Airtight Chamber Device

Abstract

To develop a new air-tight chamber device that can sufficiently secure airtightness, facilitate operation into the inside, and facilitate performing daily management work.SOLUTION: An air-tight chamber device S includes a base 2 and a chamber body 3 disposed thereabove, and constitutes an appropriate sealed space. In the base 2, the lower region is set in an airtight state, a plane rough shape is rectangular, and some or all of the sides of a base frame part 21 present an arcuate shape swelling to the outside in plane view. The chamber body 3 has a body sheet 31 as the main constituent member, is formed in a three-dimensional shape in which a bottom opening is formed in the body sheet 31, and is arranged so as to surround the upper region of the base 2. The base 2 and the body sheet 31 are so constituted that the bottom opening of the body sheet 31 is mounted on the base frame part 21 of the base 2 in an externally fitted state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airtight chamber device suitable for situations where a sterile environment is required, such as in an isolator for raising laboratory animals, in microbial culture management, and in highly sterile medical management. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, an isolator used to raise and manage laboratory animals requires an airtight chamber device that can create a sterile environment. Known examples of such airtight chamber devices include those that support transparent acrylic panels or the like on suitable frame members to create a rectangular, sealed space. Also known are so-called soft chamber types, in which the chamber walls are made of flexible transparent resin sheets and the lower floor is made of a material with appropriate strength.

[0003] In order to ensure airtightness inside such devices, regardless of their configuration, strict airtight structures must be adopted at the joints between different materials, for example, in the case of soft chamber types, at the joints between the resin sheet and the flooring material. Similarly, this type of airtight chamber device has separate components such as operating gloves and steril locks attached to the inside for various operations, but the operability of such components requires appropriate ingenuity in addition to ensuring airtightness (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4).

[0004] Looking at the prior art from this perspective, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 3 (JP 2018-191593 A), there is an isolator (germ-free animal rearing device) equipped with an airtight fastener, but there is still room for improvement in terms of ensuring airtightness and realizing easy operability. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-108772 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-191593 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-227254 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-152864 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention was made in consideration of the above background, and its technical objective was to develop a new airtight chamber device that can ensure sufficient airtightness, is easy to operate inside, and allows for simple daily maintenance work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] First, the airtight chamber device according to claim 1 is The base and An airtight chamber device comprising a chamber body provided above the base and constituting an appropriate sealed space, The base has a lower region set to an airtight state, a generally rectangular shape in plan view, and some or all of the sides of the base frame have an arc shape that bulges outward in plan view, On the other hand, the chamber body has a main body sheet as a main component, forms a three-dimensional shape with an open bottom on the main body sheet, and is disposed so as to surround the upper region of the base, The base and main sheet are characterized in that the bottom opening of the main sheet is attached to the base frame of the base in an externally fitted state.

[0008] The airtight chamber device according to claim 2 has, in addition to the requirements of claim 1, The base and main sheet are characterized in that after the bottom opening of the main sheet is fitted onto the base frame, the bottom opening of the main sheet is pressed and fixed against the base frame by a pressing edge frame provided on the outside of the base frame.

[0009] The airtight chamber device according to claim 3 has, in addition to the requirements of claim 2, The base and main body sheet are characterized in that after the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted onto the base frame, the boundary between the two components is taped all around, and then a pressing edge frame is provided on the outside of the base frame.

[0010] The airtight chamber device according to claim 4 has, in addition to the requirements of claim 2 or 3, The pressing edge frame is characterized in that it is fixed to the base frame portion in two directions, that is, in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

[0011] The airtight chamber device according to claim 5 has, in addition to the requirements of any one of claims 1 to 4, The base frame is characterized in that the circumferential dimension of the outer periphery is formed to be larger than the circumferential dimension of the bottom opening of the main body sheet.

[0012] The airtight chamber device according to claim 6 has, in addition to the requirements of any one of claims 1 to 5, One or more steril locks are provided on the side of the main body sheet to connect the inner and outer surfaces of the main body sheet, and the steril lock comprises a steril lock body for constituting the steril lock, a movable frame ring that supports the steril lock body so that it can move in and out of the main body sheet, and a movable steril lock support that supports a ring leg extending below the movable frame ring, The position of the steril lock body can be freely set to an outward protruding state where it protrudes outside the chamber body, or to an inserted state where the inner tip of the steril lock body is brought close to the chamber body.

[0013] The airtight chamber device according to claim 7 has, in addition to the requirements of any one of claims 1 to 6, One or more operation gloves are provided on the side of the main sheet, and the operation gloves are configured to be able to be stored in a folded state at the connection portion with the main sheet. The above problems are solved by the configurations of the inventions described in each claim. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] First, according to the invention described in claim 1, the base frame portion of the base is formed with some or all of its sides bulging outward when viewed from a plane, so that the bottom opening of the main body sheet can be tightly adhered to the base frame portion compared to when all of its sides are formed in straight lines, making it easier to ensure an airtight state at this connection.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 2, after the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted onto the base frame portion, a pressing edge frame is provided from the outside of the base frame portion, so that the main body sheet can be pressed firmly against the base frame portion, and the airtight state at these connection portions can be reliably and firmly maintained.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 3, the connection (boundary) between the bottom opening of the main body sheet and the base frame is taped all around, thereby making it possible to maintain the airtight state at the connection more reliably and firmly.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 4, the retaining edge frame is fixed to the base frame portion in two directions, vertically and horizontally, so that the retaining edge frame can be attached more firmly to the base frame portion, and the retaining edge frame will not come off the base frame portion even when, for example, a positive pressure is maintained inside the chamber body for a long period of time.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 5, the circumferential dimension of the outer peripheral edge of the base frame is formed larger than the circumferential dimension (free dimension) of the bottom opening of the main body sheet. Therefore, when fixing the bottom opening of the main body sheet to the base frame, the main body sheet, which is flexible and has a certain degree of stretchability, is forcibly stretched in a circumferential direction and then twisted around the outside of the base frame. This allows the bottom opening of the main body sheet to be tightly fitted around the outer periphery of the base frame, ensuring a higher degree of airtightness at the connection.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 6, the steril lock is configured so that the steril lock body, movable frame ring, and steril lock support are freely movable, so that when introducing or retrieving an object into the chamber body through the steril lock, the steril lock can be moved significantly closer to (or fitted into) the inside of the airtight chamber device, ensuring reliable access to the chamber body. Furthermore, if an operating glove is provided, the internal shield cap can be easily attached and detached from the steril lock body using this operating glove.

