JP2003164509A - Medical fluid filling-up system provided with freeze- drying means - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical fluid filling-up system provided with a conveyance system compatible to two kinds of containers difficult for self-standing conveyance. <P>SOLUTION: When ampoules difficult for self-standing conveyance are collected by a collector 8, a frame 9 is mounted by an operator OP, the ampoules are fed onto a palette 10 on a conveyance system 11, the relevant palette 10 is conveyed into a freeze-drying cabinet 13 by the conveyance system 11, and a collected ampoule group AG is carried into the freeze-drying cabinet 13 and freeze-dried. Then, the empty palette 10 is conveyed to the downstream and transferred onto a conveyance plane U of a lower stage by a fifth transferring device 56 and when the relevant palette 10 is conveyed to the upstream and transferred onto a conveyance plane O of an upper stage by a free flow conveyer FA as a first transferring device 51, the palette is conveyed to in front of the collector 8 again. Therefore, both vials and ampoules difficult for self-standing conveyance can be freeze-dried in the same system, and further by dividing the system into two upper and lower stages, miniaturization can be attained so that the system can be partitioned from the outside by a sterilization chamber. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drug solution filling system provided with freeze-drying means, and more particularly to a drug solution filling system provided with freeze-drying means that can be used for two types of containers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a drug solution filling system equipped with a freeze-drying means, containers filled in a drug solution filling line are accumulated, and the accumulated container group is conveyed to a freeze-dryer for freeze-drying and then frozen. A chemical solution filling system that discharges a group of containers from a drying cabinet and conveys the containers to the next process is known.

[0003]

By the way, as a container for freeze-drying treatment, for example, a vial and an ampoule are known today. However, a vial that can be transported by itself but lacks stability and an ampoule that is difficult to transport by itself are used. There is no known chemical liquid filling system provided with such a transport system that can be used for two types of containers that are difficult to independently transport. Furthermore, in the conventional chemical solution filling system, a top chain conveyor is used as a transportation system for transporting the above-mentioned container which is difficult to carry independently. However, since this top chain conveyor occupies a large space, it can be installed in one sterilization chamber. It is not possible to mount the entire chemical filling system,
There were hygiene problems such as the container being exposed to the outside air. In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a chemical liquid filling system including a transport system that can be used for two types of containers that are difficult to carry out independently.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] That is, a chemical liquid filling system provided with freeze-drying means according to the invention of claim 1 is a first chemical liquid filling line for filling a first container with a chemical liquid, and a second liquid container is filled with a chemical liquid. A second chemical liquid filling line, a stacking device provided in each line for stacking the containers supplied from the respective chemical liquid filling lines, and a restraining means for restraining the containers stacked by these stacking devices in a stacked state. A pallet on which a collection group of containers held by the restraint means is placed, a transport system configured to transport the pallet to a downstream side, and a plurality of conveyors having transport surfaces at upper and lower stages, and the transport system And a carry-in means for supplying the collection group of containers to the freeze-drying means. At least one transfer means including a conveyor that can move up and down is arranged in each of the transport systems on the downstream side of the binding and drying means and on the upstream side of the stacking device, and the stacking group of containers on the pallet located on the above-mentioned transport surface is arranged. After being supplied to the freeze-drying means, the empty pallet is transferred to the lower transfer surface by the transfer means and circulated upstream. The chemical solution filling system provided with the freeze-drying means in the invention of claim 2 is
It is characterized in that the chemical liquid filling line and the transfer system are partitioned from the outside by a sterile chamber.

According to the chemical solution filling system provided with the freeze-drying means according to the invention of claim 1 described above, the containers individually supplied in the upstream line are accumulated by the accumulating device and the outside of the accumulated containers. By attaching the restraint means to the container, even if the container is difficult to stand alone, it is possible to transport these containers in a self-supporting state and freeze-dry them by forming these containers as a collection group of containers. .
Moreover, since the transfer system is composed of the upper and lower two-stage conveyors, it is possible to obtain a transfer system which is more compact than the conventional one. Therefore, the chemical liquid filling line and the transfer system are provided in a sterile chamber as in the invention of claim 2. It is possible to partition from the outside, and it is possible to solve the problem of hygiene.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. A drug solution filling system 3 according to the present invention fills a vial (not shown) serving as a first container with a drug solution and has a stopper half-opened. A vial filling line 1 as a first chemical liquid filling line for stoppering, an ampoule filling line 2 as a first chemical liquid filling line for filling an ampoule as a second container with a chemical liquid, and a first container processing line for further sealing a vial. And a vial sealing line 4 and a ampoule melting / closing line 5 as a second container processing line for melting and closing the ampoule. In addition, integrated devices 7 and 8 connected to each of the vial filling line 1 and the ampoule filling line 2 for accumulating vials and ampoules filled with a drug solution, and as freeze-drying means for freeze-drying the ampoule and the vial, respectively. Lyophilizers 12, 13 and an accumulator 17 for supplying the lyophilized vial and ampoule to the vial sealing line 4 and ampoule melting and closing line 5, respectively. Then, the vials accumulated in the accumulating device 7 (hereinafter, the vial accumulation group)
Alternatively, the ampoules accumulated by the accumulating device 8 (hereinafter referred to as ampoule accumulating group) are placed on the pallet 10 (see FIG. 4), and the pallet 10 is conveyed by the conveying system 11 to the accumulating devices 7 and 8, the freeze-drying chambers 12 and 13, It is adapted to be conveyed between the accumulation devices 17.

The vial filling line 1 includes a cleaning device 1A for cleaning the vial, a drying and sterilizing device 1B for drying and sterilizing the vial on the downstream side of the cleaning device 1A, and a chemical solution for the vial on the downstream side of the drying and sterilizing device 1B. A vial filling device 1C for filling the vial and half-capping the stopper, and an accumulation device 1D for accumulating the vial and transporting it to the subsequent step. In addition, the above-mentioned vial sealing line 4
Performs a process of completely sealing the freeze-dried vial, and the configurations of the vial filling line 1 and the vial sealing line 4 are well known in the related art, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here. On the other hand, the ampoule filling line 2 includes a cleaning device 2A for cleaning the ampoule, a drying and sterilizing device 2B for drying and sterilizing the ampoule on the downstream side of the cleaning device 2A, and a chemical solution to the ampoule on the downstream side of the drying and sterilizing device 2B. An ampoule filling device 2C for filling and an accumulation device 2D for accumulating the ampoule and transporting it to a subsequent process are provided. Further, the ampoule melt-sealing line 5 performs a process of melt-sealing the ampoule after the freeze-drying process, and the configurations of the ampoule filling line 2 and the ampoule melt-sealing line 5 are well known in the related art, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here. To do. In the liquid medicine filling system 3 of this embodiment, the vial filling line 1 and the ampoule filling line 2 do not operate simultaneously, but when one is operating, the other is stopped.

Since the integrated devices 7 and 8 have basically the same structure, the ampoule filling line 2 is used in this embodiment.
The collecting device 8 connected to the vial filling line 1 will be described, and the description of the collecting device 7 connected to the vial filling line 1 will be omitted. Here, first, the above-mentioned accumulation device 2D arranged on the upstream side of the stacking device 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the accumulator 2D has a transport conveyor 21 for transporting the filled ampoule from the ampoule filling device 2C to the accumulator 2D, and an ampoule sent from the transport conveyor 21 is placed and prevented from falling. A framed conveyor 22 and an ampoule provided on the framed conveyor 22 for guiding the ampoule sent from the transfer conveyor 21 toward the downstream side and displaced against a spring (not shown) according to the accumulated state of the ampoule. A flexible guide 24, a C-shaped squeezing guide 25 for squeezing the supply path of the ampoule placed on the framed conveyor 22, and an ampoule squeezed by the squeezing guide 25 provided on the outer periphery thereof, not shown. A star wheel 23 that is housed in a pocket and is rotated and conveyed in a clockwise direction; Receiving into ampoules integrated device 8 which passed and a screw 20 for intermittent transport.

