JP2023144515A - Air-tight chamber device - Google Patents

Abstract

To develop a new air-tight chamber device that can sufficiently secure airtightness, facilitate operation into the inside, and facilitate performing daily management work.SOLUTION: An air-tight chamber device S includes a base 2 and a chamber body 3 disposed thereabove, and constitutes an appropriate sealed space. In the base 2, the lower region is set in an airtight state, a plane rough shape is rectangular, and some or all of the sides of a base frame part 21 present an arcuate shape swelling to the outside in plane view. The chamber body 3 has a body sheet 31 as the main constituent member, is formed in a three-dimensional shape in which a bottom opening is formed in the body sheet 31, and is arranged so as to surround the upper region of the base 2. The base 2 and the body sheet 31 are so constituted that the bottom opening of the body sheet 31 is mounted on the base frame part 21 of the base 2 in an externally fitted state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an airtight chamber device suitable for use in isolators for breeding laboratory animals, microbial culture management, highly sterile medical management, etc., where a sterile environment is required, for example.

For example, isolators that manage the breeding of laboratory animals require an airtight chamber device that can provide a sterile environment. Such an airtight chamber device is known, for example, in which a transparent acrylic plate or the like is supported by a suitable frame member to realize a fixed rectangular parallelepiped-shaped sealed space. Also known is a so-called soft chamber type, in which the wall surface of the chamber is made of a flexible transparent resin sheet, and the lower floor surface is made of a member that exhibits appropriate strength.

Regardless of the configuration, in order to ensure internal airtightness, such devices must be carefully connected at the joints of different materials, such as the joints between the resin sheet and the flooring in the case of a soft chamber type. An airtight structure must be adopted. Similarly, this type of airtight chamber device has separate members attached to its interior to perform various operations, such as operating gloves and steril locks, but the operability of such members is also important. In addition to ensuring this, appropriate efforts are required (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 4).

Looking at the prior art from this perspective, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-191593), there is an isolator (sterile animal breeding equipment) equipped with an airtight zipper. There is still room for improvement in terms of security and easy operability.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-108772 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-191593 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-227254 Utility Model Publication No. 58-152864

The present invention has been made in consideration of this background, and is a novel device that can sufficiently ensure airtightness, is easy to operate inside, and can also be easily used for daily management work. The technical challenge was to develop an airtight chamber device.

First, the airtight chamber device according to claim 1 includes:
The base and
An airtight chamber device comprising a chamber body provided above the base and configuring an appropriate sealed space,
The base has a lower area set in an airtight state, and has a rectangular planar outline, and a part or all of the sides of the base frame have an arc shape that bulges outward in plan view. It exhibits
On the other hand, the chamber body has a main body sheet as its main component, has a three-dimensional shape with an open bottom opening, and is arranged so as to surround the upper area of the base;
The base and the main body sheet are characterized in that the bottom opening of the main body sheet is attached to the base frame of the base in an externally fitted state.

Further, the airtight chamber device according to claim 2, in addition to the requirements described in claim 1,
The base and the main body sheet are constructed such that after the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted onto the base frame, the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted onto the base frame using a holding edge frame provided outside the base frame. It is characterized in that it is configured to be pressed and fixed.

Further, the airtight chamber device according to claim 3, in addition to the requirements described in claim 2,
The base and the main body sheet are connected by fitting the bottom opening of the main body sheet to the base frame, then taping the boundary between the two members all around, and then attaching a holding edge frame to the outside of the base frame. This feature is characterized by a configuration in which the following is provided.

Further, the airtight chamber device according to claim 4, in addition to the requirements according to claim 2 or 3,
The holding edge frame is configured to be fixed to the base frame from two directions, a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

Further, the airtight chamber device according to claim 5, in addition to the requirements according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The base frame portion is characterized in that the circumferential length of the outer periphery is larger than the circumferential length of the bottom opening of the main body sheet.

Further, the airtight chamber device according to claim 6, in addition to the requirements according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
One or more steryl locks are provided on the side surfaces of the main body sheet to communicate the inner and outer surfaces of the main body sheet. A movable frame ring that supports the movable frame ring so as to be movable, and a movable steril lock support that supports a ring leg extending downwardly of the movable frame ring,
The steryl lock body is characterized in that the position of the steryl lock body can be freely set to an extended state in which it is projected to the outside of the chamber body, and a fitted state in which the inner tip of the steryl lock body is brought closer to the inside of the chamber body.

Further, the airtight chamber device according to claim 7, in addition to the requirements according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
One or more pairs of operating gloves are provided on the side surface of the main body seat, and the operating gloves are configured so that they can be stored in a folded state at the connection with the main body seat.
The above-mentioned problems can be solved by means of the configurations of the invention described in each of these claims.

First, according to the invention described in claim 1, the base frame portion of the base is formed in an arc shape in which some or all of the sides bulge outward when viewed from a plane, so that all sides are formed in a straight line. The bottom opening of the main body sheet can be brought into tighter contact with the base frame compared to the case where the connecting portion is formed, and an airtight state can be easily ensured at this connection portion.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, after the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted onto the base frame, the holding edge frame is provided from the outside of the base frame. It is possible to firmly and firmly maintain the airtight state at these connections.

Furthermore, according to the invention as claimed in claim 3, since the connection part (boundary part) between the bottom opening of the main body sheet and the base frame part is taped all around, the airtight state at the connection part can be made more reliable and stronger. can be maintained.

Furthermore, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the presser edge frame is fixed to the base frame from two directions, vertically and horizontally, the presser edge frame is more firmly attached to the base frame. The presser edge frame will not come off from the base frame even if, for example, positive pressure is maintained in the chamber body for a long period of time.

Further, according to the invention as set forth in claim 5, since the circumferential length of the outer peripheral edge of the base frame portion is formed to be larger than the circumferential length (free dimension) of the bottom opening of the main body sheet, the bottom opening of the main body sheet is When fixing to the base frame, the main body sheet, which is flexible and has a certain degree of elasticity, is forcibly spread out by pulling it in the circumferential direction and then fitted around the outside of the base frame. As a result, the bottom opening of the main body sheet can be tightly fitted onto the outer periphery of the base frame portion, and a higher degree of airtightness can be ensured at the connection portion.

Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 6, the steryl lock is configured such that the steryl lock main body, the movable frame ring, and the steryl lock support are movable. The steryl lock can be moved significantly inside the airtight chamber device to ensure access to the chamber body. Furthermore, when an operating glove is provided, the operation of attaching and detaching the internal shield cap to the steril lock body using the operating glove becomes easy.

Further, according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the operating glove provided on the main body seat can be stored in a folded state at the connection part with the main body seat, so that the operating glove does not get in the way during transportation, for example. That is, when the inside of the airtight chamber device is made to have a positive pressure, the operating glove protrudes outward in a bulging state due to this positive pressure. Normally, this protruding state is fine, but for example, during transportation, by storing the operating glove in a folded state at the connection part, it is possible to prevent damage to the operating glove during transportation (transfer), and to facilitate transportation. can be improved.