[0020] According to the invention described in claim 7, the operation gloves provided on the main body sheet can be stored in a folded state at the connection part with the main body sheet, so that the operation gloves do not get in the way, for example, during transportation. That is, when a positive pressure is applied inside the airtight chamber device, the operation gloves protrude outward in a bulging state due to this positive pressure. Normally, this protruding state is acceptable, but for example, during transportation, by storing the operation gloves in a folded state at the connection part, damage to the operation gloves during transportation (transportation) can be prevented, and transportation can be made more convenient. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an isolator to which the airtight chamber device of the present invention is applied in an assembled state. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3]Same as above, front view (a) and side view (b) showing the state from the protruding state in which the steril lock protrudes outward away from the chamber body to the inserted state in which the inner tip of the steril lock is closest to the inside of the chamber body. [Figure 4] As above, (a) is a plan view, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing that the length [L1] of the outer peripheral edge of the base frame is formed to be greater than the perimeter [L2] of the bottom opening of the main body sheet, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing how, when the bottom opening of the main body sheet is arranged in an airtight state on the outer periphery of the base frame, the main body sheet is pulled and fitted tightly around the outer peripheral edge of the base frame. [Figure 5] As above, (a) is a side view, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing how the main sheet is held down by a retaining edge frame when the bottom opening of the main sheet is attached to the outer periphery of the base, and (c) is a side cross-sectional view showing how the operating glove can be stored in a folded state near the connection point with the main sheet. [Figure 6] 1A is a front view showing an isolator to which the airtight chamber device of the present invention is applied together with a cage device, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the steps of assembling the disassembled cage device into a three-dimensional structure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1A is a plan view of the same, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing how panel elements are attached to three-dimensionally assembled frame elements. [Figure 8] 1A is a side view of the same, and FIG. 1B is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a part (rear side) of the perforated floor panel of the breeding room is opened in a hinged manner. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows a side view (a) of the feeding tray inserted into the rearing chamber, a side view (b) of the feeding tray protruding outside the rearing chamber, and an enlarged oblique view (c) of the feeding tray in FIG. 1(b). [Figure 10] This is an oblique view (a) showing how a relatively large opening formed in a rear frame element can be opened and closed freely with a single panel element, and an oblique view (b) showing how the panel element removed from the rear frame element can be engaged with the rear frame element and stored. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention is as shown in the following examples, but these examples can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. [Example]

[0023] The present invention will be specifically described below based on the illustrated embodiments. The airtight chamber apparatus S of the present invention is preferably applied as, for example, a breeding isolator R (hereinafter simply referred to as an isolator R), and the airtight chamber apparatus S will be described below together with a description of such an isolator R. A breeding isolator R (hereinafter simply referred to as isolator R), which is an application example of the present invention, is broadly divided into main components, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, an airtight chamber device S that is directly responsible for maintaining the airtightness of the internal space, and a cage device C that is installed inside this.

[0024] The isolator R also comprises a main body frame 1 as a skeletal member, a base 2 provided below this, and a chamber main body 3 having a main body sheet 31 as a main member provided above the base 2, thereby creating an airtight interior. The Isolator R is configured to be suitable for breeding laboratory animals, for example, and is configured to ensure sufficient space to prevent stress on the laboratory animals, especially during the breeding period.

[0025] Next, the main body frame 1, which is a framework member of the isolator R, will be described. As shown in Figure 2 above, the main frame 1 has a base frame 11 below it that forms a three-dimensional frame structure that is rectangular in plan view, and casters 13 are provided at the lower ends of the leg frames 12 of the base frame 11 in six locations, for example, at the four corners and in the middle in the left-right direction (front and back), making it easier to move the isolator R itself. The base frame 11 essentially serves as a strength member for the isolator R, and a floor stocker box 92 capable of storing spare parts for the isolator R and the like can be configured therein.

[0026] A suspension frame 14 having sufficient strength to suspend the airtight chamber device S is supported above the base frame 11. This suspension frame 14 has column frames 16 attached to an overhanging frame 15 supported by the base frame 11 so as to stand up at the four corners, and also has a top frame 17 connected to the upper ends of the overhanging frame 15. The top frame 17 is used to suspend the main sheet 31, and in this embodiment, the main sheet 31 is suspended using two suspension rods 17a arranged at the front and rear of the main frame 1. The suspension rods 17a are configured so that the installation height can be adjusted and fixed appropriately relative to the suspension frame 14, and this is configured to accommodate the internal pressure of the airtight chamber device S, for example. Furthermore, it is preferable that the main body frame 1 be made of an aluminum section having a constant cross section so that it can be easily adapted to overall weight reduction and design changes of the configuration.

[0027] Next, the base 2 supported by the base frame 11 of the main body frame 1 will be described. The base 2 is a board-like structure having a generally rectangular planar shape, with a large central opening forming a floor opening 20 and a base frame 21 at its peripheral portion. 4(b), the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21 bulges outward in a slightly arc-like shape in plan view. The bottom opening 311 (the edge of the bottom opening in this embodiment) of the main body sheet 31 of the chamber main body 3, which will be described later, is press-fitted onto the outer edge 21a, and the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is pressed and fixed by the pressing edge frame 22.

[0028] Here, Fig. 5(b) shows an example of a structure in which the holding edge frame 22 airtightly fixes the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 to the base frame 21. In this case, as shown in Fig. 5(b)(i), the holding edge frame 22 is preferably divided into multiple pieces that perform the fixing function around the entire periphery of the base frame 21, and its planar shape is adapted to the shape of the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21 at the location where it shares the fixing function. Meanwhile, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the holding edge frame 22 is also preferably adapted to roughly match the cross-sectional shape of the outer edge 21a, i.e., a U-shaped cross-section that covers the outer edge 21a from the outer periphery. A clamp bolt 23 that can be tightened upward is provided on the underside of the retaining edge frame 22. The upper end of this clamp bolt 23 is flat and serves as a pressing pad 23a. While this clamp bolt 23 may be a normal bolt, it is preferable that the lower end of the bolt be provided with a butterfly bolt-like hand piece 23b that can be tightened without tools, as also shown in the drawing.

[0029] 5(b)(ii), the outer peripheral surface of the holding edge frame 22 is provided with a locking bolt 24, which is screwed into a female-threaded block 21b fixedly provided at the bottom of the base frame 21, and serves to prevent the holding edge frame 22 from coming off. The locking bolt 24 also has a hand lever 24a so that it can be tightened by hand without tools.

[0030] Here, symbol t1 in Figure 5(b) is a non-elastic sealing tape containing filaments, which is used to attach the boundary between the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 and the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21, and is wrapped around the outer periphery of the outer edge 21a, for example, three times at approximately the same position. Furthermore, reference numeral t2 in the figure denotes a pressing tape such as a vinyl tape that is further applied on top of the applied sealing tape t1, and is wound around the outer periphery of the outer edge portion 21a about four times while shifting its position slightly, for example. By applying double tape in this manner, the main body sheet 31 can be more firmly adhered to the base frame portion 21. It should be noted that the above-mentioned FIG. 5(b) is merely one example of a configuration for fixing the main body sheet 31 in an airtight state around the periphery of the base 2, and the present invention is not limited to such a fixing method.

[0031] Furthermore, because the base frame 21 is part of the breeding isolator R, a mesh-like porous floor panel 25 is provided in the floor opening 20 as the floor of the breeding chamber 85. As shown in FIG. 2 above, for example, this porous floor panel 25 is divided into two approximately equal sections in the longitudinal direction of the base frame 21, and further divided into two sections of unequal width in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the unequal width in the front-to-rear direction is divided so that the rear side is shorter, and this rear porous floor panel 25 is configured to be freely openable like a hatch, with the rear side as the free pivot end, using the dividing portion in the front-to-rear direction as a pivot axis 25a. This makes it easy to remove (collect) excrement and other waste from the breeding animals when the isolator R is in use.