The stacking device 8 is mounted on a flat table 28 on which an ampoule is placed and is rotatably provided. The rotary stopper 29 rotates counterclockwise in synchronism with the screw 20. A first movable guide 30 provided in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and having a U-shaped cross section with an opening on the lower side, and a support guide 32 for preventing the ampoule from falling over by entering the first movable guide 30.
And a pair of plate-shaped fixed guides 40 provided at one end and the other end of the first movable guide 30 along the conveyance direction of the conveyance system 11, and arranged above the fixed guides 40. It is provided with a plate-shaped second movable guide 41 provided in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport system 11. Further, between the stacking device 8 and the transport system 11, a transfer plate 46 used when transporting the ampoule stacking group stacked by the stacking device 8 to the transport system 11.
Is provided. In addition, the stacking device 8 and the transport system 1
The operator OP stands by at the position where 1 is adjacent to perform necessary work.

The first movable guide 30 is the first drive mechanism 3
1 horizontally moves in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the transport system 11 and rotates vertically with one end on the transport system 11 side as a fulcrum. The first drive mechanism 31 has a screw shaft 34 rotatably supported on the table 28 on the side of the transport system 11 in parallel with the transport direction, and a nut screwed onto the screw shaft 34 and connected to the screw shaft 34. A rotary actuator 35 with a nut that rotates the first movable guide 30 between a horizontal state and a raised state (hereinafter referred to as "rotary actuator 35").
And a motor that is fixed to the table 28 and rotates a screw shaft 34 to move the rotary reactor 35 and the first movable guide 30 connected thereto in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first movable guide 30. 36 and.

The support guide 32 is operated by a moving mechanism 33 that horizontally moves the support guide 32 in a direction orthogonal to the carrying direction of the carrying system 11 according to the accumulation state of ampoules. The moving mechanism 33 is arranged orthogonal to the carrying direction of the carrying system 11, and is screwed to the screw shaft 37 rotatably supported by the table 28. A nut 38 to be connected and a motor 39 which is fixed to the table 28 and rotates a screw shaft 37 to move the nut 38 and the support guide 32 connected to the nut 38 in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the transfer system 11. I have it.

Further, the second movable guide 41 horizontally moves the second movable guide 41 in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the transport system 11 and vertically rotates with one end opposite to the transport system 11 as a fulcrum. It is adapted to be operated by the second drive mechanism 42. The second drive mechanism 42 has the same configuration as the first drive mechanism 31, and is specifically arranged on the opposite side of the transport system 11 and extends along the transport direction of the transport system 11. Screw shaft 4 rotatably supported on the table 28
3, and a nut-equipped rotary reactor 4 for switching and rotating the second movable guide 41 in which a nut is screwed onto the screw shaft 43 and connected to the screw shaft 43.
4 (hereinafter, the rotary actuator 44) and the screw shaft 43 fixed to the table 28 to rotate the rotary actuator 44 and the second movable guide 41 connected to the rotary actuator 44 in the longitudinal direction of the second movable guide 41. And a motor 45 for moving in a direction orthogonal to each other.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the stacking device 8 of the present embodiment, the ampoules are arranged in 15 rows and 20 rows in total in accordance with the standard of the pallet 10 transported on the transport system 11. It is designed to collect 300 pieces. Then, the ampoule integrated group AG consisting of 300 ampules is mounted by the operator OP with a frame 9 as restraint means manufactured in accordance with the size of the ampules arranged in 15 rows and 20 rows. It Therefore, by holding the plurality of ampoules by the frame 9, the ampoules can be kept self-supporting, and the ampoules will not fall down even if they are transported by the transport system 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a stepped portion 40A for accommodating the lower portion of the frame 9 is provided on the upper portion of the pair of fixed guides 40, and the operator OP moves along the stepped portion 40A to the frame 9
By pulling out, the ampoule integrated group AG can be smoothly drawn out on the transfer plate 46 without falling over while the ampoule integrated group AG is accommodated by the frame 9. Then, the operator OP can further move the ampoule accumulation group AG onto the pallet 10 placed on the transfer system 11 via the transfer plate 46 while keeping the ampoule accumulation group AG stored in the frame 9.

The operation of the accumulation device 2D and the stacking device 8 having the above construction will be described. Then, in the stacking device 8, the first movable guide 30 is positioned in advance at the discharge position of the rotary stopper 29, and the support guide 32 is positioned at the left end closest to the rotary stopper 29. When this state is established, the star wheel 23 and the screw 20 of the accumulation device 2D are operated, and the screw 20
The rotary stopper 29 located downstream of is operated. As a result, while the ampoule is intermittently supplied into the first movable guide 30 via the rotary stopper 29, the drive means 33 is operated in synchronization with the operation of the rotary stopper 29 so that the support guide 32 is moved to the body diameter of the ampoule. Move to the right in the drawing at the corresponding pitch. When 20 ampules, which are the storage limit number, are accumulated in the first movable guide 30 in a horizontal row, the rotary stopper 29 and the driving means 31 synchronized with this are stopped and the star wheel 23 of the accumulation device 2D is stopped. The screw 20 is stopped. Then, from this state, the motor 36 rotates the screw shaft 34 in the normal direction to move the screw shaft 34 downward by one pitch corresponding to the entire width of the first movable guide 30. As a result, the 20 ampoules that are supported by the first movable guide 30 in the front-rear direction in the moving direction and are supported by the fixed guides 40 in the left and right directions orthogonal to the moving direction in a standing state move in unison. Then, after this movement is completed, the rotary actuator 35 raises the first movable guide 30 about the screw shaft 34. At this time, the second movable guide 41 approaches the position where it does not interfere with the first movable guide 30.
Then, when the first movable guide 30 is in the vertical state where it does not interfere with the ampoule, the motor 36 reverses the screw shaft 34 to retract it to the original position and lowers it when the first movable guide 30 returns to the original position. Then, the ampoule just moved is supported by the outer wall surface of the lowered first movable guide 30 while being kept horizontal for preparation for the next accumulation. Further, simultaneously with the lowering of the first movable guide 30, the 20 movable ampules immediately after the movement of the second movable guide 41 are simultaneously approached to support the front side thereof. This allows
The 20 ampoules arranged in a horizontal line after the movement is completed include the first movable guide 30, the second movable guide 41, and the fixed guide 40.
Prevents falls.

When the accumulation of the first row is completed in this way, the star wheel 23 and the screw 2 of the accumulation device 2D are
When 0 is operated, the rotary stopper 29 located on the downstream side of the screw 20 is operated to start accumulating the second row of ampoules in the first movable guide 30.
When 20 ampoules are accumulated in this way, the rotary stopper 29 and the driving means 33 synchronized with this are stopped as in the previous time, and the star wheel 2 of the accumulation device 2D is stopped.
3 and screw 20 are also stopped. Then, in this state, the first movable guide 30 and the twenty ampoules in the second row accommodated therein are moved downward in the drawing, and after the movement is completed, the first movable guide 30 is raised to the vertical state. At this time, since the second movable guide 41 moves downward in the drawing by the same pitch as the first movable guide 30, the ampoules in the first row are automatically pushed and moved by the first movable guide 30. Then, the first movable guide 30 retreats to the original position while maintaining the vertical state, and is lowered when it is retracted to the original position to prepare for the accumulation of the third row, while the lowered first movable guide 30. Support the rear side of the ampoule row that was just moved on the outer wall of. Further, the second movable guide 41 includes the ampoule and the second ampoule in the first row.
Since there is a space corresponding to the wall thickness of the first movable guide 30 between the ampoules in the first row, the second movable guide 41 and the first row that contacts the second movable guide 41 when the lowering of the first movable guide 30 is completed. Is retracted and brought into contact with the second-row ampoule. After that, when the number of rows gradually increases from the third row to the fourth row and reaches the prescribed 15 rows, the accumulation device 2D is stopped and the supply of ampoules to the integrated device 8 is temporarily stopped.

