Construction for Operation

Abstract

To provide a technology that allows easy access to an apparatus including single-use members.SOLUTION: A structure for a work which is provided in a work space where an apparatus having single-use members is installed comprises: a work table on which a worker rides to perform a work for an upper part of the apparatus; and a support body supporting the work table from an upper side or a lateral side of the work space to form a pedestrian passage on a floor of the work space below the work table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work structure provided in a work space in which equipment carrying single-use members is arranged. [Background technology]

[0002] The manufacturing of pharmaceuticals (biopharmaceuticals) using biotechnology involves the cultivation process of microorganisms, fungi, animal and plant cells, etc., in a factory room, followed by a purification process for the products obtained in the cultivation process. These processes use equipment such as bioreactors, mixers, and tanks. In recent years, such equipment has sometimes been configured with single-use (disposable) components. For example, after one production (culturing) run, the single-use components are replaced. In other words, a batch process is performed, and the single-use components are replaced between batch processes. This prevents cross-contamination and makes it easier to manage bacterial and other cultures.

[0003] One example of the above-mentioned equipment is configured to include a metal tank in which a bag is mounted, and multiple tubes can be connected to the bag. The multiple tubes are used to supply gases and liquids required for processing into the bag, transfer the contents of the bag to other equipment, and discharge unnecessary gases and liquids from the bag. The bag and tubes are the above-mentioned single-use components.

[0004] Tubing is attached to and detached from the top of the bag when it is installed in the tank. Bag replacement is also performed through the top of the tank. Therefore, before starting a batch process, a worker must access the top of the tank to perform the work. However, if the tank is large and tall, a worker standing on the floor where the equipment is installed cannot reach the top of the tank. Therefore, to allow workers to access the top of a tall tank, a mobile device that can be moved on the floor of a room is sometimes used. For example, this device may include a work platform supported on supports and a staircase that the worker moves along with the device and supports to ascend from the floor to the work platform. The worker places this device near the tank of the equipment they need to access and perform the work. However, such a mobile device raises safety concerns for the workers working on the work platform. While a permanently installed work platform is preferable for increased safety, if a work platform fixed to the floor with supports were installed, the supports would obstruct passage and work.

[0005] Additionally, for equipment equipped with the above-mentioned single-use components, a control device for setting various operational settings of the equipment, such as the temperature inside the tank and the rotation speed of the impeller for stirring inside the bag, is attached to the tank and installed on the floor, and various sensors for detecting the environment inside the bag are installed at a relatively low position (within reach) in the tank. Various operations, such as attaching and detaching the above-mentioned sensors, are performed during production stoppages (i.e., between batch processes). Furthermore, the single-use components of the above-mentioned equipment are replaced between batch processes. These operations must be performed by workers from the floor.

[0006] If support columns are installed, they will be located around the equipment, making it difficult for workers to access the equipment from the floor. This may cause problems with the above-mentioned tasks performed from the floor. Furthermore, the layout of each piece of equipment within the factory may need to be changed. If support columns are installed, there is a risk that these layout changes may be hindered.

[0007] Patent Document 1, Japanese Patent No. 5510728, shows an embodiment in which a hanging body extends downward from a horizontal connecting member that connects architectural beams installed in the ceiling of a building. A transport conveyor for transporting goods and a walkway forming member for work walking are suspended from this hanging body. However, Patent Document 1 does not mention the problems that may arise when equipment equipped with the above-mentioned single-use components is installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5510728 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a technique that allows easy access to equipment equipped with single-use components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The working structure of the present invention (first invention) comprises: A work structure provided in a work space in which equipment carrying single-use components is arranged, a work platform on which a worker stands to perform work on the upper part of the equipment; a support for supporting the work platform from above or a side of the work space to form a pedestrian walkway on the floor of the work space below the work platform; Equipped with.

[0011] A second invention is a work structure according to the first invention, in which utility supply piping connected to the equipment via single-use tubing is provided along the work platform or the support.