1 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of an isolator to which the airtight chamber device of the present invention is applied; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same as above, shown in an exploded state. Same as above, front view (a) and side view (b) showing the state from the extended state where the steryl lock is extended outward away from the chamber body to the fitted state where the inner tip of the steryl lock is closest to the inside of the chamber body. be. Same as above, a plan view (a) and an explanatory diagram (b) showing that the length [L1] of the outer peripheral edge of the base frame is larger than the peripheral length [L2] of the bottom opening of the main body sheet, In addition, when the bottom opening of the main body sheet is airtightly provided on the outer periphery of the base frame, the main body sheet is pulled and fitted tightly onto the outer periphery of the base frame (c). ). Same as above, side view (a), explanatory diagram (b) showing how the main body sheet is held down by the holding edge frame when attaching the bottom opening of the main body sheet to the outer peripheral side of the base, and the operation glove attached to the main body seat. It is a side cross-sectional view (c) showing a state in which it is possible to store it in a folded state near the connection part with. They are a front view (a) showing an isolator to which the airtight chamber device of the present invention is applied together with a cage device, and an explanatory view (b) showing stepwise how the cage device in a disassembled state is assembled three-dimensionally. FIG. 2 is a plan view (a) and a perspective view (b) showing how a panel element is attached to a three-dimensionally assembled frame element. FIG. 4 is a side view (a) of the same as above, and a side cross-sectional view (b) showing a state in which a part (rear side) of the perforated floor plate of the rearing room is opened like a hinge. A side view (a) showing a state in which the feeding tray has entered the breeding room, a side view (b) showing a state in which the feeding tray protrudes outside the breeding room, and an enlarged perspective view (c) of the feeding tray in this figure (b). ). A perspective view (a) showing how a relatively large opening formed in the back frame element can be freely opened and closed with a single panel element, and the panel element removed from the back frame element. , is a perspective view (b) showing a state in which the device can be stored by being locked to a rear frame element.

The present invention is as shown in the following examples, but it is also possible to make appropriate changes to these examples within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on illustrated embodiments.
The airtight chamber device S of the present invention is preferably applied, for example, as an isolator R for rearing (hereinafter simply referred to as isolator R), and the airtight chamber device S will be described below while explaining such an isolator R. do.
The breeding isolator R (hereinafter simply referred to as isolator R), which is an application example of the present invention, can be roughly divided into airtight chambers that directly take charge of maintaining the airtightness of the internal space, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as an example. The main components are a device S and a cage device C provided inside the device S.

The isolator R is equipped with a main body frame 1 as a skeleton member, a base 2 is provided below this, a chamber main body 3 whose main component is a main body sheet 31 is provided above the base 2, and the interior is is constructed in an airtight state.
The isolator R has a configuration suitable for, for example, breeding experimental animals, and is constructed by ensuring sufficient space to avoid stress on the experimental animals, especially during the breeding period.

Next, the main body frame 1, which is the skeleton member of the isolator R, will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the main body frame 1 is provided with a base frame 11 having a rectangular three-dimensional frame structure in a plan view below. Casters 13 are provided at six locations at the four corners and at the middle portion in the left and right direction (front and rear) to facilitate movement of the isolator R itself.
The base frame 11 is substantially a strength member of the isolator R, and a floor stocker box 92 that can store spare parts related to the isolator R can be configured here.

Further, a suspension frame 14 having enough strength to suspend the airtight chamber device S is supported above the base frame 11. This suspension frame 14 has column frames 16 raised up from four corners of an overhanging frame 15 supported by the base frame 11, and a top frame 17 to which the upper ends of the column frames 16 are connected.
The top frame 17 is used for suspending the main body sheet 31, but in this embodiment, the main body sheet 31 is suspended using two hanging rods 17a arranged at the front and rear of the main body frame 1. It is something. Incidentally, the suspension rod 17a is configured to be fixed to the suspension frame 14 while adjusting the installation height as appropriate, and this configuration corresponds to the internal pressure of the airtight chamber device S, for example.
Further, it is preferable that the main body frame 1 is made of an aluminum member having a constant cross section so as to easily respond to overall weight reduction and structural design changes.

Next, the base 2 supported by the base frame 11 of the main body frame 1 will be explained.
The base 2 has a rectangular planar shape and has a large floor opening 20 in the center thereof, and a base frame 21 in a portion near the periphery thereof.
As shown in FIG. 4B, for example, the base frame portion 21 has an outer edge portion 21a that bulges outward in a somewhat arcuate shape when viewed from above. Further, a bottom opening 311 (bottom opening edge in this embodiment) of a main body sheet 31 of a chamber main body 3, which will be described later, is fitted onto the outer edge portion 21a in a press-tight manner. The opening 311 is pressed and fixed.

Here, an example of a structure in which the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fixed to the base frame 21 in an airtight state by the presser edge frame 22 is shown in FIG. 5(b). In this case, as shown in (i) of FIG. 5(b), it is preferable that the holding edge frame 22 is divided into a plurality of pieces to perform a fixing action on the entire circumference of the base frame portion 21, and its planar shape adopts a shape that matches the shape of the outer edge portion 21a of the base frame portion 21 at the portion that shares the fixing action. On the other hand, it is preferable that the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the holding edge frame 22 is also nearly U-shaped, almost matching the cross-sectional shape of the outer edge portion 21a, and that it covers the outer edge portion 21a from the outer circumferential side. .
Further, a clamp bolt 23 that can be tightened upward is provided on the lower surface of the holding edge frame 22. The upper end of this clamp bolt 23 is shaped like a flat plate and serves as a pressing pad 23a. Note that this clamp bolt 23 may be a normal bolt, but as shown in the figure, a butterfly bolt-shaped hand-cranked piece 23b is attached to the lower end of the bolt so that it can be tightened without tools. It is desirable to have one.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5(b) (ii) as an example, a retaining bolt 24 is provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the holding edge frame 22, and this retaining bolt 24 is attached to the base frame. It is screwed into a female screw block 21b fixedly provided at the lower part of the portion 21, and serves to prevent the holding edge frame 22 from coming off. This retaining bolt 24 is also provided with a hand lever 24a so that it can be tightened manually without tools.

Here, reference numeral t1 in FIG. 5(b) is a non-stretchable sealing tape containing filaments, which is the boundary between the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 and the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21. For example, on the outer peripheral side of the outer edge portion 21a, it is wound around three times at approximately the same position.
Further, reference numeral t2 in the figure is a pressure tape such as a vinyl tape that is further pasted on top of the seal tape t1 after pasting. rolled around. By pasting double tape in this manner, the main body sheet 31 can be more firmly attached to the base frame portion 21.
Note that FIG. 5(b) above is merely an example of a configuration for fixing the main body sheet 31 to the peripheral part of the base 2 in an airtight state, and the present invention is not limited to such a fixing method. .

Furthermore, since the base frame part 21 is a part of the isolator R for breeding, a mesh-like porous floor plate 25 is provided in the floor opening 20 as the floor of the breeding room 85. As shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the perforated floor plate 25 is divided into two substantially equally in the longitudinal direction of the base frame portion 21, and is further divided into two with unequal widths in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the unequal width in the front-rear direction is divided so that the rear side has a shorter dimension, and the porous floor plate 25 on the rear side is It has a hatch-like structure that can be opened freely, with the free rotation end on the side. This makes it easier to remove (collect) excrement from domestic animals when using the isolator R.

