Lid, vessel for cell culture device or bioreactor, and cell culture device

Abstract

The present invention provides: a lid that allows for easy handling and positioning of a tube, and has a low risk of contamination of the tube with foreign matter from an end of the tube; a vessel that is for a cell culture device or bioreactor and that comprises the lid; and a cell culture device for culturing cells using the vessel. More specifically, the present invention is a lid 2 that is for closing the opening end of a vessel body 4, and that comprises: a lid body 6 made of a heat-insulating material; a flexible member 8 that blocks an insertion section 7 formed in the lid body 6; and an insertion slit 18 that is formed in the flexible member 8 and is capable of being elastically widened. The flexible member 8 is formed of a flexible material having flexibility higher than that of the heat-insulating material.

Description

Lid, cell culture device or bioreactor vessel, and cell culture device

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid that closes the open end of a container body and is used to insert and secure a tube or the like into the container body from outside the container body, a cell culture device or bioreactor container equipped with the lid, and a cell culture device for culturing cells using the container.

[0002] A known example of this type of cell culture device or bioreactor is the shaking culture device shown in Patent Document 1. The shaking culture device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a culture bag filled with a liquid, a shell container that houses the culture bag, and a rocking mechanism for rocking the shell container to agitate the liquid, and is used, for example, when culturing microorganisms or cells in the liquid. The shell container has a cylindrical container body with a bottom, and the culture bag filled with the liquid is housed in this container body. The open end of the container body is then closed with a plate-shaped lid to secure the culture bag within the container body.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-136928

[0004] The temperature inside a cell culture vessel or bioreactor is optimized for the activity of cells, enzymes, etc., and a temperature difference generally occurs between the inside and outside of the vessel or bioreactor. However, many tubes are connected to the top of the vessel or bioreactor, making it difficult to control the temperature inside the vessel or bioreactor.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a lid that allows for easy handling and positioning of tubes and reduces the risk of foreign matter being mixed in through the end of the tube, a cell culture device or bioreactor container equipped with the lid, and a cell culture device for culturing cells using the container.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a lid for closing the open end of the vessel body of a cell culture vessel or a bioreactor, which has a lid body with an insulating function, and the lid body has an insertion portion formed in it that connects from the front surface to the back surface of the lid body, and the insertion portion is provided with a flexible member having an insertion slit that can be elastically expanded.

[0007] According to the first aspect, when placing a tube, stirring rod, or the like (hereinafter referred to as "tube, etc.") through the lid, the insertion slit can be widened to insert the tube, etc. from the side of the lid, and the tube, etc. can be moved to an appropriate position along the insertion slit, and the tube, etc. can be held in place by the elastic force of the insertion slit after movement. Therefore, the handling and positioning of the tube, etc. can be easily performed, and there is an excellent effect that there is little risk of foreign matter entering through the end of the tube.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, wherein the lid body is divisible into two or more parts along a dividing surface.

[0009] According to the second aspect, when the lid body is divided into two or more parts along the dividing surface, the insertion slit can be widened to insert a tube or the like from the dividing surface, and the tube or the like can be moved to an appropriate position along the insertion slit, thereby achieving the effect of easily handling and positioning the tube or the like.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect, wherein the insertion portion reaches an outer periphery of the lid body or a dividing surface formed on the lid body.

[0011] According to the third aspect, one end of the insertion slit that reaches the outer peripheral edge of the lid body or the dividing surface can be widened to insert a tube or the like from the side, which has the effect of making it easy to handle and position the tube or the like.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the insertion portion and the flexible member have the same shape, and the flexible member is embedded in the insertion portion.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to form the insertion portion without increasing the thickness of the cover significantly.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the insertion portion is formed with a first insertion slit that reaches the outer peripheral edge and / or dividing surface of the lid body, and a second insertion slit that branches off from the first insertion slit.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect, the end of the first insertion slit that reaches the outer peripheral edge and / or dividing surface of the lid body is widened to insert a tube or the like from the side, and then the tube or the like can be moved to an appropriate position along the second insertion slit that branches off from the first insertion slit, thereby providing a high degree of freedom in the holding position of the tube or the like, and achieving the effect of easily handling and positioning the tube or the like.

