Clean room facility

Abstract

The present invention provides a clean room facility with a simplified configuration and a lower cost. A clean room facility (100) comprises: a preparation chamber (R2) in which an automated culture device (10) used for preparing or culturing a sample is installed; and a pass box (20) or a load port having a first door that is opened and closed integrally with a lid of a carrier (30), wherein the carrier (30) is conveyed, with a container of the sample accommodated therein, through a space (R7) adjacent to the preparation chamber (R2) with an interposed wall (W2), and the pass box (20) or the load port is installed along the space (R7) side of the automated culture device (10).

Description

Clean Room Facility

[0001] The present disclosure relates to clean room facilities.

[0002] Clean rooms with high levels of air purity are used in regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Regarding such clean rooms, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a sample storage device that is "installed next to a safety cabinet and has an opening that allows the side of the safety cabinet to communicate with the storage space and the working space, and a door that closes the opening."

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-150877

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, contamination (sample contamination) is suppressed by installing a sample storage device next to a safety cabinet, but there is room for improvement in terms of simplifying the configuration and reducing costs.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a clean room facility that has a simplified configuration and reduced costs.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the clean room facility of the present disclosure comprises a preparation chamber in which equipment used for sample preparation or cultivation is installed, and a pass box or load port having a first door that opens and closes integrally with the lid of the carrier, the carrier is transported with a sample container contained therein through a space adjacent to the preparation chamber via a wall, and the pass box or the load port is arranged adjacent to the space side relative to the equipment.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a clean room facility with a simplified configuration and low costs.

[0008] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of air in a clean room facility according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an automatic culture device provided in a clean room facility according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a pass box provided in a clean room facility according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a carrier in a clean room facility according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pass box provided in a clean room facility according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the state when the lid of the carrier and the door of the pass box are opened together in a clean room facility according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the state after the lid of the carrier and the door of the pass box have been opened together in a clean room facility according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of air in a clean room facility according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a load port provided in a clean room facility according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility according to a modified example of the second embodiment.

[0009] First Embodiment Configuration of Clean Room Facility Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility 100 according to a first embodiment. The clean room facility 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a facility equipped with a plurality of clean rooms, such as preparation rooms R2 and R5. In such a clean room facility 100, cell culture processing and the production of sterile preparations (vaccines, injections, eye drops, etc.) are carried out. In the example of Fig. 1, the clean rooms include changing rooms R1 and R4, preparation rooms R2 and R5, undressing rooms R3 and R6, and a corridor space R7.

[0010] The changing room R1 is a clean room where workers change into their work clothes before working in the preparation room R2. Workers enter the changing room R1 through door D1 from the corridor space R7, change into their work clothes, and then enter the preparation room R2 from the changing room R1 through door D2. The cleanliness of the preparation room R2 (e.g., Grade B cleanliness) is higher than that of the changing room R1 and the undressing room R3 (e.g., Grade C cleanliness).

[0011] Preparation room R2 is a clean room in which an automated culture device 10 (equipment) used for sample preparation or culture is installed. Here, "sample culture" refers to artificially growing a sample, such as cells, in an environment where the temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration are adjusted to predetermined levels. Furthermore, "sample preparation" refers to subjecting a sample to predetermined manipulations or processing. Examples of such samples include, but are not limited to, cells and sterile preparations.

[0012] The changing room R3 shown in Figure 1 is a room where workers in the preparation room R2 change from their work clothes into regular clothes. A worker enters the changing room R3 from the preparation room R2 through door D3, changes into regular clothes, and then enters the general area R8 from the changing room R3 through door D4. The changing rooms R4, preparation room R5, and changing room R6 shown in Figure 1 are arranged symmetrically with the changing rooms R1, preparation room R2, and changing room R3, with respect to the wall W1, and therefore will not be described here.

[0013] The space R7 shown in Figure 1 is a clean room whose floor forms a corridor and is adjacent to the preparation room R2 via a wall W2. Workers walk along this corridor to enter either the changing rooms R1 or R4. The cleanliness of the space R7 (e.g., Grade C or Grade D cleanliness) is assumed to be lower than the cleanliness of the preparation rooms R2 and R5 (e.g., Grade B cleanliness). A door D9 is provided on one side of the elongated space R7 in a plan view, and another door D10 is provided on the other side.

