Pass box

Abstract

To efficiently perform disinfection or sterilization in a pass box.SOLUTION: A pass box has: a delivery chamber; a first opening / closing door; a second opening / closing door; a blower provided for an upper side of the delivery chamber; and an HEPA filter provided between the delivery chamber and the blower, where the pass box has an air hole below the delivery chamber, and has a circulation path which returns atmospheric air from the air hole to the blower on an outer side face of the delivery chamber, and also has a variable-angle shield plate on an inner surface of either the first opening / closing door or the second opening / closing door.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pass box. [Background technology]

[0002] To maintain the cleanliness of a clean room and prevent the intrusion of dust and bacteria from outside, people and large objects are brought in and out after an air shower is used to remove any adhering dust or bacteria. Pass boxes are used to bring small objects and samples into and out of a clean room. Pass boxes are installed between two or more rooms with different levels of cleanliness in industrial fields such as regenerative medicine, where cell culture is performed, and medical and pharmaceutical industries, where genetic manipulation is performed, to maintain the cleanliness of the clean room.

[0003] When placing items in a pass box, they may be wiped down with alcohol or other cleaning agents to remove dirt and dust. The door of the pass box may also be opened, the items placed inside, then closed again, and a germicidal lamp may be used to sterilize the surfaces of the items being handled.

[0004] Patent Document 1 shows an example of a pass box that uses a germicidal lamp. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-82722 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the field of regenerative medicine, where cells are cultured, it is important to prevent cross-contamination.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses a surface sterilization method using ultraviolet light irradiation from a germicidal lamp, but does not consider sterilization of areas not exposed to ultraviolet light or sterilization or sterilization including the air circulation path.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a pass box that enables the sterilizing gas used to sterilize a clean room to be efficiently taken into the pass box, thereby performing sterilization and disinfection inside the pass box. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An example of a means for solving the above problem is as follows.

[0010] A pass box having a transfer chamber, a first opening / closing door, a second opening / closing door, a blower provided above the transfer chamber, and a HEPA filter provided between the transfer chamber and the blower, the pass box having an air hole below the transfer chamber, a circulation path on the outer side of the transfer chamber that returns air from the air hole to the blower side, and an angle-adjustable shielding plate on the inner surface of either the first opening / closing door or the second opening / closing door. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the pass box of the present invention, it is possible to provide a pass box that can simultaneously disinfect or sterilize the inside of the pass box when sterilizing the inside of a clean room using a hydrogen peroxide gas generator.

[0012] Further means and effects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the entire specification below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the wind inside a pass box in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a guide according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a guide according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of an opening / closing door portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an opening and closing door in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an operational flow diagram of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a current plate. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as needed. [Example]

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The pass box 17 has a door 1. The door 1 has a handle 2 for opening and closing, and a window glass 9 for checking the inside. It also has an indicator light 6 for indicating the power supply status, the operating status of the fan, and the open status of the door 1. For example, the pass box 17 has a pair of doors 1 on opposite sides for the purpose of handing over and receiving goods.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The upper part of the pass box 17 has a blower 3 and a HEPA filter 4. It may also have a germicidal lamp 5. The arrows indicate the air circulation path inside the pass box 17. The air pushed in by the blower 3 passes through the HEPA filter 4 to become purified air, and then passes through the delivery space 8. It then passes through slits or holes opened in the stage 7 below the pass box, or slits or holes provided on the side of the stage around the stage, and returns to the blower 3 above the circulation path as circulating air 21 that passes inside the circulation path 25. In this way, the air circulates along the same path within the pass box, continuously supplying purified air to the delivery space 8.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of the inside of a pass box in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The pass box 17 is installed so as to straddle the wall 35. This means that it is located in both the loading room 10 and the work room 11. It has a first opening / closing door 1a on the work room 11 side and a second opening / closing door 1b on the loading room 10 side.