A collection sink 26 is provided below the base frame portion 21, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 5(a) as an example. The collection sink 26 is for receiving the excrement of domestic animals that falls through the porous floor plate 25, and the sink bottom plate 26a is arranged so that the sink bottom plate 26a is located at the center of the isolator R in the width direction, and at the rear in the front-rear direction, for example. (in other words, it is formed in the shape of a rising front). Further, its surroundings are sealed off by a sink side plate 26b. Here, the collection sink 26 is preferably formed of a transparent resin plate material that can be viewed through from the outside, so that the condition of the excrement of the domestic animals can be easily checked.
In addition, in this embodiment, the collection sink 26 is not integrated in almost the entire range below the base frame part 21, but is divided into two at the center in the width direction (see FIG. 3(a)), so that the collection sink 26 is substantially Two collection sinks 26 of the same shape are symmetrically provided. In such a configuration, when a partition panel 84 is provided in the center of a cage apparatus C to be described later to form two breeding chambers 85 (divided breeding chambers 85a), a collection sink is provided for each breeding chamber 85. This is to ensure that 26 are configured.

A drain conduit 27 is provided on the sink bottom plate 26a of each collection sink 26 near the rear, as shown in FIG. 5(a) as an example. Since it is necessary to always keep the inside of the isolator R in an airtight state, this drain pipe line 27 is provided with an inner closing body and an outer closing body. This is to maintain an airtight state inside.

Next, the chamber body 3 will be explained.
The main component of the chamber main body 3 is a main body sheet 31, which is made of a flexible synthetic resin sheet material, such as a vinyl chloride resin sheet, that allows internal observation, and allows the animals to be kept in the breeding room 85. The state of the farmed animals can be clearly observed from the outside.
The main body sheet 31 has a three-dimensional shape in which only the bottom opening 311, which is the lower end, is opened when it is expanded, and the planar outline is rectangular. , a pair of left and right end sheets 31c, and a top sheet 31d are integrally connected by welding or the like.
Note that the entire lower end of the main body sheet 31 is not open; for example, as shown in FIG. In other words, in this embodiment, the outer edge 21a of the base 2 is hollowed out to have a somewhat reduced planar shape to form an opening, and this opening is referred to as a bottom opening 311 in this specification.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, hanging straps 32 are provided near the boundary between the top sheet 31d and the front sheet 31a and near the boundary between the top sheet 31d and the rear sheet 31b. As described above, the suspension strap 32 is hung from the top frame 17 (here, the two front and rear suspension rods 17a) of the main body frame 1 to support the main body sheet 31 in a suspended state. Incidentally, in this embodiment, although called a strap, the hanging straps 32 are sleeve-shaped ones with relatively long hanging dimensions (hanging lengths) and are arranged at four locations in a plan view.

Further, the top sheet 31d is provided with an air filter connection joint 33, and the air filter connection joint 33 is provided on the intake side and the exhaust side, respectively.
The air filter connection joint 33 is a ring nut that is screwed into both the upper end of the short tubular air filter connection joint 33 as a member to be connected to the air filter 4 described later and the air connection pipe 45 which is the lower joint of the air filter 4. 33a.

Further, a steryl lock connecting rim 34 for configuring the steryl lock 5 is provided approximately in the center of the front sheet 31a, and similar steryl lock connecting rims 34 are also provided on both end seats 31c, and one unit is provided. A total of three steryl locks 5 are provided in the chamber body 3 of.
Furthermore, the front seat 31a and the rear seat 31b are provided with an operating glove connecting rim 35 for attaching the operating glove 6, and the operating glove connecting rim 35 (operating glove 6) is provided with one example in the width direction of the front and rear surfaces. Two pairs (two sets) are provided as a. As a result, one chamber body 3 is provided with a total of eight operating glove connecting rims 35. Note that the installation position of the operating glove connecting rim 35 between the front and rear surfaces, that is, the installation position of the operating glove 6, is such that, for example, the installation position is high on the front seat 31a side, and the installation position is low on the rear seat 31b side. It is set to be.
This can be achieved by changing the installation height of the operating glove 6 on the front and back (by setting the front side higher and the rear side lower). Preferably, it is easy to perform work such as reaching the upper shelf 91, which will be described later, and the operation glove 6 on the rear side is used to reach the animals in the breeding room 85 from the floor of the breeding room 85, more preferably from the drain pipe 27 of the collection sink 26. This is to make it easier to carry out the work that is required. By making the installation heights of the operating gloves 6 different on the front and rear surfaces in this way, the desired work can be shared between the front and rear operating gloves 6, making it possible to carry out daily breeding management work over a long period of time more efficiently. be.

Hereinafter, each of the other functional members provided to the main body sheet 31 will be further explained. First, the air filter 4 for supplying filtered sterilized air into the chamber body 3 will be described.
Two air filters 4 are connected, one being an inlet air filter 4A and the other being an outlet air filter 4B. Further, the cylindrical opening of the air connecting pipe 45 of the discharge side air filter 4B is provided with a dust collecting pre-filter 46 made of non-woven fabric (see FIG. 3(a)). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 above as an example, a filter box 41 is installed on the top frame 17 of the main body frame 1, and a filter element 42 is provided inside the filter box 41. An air introduction pipe 48 for introducing clean air from the outside is connected to the filter box 41 on the introduction side air filter 4A side. On the other hand, an air discharge pipe 49 for discharging the air inside the airtight chamber device S to the outside is connected to the filter box 41 on the discharge side air filter 4B side.

Further, between the discharge side air filter 4B and the air discharge pipe 49, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 4(a), the introduction state of filtered sterilized air is set, and An internal pressure sensor 49a is provided to maintain a somewhat positive pressure inside. This air discharge adjustment device using the internal pressure sensor 49a is well known, and although detailed illustration is omitted, the air discharge pipe 49 It opens and closes the route.

Next, while keeping the inside of the isolator R airtight, perform operations such as supplying breeding materials and feed, etc., touching the experimental animals kept inside, and taking them in and out (taking them in and out). The steril lock 5 for performing this will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 3B as an example, the steryl lock 5 includes a steryl lock main body 51 that is connected to the steryl lock connection rim 34 to maintain an airtight state. The steryl lock body 51 is formed of a cylindrical member made of transparent resin so that the inside can be observed. For example, when the steryl lock 5 is used (see (ii) in FIG. 3(b)), the steryl lock body 51 is placed inside the cage device C. That is, it is movably attached so that it can be inserted into the breeding chamber 85.
A configuration in which the steryl lock main body 51 is movable will be described below. Starting with the members that directly support the steryl lock body 51, the movable frame ring 52 is provided to fix the steryl lock body 51 in the shape of an outer frame. The movable frame ring 52 includes a ring leg portion 53 extending downward, and the ring leg portion 53 is also supported on a steryl lock support 54 movably provided with respect to the base frame portion 21. ing. The ring leg portion 53 is supported by the steryl lock support 54 in a fixed manner so that the ring leg portion 53 can move on the steryl lock support 54, and is fixed by an appropriate fixing bolt 53a or the like. That is, in this embodiment, not only the steryl lock main body 51 but also the ring leg portion 53 that movably supports the steryl lock body 51 and the steryl lock support 54 that supports the ring leg portion 53 are attached to the base frame portion 21. It is configured to be able to move inward and outward.