[0032] A collection sink 26 is provided below the base frame 21, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 5(a) for example. The collection sink 26 receives the excrement of the animals that falls through the perforated floor plate 25, and has a sink bottom plate 26a that slopes downward at the center in the width direction of the isolator R and slopes downward at the rear (i.e., slopes upward at the front) in the front-to-rear direction, for example. The periphery of the sink is sealed by sink side plates 26b. The collection sink 26 is preferably formed from a transparent resin plate material that can be seen through from the outside, which makes it easy to check the condition of the excrement of the animals. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the collection sink 26 is not integral over almost the entire area below the base frame 21, but is divided into two at the center in the width direction (see FIG. 3(a)), and essentially two identically shaped collection sinks 26 are provided symmetrically. This configuration is intended to allow for a collection sink 26 to be provided for each breeding chamber 85 when a partition panel 84 is provided in the center of the cage device C described below to form two breeding chambers 85 (partitioned breeding chambers 85a).

[0033] 5(a) above, a drain pipe 27 is provided on the sink bottom plate 26a near the rear of each collection sink 26. Because the inside of the isolator R must always be kept airtight, this drain pipe 27 is provided with an inner closure and an outer closure, so that the inside can always be kept airtight even when the drain pipe 27 is open.

[0034] Next, the chamber body 3 will be described. The main component of the chamber body 3 is the main body sheet 31, which is made of a flexible synthetic resin sheet material, such as a vinyl chloride resin sheet, that allows the interior to be observed, and thereby allows the behavior of the animals being kept in the breeding room 85 to be clearly observed from the outside. When unfolded, the main sheet 31 has a three-dimensional shape with only the bottom opening 311 at the lower end open, and its planar shape is generally rectangular. All of the surfaces other than the lower end, namely the front sheet 31a, rear sheet 31b, pair of left and right end sheets 31c, and top sheet 31d, are integrally connected by welding or the like. The lower end of the main body sheet 31 is not open entirely below. As an example, as shown in Figure 4(b) above, the bottom sheet 31e is rectangular in plan view, and the inside of the bottom sheet 31e, excluding the edges, is horizontally elongated, i.e., in this embodiment, the outer edge 21a of the base 2 is cut out to a slightly reduced planar shape to form an open area, and in this specification, this open area is referred to as the bottom opening 311. 2, for example, hanging straps 32 are provided near the boundary between top sheet 31d and front sheet 31a, and near the boundary between top sheet 31d and rear sheet 31b. As described above, these hanging straps 32 are hung on top frame 17 (here, two front and rear hanging rods 17a) of main frame 1 to support main sheet 31 in a suspended state. Incidentally, although they are called straps in this embodiment, hanging straps 32 are sleeve-shaped with relatively long hanging dimensions (hanging length) and are arranged in four places in a plan view.

[0035] Furthermore, the top sheet 31d is provided with air filter connection joints 33, which are provided on both the intake side and the exhaust side. The air filter connection joint 33 is provided with a ring nut 33a that threads onto both the upper end of the short tubular air filter connection joint 33, which serves as a member for connecting to the air filter 4 described later, and the air connection pipe 45, which serves as the lower joint of the air filter 4.

[0036] In addition, a steril lock connecting rim 34 for forming a steril lock 5 is provided approximately in the center of the front sheet 31a, and similar steril lock connecting rims 34 are also provided on both end sheets 31c, so that a total of three steril locks 5 are provided in one chamber body 3. Furthermore, the front sheet 31a and the rear sheet 31b are provided with operation glove connecting rims 35 for attaching the operation glove 6, and the operation glove connecting rims 35 (operation glove 6) are provided in two pairs (two sets) in the width direction of each of the front and rear surfaces, for example. As a result, a total of eight operation glove connecting rims 35 are provided in one chamber body 3. The installation positions of the operation glove connecting rims 35 on the front and rear surfaces, i.e., the installation positions of the operation glove 6, are set so that the installation position on the front sheet 31a side is high and the installation position on the rear sheet 31b side is low, for example. This is because by setting the operating gloves 6 at different heights in the front and back (by setting the front higher and the rear lower), it becomes easier to use the operating gloves 6 on the front to perform tasks such as feeding and watering and reaching the upper area of ​​the cage apparatus C, more preferably the upper shelf 91 described below, and the operating gloves 6 on the rear to perform tasks such as reaching the floor of the breeding room 85, more preferably from the drain pipe 27 of the collection sink 26 to the animals in the breeding room 85. By setting the operating gloves 6 at different heights in this way in the front and rear, it becomes possible to share the desired tasks between the operating gloves 6 on the front and rear, and it becomes possible to carry out long-term daily breeding management tasks more efficiently.

[0037] Below, we will further explain each of the other functional members provided on the main body sheet 31. First, we will explain the air filter 4 for supplying filtered sterilized air into the inside of the chamber main body 3. Two air filters 4 are connected: one is an intake-side air filter 4A and the other is a discharge-side air filter 4B. A cylindrical opening of an air connection pipe 45 of the discharge-side air filter 4B is provided with a dust-collecting pre-filter 46 made of nonwoven fabric (see FIG. 3(a)). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 above, a filter box 41 is installed on the top frame 17 of the main body frame 1, and a filter element 42 is provided inside the filter box 41. An air intake pipe 48 for introducing clean air from the outside is connected to the filter box 41 on the intake-side air filter 4A side. An air exhaust pipe 49 for exhausting air from the airtight chamber device S to the outside is connected to the filter box 41 on the discharge-side air filter 4B side.

[0038] 3(a) and 4(a), an internal pressure sensor 49a is provided between the discharge-side air filter 4B and the air discharge pipe 49 to set the state of introduction of the filtered sterilized air to maintain a slightly positive pressure inside the chamber main body 3. This air discharge adjustment device using the internal pressure sensor 49a is well known and will not be shown in detail, but the path of the air discharge pipe 49 is opened and closed by the vertical displacement of the internal pressure sensor 49a, which is in contact with the top sheet 31d of the main body sheet 31.

[0039] Next, we will explain the steril lock 5, which keeps the inside of the isolator R airtight while supplying breeding materials, feed, etc. to the inside, or allowing operations such as contact with the experimental animals being raised inside or taking them in and out (leaving in and out). 3(b), the steril lock 5 comprises a steril lock main body 51 that is connected to the above-mentioned steril lock connecting rim 34 so as to maintain an airtight state. This steril lock main body 51 is formed of a tubular member made of transparent resin so that the interior can be observed, and is attached in a movably manner so that the steril lock main body 51 can be inserted inside the cage device C, i.e., into the breeding chamber 85, when the steril lock 5 is in use (see (ii) in FIG. 3(b)). The configuration that allows the steryl lock body 51 to move will now be described. Starting with the components that directly support the steryl lock body 51, the movable frame ring 52 fixes the steryl lock body 51 to an outer frame shape. The movable frame ring 52 has ring legs 53 extending downward, which are supported on steryl lock supports 54 that are movably mounted relative to the base frame 21. The steryl lock supports 54 support the ring legs 53 in a fixed manner so that the ring legs 53 can move on the steryl lock supports 54, and this fixation is achieved by appropriate fixing bolts 53a or the like. In other words, in this embodiment, not only the steryl lock body 51 but also the ring legs 53 that movably support it, and the steryl lock supports 54 that support the ring legs 53, are configured to be movable inward and outward relative to the base frame 21.