The operator OP picks up the frame 9 placed on the carry-in pallet 10 and collects ampoules in a state surrounded by the first and second movable guides 30 and 41 and the fixed guide 40 on all sides. A frame 9 is attached to the outside of the group AG to restrain the ampoule integrated group AG. (Figs. 3 and 4
reference). Next, when the frame 9 is attached to the ampoule integrated group AG, the screw shaft 43 is rotated by the rotary reactor 44, and the second movable guide 4 which has been in a horizontal state until then.
1 rotates in the vertical direction, and the second movable guide 41 is opened. Then, the operator OP pulls out the ampoule accumulation group AG accommodated in the frame 9 onto the transfer plate 46, and slides on the transfer plate 46 to the loading pallet 10 waiting on the transfer surface O of the transfer system 11. Place the ampoule accumulation group AG. When the ampoule accumulation group AG is pulled out from the accumulating device 8 by the operator OP, the control device recognizes this by a signal from the sensor or an input by the operator OP, and the control device causes the accumulating device 8 to restart new accumulation. Therefore, in this embodiment, a total of 50 frames are continuously accumulated according to the storage capacity of the freeze-drying chamber 13. And 1 corresponding to 50 frames
The ampoule filling line 2 is now stopped when 15,000 ampoules and some spare ampoules have been produced. Although 300 ampoules are accommodated in the frame 9 as described above, the number of accommodating vials having a larger barrel diameter is smaller than that of ampules.

Next, the transport system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5.
1 will be described. The transfer system 11 is provided on the most upstream side and has a transfer surface A of the pallet 10, and a free flow conveyor FA provided on the downstream side of the free flow conveyor FA, and has an upper transfer surface O of the pallet 10 and a lower transfer surface. The multi-stage free flow conveyor FC is composed of a plurality of conveyor units each having a transport surface on two stages above and below the transport surface U. Then, the respective conveyor units of the free flow conveyor FA and the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC are individually controlled by the control device. The position of the transport surface O is set on the pallet 10
When the pallet 10 is placed on the transport surface O,
Is provided at a position such that the upper surface thereof matches the height of the transfer plate 46. In FIG. 5, the right side in the drawing is the upstream side, and the free flow conveyor FA is provided at the right end of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, although not shown.

First, the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC will be described. FIG. 6 shows the multi-stage free flow conveyor F.
It is a top view showing one conveyor unit among a plurality of conveyor units which constitute C. This conveyor unit is provided with a pair of flat plate-like frames 50 facing each other with a space slightly wider than the width of the pallet 10 in the long side direction.
It is manufactured slightly longer than the width in the short side direction. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper transport surface O of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC is the frame 50 in the transport direction.
Cylindrical drive roller 57 rotatably installed on the front side of the
O, a motor 58O fixed to the frame 50 to rotate the drive roller 57O, and a motor 58O rotatably provided on each of the one frame 50 and the other frame 50 and connected to the drive roller 57O via interlocking means such as a belt (not shown). It has four wheels 59O interlocked with each other, and one driving roller 57O and eight wheels 59O have the same diameter and are set to the same height. Therefore, the transport surface O
Is a plane formed by the apexes of the drive roller 57O and the eight wheels 59O. Further, since the transport surface O and the transport surface U have the same configuration except that the transport directions are different, the description of the transport surface U will be omitted. "U" is attached instead of "O". Further, in FIG. 5, the drive roller 57O and the wheel 59O on the transport surface O rotate counterclockwise to transport the pallet 10 toward the downstream side on the left side in the drawing, while the drive roller 57U and the wheel 59U on the transport surface U. Rotates clockwise and conveys the pallet 10 toward the upstream side on the right side in the drawing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, the conveyor units located immediately upstream of the freeze-drying chambers 12 and 13 are used as the second transfer device 53 and the fourth transfer device 55, respectively. It In both of these transfer devices 53 and 55, by making the drive roller 57O provided on the upper transfer surface O rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, the pallet 10 can be transferred in both the upstream side and the downstream side. The transfer devices 53 and 55 can be moved up and down by an elevating means 60 such as an air cylinder. With such a configuration, the multi-stage free flow conveyor F
The pallet 10 that is transported downstream on the transport surface O of C
The pallet can be transferred to the upstream side by transferring it onto the transfer surface U of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC. Specifically, for example, a multi-stage free flow conveyor FC
Of the pallet 10 transported on the transport surface O of the
However, when approaching the transport surface O of the second transfer device 53, the drive roller 57O transports the pallet 10 in the downstream direction and stops it at the central portion of the mounting surface O. When the pallet 10 is stopped, the transport surface O is lowered by the elevating means 60, and the transport surface O of the second transfer device 53 is positioned at the same height as the transport surface U of the adjacent conveyor unit. After that, the driving roller 57O rotates in the opposite direction to convey the pallet 10 in the upstream direction, so that the pallet 10 moves to the convey surface U of the conveyor unit adjacent to the upstream side of the second transfer device 53, and the pallet 10 moves. The multi-stage free flow conveyor FC is conveyed to the upstream side on the conveying surface U.

Further, the conveyor unit located immediately downstream of the freeze-drying chambers 12 and 13 is the third transfer device 54,
Used as the fifth transfer device 56. In both of these transfer devices 54 and 56, the drive roller 57U provided on the lower transfer surface U can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions, so that the pallet 10 can be transferred in both the upstream side and the downstream side. The transfer devices 54 and 56 can be moved up and down by an elevating means 60 such as an air cylinder. With such a configuration, the second transfer device 53 and the fourth transfer device 5 are
On the other hand, the pallet 10 transported on the transport surface U of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC toward the upstream side is transferred to the transport surface O of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, and the pallet is transported downstream. be able to.

Next, the free flow conveyor FA will be described. In this embodiment, the free flow conveyor F is used.
A is used as the first transfer device 51, and the free-flow conveyor FA transfers the pallet 10 transferred from the transfer surface U of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FC located downstream of the free-flow conveyor FA to the transfer surface O. You can do it. More specifically, although the free-flow conveyor FA is provided with only one transfer surface A, the transfer surface A has only the transfer surface A.
Like the transport surface O of 3, the pallet 10 can be transported in both upstream and downstream directions, and the free flow conveyor FA is also provided with lifting means such as an air cylinder. Further, in the first transfer device 51, a frame supply device 62 and a frame sterilization device 63 for supplying the frames 9 one by one onto the pallet 10 placed on the transport surface A respectively include a free flow conveyor FA. It is sandwiched between them.