With this configuration, the steril lock body 51 is configured to have a sufficient moving distance, and its position can be set in, for example, three stages. Incidentally, in this configuration, when the steryl lock 5 is not used, the steryl lock body 51 is set at the outermost position so that the steryl lock body 51 does not interfere with the panel element 81, and when the steryl lock 5 is used, the steryl lock body 51 is set to the outermost position. This is a structure that allows it to be used by being inserted inside.
Here, the above three stages of setting states will be explained.
For example, (i) in FIG. 3(b) shows that when the steryl lock 5 is not in use, the steryl lock main body 51, the ring leg part 53, and the steryl lock support 54 are all extended to the outermost side (outside the breeding room 85). This is the state in which the animal is kept in the isolator R. In addition, (ii) of FIG. 3(b) shows that when the steryl lock 5 is used, the steryl lock main body 51, the ring leg part 53, and the steryl lock support 54 are all moved to the innermost side, and the inner tip of the steryl lock main body 51 is moved to the innermost side. It is in a fitted state in which it is fitted into the rearing room 85.
Since the operation is like this, an intermediate position between the above figures (i) and (ii) can be set depending on the installation positions of the steryl lock body 51, ring leg portion 53, and steryl lock support 54. For example, in (iii) of FIG. 3(b), the steryl lock body 51 and ring leg portion 53 are moved to the innermost position, and the steryl lock support 54 is extended to the outermost side. , this is an intermediate position between the above figures (i) and (ii). Of course, other intermediate positions between the above figures (i) and (ii) can be set depending on the positional relationship of the three members: the steryl lock body 51, the ring leg 53, and the steryl lock support 54. be.

Although a detailed explanation will be given later, in the isolator R of this embodiment, the cage frame 7 to which the cage panel 8 is attached is installed upright within the main body sheet 31, and the breeding chamber 85 is partitioned within the main body sheet 31. In addition, since the base frame portion 21 has a shape that bulges outward in a plan view, for example, when introducing a breeding animal into the breeding room 85, there is a gap between the main body sheet 31 and the cage panel 8. Steryllock 5 is used to prevent this from happening, as it is easy for animals to fall into this gap (as an example, a gap of about 10cm), or for animals that are confused at the time of introduction to enter the gap themselves. The steryl lock main body 51 itself constituting the steril lock can be moved widely (inserted into the breeding chamber 85) and fixed in that position.

In addition, the steryl lock 5 is provided with an internal shield cap 55 on the inside of the chamber body 3 that covers the steryl lock body 51 so that the airtight state inside the isolator R can always be maintained even when the steryl lock body 51 is used, and an external shield cap on the outside. Equipped with 56. Therefore, when introducing or removing materials or animals from the outside using this Steryl Lock 5, first remove the outer shield cap 56 (with the inner shield cap 55 closed), and then insert the appropriate items into the Steryl Lock 5. After the arrangement, the outer shield cap 56 is closed to sterilize the inside, and then the inner shield cap 55 is opened to introduce necessary materials and the like into the chamber body 3. Of course, these operations are performed using operating gloves 6, which will be described below.
Note that this isolator R can also be connected to another isolator by connecting another steryl lock body for connection to the outside of the steryl lock body 51 of the isolator R. When an animal is taken out or taken out, it is connected as described above and moved via the steril lock 5.

The operating glove 6 will be explained below.
The operating glove 6 has its base portion fixed in an airtight manner to an operating glove connecting rim 35 provided on the chamber body 3, and is made of a flexible material in which an arm portion 61 and a hand portion 62 are integrally molded as a whole.
For example, when the operating glove 6 is used at all times, that is, when used for breeding, the operating glove 6 is in a state where it protrudes outward due to the atmospheric pressure (positive pressure) inside the isolator R, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 above, for example. Although this protruding state is generally acceptable, for example, in consideration of transportation, it is also preferable that the operating glove 6 is folded and stored. In this case, as an example, as shown in FIG. 5(c), an inner pressing plate 63 is provided inside the isolator R that slides from above to close the inner part of the operating glove connecting rim 35, and an outer holding plate 63 is provided on the outside. A holding lid 64 is provided, and the operating glove 6 is stored in a folded manner between the inner holding plate 63 and the outer holding cover 64.

The airtight chamber device S of the present invention adopts the above configuration as an example, and the isolator R as a whole has a cage device C provided in the space inside the chamber body 3. This cage device C can be assembled three-dimensionally, for example, on the base frame portion 21 of the base 2, and then installed so as to cover the cage device C with the chamber body 3. However, in order to more reliably obtain a sterile state inside the chamber main body 3 including the cage device C etc., each member of the cage device C to be housed in the chamber main body 3 is disassembled before assembly (so-called separate state). Furthermore, after the chamber main body 3 is attached to the top frame 17 in a suspended state, a sterilizing gas or the like is introduced into the chamber main body 3 to fill it, and then the cage device C can be assembled within the chamber main body 3. In this case, almost the entire surface of the structural members of the cage device C is exposed, and by assembling from this state, the sterilizing gas can be spread to every corner, and a sterile state can be more effectively achieved. Incidentally, if a sterile gas, etc. is brought into contact with the assembled cage device C (for decontamination), the sterilizing gas, etc. will be less likely to act on the components of the cage device C, such as the parts where they are joined to other members. It is expected that sufficient sterilization effect will not be obtained.

The cage frame 7, which is a skeleton member constituting the cage device C, is constructed by combining a plurality of panel-shaped or frame-shaped frame elements 71 in an upright manner on the base frame portion 21 to form a three-dimensional frame having a rectangular shape in plan view. Configure. That is, the cage device C is constructed by installing frame elements 71 on the base 2 in an upright position on at least four sides so as to surround the inner space, and by fixing these frame elements 71 in the upright position to each other, an airtight chamber is formed. A breeding chamber 85 with an open top is formed in the apparatus S.
In order to form the frame element 71 three-dimensionally, as shown in FIGS. 6(b) to 6(i), first, on the base frame portion 21, on the upper surface near the floor opening 20, for example, a cross-sectional A substantially channel-shaped base frame 72 is installed, and this base frame 72 is configured to be divided into two members at the center in the longitudinal direction.
Next, as shown in FIGS. 6(b)-(ii), for example, frame elements 71 constituting the side surfaces of the frame are provided in an upright manner using this base frame 72 as a lower support member. The lower part of 71 is fitted into the base frame 72 and fixed to the base frame 72 side with a fixing bolt 72a such as a butterfly bolt. A cage frame 7 is constructed in which such frame elements 71 are raised on all four circumferences and fixed to each other at connecting portions to form a three-dimensional frame having a rectangular shape in plan view as shown in FIGS. 6(b)-(iii), for example. Configure.

These frame elements 71 include a front frame element 71a, a rear frame element 71b, a gable frame element 71c, and a partition frame element 71d, and have different shapes depending on the installation site. First, the front frame element 71a is divided into two parts in the middle in the longitudinal direction and is composed of two members, and the shape thereof is formed symmetrically. That is, the front frame element 71a has a substantially rectangular opening 73 formed on its upper surface, and a feeding tray 74 that can be opened and closed in a hatch shape on its lower surface.

As shown in FIG. 9 as an example, the feeding tray 74 includes a tray portion 741 that substantially stores food (feed), and the tray portion 741 is a tub having a right angle, that is, approximately 90 degrees, in a side cross-sectional view. The lower end thereof is hingedly connected to the front frame element 71a. As a result, the tray portion 741 enters into the rearing room 85 side with respect to the front frame element 71a (FIG. 9(a)), and projects outward from the front frame element 71a, that is, outside the rearing room 85 (FIG. 9(a)). b))). That is, the feeding tray 74 is configured such that a tray portion 741 that substantially stores food can be tilted selectively into or out of the rearing room 85 with the front frame element 71a as a boundary. Of course, when an operator replenishes food, the tray part 741 is tilted to the outside of the front frame element 71a (toward the operator's side), and when feeding the supplied food to the domestic animal, the tray part 741 is 741 is tilted inside the front frame element 71a (inside the rearing room 85).