[0040] This configuration allows the steril lock body 51 to have a sufficient travel distance and its position to be set in three stages, for example. This configuration is intended to set the steril lock body 51 to the outermost position when the steril lock 5 is not in use so that the steril lock body 51 does not interfere with the panel element 81, and to allow the steril lock body 51 to be fully inserted inside when the steril lock 5 is in use. Here, the above three setting stages will be explained. For example, (i) in Figure 3(b) shows a protruding state when the steryl lock 5 is not in use, with the steryl lock main body 51, ring legs 53, and steryl lock support 54 all protruding to the outermost position (outside the breeding chamber 85), which is the state when breeding animals in the isolator R. Also, (ii) in Figure 3(b) shows a fitted state when the steryl lock 5 is in use, with the steryl lock main body 51, ring legs 53, and steryl lock support 54 all moved to the innermost position and the inner tip of the steryl lock main body 51 fitted into the breeding chamber 85. Because of this operation, it is possible to set a position intermediate between the above figures (i) and (ii) by adjusting the installation positions of the steril lock main body 51, ring legs 53, and steril lock support 54. For example, (iii) in Figure 3(b) shows the steril lock main body 51 and ring legs 53 moved to their innermost positions, while the steril lock support 54 is extended to its outermost position, which is an intermediate position between the above figures (i) and (ii). Of course, it is also possible to set other positions intermediate between the above figures (i) and (ii) by adjusting the positional relationship of the three components, the steril lock main body 51, ring legs 53, and steril lock support 54.

[0041] Although a detailed explanation will be given later, the isolator R of this embodiment has a cage frame 7 with cage panels 8 attached, which is set upright within the main sheet 31 to define a breeding room 85 within the main sheet 31. Furthermore, because the base frame portion 21 has a shape that bulges outward when viewed from above, when introducing an animal into the breeding room 85, for example, a gap is likely to form between the main sheet 31 and the cage panel 8 (a gap of about 10 cm, for example), and the animal may fall into this gap, or the animal may become unruly when introduced and get into the gap itself.In order to prevent this, the steril lock main body 51 that constitutes the steril lock 5 can itself be moved widely (inserted and moved inside the breeding room 85) and can be fixed in that position.

[0042] Furthermore, the steril lock 5 is provided with an internal shielding cap 55 that covers the steril lock main body 51 on the inside of the chamber main body 3, and an external shielding cap 56 on the outside, so that the airtight state inside the isolator R can always be maintained even when the steril lock main body 51 is in use. Therefore, when introducing or removing materials or animals using this steril lock 5 from the outside, if from the outside, first remove the external shielding cap 56 (with the internal shielding cap 55 closed), place the appropriate items inside the steril lock 5, then close the external shielding cap 56 to sterilize the inside, and then open the internal shielding cap 55 to introduce the necessary materials, etc. into the chamber main body 3. Of course, these operations are performed using the operating gloves 6 described next. It is also possible to connect this isolator R to another isolator by connecting another steril lock body for connection to the outside of the steril lock body 51 of the isolator R. When introducing or removing an animal, the isolator R is connected as described above and moved via the steril lock 5.

[0043] The operation glove 6 will now be described. The operation glove 6 has its base fixed in an airtight manner to the operation glove connecting rim 35 provided on the chamber main body 3, and is made of a flexible material in which the arm portion 61 and hand portion 62 are molded as a single unit. For example, when the operation glove 6 is constantly in use, i.e., when used for rearing, it is in a state in which it protrudes outward due to the air pressure (positive pressure) inside the isolator R, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 above. Generally, this protruding state is acceptable, but when considering transportation, for example, it is preferable to have the operation glove 6 in a folded and stored state. In this case, as shown in Figure 5(c), for example, an inner holding plate 63 is provided inside the isolator R so as to slide from above to close the inner part of the operation glove connecting rim 35, and an outer holding lid 64 is provided on the outside, and the operation glove 6 is stored in a folded state between the inner holding plate 63 and the outer holding lid 64.

[0044] The airtight chamber apparatus S of the present invention employs the above-described configuration as an example, and the isolator R as a whole includes a cage apparatus C provided in the space within the chamber body 3. This cage apparatus C can be assembled three-dimensionally on the base frame 21 of the base 2, for example, and then the chamber body 3 can be installed by covering the cage apparatus C. However, to more reliably ensure a sterile environment within the chamber body 3, including the cage apparatus C, each component of the cage apparatus C to be housed within the chamber body 3 can be disassembled before assembly (i.e., in a loose state), and the chamber body 3 can be attached in a suspended state to the top frame 17, after which a sterilizing gas or the like can be introduced and filled into the interior, and then the cage apparatus C can be assembled within the chamber body 3. In this case, almost the entire surface of the components of the cage apparatus C is exposed, and assembling them from this state allows the sterilizing gas to reach every corner, more effectively achieving a sterile environment. Incidentally, if the cage device C is brought into contact with sterilizing gas etc. while it is assembled (attempting to decontaminate it), it is expected that the sterilizing gas etc. will not act easily on the parts where the components of the cage device C are joined to other parts, and sufficient sterilization effect will not be achieved.

[0045] The cage frame 7, which is a skeletal member that constitutes the cage device C, is made up of a plurality of panel-like or frame-like frame elements 71 that are assembled upright on the base frame portion 21 to form a three-dimensional frame that is rectangular in plan view. That is, the cage device C is configured by providing the frame elements 71 on the base 2 in an upright position on at least four sides so as to surround the internal space, and by fixing these upright frame elements 71 to each other, a breeding room 85 with an open top is formed within the airtight chamber device S. To form the frame element 71 three-dimensionally, as an example, as shown in Figure 6(b)-(i), a base frame 72 having a cross section that is approximately channel-shaped is first installed on the upper surface of the base frame portion 21, close to the floor opening 20, and this base frame 72 is configured so that it is divided into two parts at the center in the longitudinal direction. Next, as shown in Figure 6(b)-(ii), for example, frame elements 71 that make up the frame side surfaces are erected using this base frame 72 as a lower support member, and the lower parts of the frame elements 71 are first fitted into the base frame 72 and fixed to the base frame 72 side with fixing bolts 72a such as butterfly bolts. These frame elements 71 are erected on all four sides and fixed to each other at their connecting parts to form a cage frame 7 that is a three-dimensional frame that is rectangular in plan view, as shown in Figure 6(b)-(iii), for example.

[0046] These frame elements 71 are comprised of a front frame element 71a, a rear frame element 71b, an end frame element 71c, and a partition frame element 71d, and their configurations vary depending on the installation location. First, the front frame element 71a is divided into two at the midpoint in the longitudinal direction and is composed of two members, but their shapes are formed symmetrically. That is, the front frame element 71a has a roughly rectangular opening 73 on its upper surface and a hatch-like openable feeding tray 74 on its lower surface.