Next, the freeze-drying cabinet 12 for freeze-drying the vial stacking group with the frame 9 and the freeze-drying cabinet 13 for freeze-drying the ampoule stacking group AG with the frame 9 will be described. It should be noted that the upstream freeze-drying cabinet 12 and the downstream freeze-drying cabinet 1
Since 3 has the same configuration, the configuration of the freeze-drying cabinet 13 will be described, and the description of the configuration of the freeze-drying cabinet 12 will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, the freeze-dryer 13 is a box-shaped body 7 having an opening on the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC side.
7, a shutter 72 that moves in the vertical direction to open and close the opening, and a mounting shelf 79 of five upper and lower stages for mounting the ampoule integrated group AG housed in the body 77 and having the frame 9 attached.
And elevating means for elevating and lowering the mounting shelf 79. The shutter 72 is moved up and down by an air cylinder 78 provided outside the body 77. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, on each of the mounting shelves 79, the ampoule stacking group AG with the frame 9 supplied in five rows is mounted, and as shown in FIG. The groups AG are placed in two columns. Therefore, the freeze-dryer 13 has the ability to accommodate 50 ampoule integrated groups AG with the frame 9 at a time.

Next, a carry-in / carry-out device 14 for carrying in / out the vial stacking group with the frame 9 to / from the freeze-drying chamber 12, and a carry-in / carrying-out device for carrying out the ampoule stacking group AG with the frame 9 into / from the freeze-drying chamber 13. 15 will be described. Since the carry-in / carry-out devices 14 and 15 have the same structure, the structure of the carry-in / carry-out device 15 will be described, and the description of the structure of the carry-in / carry-out device 14 will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, the loading / unloading device 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a carry-in pusher 65 for loading the ampoule accumulation group AG accommodated in the frame 9 into the freeze-drying chamber 13, and the ampoule accumulation group AG accommodated in the frame 9 that has been freeze-dried outside the freeze-drying chamber 13. It is equipped with a unloading pusher 73 for unloading and placing them on the pallet 10, and a dead plate 67 for transferring the ampoule accumulation group AG is provided between the freeze-dryer 13 and the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC. It is equipped. Also, the frame 5 on the freeze-dryer 13 side
A stopper 66 for loading is provided on the inner wall surface of 0 so that the pallet 10 is positioned on the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC when the loading pusher 65 loads the vial accumulation group AG into the freeze-dryer 13. ing. Further, a carry-out stopper 74 is provided on the inner wall surface of the frame 50 on the side separated from the freeze-drying cabinet 13, and the carry-out pusher 73 causes the vial accumulation group AG to freeze-dry.
The pallet 10 is positioned on the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC when it is overlaid on the pallet.

The carry-in pusher 65 is operated by an air cylinder 65a fixed on a flange portion 64 provided on the frame 50 on the side of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC on the side separated from the freeze-dryer 13, and by the air cylinder 65a. And a pressing member 65b that presses the frame 9 in five horizontal rows. On the other hand, carry-out pusher 73
Is provided in the freeze-dryer 13 and this is the freeze-dryer 1
3 includes an air cylinder 73a and a pressing member 73b that presses the frames 9 in five rows by the air cylinders 73a similarly to the pressing member 65b. The dead plate 67 is provided on the flange portion 68 provided on the frame 50 on the freeze-drying cabinet 13 side of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FC, and along the transport direction, the free-flow conveyor FC side and the freeze-drying cabinet 13 side. 2 divided into 2
One plate member 70 and its lower end are fixed to the flange portion 68, and one upper end thereof is the plate member 70.
A column 69 that supports the center of the column, and an air that is fixed to the flange portion 68 and has its tip end connected to each of the two plate members 70 so that the plate member 70 opens and closes the column 69 on the axis. And a cylinder 71. Then, for example, when the ampoule accumulation group AG is carried into the freeze-dryer 13 by the carry-in pusher 65,
The air cylinder 71 rotates the plate member 70 upward from the illustrated horizontal state to fold the plate member 70 in the vertical state, and the shutter 72 of the freeze-dryer 13 is closed after the ampoule accumulation group AG is stored. Avoiding interference. The carry-in stopper 66 and the carry-out stopper 74 contact the side surfaces of the pallet 10 when the pallet 10 is carried in and out, respectively. In other cases, in order to avoid interference with the pallet 10. The air cylinder 75 lowers the position lower than the transfer surface O.

Next, the accumulator 17 will be described. As described above, the vial sealing line 4 and the ampoule melt-sealing line 5 are connected to the accumulator 17 in a juxtaposed state. First, referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the accumulation device 17 is adjacent to the downstream end position of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, and its conveyance direction is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC. A free-flow conveyor FB that can be moved up and down, multi-stage free-flow conveyors FD7 to FDl0 that are arranged in series on the downstream side in the transport direction of the free-flow conveyor FB and that have a six-stage transfer surface D at the top and bottom, and a multi-stage free-flow conveyor. A free flow conveyor FF that can be moved up and down arranged further downstream of FD10, and this free flow conveyor FF
And the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to FD6 which are provided in parallel with the above-mentioned free flow conveyor FB and four multi-stage free flow conveyors FD7 to FD10, and which have six conveying surfaces D at the top and bottom. Further, at a position facing the free flow conveyor FD6 with the free flow conveyor FF interposed therebetween, the container group on the pallet 10 has a conveying direction parallel to the free flow conveyor FF, and the vial sealing line 4 or the ampoule sealing line is used. Free-flow conveyors FEL and FE2 having a transport surface E for transporting to 5
Are arranged in series. Further, the accumulator 17 accommodates 50 pallets 10, and specifically, each of the transport surfaces D located in the first to fifth stages from the bottom of the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to FD10 is respectively. 1
Each pallet 10 is placed.

The above-mentioned multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to F
Like the transport surface A of the free flow conveyor FA, the drive surface of the transport surface D of D10 is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, so that the pallet 10 can be transported in both forward and reverse directions. The height of the lowermost transport surface D of the transport surfaces D is the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC.
The height of the transport surface U is the same as that of the transport surface U, and the height of the transport surface D located in the second stage from the bottom is set to be the same as the height of the transport surface O. The free flow conveyor FB is used as the sixth transfer device 52 and has the same configuration as the free flow conveyor FA. Therefore, the free-flow conveyor FB has a single-stage transfer surface B capable of transferring the pallet 10 in both forward and reverse directions, and can be stopped at the same height as each transfer surface D of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FD by the elevating means 60. Has become. Similarly,
The free flow conveyor FF is used as the seventh transfer device 82, which also has the same configuration as the free flow conveyor FA. Therefore, the free-flow conveyor FF has a single-stage transfer surface F capable of transferring the pallet 10 in both the forward and reverse directions, and has the same height as each step of the transfer surface D of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FD6 or FD10 by the elevating means 60. It is possible to stop at. The transport surface E of the free flow conveyors FEl and FE2 can also transport the pallet 10 in both forward and reverse directions like the free flow conveyor FA, and the height of this transport surface E is the maximum of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD. It is set to the same height as the lower transport surface D.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the accumulation device 1
7 is provided with pushers P1 to P5 adjacent to the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC and the accumulator 17, and each of the pushers P1 to P5 is a pallet 1
Pressing members P1a to P5a for pressing 0, and air cylinders P1b to P for moving the pressing members P1a to P5a forward and backward.
5b is provided. First, the pusher P1 is provided so as to match the position of the transport surface U of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, and the pusher P1 mounts the pallet 10 placed on the transport surface U in the transport direction of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC. The pallet 10 is transferred to the transport surface B of the free flow conveyor FB by pressing in a direction orthogonal to each other. Further, the pusher P2 has an elevating means (not shown) for ascending and descending in conjunction with the free flow conveyor FB, and the pusher P2 presses the pallet 10 placed on the transport surface B to move it to the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD1. 2nd to 6th transport planes D from the bottom
It is designed to be transferred to. And pusher P
3 has an elevating means (not shown) for moving up and down in conjunction with the free flow conveyor FF, and the pusher P3 is placed on the second to sixth transfer surfaces D from the bottom of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD6. The pallet 10 is pressed to move the pallet 10 to the transport surface F, or the pallet 10 placed on the transport surface F is transferred to the transport surface E of the free flow conveyor FE1. Furthermore, pusher P4
Also has ascending / descending means (not shown) for ascending / descending in conjunction with the free flow conveyor FF, and the pusher P4 presses the pallet 10 placed on the transfer surface E and transfers it to the transfer surface F of the free flow conveyor FF. The pallet 10 is transferred from the conveying surface F of the free-flow conveyor FF that moves up and down to the conveying surface D of each stage of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FD6. Therefore, the expansion / contraction amount of the air cylinder P4b of the pusher P4 can be changed in two steps. Also,
The pusher P5 has an elevating means (not shown) for moving up and down in conjunction with the free flow conveyor FB, and the pusher P5 is 2 from the bottom of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD1.
The pallet 10 placed on the transport surface D of the sixth to sixth tiers is pressed to be transferred onto the transport surface B.