[0016] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the insertion portion has a wide portion that is wider than other portions of the insertion portion in a plan view. Also, since the wide portion is wide, a plurality of insertion slits may be formed.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect, after inserting a tube or the like from the side along the insertion slit in the narrow part of the insertion portion, the tube or the like can be moved by selecting one of the insertion slits in the wide part, which has the effect of providing a high degree of freedom in the holding position of the tube or the like and making it easy to handle and position the tube or the like.

[0018] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the wide portion is generally circular in plan view. In this case, the wide portion may have a plurality of insertion slits formed radially from a center of the generally circular portion.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect, after inserting a tube or the like from the side along the insertion slit in the narrow part of the insertion portion, the tube or the like can be moved by selecting one of the multiple insertion slits formed radially in the wide part, which has the effect of providing a high degree of freedom in the holding position of the tube or the like and making it easy to handle and position the tube or the like.

[0020] An eighth aspect of the present invention is a container for a cell culture device or a bioreactor, comprising a container body having an open end and a lid according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect, when placing a tube, stirring rod, etc. that reaches into the container body from the outside through the lid, the insertion slit can be widened to insert the tube, etc. from the side, and the tube, etc. can be moved to an appropriate position along the insertion slit, and the tube, etc. after movement can be held in place by the elastic force of the insertion slit, which makes it easy to handle and position the tube, etc., and reduces the risk of the end of the tube, etc. becoming contaminated.

[0022] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the eighth aspect, wherein the lid and the container body are formed with fixing portions for fixing them to each other.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, the fixing portion can fix the lid in a state where it is fitted into the opening end of the container body, thereby preventing the lid from coming off even when the container body is shaken.

[0024] A tenth aspect of the present invention is the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein an inner bag is provided inside the container body.

[0025] According to the tenth aspect, a tube, stirring rod, etc. can be inserted into the inner bag through the insertion slit in the lid, and cell culture or various reactions can be carried out within the inner bag with improved insulation and airtightness.

[0026] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a cell culture device comprising a container of the cell culture device or bioreactor of any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, a rocking mechanism for rocking the container, a temperature adjustment mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the container, and a tube inserted into the container through the insertion slit of the lid.

[0027] According to the eleventh aspect, when the liquid to be treated is contained in the container body directly or via a wrapping bag, and a tube or the like is placed that reaches the container body from the outside through the lid, the insertion slit can be widened to insert the tube or the like from the side, and the tube or the like can be moved to an appropriate position along the insertion slit, and the tube or the like after being moved can be held in place by the elastic force of the insertion slit, so that the tube or the like can be easily handled, there is little risk of the end of the tube becoming contaminated, and when the temperature of the container is adjusted by the temperature control mechanism and rocked by the rocking mechanism, the lid can also provide a heat-retaining effect.

[0028] As described above, with the lid, cell culture device or bioreactor container, and cell culture device of the present invention, when placing a tube or the like through the lid, the insertion slit can be widened to insert the tube or the like from the side, and the tube or the like can be moved to an appropriate position along the insertion slit, and the tube or the like after movement can be held in place by the elastic force of the insertion slit, which makes it easy to handle and position the tube or the like and reduces the risk of foreign matter entering through the end of the tube.

[0029] 1 is a plan view of a lid according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of a container of a cell culture device or a bioreactor using the lid of the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing an example of a dividing surface in the lid of the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing another example of a dividing surface in the lid of the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing another example of a dividing surface in the lid of the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a lid body, insertion portion, and insertion slit in the lid of the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing modified examples of the lid body, insertion portion, and insertion slit in the lid of the first embodiment; FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing modified examples of the lid body, insertion portion, and insertion slit in the lid of the first embodiment; FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a first part when the lid of the first embodiment is divided into two at the dividing surface; FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a second part when the lid of the first embodiment is divided into two at the dividing surface; FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of tubes are inserted and held in the insertion portions of the lid of the first embodiment; FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway front view of a container showing a state in which a plurality of tubes are inserted and held in the insertion portions of the lid of the first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing a cell culture device equipped with a container using the lid of the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a lid according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a lid according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a lid according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a lid according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Several embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a lid 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The lid 2 is fitted onto the open end of a container body 4 to close the open end, and the lid 2 and container body 4 constitute a container 1. The container 1 is used as a cell culture device or a bioreactor. The lid 2 is disk-shaped with approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the container body 4, and the container body 4 is cylindrical with a bottom. The size of the container 1 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the outer diameter of the container body 4 is 10 to 500 cm and the height is 20 to 500 cm. The container body 4 may be polygonal prism-shaped, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, in which case the shape of the lid 2 is also adjusted to match the shape of the open end of the container body 4.