[0014] The general area R8 shown in FIG. 1 is a space where the air cleanliness is not specifically controlled. Here, "air cleanliness is not specifically controlled" means that air is not supplied by a fan filter unit. The general area R8 is adjacent to the corridor space R7 via doors D9 and D10, and is also adjacent to the preparation rooms R2 and R5 and the changing rooms R3 and R6. The machine room R9 is a room where an air conditioner 60 and the like are installed. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the corridor space R7 and the machine room R9 are adjacent to each other. Note that the layout of the clean room facility 100 shown in FIG. 1 (the number and arrangement of clean rooms) is merely an example and is not limited thereto. For example, an airlock may be installed between the corridor space R7 and the general area R8.

[0015] In addition to the components described above, the clean room facility 100 also includes an automatic culture device 10 (equipment), a pass box 20, a carrier 30, and a transport robot 40 (see FIG. 2). The automatic culture device 10 is a device that automatically cultures samples such as cells, and one is provided in each of the preparation rooms R2 and R5. For example, an incubator or a device equipped with a predetermined flow path may be used as such an automatic culture device 10.

[0016] The pass box 20 is a box with double doors interposed between the carrier 30 and the automatic culture device 10. As shown in FIG. 1 , the pass box 20 is installed next to the automatic culture device 10 (equipment) on the side of space R7. The pass box 20 and the automatic culture device 10 are in close contact (or connected via a duct) so that no gap is formed between them. The cleanliness of the air inside the pass box 20 (e.g., Grade A or Grade B cleanliness) may be higher than the cleanliness of the preparation chamber R2 (e.g., Grade B cleanliness) or may be the same as the cleanliness of the preparation chamber R2.

[0017] The carrier 30 is a box for transporting sample containers (containers containing samples). When the carrier 30 is transported, it is placed on a transport robot 40 (see FIG. 2). The carrier 30 is transported through space R7 while housing the sample containers. The number of particles floating in the air inside the carrier 30 and the automatic culture device 10 is maintained at a very low level (equivalent to Grade A cleanliness).

[0018] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the air flow in the clean room facility 100. Note that FIG. 2 shows the preparation room R2, the corridor space R7, and the machine room R9, but omits the illustration of the remaining clean rooms and general area R8 (see FIG. 1). Also, in FIG. 2, the air flow is indicated by solid arrows. As shown in FIG. 2, the clean room facility 100 includes an outside air processing unit 50, an air conditioner 60, a chamber C1, fan filter units 71-73 on the supply air side, fan filter units 74 and 75 on the return air side, and pressure sensors 83 and 84.

[0019] The outside air processing unit 50 is a device that takes in outside air and turns it into clean air. As shown in Fig. 2, the outside air processing unit 50 includes a filter 51 and a fan 52. The filter 51 collects dust from the outside air taken in through a duct K1. The fan 52 is a blower that sends the air that has passed through the filter 51 to the air conditioner 60 through a duct K2. As shown in Fig. 2, a damper 81 is installed in the duct K1. The damper 81 is set to a predetermined opening degree during a test run of the outside air processing unit 50 and is maintained at the predetermined opening degree during subsequent normal operation.

[0020] The air conditioner 60 is a device that adjusts the temperature and humidity of air flowing into the chamber C1. As shown in Fig. 2, the air conditioner 60 includes an inlet section 61, a filter 62, a cooling coil 63, a fan 64, and an inverter 65. The inlet section 61 is an air guide pipe that merges air flowing in from the outside air processing unit 50 via the duct K2 and air flowing in from the duct shaft DS1 via the duct K3, and guides the merged air to the filter 62.

[0021] The filter 62 collects dust from the air flowing through the inlet 61 toward the cooling coil 63. The cooling coil 63 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the air that has passed through the filter 62 and a refrigerant that flows through a heat transfer tube (not shown). The fan 64 is a blower that sends the air cooled by the cooling coil 63 into the chamber C1 through the duct K4. The inverter 65 drives the motor (not shown) of the fan 64 in a predetermined manner.

[0022] The air cooled by the air conditioner 60 is then guided to the chamber C1 via a duct K4. As shown in Figure 2, a damper 82 is installed in the duct K4. The damper 82 is set to a predetermined opening degree during a test run of the air conditioner 60, and is maintained at the predetermined opening degree during subsequent air conditioning operation.

[0023] Chamber C1 is a space above the ceiling of multiple clean rooms, including corridor space R7 and preparation room R2. In the example of Figure 2, another space A1 is provided above chamber C1, but this space A1 may be omitted as appropriate. Fan filter unit 71 is a device that supplies air from chamber C1 to space R7 and is fitted into an opening in the ceiling panel of space R7.