The accumulator 17 is provided with a transfer plate 4A for supplying a vial to the vial sealing line 4 and a transfer plate 5A for supplying an ampoule to the ampoule melting / closing line 5. Of these, the transfer board 5A will be described. When the pallet 10 on which the ampoule accumulation group AG is placed reaches the free flow conveyor FE2, the operator OP wearing the half suit transfers the ampoule accumulation group AG from the pallet 10. Move the frame 9 to 5A,
Further, the frame 9 that restrains the ampoule accumulation group is removed.
Then, the ampoule is supplied to the ampoule fusing line 5. Also, vial accumulation group or ampoule accumulation group A
When G is respectively moved from the pallet 10 to the transfer plate 4A or the transfer plate 5A, the operator OP stores the frame 9 in the frame discharge device 61 within the working range. The frame 9 accommodated in the frame discharge device 61 is manually transferred to the frame sterilizer 63 and sterilized in the frame sterilizer 63.

Further, in the liquid medicine filling system 3 of the present invention, the isolator AI in which the transport path of the container is a sterile chamber is used.
It is isolated from the outside atmosphere by being surrounded by. Specifically, the container sterilization unit of the drying and sterilizing apparatuses 1B and 2B of the vial filling line 1 and the ampoule filling line 2, the transport system 11, the accumulator 17, the vial sealing line 4, and the ampoule melting and closing line 5 are isolator. Surrounded by AI. The isolator AI contains sterile gas (eg,
A peroxygen gas supply unit and a pressure control unit are connected to each other, and sterilization is periodically performed with a sterilizing gas, and during production, sterility is maintained by controlling the inside to a positive pressure. The sterilizing gas supply means for sterilizing the inside of the isolator AI usually has a limited sterilizable volume. Therefore, when enclosing a large device, the inside of the isolator is divided into a plurality of spaces by a shutter and sterilization processing is performed for each space. However, since the transport system 11 of the present invention has a configuration in which a plurality of free flow conveyors are arranged, there is an effect that it is easy to partition.

The operation of the chemical liquid filling system 3 having the above configuration will be described below. First, the process until the ampoule filled with the chemical liquid by the ampoule filling line 2 is carried into the freeze-dryer 13 will be described. To carry the ampoule into the freeze-dryer 13, as shown in FIG. 1, the free-flow conveyor FA, the fifth transfer device 56, and the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FC located between them are operated to load the ampoule accumulation group AG. The pallet 10 to be placed (hereinafter referred to as the loading pallet 10) is circulated and conveyed while passing through the accumulating device 8 and the freeze-dryer 13. In the present embodiment, the path of the loading pallet 10 is used for loading the ampoule. Use as a route. Further, in the transfer system 11, the transfer pallet 10 on which the frame 9 is placed in advance is prepared on the transfer surface O of the free flow conveyor FC adjacent to the transfer plate 46 of the stacking device 8. As described above, since five rows of pallets 10 are loaded into the freeze-dryer 13 at a time, four frames 9 are placed on the upstream side of the loading pallet 10. Carry-in pallet 10
Are placed continuously. In addition, hereinafter, these five loading pallets 10 are considered as one group, and the group is referred to as a group A. Further, at this time, the free flow conveyor FA is lowered to the position of the transport surface U in the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, and the transport pallet 10 in which the frame 9 is not placed on the transport surface A of the free flow conveyor FA. Is placed. Then, on the transport surface U of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, four carry-in pallets 10 are arranged from the carry-in pallet 10 toward the downstream side.
Are continuously placed. The five loading pallets 10 are hereinafter referred to as a group B.

When the ampoule filling line 2 is operated and the ampoule is made into the ampoule integrated group AG by the integrating device 8 by the above-mentioned procedure, the operator OP mounts the frame 9 on the ampoule integrated group AG, and the frame 9 is attached. The ampoule accumulating group AG is supplied onto the carry-in pallet 10 located at the head of the group A via the transfer plate 46. Then, the control device detects this by a sensor (not shown) or an input from the operator OP, and operates each of the multi-stage free flow conveyors FC and free flow conveyors FA forming the ampoule carry-in path. The transport surface O of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC moves the loading pallet 10 of the group A toward the downstream side by one unit conveyor,
When the second loading pallet 10 is moved to a position adjacent to the transfer plate 46, the operator OP again sets the ampoule accumulation group AG with the frame 9 to the second loading pallet 1
Place at 0. In this way, every time the loading pallet 10 of the group A is adjacent to the transfer plate 46, the ampule stacking group AG with the frame 9 is sequentially placed on the loading pallet 10 by the operator OP, and the loading of the group A is carried out. Ampoule integrated group AG with frame 9 attached to all pallets 10
When is loaded, the control device continuously moves the loading real pallets 10 of the group A, which have been intermittently moved one by one, to the front of the freeze-dryer 13.

On the other hand, for group B, group A
At the same time when the ampoule accumulation group AG is placed on the carrying-in pallet 10 of No. 3, the free-flow conveyor FA on which the leading carrying-in pallet 10 of the group B is mounted rises, and the frame supply device 62 is sterilized. The frame 9 is supplied to the loading pallet 10 on the transport surface A. Then, the free-flow conveyor FA moves the carry-in pallet 10 to the downstream side by one unit conveyor and moves it to the transport surface O of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FC. continue,
When the transport surface A is lowered to the same height as the transport surface U, the free flow conveyor FA is a multi-stage free flow conveyor F.
The transport surface U of C transports the second loading pallet 10 of the group B mounted thereon onto the transport surface A. Further, when the free-flow conveyor FA raises the carrying surface A and positions the carry-in pallet 10 at the same height as the carrying surface O, the frame 9 on which the frame feeder 62 is sterilized as described above is placed on the carrying surface A. Are supplied to the carrying-in pallet 10. In this way, when the loading pallet 10 of the group B is placed on the transport surface O with the frame 9 placed, the transport surface O moves the leading transport pallet 10 to a position adjacent to the transfer plate 46. Move continuously until it reaches. Then, after that, the ampoule integrated group AG with the frame 9 is placed on the carry-in pallet 10 of the group B by the procedure described in the group A.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the loading real pallet 10 of the group A is moved to a position adjacent to the freeze-drying chamber 13 by the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, the control device senses it and the control device is activated. After raising the shutter 72 of the freeze-drying cabinet 13, the dead plate 67 is opened, and the top shelf 79 of the freeze-drying cabinet 13 is moved to the same height as the upper surface of the loading pallet 10. Then, when the carry-in stopper 66 rises and projects above the carrying surface O and the carry-in actual pallet 10 is positioned, the carry-in pusher 65 freeze-drys the ampoule accumulation group AG on the carry-in pallet 10 of the group A. It is pressed toward the inside of the cabinet 13. As a result, the ampoule accumulation group AG with the frame 9 is moved to the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC side of the mounting shelf 79 while sliding on the loading pallet 10 and the dead plate 67. When the ampoule accumulation group AG is stored in the freeze-drying chamber 13, the carry-in stopper 66 is lowered by the control device. Then, the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC is again used for the loading pallet 10 of the group A.
The transport is intermittently started to the downstream side.