[0012] In the third invention, when the device is a first device, a first support member that supports a single-use tube connecting a second device different from the first device and the first device; This is a work structure of the first or second invention, in which the connection end of a utility supply pipe that can be connected to the first equipment or the second equipment via another single-use tube to the other tube is located below the workbench, and the first support member is provided above the connection end. A fourth aspect of the present invention is the working structure of the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the first support member is provided on the workbench. A fifth invention is a work structure according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the work platform is a walkway and the first support member is provided along the length of the walkway. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention provides easy access to equipment that includes single-use components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional side view of a pharmaceutical manufacturing factory according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the manufacturing plant floor. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a walkway provided inside the manufacturing plant. [Figure 4] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a building of a factory 1 that manufactures biopharmaceuticals. The factory 1 is composed of multiple floors. FIG. 1 shows one of the multiple floors, floor A, where a culturing process is performed. Floor A is divided into upper and lower sections by partition walls 11, with the area below partition wall 11 constituting a production room 12 and the area above partition wall 11 constituting an attic space 13. Therefore, partition wall 11 forms the ceiling of production room 12 and the floor of attic space 13. An upper floor 14, which forms attic space 13 together with partition wall 11, forms the floor of the floor above floor A. The production room 12 is configured as a temperature- and humidity-controlled clean room and includes a floor 10. Ducts and the like are installed in attic space 13 to supply gas to production room 12 to regulate the temperature and humidity.

[0016] The following description will also refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal front section of floor A. In each of the drawings, including Figures 1 and 2, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and vertical direction are shown as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. These X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other. In the following description, the front side of the X direction may be referred to as the +X side, and the rear side as the -X side.

[0017] The manufacturing room 12 and the attic space 13 are both elongated in the Y direction. The manufacturing room 12, which serves as a work space, has a partition wall 11 formed so that the ceiling is higher in the center than in the periphery. Therefore, in both a longitudinal side view and a longitudinal front view, the manufacturing room 12 is convex, and the attic space 13 is concave. In plan view, the walkway 3, described below, fits within the high-ceilinged area, providing sufficient height for workers walking along the walkway 3. The figure also shows the columns of the factory 1 building as 15, the girders connecting the columns 15 as 16, and the girders spanning between the girders 16 as 17. The girders 16 extend in both the X and Y directions, and the girders 17 extend in the Y direction. The girders 16 and girders 17 support the upper floor 14.

[0018] Next, the supports 2 and walkways 3 that constitute the working structure will be described with reference to the top perspective view of FIG. 3 and the bottom perspective view of FIG. 4. To each of two adjacent small beams 17, a support 2, which serves as a support, is connected so as to extend vertically downward from the bottom. More specifically, the upper ends of multiple supports 2 are connected to each small beam 17, and the multiple supports 2 are arranged at intervals in the Y direction. The supports 2 connected to two small beams 17 in this manner are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view. Therefore, the supports 2 face each other in the X direction. The lower side of each support 2 penetrates the partition wall 11 and enters the manufacturing room 12, and the walkway 3 is connected to the lower end of each support 2.

[0019] Each support 2 is connected to the +X side edge and the -X side edge of the upper surface of the walkway 3. By being connected to each support 2 in this way, the walkway 3 is supported from the ceiling side (i.e., the upper side) within the production room 12, and is suspended horizontally while being spaced apart from the front, back, left, and right walls that form the production room 12.

[0020] For some of the supports 2 located on the -X side, one end of a connecting member 32 is connected from the -X side to a location within the manufacturing room 12. For example, for the supports 2 lined up in the Y direction, this connection to the connecting member 32 is made for every other support 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the other end of the connecting member 32 penetrates the wall portion of the partition wall 11 extending in the vertical direction (Z direction) and enters the ceiling space 13. It is then connected to a connecting member 33 extending in the Y direction so as to connect the columns 15 to each other. In this way, the walkway 3 is configured to be anti-vibration by being connected to the columns 15 via the supports 2 and connecting members 32, 33. The supports 2, connecting members 32, 33, main beams 16, and secondary beams 17 described above are each made of H-shaped steel.

