Pass box

Abstract

To provide a pass box which is related to a technique when an article is delivered from the outside and carried in a chamber with controlled cleanliness in a medicine production plant, a precision apparatus factory and various research facilities, and in this case, the article to be carried in requires severe sterilization and dust removing functions due to being carried in a chamber with constant controlled cleanliness from ordinary atmosphere, and it is an essential condition that sterilization means to be used has no environmental load.SOLUTION: A pass box uses an LED11 enabling sterilization without environmental load, and has a function of sterilizing an article put in the bass pox by direct irradiation, and collecting, sterilizing and dust removing functions of germs by a highly efficient filter 9 due to circulation of air in a box body 1. The pass box can perform secure inactivation, sterilization and dust removal to virus with strong infectivity and general germs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pass box that consists of a box body and a box space with doors facing the indoor and outdoor sides, each of which is controlled to a predetermined cleanliness level, and through which items are handed over between the indoor and outdoor sides via this box space. In particular, the present invention relates to a pass box with sterilization and dust removal functions that improves the sterilization and dust removal effects of the items being handed over. [Background technology]

[0002] In clean room facilities such as pharmaceutical factories, factories that manufacture precision parts such as semiconductors, and various research laboratories, goods are handed over between indoor spaces where cleanliness is controlled and outdoor spaces where cleanliness is different. When these goods are handed over, pass boxes are used to prevent germs, microorganisms, and dust from entering the indoor spaces where cleanliness is controlled. [Prior art documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4722642 [Patent Document 2] Patent Document 1, published as JP 2003-220120, describes a pass box with germicidal lamps, which comprises a box with doors facing the indoor and outdoor sides set to a predetermined atmosphere, and multiple germicidal lamps installed on the inside of the box, and which is used to transfer items between the indoor and outdoor sides via the box. The box has multiple vertically arranged light-transmitting support members inside it, and the germicidal lamps are installed so that ultraviolet light is irradiated onto items placed on each support member from above and below and from approximately horizontal directions on the side of the box relative to the direction of transfer of the items. The germicidal lamp is installed on the upper support member perpendicular to the direction of transfer of the items so that ultraviolet light is irradiated onto items placed on it from below and onto items placed on the lower support member from above. The germicidal lamp is installed so that ultraviolet light is irradiated in a tunnel-like manner along the direction of transfer of the items. Furthermore, a germicidal lamp is installed on the inside of each of the doors. The main selling point of Patent Document 1 is the effective placement of germicidal lamps within the pass box. The germicidal lamps are ultraviolet lamps, and their manufacture and sale are currently being restricted due to the mercury they contain, which creates a significant environmental impact. Furthermore, they lack internal air circulation and a high-performance filter for dust removal. Patent Document 2 describes a pass box consisting of a box with doors facing both the indoor and outdoor sides, each set to a predetermined atmosphere. The pass box is used to transfer items between the indoor and outdoor sides. The pass box is characterized by the germicidal lamps being positioned on the six inner sides of the box at a predetermined distance from the items so that ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the items from the six sides. The germicidal lamps are only turned on when both doors are closed, and the germicidal lamps on the doors are turned on by receiving current from a current supply circuit installed inside the box other than the doors via contacts between the doors and the box. The pass box with germicidal lamps according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the germicidal lamps other than the germicidal lamp installed on the inside of the door are arranged in a tunnel shape with their longitudinal direction aligned with the direction in which the items pass, so as to surround the items.Similarly in the above Patent Document 2, the main selling point is the effective placement of germicidal lamps inside the pass box. The germicidal lamps are so-called ultraviolet lamps, which contain mercury and have a large environmental impact, and do not have the function of removing dust through air circulation inside. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The pass boxes with sterilization functions in the above-mentioned prior art documents 1 and 2 are primarily focused on having germicidal lamps handed over inside the box and effectively irradiate items. In view of resolving the issues of the prior art, the present invention relates to a pass box device that uses an environmentally friendly sterilization means to inactivate and sterilize various viruses and bacteria, while also having a dust removal function that turns dust adhering to items into dust.