On the other hand, the actual loading pallet 10 of the group B
Also, when transported to the freeze-dryer 13 as described above,
Similar to the case of the group A, the ampoule accumulation group AG is pressed by the carry-in / carry-out device 15 and placed on the placing shelf 79. However, since the ampoule accumulation group AG carried in from the group A at this time is located on the transfer system 11 side of the mounting shelf 79, the ampoule accumulation group AG of the group B is placed.
The loading / unloading device presses the two groups of ampoule stacking groups AG in order to place the ampoule stacking groups AG on the mounting shelf 79, and two vertical columns of ampoule stacking groups AG are aligned on the mounting shelf 79. In this way, from the loading pallet 10 of the group B to the ampoule accumulation group A
When G is carried into the freeze-drying compartment 13, the loading shelf 79 is set to 1
A space for the ampoule integrated group AG to be placed next is secured by ascending by the number of steps.

As described above, when the ampoule accumulation group AG is accommodated in the freeze-drying chamber 13 from the loading pallet 10 of the group A, the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC again intermittently loads the loading pallet 10 of the group A. The carrying-in pallet 10 at the leading end is carried on the downstream side, and placed on the carrying surface O of the fifth transfer device 56 shown in FIGS. When the carrying-in pallet 10 is placed on the fifth transfer device 56, the elevating means 60 lowers the carrying surface O to position the carrying-in pallet 10 at the same height as the carrying surface U of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC. Then, the fifth transfer device 56 operates the loading pallet 10
Is conveyed to the upstream side, that is, the free flow conveyor FA side. Further, the fifth transfer device 56 moves up again, transfers the loading pallet 10 on the transport surface U to the transport surface O, and places all the loading pallets 10 of the group A on the transport surface U of the free flow conveyor FC. , Again the fifth transfer device 56
The mounting surface O of is located at the same height as the transport surface O of the free flow conveyor FC. When the loading pallet 10 of the group A is placed on the loading surface U, the loading pallet 10 of the group A is continuously conveyed toward the upstream side, and the leading loading pallet 10 is moved to the free flow conveyor FA. Placement surface A
At that point, the transportation of the loading pallet 10 is stopped. Until all the loading pallets 10 of the group A are transferred to the transport surface U by the fifth transfer device 56, the loading pallets 10 of the group B are lyophilized.
3 is not conveyed to a position adjacent to it.
In addition, like the group A, the loading pallet 10 of the group B from which the ampoule accumulation group AG is removed is the fifth transfer device 56.
Is transferred to the transport surface U, and the leading loading pallet 10 is transported again to the free flow conveyor FA.

As described above, the ampoule carry-in route is 5
The loading pallet 10 is set as one group, and two groups are made to circulate at the same time. Then, thereafter, in order to place the ampoule accumulation group AG with the frame 9 on all the five placing shelves 79 of the freeze-drying chamber 13,
As described above, since a total of 50 ampoule integrated groups AG with the frame 9 are required, the loading pallet 10 of the group A and the loading pallet 10 of the group B are
Since the ampoule integrated group AG with the frame 9 is conveyed to the freeze-dryer 13 five times each, as a result, the group A and the group B each circulate the ampoule carry-in path five times each.

Next, the process until the freeze-dried ampoule is carried into the ampoule sealing line 5 will be described. Here, in order to carry the ampoule into the ampoule fusing and closing line 5, as shown in FIG. 1, the fourth transfer device 55, the accumulator device 17, and the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC located between both devices 55, 17 are operated. The pallet 10 on which the freeze-dried ampoule accumulation group AG is placed (hereinafter referred to as unloading pallet 10) is circulated and conveyed while passing through the accumulating device 8 and the lyophilizer 13, and in this embodiment, The path of this unloading pallet 10 is used as the unloading path of the ampoule. And
Since the freeze-dried ampoules are conveyed along the ampoule carry-out path, the carrying-in pallet 10 carried on the ampoule carry-in path has a group A at a position where the head of the group A is adjacent to the transfer board 46, Is located on the transport surface A of the free flow conveyor FA. Then, the free flow conveyor FB is lowered to the position of the first stage of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD1 or FD7 by the elevating means.

In this state, the unloading pallet 10 placed on the lowermost transfer surface D of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD1 is pressed by the pusher P5 and transferred to the transfer surface B of the free flow conveyor FB. The transport surface B is a multi-stage free-flow conveyor F for unloading pallet 10.
Transfer to the transport surface U of C. Then, the unloading pallet 10 placed on the lowermost transport surface D of the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD2 to FD6 is the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD.
One pallet is transported toward 1. At the same time, the unloading pallet 10 transported to the transport surface U of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC is transported upstream of the transport surface U by one pallet and then to the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC. A space is secured for the pallet 10 for carrying out. In this way, when all the carrying-out pallets 10 placed on the lowermost transport surface D of the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD2 to FD6 are unloaded to the transport surface U of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, the next multi-stage is carried out. The unloading pallet 10 placed on the lowermost transport surface D of the free-flow conveyors FD7 to FD10 is unloaded. In this case, multi-stage free flow conveyors FD7-F
Since the transport directions of D10 and the free-flow conveyor FB coincide with each other, pushers are not required, and the unloading pallet 10 is transported from the lowermost transport surface D to the transport surface B, and these unloading pallets 10 are multi-stage free. It is transported to the transport surface U of the flow conveyor FC. In this way, the lowermost transport surface D of the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to FD10
When the unloading pallet 10 placed on the unloading pallet 10 is unloaded to the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FC, the unloading pallet 10 is subsequently unloaded on the second-stage transport surface D from under the multi-stage free-flow conveyors FD1 to FD10. Be seen. At this time, the position of the placing surface U of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FC is different from the second-stage transport surface D from the bottom, and therefore the free-flow conveyor FB is repeatedly moved up and down to carry out the pallet 1
0 is conveyed to the mounting surface U. Further, the same work is repeated when the third to fifth stages from the bottom of the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to FD10 are provided.

On the other hand, in the transport system 11, when the carry-out pallet 10 transported on the transport surface U of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC toward the upstream side reaches the fourth transfer device 55, the fourth transfer device 55 causes the fourth transfer device 55 to move. The ascending / descending means 60 ascends to position the transport surface U at the same height as the transport surface O of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC. Then, the fourth transfer device 55
The transport surface U of transports the unloading pallet 10 to the downstream side,
The carry-out pallet 10 is transferred to the transport surface O. When the unloading pallets 10 are aligned laterally in five rows on the side of the freeze-drying cabinet 13 by repeating such work, the transport system 1
1 stops once. At this time, when the unloading pallet 10 is being carried out by the accumulation device 17, the accumulation device 17 also interrupts the unloading work.

