Container handling system and container handling method

Abstract

To provide a container handling system and a container handling method which can efficiently achieve a series of treatments from supply and storage of a stored item while holding an environment in a container to an environment suitable for the stored item.SOLUTION: A container handling system includes a process chamber where work for supplying a stored item to a container is performed, a storage chamber where the container is stored, and a first conveyance chamber where the container is conveyed between the process chamber and the storage chamber, wherein an open / close device for bringing a seal part into a contacted state and opening / closing a lid, and bringing the seal part into a restoration state and airtightly mounting the lid on a container body, and a supply device for supplying the stored item in the container body are installed in the process chamber, the lid is closed by the open / close device in a state the environment in the container body is held to a management environment for storing the stored item, and the container storing the stored item is carried out to the first conveyance chamber from the process chamber in the state where the lid is closed by the open / close device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container handling system and a container handling method for performing a series of processes for storing an object to be stored in a container in a sealed manner.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, in order to produce solid preparations such as tablets and powders in a solid preparation factory such as a pharmaceutical company, a batch production method is basically used, so the use of containers is essential for the transportation and storage of raw materials and intermediate products. In addition, the container is required to have airtightness so that the solid preparation in the container does not deteriorate during storage.

[0003] Here, in order to ensure the airtightness of the container, it is common to seal the container by clamping the lid and the container body with a clamp band via a packing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). And, as a device for opening and closing the lid of such an airtight container, a robot that opens and closes the clamp band is known (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). In this robot, since the clamp band can be opened and closed without human intervention, the production line can be automated.

[0004] However, when using the above-described general technology, there is a problem that at least three robots are required to automatically open and close the lid, and the cost is too high. In addition, although human hands are required to perform delicate operations when opening and closing the lid, it is difficult to handle operations such as clamping and releasing by humans because it is necessary to deal with operations such as lifting the clamp lever with the fingertips. For this reason, in recent years, a lid that can automatically open and close the container without using a clamp band has been developed and is used in many scenes including solid preparation factories.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Literature

[0006]

Non-Patent Literature 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] By the way, as described above, there is a problem that the importance of environmental management is high because many of the substances contained in containers such as solid preparations have characteristics that make them liable to deteriorate and need to be stored in a clean environment. For this reason, there is a risk that the airtightness may be impaired during the process of supplying the substance to be contained into the container or sealing the container containing the substance to be contained, and the substance to be contained may be exposed to an unfavorable environment. In addition, conventionally, since such processes were performed manually, there was also a problem of low efficiency, for example, the work could not be performed at night and the process was prolonged.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a container handling system and a container handling method that can efficiently realize a series of processes from the supply to the storage of the substance to be contained while maintaining the environment inside the container suitable for the substance to be contained.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The container handling system of the present invention is A container for containing a substance to be contained, which is composed of a liquid or a powder, having a hollow seal portion around the lid or the container body, the hollow space of the seal portion being depressurized and shrunk, the lid being detachable from the container body in the shrunk state, and the container being hermetically sealed in the restored state where the hollow space is restored to normal pressure. A container handling system for supplying and storing the substance to be contained in the container, comprising: A process chamber for performing a supply operation of the substance to be contained to the container; A storage chamber for storing the container; A first transfer chamber for transferring the container between the process chamber and the storage chamber; In the process chamber, there is an opening / closing device for opening and closing the lid with the seal portion in the shrunk state and for hermetically attaching the lid to the container body with the seal portion in the restored state; A supply device for supplying the substance to be contained to the container body is installed; Closing of the lid by the opening / closing device is performed in a state where the environment inside the container body is maintained in a controlled environment for containing the substance to be contained; The container containing the substance to be contained is characterized in that it is carried out of the process chamber to the first transfer chamber with the lid closed by the opening / closing device. By having such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently realize a series of processes from the supply to the storage of the substance to be contained while maintaining the environment inside the container in an environment suitable for the substance to be contained.

[0010] Further, the container handling system of the present invention The process chamber is maintained in the controlled environment; The storage chamber is characterized in that it is maintained in a non-controlled environment having a lower control standard than the controlled environment. That is, since the lid has a function of hermetically sealing the contents by bringing the space of the seal portion into a restored state in which the pressure is restored, the environment inside the container can be appropriately maintained even in the storage chamber. Further, there is no need to maintain the environment of the storage chamber in the controlled environment, and the cost associated with management and maintenance becomes unnecessary.

[0011] Further, the container handling system of the present invention further comprising moving means for moving the container within the process chamber, the opening / closing device is fixed at a predetermined location within the process chamber, the moving means includes first moving means that moves between an opening / closing position where the opening / closing device opens and closes the lid and a supply position where the supply device supplies the container with the object to be contained, second moving means for carrying the container containing the object to be contained out of the process chamber and into the first transfer chamber, and is characterized by comprising these. In this way, by providing the process chamber with the first moving means and the second moving means, the container can be efficiently moved while maintaining the controlled environment.