[0047] As shown in Figure 9 as an example, the feeding tray 74 comprises a tray portion 741 that essentially stores food (feed), and this tray portion 741 is formed in the shape of a bucket that is perpendicular, i.e., at an angle of approximately 90°, in a side cross section, and its lower end is connected to the front frame element 71a in a hinged manner. This allows the tray portion 741 to be tilted relative to the front frame element 71a either toward the rearing chamber 85 (Figure 9(a)), or protruding outward from the front frame element 71a, i.e., outside the rearing chamber 85 (Figure 9(b)). In other words, the feeding tray 74 is configured so that the tray portion 741, which essentially stores food, can be tilted alternatively into or out of the rearing chamber 85, with the front frame element 71a as the boundary. Of course, when the worker replenishes feed, the tray portion 741 is tilted to the outside of the front frame element 71a (toward the worker), and when the worker feeds the replenished feed to the animals, the tray portion 741 is tilted to the inside of the front frame element 71a (inside the breeding room 85).

[0048] Next, the names of the various parts of the feeding tray 74 will be described in more detail. When viewed in a tilted state with the tray portion 741 stored inside the rearing chamber 85, the feeding tray 74 comprises a bottom plate 742, a rear standing wall (back side standing wall) 743, and a front standing wall (front side standing wall) 744. Therefore, during the feed supply operation, that is, when the tray portion 741 is tilted outward from the front frame element 71a, as shown in FIG. 9(b) above, the bottom plate 742 stands upright almost upward, and the front standing wall 744 and the rear standing wall 743 are almost horizontal. Of course, the front standing wall 744 is positioned downward, and the rear standing wall 743 is positioned upward.

[0049] Because feeding tray 74 is configured in this manner, when an operator is replenishing feed, bottom plate 742, which stands up almost upward, is on almost the same plane as front frame element 71a, and the opening formed in front frame element 71a for attaching feeding tray 74, i.e., breeding chamber 85, is essentially closed. Therefore, even if an animal is present in breeding chamber 85, it is possible to prevent the animal from sticking its nose or mouth out of the opening in its desire for food, and the operator's work of replenishing feed is not hindered by the animal. Of course, this not only improves work efficiency but also significantly reduces stress and hassle for the operator.

[0050] Furthermore, when the tray portion 741 is in a tilted position (FIG. 9(a)) with the tray portion 741 stored inside the breeding chamber 85, a short barb 745 that protrudes toward the inside of the breeding chamber 85 is provided at the upper end of the front standing wall 744. This barb 745 prevents food from spilling forward when it is replenished. That is, when replenishment is performed, the front standing wall 744 assumes a nearly horizontal position at the bottom as shown in FIG. 9(b), for example. Without this barb 745, the food replenished on the tray portion 741 would spill forward. In particular, when replenishment is performed, animals may peck at the bottom plate 742 that closes the breeding chamber 85 from inside the breeding chamber 85 in an attempt to request food, which makes the food more likely to spill forward. However, by providing the barb 745, this spillage forward can be prevented.

[0051] Furthermore, the tray portion 741 can be provided with a divider 746 between the protruding end of the barb 745 and the protruding end of the rear standing wall 743, dividing the tray portion 741 into approximately equal sections in the width direction. In this embodiment, two dividers 746 are provided, dividing the tray portion 741 into three sections. A cord such as a wire or string can be used as the divider 746. For example, if three animals are kept in a breeding room, all three animals can be fed at the same time. Conversely, without such a divider 746, even if three animals are fed from a single tray portion 741, the animal with the strongest appetite may eat a large area of ​​food (leading to a specific animal monopolizing the food). Therefore, by providing the divider 746, it is possible to feed multiple animals approximately equally.

[0052] Furthermore, a water supply tray 75 is provided on the front frame element 71a, next to the feeding tray 74, so as to be parallel to it (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 8(c) as an example, in the final installation state, this water supply tray 75 is provided so that its substantial water storage section 75a faces the breeding room 85, i.e., the inside of the front frame element 71a. A water bottle 75b containing drinking water is placed in an inverted state on the outside of the front frame element 71a, and the water storage section 75a and the lower end of the water bottle 75b are connected in communication with each other by a water supply pipe 75c. In other words, the water supply pipe 75c connects the inside and outside of the front frame element 71a, and a constant amount of drinking water stored in the water bottle 75b is constantly replenished in the water storage section 75a through the water supply pipe 75c.

[0053] In addition, a cage panel 8 made of transparent resin, which will be described later, is installed in the opening 73 of the front frame element 71a, as shown in Figure 7(b)-v as an example, and therefore the front frame element 71a is provided with a locking hook 76 for attaching the cage panel 8. The configuration for installing the cage panel 8 on the frame element 71 is not limited to the front frame element 71a, but is similar for the rear frame element 71b and the end frame element 71c. Therefore, openings 73 are also formed in the rear frame element 71b and the end frame element 71c, where the cage panel 8 is installed, and locking hooks 76 are also provided for this purpose. In other words, the rear frame element 71b and the end frame element 71c have a simpler configuration than the front frame element 71a, and have a frame structure with a frame-shaped periphery and a large opening on the inside, where the cage panel 8 is installed.

[0054] The cage panel 8 will be described below. The cage panel 8 has panel elements 81 attached detachably to each side of the four perimeter parts partially surrounded by the frame element 71, dividing a certain area and thereby forming a breeding room 85, which is a fixed three-dimensional space divided into a rectangular shape in a plan view within the chamber main body 3. The panel element 81 is made of a flat, transparent resin board with appropriate viewing holes 82 (here, multiple vertically elongated holes) and locking holes 83 formed at the four corners of the panel. As shown in FIG. 7(b)-v, the locking holes 83 are formed with a small diameter at the top and a large diameter at the bottom, with the two holes connected together, forming a shape that can be described as gourd-like. The locking holes 83 are used to lock the panel element 81 in a suspended manner to the locking hooks 76 formed on the frame element 71. As described above, this locking state is detachable (removable). The locking hooks 76 are mushroom-shaped, with a large diameter at the tip and a small diameter at the base, relative to the locking holes 83. This mutual configuration provides a bayonet engagement for detachable engagement. Specifically, for example, when attaching panel element 81 to frame element 71, first the large diameter portion at the tip of the locking hook 76 (frame element 71) is penetrated so that the lower large hole portion of the locking hole 83 (panel element 81) fits into it. Once penetrated, the panel element 81 is lowered under its own weight, and the small diameter portion at the base end of the locking hook 76 (frame element 71) fits into the upper small hole portion of the locking hole 83 (panel element 81), thereby locking the two components together.