When the ampoule freeze-drying process is completed in the freeze-drying cabinet 13, the controller opens the shutter 72, opens the dead plate 67, and further sets the shipping stopper 74 to the multistage free-flow conveyor as shown in FIG. The carrying-out pallet 10 is positioned by projecting it from the upper carrying surface O of the FC. At this time, the lowermost mounting rack 79 of the freeze-drying cabinet 13 is at the same height as the upper surface of the unloading pallet 10 on the transport surface O. Then, the unloading pusher 73 in the freeze-drying chamber 13 presses the ampoule accumulation group A accommodated in the five rows of frames 9 placed on the placing shelf 79 toward the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC, The ampoule accumulation group AG with five rows of the frames 9 is slidably placed on the five unloading pallets 10 on the conveyance surface O via the dead plate 67. At this time, horizontal 5
Since the ampoule accumulation group A accommodated in the row frame 9 is placed on the placing shelf 79 in two rows on the left and right, the portion not placed on the carry-out pallet 10 is placed on the dead plate 67. It is supposed to stop. When the ampoule accumulation group A accommodated in the frame 9 that has been freeze-dried is placed on the unloading pallet 10 (hereinafter, this unloading pallet 10 is referred to as the unloading real pallet 10), the unloading stopper 74 is set. The multi-stage free flow conveyor FC is moved downward and the conveying surface O conveys the above-mentioned five unloading real pallets 10 to the downstream side,
The leading real pallet 10 for carrying out is conveyed all at once until it reaches the downstream end of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC.

On the other hand, when the above five unloading pallets 10 are unloaded from the adjacent positions of the freeze-drying chamber 13, the fourth transfer device 55 newly loads the unloading pallets 10 placed on the transport surface U. The five transfer pallets 10 are transferred to the transfer surface O, and are transferred again to the adjacent position of the freeze-dryer 13. Then, the unloading stopper 74 positions the unloading pallet 10 again, and then the unloading pusher 73 in the freeze-drying container 13 unloads the ampoule accumulation group AG with 5 rows of the frames 9 on the dead plate 67. The pallet 10 is pressed down. As a result, the lowermost mounting shelf 79 of the freeze-drying cabinet 15 is emptied, so that the elevating means lowers the mounting shelf 79 by one stage to move the second mounting shelf 79 from the bottom to the dead plate 67. And the same height position. As described above, in this embodiment, the ampoule stacking group AG with the frame 9 is unloaded from the lower mounting shelf 79, so that foreign matter is prevented from mixing into the ampoule stacking group AG before sealing. ing.
After that, the carry-in / carry-out device 15 and the transport system 11 are operated by the above-described procedure, and the ampoule accumulation group AG with the frame 9 mounted on the mounting shelf 79 at each stage of the freeze-drying warehouse 13 is carried out. The pallet 10 is conveyed.

Then, at the same time that the ampoule accumulation group AG with the frame 9 is conveyed from the freeze-dryer 13 to the unloading pallet 10, the accumulation device 17 operates as follows. At this time, it is assumed that all the discharge pallets 10 already placed on the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to FD10 have been transferred to the transport surface U of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FC. First, the transport surface B of the free-flow conveyor FB moves to the same height as the transport surface O of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FC, and in this state, the pusher Pl mounts the unloading real pallet 10 on the transport surface O. It is pressed to transfer it to the transport surface B. Then, the free flow conveyor FB rises and positions the transport surface B at the same height as the uppermost transport surface D of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD1. Then, the pusher P2 moves to the transport surface D.
The upper real pallet 10 for unloading is pressed to transfer it to the uppermost transport surface D of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD1. Then, the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to FD6
The carrying surface D at the uppermost stage of the above carries the carrying-out real pallet 10 to the carrying surface D at the sixth stage of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD6. Thus, when the first unloading real pallet 10 moves to the sixth-stage transport surface D of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FD6, the free-flow conveyor FB descends again, and the next unloading real pallet is processed by the procedure described above. Is conveyed to the uppermost conveyance surface D of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD5. Then, when the same operation is repeatedly performed four times to place the unloading real pallet 10 on all of the uppermost transport surfaces D of the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to FD6,
The multi-stage free flow conveyors FD7 to FD10 continue to transfer the actual pallet 10 for unloading to the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD.
7 to FD10 are transferred to the uppermost transport surface D. At this time, since the transport directions of the transport surface B and the transport surface D coincide with each other, it is not necessary to use a pusher. Then, the uppermost transport surface D of all the multi-stage free-flow conveyors FD1 to FD10
When the unloading real pallet 10 is placed on the multi-stage free flow conveyors FDl to FDl0, the unloading real pallet 10 is continuously placed on the fifth, fourth, third and second transfer surfaces D from the bottom. It will be placed.

Thus, the multi-stage free flow conveyor F
When the unloading real pallet 10 is placed on all the second to sixth transfer surfaces D from the bottom of Dl to FDl0, the accumulation device 17 further operates as follows. First, 7th
The transport surface F of the free flow conveyor FF as the transfer device 82 is located at the same height as the transport surface D of the second stage from the bottom of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD6, and the pusher P3 is also moved up and down together with the transport surface D. Upper pallet for unloading 1
Move to a position where 0 can be pressed. From this state, when the pusher P3 presses the unloading real pallet 10 to the transfer surface F of the free flow conveyor FF, the free flow conveyor FF descends and the transfer surface F is moved to the free flow conveyor FE.
It is positioned at the same height as that of the conveyance surface E of 1 and the pusher P3 is also lowered along with it to move the real pallet 10 for unloading on the conveyance surface F to a position where it can be pressed. When the pusher P3 presses the unloading real pallet 10 on the carrying surface F to the carrying surface E of the free-flow conveyor FEl, the carrying surface E of the free-flow conveyor FEl further moves the carrying-out real pallet 10 to the carrying surface of the free-flow conveyor FE2. Move to E.

Then, the operator OP standing by near the free flow conveyor FE2 slides the ampoule accumulation group AG with the frame 9 while leaving the pallet 10 for unloading on the free flow conveyor FE2 to melt and close the ampoules. The line 5 is moved onto the transfer plate 5A, and the frame 9 is further removed so that the ampoule integrated group AG can be supplied to the ampoule fusing line 5. Then, the control device, which has sensed that the ampoule accumulation group has been supplied onto the transfer plate 5A by a signal from a sensor (not shown) or an input of the operator OP, conveys the empty carry-out pallet on the free flow conveyor FE2 to the free flow conveyor FE1. To do. Further, the pusher P4 pushes the carry-out pallet 10 onto the carrying surface F of the free-flow conveyor FF to the carrying surface D at the bottom of the multi-stage free-flow conveyor FD6.
The carry-out pallet 10 transported to the transport surface D is continuously transported from the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD6 to the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD1. In this way, when the unloading pallet 10 is placed on all the lowermost transport surfaces D of the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to FD6, the pusher P4 transports the unloading pallet 10 to the transport surface F this time. Then, the transport surface F transports the unloading pallet 10 to the bottom transport surface D of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD,
The carry-out pallet 10 is conveyed as it is to the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD7. As described above, the carry-out pallet 10 has the multi-stage free flow conveyors FD1 to FD10.
When the pusher P4 is placed on all of the lowermost transfer surfaces D, the pusher P4 once pushes the empty unloading pallet 10 to the transfer surface F of the free flow conveyor FF. Carry-out pallet 1
When 0 is placed, the free flow conveyor FF and the pusher P4 move up, and the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD6
The transport surface D and the transport surface F of the second stage from the bottom are located at the same height. After this, the pusher P4 moves the pallet 10 for unloading.
Is pressed to place it on the second stage from the bottom of the multi-stage free flow conveyor FD6. When the unloading pallet 10 is placed on all of the second-stage transport surfaces D from the bottom of the multi-stage free-flow conveyors FD1 to FD10 by the same procedure as this, the unloading pallets 10 are also transported to the third to fifth stages from the bottom. The pallet 10 is placed. Since only one free flow conveyor FE1 and FE2 is provided, the above-mentioned pallet 10 for unloading is supplied from the free flow conveyors FD1 to FD10 to the free flow conveyor FE2, and the free flow conveyor FE2 is used. FD1 to F
Supply to D10 will be performed alternately. Then, by continuing the above processing, the transport system 11
All of the unloading real pallets 10 that have been transported further are first to fifth stages from the bottom of the multi-stage free-flow conveyors FDl to FDl0 after the ampoule accumulation group AG is transported to the ampoule fusing line 5 by the operator OP. It will be placed on all. Therefore, in the unloading route of the ampoule,
Unlike the above-mentioned ampoule carry-in path, one carry-out pallet 10 can carry all of the ampoule in the freeze-dryer 13 by only carrying out the ampoule carry-out path for one week.