[0012] Moreover, the container handling system of the present invention includes a cleaning chamber that is maintained in the controlled environment and cleans the container after the object to be contained is discharged, and further includes a second transfer chamber for transferring the container between the cleaning chamber and the storage chamber, the cleaning chamber is provided with the opening / closing device, and is characterized in that the container after cleaning is carried out of the cleaning chamber and into the second transfer chamber with the lid closed by the opening / closing device. That is, according to the container handling system of the present invention, it is possible to consistently perform, in one system, the series of processes from the supply of the object to be contained to the storage, including the cleaning process after using the object to be contained.

[0013] Moreover, the container handling system of the present invention is installed in the process chamber and includes an adjustment device for adjusting the environment within the container body to the controlled environment when the lid is closed by the opening / closing device. Even by such means, it is possible to efficiently realize a series of processes from the supply to the storage of the object to be contained while maintaining the environment within the container suitable for the object to be contained.

[0014] Moreover, the container handling system of the present invention is characterized in that the controlled environment is an environment adjusted with humidity as a management target. That is, an appropriate management environment can be maintained by adjusting the humidity.

[0015] In addition, the container handling system of the present invention is characterized in that the supply device is an automatic weighing device that automatically weighs the object to be contained. Thus, the contents may be supplied to the container using an automatic weighing device.

[0016] The container handling method of the present invention is a container handling method for supplying and storing the object to be contained in a container that contains an object to be contained composed of a liquid or powder, and has a hollow seal portion around the lid or the container body, and the hollow space of the seal portion is decompressed and shrunk so that the lid can be attached to and detached from the container body, and the hollow space is repressurized to normal pressure and hermetically sealed in the restored state, and includes: a supply step of performing a supply operation of the object to be contained to the container by a supply device provided in a process chamber; a storage step of storing the container in a storage chamber; a first transfer step of transferring the container between the process chamber and the storage chamber to a first transfer chamber; a mounting step of opening and closing the lid by bringing the seal portion into the shrunk state by an opening / closing device provided in the process chamber, and hermetically mounting the lid on the container body by bringing the seal portion into the restored state, wherein the closing of the lid in the mounting step is performed in a state where the environment inside the container body is maintained in a management environment for containing the object to be contained; the container containing the object to be contained is characterized in that it is carried out of the process chamber to the first transfer chamber with the lid closed in the mounting step. By such a method, a series of processes from the supply to the storage of the object to be contained can be efficiently realized while maintaining the environment inside the container in an environment suitable for the object to be contained.

[0017] In addition, the container handling method of the present invention is maintained in the management environment, The storage room is maintained in a non-controlled environment with lower control standards than the control environment, which is a feature thereof. That is, since the lid has a function of hermetically sealing the contents by bringing it into a restored state in which the pressure in the space of the seal part is restored, the environment inside the container can be stored in an environment suitable for the object to be contained.

[0018] In addition, the container handling method of the present invention further includes a moving step of moving the container by a moving means in the process chamber, The moving step is a first moving step of moving the container by a first moving means between an opening / closing position where the opening / closing device fixed at a predetermined position in the process chamber opens and closes the lid and a supply position where the supply device supplies the object to be contained to the container, and a second moving step of carrying out the container in which the object to be contained is contained from the process chamber to the first transfer chamber by a second moving means, and is characterized by including these. In this way, by including the first moving step and the second moving step, the container can be efficiently moved while maintaining the control environment.

[0019] In addition, the container handling method of the present invention includes a cleaning step of cleaning the container in a cleaning chamber while being maintained in the control environment after the object to be contained is discharged, and a second transfer step of transferring the container between the cleaning chamber where the opening / closing device is installed and the storage room to a second transfer chamber, and further includes The container after cleaning is characterized by being carried out from the cleaning chamber to the second transfer chamber with the lid closed by the opening / closing device. That is, according to the container handling system of the present invention, it is possible to consistently perform up to the cleaning process after using the object to be contained in one system.

[0020] In addition, the container handling method of the present invention It is characterized by comprising an adjustment device installed in the engineering room for adjusting the environment inside the container body to the management environment when the lid is closed by the opening / closing device. Even by such a method, it is possible to efficiently realize a series of processes from the supply to the storage of the contained material while maintaining the environment inside the container as an environment suitable for the contained material.

[0021] Also, the container handling method of the present invention is characterized in that the management environment is an environment adjusted with humidity as a management target. That is, an appropriate management environment can be maintained by adjusting the humidity.

[0022] Also, the container handling method of the present invention is characterized by being an automatic weighing device for automatically weighing the contained material. In this way, the contents may be supplied to the container using an automatic weighing device.

Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a container handling system and a container handling method that can efficiently realize a series of processes from the supply to the storage of the contained material while maintaining the environment inside the container as an environment suitable for the contained material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a container handling system and a container handling method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking as an example a series of processes of supplying an object to be contained, which consists of a liquid or powder, into a container, then hermetically sealing and storing it, and cleaning the container after use of the object to be contained.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a container handling system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the container handling system 2 includes a process chamber 4, a cleaning chamber 6, a transport chamber 11 in which a transport device 10 for transporting the container 8 is arranged, and a storage chamber 12 for storing the container 8. Note that the transport device 10 can move horizontally along the process chamber 4, the cleaning chamber 6, and the storage chamber 12, and the transport device 10 includes forks 10a that are attached so as to be able to move up and down for transporting the container 8. As this transport device 10, for example, a stacker crane or the like corresponds to this. Note that the transport chamber 11 includes a first transport chamber 11a for transporting the container 8 between the process chamber 4 and the storage chamber 12, and a second transport chamber 11b for transporting the container 8 between the cleaning chamber 6 and the storage chamber 12. The first transport chamber 11a and the second transport chamber 11b may be a continuous space or may be different spaces partitioned by a partition wall. Also, the container 8 is stored in the storage chamber 12 with the lid 46 (see FIG. 5 etc.) closed.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the process room 4. The process room 4 is a clean room mainly for performing the operation of supplying the contents to the container 8, and is maintained in a controlled environment where the air cleanliness (especially humidity) inside the room is ensured. Inside the process room 4, as shown in FIG. 2, there are a pass room 14 for mitigating the inflow of outside air when the container 8 enters the room, a moving means 16 for moving the container 8 inside the process room 4, an opening and closing device 19 for opening and closing the lid 46 of the container 8, a fixing device 20 for fixing the opening and closing device 19 at a predetermined position inside the process room 4, and a supply device 22 for supplying the contents to the container 8. Here, the moving means 16 includes a first moving means 16a which is a cart for placing and moving the container 8, and a second moving means 16b such as a belt conveyor for moving the container 8. The fixing device 20 is provided with a guide portion 20a that functions as a guide for the opening and closing device 19, and a preliminary supply portion 20b that can preliminarily supply the contents to the container 8. Also, the supply device 22 is a weighing device for weighing the contents and supplying them to the container 8, and the supply device 22 includes a plurality of supply portions such as a first supply portion 22a, a second supply portion 22b, a third supply portion 22c, and a fourth supply portion 22d.

[0028] Here, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the opening and closing device 19. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening and closing device 19 is attached so as to be able to move up and down along the guide portion 20a of the fixing device 20, and has a decompression portion 50c and an opening and closing portion 50d below.

[0029] Here, the decompression portion 50c is attached to the decompression path 49 (see FIG. 6) when the lid 46 (see FIG. 5) is opened and closed, and decompresses the hollow space 48c of the gripping portion 48 via the decompression path 49. Also, the opening and closing portion 50d is provided with a suction cup or the like, and adsorbs to the top surface of the lid 46 to open and close the lid 46. By providing these, the opening and closing device 19 can open and close the lid 46 with the gripping portion 48 (see FIG. 5), which is a sealing portion, in a contracted state, and airtightly attach the lid 46 to the container body 44 with the gripping portion 48 in a restored state, as will be described later.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of the cleaning chamber 6. The cleaning chamber 6 is a clean room for cleaning the container 8 after the object to be contained is discharged. The cleaning chamber 6 is also maintained in the same management environment as the process chamber 4 and is provided with a pass-through room 30, a second moving means 32, and an opening / closing device 34. Here, the opening / closing device 34 is provided with a decompression part 50c and an opening / closing part 50d below in the same manner as the opening / closing device 19 of the process chamber 4, and is attached so as to be movable up and down along a guide part 37 arranged in the cleaning chamber 6.

[0031] In addition, a cleaning machine 36 for cleaning the container 8 is arranged in the cleaning chamber 6. The cleaning machine 36 is provided with a power source 36a, a supply part 36b for supplying cleaning water, and a drying part 36c for drying the inside of the cleaning machine 36. The supply part 36b is provided with a shower ball (not shown) for ejecting cleaning water and detergent at its tip.

[0032] Note that the storage chamber 12 shown in FIG. 1 is an automated warehouse maintained in a non-controlled environment where the control standards (for example, low oxygen atmosphere, low humidity atmosphere, etc.) are lower than those of the process chamber 4.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the container 8 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the main part of the container 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the container 8 includes a container body 44 and a lid 46. The container 8 according to the embodiment is not used as a container for supplying semiconductors.

[0034] The container body 44 is a bottomed member formed of metal. On the opening 44a side of the container body 44, a protruding part 44b having a substantially circular cross-section protruding radially outward with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the container body 44 is formed.

[0035] The lid 46 is a disc-shaped member that opens and closes the opening 44a by being attached to and detached from the opening 44a of the container body 44, and is, for example, a rubber member formed of a rubber material such as silicone or ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). The lid 46 includes a top surface part 47, a gripping part 48, and a decompression path 49.

[0036] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the top surface portion 47 covers the opening 44a in the closed state where the opening 44a of the container body 44 is closed, and forms the central portion of the disk-shaped lid 46. Further, a convex portion 47a is formed in an annular shape at the lower outer edge on the inner peripheral side of the top surface portion 47.