Next, the names of each part of the feeding tray 74 will be explained in more detail.
When the feeding tray 74 is viewed in a tilted state with the tray portion 741 housed inside the breeding chamber 85, the feeding tray 74 has a bottom plate 742, a rear standing wall (rear standing wall) 743, and a front standing wall (front standing wall) 744. It consists of the following. Therefore, when replenishing food, that is, when the tray portion 741 is tilted to the outside of the front frame element 71a, the bottom plate 742 is in a substantially upwardly raised state, as shown in FIG. 9(b). The front standing wall 744 and the rear standing wall 743 are in a substantially horizontal state. Of course, the front standing wall 744 is located below, and the rear standing wall 743 is located above.

Since the feeding tray 74 has such a configuration, when the operator is replenishing food, the bottom plate 742, which stands up almost upward, is on almost the same plane as the front frame element 71a, The opening formed in the front frame element 71a for attaching the feeding tray 74, ie the breeding chamber 85, is substantially closed. Therefore, even if there is an animal in the breeding room 85, it is possible to prevent the animal from protruding its snout or snout outward from the opening due to its desire for food, and it is possible to prevent the worker from replenishing food. , undisturbed by domestic animals. Of course, such a thing not only improves work efficiency but also greatly reduces the stress and complexity of the worker.

In addition, when the tray portion 741 is in the tilted state (FIG. 9(a)) stored inside the breeding chamber 85, a short barb 745 is provided at the upper end of the front standing wall 744 to protrude inside the breeding chamber 85. There is. This barb 745 prevents the bait from spilling forward when replenishing the bait. That is, at the time of replenishment, the front standing wall 744 is in a substantially horizontal state at the bottom as shown in FIG. It's something to put away. Particularly when replenishing food, the animals may peck at the bottom plate 742 blocking the breeding chamber 85 from inside the breeding chamber 85 in an attempt to urge food, and this makes the food more likely to spill forward; By providing 745, spillage to the front can be suppressed.

Moreover, the tray part 741 can be provided with a partitioning body 746 that partitions the tray part 741 almost equally in the width direction between the protruding end of the barb 745 and the protruding end of the rear standing wall 743. In this embodiment, two dividing bodies 746 are provided and are formed to divide the tray portion 741 into three. Further, as the dividing body 746, a cord such as a wire or a string can be used. For example, when three animals are kept in a breeding room, it is possible to feed these three animals at the same time. It is something. Conversely, if there is no such partitioning body 746, even if you try to feed three domestic animals with food supplied in one tray part 741, only the one with a strong appetite will eat the food in a wide area. The animals may be eaten (sometimes only a specific individual may eat them exclusively), and by providing the dividing body 746, it is possible to feed the animals almost evenly evenly to the animals raised in large numbers.

Further, in the front frame element 71a, a water supply tray 75 is provided on the side of the feeding tray 74 so as to be aligned with the feeding tray 74 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 8(c) as an example, in the final installed state, this water supply tray 75 is provided so that the substantial water storage portion 75a faces inside the breeding chamber 85, that is, the inside of the front frame element 71a, A water supply bottle 75b containing drinking water is arranged in an inverted state on the outside of the front frame element 71a, and the water storage portion 75a and the lower end of the water supply bottle 75b are connected to each other by a water supply pipe 75c. That is, the inside and outside of the front frame element 71a are configured to communicate with each other through the water supply pipe 75c, and a certain amount of drinking water contained in the water supply bottle 75b is always supplied to the water storage portion 75a through the water supply pipe 75c. It is designed to be refilled with water.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7(b)-v as an example, a cage panel 8 made of transparent resin, which will be described later, is installed in the opening 73 of the front frame element 71a. , and a locking hook 76 for attaching the cage panel 8.
Note that the configuration in which the cage panel 8 is installed on the frame element 71 is not limited to the front frame element 71a, but is the same for the rear frame element 71b and the end frame element 71c. Therefore, openings 73 are also formed in the back frame element 71b and the end frame element 71c, in which the cage panel 8 is installed, and a hook 76 for locking therein is also provided. That is, the rear frame element 71b and the end frame element 71c have a simpler configuration than the front frame element 71a, and have a frame structure in which the peripheral edge is frame-shaped and the inside thereof is largely opened. A cage panel 8 is provided in the cage panel 8.

This cage panel 8 will be explained below.
The cage panel 8 has panel elements 81 removably attached to each side of the four peripheral parts half-surrounded by the frame element 71 to demarcate a certain range, thereby partitioning the inside of the chamber body 3 into a rectangular shape in plan view. A breeding room 85, which is a fixed three-dimensional space, is formed.
The panel element 81 is formed by appropriately forming transparent holes 82 in a flat board made of transparent resin (here, a plurality of vertically opened holes), and further includes locking holes 83 at the four corners of the panel. is formed. As shown in FIG. 7(b)-v as an example, this locking hole 83 has a small hole diameter in the upper part and a large hole diameter in the lower part, and has a so-called gourd-like shape in which these two holes are continuous. However, it is formed into a shape that can be expressed. The panel element 81 is suspended from the locking hook 76 formed on the frame element 71 using the locking hole 83 . In this locked state, as described above, the locking hole 83 has a large diameter at its distal end and a proximal end. The sides are formed with a small diameter, so to speak, in a mushroom shape, and because of this mutual structure, they function as a so-called bayonet engagement, allowing them to be freely engaged and disengaged. Specifically, for example, when attaching the panel element 81 to the frame element 71, first insert the lower large diameter of the locking hole 83 (panel element 81) into the large diameter end of the locking hook 76 (frame element 71). The panel element 81 is inserted through the hole so as to be inserted into the hole, and by lowering the panel element 81 downward by its own weight, the small diameter portion of the proximal end of the locking hook 76 (frame element 71) and the locking The upper small holes of the hole 83 (panel element 81) fit together, and both members are locked together.