[0055] Furthermore, a partition panel 84 is also provided as a cage panel 8. This partition panel 84 separates the middle section (the middle section in the left-right direction) of the breeding room 85 divided by the panel elements 81, thereby forming a small partitioned breeding room 85a. When erecting the partition panel 84, grooves may be formed in advance in opposing positions in the middle section of the inner side of the partition frame element 71d, and the partition panel 84 may be fitted in by sliding it from above using these grooves. The partition panel 84 is configured, for example, by dividing it into three sections in the vertical direction and fitting them in series. This allows the breeding room 85 to be divided into multiple partitioned breeding rooms 85a as needed using the operating glove 6 while keeping the animals in an airtight condition.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7(b)-iv, the end frame element 71c is formed in a frame shape (frame surface shape) with an opening 73, and an installation form is shown in which two horizontally elongated panel elements 81 are arranged in series, one above the other, in this opening 73. In contrast, the cage frame 7 (rear frame element 71b) and cage panel 8 on the rear side have a basic structure as described below. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10(a), for example, the opening 73 of the rear frame element 71b is formed as a relatively large opening that extends beyond the lower half, and one cage panel 8 (panel element 81) is detachably provided to close this opening 73. The reason why the opening 73 is made large enough to extend beyond the lower half of the rear frame element 71b is to make it easier for an operator wearing the operation gloves 6 to reach the floor of the breeding room 85, for example, when operating the animals in the breeding room 85 via the operation gloves 6 provided on the rear surface of the main body sheet 31, or when accessing the floor of the breeding room 85, more specifically, the drain pipe 27 of the collection sink 26. That is, for example, in the operation of opening or closing a part of the porous floor panel 25 of the breeding room 85, the hand of an operator wearing the operation gloves 6 passes through the opening 73 formed in the rear frame element 71b to reach the porous floor panel 25, and therefore the opening 73 is also formed in a low position (underside) on the rear frame element 71b and in a large size that extends beyond the lower half, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of access. For this reason, the opening (approximately the same size as the opening 73) formed to access the inside of the breeding room 85 by removing the panel element 81 attached to the rear frame element 71b is referred to in this specification as an access opening. Of course, in such a case, the panel element 81 removed from the rear frame element 71b can be stored by hooking it onto another locking hook 76 provided near the upper end of the rear frame element 71b, as shown in Figure 10(b) above. In the drawing, reference numeral 77 denotes a hook for holding the lower edge of the panel element 81 that has closed the opening 73, and has the same configuration as, for example, the locking hook 76. By making the locking hook 76 and the locking piece 77 have the same configuration, the locking hook 76 that locks the upper part of the panel element 81 when closing the opening 73 as shown in Figure 10(a) can be used as the locking piece 77 that holds the lower edge of the removed panel element 81 when storing it as shown in Figure 10(b). Furthermore, by holding down the lower edge of the panel element 81 that closes the opening 73 with the latch piece 77, even if a pet animal in the breeding room 85 presses the closed panel element 81 with the tip of its nose or mouth, the lower edge of the panel element 81 will not move around, and the closed state of the panel element 81 can be firmly maintained.

[0057] Furthermore, in order to improve usability when raising laboratory animals, the isolator R is provided with an upper shelf 91 serving as a stocker device 9 above the frame element 71 of the cage device C (cage frame 7). This upper shelf 91 is made of a transparent resin material so as not to obstruct the entry of light into the breeding room 85, and even if sterilized water bottles 75b and food introduced into the airtight chamber device S via the steril locks 5 are stored on the upper shelf 91, it is possible to sufficiently visually inspect the interior. As described above, the base frame 11 is provided with a floor stocker box 92 capable of storing spare parts and the like, and this floor stocker box 92 is also included in the stocker device 9.

[0058] The isolator R, which is an application example of the airtight chamber device S of the present invention, has the basic structure described above, and the procedure for assembling it and the subsequent method of use will be described below. In the following description, the various functions of an isolator R, which is an application example of the airtight chamber device S of the present invention, from assembly to use will be explained. (1) Initial assembly First, in the initial assembly stage of the isolator R to which the present invention is applied, the components of the cage device C are mounted on the base 2, and then the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 in the chamber main body 3 is fixed to the peripheral portion of the base 2, particularly the outer edge portion 21a of the base frame portion 21 in this embodiment. That is, the isolator R has a two-layer structure with the chamber body 3 and the cage device C as its main components, and an easy method is to assemble the cage device C on the base 2, for example, and then fix the body sheet 31 of the chamber body 3 to the base frame 21. However, considering that the body sheet 31 can be installed more easily by placing the chamber body 3 (body sheet 31) over the assembled cage device C so that it passes through the suspension frame 14, and furthermore that the internal sterility of the isolator R can be more reliably maintained, it is preferable to first place the components of the cage device C in a stacked state on the base 2 (see Figure 6(b)-(ii)), and then suspend the body sheet 31 in a three-dimensional manner using the suspension frame 14. Next, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fixed to the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21. After achieving this state, the inside of the main body sheet 31 is filled with a gas having a sterilizing effect, such as hydrogen peroxide gas, to sterilize the inside of the main body sheet 31, including the components of the cage device C. This method has been empirically proven to have a higher overall sterilization effect, and this procedure is basically adopted here as well. Of course, as in the past, a sterilizing chemical liquid, such as peracetic acid, can also be sprayed in mist form together with pressurized air using a spray gun to sterilize the inside of the airtight chamber device S and the cage device C.

[0059] Note that when fixing the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 to the base frame 21, a unique configuration is employed to ensure sufficient airtightness at this connection. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(b) as an example, the circumferential length L2 of the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is formed to be smaller than the circumferential length L1 of the base frame 21. Therefore, when fitting the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 into the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21, as shown in FIG. 4(c) as an example, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31, which is flexible and has a certain degree of stretchability, is twisted into the outer edge 21a while being forcibly stretched in the circumferential direction. This allows the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 to be tightly fitted into the outer periphery of the base frame 21, ensuring sufficient airtightness at that location.

[0060] Furthermore, outer edge 21a of base frame 21 is formed to bulge outward in an arc, which also ensures stronger adhesion between outer edge 21a and bottom opening 311 of main body sheet 31. Incidentally, if outer edge 21a were linear, main body sheet 31 and outer edge 21a would adhere firmly at the corners of base frame 21, but the adhesion between them would not necessarily be sufficient in the intermediate areas.

[0061] After the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fitted around the periphery of the base frame 21, a non-stretchable sealing tape t1 is applied to the boundary between them, as shown in the enlarged views of Fig. 4(c) and Fig. 5(b) for example. This sealing tape t1 is wound around the outer periphery of the outer edge 21a, for example, three times at approximately the same position. Then, a pressure tape t2 is applied on top of the sealing tape t1. The pressure tape t2 is wound around the outer periphery of the sealing tape t1 about four times while being slightly shifted in position. This double tape application allows the main body sheet 31 to be more firmly attached to the base frame 21.

[0062] Thereafter, the base frame 21 to which the main body sheet 31 (bottom opening 311) has been attached as described above is further fixed by the retaining edge frame 22, as shown in FIG. 5(b) as an example. That is, the retaining edge frame 22, which is U-shaped in side cross section, is provided on the outer periphery of the outer edge 21a and is clamped by clamp bolts 23 and the like, and further, the retaining bolts 24 provided on the outer surface of the retaining edge frame 22 are screwed into the female-threaded blocks 21b fixed to the lower part of the base frame 21. With this configuration, the retaining edge frame 22 is fixed to the base frame 21 from two directions, vertically and horizontally, with the main body sheet 31 (bottom opening 311) sandwiched in between, and the retaining edge frame 22 firmly prevents it from coming off. In actual work, a more realistic installation method is to first temporarily fasten the retaining edge frame 22 with the horizontal anti-slip bolts 24, then tighten the vertical clamp bolts 23, and then finally tighten (additionally tighten) the horizontal anti-slip bolts 24. Furthermore, because of this composite mounting structure, the main body sheet 31 can be mounted to the base frame 21 without drilling any holes in the main body sheet 31 itself, and even if positive pressure is applied inside the chamber body 3, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 will not come off the base frame 21.

