GB2314409A

GB2314409A - Fume cupboard

Info

Publication number: GB2314409A
Application number: GB9612809A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Pitcher
Original assignee: Powder Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Powder Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1996-06-19
Filing date: 1996-06-19
Publication date: 1997-12-24
Also published as: GB9612809D0

Abstract

A high containment fume cupboard 10 comprises a cabinet 12 and a slidably-mounted containment window 24. The containment window comprises one or more sealable aperture 26, 28, 30. The sealable apertures take the form of glove ports and a change port incorporating a double-door transfer system.

Description

DESCRIPTION A HIGH CONTAINMENT FUME CUPBOARD AND A METHOD AND A CONTAINMENT WINDOW FOR PRODUCING SAME The present invention relates to a high containment fume cupboard and a method and a containment window for producing same.

More particularly it relates to a method of up-grading a traditional fume cupboard to provide higher containment levels and a containment window adapted for this purpose.

A fume cupboard provides an environment for conducting, for example, chemical reactions in a controlled manner without significant emissions to adjacent areas. A fume cupboard comprises a base, a top, two side walls, a back and a front. The front is in the form of one or more windows which is/are slidably mounted to or adjacent to the side walls. The cabinet can be substantially opened or closed from an adjacent area by opening or closing the window(s). The cabinet is connected to an extraction system. In the substantially open position the window or windows are slid into a position enabling easy access to the cabinet so that, for example, equipment can be set up.

The window(s) can also be slid into a substantially closed working position whereby the window provides a means for containing the reactants within the cabinet whilst an operator works through a small gap between the compartment and the substantially closed window(s).

Also known are isolation units offering very high levels of containment. These are highly specialised and expensive pieces of equipment and are designed to prevent contamination. A containment unit comprises a cabinet and a containment window having glove ports. The containment window is fixedly mounted to the cabinet such that an absolute barrrier exists between the inside of the cabinet and operator at all times. All transfers are made without breach of the containment barrier through a port of a double door construction. The port is provided through the side of the cabinet.

There is, however, a need for a safer and more controlled working environment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a safer and more controlled working environment in, for example, industry and academic institutions.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of up-grading a fume cupboard to provide higher containment levels, the method comprising replacing a fume cupboard window which is slidably mounted to a cabinet with a containment window comprising one or more sealable apertures.

The modified fume cupboard is particularly suited to the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industry and can be used in, for example, the following applications.

Fine Chemical: Chemical dispensary charging; Reactor and dryer charging; Mill system charging; Drum filling from dryers and mills; Liquid drum filling; Decontamination and washing of small plant items; and Equipment isolation e.g. bag filter unloading, sieving, machine access and microniser enclosure.

Pharmaceutical: Dispensary and sampling; Loading granulators, mixers and sieves; Unloading machines; and Isolation of tablet presses and ampoule filling equipment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a high containment fume cupboard comprising a cabinet having slidably mounted thereto a containment window comprising one or more sealable apertures.

Preferably, the containment window comprises two glove ports to which the gloves are fitted.

Preferably, the containment window comprises a change port to which a double door transfer system is fitted.

Preferably, the containment window is fitted into a frame which is adapted to be slidably mounted within the fume cupboard.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a containment window for a fume cupboard comprising one or more sealable apertures and a frame such that the window can slide vertically or horizontally in the fume cupboard.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a containment window for a fume cupboard comprising two glove ports and a change port.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures; in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view, from the front, of a fume cupboard according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a side view, of a fume cupboard, according to one embodiment of the present invention with the containment window shown in open and closed positions.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a high containment fume cupboard 10, comprises a cabinet 12 comprising a base 14, a top 16, two side walls 18, 20 a back 22 and a containment window 24.

The containment window may be supported in a frame (not shown) and is slidable mounted to the front of the cabinet 12, such that it can slide vertically or horizontally on tracks provided in or adjacent to the side walls or in or adjacent to the base and top.

The containment window 24 is provided with one or more sealable apertures 26, 28, 30. These apertures typically take the form of two glove ports 26, 28 through which a pair of disposable gloves 32, 34 are fitted using clamping rings and o-rings (not shown), and optionally, a change port 30 through which a double door transfer system 36 is fitted.

The containment window may be made of a number of materials, such as, for example, glass or polymers such as, for example, PVC, polypropylene and polycarbonate.

To up-grade a fume cupboard, the existing window is removed from the cabinet and a containment window as described is fitted in its place. This has the advantage that the fume cupboard offers a higher containment facility, increased safety and additionally enables operations to be conducted within the fume cupboard with less risk of contamination.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the containment window is slidable mounted in the cabinet such that it can move between a "closed position" 40 in which the cabinet is sealed and an open position 42 (illustrated by way of dotted lines) in which the cabinet is open to the surrounding area.

In Fig. 2 the containment window moves vertically up and down in runners (not shown) provided in the side walls 18,20. A cable 44 and or counterweight 46 are attached to the containment window to assist in opening and closing the window in a controlled manner.

Claims

1. A method of up-grading a fume cupboard to provide higher containment levels, the method comprising replacing a fume cupboard window which is slidably mounted to a cabinet with a containment window comprising one or more sealable apertures.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which one or more of the sealable apertures comprises two glove ports.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 in which gloves are fitted to the glove ports.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which one or more of the sealable apertures comprises a change port.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 in which a double door transfer system is fitted to the change port.

6. A method as claimed in any of the proceeding claims in which the containment window comprises a frame such that it can slide vertically or horizontally within the fume cupboard.

7. A high containment fume cupboard comprising a cabinet having slidably mounted thereto a containment window comprising one or more sealable apertures.

8. A high containment fume cupboard as claimed in claim 7 in which the containment window comprising one or more sealable apertures comprises two glove ports.

9. A high containment fume cupboard as claimed in claim 7 or 8 in which gloves are fitted to the glove ports.

10. A high containment fume cupboard as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9 in which the containment window comprising one or more sealable apertures comprises a change port.

11. A high containment fume cupboard as claimed in claim 10 in which a double door transfer system is fitted to the change port.

12. A high containment fume cupboard as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11 in which the containment window comprises a frame such that it can slide vertically or horizontally within the fume cupboard.

13. A containment window for a fume cupboard comprising one or more sealable apertures and a frame such that it can slide vertically or horizontally within the fume cupboard.

14. A containment window as claimed in claim 13 in which the one or more sealable apertures comprise two glove ports.

15. A containment window as claimed in claim 14 in which gloves are fitted to the glove ports.

16. A containment window as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15 which the one or more sealable apertures comprises a change port.

17. A containment window as claimed in claim 16 in which a double door transfer system is fitted to the change port.

18. A containment window for a fume cupboard comprising two glove ports and a change port.

19. A method of up-grading a fume cupboard to provide higher containment levels, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 and/or Fig. 2.

20. A high containment fume cupboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 and/or Fig. 2.

21. A containment window for a fume cupboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 and/or Fig. 2.