[0021] One of the features of this embodiment is that the second opening / closing door 1b has a shielding plate 12 on the inside thereof. As an example, this shielding plate 12 is fixed to the upper inside portion of the second opening / closing door 1b via a rotating part 40. 15 is an indicator light.

[0022] Normally, the shielding plate 12 is parallel to the second opening / closing door 1b, so that it is in a stored state, so that even if the shielding plate 12 is installed, it does not affect the item delivery space of the pass box.

[0023] Next, how to use the shielding plate 12 will be described.

[0024] 4 shows a state in which the shielding plate 12 has been rotated by the rotating part 40 and is disposed so as to be oblique or at an angle to the second opening / closing door 1b. In other words, this is the deployed state.

[0025] The movement of the wind inside the pass box at this time will be explained using FIG.

[0026] The shielding plate 12 is deployed over the second door 1b, and the first door 1a is opened. The pass box is then operated. In addition to the wind movement described in FIG. 2 , two new winds are generated: wind 52, which blows out from inside the pass box through the opening of the first door 1a toward the work chamber 11, and wind 54, which conversely draws air from the work chamber 11 into the pass box through the opening of the first door 1a. If the shielding plate 12 is not present or is not deployed, the wind flowing out into the work chamber through the opening of the first door 1a and the wind flowing from the work chamber into the pass box will be mixed in a complex manner, resulting in an uncontrolled and chaotic flow of wind. In contrast, if the shielding plate 12 is present or deployed, the airflow is separated by the shielding plate, allowing wind 52 and wind 54 to be clearly separated.

[0027] The reason why this separated airflow contributes to the sterilization and disinfection of the pass box 17 will be explained below.

[0028] First, we will explain the sterilization of a work chamber or clean room using a hydrogen peroxide gas generator or the like in work chamber 11. Hydrogen peroxide gas generated by the hydrogen peroxide gas generator fills work chamber 11. At this time, by creating a state as shown in FIG. 5, hydrogen peroxide gas is introduced into the pass box as airflow 54. The introduced hydrogen peroxide gas is then introduced into circulation path 25 (FIG. 2) as airflow 55 through holes or slits in stage 7 or holes or slits in the peripheral side of stage 7. This occurs because operation of blower 3 creates negative pressure within circulation path 25, creating a suction force. The introduced hydrogen peroxide passes through circulation path 25 as circulating airflow 21 (FIG. 2) and then reaches blower 3 as airflow 56. The air containing hydrogen peroxide from blower 3 passes through HEPA filter 4 and is blown down into the chamber as airflow 51. Here, the blown down airflow 51 is blocked by shielding plate 12 and is expelled outside pass box 17 as airflow 52. It then diffuses into a wider space and begins to have an upward component like wind 53.

[0029] In this way, the shielding plate 12 efficiently separates the airflow 52 and the airflow 54, allowing hydrogen peroxide gas to be introduced quickly and efficiently throughout the entire pass box, making it possible to reliably sterilize and disinfect the entire pass box, especially including the circulation path.

[0030] Furthermore, the sterilization and disinfection achieved by this pass box structure is expected to contribute not only to the pass box itself, but also to work rooms and clean rooms. The reasons for this are explained below.

[0031] When sterilizing a workroom or clean room using a hydrogen peroxide gas generator, for example, the hydrogen peroxide gas generator is placed near the center of the room, generating hydrogen peroxide gas and circulating the air throughout the room to sterilize. However, depending on the shape of the room and the layout of the equipment, airflow may stagnate or become turbulent, resulting in insufficient sterilization in areas with low airflow. In such cases, an air circulator or other air circulator is brought into the room to circulate the sterilizing gas through the room air, thereby sterilizing the entire room. However, this method has presented problems with the positioning of the circulator and the reproducibility of the sterilization effect. Furthermore, the rotation of the blades of the circulator generates dust, which can potentially contaminate the clean room.

