JP3503284B2 - Package removal device in aseptic space - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is to carry a sterilized article packaged with a packaging material such as a film into a sterile space and remove the package by peeling the package.
The present invention relates to a package removing device in a sterile space for sending the packaged article to the next processing step while maintaining the sterile condition.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an article such as a container for filling a medicine such as a syringe or a vial is sterilized, packaged with a packaging material such as a film, and then carried into a pharmaceutical facility. If the film packaging the articles such as the above containers is peeled off in the atmosphere, the sterilized articles will be contaminated with various bacteria, and the articles will be sterilized again before the drug filling step and the like. Must be done.

[0003]

In order to eliminate such a wasteful process, the film is peeled off and removed in a sterile space, and the packaged internal article is maintained in a sterilized state. As a result, it becomes possible to directly send to the next step for processing. However, since the outer packaging is contaminated with various bacteria in the process of handling such as transportation, only the outer packaging needs to be sterilized. Therefore, it is desirable to carry out the sterilization treatment in a closed room, carry it into the aseptic space as it is, peel off the packaging, and supply the articles inside to the next step while keeping the sterilized state.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a work formed by packaging a sterilized article with a packaging material such as a film is first sterilized by external packaging, and then a sterile space. To provide a package removing device in the aseptic space that can be sent into the inside of the container, peel off the packaging in this aseptic space, and then send the packaged article to the next step while maintaining the aseptic state. It is intended.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A package removing apparatus in a sterile space according to the present invention carries a predetermined number of works made of sterilized articles packaged with a packing material and sterilizes them in a sealed room. A sterilizing device, a sterile space connected to the sterilizing device through an openable / closable shutter, and a supply means arranged in the sterile space and feeding a predetermined number of works carried in from the sterilizing device one by one, A work station provided on the downstream side of the supply means for removing the packages of the works supplied one by one from the supply means, and a discharge means for discharging the articles with the packages removed at the work station and sending them to the next step. Equipped with.

[0006]

In the package removing device in the aseptic space, a predetermined number of works are accommodated in the sterilizing device, the inside of the device is sealed and sterilized, and then the sterilized works are collectively packaged in the aseptic space. It is designed to be carried in and supplied to the work station one by one, while the packaging is peeled and removed, discharged by the discharging means and sent to the next step. Therefore, since the internal articles that have been sterilized in advance remain aseptic, they can be sent to the next step as they are. Further, since the packages are removed while supplying the works one by one to the work station, one worker can perform the peeling work of the packages by a simple operation.

[0007]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
1 and 2 are plan views showing the entire package removing apparatus in a sterile space according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the left half of the apparatus and FIG. 2 shows the right half of the apparatus. 3 and 4 are side views of the above device, FIG. 3 showing the left half thereof, and FIG. 4 showing the right half thereof. In the apparatus of this embodiment, a plurality of trays on which articles that have been sterilized in advance are stacked are stacked and the whole work is packaged with a packing material (film). The work 2 is housed in the sterilizer 4 and packaged in the sterilizer 4. After sterilizing the outer surface of the above, the work 2 is carried into the aseptic space 6 and the packaging such as the film is peeled and removed, and then the tray and the article are sent to the next step.

In the figure, reference numeral 4 is a sterilizer, which has a sterilization chamber 12 having shutters 8 and 10 at its inlet and outlet. The inlet shutter 8 is opened and a predetermined number of workpieces are placed inside the sterilization chamber 12. After storing the work 2, the entrance shutter 8 is closed to close the inside of the sterilization chamber 12 and the work 2
Sterilize. An isolator 6 is connected to the sterilizer 4 via a shutter 10 on the outlet side thereof (a space which is shut off from the outside and maintains a highly sterile state).
In the isolator (sterile space) 6, a predetermined number of the works 2 that have been sterilized in an external package are directly loaded into the isolator (sterile space) 6, and the works 2 are supplied to the work station 14 one by one. After the packaging is peeled off, the tray is sent to the next step (for example, a device 16 such as an unstacker for taking out articles from the tray).

The sterilizer 4 of this embodiment is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cylinder 18 is provided with two rows of conveyors 20 (20A, 20B) that can move back and forth integrally, and the workpieces 2 are placed on the conveyors 20A, 20B.
A total of 30 pieces can be stored in a row. The shutter 8 at the entrance is opened and the sterilizer 4
After accommodating the work 2 on the inner conveyors 20A and 20B, the shutter 8 at the entrance is closed to make the inside hermetically sealed and sterilized by, for example, hydrogen peroxide vapor. Work 2 above
The articles inside the package have been sterilized in advance, and only the outer package is contaminated with various bacteria due to handling during transportation and the like. The inside and outside of 2 are completely sterilized. The number of works 2 and the number of rows of the works 2 accommodated in the sterilizer 4 are not limited to the above numbers, and can be set appropriately.