[0037] The gripping portion 48 extends to the outer periphery of the top surface portion 47 and is a portion that grips the outer periphery of the opening end portion of the container body 44 in the closed state. In the closed state, the gripping portion 48 has a function as a hollow sealing portion that seals the container 8. The gripping portion 48 includes a first gripping portion 48a extending from the top surface portion 47 and a second gripping portion 48b located below the first gripping portion 48a.

[0038] The first gripping portion 48a is integrally formed seamlessly with the same rubber material as the top surface portion 47, has the same hardness as the top surface portion 47, and the second gripping portion 48b is attached below it. Further, a flow path 90 for mounting the decompression path 49 is formed above the first gripping portion 48a, and air enters and exits the tube-shaped hollow space 48c described later through the decompression path 49. Note that the joint portion 48d on the inner peripheral side between the first gripping portion 48a and the second gripping portion 48b is welded during the molding of the lid 46. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the first gripping portion 48a and the second gripping portion 48b from separating when a load is applied to this portion. Note that the joint portion 48e on the outer peripheral side between the first gripping portion 48a and the second gripping portion 48b is adhered with an adhesive.

[0039] Also, a tube-shaped hollow space 48c is formed between the first gripping portion 48a and the second gripping portion 48b, and the tube-shaped hollow space 48c is semi-enclosed by the second gripping portion 48b. In this way, by configuring the gripping portion 48 with the first gripping portion 48a and the second gripping portion 48b, the structure for sealing and unsealing the container 8 can be simplified.

[0040] At the lower end of the second gripping portion 48b, an inner protruding portion 48g and a protruding bottom portion 48h having an inverted M-shaped cross section are formed. Here, the inner protruding portion 48g protrudes inside the hollow space 48c, and the protruding bottom portion 48h forms a bottom outside the hollow space 48c. Further, the second gripping portion 48b is provided with a jaw portion 48i protruding toward the inner peripheral side, and a concave portion 48j recessed in a substantially semicircular cross section is formed on the upper side of the inner periphery of the jaw portion 48i. This concave portion 48j engages with the overhanging portion 44b when the lid 46 is closed.

[0041] Here, the second gripping portion 48b is configured such that the inner protruding portion 48g and the protruding bottom portion 48h can be bent and stretched. By bending and stretching the inner protruding portion 48g and the protruding bottom portion 48h which are the bending and stretching portions, the hollow space 48c (second gripping portion 48b) elastically deforms into a contracted shape (see FIG. 8(b)) and a restored shape (the state of FIG. 6).

[0042] In addition, in order to facilitate this elastic deformation, the second gripping portion 48b is formed of a rubber material having a lower hardness than the first gripping portion 48a (that is, the hardness of the first gripping portion 48a is greater than the hardness of the second gripping portion 48b). In this way, by making the second gripping portion 48b easily elastically deformable, sealing and unsealing of the container 8 can be facilitated.

[0043] Further, the second gripping portion 48b is disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the container body 44 when the lid 46 is closed, and the lid 46 is externally fitted to the container body 44. By disposing the gripping portion 48 along the overhanging portion 44b formed on the outer periphery of the container body 44, it is possible to prevent the preparation from accumulating around the inner peripheral edge of the container body 44 when the container body 44 is tilted to discharge the preparation.

[0044] Note that the inner diameter of the second gripping portion 48b is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the container body 44. Thereby, in a state where the second gripping portion 48b is engaged with the overhanging portion 44b, the outer peripheral surface of the container body 44 is tightened by the contracting force of the gripping portion 48, and the airtightness of the container 8 is maintained.

[0045] The decompression path 49 is a nozzle that penetrates from the top surface of the first gripping portion 48a through the flow path 90 into the tubular hollow space 48c. The decompression path 49 connects the decompression portion 50c (see FIG. 3) and the hollow space 48c. Although the decompression path 49 is made of metal, it is adhered (welded) to the inner peripheral surface of the flow path 90, and since the preparation does not enter the adhered portion, it is not removed from the first gripping portion 48a even during cleaning.

[0046] Next, a series of container handling methods for the container 8 using the container handling system 2 according to the implementation will be described. First, when an operator designates the target container 8 using an input device such as a monitor, the control device (not shown) of the container handling system 2 identifies the position of the designated container 8, that is, which row and column in which storage space on which storage floor of the storage room 12. Here, the identification of the compartment is performed using existing technology. At this point, nothing is stored inside the container 8, and the container 8 is in an empty state. Also, the lid 46 is closed on the container body 44.

[0047] Next, the control device horizontally moves the transfer device 10 and vertically moves the fork 10a to pick up the container 8 located in the identified compartment, and through the first transfer chamber 11a, as shown in FIG. 2, the container 8 is moved to the pass-through room 14 located at the entrance of the process chamber 4 and transferred to the second moving means 16b.

[0048] When the container 8 is transferred, the second moving means 16b operates, and as shown in FIG. 7, the container 8 moves directly below the opening and closing device 19, that is, to the opening and closing position where the opening and closing device 19 opens and closes the lid 46. Here, the proper movement and stop of the container 8 by the second moving means 16b are performed using existing technology.