Further, as the cage panel 8, a partition panel 84 is also prepared. This partition panel 84 partitions an intermediate portion (an intermediate portion in the left-right direction) of the breeding chamber 85 partitioned by the panel element 81 to form a partitioned breeding chamber 85a having a small space. In addition, when installing the partition panel 84 upright, a groove is formed in advance in the inner middle part of the partition frame element 71d in an opposing state, and using this groove, the partition panel 84 is slid and fitted from above. Is possible. Incidentally, the partition panel 84 has a structure in which, for example, it is divided into three parts in the vertical direction and fitted in a series, so that the animals can be reared in an airtight state and reared as appropriate using the operating glove 6. The interior of the chamber 85 can be divided into a plurality of partitioned breeding chambers 85a.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7(b)-iv, the gable frame element 71c is formed in a frame shape (frame shape) having an opening 73, and a horizontally long panel element 81 is formed in the opening 73. The mounting configuration is shown in which two sheets are arranged in series, one above the other.
On the other hand, the cage frame 7 (rear frame element 71b) and the cage panel 8 on the rear side have a basic structure as described below. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10A, for example, the opening 73 of the back frame element 71b is formed as a relatively large opening that extends beyond the lower half, and the cage panel 8 ( One panel element 81) is detachably provided. The reason why the opening 73 is large enough to exceed the lower half of the rear frame element 71b is when the animal in the breeding room 85 is operated through the operating glove 6 provided on the rear surface of the main body sheet 31. This is to make it easier for the operator wearing the operating gloves 6 to reach the floor surface of the rearing room 85, more specifically, when accessing the drain pipe 27 of the collection sink 26. That is, for example, in the operation of opening and closing a part of the perforated floor plate 25 of the rearing room 85, the operator's hand wearing the operating glove 6 passes through the opening 73 formed in the back frame element 71b and reaches the perforated floor plate 25. The degree of freedom of access is increased by forming the opening 73 at a lower position (lower surface portion) in the rear frame element 71b and having a large size exceeding the lower half. Further, for this purpose, the panel element 81 attached to the back frame element 71b is removed, and an opening (approximately the same size as the opening 73) formed for accessing the inside of the rearing room 85 is referred to as an access opening in this specification. It is called.
Of course, in such a case, the panel element 81 removed from the back frame element 71b is attached to another locking hook 76 provided near the upper end of the back frame element 71b, as shown in FIG. 10(b) above, for example. It can be hung and stored.
Note that the reference numeral 77 in the figure is a locking piece for holding the lower edge of the panel element 81 that closes the opening 73, and has the same configuration as the locking hook 76, for example. By making the locking hook 76 and the locking piece 77 have the same structure, the upper part of the panel element 81 can be locked when the opening 73 is closed, as shown in FIG. 10(a). The locking hook 76 can be used as a locking piece 77 for holding the lower edge of the removed panel element 81 when storing it as shown in FIG. 10(b).
In addition, by pressing the lower edge of the panel element 81 with the opening 73 closed with the hanging piece 77, it is possible to prevent the rearing animal in the rearing room 85 from pushing the panel element 81 in the closed state with its snout, snout, etc. Also, the lower edge of the panel element 81 will not be damaged, and the closed state of the panel element 81 can be firmly maintained.

Further, the isolator R is provided with an upper shelf 91 serving as a stocker device 9 above the frame element 71 of the cage device C (cage frame 7) in order to improve usability in breeding laboratory animals and the like. This upper shelf 91 is made of a transparent resin material so as not to obstruct the lighting inside the breeding room 85. For example, the upper shelf 91 is made of a transparent resin material, and is used to store sterilized water supplied into the airtight chamber device S through the steril lock 5. Even if the food bottles 75b and bait are stocked on the upper shelf 91, the interior can be visually inspected sufficiently.
Note that the base frame 11 includes a floor stocker box 92 that can store spare parts and the like as described above, and this floor stocker box 92 is also included in the stocker device 9.

The isolator R, which is an application example of the airtight chamber device S of the present invention, has the basic structure described above, and the steps of this assembly method and subsequent usage will be explained below.
In addition, in explanation, each operation etc. from the assembly to the usage state will be explained about the isolator R, which is an application example of the airtight chamber device S of the present invention.
(1) Initial assembly First, in the isolator R to which the present invention is applied, the constituent members of the cage device C are mounted on the base 2 at the initial assembly stage, and then the peripheral parts of the base 2, especially in this example Now, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 in the chamber main body 3 is fixed to the outer edge 21 a of the base frame 21 .
That is, the isolator R has a two-layer structure including a chamber body 3 and a cage device C as main components. For example, after assembling the cage device C on the base 2, the main body sheet 31 of the chamber body 3 is assembled. The method of fixing to the underframe part 21 is easy. However, the main body sheet 31 can be installed more easily than the chamber main body 3 (main body sheet 31) is placed over the assembled cage device C so as to pass between the suspension frames 14, and the isolator R Considering that the internal sterility can be more reliably obtained, the components of the cage device C are first placed in a stacked state on the base 2 (see Fig. 6(b)-(ii)), and then the main body sheet is placed. 31 is preferably suspended in a three-dimensional shape using the hanging frame 14.
Next, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fixed to the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21. After achieving this state, the main body sheet 31 is filled with a gas having a sterilizing effect, such as hydrogen peroxide gas, to sterilize the inside of the main body sheet 31, including the constituent members of the cage device C. be. It is known from experience that such a method has a higher overall sterilizing effect, and this procedure is basically adopted here as well. Of course, the inside of the airtight chamber apparatus S and the cage apparatus C can also be sterilized by atomizing a chemical solution having a sterilizing effect, such as peracetic acid, in a mist form together with pressurized air using a spray gun, as in the conventional manner.

In addition, when fixing the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 to the base frame part 21, a unique structure is provided to ensure sufficient airtightness at this connection part. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B as an example, the circumferential length L2 of the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is formed to be smaller than the circumferential length L1 of the base frame portion 21. Therefore, when fitting the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 into the outer edge 21a of the base frame 21, as shown in FIG. 4(c), for example, as shown in FIG. The opening 311 is forcibly expanded half way so as to be pulled in the circumferential direction, and then fitted onto the outer edge portion 21a. Thereby, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 can be fitted into the outer periphery of the base frame portion 21 in a tightly adhered state, and an airtight state at that portion can be sufficiently ensured.

Furthermore, since the outer edge portion 21a of the base frame portion 21 is formed to bulge outward in an arc shape, this shape also makes the connection between the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 and the outer edge portion 21a stronger. Close contact is achieved. Incidentally, when the outer edge portion 21a is linear, the main body sheet 31 and the outer edge portion 21a are tightly adhered to each other at the angular ridge portion of the base frame portion 21, but the adhesion between the two is not necessarily achieved sufficiently at the intermediate portion. It is something.

In addition, when the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 is fitted around the base frame 21, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 4(c) and FIG. 5(b), a non-stretchable Attach the adhesive tape t1. This sealing tape t1 is wound around three times at approximately the same position, for example, on the outer peripheral side of the outer edge portion 21a.
Thereafter, a presser tape t2 is further pasted on top of the seal tape t1. The holding tape t2 is wound about four times around the outer circumferential side of the sealing tape t1 while shifting its position little by little. By applying such double tape, the main body sheet 31 can be more firmly attached to the base frame portion 21.

Thereafter, the base frame 21 to which the main body sheet 31 (bottom opening 311) is attached as described above is further fixed by the presser edge frame 22, as shown in FIG. 5(b) above, as an example. That is, a holding edge frame 22 having a U-shape in side cross section is provided so as to be applied to the outer circumferential side of the outer edge portion 21a, and this is held between clamp bolts 23, etc. The retaining bolt 24 is screwed into a female screw block 21b fixed to the lower part of the base frame 21. With this configuration, the holding edge frame 22 is fixed to the base frame 21 from two directions, vertically and horizontally, with the main body sheet 31 (bottom opening 311) held in its mouth, and is firmly held. This prevents the edge frame 22 from coming off. In the actual work, first temporarily fasten the holding edge frame 22 with the horizontal locking bolts 24, then tighten the vertical clamp bolts 23, and then tighten the horizontal locking bolts 24 again. It is practical to install it by tightening (retightening).
Since such a complex attachment structure is adopted, the main body sheet 31 can be attached to the base frame 21 without making any holes in the main body sheet 31 itself, and the inside of the chamber main body 3 can be Even under positive pressure, the bottom opening 311 of the main body sheet 31 will not come off the base frame 21.