[0021] Walkway 3 is a work platform on which workers stand to access and work above tall equipment (equipment 5A, described below). While enabling work at such heights, the space between the underside of walkway 3 and floor 10 is configured as a passageway 21 through which workers walking on floor 10 can enter, allowing workers to access and work below the tall equipment and low-profile equipment located below and nearby walkway 3. To form such a passageway 21, the distance between floor 10 and the underside of walkway 3 is, for example, 2 m or more. However, passageway 21 is not limited to always functioning as a passageway, and may temporarily lose its function as a passageway due to the placement of equipment, etc. on floor 10.

[0022] As mentioned above, the production room 12 is a room that is long in the Y direction. Therefore, when a large number of devices for the culture process are installed, several of the devices will be arranged in the Y direction. As mentioned above, the walkway 3 is provided for the purpose of allowing workers to access tall devices. The walkway 3 is formed long in the Y direction, just like the production room 12, so that each piece of tall device can be accessed even when it is far away in the Y direction.

[0023] When the walkway 3 is viewed along the Y direction, narrow and wide areas are alternately positioned with respect to the spacing between the supports 2. On the +X side of the walkway 3, the region from the bottom of one support 2 where the narrow width is formed to the bottom of the other support 2 extends to the +X side to form a protrusion. This protrusion is provided for each narrow region on the +X side, so that the walkway 3 is rectangular in plan view with recesses 31 spaced apart along the Y direction. The recesses 31 are also rectangular in plan view.

[0024] Between each pair of supports 2 that form a narrow width on the -X side, and between each pair of supports 2 that form a narrow width on the +X side, a brace (not shown) is provided to connect the supports 2 that form the narrow width. Between the supports 2 that form the narrow width, plate members 34 are provided to sandwich and cover the brace from the +X side and the -X side. Each plate member 34 has the role of preventing dust from accumulating on the brace, and is provided from above the walkway 3 to the ceiling of the manufacturing room 12.

[0025] In addition, handrails 35 are provided on the walkway 3 to prevent workers from falling. These handrails 35 are formed along the edges of the walkway 3 so as to connect the supports 2 between adjacent supports 2 that are not provided with braces and plates 34. The handrails 31 are shown by dotted lines in FIG. 3 and are not shown in FIG. 4. A protrusion is formed on the +X side of the walkway 3 so as to form the recess 31 as described above. On this protrusion, the handrail 35 is formed along the edge of the protrusion so that the handrail 35 does not prevent workers from standing on the protrusion.

[0026] Furthermore, an opening formed in the Z direction is provided at one end of the walkway 3 in the Y direction, and a staircase 36 is provided connecting the edge of this opening to the floor 10, allowing workers to move between the floor 10 and the walkway 3 by going up and down the staircase 36. The staircase 36 is shown very schematically in Figures 1 and 2, and the above-mentioned opening is not shown. Furthermore, Figure 1 does not show differences in width between the supports 2, and the supports 2 are shown at regular intervals.

[0027] Next, we will explain the utilities supplied to the equipment installed on floor A. A utility supply line 4 extends from a machine room in factory 1 (not shown) to the attic space 13 on floor A. The tip (lower end) of utility supply line 4 is routed through attic space 13, heads toward the vicinity of plate material 34 installed on the +X side, and is pulled out to production room 12 after penetrating partition wall 11. The tip of utility supply line 4 pulled out to production room 12 in this way extends downward along the Z direction, which is the length direction of support body 2, near plate material 34 on the -X side relative to plate material 34.