[0024] The fan filter unit 71 includes an air supply fan 71a and a filter 71b. The air supply fan 71a is a blower for supplying air from the chamber C1 to the space R7. The filter 71b collects dust from the air blown out from the air supply fan 71a. For example, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) or a ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air Filter) is used as the filter 71b. Note that other fan filter units 72 and 73 used for supplying air from the chamber C1 to the preparation chamber R2 are similarly configured.

[0025] The fan filter unit 74 shown in Fig. 2 is a device for discharging air from the space R7 into the duct shaft DS1. As shown in Fig. 2, the fan filter unit 74 includes a return air fan 74a and a filter 74b. The return air fan 74a is a blower for returning air from the space R7 to the chamber C1 via the duct shaft DS1. The filter 74b collects dust from the air flowing from the space R7 toward the duct shaft DS1.

[0026] Another fan filter unit 75 is a device for discharging air from the preparation room R2 into the duct shaft DS2. The air flowing out from the preparation room R2 is returned to the chamber C1 via the duct shaft DS2. The configuration of the fan filter unit 75 is similar to that of the fan filter unit 74 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. While the air from the preparation room R2 and the space R7 is returned to the chamber C1 via the duct shaft, the air from, for example, the undressing rooms R3 and R6 (see FIG. 1) may be exhausted directly or indirectly to the machine room R9 or outside the clean room without passing through the duct shaft. Alternatively, the air may be exhausted from these rooms by directly connecting them to the duct K3.

[0027] 2 is a sensor for detecting the room pressure in space R7. Based on the detected value of the pressure sensor 83, the rotation speed of the return air fan 74a is adjusted so that the room pressure in space R7 approaches a predetermined set value. Another pressure sensor 84 is a sensor for detecting the room pressure in preparation chamber R2. Based on the detected value of the pressure sensor 84, the rotation speed of the return air fan 75a is adjusted.

[0028] 2, the pass box 20 is fitted into an opening in a wall W7 that separates the preparation room R2 from the corridor space R7. The transport robot 40 is a robot that moves through the corridor space R7 with the carrier 30 placed thereon. When the carrier 30 is transported to the front side of the pass box 20, the sample container is handed over from the carrier 30 to the automatic culture device 10 via the pass box 20.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an automatic culture device 10 installed in a clean room facility. As shown in Fig. 3, the automatic culture device 10 includes a housing 11 and a door 12 (second door). The interior of the housing 11 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration suitable for culturing samples. The interior of the housing 11 is provided with a plurality of shelves (not shown) on which containers containing samples are placed.

[0030] A rectangular first opening 11a is provided on the side of the automatic culture device 10 (device) facing the pass box 20 (see FIG. 2). A door 12 (second door) is provided in the first opening 11a. A sample container transferred from the carrier 30 (see FIG. 2) to the pass box 20 (see FIG. 2) is transferred from the pass box 20 to the inside of the automatic culture device 10 (device) through the open door 12 (second door). In the example of the first embodiment, the sample container is moved in a predetermined manner by a robot 29 (see FIG. 4) inside the pass box 20.

[0031] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a pass box 20 provided in a clean room facility. As shown in FIG. 4, the pass box 20 includes a housing 21, a door 22 (first door), another door 23 (second door), an upper plate 24, a fan 25, a filter 26, a support plate 27, a fixing portion 28, and a robot 29. In addition to the components described above, the pass box 20 also includes a connection portion S1, a slide portion E1, a rail L1, a mounting table M1, an installation base B1, and legs G1.

[0032] The housing 21 is a rectangular box for temporarily accommodating sample containers. A pair of doors 22, 23 are provided on the side of the housing 21 so as to face each other. Rectangular openings (not shown) are provided on the side of the housing 21 at locations corresponding to the doors 22, 23. Specifically, an opening of a shape corresponding to the door 22 is provided on the side of the pass box 20 on which the carrier 30 (see FIG. 2) is placed.

[0033] Furthermore, a second opening (not shown) is provided on the side of the pass box 20 facing the automatic culture device 10 (equipment: see FIG. 2) as an opening corresponding to the other door 23. The position of this second opening corresponds to the position of the first opening 11a (see FIG. 3) of the automatic culture device 10. The first opening 11a (see FIG. 3) of the automatic culture device 10 and the second opening (not shown) of the pass box 20 are directly connected to form a single opening.

[0034] The door 22 (first door) is a door that is opened when a sample container is moved from one of the carrier 30 (see FIG. 2) and the pass box 20 to the other. This door 22 is opened and closed integrally with the lid 32 (see FIG. 5) of the carrier 30. The other door 23 (second door) of the pass box 20 is a door that is opened when a sample container is moved from one of the pass box 20 and the automatic culture device 10 (see FIG. 3) to the other. This door 23 is opened and closed integrally with the door 12 (see FIG. 3) of the automatic culture device 10.