[0031] The lid 2 is formed from a disk-shaped lid body 6 and a flexible member 8 embedded and fixed in a notch or opening formed in the lid body 6, which is an insertion portion 7. The lid body 6 is preferably formed from a material with excellent thermal insulation properties, and the flexible member 8 is formed from a flexible material that is more flexible than the material of the lid body 6. The flexible member 8 and the insertion portion 7 have the same shape, and the flexible member 8 is tightly fitted into the insertion portion 7 and joined by adhesive or thermal fusion. Materials with excellent thermal insulation properties are not particularly limited, but suitable examples include polystyrene foam, polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, and other foamed resins, which have high thermal insulation properties and are lightweight. Flexible materials that can be used include soft urethane foam, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber. The flexible material may have inferior thermal insulation properties to the insulating material.

[0032] The flexible member 8 in this embodiment is formed by a strip-shaped linear portion 8A, one end of which reaches the outer periphery of the lid body 6, a disk-shaped circular portion 8B (wide portion), a strip-shaped linear portion 8C, and a disk-shaped circular portion 8D (wide portion), which are lined up in a row and connected to each other, with a strip-shaped linear portion 8E branching vertically from the center of the linear portion 8C to form a band-shaped linear portion 8E, and a T-shaped portion 8F (wide portion) of a constant width formed at the end of the linear portion 8E. Linear insertion slits 18, which are vertical cuts, are formed in the flexible member 8 along the center lines of the linear portion 8A, the circular portion 8B, the linear portion 8C, the circular portion 8D, the linear portion 8E, and the T-shaped portion 8F, and furthermore, a plurality of insertion slits 18 (four in the illustrated example) are formed in the circular portions 8B and 8D, radially from the center of the circle.

[0033] The insertion slit 18 is preferably formed perpendicular to the upper surface of the lid 2, but may be slightly inclined. The insertion slit 18 is elastically expandable to an extent that a tube 32 (described later) or the like can be inserted therethrough, due to the flexible material that constitutes the flexible member 8. When the tube 32 or the like is not inserted through the insertion slit 18, it is preferable that the insertion slit 18 be closed in order to improve the thermal insulation of the lid 2, but a small gap may be open since it has little effect on the thermal insulation.

[0034] The shape of the flexible member 8 in Fig. 1 is one example, and the shape and arrangement may be changed as needed. The thickness of the flexible member 8 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the thickness of the flexible member 8 is the same as that of the lid main body 6, and the upper and lower surfaces of the lid main body 6 and the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible member 8 are flush with each other. A stepped engagement portion 2C is formed on the lower surface of the outer periphery of the lid 2, which is cut out to a constant width around the entire periphery so that the upper end of the container main body 4 can fit airtightly. The thickness of the lid 2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 2 to 20 cm to obtain sufficient heat insulation and strength.

[0035] Two fasteners 20 are attached to the top surface of the lid 2 at positions 180° apart. The number of fasteners is not limited to two; three or more fasteners may be provided circumferentially at equal or uneven intervals. In this example, the fastener 20 has a column portion protruding from the surface of the lid body 6 and a disk portion formed at the tip of the column portion. An elastically expandable ring 22 is hooked over the disk portion to secure one end of the ring 22. Similar fasteners 24 are fixed at two locations on the upper end of the outer circumferential surface of the container body 4, corresponding to each fastener 20. The lid 2 is removably secured to the container body 4 by hooking the ring 22 between the fastener 20 and the corresponding fastener 24. The fastening structure between the lid 2 and the container body 4 is not limited to the ring 22, and other engagement structures may be used.

