insertion of the works W, W1, W2 when the works W, W1, W2 are in the wrong orientation. Examples of the work include a flask unit including a flask, a well plate unit including a well plate, a chip rack including chips, and a vial rack including vial containers.

[0077] Accordingly, when an operator attempts to insert the workpieces W, W1, and W2 into the insertion section 11 in a left-right reversed orientation, the restricting sections 14, 14A, and 14B will abut against the workpieces W, W1, and W2, and the insertion of the workpiece W will be restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the workpieces W, W1, and W2 from being inserted into the insertion section 11 in the wrong orientation by the operator. Thus, it is possible to suppress incorrect insertion by the operator without complicating the configuration of the workpiece storage system.

[0078] (2) The workpiece storage system according to the second aspect is the workpiece storage system of (1), wherein the workpiece W2 includes a plate portion 26 formed asymmetrically left and right when viewed from the insertion direction Di. Examples of the workpiece include a well plate unit including a well plate.

[0079] Accordingly, when an operator attempts to insert the workpiece W2 into the insertion section 11 in a left-right reversed orientation, the restricting section 14 will abut against the plate portion 26, and the insertion of the workpiece W2 can be restricted. Further, since the workpiece W2 can be formed into an asymmetric shape left and right by the plate portion 26, even for the symmetrically shaped workpiece W, it can be easily made into an asymmetric shape left and right by adding the plate portion 26.

[0080] (3) The workpiece storage system according to the third aspect is the workpiece storage system of (2), wherein the workpiece W2 includes a workpiece main body 21B stacked in the vertical direction Dv, a workpiece tray 22B that supports the workpiece main body 21B from below, and a plurality of the plate portions 26 that extend upward from the workpiece tray 22B and extend in a direction intersecting the insertion direction Di to sandwich the workpiece main body 21B and the workpiece tray 22B from both sides in the insertion direction Di.

[0081] Accordingly, the plate portion 26 can be effectively used as a member for suppressing the displacement of the workpiece main bodies 21B stacked vertically in the insertion direction Di. Therefore, an increase in the number of parts of the workpiece W2 can be suppressed.

[0082] (4) The work storage system according to the fourth aspect is the work storage system of (2), wherein the plate portion 26 includes a first edge portion 41 extending in the vertical direction Dv, a second edge portion 42 extending in the horizontal direction Dh, and a chamfered portion 43 connecting the end of the adjacent first edge portion 41 and the end of the second edge portion 42.

[0083] (5) The work storage system according to the fifth aspect is the work storage system of (1), wherein the work W1 includes a work body 21A extending in the vertical direction and a work tray 22 that supports the work body 21A only in one of the left - right directions when viewed from the input direction Di. The work body 21A protrudes above the work tray 22. The restricting portion 14A is provided above the input portion 11, allows displacement of the work body 21A in the input direction Di when the work W1 is in the correct orientation, and abuts against the work body 21A in the input direction Di and restricts displacement of the work body 21A in the input direction Di when the work W1 is in the wrong orientation. Examples of the work include a flask unit including a flask.

[0084] Thus, when an operator tries to insert the work W1 into the input portion 11 in the wrong left - right orientation, the restricting portion 14 abuts against the work body 21A, and the insertion of the work W1 is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the work W1 from being inserted into the input portion 11 in the wrong orientation by the operator.

[0085] (6) The work storage device according to the sixth aspect is a work storage device 112 for storing the inserted works W, W1, W2, and includes an input portion 11 into which the works W, W1, W2 having an asymmetrical shape when viewed from the input direction Di can be inserted. The input portion 11 includes restricting portions 14, 14A, 14B that allow insertion of the works W, W1, W2 when the works W, W1, W2 are in the correct orientation, and abut against the works in the input direction Di and restrict insertion of the works W, W1, W2 when the works W, W1, W2 are in the wrong orientation.

[0086] Accordingly, when the workpieces W, W1, and W2 having a left-right asymmetric shape when viewed from the input direction Di are input from the input unit 11, the restricting units 14, 14A, and 14B can suppress incorrect input by the operator because they restrict the input of the workpieces W, W1, and W2 in the wrong direction.

[0087] (7) The workpiece according to the seventh aspect is the workpiece W, W1, or W2 stored in the workpiece storage device 112 by being input from the input unit 11 of the workpiece storage device 112, and has an asymmetric shape when viewed from the input direction, and has restricting portions 14, 14A, and 14B formed asymmetrically left and right. When the workpiece is input in the correct direction to the input unit 11, it does not contact the restricting portions 14, 14A, and 14B, while when the workpiece is input in the wrong direction to the input unit 11, it is configured to hit the restricting portions 14, 14A, and 14B. Examples of the workpiece include a flask unit including a flask, a well plate unit including a well plate, a chip rack including chips, and a vial rack including vial containers.

[0088] Accordingly, when the workpiece is input in the wrong direction to the input unit 11, it can be made to hit the restricting portions 14, 14A, and 14B.

[0089] (8) The workpiece according to the eighth aspect is the workpiece W2 of (7), and includes a plate portion 26 formed asymmetrically left and right when viewed from the input direction Di, which does not contact the restricting portion 14B when the workpiece is input in the correct direction to the input unit 11, while hitting the restricting portion 14B when the workpiece is input in the wrong direction to the input unit 11. Accordingly, since it is only necessary to provide the plate portion 26, the workpiece W2 having an asymmetric shape can be easily configured. Examples of the workpiece include a well plate unit including a well plate.

[0090] (9) The workpiece according to the ninth aspect is the workpiece W2 of (8), and the plate portion 26 includes a first edge portion 41 extending in the vertical direction Dv, a second edge portion 42 extending in the horizontal direction Dh, and a chamfered portion 43 connecting the end of the adjacent first edge portion 41 and the end of the second edge portion 42.