[0035] The upper plate 24 shown in FIG. 4 is a plate having an opening for fitting the frame of the filter 26, and is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 21. The fan 25 is a blower for generating a downward airflow (downflow) inside the housing 21. The filter 26 collects dust from the air and is provided on the outlet side of the fan 25. For example, a HEPA filter is used as the filter 26. The fan 25 and the filter 26 may be configured separately. Furthermore, the type of the fan 25 may be, for example, an axial fan or a sirocco fan.

[0036] The support plate 27 is a plate for supporting the robot 29 and is installed at the bottom of the internal space of the housing 21. The support plate 27 is also provided with a number of holes 27a. Air blown out from the fan 25 flows out to the bottom of the support plate 27 through the multiple holes 27a in the support plate 27. By generating a downflow airflow in this manner, it is possible to prevent low-purity air from flowing in from outside the pass box 20 when the door 22 is open. The air that flows out to the bottom of the support plate 27 is returned to the space above the upper plate 24 via a return flow path (not shown).

[0037] The fixing portion 28 is a member fixed to the inner surface of the door 22 and has a thick plate-like outer shape. The robot 29 is a device for transferring sample containers to and from the carrier 30 (see FIG. 2) and for transferring sample containers to and from the automatic culture device 10 (see FIG. 2).

[0038] The connection portion S1 is a member that connects the fixed portion 28 and the sliding portion E1 and extends in the vertical direction. The sliding portion E1 moves the connection portion S1 and the fixed portion 28 toward the front or the back (horizontal direction on the paper surface of FIG. 4 ) relative to the carrier 30. The sliding portion E1 also moves in the vertical direction along a rail L1. The rail L1 guides the vertical movement of the sliding portion E1 and extends in the vertical direction along the inner surface of the housing 21.

[0039] The mounting table M1 is a table formed to protrude laterally outward from a predetermined position on the housing 21. An installation base B1 is installed on the upper surface of the mounting table M1. The installation base B1 is a plate-shaped member on which the carrier 30 (see FIG. 6) is placed in a positioned state. The installation base B1 is formed with a plurality of protrusions B1a used to position the carrier 30. The legs G1 support the mounting table M1 and extend downward from the mounting table M1. Note that the configuration of the pass box 20 shown in FIG. 4 is an example and is not limited to this.

[0040] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the carrier 30. The carrier 30 shown in Fig. 5 is a box for moving samples through a space with a low cleanliness level (for example, a space with a cleanliness level lower than Grade A). The carrier 30 includes a main body 31 and a lid 32. The main body 31 is a rectangular box. An opening 31a is provided on one of the side surfaces of the main body 31. In addition, a frame-shaped flange 31b is formed so as to protrude outward from the edge of the opening 31a.

[0041] A plurality of holes (reference numerals are not shown, see FIG. 7A) having shapes corresponding to the protrusions B1a of the installation base B1 are provided on the underside of the main body 31. Note that a plurality of shelves for placing sample containers may be installed inside the main body 31.

[0042] 5 is a rectangular plate-shaped lid that closes the opening 31a of the main body 31. When the opening 31a of the main body 31 is closed with the lid 32, the number of particles in the internal space of the carrier 30 is maintained at a significantly low level (corresponding to a cleanliness level of Grade A). For example, when the carrier 30 is being transported by the transport robot 40 (see FIG. 2), the opening of the main body 31 is closed with the lid 32, keeping the internal space of the carrier 30 clean.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, engagement portions 32a to 32d are provided at predetermined locations on the outer surface of the lid 32. The engagement portions 32a and 32b are portions that engage with protruding engagement portions 22a and 22b (see Figure 6) on the door 22 (see Figure 6) of the pass box 20 when the lid 32 of the carrier 30 is connected to the door 22. The other engagement portions 32c and 32d are portions that engage with slotted engagement portions 22c and 22d (see Figure 6) on the door 22 when the lid 32 of the carrier 30 is connected to the door 22 (see Figure 6) of the pass box 20. Note that the configuration of the carrier 30 shown in Figure 5 is an example and is not limited to this.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the pass box 20. In Fig. 6, the carrier 30 placed on the installation base B1 of the pass box 20 is shown by a two-dot chain line. The door 22 (first door) of the pass box 20 has engagement portions 22a to 22d that engage with the lid 32 of the carrier 30. The engagement portions 22a and 22b protrude laterally outward from the outer surface of the door 22, and engage with the engagement portions 32a and 32b (see Fig. 5) of the lid 32 of the carrier 30.