[0049] Next, in the open / closed position, with the container 8 placed on the second moving means 16b by the opening / closing device 19, the lid 46 of the container 8 is opened. At this point, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the recess 48j of the gripping portion 48 is engaged with the protruding portion 44b of the container body 44, and the container 8 is sealed by the lid 46. Next, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the opening / closing device 19 is lowered along the guide portion 20a. As a result, the opening / closing portion 50d comes into contact with the top surface of the lid 46, and the decompression portion 50c is attached to the decompression path 49.

[0050] Next, the opening / closing device 19 operates the decompression portion 50c to suck the fluid in the hollow space 48c of the gripping portion 48 through the decompression path 49, and decompresses the inside of the hollow space 48c. As a result, the hollow space 48c becomes negative pressure, and the second gripping portion 48b elastically deforms into a contracted shape (contracted state) with the inner protruding portion 48g and the protruding bottom portion 48h moving to the outer peripheral side. Therefore, a gap is formed between the recess 48j and the protruding portion 44b, and the close contact state between the two is released, making it possible to remove the lid 46 from the container body 44.

[0051] In this state, the opening / closing device 19 adsorbs the top surface of the lid 46 with the opening / closing portion 50d, raises the opening / closing device 19 along the guide portion 20a to move the lid 46 from the opening 44a of the container body 44, and opens the lid 46 of the container 8 (opening step). Here, the lid 46 remains adsorbed to the opening / closing portion 50d of the opening / closing device 19.

[0052] Since the container 8 is located in the process chamber 4 which is a clean room, even when the lid 46 is opened and the sealing is released, the environment inside the container 8 is maintained in the same management environment as when the lid 46 is closed and sealed, that is, an environment suitable for the object to be contained.

[0053] Next, when the lid 46 of the container 8 opens, the container body 44 is transferred from the second moving means 16b to the first moving means 16a, and moves from the opening / closing position to directly below the first supply section 22a of the supply device 22, that is, to the supply position where the supply device 22 supplies the container 8 with the object to be contained (first moving step). Then, the first content (for example, raw materials such as tablets) stored in the storage section 22a1 is supplied into the container body 44 by the supply device 22a (supply step). Subsequently, in the same manner, while moving the carriage which is the first moving means 16a, the supply of the second content by the second supply section 22b, the supply of the third content by the third supply section 22c, and the supply of the fourth content by the fourth supply section 22d are repeated. Here, the second content, the third content, and the fourth content are, respectively, different types of dyes or the like, and are supplied after being appropriately weighed. Then, when the supply of the fourth content is completed, the first moving means 16a returns to the original position, transfers the container body 44 to the second moving means 16b, and positions it directly below the opening / closing device 19.

[0054] Next, with the environment inside the container body 44 maintained in the management environment for containing the object to be contained, the lid 46 of the container 8 is closed by the opening / closing device 19. Here, as shown in Fig. 9(a), the opening / closing device 19 operates the decompression section 50c, sucks the fluid inside the hollow space 48c of the gripping section 48 again through the decompression path 49, and decompresses the hollow space 48c of the gripping section 48. As a result, the second gripping section 48b enters a contracted state in which the hollow space 48c becomes negative pressure and the hollow space 48c contracts.

[0055] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(b), with the second gripping portion 48b in a contracted state, the opening / closing device 19 is lowered along the guide portion 20a to cover the lid 46 over the opening 44a of the container body 44. In this case, since the hollow space 48c is contracted and the second gripping portion 48b is deformed, the operation of closing the lid 46 by the lower end of the jaw portion 48i hitting the overhanging portion 44b is not hindered. When the lid 46 is closed, since the container body 44 is made of metal while the lid 46 is formed of a rubber material, contact between metals is avoided, generation of metal powder is suppressed, and it is possible to prevent metal powder from mixing into the preparation contained in the container body 44. When the lid 46 is placed over the opening 44a of the container body 44 and the opening 44a is closed by the lid 46, the opening / closing device 19 stops the pressure reduction by the pressure reducing portion 50c.

[0056] When the pressure reduction by the pressure reducing portion 50c stops, fluid (outside air) flows into the hollow space 48c through the pressure reduction path 49. As a result, the hollow space 48c is restored to normal pressure from a negative pressure state, and the cross-sectional shape of the second gripping portion 48b returns to its original state (see FIG. 8(a)). In this case, the inner protruding portion 48g and the protruding bottom portion 48h move to the inner peripheral side, the hollow space 48c elastically deforms into a restored shape, the overhanging portion 44b and the concave portion 48j engage and adhere closely, and the container body 44 closed by the lid 46 becomes airtight. In this way, the lid 46 is airtightly attached to the container body 44 (attachment step).

[0057] In the restored shape in which the container body 44 becomes airtight, the internal pressure of the hollow space 48c and the external pressure of the gripping portion 48 become equal (the internal pressure of the hollow space 48c becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure), and leakage of the fluid in the container 8 can be prevented. Further, the second gripping portion 48b is configured to make the container 8 airtight in the restored shape and to release the airtight state of the container 8 in the contracted shape.