[0032] In contrast, the pass box of the present invention allows clean, dust-free air containing hydrogen peroxide gas to be blown down into the clean room at an angle as airflow 52 because the air passes through the HEPA filter 4. Furthermore, suction force acts as airflow 54, further strengthening the circulation of air containing hydrogen peroxide in the clean room. As a result, stagnation and retention of air within the clean room during clean room sterilization can be suppressed, enabling sterilization effects to be achieved throughout the clean room. Furthermore, since the installation of a separate circulator is no longer necessary, the workload during clean room sterilization processing can also be reduced.

[0033] Next, we will explain how the angle of the shielding plate 12 is fixed. Fixation can be achieved by a locking function provided in the rotating part 40. For example, a locking mechanism provided in the hinge part of a folding mobile phone or laptop computer is one example. However, unlike consumer products, pass boxes are used continuously over long periods of time, so reliability is particularly important. For this reason, it is desirable for the mechanism to be as simple as possible.

[0034] 6 shows an example in which the angle of the shielding plate 12 is fixed by a guide 14, which acts as a stopper, so to speak. This is a simple and highly reliable structure.

[0035] 7A shows the storage state in which the guide 14 is folded toward the second opening / closing door 1b. At this time, the shielding plate 12 is also in the storage state. 41 is a rotating part.

[0036] Figure 7B shows a state in which the guide 14 is perpendicular to the second opening / closing door 1b, that is, in the case of the housing as shown in Figure 6, which is in a so-called unfolded state. At this time, the shielding plate 12 is also in an unfolded state.

[0037] 7A and 7B, the guide 14 is a rotating member provided on the second opening / closing door 1b. Of course, a similar guide 14 can also be provided on the shielding plate 12 side.

[0038] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating the state of FIG. 7B in more detail.

[0039] A shielding plate window glass 13 is attached to the center of the shielding plate 12, and is positioned to align with the window glass 9 of the door 1 when the shielding plate 12 is closed. The double structure of the shielding plate window glass 13 and the window glass 9 of the door 1 is expected to have the effect of blocking sound from inside and outside the clean room. The shielding plate 12 is also equipped with a red indicator light 15 that lights up when the shielding plate 12 is open. The open / closed state of the shielding plate 12 is detected by a shielding plate limit switch 16 installed on the back surface of the door 1. When the indicator light 15, for example red, lights up, light leaks from the door 1 of the pass box 17, making it possible to confirm from inside and outside the clean room that sterilization is in progress, and also serving as a warning that entry is prohibited.

[0040] 8B is a side cross-sectional view of the door 1, illustrating an example of the structure of the guide 14. It is also a diagram illustrating the positional relationship of the shielding plate limit switch 16.

[0041] 9 is an operational flow diagram of the pass box in one embodiment of the present invention. This is the overall flow when the sterilization device is started up for the purpose of disinfecting or sterilizing the inside of the pass box 17.

[0042] First, in S01, the sterilization device or a separately installed sterilization command switch is turned ON, which then moves to the sterilization operation flow.

[0043] At S02, the sterilizer is ready to start.

[0044] In S03, it is determined whether or not the first opening / closing door 1a of the pass box 17 on the side of the work room 11 is open. If it is not open, the process returns to S02.

[0045] If it is open, in S04 it is determined whether the shielding plate 12 is open. This is determined by the shielding plate limit switch 16, and the condition is that the shielding plate 12 is deployed. If it is not deployed, the process returns to S02. At this time, a mechanism may be provided that issues an alarm or an instruction to deploy the shielding plate.

[0046] When the shielding plate is deployed, the sterilization device is started in S05, and then the pass box sterilization mode is started in S06.

[0047] At this time, the air circulation efficiency can be further improved by adding a sterilization mode operation to the pass box 17. Sterilization mode operation means, for example, increasing the rotation speed of the blower 3 built into the pass box 17 during sterilization to increase the air volume, or operating it intermittently, or switching the air volume over time. By changing the air volume control method from normal operation in this way, hydrogen peroxide can be effectively supplied from the pass box, particularly into the work room or clean room, thereby promoting the circulation of air containing hydrogen peroxide within the work room or clean room and improving the efficiency of the sterilization work in the work room or clean room.