The sterilizer 4 and the inlet of the isolator 6 are connected via a shutter 10 on the outlet side of the sterilizer 4, and the shutter 10 on the outlet side is opened to maintain a sterile condition. As it is, the work 2 in the sterilizer 4 can be carried into the isolator 6. Therefore, the shutter 10 is opened, and the above two rows of conveyors 20 (20A, 20B) are moved to the cylinder 1.
The machine frame 22 is moved forward by 8 and the conveyor 20
The tip of is inserted into the isolator 6. Then, the conveyor 20 is operated and the 30 workpieces 2 that have been sterilized
Are loaded into the isolator 6.

In this isolator 6, two conveyors 24 and 26 are arranged in parallel. These two transport conveyors 24, 26 are designed to travel in opposite directions when performing a normal packaging removing operation, and the first transport conveyor 24 (the lower conveyor in FIGS. 1 and 2). ) Travels to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the sterilizer 4 side as the upstream side, and the second transfer conveyor 26 at the top of the drawings is
Conversely, drive from the right side to the left side. The works 2 accommodated in the sterilizer 4 in two rows and sterilized are placed on the two transfer conveyors 24 and 26 in the two rows as they are. Fifteen works 2 are placed on each of the conveyors 24 and 26, the top work 2 is located at the right end of both conveyors 24 and 26, and the rearmost work 2 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, it is located at the left end of both conveyors 24, 26. The chains 24a, 24b, 2 of the first transfer conveyor 24 and the second transfer conveyor 26
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, attachments 24c, 26c for engaging the respective workpieces 2 from the rear and carrying them while positioning them at predetermined intervals are attached to the 6a, 26b at predetermined intervals. , These conveyors 24, 26
Runs intermittently for each one of the attachments 24c and 26c and stops.

A short third transfer conveyor 28 is arranged continuously to the downstream end of the first transfer conveyor 24. The third transfer conveyor 28 is the first transfer conveyor 24.
It is designed to travel in the same direction (to the right in FIG. 2), and a work station 14 for peeling and removing the package of the work 2 is provided in the third conveyor 28. As will be described later, the work station 14 is provided with a lift table 30 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) so that the work 2 can be lifted and lowered.
On the downstream side of 0, a first stopper 32 that can appear and disappear on the transfer surface of the third transfer conveyor 28 is provided, and the work 2 transferred from the first transfer conveyor 24 to the third transfer conveyor 28 is stopped. Let

The upstream end of the first conveyor 24 and the downstream end of the second conveyor 26 (both conveyors 24, 2).
6 and the sterilizer 4 side end) between these conveyors 2
A supply-side lateral transfer device 34 is arranged across 4 and 26, and the work 2 located at the downstream end of the second transfer conveyor 26 is transferred onto the upstream end of the first transfer conveyor 24. be able to. It should be noted that the work 2 that has been transferred from the second transfer conveyor 26 by the supply-side lateral transfer device 34 to the side portion (downward in FIG. 1) of the upstream end of the first transfer conveyor 24.
A stopper 36 for stopping the operation is provided.

A fourth conveyor 38 having the same length as the third conveyor 28 is arranged in parallel with the third conveyor 28 provided with the work station 14. Attachments (not shown) that engage with the rear surface of each work 2 and are conveyed are attached to the fourth conveyer 38 at equal intervals as the second conveyer 26. The two conveyors 26, 38 run in synchronization so that the work 2 can be smoothly transferred between the second conveyor 32 and the second conveyor 26.

A fifth transport conveyor 40 running in the same direction (to the right in FIG. 2) is arranged continuously downstream of the third transport conveyor 28 and is adjacent to the fourth transport conveyor 38. Thus, the sixth transfer conveyor 42 parallel to the fifth transfer conveyor 40 is arranged. Between the fifth transfer conveyor 40 and the sixth transfer conveyor 42, a horizontal transfer device 44 on the discharge side is arranged across both conveyors 40, 42, and the work 2 on the fifth transfer conveyor 40 is disposed. 2 can be moved upward in FIG. 2 to be transferred onto the sixth transfer conveyor 44. The fifth conveyor 40
A fixed stopper 46 is provided on the downstream side of the discharge side lateral transfer device 44, and after the packaging is peeled and removed at the work station 14, the third transfer conveyor 2
Work 2 transferred from No. 8 to the fifth conveyor 40
Is stopped by this fixed stopper 46. Further, a stopper 48 is provided on the downstream side (upper side in FIG. 2) of the discharge side lateral transfer device 44, and the work 2 transferred from the fifth transfer conveyor 40 side to the sixth transfer conveyor 42 side is It is stopped by the stopper 48.