[0091] (10) The cell culture system 100 according to the tenth aspect includes a stocker 110 that houses any one of the workpiece storage systems of (1) to (4), a clean bench 140 having a liquid operation area R4 for performing a dispensing operation on the workpieces W, W1, and W2, an incubator 130 having a culture area R3 for growing cells in the culture solution contained in the workpieces W, W1, and W2, and a stocker internal transfer device 113 provided in the stocker 110 and capable of horizontally removing the workpieces W, W1, and W2 from the take-out portion 13 of the workpiece storage unit 10 by gripping the workpieces W, W1, and W2.

[0092] Thus, in the cell culture system 100 that automatically transports the workpieces W, W1, and W2 in the stocker 110, performs a dispensing operation by the clean bench 140, and grows cells by the incubator 130, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of defects such as improper addresses related to the automatic transport of the workpieces W, W1, and W2 and improve the reliability.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 10... Workpiece storage unit 11... Loading section 12... Storage section 12f... Sliding surface 13... Take-out section 13s... Stopper 13o... Take-out opening 14... Regulation section 14A... First regulation section 14B... Second regulation section 21... Workpiece body 21A... Flask 21B... Well plate 22... Workpiece tray 22A... Flask tray 22B... Well plate tray 23... Mounting plate 24... Support part 25... Upper frame 25a... Opening 25b... Cover placement area 26... Plate part 27... Base plate 28... Support part 29... Upper mounting plate 30... Mounting surface 31... Sub-tray 32... Left-right asymmetric part 32a... Protrusion 33, 37... Opening 34, 38... Base part 35, 39... First concave part 36, 40... Second concave part 41... First edge 42... Second edge 43... Chamfered part 100... Cell culture system 110... Stocker 111... Stocker body 112... Work storage device 113... In-stocker transfer device 113h... Hand 130... Incubator 140... Clean bench 150... Pass box Dv... Vertical direction Dh... Horizontal direction R1... Storage area R3... Culture area R4... Liquid operation area W... Work W1... Flask unit W2... Well plate unit O1, O2, O3, O4... Central axis

Claims

1. A workpiece used in a cell culture system, a workpiece storage device having an insertion part into which the workpiece can be inserted, a removal part from which the workpiece can be removed, and capable of storing the workpiece therein, the workpiece having an asymmetric shape when viewed from the insertion direction into the insertion part of the workpiece storage device, the insertion part of the workpiece storage device including a restricting part that allows the insertion of the workpiece when the workpiece is in the correct orientation, and that abuts against the workpiece in the insertion direction and restricts the insertion of the workpiece when the workpiece is in the wrong orientation A workpiece storage system.

2. The workpiece includes a plate part formed asymmetrically left and right when viewed from the insertion direction. The workpiece storage system according to Claim 1.

3. The workpiece includes a workpiece body stacked in the vertical direction, a workpiece tray supporting the workpiece body from below, and a plurality of the plate parts extending upward from the workpiece tray and extending in a direction intersecting the insertion direction to sandwich the workpiece body and the workpiece tray from both sides in the insertion direction. and includes The workpiece storage system according to Claim 2.

4. The plate part includes a first edge portion extending in the vertical direction, a second edge portion extending in the horizontal direction, and a chamfered portion connecting an end portion of the adjacent first edge portion and an end portion of the second edge portion. The workpiece storage system according to Claim 2.

5. The workpiece includes a workpiece body extending in the vertical direction and a workpiece tray supporting the workpiece body only on one side in the horizontal direction when viewed from the insertion direction, the workpiece body protruding above the workpiece tray, the restricting part being provided at an upper part of the insertion part, allowing displacement of the workpiece body in the insertion direction when the workpiece is in the correct orientation, and abutting against the workpiece body in the insertion direction and restricting displacement of the workpiece body in the insertion direction when the workpiece is in the wrong orientation The workpiece storage system according to Claim 1.

6. A workpiece storage device for accommodating an inserted workpiece, including an insertion part into which the workpiece having an asymmetric shape when viewed from the insertion direction can be inserted, the insertion part including a restricting part that allows the insertion of the workpiece when the workpiece is in the correct orientation, and that abuts against the workpiece in the insertion direction and restricts the insertion of the workpiece when the workpiece is in the wrong orientation A workpiece storage device.

7. A workpiece that is stored in the workpiece storage device by being input from the input section of the workpiece storage device, having an asymmetric shape in the left-right direction, configured such that when it is input in the correct orientation into the input section having a restricting portion formed asymmetrically in the left-right direction when viewed from the input direction, it does not contact the restricting portion, while when it is input in the wrong orientation into the input section, it hits the restricting portion.

8. Comprising a plate portion formed asymmetrically in the left-right direction when viewed from the input direction, such that when the workpiece is input in the correct orientation into the input section, it does not contact the restricting portion, while when it is input in the wrong orientation into the input section, it hits the restricting portion The workpiece according to claim 7.

9. The plate portion includes a first edge portion extending in the vertical direction, a second edge portion extending in the left-right direction, and a chamfered portion connecting the end of the adjacent first edge portion and the end of the second edge portion. The workpiece according to claim 8.

10. A stocker that houses the workpiece storage system according to claim 1, a clean bench having a liquid operation area for performing a dispensing operation on the workpiece, an incubator having a culture area for growing cells in the culture solution contained in the workpiece, a stocker internal transfer device provided in the stocker, capable of gripping the workpiece and taking out the workpiece from the workpiece storage system, A cell culture system comprising the above.

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