Next, the vial carry-in route and the carry-out route will be described. The vial carry-in route is a freeze-drying chamber 1 for vials filled with a drug solution by the vial filling line 1.
2, which is a route for carrying in the first transfer device 51, the third transfer device 54, and both transfer devices 51, 54.
The multi-stage free flow conveyor FC located between the two is operated to circulate and convey the pallet 10 on which the vial stacking group is placed, via the stacking device 7 and the freeze-drying chamber 12. In addition, the collecting device 7 and the freeze-drying chamber 1
The second and third transfer devices 54 operate in the same manner as the above-described accumulating device 8, freeze-dryer 13 and fifth transfer device 56 in the ampoule carry-in path, respectively, and thus detailed description of the ampoule carry-in path will be omitted. However, since the ampoule and vial have different body diameters as described above,
The number of the vials accommodated in the frame 9 is different, and thus the number of vials accommodated in the freeze-dryer 12 is also different from the number of ampoules accommodated in the freeze-dryer 13.
The vial carry-out path is a path for carrying the vial into the vial sealing line 4, and as shown in FIG. 1, the second transfer device 53, the accumulation device 17, and both devices 5 are connected to each other.
Multi-stage free flow conveyor FC located between 3 and 17
To circulate the pallet 10 on which the freeze-dried ampoule integrated group AG is placed.
In this embodiment, the path of the pallet 10 for unloading is used as the unloading path of the ampoule. Again, the second transfer device 5
Since No. 3 operates similarly to the fourth transfer device 55 in the ampoule carry-in path, detailed description of the vial carry-out path is omitted.

From the above, by using the chemical liquid filling line 3 according to the present invention, the ampoules filled in the ampoule filling line 2 are collected one by one by the accumulating device 8 and the frame 9 is mounted, so that the conventional self-standing can be achieved. Ampoules that could not be transported can be transported while standing on their own, and similarly, vials can also be transported while standing on their own. Further, the vial filling line 1 and the ampoule filling line 2 can be provided in one transfer system 11 by separately providing the ampoule carry-in / carry-out route and the vial carry-in / carry-out route.

The line provided in the transfer system 11 is not limited to the ampoule filling line 2 or the vial filling line 1, but may be two ampoule filling lines for processing ampules filled with different chemical solutions, and vice versa. Alternatively, only vials may be processed. Further, although two freeze-drying chambers 12 and 13 are arranged in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and one freeze-drying chamber may alternately process different container groups. Further, two accumulators 17 are provided, and an ampoule melting and closing line 5 and a vial sealing line 4 are provided respectively,
The ampoule and the vial may be processed respectively. The transfer device used in the unloading path of the ampoule in the above embodiment is the fourth transfer device 55 adjacent to the freeze-dryer 13, but a transfer device upstream of the freeze-dryer 13 may be used. Specifically, for example, the third
When the transfer device 54 is used, every time 5 transfer pallets 10 are transferred to the upper transfer surface O by the third transfer device 54, these 5 transfer pallets 10 are continuously freeze-dried. If it is carried to, the carrying-out pallet 10 can be carried efficiently.

[0048]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the vials and ampoules, which are difficult to carry independently by themselves, can be combined and used for freeze-drying, separate chemical solutions can be used. Compared with the conventional method that requires a processing line, the cost required for the equipment can be reduced, and the entire equipment can be downsized. Further, as in the second aspect of the present invention, by downsizing the entire equipment, the entire chemical solution processing line can be placed in the sterilization chamber, and the invasion of impurities can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a chemical liquid filling system 3 showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of an integrated device 8.

FIG. 3 is an ampoule integrated group A integrated by an integrated device 8.
FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a frame 9 is attached to G.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an ampoule integrated group AG with a frame 9 is placed on a carry-out pallet 10.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a main part of the transport system 11.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a multi-stage free flow conveyor FC.

FIG. 7: Freeze-drying chamber 13 (12) and loading / unloading device 15
The expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of (14).

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the accumulation device 17.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of the accumulation device 17. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Vial filling line 2 Ampoule filling line 3 Chemical treatment system 4 Vial closed line 5 Ampule fusing line 7, 8 Accumulator 9 frames 10 pallets 11 Transport system 12, 13 Freeze-drying cabinet 14,15 Loading / unloading device 17 Accumulation device 51-56 1st-6th transfer device FA, FB, FE, FF Free flow conveyor FC, FD multi-stage free flow conveyor A, B, D, F, O, U, transport surface AG ampoule accumulation group P1 to P5 pusher AI isolator

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first chemical liquid filling line for filling a first container with a chemical liquid, a second chemical liquid filling line for filling a second container with a chemical liquid, and a container for supplying the chemical liquid filling lines, respectively. , A restraining means for restraining the containers accumulated by these accumulating devices in an accumulated state, a pallet on which a stacking group of the containers held by the restraining means is placed, and this pallet downstream A transport system configured to have a plurality of conveyors having a transport surface in the upper and lower stages while transporting to a side, and a freeze-drying unit that is provided in a transport path of the transport system and freeze-drys an accumulated group of containers, The freeze-drying means is provided with a carry-in means for supplying a collection group of containers, and is composed of a conveyor which can be moved up and down to a transport system on the downstream side of the freeze-drying means and on the upstream side of the collecting apparatus. The mounting means are arranged at at least one place respectively, and after the accumulation group of containers on the pallet located on the upper transfer surface is supplied to the freeze-drying means, an empty pallet is transferred to the lower transfer surface by the transfer means. A chemical solution filling system equipped with freeze-drying means, characterized in that it is circulated upstream. 2. The drug solution filling system with freeze-drying means according to claim 1, wherein the drug solution filling line and the transfer system are partitioned from the outside by a sterile chamber. 3. The freeze-drying means is provided with an unloading means for reloading the collection group of the freeze-dried containers on the pallet of the transfer system, and further in the transfer system, on the downstream side of the freeze-drying means. A first container processing line for processing the first container and a second container processing line for processing the second container
A container processing line and an accumulating device for supplying an accumulating group of containers on a pallet to each of the container processing lines and accumulating empty pallets are provided, and the upstream side of the freeze-drying means and the inside of the accumulating device. At least one of the transfer means is arranged in each of the transfer systems, and when the freeze-drying means places a collection group of freeze-dried containers on the pallet located on the upper transfer surface of the transfer system, the accumulation device is placed. In the above, the container accumulation group is supplied from the pallet to the first container processing line or the second container processing line, and the empty pallets accumulated by the accumulator are transferred to the lower transfer surface of the transfer system by the transfer means and transferred. 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system circulates the pallets upstream. A liquid medicine filling system equipped with the freeze-drying means of. 4. The chemical solution filling system with freeze-drying means according to claim 3, wherein the container processing line and the transfer system are partitioned from the outside by a sterile chamber. 5. The drug solution filling system provided with the freeze-drying means according to claim 1, wherein the first container is a vial and the second container is an ampoule.