[0028] Specifically, utility supply line 4 is composed of a plurality of pipes and a plurality of power supply cables for supplying utilities to operate various devices installed on floor A. As described above, each line (pipe or cable) extends above walkway 3 in the extension direction (Z direction) of support body 2. Also, each line is arranged in the Y direction. The above-mentioned plurality of pipes are each made of metal or resin, and include pipes for supplying specified gases or liquids, exhaust pipes, drainage pipes, etc.

[0029] In the utility supply line 4, as described above, the lower end of one of the multiple pipes extending downward from the production chamber 12 (referred to as pipe 41A) is located above the walkway 3, forming a connector 42A. The lower side of another of the multiple pipes (referred to as pipe 41B) penetrates the walkway 3 and enters the passage 21. In the passage 21, the lower end of the pipe 41B forms a connector 42B. Valves 43A and 43B are installed in the pipes 41A and 41B, respectively, slightly above the connectors 42A and 42B. Therefore, the valve 43A is located above the walkway 3, and the valve 43B is located below the walkway 3. Single-use tubing 63, which will be described later, is connected to the connectors 42A and 42B. Opening and closing the valves 43A and 43B switches between a state in which fluid flows between the pipes 41A and 41B and the equipment to which the tubes 63 are connected and a state in which fluid flow is stopped. It should be noted that a plurality of pipes 41A and 41B are provided.

[0030] In addition, in the utility supply line 4, the lower ends of some of the multiple cables extending downward from the production room 12 (referred to as cable 44A) are located above the walkway 3, forming connector 45A. The lower sides of other of the multiple cables 44A (referred to as cable 44B) pass through the walkway 3 and enter the passage 21. In the passage 21, the lower end of cable 44B forms connector 45B. Cable 65, which will be described later, is connected to connectors 45A and 45B.

[0031] In order that a worker on the walkway 3 can open and close the valve 43A and attach and detach the connectors 42A and 45A, the valve 43A and the connectors 42A and 45A are arranged, for example, at a height of less than 2 m from the walkway 3. In addition, in order that a worker on the floor 10 can open and close the valve 43B and attach and detach the connectors 42B and 45B, the valve 43B and the connectors 42B and 45B are arranged, for example, at a height of less than 2 m from the floor 10.

[0032] Of the utility supply line 4 configured as described above, the collection of pipes 41A, 41B and cables 44A, 44B below the partition wall 11 may be referred to as the utility station 40. Therefore, the utility station 40 includes the end of each line where a worker connects to equipment in the production room 12.

[0033] As described above, the multiple pipes 41A, 41B and cables 44A, 44B that make up the utility supply line 4 are concentrated near a single plate 34 as the utility station 40. This concentrated arrangement facilitates maintenance, inspection, and the installation and removal of the single-use tube 63 (described below). Furthermore, the pipes 41A, 41B and cables 44A, 44B extend along the support structures 2, allowing them to be easily supported and secured to the support structures 2 and the plate structures 34 between the support structures 2 via fasteners. In other words, the support structures 2 and their associated components form part of the equipment for supporting and securing the pipes 41A, 41B and cables 44A, 44B in the production room 12, eliminating the need for separate, large-scale fixtures. This ensures ample workspace for workers on the floor 10 and the walkway 3, improving work efficiency. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of various operations carried out between batch processes, as described in the background art section, for example.

[0034] Furthermore, the utility station 40 is provided along the +X side support 2 and plate material 34 of the supports 2 and plate material 34 provided on each of the +X and -X sides. As will be described later, tall equipment is placed using the recess 31 on the +X side of the walkway 3, so the distance between the utility station 40 and the equipment is reduced, making it easy to connect them to each other.

[0035] Next, we will explain the equipment installed in the production room 12. To carry out the culture process, many pieces of equipment are installed on the floor 10, but for convenience, only three pieces of equipment, 5A, 5B, and 5C, are shown in Figure 1. Note that Figure 3 shows multiple pieces of equipment 5A for the purpose of explaining the layout.