[0048] Furthermore, by having a work flow like that shown in Figure 9, the first openable door 1a located on the workroom side of the pass box 17 is always opened during sterilization, and sterilization is performed with the shielding plate 12 in place. This prevents oversight of work. Also, by promoting the circulation of indoor air, the sterilization effect can be achieved and reproducibility can be ensured. [Example]

[0049] The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that a current plate 18 is disposed near the HEPA filter 4 instead of the shielding plate 12 of the first embodiment.

[0050] Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3. A rectifying plate 18 is disposed near the HEPA filter 4. Fig. 10 also shows the rectifying plate 18 in a retracted state.

[0051] The rectifying plate 18 is fixed horizontally below the HEPA filter 4 except during sterilization. After passing through the HEPA filter 4, the air pressurized by the blower 3 is rectified by passing through the rectifying plate 18, and is supplied to the delivery space 8 at a uniform wind speed. This rectifies the air inside the pass box 17, and also has the effect of preventing stagnation and air from flying up.

[0052] For the purpose of rectifying the airflow, it is essential that air passages are formed in the rectifying plate 18. Fig. 12 is an example of a plan view of the rectifying plate 18. It is a so-called punched plate with many holes 90 formed therein.

[0053] Figure 11 is a view corresponding to Figure 4. The straightening vane 18 is deployed and is angled or tilted relative to the HEPA filter.

[0054] In this embodiment, the effect of improving the efficiency of disinfection and sterilization of pass boxes as described in the first embodiment can be achieved. [Example]

[0055] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 2. The difference is that a germicidal lamp 5 is provided below the rectifying plate 18. Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Fig. 10, and Fig. 14 is a view corresponding to Fig. 11. It is shown that the germicidal lamp 5 also moves when the rectifying plate 18 is deployed.

[0056] This embodiment can achieve the same effects as in embodiment 2. Furthermore, when the germicidal lamp 5 is turned on in the state shown in Fig. 14, it becomes possible to sterilize or disinfect the diagonal space near the rotating part 40, which is a corner inside the pass box, by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, which also has the effect of achieving more efficient sterilization or disinfection of the pass box.

[0057] The above examples illustrate the ideas and concepts of the present invention. Of course, the scope of the present invention also includes cases where the examples are combined. Furthermore, as long as the disclosed ideas and concepts are used, modifications and similar examples are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0058] Furthermore, one example of the present invention described using the above embodiments can also be expressed as follows.

[0059] <Part 1> A pass box having a transfer chamber, a first opening / closing door, a second opening / closing door, a blower provided above the transfer chamber, and a HEPA filter provided between the transfer chamber and the blower, the pass box having an air hole below the transfer chamber, a circulation path on the outer side of the transfer chamber that returns air from the air hole to the blower side, and an angle-adjustable shielding plate on the inner surface of either the first opening / closing door or the second opening / closing door.

[0060] <Part 2> In the pass box described in <No. 1>, the angle-variable shielding plate is a shielding plate that changes angle around the upper side of the shielding plate as the center of rotation.

[0061] <Part 3> In the pass box described in <No. 2>, the angle-variable shielding plate is arranged on the second opening and closing door, and the first opening and closing door is installed on the work room side.

[0062] <Part 4> In the pass box described in <Item 3>, the second opening and closing door is installed on the loading room side.

[0063] <Part 5> In the pass box described in <No. 4>, the angle-variable shielding plate has an angle fixing function either by itself or by a rotating member.

[0064] <Part 6> <No. 5> The pass box described above has a function of detecting whether the shielding plate is deployed or not.

[0065] <Part 7> In the pass box described in <No. 5>, when the sterilization work is performed in the work chamber, the first opening and closing door is opened and the angle of the shielding plate is increased.