[0045] The other engaging portions 22c and 22d are engaged with engaging portions 32c and 32d (see FIG. 5) of the lid 32 of the carrier 30. This integrates the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 22 of the pass box 20. In other words, the outer surfaces of the lid 32 and the door 22, which may have particles attached thereto, are placed one on top of the other, thereby suppressing sample contamination.

[0046] 7A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 22 of the pass box 20 being opened together. Note that the sample containers housed in the carrier 30 are not shown in FIG. 7A. Before the state shown in FIG. 7A is reached, the carrier 30 is transported to the front side of the pass box 20 by the transport robot 40 (see FIG. 2), and then the carrier 30 is placed on the installation base B1. The placement of the carrier 30 is performed, for example, by the transport robot 40 (see FIG. 2).

[0047] 7A, the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 22 of the pass box 20, together with the fixing portion 28, the connection portion S1, and the slide portion E1, are in a state of having moved laterally toward the inside of the pass box 20. Note that the "moving portion" that moves the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 22 (first door) of the pass box 20 integrally into the inside of the pass box 20 is configured to include the fixing portion 28, the connection portion S1, the slide portion E1, the rail L1, and a driving source (not shown) such as a motor.

[0048] Furthermore, the flange 31b of the carrier 30 abuts against the outer surface of the housing 21 of the pass box 20 (around the opening of the door 22). Furthermore, inside the pass box 20, air blown out from the fan 25 flows downward. As a result, air that attempts to enter from the outside through a tiny gap between the carrier 30 and the pass box 20 is pushed back to the outside by the downward flow of air inside the pass box 20. Therefore, even when the lid 32 and the door 22 are opened together, there is almost no risk of low-purity air entering the internal space of the carrier 30 or the pass box 20.

[0049] 7B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 22 of the pass box 20 are opened together. In the example of FIG. 7B, the slide portion E1 moves downward along the rail L1. As a result, the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 22 of the pass box 20 move downward together with the fixing portion 28, the connecting portion S1, and the slide portion E1. After the lid 32 and the door 22 are opened in this manner, a sample container (not shown) housed in the carrier 30 is moved into the pass box 20 by the robot 29. After the sample container is moved into the pass box 20, the lid 32 and the door 22 are closed together.

[0050] Then, although not shown, the sample container is moved from the pass box 20 to the automatic culture device 10. The door 12 (second door: see FIG. 3 ) of the first opening 11 a of the automatic culture device 10 (equipment) and the door 23 (second door) of the second opening (not shown) of the pass box 20 may be opened integrally. When the doors 12 and 23 are open, the other door 22 of the pass box 20 may be closed, or a carrier 30 may be installed in the opening corresponding to the door 22. The configuration for opening and closing these doors 12 and 23 integrally may be the same as that of the pass box 20, or may be a different configuration.

[0051] In addition to driving the transfer robot 40 (see FIG. 2), the timing for integrally opening and closing the lid 32 and the door 22, and for integrally opening and closing the other doors 23 and 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 2), is set by a control device (not shown). Furthermore, the configuration for integrally opening and closing the lid 32 and the door 22, and for integrally opening and closing the doors 23 and 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 2), is not limited to the engagement between the above-described members. For example, the lid 32 and the door 22 may be integrally opened and closed using magnetic attraction, compressed air, a suction cup, or the like.

[0052] In this way, the sample container is transferred from the carrier 30 to the automatic culture device 10 via the pass box 20. Also, a sample such as cells cultured in the automatic culture device 10 is transferred from the automatic culture device 10 to the carrier 30 via the pass box 20. Thereafter, the carrier 30 is transported to another clean room by the movement of the transport robot 40 (see FIG. 2).

[0053] <Effects> According to the first embodiment, a sample container can be moved from the carrier 30 to the automatic culture device 10 via the pass box 20. Furthermore, when moving a sample container, the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 22 of the pass box 20 are opened together. This makes it possible to suppress contamination (sample contamination) when moving a sample container.

[0054] Until now, taking into consideration the possibility that people might bring samples from low-cleanliness clean rooms or general areas into a Grade B preparation room, clean room facilities have been designed so that the grade of cleanliness of the surrounding environment increases by one level at a time, in the order of Grade D → Grade C → Grade B. As a result, it has become necessary to secure a large floor area to set up Grade C or Grade D clean rooms, which has resulted in enormous costs when constructing clean room facilities.