[0036] A dividing surface 10 is formed on the lid 2, passing through a position near the center thereof, and the lid 2 can be divided into a semicircular first portion 2A and a semicircular second portion 2B. The dividing surface 10 divides the linear portion 8C, and the linear portion 8C and the insertion slit 18 are exposed at the dividing surface 10. This allows the tube 32 or the like to be inserted through the insertion slit 18 exposed at the dividing surface 10. Two or more dividing surfaces 10 may be formed.

[0037] 3 to 5 show examples of the cross-sectional shape of the dividing surface 10. FIG.

[0038] In the example of Figure 3, a semicircular cross-sectional engaging portion 12 and an engaging groove are formed in the center of the dividing surface 10, and by fitting the engaging portion 12 into the engaging groove, it is possible to prevent vertical misalignment between the first part 2A and the second part 2B.

[0039] In the example of Figure 4, a stepped engagement portion 14 and a step portion of a complementary shape are formed in the center of the dividing surface 10, and the engagement portion 12 is fitted into the step portion, thereby enabling the first part 2A and the second part 2B to be positioned in the vertical direction.

[0040] In the example of Figure 5, a V-shaped engaging portion 16 and a complementary V-groove are formed on the dividing surface 10, and the engaging portion 16 is fitted into the V-groove, thereby enabling the first part 2A and the second part 2B to be positioned in the vertical direction.

[0041] These cross-sectional shapes are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. It is also possible to use a dividing surface 10 that is simply perpendicular to the lid body 6 and does not have the above-described engaging portion formed thereon.

[0042] 6 to 8 show examples of the cross-sectional shape of the joint between the lid main body 6 and the flexible member 8. FIG.

[0043] In the example of FIG. 6, the thickness of the flexible member 8 is the same as that of the lid body 6, and the two are joined flush with each other at the top and bottom surfaces.

[0044] In the example of Figure 7, the flexible member 8 is thinner than the lid main body 6, and engagement portions 26 that protrude stepwise toward the flexible member 8 are formed on the lower part of the lid main body 6, slits 28 of a fixed width are formed between the engagement portions 26, and insertion slits 18 corresponding to the slits 28 are formed in the flexible member 8. In this example, the upper surfaces of the engagement portions 26 can also be joined to the flexible member 8, which increases the fixing force between the lid main body 6 and the flexible member 8. Furthermore, since the flexible member 8 is thinner, less force is required to widen the insertion slits 18.

[0045] In the example of Figure 8, the flexible member 8 has the same thickness as the lid main body 6, and the lower part of the lid main body 6 is formed with engagement portions 26 that protrude in a stepped manner toward the flexible member 8, and slits 28 of a constant width are formed between the engagement portions 26, and the flexible member 8 is formed with protrusions 30 that fit into the slits 28. An insertion slit 18 is formed in the flexible member 8 so as to pass through the center of the protrusions 30. In this example, the upper surface and tip surface of the engagement portions 26 can also be joined to the protrusions 30 of the flexible member 8, thereby increasing the fixing force between the lid main body 6 and the flexible member 8.

[0046] 9 and 10 show a first part 2A and a second part 2B separated at a dividing surface 10. In this embodiment, by dividing the lid 2 at the dividing surface 10, as shown by the arrows in these figures, the tubes 32 and the like can be inserted into the insertion slits 18 from the cross section of the insertion slits 18 exposed at the dividing surface 10. Therefore, compared to a non-divided case in which the insertion slits 18 are open only at the outer periphery of the lid 2, it is easier to insert a large number of tubes 32 and the like into the insertion slits 18, and it is possible to arrange the tubes 32 and the like in the desired holding positions in a shorter time.