[0058] When the lid 46 is closed and the object to be contained is sealed inside the container 8, the container 8 containing the object to be contained is carried out from the process chamber 4 to the first transfer chamber 11a with the lid 46 closed by the second moving means 16b (second moving step), transferred again to the fork 10a of the transfer device 10, and returned to a predetermined section in the storage chamber 12 (first transfer step) and stored (storage step).

[0059] Here, the container 8 returned to the storage chamber 12 is appropriately carried out and the object to be contained is used, and the emptied used container 8 will be returned to the original section again.

[0060] Next, when the operator designates an empty container 8 to be cleaned using an input device such as a monitor, the control device of the container handling system 2 identifies the position of the designated container 8, moves the empty container 8 to the position of the pass room 30 located at the entrance of the cleaning chamber 6 (see FIG. 4) via the second transfer chamber 11b, and transfers it to the second moving means 32.

[0061] When the container 8 is transferred, the second moving means 32 operates, and the container 8 is carried out from the pass room 30 and moves below the opening and closing device 34. Next, in the same manner as the lid 46 was opened by the opening and closing device 19 in the process chamber 4, the lid 46 of the container 8 is opened by the opening and closing device 34. Here, the lid 46 remains adsorbed to the opening and closing part 50d of the opening and closing device 34. Next, when the container body 44 is carried into the cleaning machine 36, the power supply 36a is turned on and the cleaning water and detergent supplied from the supply part 36b are ejected by the shower ball, and the container body44 is cleaned in the cleaning machine 36 (cleaning step). After cleaning, the container body 44 is dried by the drying part 36c, and when the drying is completed, the container body 44 moves below the opening and closing device 34. Next, the lid 46 adsorbed to the opening and closing part 50d of the opening and closing device 34 is carried into the cleaning storage by an arm (not shown), and the lid 46 is cleaned in the cleaning machine 36. After cleaning, the lid 46 is also dried by the drying part 36c, and when the drying is completed, it is returned to the state of being adsorbed to the opening and closing part 50d of the opening and closing device 34 by the arm, and then returned onto the container body 44 and the lid 46 is closed.

[0062] The container 8 with the lid 46 closed is again carried out to the second transfer chamber 11b (second transfer step), transferred to the fork 10a of the transfer device 10, and returned to a predetermined section in the storage chamber 12.

[0063] According to the invention of this embodiment, the opening and closing of the lid 46 is performed in the process chamber 4 and the cleaning chamber 6 using the opening and closing devices 19 and 34. Also, outside the process chamber 4 and the cleaning chamber 6, the container 8 has a function of hermetically sealing the contained object by restoring the pressure in the hollow space 48c of the lid 46 to the restored state. Therefore, while maintaining the environment inside the container 8 in an environment suitable for the contained object (the environment when the container is closed), a series of processes from the supply to the storage of the contained object can be efficiently realized.

[0064] In addition, by providing the cleaning machine 36 in the cleaning chamber 6, it is possible to consistently process including the cleaning of the container 8 after the use of the contained object. Furthermore, by automating such consistent processing, manual processing can be reduced, so that time such as at night can be used efficiently, and the processing can be performed efficiently.

[0065] Also, by forming both the top surface portion 47 and the gripping portion 48 constituting the lid 46 from a rubber material, there is no need to remove the metal part during cleaning as in the case of a two-part configuration of a metal lid and a resin tube seal, and the lid 46 can be handled integrally, so that it can be washed in one piece by automatic cleaning.

[0066] Also, although the storage chamber 12 is maintained in a non-controlled environment with lower control standards than the control environment of the process chamber 4, the contained object can be hermetically sealed by restoring the pressure in the hollow space 48c of the lid 46 to the restored state. Therefore, the environment inside the container 8 can be maintained in an environment suitable for the contained object (the environment when the container is closed). Also, since there is no need to maintain the environment of the storage chamber 12 in a controlled environment, the cost related to management maintenance becomes unnecessary.

[0067] Regarding the container 8 used in the above-described embodiment, since it is assumed to be the one introduced in Japanese Patent No. 6375078 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-186566, please refer to each gazette for details.

[0068] Also, in the above-described embodiment, a clean room is used as means for maintaining the interior in a predetermined controlled environment, but it is not necessarily required to use a clean room. For example, an adjustment device (not shown) for adjusting the environment inside the container body 44 to a controlled environment when the lid 46 is closed by the opening / closing device 19 may be provided. Specifically, a dust removal device (not shown) may be arranged near the opening / closing devices 19 and 34 to dust the surroundings when the lid 46 is opened and closed. At the same time, a dehumidifying device (not shown) may be provided near each supply device 22 to dehumidify the surroundings when the object to be contained is supplied into the container body 44. Also by this, even without using a clean room, the interior can be maintained in a predetermined controlled environment and the environment inside the container body 44 can be made into a controlled environment.