[0036] Devices 5A and 5B are, for example, bioreactors, and have the same configuration except for the height of the tanks provided. If the tanks provided in devices 5A and 5B are designated 51A and 51B, respectively, tank 51A is larger and taller. The control device provided near the tanks, as described in the Background Art section, will not be described or illustrated. Device 5C is a pump. For ease of explanation, it is assumed that devices 5A to 5C are connected so that, when performing the culturing process, a liquid containing the culture product flows from device 5B to device 5A via device 5C.

[0037] The device 5A will now be described. As described above, the device 5A is provided with a tank 51A, and a bag 61 (described later) is installed in the tank 51A. The material of the tank 51A is not particularly limited. In this example, the tank 51A is made of, for example, a hard metal. In this example, the upper end of the tank 51A is located above the walkway 3. An opening 53 is formed at the top of the tank 51A. For example, the bag 61 is attached to and detached from the tank 51A through this opening 53. That is, a new bag 61 can be inserted into the tank through the opening 53 for installation, and a used bag 61 can be collected by pulling out the used bag 61 through the opening 53. A tube 63 (described later) can be attached and detached to and from the bag 61 exposed above the tank 51A through the opening 53.

[0038] Regarding device 5B, the upper end of tank 51B provided in device 5B is located below walkway 3. Due to this difference in tank size, device 5B is shorter than device 5A. Device 5C has approximately the same height as tank 51B of device 5B, and is therefore shorter than device 5A. Device 5C also includes, for example, a single-use member that forms a flow path, and a connector 52 to which a tube 63 described below is connected. Device 5A corresponds to the first device, and devices 5B and 5C correspond to the second device.

[0039] The bag 61 is a single-use component and is made of resin, making it flexible. The bag 61 is selected to fit the size of the tank in which it will be installed and is detachable from the tanks 51A and 51B. The bag 61 is also provided with multiple connectors 62 located at its top when installed in the tanks 51A and 51B. The connectors 62 are provided for connecting tubing 63, which is a single-use component. Regarding the location of the connectors 62, the connector 62 of the bag 61 installed in the tank 51A is located above the walkway 3, and the connector 62 of the bag 61 installed in the tank 51B is located below the walkway 3. The bag 61 also has a connector 64 on its lower side to which the tubing 63 is connected. The connector 64 on the lower side of the bag 61 is shown only for the bag 61 installed in the tank 51B, where the tubing 63 is connected to transfer liquid to the bag 61 in the tank 51A. The connector 64 is located below the walkway 3.

[0040] Tube 63 is made of resin and is therefore flexible. Tube 63 is used to connect connectors 42A, 42B of any of pipes 41A, 41B in utility station 40 to connectors 52, 62, 64 of devices 5A to 5C. Tube 63 is detachable from these connectors.

[0041] Furthermore, connectors 45A, 45B of any of cables 44A, 44B in utility station 40 are connected to connectors (not shown) of devices 5A to 5C by flexible cable 65. This connection supplies power to devices 5A to 5C. Cable 65 is detachable from these connectors.

[0042] The arrangement of each device, including devices 5A to 5C, on floor 10 of production room 12 is determined appropriately depending on the culture process to be carried out. Device 5A is arranged so that the top of tank 51A fits into any of the recesses 31 in walkway 3 described above. This allows an operator to access the top of tank 51A from both the X and Y directions, facilitating the attachment and detachment of bag 61 to tank 51A and the attachment and detachment of tube 63 to connector 62 of bag 61.

[0043] The bag 61 mounted on the device 5A and the bag 61 mounted on the device 5B can each be connected to the desired piping in the utility station 40 via a tube 63. Whether to use the piping 41A with the connector located on the upper side or the piping 41B with the connector located on the lower side can be determined arbitrarily depending on the size and arrangement of the devices. For example, the connections can be made so that the length of each tube 63 is relatively short. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the piping 41A on the walkway 3 is connected to the connector 62 of the bag 61 of the device 5A, while the piping 41B on the floor 10 is connected to the bag 61 of the device 5B. Regarding the connection of the other tubes 63 in FIG. 1, the connector 64 of the bag 61 of the device 5B is connected to one connector 52 of the device 5C, and the connector 62 of the bag 61 of the device 5A is connected to the other connector 52 of the device 5C, so that liquid is transferred from the device 5A to the device 5B as described above.