A seventh conveyor 50 is arranged continuously to the side of the sixth conveyor 42 opposite to the fourth conveyor 38 (right side in FIG. 2). The seventh conveyor 50 travels in the right direction in FIG. 1 from the side of the sixth conveyor 42 provided with the discharge side lateral transfer device 44. In the seventh conveyor 50, this conveyor 50
A stopper 52 that can be retracted and retracted is provided on the conveyance surface of No. 2 and stops the work 2 when it protrudes onto the conveyor 50. Furthermore, on the downstream side of the seventh conveyor 50,
An apparatus 16 (an unstacker in this embodiment) for performing the next processing step is provided, and the unstacker 16 takes out the article from the tray from which the packaging has been peeled, and sends the article to the next step. . The next step sent after the package is peeled off is not limited to the unstacker 16 and may be another processing device.

The sixth conveyer conveyor 42 arranged on the upper side of FIG. 2 can be switched in both left and right directions for traveling. The work 2 from which the package has been peeled and removed by the package removing apparatus according to the present embodiment is placed on the seventh conveyor 50 that sends the work 2 to the next step such as the unstacker 16 or the like.
Is provided with a full sensor (not shown) for detecting whether or not is accumulated on the conveyor 50, and when this sensor detects that the work 2 is present on the seventh conveyor 50, The signal from the full sensor causes the sixth conveyer conveyor 42 to move leftward in FIG. 2, and when it is detected that the work 2 is not present on the seventh conveyer conveyor 50, the sixth conveyer conveyor 42 is detected. Reference numeral 42 moves to the right in FIG. 2 and sends the work 2 from which the packaging has been peeled off to the unstacker 16 in the next step. In addition, a stopper 54 that can appear and disappear on the transfer surface of the sixth transfer conveyor 42 is provided near the fourth transfer conveyor 38 of the sixth transfer conveyor 42 that can travel in both directions. When traveling to the left and handing over the work 2 to the fourth transport conveyor 38, the work is stopped by the stopper 54 once, and the work 2 is handed over at a timing so as to engage with the attachment of the fourth transport conveyor 38. It is like this.

Next, the structure of the work station 14 for peeling and removing the package of the work 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 7 to 10. 7 is a plan view of the work station 14, FIG. 8 is a front view, and FIG. 9 is a side view. The third transfer conveyor 28 travels from the upper side to the lower side in FIG. 7 (see arrow X). Since the apparatus of this embodiment performs the work of peeling and removing the packaging of the work 2 in the isolator (sterile space) 6 that is shut off from the outside, it is necessary to isolate the worker 56 from the inside 6 of the isolator. A half suit 58 as shown in FIG. 11 is provided outside the work station 14. The worker 56 enters the half suit 58, and the isolator 6
The peeling work of the packaging can be performed from the outside of the. The work from the outside of the isolator 6 is not limited to the one using the half suit 58, and it suffices to provide an approach means that shuts off the inside and outside of the sterile space 6 and can operate the work 2 inside from the outside. For example, only the both arms may be inserted into the isolator 6 through the gloves to perform the work.

An elevating table 30 for placing and elevating the conveyed work 2 is arranged in the center of the third conveyor 28, and the elevating cylinder 60 operates to convey the surface of the third conveyor 28. Lower position (position shown in phantom line in FIG. 8) and upper position (position shown in solid line in FIG. 8)
It can be moved up and down between and. This elevator 30
As described above, the stopper 32 that can project and retract on the transport surface of the third transport conveyor 28 is provided on the downstream side of the.
The stopper 32 is raised to move the third transport conveyor 28.
The work 2 conveyed by is stopped above the lift table 30 to perform the peeling work. Further, after the work of peeling the packaging is completed, the stopper 32 is lowered,
By operating the third transfer conveyor 28, the work 2
Is transferred from the third transfer conveyor 28 onto the downstream fifth transfer conveyor 40.