[0069] Note that, as a case of maintaining the interior in a predetermined controlled environment, as described with reference to FIG. 2, in addition to the case where the surrounding environment is adjusted when the lid 46 is opened and the surrounding environment is adjusted when it is closed, as described in this item, when only dehumidification is necessary, a case where the inside of the container body 44 is dehumidified and closed when the lid 46 is closed is assumed.

[0070] Note that, in the above-described embodiment, the supply device 22 does not necessarily have to be a weighing device. For example, it may be a device for the purpose of only inputting without performing weight management. Also, the supply of the object to be contained from the supply device 22 may be either automatic supply or manual supply.

[0071] In the process chamber 4, in addition to the second moving means 16b, the first moving means 16a is used as the moving means for moving the container 8. However, the second moving means 16b may be extended to the position of the fourth supply section 22d, and all operations may be performed by the second moving means 16b without using the first moving means 16a. In addition, as the moving means for moving the container 8, a robot having an arm as introduced in FIG. 4 of Japanese Patent No. 6375078 may be used.

[0072] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the storage chamber 12 may also have a clean room function. In this case, the environment inside the container 8 can be more reliably maintained in an environment suitable for the object to be contained.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the loading and unloading of the container 8 from the storage chamber 12 may be performed manually.

[0074] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the lid 46 may be made of metal. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, on the outer peripheral edge of the lid 46, a sealing portion 58 having a tube structure is formed which extends downward (toward the container body 44 side) and bends outward in the radial direction of the lid 46, and is held so as to be located immediately below the outer peripheral edge of the lid 46, and a holding portion 56a having a C-shaped cross section is formed. And at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral top surface of the lid 46, a decompression path 56b described later is erected.

[0075] The sealing portion 58 is an elastically deformable member provided for making the container body 44 and the lid 46 airtight, and a space 58a is formed inside. Also, the sealing portion 58 is formed in an annular shape having an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion, and includes an annular flat portion 58b extending radially inward from the inner peripheral portion.

[0076] The decompression path 56b is inserted from the top surface of the lid 46 into the sealing portion 58, and the decompression portion 50c (see FIG. 3) and the space 58a of the sealing portion 58 are communicated by the decompression path 56b.

[0077] The seal portion 58 is formed to be elastically deformable into a contracted shape in which the fluid in the space 58a is sucked and decompressed through the decompression path 56b, and a restored shape in which the fluid is inhaled into the space 58a through the decompression path 56b and restored from the contracted shape. Further, the seal portion 58 is configured to make the container 8 airtight in the restored shape and release the airtight state of the container 8 in the contracted shape. In such a structure, the seal portion 58 may be provided in either the lid or the container body 44.

[0078] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the second moving means 32, the cleaning chamber 6 may be provided with third moving means 33 for moving the lid 46, and the opening / closing device 34 may be rotatably fixed to the ceiling. Further, a lid cleaning portion 38 for cleaning the lid 46 may be provided in the cleaning machine 36. In this case, in the cleaning process, when the lid 46 is removed from the container body 44 by the opening / closing device 34 and the container body 44 is carried into the cleaning machine 36, the opening / closing device 34 rotates to place the lid 46 on the third moving means 33. The lid 46 placed on the third moving means 33 is carried into the cleaning machine 36 by the third moving means 33. The lid 46 is cleaned by the lid cleaning portion 38 when the container body 44 is being cleaned in the cleaning machine 36. After cleaning, the container body 44 is carried out of the cleaning machine 36 by the second moving means 32 and returned to the opening / closing position (the position where the lid 46 opens and closes the container body 44). Also, the lid 46 is carried out of the cleaning machine 36 by the third moving means 33 and adsorbed again to the opening / closing device 34. After that, the opening / closing device 34 rotates to move the lid 46 directly above the container body 44, and then the lid 46 is closed.

Explanation of Signs

[0079] 2 Container handling system 4 Process chamber 6 Cleaning chamber 8 Container 10 Conveyor 10a Fork 11 Conveyor chamber 11a First conveyor chamber 11b Second conveyor chamber 12 Storage room 14 Passage room 16 Moving means 16a First moving means 16b Second moving means 19 Opening / closing device 20 Fixing device 20a Guide part 20b Reserve supply part 22 Supply device 22a First supply part 22a1 Storage part 22b Second supply part 22c Third supply part 22d Fourth supply part 30 Passage room 32 Second moving means 33 Third moving means 34 Opening / closing device 36 Washing machine 36a Power supply 36b Supply part 36c Drying part 37 Guide part 38 Lid washing part 44 Container body 44a Opening 44b Protruding part 46 Lid 47 Top surface part 47a Convex part 48 Holding part 48a First holding part 48b Second holding part 48c Hollow space 48d Joint part 48e Joint part 48g Inner protruding part 48h Protruding bottom part 48i Jaw part 48j Concave part 49 Vacuum path 50c Vacuum part 50d Opening / closing part 56a Holding part 56b Vacuum path 58 Sealing part 58a Space 58b Flat part 90 Flow path