[0044] Furthermore, desired cables in the utility station 40 can be connected to the devices 5A to 5C via cable 65. Whether to use cable 44A with a connector located on the upper side or cable 44B with a connector located on the lower side can be determined arbitrarily depending on the size and arrangement of the devices, and may be determined, for example, so that the length of cable 65 is relatively short. In the example shown in FIG. 1, cable 44A on the walkway 3 is not used, and cable 44B on floor 10 is connected to devices 5A to 5C. Note that, for devices not shown, any pipes or cables in the utility station 40 can be connected via tube 63 and cable 65.

[0045] As described above, in this example, the cable 65 attached to and detached from each device is formed separately from the cables 44A and 44B that constitute the utility station 40, and is shown as being connected to the cables 44A and 44B. However, the cables 44A and 44B of the utility station 40 may be configured to have a sufficient length so that they can be connected directly to each device without using a separate cable. Therefore, the cable 65 connected to the device may form part of the cables 44A and 44B of the utility station 40, and is not limited to being connected to the cables 44A and 44B.

[0046] When one batch process is completed in the manufacturing room 12 described above, the single-use components, including the bag 61 and tube 63, used in that batch process are removed from the equipment 5A to 5C and the utility station 40 and discarded. Then, new single-use components, including the bag 61 and tube 63, are attached. After the single-use components have been replaced in this way, the next batch process begins.

[0047] During this batch process, with respect to equipment 5A, a worker on the walkway 3 attaches and detaches bag 61 to and from tank 51A, and attaches and detaches tube 63 to and from connector 62 of bag 61. Work that requires access to the lower side of equipment 5A, such as access to the control device described in the Background Art section, is performed by a worker from above floor 10. With respect to equipment 5B, various work including attaching and detaching bag 61 to and from tube 63 is performed by a worker on floor 10. As with equipment 5B, various work is also performed with respect to equipment 5C by a worker on floor 10.

[0048] By standing on the walkway 3, located high within the manufacturing room 12, workers can easily access the opening 53 of the tank 51A, which is necessary for attaching and detaching the bag 61, and the connector 62 of the bag 61. The walkway 3 is separated from the floor 10, and the area below the walkway 3 is configured as a passageway 21. Therefore, workers can walk along the floor 10, enter below the walkway 3, and access the underside of the device 5A, devices 5B and 5C, and other devices not shown. As described above, workers can easily access the devices 5A-5C, allowing them to efficiently perform tasks on these devices. Therefore, necessary tasks, including the replacement of the bag 61 and tubing 63 between batch processes, can be quickly performed. Therefore, in the manufacturing room 12 configured with the walkway 3 and support 2, the time required between batch processes can be shortened, thereby increasing pharmaceutical productivity.

[0049] Numerous support members 71 are provided in various locations in the production room 12. As shown in Figure 4, the support members 71 are formed into a gate shape by bending both longitudinal ends of a plate-like body so that they face the same direction. Each support member 71 surrounds the tubes 63 and cables 65 and is attached to a member such as the walkway 3 or the support body 2, thereby supporting and fixing the tubes 63 and cables 65 to the member. In Figure 4, in order to clearly show how the support and fixing are performed, the connection of the tubes 63 and cables 65 to the utility station 40 is different from that shown in Figure 1, which will be described later.

[0050] A plurality of support members 71 are provided on the walkway 3. For convenience, the support members 71 provided on the walkway 3 are referred to as first support members 71A. These first support members 71A are arranged at intervals along the periphery of the walkway 3 on the underside of the walkway 3. Therefore, while FIG. 4 shows the first support members 71A arranged along the Y direction, the first support members 71A are arranged along the X direction at both ends of the walkway 3 in the Y direction. The first support members 71A support and fix the tubes 63 and cables 65 in the passage 21 to the underside of the walkway 3.