Both sides of the lift table 30 (the third transfer conveyor 28
A pair of swing claws 62 and 64 are swingably provided on both sides in the traveling direction of the above) above the transport surface of the third transport conveyor 28. These pair of swing claws 6
The reference numerals 2 and 64 approach each other when swinging toward the inside, that is, the direction of the lift table 30, and the tip portions 62a and 64a thereof can support the workpiece 2 in a substantially horizontal state, and the outside, that is, the third transfer conveyor 28. When swinging in a direction away from, it does not interfere with the work 2 on the third transfer conveyor 28. An operation button (not shown) that can be operated by a worker 56 is arranged at the work station 14, and the operation of the conveyor 28 and the raising / lowering of the lift 30 can be performed by operating the operation button according to the progress of the work. You can do it.

A pair of support plates 66, 67, 68, 69 are provided on both sides of the third transfer conveyor 28, respectively.
It is fixed upright on 0, and to the traveling direction of the third conveyor 32 via bearings 72, 73, 74, 75 on the pair of support plates 66, 67, 68, 69 on both sides thereof. Parallel rotating shafts 76 and 78 are rotatably supported. Rotating shaft 7 arranged on both sides
Arms 80, 81, 8 are provided at both ends of 6, 78, respectively.
2, 83 are fixed, and rotate integrally with the rotation of the rotary shafts 76, 78.

A pair of support plates 66, 67, 68, 6 fixed to both sides of the third conveyor 28, respectively.
The lower ends of the swing claws 62 and 64 are rotatably supported on the upper end of 9 via fulcrum pins 84 and 86. The swing claws 62, 64 have a substantially dogleg shape, and when swinging inward as described above, the upper side 62
a and 64a become substantially horizontal. Also, the swing claw 6
A pair of connecting blocks 88, 89, 90, 91 having elongated holes are fixed to the lower sides 62b, 64b of the arms 2, 64, respectively.
The connecting pins 92 and 94 fixed between the upper ends of the connecting blocks are inserted into the long holes of the connecting blocks 88, 89, 90 and 91. Therefore, when both arms 80, 81, 82, 83 swing together with the rotating shafts 76, 78, the arms 80, 81, 8
The connecting pins 92 and 94 at the tips of the connecting blocks 2 and 83 are the connecting blocks 8.
By sliding in the long holes of 8, 89, 90, 91,
Each swing claw 62, 64 is attached to the support plate 66, 6
The fulcrum pins 84, 86 at the upper ends of 7, 68, 69 are pivoted as fulcrums.

One ends of connecting levers 96 and 98 are fixed to one ends of the rotary shafts 76 and 78 on both sides, respectively.
On the other hand, the tips of the operating rods 100 and 102 are connected to the other ends of these connecting levers 96 and 98 via joints 104 and 106 so as to be relatively rotatable (FIGS. 9 and 1).
0). Below the center of the third conveyor 28,
A rotary actuator 108 is arranged (see FIG. 7).
And FIG. 9), this rotary actuator 108
At both ends of a doglegged lever 110 (see FIG. 10) attached to the drive shaft 108a of each of the joints 112, 1 respectively.
It is connected via 14 so as to be relatively rotatable. Therefore,
When the dog-legged lever 110 is rotated by a predetermined angle by the rotary actuator 108, the dog-legged lever 1
Both operating rods 100, 10 connected to both ends of
2 and the connecting levers 96 and 98, the rotating shafts 76 and 7
8, the swing arms 80, 81, 82, 83 and the swing claws 62, 64 swing.

For example, when the dogleg-shaped lever 110 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 10, both operating rods 100,
102 moves in the direction to move away from side to side, and the rotation shaft 78 on the left side in FIG.
3 swings from the tilted position shown by the solid line to the upright position shown by the imaginary line, the rotary shaft 76 on the right side rotates counterclockwise, and the arms 80, 81 rise from the position shown by the solid line to the upright position shown by the imaginary line. Rock to. In addition, the dogleg-shaped lever 11
When 0 rotates in the opposite direction to the clockwise direction, both operating rods 10
0 and 102 move toward each other, and the arms 80, 81, 82, and 83 on both sides which are upright via the connecting levers 96 and 98 and the rotating shafts 76 and 78 are swung to the inclined position. In addition, each of the support plates 66, 67, 6 described above.
Stopper pins 116, 117, 118, 119 are fixed to the lower end portions of 8, 69 toward the outside, respectively, and when both arms 80, 81, 82, 83 swing outward, Its lower end hits and regulates the swing limit.