[0005] The deep-ultraviolet LED used in this invention has a wavelength of 220 to 300 nm, and university research institutes and companies have demonstrated that its inactivation and sterilization effect on the new coronavirus and all common bacteria is over 99% under certain conditions, and this has been published in papers and other publications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The pass box of the present invention relates to a technology for delivering and transporting items from outside into rooms where cleanliness is controlled, such as in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, precision equipment factories for semiconductors and electronic components, and various research facilities. In this case, the items being transported into rooms controlled to a certain level of cleanliness from a general atmosphere require strict sterilization and dust removal functions. The pass box of the present invention is characterized by using LEDs that can sterilize without putting a burden on the environment, and also by having a dust removal function using a high-performance filter by circulating air inside the pass box. An example of the pass box of the present invention will be described. The pass box of the present invention comprises a box space 2 within a box body 1, a controlled-side door 3 attached to the box body facing the cleanliness-controlled side, an uncontrolled-side door 4 on the opposite side, a bottom space 5 at the bottom of the box space, a bottom plate 6 that allows ventilation to the bottom space, a ventilation duct 7 attached behind the side connecting to the bottom space 5, a ceiling space 8 connected to the ventilation duct 7, a high-performance filter 9 disposed between the ceiling space 8 and the box space 2, a blower fan 10 disposed within the ventilation duct 7, and further, sterilization LEDs 11, indicator lights 12, and a control box 13 disposed on the inner walls of both side surfaces of the box space, the inner wall of the ventilation duct, and the upper part of the ceiling space, respectively. In a pass box configured as described above, a user recognizes from the indicator light that an item can be inserted, manually opens the uncontrolled-side door, places the item on the bottom plate inside the box space, and then closes the door. Next, according to a procedure programmed in the control box, the blower fan located in the ventilation duct begins blowing air, and at the same time all the sterilization LEDs light up and begin irradiating. It continues to operate until the preset timer expires, at which point the indicator light on the control side lights up, informing the control side worker that items can be removed. The control side worker opens the control side door, removes the items placed inside the box space, and then closes the door. Next, with both doors closed and the box space empty, the blower fan continues blowing air and all the sterilization LEDs light up and irradiate for the preset time, circulating the air inside the box body while sterilizing and removing dust. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, for example, when items are handed over from the unmanaged side to the managed side, the box space can be sterilized and dust-free beforehand, and after placing the items and closing the door, the items are sterilized by direct irradiation from sterilization LEDs attached to the interior walls of the box space. Bacteria detached from the items by the force of the airflow are sterilized by the sterilization LEDs on the walls after moving through gaps in the bottom plate into the ventilation duct. Bacteria that are not sterilized are captured on the suction surface of a high-performance filter installed in the ceiling and then sterilized again by the sterilization LEDs installed above. This completes three-stage sterilization process, enhancing the sterilization effect. In addition to sterilization, dust adhering to the surfaces of items placed in the box space is also filtered by the high-performance filter through the air circulating inside the box body, potentially improving the cleanliness of the items. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A pass box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In all of the following drawings, the dimensions and proportions of each component are shown differently as appropriate to facilitate understanding. [Example]

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, this embodiment of the pass box of the present invention allows items to be handed over from the unmanaged side to the managed side. The box interior is pre-sterilized and dust-free, allowing the items to be placed inside. After placing the items and closing the door, the items are sterilized by direct irradiation from sterilization LEDs attached to the interior walls of the box. Bacteria detached from items by the force of the airflow are sterilized by irradiation from the sterilization LEDs on the walls even after moving through gaps in the bottom panel into the ventilation duct. Bacteria that are not sterilized are captured on the suction surface of a high-performance filter installed in the ceiling and then sterilized again by the sterilization LEDs installed above. This completes a three-stage sterilization process, enhancing the sterilization effect. The high-performance filter also effectively removes dust adhering to the items. [Industrial Applicability]

[0011] In industry, this invention is installed when transporting items from a general air environment or from a room with a different level of cleanliness into clean rooms that require a high level of air cleanliness, such as pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, bio-related facilities, various research institutes, and precision equipment factories for semiconductors and the like. When items are handed over using this pass box, a certain level of cleanliness is required for the items being brought into a room with a controlled level of cleanliness, and it is necessary to achieve the effects of sterilization and dust removal. Reference symbols: Box body 1, box space 2, controlled side door 3, uncontrolled side door 4, bottom space 5, bottom plate 6, ventilation duct 7, ceiling space 8, high-performance filter 9, blower fan 10, sterilization LED 11, indicator light 12, control box 13,

Claims

1. A pass box for transferring goods between the indoor and outdoor sides via a box body configured with openable doors and box-shaped members facing the indoor and outdoor sides, which are set to maintain a predetermined atmosphere. The pass box is characterized by comprising: a box space within the box body; a bottom plate that is ventilated at the bottom of the box space; a bottom space below the bottom plate; an air duct behind the side of the box space that connects to the bottom space; a high-performance filter arranged in the ceiling space that connects to the air duct; a blower fan within the air duct; and a plurality of sterilization LEDs arranged on the inner walls of both side sides of the box space, toward the suction surface of the high-performance filter in the ceiling space, and on the inner wall of the air duct, so that air circulates inside the box body, thereby sterilizing and removing dust.

2. 2. The pass box according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sterilization LEDs are deep ultraviolet LEDs emitting light with a wavelength of 220 to 300 nm.

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