[0051] 1 illustrates devices 5B, 5C, and 5A arranged in this order along the Y direction. In this state, a tube 63 connecting devices 5C and 5A, a cable 65 connecting connector 45B of cable 44B to each of devices 5A to 5C, and a tube 63 connecting connector 42B of pipe 41B to connector 62 of bag 61 of device 5B extend in the Y direction along walkway 3, and are supported by first support member 71A.

[0052] By providing first support member 71A on walkway 3, first support member 71A and the portions of tube 63 and cable 65 supported by first support member 71A are located above a height accessible to workers on floor 10. More specifically, the lower end (connection end) of connector 42B of pipe 41B and the lower end (connection end) of connector 45B of cable 44B in utility station 40 are located at a height accessible to workers on floor 10 so that the workers can perform connection work. Therefore, first support member 71A and the portions of tube 63 and cable 65 supported by first support member 71A are located above the lower ends of connectors 42B and 45B, and more specifically, are located at a height of, for example, 2 meters or more above floor 10.

[0053] When connecting the tall equipment 5A and the low-profile equipment 5B and 5C with the tube 63, the tube 63 extends not only horizontally (Y direction) but also vertically (Z direction). Since the tube 63 cannot be installed so as to crawl along the floor 10, if the first support member 71A is not provided, a movable support base is used to support the tube. Because the support base is approximately the height of a worker, the tube 63 and the support base would be positioned in the worker's path on the floor 10, obstructing the worker's access to the equipment. However, by supporting the tube 63 at the aforementioned height using the first support member 71A, the tube 63 can be positioned to avoid the path. Therefore, the worker's access to the equipment is not obstructed, improving work efficiency. Furthermore, providing the first support member 71A on the walkway 3 as described above can be seen as utilizing the walkway 3 to support the tube 63 at a height that does not interfere with the worker's path on the floor 10. In other words, by using the walkway 3 to position the first support member 71A at the desired height, it can be said that there is no need to prepare additional parts or equipment for positioning it at the desired height.

[0054] Although it has been described above that the tubes 63 connecting devices at different heights are supported by the first support member 71A, the first support member 71A can support any tubes 63 and any cables 65. This can prevent the tubes 63 and cables 65 from interfering with the path of workers. Therefore, for example, if a device is installed at approximately the same height as device 5A and is connected to device 5A via a tube 63, the tube 63 may be supported by the first support member 71A. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the tube 63 from interfering with the path of pedestrians on floor 10 and / or the path of workers on the walkway 3, and to prevent it from interfering with work.

[0055] However, when the longitudinal directions of the production room 12 and the walkway 3 coincide as described above, if a relatively large number of devices are installed in the production room 12, the devices will be arranged at different positions along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the tubes 63 connecting the devices extend along the longitudinal direction. To support and stabilize multiple portions of the extending tubes 63, it is preferable that the first support members 71A be arranged at least along the longitudinal direction. As described above, by arranging multiple first support members 71A along the periphery of the walkway 3, some of the multiple first support members 71A are arranged along the longitudinal direction.

[0056] Furthermore, the multiple support members 71 provided in the production room 12 may include one that supports the tubes 63 and the cables 65 at a height above the height accessible to workers on the walkway 3. For ease of explanation, the support member 71 may be referred to as a second support member 71B. A specific example of the positions of the second support member 71B and the members supported by the second support member 71B will be described below. The lower end (connection end) of the connector 42A of the pipe 41A and the lower end (connection end) of the connector 45A of the cable 44A in the utility station 40 are located at a height accessible to workers on the walkway 3 so that they can perform connection work. Therefore, the second support member 71B and the respective portions of the tubes 63 and the cables 65 supported by the second support member 71B are located above the lower ends of the connectors 42A and 45A, and more specifically, are located at a height of, for example, 2 meters or more above the walkway 3.