Next, the horizontal transfer device 3 on the supply side and the discharge side
The configuration of 4, 44 will be described. Since the configurations of both lateral transfer devices 34 and 44 are basically the same, only the lateral transfer device 34 on the supply side will be described, and the description on the lateral transfer device 44 on the discharge side will be omitted. 12 to 14 are enlarged views of the lateral transfer device 34 on the supply side, which are a plan view, a front view, and a side view, respectively. The supply side lateral transfer device 34 includes the upstream end of the first transfer conveyor 24, the downstream end of the second transfer conveyor 26, and both transfer conveyors 24, 2.
It includes three sets of transport units 120, 122, and 124, which are respectively arranged below the middle of the six. These three sets of transport units 120, 122, 124 are common plate 1 fixed on two lifting cylinders 126, 128.
The lifting cylinders 126 and 128 are attached to the
The operation raises and lowers integrally. The plate 130
The periphery of is connected to the bottom surface of the isolator 6 via a bellows 132 so that it can move up and down while maintaining airtightness.

Each transport unit 120, 122, 124
Is a pair of belts 120a, 1a oriented in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the first and second conveyors 24, 26.
22a and 124a. Each belt 120a, 1
22a and 124a are two timing pulleys 120b, 120c and 12 arranged at the upper part and one at the lower part, respectively.
0d, 122b, 122c, 122d, 124b, 12
4c and 124d, and one belt 12
0a, 122a, 124a lower pulley 120c,
122c and 124c are motors 120e, 122e and 12
It is fixed to the drive shaft of 4e and rotationally driven. Each of the upper two pulleys 120b, 122b, 124b is connected to the other two pulleys 120b, 122b, 124b around which the other belt 120a, 122a, 124a is wound via shafts 120f, 122f, 124f, respectively. The rotation is transmitted. When these three sets of transport units 120, 122, 124 are descending, the transport surfaces of the belts 120a, 122a, 124a are located below the transport surfaces of the first transport conveyor 24 and the second transport conveyor 26. Lift cylinders 126, 128
The belts 120a, 1
The transport surfaces of 22a and 124a are both transport conveyors 24 and 26.
It is located above the transport surface of the. Each belt 1 of the transport units 120, 122, 124
The lengths of the transport surfaces of 20a, 122a, 124a are slightly shorter than the distances between the chains 24a, 24b and 26a, 26b of the first transport conveyor 24 and the second transport conveyor 26, and the chains 24a, 24b on both sides are shorter. And 2
It is possible to move up and down between 6a and 26b.

Three sets of transport units 120, 122, 12
4, a position correction device 134 for accurately positioning the work 2 conveyed above the unit 124 is disposed in the conveyance unit 124 (right end in FIG. 12) arranged below the second conveyer 26. Is provided.
The position correction device 134 includes two correction pins 134 a arranged outside the belts 124 a on both sides of the transport unit 124.
4a is raised and the upper end is moved to the inside (transport unit 124
By swinging the work 2 to the side), the position of the workpiece 2 stopped on the second conveyor 26 is corrected and accurately positioned. The position correcting device 134 is provided only on the supply side lateral transfer device 34, and is not provided on the discharge side lateral transfer device 44.

The pair of straightening pins 134a arranged on both sides of the belt 124a are
It is attached to the upper part of a horizontal shaft 134b arranged parallel to the traveling direction of a, and swings by the rotation of these horizontal shafts 134b. Both horizontal shafts 134b are attached to a rodless cylinder 134d that moves up and down along a guide rod 134c arranged outside the belt 124a of the transport unit 124, and moves up and down by the operation of the rodless cylinder 134d.

As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 15, a downward lever 134e is fixed to both horizontal shafts 134b, and a cam follower 134f is attached to the lower end of the lever 134e. Transport unit 1 on the bottom of the isolator 6
On both sides of 24, cams 134g with which the cam followers 134f are engaged are fixed. Downward lever 134
A short lever 134h is fixed to the upper part of the horizontal shaft 134b to which e is fixed, and the other end of the tension coil spring 134j having one end mounted on the rodless cylinder 134d is fixed to the short lever 134h. It is connected. A cam follower 134f fixed to the downward lever 134e is pressed against the cam 134g by a tension coil spring 134j stretched between a short lever 134h on the horizontal shaft 134b and a rodless cylinder 134d. Therefore, when the rodless cylinder 134d is descending, the cam follower 134f of the downward lever 134e moves toward the central direction of the transport unit 124 to erect the upper correction pin 134a. Also, when the rodless cylinder 134d moves up,
When the cam follower 134f is pushed by the cam 134g and is swung outward, the tip of the correction pin 134a fixed above the horizontal shaft 134e swings inward.