(2) Sterilization At this stage, the isolator R is in a state where the components of the disassembled cage device C are placed on the base frame 21 in a stacked state, and the isolator R is in the middle of being assembled. sterilization work is started in this state. As already mentioned, if sterilization work is performed in such a state, for example, if a sterilization gas containing hydrogen peroxide gas is supplied into the chamber body 3, even if the supply amount is small, each of the cage devices C will be damaged. This is preferable in that the sterilizing effect is spread over the constituent members.

(3) Assembling the cage device In this state, the disassembled cage device C is assembled. At this time, since the chamber body 3 is assembled with the inside filled with sterilizing gas, the sterilizing gas should be brought into sufficient contact with the connection parts between the frame elements 71 and the parts that will be the installation parts of the frame elements 71 in the assembled state. (exposure), and more effective decontamination can be expected.

Further, when the inside of the chamber main body 3 is made to have a positive pressure, the operating glove 6 provided in the chamber main body 3 also receives this internal pressure and appears to protrude outward (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Of course, an inner holding plate 63 and an outer holding lid 64 are provided as storage devices for the operating glove 6, and when the operating glove 6 is stored in a folded manner, the operating glove 6 can be used by releasing these. state to bulge outward. Due to this action, when the operator inserts his/her hand into the operating glove 6 and pushes the operating glove 6 into the chamber body 3, the operating glove 6 becomes as if it were turned inside out, allowing the operator to carry out the appropriate work. state.

The cage device C is assembled within the chamber body 3 which is sealed in this state. Moreover, this work itself is a work using the above-mentioned operating glove 6. Note that FIGS. 6(b) and 7(b) show the assembly status of the cage device C step by step, and although the chamber main body 3 (main body sheet 31) is not depicted in this figure, the above-mentioned It is assembled in a closed space inside the chamber body 3. Furthermore, it cannot be denied that the assembly work is therefore somewhat difficult to perform compared to assembly work in a state open to the atmosphere.
To assemble the frame element 71 three-dimensionally, as shown in FIGS. 6(b) to 6(i), first, the base frame 72 is placed on the base frame portion 21 and on the upper surface around the floor opening 20. Install. Here, the base frame 72 is configured to be divided into two members at the center in the longitudinal direction.
Next, as shown in FIGS. 6(b) to 6(ii), for example, a frame element 71 constituting a side surface of the frame is provided so as to stand up, using this base frame 72 as a lower support member.
Specifically, first, the lower part of the frame element 71 is fitted into the base frame 72, and then fixed to the base frame 72 side with fixing bolts 72a such as butterfly bolts. A cage frame 7 is constructed in which such frame elements 71 are raised on all four circumferences and fixed to each other at connecting portions to form a three-dimensional frame having a rectangular shape in plan view as shown in FIGS. 6(b)-(iii), for example. Configure.
Note that a partition frame element 71d having a groove in an inner facing portion is provided at the center of the frame element 71 (center in the left-right direction). Incidentally, this groove is a groove for fitting into which the partition panel 84 is slid so as to be dropped from above.

Thereafter, a panel element 81 of the cage panel 8 made of transparent resin and having a see-through hole 82 is installed in the opening 73 of each frame element 71. The panel element 81 is installed by releasably locking the locking hook 76 of the frame element 71 and the locking hole 83 of the panel element 81 as described above (see FIG. 7(b)-v). ).
When all the panel elements 81 are installed on the frame element 71 in this way (see FIG. 7(b)-iv), as a result, in the cage device C, there is a partitioned breeding room 85a for laboratory animals etc. by the partition panel 84. There will be two rooms.

Further, as auxiliary equipment, for example, sterilized water and feed to be supplied to the water supply bottle 75b are stored on the upper shelf 91 provided to improve workability in breeding management. Further, the floor stocker box 92 can store, for example, a sealing tape t1 and a pressing tape t2 for adhering the bottom opening 311 of the chamber body 3 to the base 2, a spare external shield cap 56, and the like.

(4) Breeding management For the isolator R configured in this way, filtered sterilized air is allowed to flow in from the inlet side air filter 4A provided at the upper part of the chamber body 3, while the air inside the chamber is fed from the outlet side air filter 4B. Release air to the outside. Due to such air flow, the inside of the chamber main body 3 is maintained in a sterile state, and the internal air pressure is set to be somewhat higher than the external air pressure. That is, the inside of the chamber main body 3 is maintained at an appropriate positive pressure state by the above-mentioned air flow, and the value thereof is, for example, about 50 to 100 Pascals. Further, the ventilation rate of the air inside the chamber body 3 is approximately 15 revolutions/hour.

Further, when introducing laboratory animals and the like into the isolator R assembled as described above, the steril lock 5, which is a working lid provided on the end sheet 31c, is used. When introducing an experimental animal, the left and right steril locks 5 are used, and the steril lock main body 51 is inserted into the cage device C as described above. On the other hand, when introducing materials, etc., the steryl lock 5 on the front sheet 31a side is used, but it is not necessary to fit the steryl lock main body 51 into the cage device C.
Here, the work procedure for introducing the experimental animal (when introducing from another isolator) is to first remove the external shield cap 56 of the steryl lock 5, and store the experimental animal to be extracted in the steryl lock main body 51 of the isolator R. The steryl lock bodies of different isolators are connected using a connecting sleeve. As a result, the connecting sleeve and each other's steryl lock bodies (51) are sealed by their respective inner shield caps 55. In this state, the space inside the connecting sleeve is sterilized by spraying a chemical solution having a sterilizing effect, such as peracetic acid. Next, the operator fits his/her hand into the operating glove 6, uses the operating glove 6 to remove the internal shield cap 55 of the Steryl Lock 5 from the breeding chamber 85 side, and connects the isolators (R) to each other. The experimental animal is moved using the operating glove 6. Finally, after covering with the internal shield cap 55, the external shield cap 56 is put on, and the inside of the steril lock 5 is sterilized with a chemical solution having a sterilizing effect.
The work procedure for introducing the material is basically the same, but if the material is large enough to fit inside the steryl lock body 51, the inside of the steryl lock 5 can also be sterilized with a chemical solution having a sterilizing effect within the steryl lock body 51.

In this example, it is assumed that the airtight chamber device S is applied as an isolator R for breeding experimental animals. Therefore, depending on the number of animals to be kept, the size of the animals, the degree of growth, etc., it is possible, for example, to remove the partition panel 84 of the cage device C and use the entire cage as one larger breeding room 85.