[0055] In contrast, in the first embodiment, samples are transferred using a carrier 30 whose interior is sealed and clean (corresponding to Grade A cleanliness). Therefore, for example, it is possible to transfer samples directly using the carrier 30 from a Grade D clean room or general area to an automated culture device 10 installed in a Grade B preparation room. This allows for a significant reduction in the number of Grade C or Grade D clean rooms (such as pass rooms for transferring samples). As a result, the configuration of the clean room facility 100 can be simplified and costs can be reduced. Furthermore, by reducing the total floor area of ​​the clean room facility 100, the amount of power consumed for air conditioning and other purposes can be reduced, thereby achieving energy savings.

[0056] Furthermore, when sample containers are transferred from one clean room to another, such as from Grade C to Grade B or from Grade B to Grade A, disinfection or sterilization of the sample containers is often required when the grade of cleanliness of the surrounding environment is increased. In contrast, in the first embodiment, the sample containers are transferred from the carrier 30, which has a clean interior, to the automated culture device 10 via the pass box 20. This maintains the surrounding environment clean (equivalent to Grade A cleanliness) when the sample is transferred, eliminating the need to disinfect or sterilize the containers. As a result, the time and effort required to transfer the sample can be reduced.

[0057] Modification of First Embodiment FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility 100A according to a modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, a pass box 20 may be fitted into an opening in a wall W8 separating the preparation room R2 from a general area R8. The carrier 30 is transported through the general area R8, where air cleanliness is not controlled. When the transport robot 40 arrives in front of the pass box 20, the lid 32 (see FIG. 5) of the carrier 30 and the door 22 (see FIG. 4) of the pass box 20 are opened together, and the door 23 (see FIG. 4) of the pass box 20 and the door 12 (see FIG. 3) of the automatic culture device 10 are opened together. This configuration also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the general area R8 can be used as a path for moving sample containers (the movement path of the transport robot 40).

[0058] Second Embodiment The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a pass box 20 is not provided next to the automatic culture device 10 (see FIG. 9). The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that a load port 90 (see FIG. 9) is provided next to the automatic culture device 10. The second embodiment is otherwise similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and a description of the overlapping parts will be omitted.

[0059] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility 100B according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the clean room facility 100B is equipped with an automatic culture device 10 as a device for culturing samples. One automatic culture device 10 is provided in each of the preparation rooms R2 and R5. The clean room facility 100B also includes a load port 90 as a device interposed between the carrier 30 and the automatic culture device 10.

[0060] The load port 90 is a device that serves as an interface when transferring a sample container from one of the carrier 30 and the automatic culture device 10 to the other. As shown in FIG. 9 , the load port 90 of the preparation chamber R2 is arranged next to the automatic culture device 10 (device) on the space R7 side. The load port 90 and the automatic culture device 10 are in close contact with each other so that no gaps are formed between them. Similarly, the load port 90 of another preparation chamber R5 is also arranged next to the automatic culture device 10 on the space R7 side.

[0061] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the air flow in the clean room facility 100B. As shown in FIG. 10, the load port 90 is fitted into an opening in the wall separating the preparation room R2 and the corridor space R7. For example, when the carrier 30 arrives in front of the load port 90 due to the movement of the transfer robot 40, the sample container is transferred from the carrier 30 to the automatic culture device 10 via the load port 90. Note that the sample container may also be transferred from the automatic culture device 10 to the carrier 30 via the load port 90.

[0062] 11 is a perspective view of a load port 90 installed in a clean room facility. In FIG. 11, the carrier 30 is shown by a dashed line as placed on an installation base 94 of the load port 90. The load port 90 includes a panel 91, a door 92 (first door), a mounting table 93, an installation base 94, and legs 95.

[0063] The panel 91 is a plate-like member provided with an opening shaped to correspond to the door 92, and its plate surface is parallel to the vertical direction. The door 92 (first door) is a door installed in the opening of the panel 91. Engagement portions 92a to 92d are provided on the outer surface of the door 92. The engagement portions 92a and 92b protrude laterally outward from the outer surface of the door 92 and engage with the engagement portions 32a and 32b (see FIG. 5) of the lid 32 of the carrier 30. Similarly, the slot-shaped engagement portions 92c and 92d engage with the engagement portions 32c and 32d (see FIG. 5) of the lid 32 of the carrier 30.

[0064] The mounting table 93 is a table formed to extend outward in the horizontal direction from a predetermined position on the panel 91. An installation base 94 is attached to the upper surface of the mounting table 93. The installation base 94 is a plate-shaped member on which the carrier 30 is placed in a positioned state. The installation base 94 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 94a used to position the carrier 30. The legs 95 are portions that support the mounting table 93 and extend downward from the mounting table 93.