[0066] <Part 8> A pass box having a transfer chamber, a first opening / closing door, a second opening / closing door, a blower provided above the transfer chamber, and a HEPA filter provided between the transfer chamber and the blower, the pass box having an air hole below the transfer chamber, a circulation path on the outer side of the transfer chamber that returns air from the air hole to the blower side, and an angle-adjustable straightening plate above the transfer chamber.

[0067] <No. 9> In the pass box described in <No. 8>, the angle-variable straightening plate is a straightening plate that changes its angle toward the transfer room, with the second opening / closing door side as the center of rotation.

[0068] <Part 10> In the pass box described in <No. 9>, the first opening and closing door is installed on the work room side.

[0069] <Part 11> In the pass box described in <No. 10>, the second opening and closing door is installed on the loading room side.

[0070] <Part 12> In the pass box described in <Item 11>, the angle-variable straightening plate has an angle fixing function either by itself or by a rotating member.

[0071] <Part 13> <Item 12> The pass box described in the above has a function of detecting whether the straightening plate is deployed or not.

[0072] <Part 14> In the pass box described in <No. 12>, when the sterilization work of the work chamber is performed, the first opening and closing door is opened and the angle of the straightening plate is increased. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1: Door 1a: First door 1b: Second door 2: Handle 3: Blower 4: HEPA filter 5: Germicidal lamp 6: Indicator light 7: Stage 8: Delivery space 9: Window glass 10: Loading room 11:Workroom 12: Shielding plate 13: Shielding plate window glass 14: Guide 15: Indicator light 16: Shielding plate limit switch 17: Pass box 18: Rectifier plate 20: Wind 21: Circulating wind 25:Circulation route 35: Wall 40: Rotating part 41: Rotating part 90: Hole

Claims

1. A pass box having a transfer chamber, a first opening / closing door, a second opening / closing door, a blower provided above the transfer chamber, and a HEPA filter provided between the transfer chamber and the blower, An air hole is provided below the delivery chamber, a circulation path on the outer side surface of the delivery chamber that returns the air from the air hole to the blower side; A pass box having an angle-variable shielding plate on the inner surface of either the first opening / closing door or the second opening / closing door.

2. 2. The pass box according to claim 1, wherein the angle-variable shielding plate is a shielding plate whose angle is changed around an upper side as a rotation center.

3. 3. The pass box according to claim 2, wherein the angle-variable shielding plate is disposed on the second opening / closing door, The first opening and closing door is a pass box installed on the workroom side.

4. The pass box according to claim 3, The second opening and closing door is a pass box installed on the loading room side.

5. The pass box according to claim 4, The variable angle shielding plate is a pass box that has an angle fixing function either by itself or by a rotating member.

6. The pass box according to claim 5, A pass box that has the function of detecting whether the shielding plate is deployed or not.

7. The pass box according to claim 5, During sterilization work in the work chamber, the first opening and closing door is opened and the angle of the shielding plate is increased.

8. A pass box having a transfer chamber, a first opening / closing door, a second opening / closing door, a blower provided above the transfer chamber, and a HEPA filter provided between the transfer chamber and the blower, An air hole is provided below the delivery chamber, a circulation path on the outer side surface of the delivery chamber that returns the air from the air hole to the blower side; A pass box having an angle-adjustable straightening plate above the transfer chamber.

9. 9. The pass box according to claim 8, wherein the angle-variable rectifying plate is a rectifying plate that changes its angle toward the transfer chamber side with the second opening / closing door side as the center of rotation.

10. The pass box according to claim 9, The first opening and closing door is a pass box installed on the workroom side.

11. The pass box according to claim 10, The second opening and closing door is a pass box installed on the loading room side.

12. The pass box according to claim 11, The variable angle straightening plate is a pass box that has an angle fixing function either by itself or by a rotating member.

13. 13. The pass box according to claim 12, A pass box having a function of detecting whether the straightening plate is deployed or not.

14. 13. The pass box according to claim 12, During the sterilization operation of the work chamber, the first opening and closing door is opened and the angle of the straightening plate is increased in the pass box.

Images