[0057] 1 shows an example in which some of the tubes 63 are supported by the second support members 71B, but it is possible to support any of the tubes 63 and any of the cables 65. By providing support using the second support members 71B as described above, it is possible to prevent the tubes 63 and cables 65 from obstructing access and reducing work efficiency when workers on the walkway 3 access and work on equipment.

[0058] The first support member 71A does not have to be provided on the underside of the walkway 3, but may be provided on the side of the walkway 3, for example. The second support member 71B may be provided on each support body 2 and support the tube 63 and cable 65 so as to span between the support bodies 2. The handrail 35 may be formed relatively high, and the second support member 71B may be provided on the handrail 35. Furthermore, although the first support member 71A has been described as being provided on the walkway 3, it may be provided on the handrail 35 so that it is positioned above a height accessible to workers on the floor 10. The first support member 71A and the second support member 71B may have any shape and may have different shapes.

[0059] The utility supply line 4 has been described as passing through the walkway 3, but instead of passing through in this manner, it may be configured to pass along the side of the walkway 3 and extend below the walkway 3. In other words, the utility supply line 4 can be configured to run along the walkway 3 (work platform).

[0060] In the example described above, no support pillars are provided to support the walkway 3 on the floor 10, and the space of the passage 21 is large. This is preferable because it increases the freedom of movement of workers and improves work efficiency, or because it allows for a large amount of usable space in the passage 21 as equipment installation space. However, the walkway 3 may also be configured to be supported from the ceiling by the support bodies 2 and also by support pillars provided on the floor 10. In this configuration, support by the support bodies 2 allows the thickness of the support pillars provided on the floor 10 to be reduced or the number of pillars to be reduced, which is preferable because it allows for a larger space in the passage 21 compared to when the walkway 3 is supported from the floor 10 only by pillars.

[0061] Furthermore, the workbench formed in the room may have a protruding structure and be supported from the side by a structure (support) installed in a position hidden from view from the room by the side wall of the room. Therefore, the workbench is not limited to a configuration in which it is supported from above. Also, although an example has been shown in which the workbench is configured as a walkway, i.e., long in any direction, to match the shape of the manufacturing room 12, the shape of the workbench is arbitrary. One workbench may be installed for each device 5A, and may be configured with a size that does not require walking.

[0062] Although an example has been shown in which the working structure including the walkway 3 and the support 2 is applied to a room where a culture step in the production of biopharmaceuticals is carried out, the application is not limited to this, and the working structure may also be applied to a room where a purification step or the like is carried out after the culture step. Furthermore, the application of this technology is not limited to work spaces where pharmaceuticals are produced, but may also be applied to work spaces for the production of food or cosmetics.

[0063] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, combinations, etc. may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10 beds 12 Manufacturing room 2 Support 3. Walkway 5A equipment 61 Bag

Claims

1. A work structure provided in a work space in which equipment carrying single-use components is arranged, a work platform on which a worker stands to perform work on the upper part of the equipment; a support for supporting the work platform from above or a side of the work space to form a pedestrian walkway on the floor of the work space below the work platform; A working structure comprising:

2. 2. The work structure of claim 1, wherein utility supply lines are provided along the work platform or support and connected to the equipment via single-use tubing.

3. If the device is a first device, a first support member that supports a single-use tube connecting a second device different from the first device and the first device; A work structure as described in claim 1, wherein the connection end of a utility supply pipe connectable to the first equipment or the second equipment via another single-use tube is located below the work platform, and the first support member is provided above the connection end.

4. The work structure according to claim 3 , wherein the first support member is provided on the work table.

5. If the device is a first device, a first support member that supports a single-use tube connecting a second device different from the first device and the first device; 2. A working structure according to claim 1, wherein the work platform is a walkway, and the first support member is provided along the length of the walkway.

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