The operation of the package removing apparatus having the above structure will be described. First, the entrance shutter 8 is opened, and a total of 30 workpieces 2 in two rows are placed on the conveyor 20 in the sterilizer 4.
To house. The work 2 has a structure in which a tray and articles on the tray are packaged with a packaging material such as a film,
Since the articles inside are sterilized beforehand,
In this sterilizer 4, only the outer packaging is sterilized. When the sterilization of the work 2 in the sterilizer 4 is completed, the shutter 10 on the outlet side is opened and the cylinder 18 is operated to insert the conveyor 20 of the sterilizer into the isolator 6 together with the machine frame 22. The conveyor 20 of the sterilizer 4 is run to supply the work 2 onto the first conveyor 24 and the second conveyor 26 in the isolator 6. 30 pieces of work 2
Fifteen of each of the transport conveyors 24 and 26 are placed from the right end to the left end so as to be located between the attachments 24c and 26c. After the work 2 is supplied into the isolator 6, the outlet side shutter 10 is closed.

1 on each of the two conveyors 24, 26
The first conveyor 24 is moved by one pitch (one attachment 24c) while the workpieces 2 are supplied five by five. The third transfer conveyor 28 is also rotated in synchronization with the traveling of the first transfer conveyor 24. Further, along with this traveling, the stopper 32 provided on the third transfer conveyor 28 is projected onto the transfer surface. First transport conveyor 24
The work 2 located at the beginning of the third conveyor 28
It moves up and stops at the work station 14 by the stopper 32 protruding on the conveyor 28.
Here, the operation of the first and third conveyors 24, 28 is stopped and the stopper 32 is lowered.

The work 2 supplied to the work station 14 is subjected to a package removing work. At this work station 14, when the work 2 is supplied, the swing claws 62, 64 on both sides, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.
Is opened to the outside, and the lifting platform 30 is
It is located below the transport surface of the transport conveyor 28. At this position, the worker 56 wearing the half suit 58 cuts open the wrapping (packing film) with scissors or the like, and the portion covering the upper surface and the side surface of the work 2 is conveyed by the conveyor 28.
It is pushed between the chain and the swing claws 62 and 64. At this time, the portion of the packaging (film) that covers the bottom surface of the work 2 is sandwiched between the work 2 and the lifting table 30. After this state, the operator operates the button to move the lifting cylinder 6
0 is operated to raise the lifting platform 30. Lift 30
Moves from the above position to the position indicated by the solid line, and transfers the work 2 stopped on the third transfer conveyor 28 to the conveyor 28.
Lift above.

Next, the operation of the rotary actuator 108 causes the doglegged lever 110 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. The operating rods 100 and 102 move to the outside, and the connecting levers 96 and 98 and the rotating shafts 76 and 7 are moved.
The rotation of 8 causes the arms 80, 81, 82,
83 is changed from the inclined state shown by the solid line in FIG. 10 to the upright state shown by the imaginary line. When the arms 80, 81, 82, 83 on both sides are erected, both swing claws 62, 64 are swung inward and the tip portions 62a, 64a thereof are in a horizontal state. Then, the lifting / lowering table 30 is lowered by the operation of the lifting / lowering cylinder 60. When the lifting table 30 descends, the work 2 is supported by the swing claws 62 and 64 on the way, and only the lifting table 30 descends downward. When the work 2 stops upward and only the elevating table 30 descends, the film packaging the work 2 becomes free on the elevating table 30. The operator 56 pulls out the film and then operates the button to raise the lifting table 30 again. The lifting table 30 lifts the work 2 supported on the swing claws 62 and 64, and then, The swing actuators 62 and 64 are opened by the rotary actuator 108. After that, lift 30
Is lowered, the work 2 from which the packaging has been peeled off is lowered onto the third conveyor 28. After the work of peeling and removing the package of the work 2 is completed, the third transfer conveyor 28 and the fifth transfer conveyor 40 on the downstream side thereof are rotated. The work 2 on the work station 14 is transferred onto the fifth transfer conveyor 40.

On the other hand, one of the first transfer conveyors 24 described above
When the leading work 2 is sent to the work station 14 due to the traveling of the pitch, at the same time, the second and subsequent works 2 from the beginning also move forward by one pitch. By the traveling of the first conveyor 24, the work 2 is not present at one position on the most upstream side (sterilizer 4 side). Here, one work 2 on the second transfer conveyor 26 is transferred onto the first transfer conveyor 24 by the supply side lateral transfer device 34. First, three sets of transport units 120, 122, 124
The rodless cylinder 134d (see FIG. 14) of the position correction device 134 provided below the second transfer conveyor 26 is raised while the position of the rodless cylinder is lowered. Due to this rise, the cam follower 134f of the lower lever 134e is pushed outward by the cam 134g, and the correction pins 134a on both sides are raised and swing toward the second conveyer 26 side (from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 14 by an imaginary line). Move to the position shown). By moving these correction pins 134a, the second
The work on the transfer conveyor 26 is accurately positioned at a predetermined position.