[0065] The configuration for engaging the lid 32 of the carrier 30 with the door 92 (first door) of the load port 90, and the configuration of the "moving unit" that moves the lid 32 and door 92 to the automatic culture device 10 side (equipment side) of the load port 90 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so explanations will be omitted.

[0066] The carrier 30 is transported through a space R7 (see FIG. 9) where the air is less clean than the preparation chambers R2 and R5. The carrier 30 is then transported to the front side of the load port 90 by the transport robot 40 (see FIG. 9) and placed in a positioned state on the installation base 94. Thereafter, the engaging portions 32a to 32d (see FIG. 5) of the lid 32 of the carrier 30 are engaged with the engaging portions 92a to 92d (see FIG. 11) of the door 92 of the load port 90. In this state, the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 92 of the load port 90 are opened and closed together.

[0067] <Effects> According to the second embodiment, the sample container is transferred from the carrier 30 to the automatic culture device 10 via the load port 90. Therefore, there is no particular need to provide the pass box 20 (see FIG. 4) as in the first embodiment, which allows for a simplified configuration and reduced costs.

[0068] Modification of Second Embodiment FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility 100C according to a modification of the second embodiment. In the example of FIG. 12, a load port 90 is fitted into an opening in the wall separating the preparation chamber R2 from the general area R8. The carrier 30 is transported through the general area R8, where the air cleanliness is not controlled. When the transport robot 40 arrives in front of the load port 90, the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 92 of the load port 90 are opened together. This configuration also achieves the same effects as the second embodiment. Furthermore, the general area R8 can be used as a path for moving sample containers (the movement path of the transport robot 40).

[0069] Other Modifications Although the clean room facility 100 and the like according to the present disclosure have been described above in each embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to these descriptions and various modifications can be made. For example, in each embodiment, the automatic culture device 10 (see FIG. 1) is installed in the preparation room R2 (see FIG. 1), but the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the "equipment" installed in the preparation room R2 may be a safety cabinet, an isolator, a clean bench, or a restricted access barrier system (RABS). Furthermore, one or more of the automatic culture device, safety cabinet, isolator, clean bench, and RABS may be installed in a given preparation room, and different types of equipment may be installed in other preparation rooms.

[0070] Although the embodiment has been described with respect to a case where the number of preparation chambers R2, R5 in which equipment such as the automatic culture device 10 is installed is two, this is not limited thereto. For example, the number of preparation chambers in which equipment such as the automatic culture device 10 is installed may be one. Furthermore, the number of preparation chambers in which equipment such as the automatic culture device 10 is installed may be three or more. That is, two or more (i.e., multiple) preparation chambers may be provided. In this case, the carrier 30 is transported by the transport robot 40 from a predetermined preparation chamber to another preparation chamber through a predetermined space (a space adjacent to each preparation chamber via a wall). It is also preferable to use the carrier 30 and the pass box 20 to transport samples between equipment performing a bottleneck process (e.g., medium replacement) in cell culture, etc. This allows processes that are prone to bottlenecks to be completed in a short time, thereby achieving high efficiency.

[0071] In the first embodiment, the case where the first opening 11a (see FIG. 3) of the automatic culture device 10 and the second opening (not shown) of the pass box 20 are directly connected has been described, but this is not limiting. That is, the first opening 11a of the automatic culture device 10 and the second opening (not shown) of the pass box 20 may be connected via a duct.

[0072] In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which doors are provided at both the first opening 11a of the automatic culture device 10 and the second opening (not shown) of the pass box 20, but this is not limitative. That is, a door (second door) may be provided at at least one of the first opening 11a and the second opening (not shown).

[0073] In the second embodiment, a case has been described in which doors are provided on both the first opening 11a of the automatic culture device 10 and the opening (not shown) of the load port 90, but this is not limiting. That is, a door may be provided on at least one of the first opening 11a of the automatic culture device 10 and the opening (not shown) of the load port 90.

[0074] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the case where the transport robot 40 travels on the floor of the clean room facility 100 has been described, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the carrier 30 may be transported by a transport robot while suspended from the ceiling of the clean room facility. Alternatively, a worker (person) may transport the carrier 30. The space in which the worker moves may be a space with a low cleanliness level, such as Grade C or Grade D, or a general area where cleanliness is not controlled. The worker may also perform a process of opening and closing the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 22 of the pass box 20 together. The same applies to a process in which the door 92 of the load port 90 and the door 12 of the automatic culture device 10 are opened and closed together.

[0075] It is also possible to provide a simple shutter next to the automatic culture device 10, or to provide a simple shutter on the automatic culture device 10 itself (for example, a shutter that can be opened and closed integrally with the lid 32 of the carrier 30). In this case, these simple shutters correspond to the "load port."