Claims

1. A container for containing a substance to be contained, which is a liquid or a powder or granular material, having a hollow seal portion around a lid or a container body, wherein the hollow space of the seal portion is depressurized and shrunk, and the lid is detachable from the container body in the shrunk state, and the hollow space is repressurized to normal pressure and hermetically sealed in the restored state. A container handling system for supplying and storing the substance to be contained in the container, comprising: A process chamber for performing a supply operation of the substance to be contained to the container; A storage chamber which is an automated warehouse for storing the container; A first transfer chamber in which a transfer device for transferring the container between the process chamber and the storage chamber is arranged; In the process chamber, there is an opening / closing device for opening and closing the lid with the seal portion in the shrunk state and for hermetically attaching the lid to the container body with the seal portion in the restored state; A supply device for supplying the substance to be contained to the container body; The empty container stored in the storage chamber is transferred by the transfer device to the process chamber via the first transfer chamber; In one process chamber, the supply of the substance to be contained and the opening and closing of the lid by the opening / closing device are performed while the environment inside the container body is maintained in a management environment for containing the substance to be contained; The container containing the substance to be contained is carried out of the process chamber to the first transfer chamber with the lid closed by the opening / closing device and stored in the storage chamber. A container handling system characterized by this.

2. The process chamber is maintained in the management environment; The storage chamber is maintained in a non-management environment where the management standard is lower than that of the management environment. The container handling system according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

3. Further comprising moving means for moving the container in the process chamber; The opening / closing device is fixed at a predetermined position in the process chamber; The moving means includes first moving means for moving between an opening / closing position where the opening / closing device opens and closes the lid and a supply position where the supply device supplies the substance to be contained to the container; Second moving means for carrying the container containing the substance to be contained out of the process chamber to the first transfer chamber; The container handling system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising these.

4. A cleaning chamber which is maintained in the management environment and cleans the container after the substance to be contained is discharged; Further comprising a second transfer chamber for transferring the container between the cleaning chamber and the storage chamber; The opening / closing device is installed in the cleaning chamber; The container handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the washed container is carried out from the washing chamber to the second transfer chamber with the lid closed by the opening and closing device.

5. The container handling system according to claim 1, further comprising an adjusting device installed in the process chamber for adjusting the environment inside the container body to the management environment when the lid is closed by the opening and closing device.

6. The container handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the management environment is an environment adjusted with humidity as a management target.

7. The container handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the supply device is an automatic weighing device for automatically weighing the object to be contained.

8. A container handling method for supplying and storing the object to be contained in a container having a hollow seal portion around the lid or the container body, the hollow space of the seal portion being decompressed and shrunk so that the lid is detachable from the container body in the shrunk state, and the hollow space being restored to normal pressure and hermetically sealed in the restored state, the method comprising: a step of conveying an empty container stored in a storage room, which is an automated warehouse, to the process chamber through a first transfer chamber by a transfer device; an opening step of opening the lid by bringing the seal portion into the shrunk state by an opening and closing device provided in the process chamber; a supply step of supplying the object to be contained to the container by a supply device provided in the process chamber; a mounting step of mounting the lid airtightly on the container body by bringing the seal portion into the restored state by the opening and closing device; a first transfer step of transferring the container containing the object to be contained from the process chamber to the first transfer chamber again by the transfer device; a storage step of storing the container containing the object to be contained in the storage room again through the first transfer chamber, the method including: in one process chamber, the supply of the object to be contained and the opening and closing of the lid by the opening and closing device are performed while the environment inside the container body is maintained in a management environment for containing the object to be contained; The container handling method, wherein the container containing the object to be contained is carried out from the process chamber to the first transfer chamber with the lid closed in the mounting step and stored in the storage room.

9. The process chamber is maintained in the management environment. The container handling method according to claim 8, wherein the storage room is maintained in a non-controlled environment with lower control standards than the control environment.

10. further comprising a moving step of moving the container by a moving means in the process chamber, wherein the moving step is a first moving step of moving the container by a first moving means between an opening / closing position where the opening / closing device fixed at a predetermined location in the process chamber opens and closes the lid and a supply position where the supply device supplies the container with the object to be contained, and a second moving step of moving the container containing the object to be contained from the process chamber to the first transport chamber by a second moving means, The container handling method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by including this.

11. a cleaning step of cleaning the container maintained in the control environment after the object to be contained is discharged in a cleaning chamber, further including a second transport step of transporting the container between the cleaning chamber where the opening / closing device is installed and the storage room to a second transport chamber, The container handling method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the container after cleaning is carried out of the cleaning chamber to the second transport chamber with the lid closed by the opening / closing device.

12. The container handling method according to claim 8, further comprising an adjustment device installed in the process chamber for adjusting the environment inside the container body to the control environment when the lid is closed by the opening / closing device.

13. The container handling method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the control environment is an environment adjusted with humidity as a control target.

14. The container handling method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the supply device is an automatic weighing device for automatically weighing the object to be contained.

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