Here, the lifting cylinders 126, 128 are operated to raise the three sets of transport units 120, 122, 124, and the belts 120a, 122a, 124a of each set.
Are moved above the transfer surfaces of the first and second transfer conveyors 24, 26. Transport units 120, 12
The work 2 located at the downstream end of the second transfer conveyor 26 is lifted on the transfer unit 124 by the ascent of 2,124. Next, three sets of transport units 120, 1
22 and 124 are connected to the respective motors 120e, 122e and 124
The work 2 is driven by e and is transferred from the transfer unit 124 between the second transfer conveyors 26 to the transfer unit 120 between the first transfer conveyors 24 via the intermediate transfer unit 122. Transport units 120, 12
At the time of driving 2, 124, the stopper 36 provided on the side portion of the first transfer conveyor 24 is projected to stop the work 2 transferred from the second transfer conveyor 26. After that, the three transfer units 120, 122, 124 are lowered by the lifting cylinders 126, 128 to complete the lateral transfer. Next, the second conveyor 26 is moved leftward in FIGS. 1 and 2 by one pitch. The work 2 moved to the downstream end by the traveling of the second conveyor 26 is positioned by the correction pin 134a of the position correction device 134.

The work 2 having the film packaging removed in the work station 14 and transferred from the third transfer conveyor 28 to the fifth transfer conveyor 40 is fixed by the fixed stopper 46 in the discharge side lateral transfer device 44. Stop on the transport unit. In this way, the fifth conveyor 40
When the work 2 is sent to the upper side, the discharge side lateral transfer device 44 operates. Similar to the supply side lateral transfer device 34,
First, the three sets of transfer units are raised to lift the work 2 on the fifth transfer conveyor 40, and then the three sets of transfer units are driven to move from the fifth transfer conveyor 40 to the sixth transfer conveyor 42. Transfer. The work 2 sequentially sent by the three sets of transfer units is the sixth transfer conveyor 4
It is stopped by a stopper 48 provided on the side of No. 2. After that, the rotation of the transfer unit is stopped and lowered, and the work 2 on the transfer unit is transferred to the sixth transfer conveyor 42.
Hand over to.

A full sensor (not shown) is provided on the seventh conveyor 50, which is arranged adjacent to the discharge side of the sixth conveyor 42 (on the right side in FIG. 2). It is detected whether or not 2 is accumulated. When there is no work 2 on the seventh transfer conveyor 50, the sixth transfer conveyor 42 and the seventh transfer conveyor 50 rotate in the right direction in FIG. 2, and the work 2 is sent onto the seventh transfer conveyor 50. The workpiece 2 transferred onto the seventh conveyor 50 is stopped by the stopper 52 protruding onto the conveyor 50, positioned, and then sent to the next step (unstacker 16 in this embodiment).

When the full sensor detects that the work 2 is staying on the seventh conveyor 50 due to a delay in the processing of the unstacker 16 and the like in the next step, it is moved laterally. The sixth conveyor 4 on the mounting device 44
2. Rotate 2 to the left in FIG. At this time, the stopper 54 between the sixth transfer conveyor 42 and the fourth transfer conveyor 38
Is projected on the transport surface, and the work 2 is stopped on the sixth transport conveyor 42. Then, the fourth and second transfer conveyors 42, 26 are moved to the left in FIG. 2, and at the timing of engaging with the attachments 26c of these conveyors 42, 26 (the attachment of the fourth transfer conveyor 42 is not shown), The stopper 54 is lowered and the work 2 is sent out.

As described above, since at least one work 2 has been processed in the work station 14, the work 2 on the second conveyor 26 has been sent to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2. The work 2 is not present at the upstream end (right end in FIG. 2) of the second transfer conveyor 26. Therefore, the work 2 is accumulated in the empty space of the second transfer conveyor 26. In addition, the present apparatus is configured to supply a predetermined number of works 2 into the isolator 6 at a time and sequentially perform processing, and the second transfer is performed by the number of works 2 for which the work of removing the packaging is completed. Since there is an empty space on the conveyor 26 and the first conveyor 24, it is possible to store all the works 2 for which the film removing work has been completed.