[0047] 11 and 12 are a plan view and a partially cutaway front view showing the state in which the first part 2A and the second part 2B shown in Figures 9 and 10 are closed at the dividing surface 10 with the engaging portions 12 fitted together, placed over the open end of the container body 4, and fastened to the fasteners 20 and 24 by the ring 22. In this manner, with the lid 2 of this embodiment, the tube 32 and the stirring rod 33 extending up and down can be inserted midway through the insertion slits 18 opened in the outer peripheral surface of the lid 2 and the dividing surface 10 in a direction parallel to the lid 2, and the tube 32 and the stirring rod 33 can be pushed into the insertion slits 18. Furthermore, the tube 32 and the stirring rod 33 can be moved along the insertion slits 18 to the circular portions 8B, 8D, and T-shaped portions 8F, and the tube 32 and the stirring rod 33 can be held at any position in the insertion slits 18 within the circular portions 8B, 8D, and T-shaped portions 8F. A stirring blade 35 is attached to the lower end of the stirring rod 33, and the stirring rod 33 is rotated about its axis by a motor (not shown) arranged outside the container 1. In this container 1, the position of the stirring rod 33 is not limited to the center of the lid 2 as shown, but can be fixed at any position along the insertion slit 18 of the lid 2. In addition to the tube 32 and stirring rod 33, cables for various sensors can also be held through the insertion slit 18. Hereinafter, the tube 32, stirring rod 33, cables, etc. will be referred to as "tube 32, etc."

[0048] Even when held, the tubes 32 etc. can be moved up and down and left and right by applying force, and the holding position of the tubes 32 etc. can be changed as desired to match the contents and the tube arrangement state of the cell culture device. Since the insertion slit 18 is almost closed in areas where the tubes 32 etc. are not held, heat does not enter or exit through the insertion slit 18, impairing the insulating properties of the lid 2, and the temperature of the contents in the container body 4 can be accurately controlled.

[0049] 13 shows a state in which the container 1 is set in a cell culture device (culture device) 36. The culture device 36 has a base 46, a shaking unit 48 arranged on the base 46, a pedestal 50 that is shaken by the shaking unit 48, and a heater (temperature adjustment mechanism) 52 arranged within the pedestal 50. The shaking unit 48 has, for example, actuators 48A and 48B, which shake the pedestal 50.

[0050] Frames 44 stand upright on both sides of a base 46, and a support 42 is fixed to the top of the frame 44, with a plurality of flow rate adjustment units 40 and other components attached to the support 42. Tubes 32 are connected to the tubes directly attached to the flow rate adjustment units 40 or the support 42 via valves 38 as needed, and extend into the vessel body 4 through the insertion slit 18 in the lid 2. The position of the lower end of the tube 32 can be determined as needed, and may or may not reach the bottom of the culture bag 34. The illustrated lower end of the tube 32 is located at the top of the vessel 1. The shaking speed and temperature of the shaking unit 48 and heater 52 can be controlled by a control unit 54.

[0051] A culture bag 34 made of plastic or the like and filled with a liquid (culture solution) is housed within the container body 4. However, it is also possible to put the culture solution directly into the container body 4. Tubes 32 or the like are airtightly inserted into the upper end of the culture bag 34 via an airtight seal (not shown). Liquids containing nutrients or drugs necessary for culture may be injected through the corresponding tubes 32 or the like, or oxygen gas or carbon dioxide gas may be supplied into the culture bag 34 or discharged from the culture bag 34 to the outside.

[0052] With the lid 2, container 1, and culture device 36 configured as described above, when fixing the tube 32 or the like through the lid 2, the insertion slit 18 formed in the flexible member 8 can be widened to insert the tube 32 or the like from the side, and the tube 32 or the like can be moved to an appropriate position along the insertion slit 18, and the tube 32 or the like after movement can be held by the elastic force of the insertion slit 18. Therefore, the handling and positioning of the tube 32 or the like can be easily performed, and there is an excellent effect that there is a small risk of foreign matter being mixed in compared to when the tube 32 or the like is passed through a hole from its end.

[0053] Furthermore, when the lid body 6 is divided into two or more parts along the dividing surface 10, the insertion slit 18 can be widened to insert the tube 32, etc., and the tube 32, etc. can be moved to an appropriate position, making it easy to handle and position the tube 32, etc.

[0054] Furthermore, by widening the end of the insertion slit 18 that reaches the outer peripheral edge of the lid body 6 and the end of the insertion slit 18 that reaches the dividing surface 10, it is possible to insert the tube 32 etc. from multiple locations, making it even easier to handle and position the tube 32 etc.