(5) Operations in the Breeding Room All operations within the chamber body 3 are performed with the operation gloves 6 fitted. Here, the operating glove 6 provided at a relatively high position on the front side performs feeding operations such as replenishing feed to the feeding tray 74 and water supply operations such as replenishing sterilized water to the water bottle 75b near the front inside of the isolator R. The work is carried out in a relatively high position reaching the upper area of the cage device C, for example, the upper shelf 91. That is, for example, in order to replenish the feed tray 74 or water bottle 75b with feed or sterilized water stored on the upper shelf 91, it is desirable to perform these operations as a series of operations using the same operating glove 6. The operating glove 6 is provided at a relatively high position. Of course, the height of the upper shelf 91 is determined with emphasis on the height (body height) of the animal being kept, and on top of that, consideration is given to ensuring that the above series of operations can be performed smoothly using the operating glove 6 on the front side. be done.
On the other hand, the operating glove 6 installed at a relatively low position on the rear side is used for other tasks, specifically reaching the floor of the breeding room 85 and disposing of the excrement of the animals being kept or touching the animals in the breeding room 85. They perform work at relatively low positions, such as direct operations (examinations, vaccinations).
Incidentally, when using the operating glove 6 on the rear side to dispose of the excrement of domestic animals, a panel element 81 (low position one) detachably attached to the rear frame element 71b of the cage frame 7 is used. ) is removed once, and the operating glove 6 is entered into the breeding chamber 85 from here to access the floor surface. Furthermore, when cleaning the collection sink 26, the operation glove 6 that has access to the floor surface can be used to open a part of the perforated floor plate 25 in the form of a hinge, making it easier to clean the collection sink 26. This is something that can be done. Further, after sterilization with a spray gun, the chemical solution stored in the collection sink 26 can be discharged from the drain pipe 27, thereby easily drying the isolator R efficiently.
Note that the work of removing the panel element 81 is not necessarily limited to accessing the inside of the rearing room 85 from the back side, but may also be performed when accessing from the front side or the side (end side) side.

If such experimental animals are continued to be bred, excrement and the like will naturally be generated from the experimental animals. Further, the excrement falls from the porous floor plate 25 on the base 2 to the collection sink 26 below, and accumulates on the sink bottom plate 26a and the like. Note that it is not practical for workers to collect and clean the excrement every time a domestic animal excretes, so in the short term, when workers find excrement, they may drop it under the perforated floorboard 25. be.
In order to collect excrement that has accumulated due to long-term rearing, since at least a portion of the porous floor plate 25 is configured to open in a hatch shape as described above, the porous floor plate 25 is left open and the Excrement and the like in the collection sink 26 provided below can be easily collected, and the collection sink 26 can also be cleaned. The collected excrement is led out of the isolator R via the steryl lock 5.
Of course, the excrement dropped (accumulated) into the collection sink 26 may not flow smoothly. The perforated floor plate 25 of the partitioned rearing room 85a that has disappeared may be opened and the accumulated excrement may be moved to a position where it can be easily collected with a ladle or the like. For this reason, in this embodiment, the operating glove 6 on the rear side is provided at a relatively low position as described above, and without such a configuration, it would be extremely difficult to perform the above operation (it would cause a great deal of stress to the operator). This may be a burden to the organization) or may not be possible at all.
In addition, when disassembling and cleaning the isolator R after the completion of rearing, it is possible to discharge the cleaning liquid applied to the base 2 to the outside from the drain pipe 27 or the like.

The airtight chamber device S of the present invention is preferably applied to such an isolator R, but various other uses can be envisaged. In other words, since the airtight chamber device S can achieve a highly airtight state as described above, it can be used for devices that require a sterile environment in plant culture management, microbial culture management, highly sterile medical management, etc. .

R Isolator C Cage device S Airtight chamber device t1 Seal tape t2 Holding tape L1 Perimeter dimension (perimeter dimension of base frame)
L2 Perimeter (perimeter of bottom opening of main body sheet)

1 Main body frame 2 Base 3 Chamber main body 4 Air filter 4A Inlet side air filter 4B Discharge side air filter 5 Steryl lock 6 Operating glove 7 Cage frame 8 Cage panel 9 Stocker device

11 Base frame 12 Leg frame 13 Caster 14 Hanging frame 15 Overhanging frame 16 Column frame 17 Top frame 17a Hanging rod

20 Floor opening 21 Base frame 21a Outer edge 21b Female thread block 22 Pressing edge frame 23 Clamp bolt 23a Pressing pad 23b Hand-cranking piece 24 Locking bolt 24a Hand-cranking lever 25 Perforated floor plate 25a Rotating shaft 26 Collection sink 26a Sink bottom plate 26b Sink side plate 27 Drain pipe

31 Main body sheet 31a Front sheet 31b Rear sheet 31c End sheet 31d Top sheet 31e Bottom sheet 311 Bottom opening 32 Hanging strap 33 Air filter connection joint 33a Ring nut 34 Steryl lock connection rim 35 Operation glove connection rim

41 Filter box 42 Filter element 45 Air connection pipe 46 Dust collection pre-filter 48 Air introduction pipe 49 Air discharge pipe 49a Internal pressure sensor

51 Steryl lock body 52 Movable frame ring 53 Ring leg 53a Fixing bolt 54 Steryl lock support 55 Internal shield cap 56 External shield cap

61 Arm part 62 Hand part 63 Inner holding plate 64 Outer holding lid

71 Frame element 71a Front frame element 71b Rear frame element 71c End frame element 71d Partition frame element 72 Base frame 72a Fixing bolt 73 Opening 74 Feeding tray 75 Water supply tray 75a Water storage section 75b Water supply bottle 75c Water supply pipe 76 Locking hook 77 Latch piece

81 Panel element 82 Transparent hole 83 Locking hole 84 Partition panel 85 Breeding room 85a Partitioned breeding room

91 Upper shelf 92 Floor stocker box

741 Tray part 742 Bottom plate 743 Rear standing wall (back standing wall)
744 Front standing wall (front standing wall)
745 Return (short size)
746 Division body

Claims (7)

The base and
An airtight chamber device comprising a chamber body provided above the base and configuring an appropriate sealed space,
The base has a lower area set in an airtight state, and has a rectangular planar outline, and a part or all of the sides of the base frame have an arc shape that bulges outward in plan view. It exhibits
On the other hand, the chamber body has a main body sheet as its main component, has a three-dimensional shape with an open bottom opening, and is arranged so as to surround the upper area of the base;
The airtight chamber device is characterized in that the base and the main body sheet are configured such that the bottom opening of the main body sheet is attached to the base frame of the base in an externally fitted state.
The base and the main body sheet are constructed such that after the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted onto the base frame, the bottom opening of the main body sheet is fitted onto the base frame using a holding edge frame provided outside the base frame. The airtight chamber device according to claim 1, wherein the airtight chamber device is configured to be fixed by pressing.
The base and the main body sheet are connected by fitting the bottom opening of the main body sheet to the base frame, then taping the boundary between the two members all around, and then attaching a holding edge frame to the outside of the base frame. The airtight chamber device according to claim 2, characterized in that the airtight chamber device is configured to provide a.
4. The airtight chamber device according to claim 2, wherein the holding edge frame is configured to be fixed to the base frame from two directions, a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
5. The base frame according to claim 1, wherein a circumferential length of an outer peripheral edge of the base frame is larger than a circumferential length of a bottom opening of the main body sheet. Airtight chamber device.
One or more steryl locks are provided on the side surfaces of the main body sheet to communicate the inner and outer surfaces of the main body sheet. A movable frame ring that supports the movable frame ring so as to be movable, and a movable steril lock support that supports a ring leg extending downwardly of the movable frame ring,
Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the position of the steryl lock body can be freely set between an extended state in which the steryl lock body protrudes outside the chamber body, and a fitted state in which the inner tip of the steryl lock body is brought close to the chamber body. The airtight chamber device according to any one of the items.
From claim 1, characterized in that one or more pairs of operating gloves are provided on the side surface of the main body seat, and the operating gloves are configured to be stored in a folded state at a connection part with the main body seat. 6. The airtight chamber device according to any one of 6.

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