At the work station 14, after confirming that the work 2 for which the film removal work has been completed is discharged, the first transfer conveyor 24 and the second transfer conveyor 26 are driven again to supply the next work 2. To do. The same packaging removal work as above is performed on this work 2,
It is directly sent to the next process, or temporarily stored on the second transfer conveyor 26 and then sent to the next process. In this way, the film removing operation of all the works 2 (30 in this embodiment) supplied into the isolator 6 at a time is completed and discharged, and then the 30 works 2 sterilized by the sterilization device 4 described above. Is supplied again.

As described above, according to the apparatus of this embodiment,
After sterilizing the external packaging with the sterilization device 4, the work 2 formed by packaging the items that have been sterilized in advance with a packaging material such as a film,
Since the packaging is peeled off and removed in the aseptic space 6 and the article inside is sent to the next step, it is not necessary to sterilize the article inside again, which is extremely efficient. Further, since one worker 56 can perform the work of removing the packaging by a simple operation,
Good workability and efficient.

16 and 17 show the second embodiment. The work 202 of this embodiment has a double packaging structure in which articles such as vials placed on a tray are packaged in a packaging material such as a film, a plurality of layers are stacked, and the whole is further packaged in a packaging material such as a film. Has been done. In this embodiment, one transport conveyor 224 is arranged in the isolator 206, and therefore the isolator 206 is provided.
2 connected to the upstream side (left side of FIG. 16) of the
Also in 04, a predetermined number of works 202 are accommodated in one row and sterilized. A working conveyor 228 is provided on the downstream side (right side in the drawing) of the transfer conveyor 224 in the isolator 206. A work station 214 is provided in the work conveyor 228, and in this work station 214, a worker wearing the first half suit 258 removes the outer film wrapping the whole work 202. Downstream of the work station 214,
An interior removal station 215 is provided and another worker wears the second half suit 259 to remove and remove the film wrapping each inner tray. After the outer and inner packaging has been removed, articles such as vials are
It is delivered on the conveyor 240 and sent to the next step.
In this embodiment, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to open and close a sterilizer for carrying in a predetermined number of works, each of which is made by packaging sterilized articles with a packing material, and performing sterilization in a closed room. Aseptic space connected to the sterilization device via a flexible shutter, a supply means disposed in the sterilization space for feeding a predetermined number of works carried in from the sterilization device one by one, and a downstream side of the supply device. And a discharge means for discharging the packages of which the packages have been removed at the work station and sending them to the next step. It is extremely efficient, since it is not necessary to re-sterilize the items inside the packaging. Further, since one worker can remove the package with a simple operation, the workability is good and the efficiency is high.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a left half of a package removing device in a sterile space according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the right half of FIG. 1 of the package removing device in the sterile space.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the left half of the package removing apparatus in the sterile space according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the right half of FIG. 1 of the package removing apparatus in the aseptic space.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a conveyor of the sterilizer.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a conveyor of the sterilizer.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a work station.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the work station.

9 is a right side view of FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating driving of a work station.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of an operator at a work station.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the supply side lateral transfer device.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the supply side lateral transfer device.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a position correcting device provided in the supply side lateral transfer device.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view showing a main part of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the package removing apparatus in the sterile space according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the package removing device in the aseptic space.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 work 4 Sterilizer 6 Aseptic space (isolator) 14 work stations 24 Supplying means (first conveyor) 34 Lateral transfer device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shoichi Kita 58 Ko Ko, Soybean Tamoto-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture Shibuya Industry Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-7-10133 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65B 69/00 B65B 55/00-55/24

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sterilizer for carrying in a predetermined number of works, each of which is made by packaging sterilized articles with a packing material, and sterilized in a closed room, and a sterilizer connected to the sterilizer via an openable shutter. An aseptic space, a supply means arranged in the aseptic space for feeding a predetermined number of works carried in from the sterilization device one by one, and a supply means provided downstream of the supply means and supplied one by one from the supplying means. A device for removing a package in a sterile space, which includes a work station for removing the package of the work, and a discharge means for discharging the article, the package of which is removed at the work station, and sending it to the next process. 2. The work station is provided with approach means such as a glove capable of operating the work inside from the outside of the sterile space, and the worker removes the work packaging through this approach means. The package removing device in a sterile space according to claim 1, wherein. 3. The supply means comprises two parallel transfer conveyors that run in mutually opposite directions, and a horizontal transfer device disposed at the end of the two transfer conveyors on the sterilizer side, Work is configured to be able to be transferred from one conveyor to the other, and every time one work is supplied to the work station, one work is transferred from another conveyor via the lateral transfer device. The package removing device in a sterile space according to claim 1, wherein