[0055] In addition, the lid body 6 is formed with an insertion slit 18 that reaches the outer peripheral edge of the lid body 6 and multiple insertion slits 18 branching off from it, and after inserting a tube 32 etc. through the insertion slit 18 that opens at the outer peripheral edge of the lid body 6, the tube 32 etc. can be moved to an appropriate position along the multiple insertion slits 18 that branch off from it, providing a high degree of freedom in the holding position of the tube 32 etc.

[0056] Furthermore, after inserting the tube 32 or the like from the side along the insertion slit 18 of the straight portion 8A, the tube 32 or the like can be moved by selecting one of the multiple insertion slits 18 of the circular portions 8B, 8D and the T-shaped portion 8F, which provides a high degree of freedom in the holding position of the tube 32 or the like, making it easy to handle and position.

[0057] Furthermore, the lid 2 and the container body 4 are provided with fasteners 20, 24 and a ring 22 as fixing parts for fixing them to each other, so that the fixing parts can fix the lid 2 in a state where it is fitted into the opening end of the container body 4, and even if the container 1 is shaken, the lid 2 can be prevented from coming off the container body 4.

[0058] Furthermore, this culture device 36 allows for easy handling and positioning of the tubes 32, etc., and prevents foreign matter from entering the tubes 32, etc. In addition, the temperature of the container 1 can be adjusted by the heater 52, and the container can be appropriately shaken by the shaking unit 48, while still achieving an equally effective heat retention effect by the lid 2.

[0059] Second Embodiment FIG. 14 is a plan view of a lid 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Components common to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted where appropriate. In the second embodiment, two straight portions 8G are formed symmetrically on each side of the dividing surface 10, with a total of four circular portions 8H (wide portions) formed at the other ends of these straight portions 8G. In addition to insertion slits 18 extending through the straight portions 8G and the circular portions 8H, insertion slits 18 extending radially from the circular portions 8H are also formed. No insertion slits 18 open to the outer periphery of the radial lid body 6 are present. In the second embodiment, tubes 32 or the like can be inserted through the four insertion slits 18 opening on the dividing surface 10 and fixed at any position of the insertion slits 18 formed radially on the circular portions 8H, providing a wide range of options for fixing the tubes 32 or the like. Furthermore, since the insertion slits 18 are not opened on the outer periphery of the lid body 6, there is an advantage in that the rigidity of the lid 2 can be easily increased.

[0060] Third Embodiment FIG. 15 is a plan view of a lid 2 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Components common to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. In the third embodiment, the lid body 6 does not have a dividing surface 10, and the lid body 6 is not separable. Furthermore, the lid body 6 has two insertion openings 7 formed on its outer periphery. A rectangular flexible member 8 is tightly fitted into these insertion openings 7. The flexible member 8 has an insertion slit 18 that reaches the outer periphery of the lid 2 and multiple other insertion slits 18 that intersect with the insertion opening. In the third embodiment, after inserting a tube 32 or the like through two insertion slits 18 opening at the outer periphery of the lid 2, the tube 32 or the like can be fixed at any position in each of the six branching insertion slits 18. This provides a wide range of options for fixing the tube 32 or the like, despite the absence of a dividing surface 10. Furthermore, the absence of a dividing surface 10 on the lid body 6 has the advantage of making it easier to increase the rigidity of the lid 2.

[0061] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 16 is a plan view of a lid 2 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Components common to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. In the fourth embodiment, the lid body 6 does not have a dividing surface 10, and the lid body 6 is not separable. Furthermore, the lid body 6 has six elongated insertion portions 7 formed on its outer periphery. Rod-shaped flexible members 8 are tightly fitted into these insertion portions 7, and each flexible member 8 has an insertion slit 18 that reaches the outer periphery of the lid 2. In the fourth embodiment, after inserting a tube 32 or the like through the insertion slits 18, which open at six locations on the outer periphery of the lid 2, the tube 32 or the like can be fixed at any position in the insertion slit 18. This provides a wide range of options for fixing the tube 32 or the like, despite the absence of a dividing surface 10. Furthermore, the absence of a dividing surface 10 on the lid body 6 has the advantage of making it easier to increase the rigidity of the lid 2.