[0076] In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the lid 32 of the carrier 30 and the door 22 of the pass box 20 are moved to the bottom of the housing 21 of the pass box 20, but this is not limiting. For example, the lid 32 and the door 22 may be configured to rotate integrally around the axis of a hinge. The same applies to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the lid 32 and the door 22 are configured to move integrally into the inside of the pass box 20, and the doors 12 and 23 are configured to move integrally into the inside of the automatic culture device 10, but this is not limiting. The lid 32 and the door 22 may be configured to move integrally into the inside of the pass box 20, and the doors 12 and 23 may be configured to move into the inside of the pass box 20.

[0077] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the robot 29 for moving the sample is provided inside the pass box 20, but this is not limiting. That is, instead of the inside of the pass box 20 (or together with the inside of the pass box 20), the robot for moving the sample may be provided inside the automatic culture device 10.

[0078] In addition, in each embodiment, a case has been described in which a chamber C1 (see FIG. 2) is provided as a common space above the ceiling of multiple clean rooms, but this is not limited to this. That is, the spaces above the ceiling of multiple clean rooms may be divided as appropriate. For example, a space may be divided between the above the ceiling of the preparation room R2 and the above the ceiling of the corridor space R7. In addition, in each embodiment, a case has been described in which an outside air processing unit 50 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the clean room facility 100, but this is not limited to this. That is, the outside air processing unit 50 may be omitted as appropriate.

[0079] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the preparation chambers R2 and R5 are described as positive pressure chambers, but depending on the application, the preparation chambers R2 and R5 may be negative pressure chambers. Furthermore, each embodiment and each modified example can be combined as appropriate. For example, the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined so that a pass box 20 is provided in a predetermined clean room and a load port 90 is provided in another clean room. Various other combinations are also possible.

[0080] In addition, although each embodiment has been described with reference to a case where the clean room facility 100 or the like is used for culturing samples, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, each embodiment can be applied to various other fields, such as sample preparation, pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor and precision machinery manufacturing, and the food industry.

[0081] Furthermore, each embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present disclosure, and is not necessarily limited to having all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace some of the configurations of the embodiments with other configurations. Furthermore, the above-described mechanisms and configurations are those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily represent all of the mechanisms and configurations of the product.

[0082] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic culture device (equipment) 11 Housing 11a First opening 12 Door (second door) 20 Pass box 22 Door (first door) 23 Door (second door) 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d Engagement part 28 Fixation part (moving part) 30 Carrier 31 Main body 32 Lid 40 Transport robot 90 Load port 92 Door (first door) 92a, 92b, 92c, 92d Engagement part 100, 100A, 100B, 100C Clean room facility E1 Slide part (moving part) L1 Rail (moving part) R2, R5 Preparation room R7 Space R8 General area (space) S1 Connection part (moving part) W2, W8 Wall

Claims

1. A clean room facility comprising: a preparation room in which equipment used for sample preparation or cultivation is installed; and a pass box or load port having a first door that opens and closes integrally with the lid of a carrier, wherein the carrier, containing a sample container, is transported through a space adjacent to the preparation room via a wall, and the pass box or the load port is installed alongside the space side relative to the equipment.

2. The clean room facility according to claim 1, characterized in that the space is a clean room with a lower level of air purity than the preparation room.

3. The clean room facility according to claim 1, wherein the space is a general area where the cleanliness of the air is not controlled.

4. The clean room facility according to claim 1, characterized in that the pass box is arranged next to the equipment on the space side, a first opening is provided on the side of the equipment facing the pass box, and a second opening is provided on the side of the pass box facing the equipment, and the first opening and the second opening are connected directly or via a duct.

5. A clean room facility as described in claim 4, characterized in that a second door is provided in at least one of the first opening and the second opening, and the sample container transferred from the carrier to the pass box is transferred from the pass box to the inside of the equipment through the second door in an open state.

6. The clean room facility according to claim 1, characterized in that the first door has an engagement portion that engages with the lid.

7. The clean room facility according to claim 1, wherein the pass box is installed in parallel with the equipment on the side of the space, and the pass box has a moving part that moves the lid and the first door integrally into the inside of the pass box.

8. The clean room facility according to claim 1, wherein the load port is arranged in parallel with the equipment on the space side, and the load port has a moving part that moves the lid and the first door integrally with the load port toward the equipment side.

9. The clean room facility according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of preparation rooms in which the equipment is installed are provided, and the carrier is transported by a transport robot from a predetermined preparation room to another preparation room through the space.

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