[0063] (2) Sterilization At this stage, the isolator R is in a partially assembled state, with each component of the disassembled cage device C placed on top of the base frame 21, and the sterilization operation begins in this state. As already mentioned, if the sterilization operation is performed in this state, even if a sterilization gas containing, for example, hydrogen peroxide gas is supplied into the chamber main body 3, the sterilization effect is preferably achieved throughout each component of the cage device C, even if the supplied amount is small.

[0064] (3) Assembly of the cage device In this state, the disassembled cage device C is reassembled. At this time, since the assembly is carried out with the chamber main body 3 filled with sterilizing gas, the sterilizing gas can be sufficiently brought into contact with (exposed to) the connecting portions between the frame elements 71 and the portions that will become the installation portions of the frame elements 71 when assembled, and more effective decontamination can be expected.

[0065] Furthermore, when the chamber body 3 is under positive pressure, the operation glove 6 provided in the chamber body 3 also assumes a state of bulging outward due to this internal pressure (see Figures 1 and 2). Of course, an internal holding plate 63 and an external holding lid 64 are provided as storage devices for the operation glove 6, and when the operation glove 6 is stored in a folded state, these are released to allow the operation glove 6 to bulge outward and become usable. With this action, when the operator inserts his / her hand into the operation glove 6 and pushes the operation glove 6 into the chamber body 3, the operation glove 6 becomes as if it is inside out, and is ready for appropriate work.

[0066] In this state, assembly of the cage device C is carried out within the sealed chamber body 3. This operation itself is carried out using the operating gloves 6 described above. Note that Figures 6(b) and 7(b) show the assembly status of the cage device C in stages, and although the chamber body 3 (main body sheet 31) is not depicted in these figures, in reality, assembly is carried out in the sealed space within the chamber body 3 as described above. Therefore, it cannot be denied that this operation is somewhat more difficult to carry out than assembly work in an open-to-air state. To assemble the frame elements 71 three-dimensionally, as shown in Figure 6(b)-(i) as an example, first, a base frame 72 is installed on the base frame portion 21, on the upper surface around the floor opening 20. Here, the base frame 72 is configured so that it can be divided into two members at the center in the longitudinal direction. Next, as shown in FIG. 6(b)-(ii), for example, the base frame 72 is used as a lower support member to erect the frame elements 71 that constitute the frame side surfaces. Specifically, first, the lower part of the frame element 71 is fitted into the base frame 72, and then the frame element 71 is fixed to the base frame 72 side with fixing bolts 72a such as butterfly bolts. Such frame elements 71 are raised on all four sides and fixed to each other at the connecting parts to form the cage frame 7, which is a three-dimensional frame having a rectangular shape in a plan view, as shown in Fig. 6(b)-(iii), for example. A partition frame element 71d having a groove on the inner facing portion is provided in the center (left-right center) of the frame element 71. This groove is a fitting groove for sliding the partition panel 84 so that it drops in from above.

[0067] Thereafter, panel elements 81 of the cage panel 8 made of transparent resin and having a viewing hole 82 are installed in the openings 73 of each frame element 71. As described above, the panel elements 81 are installed by detachably engaging the locking hooks 76 of the frame elements 71 with the locking holes 83 of the panel elements 81 (see FIG. 7(b)-v). When all panel elements 81 are installed on the frame element 71 in this manner (see Figure 7(b)-iv), the cage device C will have two partitioned breeding rooms 85a for laboratory animals, etc., separated by the partition panels 84.

[0068] Additionally, as auxiliary equipment, an upper shelf 91 is provided to improve workability in rearing management, and stores, for example, sterilized water to be replenished in the water bottles 75b, feed, etc. Furthermore, a floor stocker box 92 can store, for example, sealing tape t1 and pressing tape t2 that attach the bottom opening 311 of the chamber main body 3 to the base 2, spare external shield caps 56, etc.

[0069] (4) Breeding management In the isolator R configured in this manner, filtered sterilized air is introduced through the inlet air filter 4A located at the top of the chamber body 3, while air inside the chamber is discharged to the outside through the outlet air filter 4B. This air flow maintains a sterile state inside the chamber body 3 and sets the internal air pressure slightly higher than the external air pressure. In other words, the inside of the chamber body 3 is maintained at an appropriate positive pressure by the above-mentioned air flow, which is, for example, approximately 50 to 100 Pa. The ventilation rate of the air inside the chamber body 3 is approximately 15 rotations per hour.

[0070] Furthermore, when introducing laboratory animals or the like into the isolator R assembled as described above, the steril lock 5, which is the working lid provided on the end sheet 31c, is used. When introducing laboratory animals, the left and right steril locks 5 are used, and as already mentioned, the steril lock main body 51 is fitted into the cage device C. On the other hand, when introducing materials or the like, the steril lock 5 on the front sheet 31a side is used, but it is not necessary to fit the steril lock main body 51 into the cage device C. The procedure for introducing laboratory animals (when introducing them from another isolator) involves first removing the outer shield cap 56 of the steril lock 5 and connecting the steril lock body 51 of this isolator R to the steril lock body of another isolator containing the laboratory animal to be removed using a connecting sleeve. As a result, the connecting sleeve and each steril lock body (51) are sealed by their respective inner shield caps 55. In this state, the space inside the connecting sleeve is sterilized by spraying a bactericidal chemical solution, such as peracetic acid. Next, the operator puts his or her hands into the operating gloves 6 and, using these operating gloves 6, removes the inner shield cap 55 of the steril lock 5 from the animal room 85 side, connects the two isolators (R), and uses the operating gloves 6 to transfer the laboratory animal. Finally, the inner shield cap 55 is replaced, followed by the outer shield cap 56, and the inside of the steril lock 5 is sterilized with a bactericidal chemical solution. The procedure for introducing materials is similar in principle, but if the materials are small enough to fit inside the Sterillock body 51, the inside of the Sterillock 5 can also be sterilized using a chemical solution with a bactericidal effect inside the Sterillock body 51.

[0071] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the airtight chamber apparatus S is used as an isolator R for rearing laboratory animals. Therefore, depending on the number, size, and growth rate of the animals, it is possible to remove the partition panel 84 of the cage apparatus C, for example, and use the entire apparatus as a single, larger rearing room 85.