[0062] Fifth Embodiment Fig. 17 is a plan view of a lid 2 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Components common to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. In the fifth embodiment, a dividing surface 10 is formed on the lid body 6. Two rectangular insertion portions 7 are formed on the lid body 6 and open to the dividing surface 10. Rectangular flexible members 8 are tightly fitted into these insertion portions 7. Each flexible member 8 is formed with an insertion slit 18 that reaches the dividing surface 10 and multiple insertion slits 18 that intersect with the insertion slit 18. In the fifth embodiment, a tube 32 or the like can be inserted through the two insertion slits 18 that open on the dividing surface 10 of the lid 2, and then the tube 32 or the like can be fixed at any position in each of the six branching insertion slits 18. This provides a wide range of options for fixing the tube 32 or the like, despite the absence of an insertion slit 18 opening on the outer periphery. Furthermore, the absence of an insertion slit 18 opening on the outer periphery of the lid body 6 has the advantage of easily increasing the rigidity of the outer periphery of the lid 2.

[0063] The present invention has been described above using multiple embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It is possible to select and combine individual components of the above embodiments within the scope of the claims, and it is also possible to delete some components or add well-known technologies.

[0064] Furthermore, the object through which the lid 2 is inserted is not limited to the tube 32, but may also be a thermometer, a support rod for supporting an object inside the container body 4, or cables for various sensors.

[0065] According to the lid, container, and cell culture device of the present invention, when placing a tube or the like through the lid, the insertion slit can be widened to insert the tube or the like from the side, and the tube or the like can be moved to an appropriate position along the insertion slit, and after being moved, the tube or the like can be held in place by the elastic force of the insertion slit, making it easy to handle and position the tube and reducing the risk of foreign matter entering through the end of the tube.

[0066] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...container, 2...lid, 2A...first part, 2B...second part, 2C...engagement part, 4...container body, 6...lid body, 8...insertion part, 8A, 8C, 8E, 8G, 8J...straight part, 8B, 8D, 8H...circular part (wide part), 8F...T-shaped part (wide part), 8I, 8K...rectangular part, 10...dividing surface, 12, 14, 16...engagement part, 18...insertion slit, 20, 24...fastener, 22...ring, 26...engagement part, 28...slit, 30...protrusion part, 32...tube, 34...culture bag, 36...cell culture device, 38...valve, 40...flow rate adjustment unit, 42...support part, 44...frame, 46...base, 48...shaking unit, 48A, 48B...actuator, 50...pedestal, 52...heater (temperature adjustment mechanism), 54...control part

Claims

A lid for closing an open end of a vessel body of a cell culture vessel or a bioreactor, A lid body having a heat insulating function is provided. The lid body is formed with an insertion portion that communicates from the front surface to the back surface of the lid body, The insertion portion is provided with a flexible member having an insertion slit that can be elastically expanded. 　 The lid according to claim 1 , wherein the lid body is divisible into two or more parts along a dividing surface. 　 The lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion portion reaches an outer periphery of the lid body or a dividing surface formed on the lid body.

4. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion and the flexible member have the same shape, and the flexible member is embedded in the insertion portion. 　 The lid described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insertion portion is formed with a first insertion slit reaching the outer peripheral edge of the lid body and a second insertion slit branching off from the first insertion slit. 　 The lid according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion portion has a wide portion that is wider than other portions of the insertion portion in a plan view. 　 The lid according to claim 6 , wherein the wide portion is substantially circular in plan view. 　 A container body having an open end; The lid according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A cell culture device or bioreactor vessel having:

9. The cell culture device or bioreactor container according to claim 8, wherein the lid and the container body are provided with a fixing portion for fixing them to each other.

10. The cell culture device or bioreactor container according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising an inner bag in the container body. 　 A container for a cell culture device or a bioreactor according to any one of claims 8 to 10, A rocking mechanism for rocking the container; a temperature adjustment mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the container; a tube that is inserted into the container through the insertion slit of the lid; A cell culture device having the above structure.

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