[0072] (5) Operation in the breeding room All work inside the chamber main body 3 is performed while wearing the operating gloves 6. The operating gloves 6, located at a relatively high position on the front side, are used for tasks such as feeding, such as replenishing feed trays 74 with feed and replenishing water bottles 75b with sterilized water, which are performed near the inside front of the isolator R, and also for tasks that extend to relatively high positions above the cage apparatus C, such as the upper shelf 91. That is, for example, when replenishing feed trays 74 and water bottles 75b with feed and sterilized water stored on the upper shelf 91, it is desirable to be able to perform these tasks as a series of operations using the same operating gloves 6, and for this reason the operating gloves 6 on the front side are located at a relatively high position. Of course, the height of the upper shelf 91 is determined with due consideration given to the height (withers height) of the animals being kept, and is also considered so that the above series of operations can be performed smoothly using the operating gloves 6 on the front side. On the other hand, the operation glove 6, which is provided at a relatively low position on the rear side, is used for other tasks, specifically, tasks at a relatively low position, such as reaching down to the floor of the breeding room 85 and directly operating the animals in the breeding room 85 (examinations, vaccinations), etc. Incidentally, when using the rear operating glove 6 to treat the excrement of the rear animals, the panel element 81 (located at a low position) that is detachably attached to the rear frame element 71b of the cage frame 7 is temporarily removed, and the operating glove 6 is then inserted into the rear room 85 to access the floor. Furthermore, when cleaning the collection sink 26, for example, the operating glove 6 that has reached the floor can be used to open a portion of the perforated floor plate 25 in a hinged manner, making it easy to clean the collection sink 26. After sterilization with a spray gun, the chemical solution stored in the collection sink 26 can be easily discharged through the drain line 27, allowing the isolator R to be dried efficiently. The operation of removing the panel element 81 is not necessarily limited to accessing the breeding room 85 from the rear side, but can also be carried out appropriately when accessing from the front side or the side (end face) side.

[0073] As the laboratory animals continue to be kept in this condition, they will naturally produce excrement, etc. The excrement will fall from the porous floor plate 25 of the base 2 into the collection sink 26 below, and accumulate on the sink bottom plate 26a, etc. It is not practical for workers to collect and wash excrement every time an animal excretes, so in the short term, workers may drop excrement below the porous floor plate 25 when they find it. In order to collect excrement that has accumulated over a long period of rearing, at least a portion of the perforated floor plate 25 is configured to open like a hatch, as described above, and by opening the perforated floor plate 25, excrement and the like can be easily collected from the collection sink 26 provided below it, and the collection sink 26 can also be cleaned. The collected excrement is led to the outside of the isolator R via the steril lock 5. Of course, the excrement that has fallen (accumulated) into the collection sink 26 may not flow smoothly, and in such a case, it may be necessary to temporarily push the animals into one of the compartments 85a, open the porous floor panel 25 of the compartment 85a where the animals are no longer present, and move the accumulated excrement to a position where it can be easily collected with a ladle, etc. For this reason, in this embodiment, the rear operation glove 6 is provided at a relatively low position as described above; without this configuration, it is thought that the above-mentioned work would be extremely difficult to perform (imposing a great burden on the operator) or would be impossible to perform at all. When the isolator R is disassembled and cleaned after the rearing is completed, the cleaning liquid applied to the base 2 can be discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 27 or the like. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The airtight chamber apparatus S of the present invention is preferably applied to such an isolator R, but various other uses are also conceivable. That is, since the airtight chamber apparatus S can obtain a highly airtight state as described above, it can be used as an apparatus that requires a sterile environment in plant culture management, microbial culture management, highly sterile medical management, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] R Isolator C cage device S Airtight Chamber Device t1 sealing tape t2 holding tape L1 Circumference dimension (circumference dimension of base frame) L2 Circumference (circumference of the bottom opening of the main sheet) 1 Main frame 2 bases 3 Chamber body 4. Air filter 4A Inlet air filter 4B Exhaust air filter 5. Sterilrock 6 Operation Gloves 7 Cage Frame 8 Cage Panel 9 Stocker equipment 11 Base frame 12 Leg frame 13 Caster 14 Hanging frame 15. Overhanging Frame 16 Column Frame 17 Top frame 17a Lifting rod 20 Floor opening 21 Base frame 21a outer edge 21b Female thread block 22 Pressing edge frame 23 Clamp bolt 23a Pressing pad 23b Hand crank piece 24 Anti-detachment bolt 24a Hand crank lever 25 Perforated floor plate 25a Rotating shaft 26 Collection sink 26a Sink bottom plate 26b Sink side panel 27 Drain line 31 Main sheet 31a Front seat 31b Rear seat 31c Wife's seat 31d Top sheet 31e Bottom sheet 311 Bottom opening 32 Hanging strap 33 Air filter connection joint 33a ring nut 34 Sterillock connecting rim 35 Operation Glove Connection Rim 41 Filter Box 42 filter element 45 Air connection pipe 46 Dust collection pre-filter 48 Air intake pipe 49 Air exhaust pipe 49a Internal pressure sensor 51 Sterillock body 52 Movable frame ring 53 Ring leg 53a Fixing bolt 54 Sterillock Support 55 Inner shield cap 56 External shield cap 61 Arm section 62 Hand section 63 Inner retaining plate 64 Outer holding lid 71 Frame Elements 71a Front frame element 71b Rear frame element 71c Gable frame element 71d Partition frame element 72 Base frame 72a Fixing bolt 73 Opening 74 Feeding Tray 75 Water Tray 75a Water storage section 75b Water bottle 75c water supply pipe 76 Locking hook 77 Latch piece 81 Panel Elements 82 Transparent hole 83 Locking hole 84 Partition Panel 85 Breeding Room 85a Separated breeding room 91 Upper shelf 92 Floor stocker box 741 Tray section 742 Bottom plate 743 Rear standing wall (back standing wall) 744 Front standing wall (front standing wall) 745 Return (short size) 746 Division Body

Claims

1. The base and An airtight chamber device comprising a chamber body provided above the base and constituting an appropriate sealed space, The base has a lower region set to an airtight state, a generally rectangular shape in plan view, and some or all of the sides of the base frame have an arc shape that bulges outward in plan view, On the other hand, the chamber body has a main body sheet as a main component, forms a three-dimensional shape with an open bottom on the main body sheet, and is disposed so as to surround the upper region of the base, The airtight chamber device is characterized in that the base and main body sheet are configured such that the bottom opening of the main body sheet is attached to the base frame of the base in an externally fitted state.

2. The airtight chamber device described in claim 1, characterized in that the base and main body sheet are configured so that after the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted onto the base frame, the bottom opening of the main body sheet is pressed and fixed against the base frame by a pressing edge frame provided on the outside of the base frame.

3. The airtight chamber device of claim 2, characterized in that the base and main body sheet are configured such that the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted onto the base frame, the boundary between the two components is taped around the entire perimeter, and then a pressing edge frame is provided on the outside of the base frame.

4. 4. The airtight chamber device according to claim 2, wherein the pressing edge frame is fixed to the base frame from two directions, namely, vertical and horizontal directions.

5. 5. The airtight chamber device according to claim 1, wherein the base frame portion is configured so that the circumferential dimension of the outer periphery is greater than the circumferential dimension of the bottom opening of the main body sheet.

6. One or more steril locks are provided on the side of the main body sheet to connect the inner and outer surfaces of the main body sheet, and the steril lock comprises a steril lock body for constituting the steril lock, a movable frame ring that supports the steril lock body so that it can move in and out of the main body sheet, and a movable steril lock support that supports a ring leg extending below the movable frame ring, An airtight chamber device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the position of the steril lock body can be freely set to an outward protruding state in which it protrudes outside the chamber body, or an indented state in which the inner tip of the steril lock body is positioned within the chamber body.

7. An airtight chamber device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that one or more pairs of operation gloves are provided on the side of the main sheet, and these operation gloves are configured to be able to be stored in a folded state at the connection portion with the main sheet.

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