JP4615620B1 - Processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A plurality of process chambers for processing a workpiece to obtain the workpiece, and a workpiece to be processed or a workpiece to be processed are conveyed and the workpiece is transferred to the process chamber. In a processing facility provided with a transfer area to be performed, a processing facility having a large degree of freedom in the arrangement and layout of the internal area and the storage area is provided while providing a storage area for placing the object to be transferred.
A distribution floor 2 for transferring a transfer container C is provided below a processing floor 1 in which a plurality of process chambers 21 are arranged in a plane, and a floor surface between the processing floor 1 and the distribution floor 2 is provided. A transfer port 22 is formed in 11 and the transfer container C is transferred between the processing floor 1 and the distribution floor 2 via the transfer port 22 by the transfer vehicle 5 traveling on the distribution floor 2. And in the distribution floor 2, the shelf 71 in which the conveyance container C is mounted is provided along the conveyance path where the conveyance vehicle 5 travels.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing facility provided with a plurality of process chambers for processing an object to be processed.

  In a processing facility such as a factory that manufactures solid preparations such as pharmaceuticals, as shown in FIG. 38, for example, process chambers 102 for an operator to perform processing using a processing apparatus are provided at a plurality of locations. In the process chamber 102, the processed material such as the powder raw material to be processed and the intermediate product obtained from the powder raw material are weighed, granulated, sieved, and formed into tablets (tablet). Processing such as inspection or packaging is performed. These objects to be processed, intermediate products, and processed products are delivered between the process chambers 102 by, for example, a transfer mechanism called a stacker crane 100 while being stored in a transfer container such as a container. Therefore, each process chamber 102 is arranged along both sides of the transfer chamber 101 in which the stacker crane 100 is arranged. In FIG. 38, reference numeral 105 denotes a transfer port, and reference numeral 104 denotes an uninterior (unused) area (room). This uninterior area 104 is used for interior construction and transfer port 105 at the time of production increase after the factory is constructed. Remodeling work such as formation and carrying in of processing equipment is performed and used as the process chamber 102. In FIG. 38, reference numeral 103 denotes an operator passage for an operator to enter and exit the process chamber 102, and 107 denotes a machine room for installing a processing device member and a switchboard. 107 is arranged so as not to interfere with the transfer chamber 101.

  However, when the stacker crane 100 is used in this way, since the positional relationship between the transfer chamber 101 and the process chamber 102 is determined as described above, the degree of freedom in the layout of each region in the factory is increased. small. For this reason, in this factory, it is unavoidable to adopt an arrangement layout that cannot flexibly cope with the introduction of new equipment (processing equipment), increased production after the factory construction, or the construction cost of the factory becomes high. That is, for example, when a new processing apparatus is carried into the process chamber 102 from the machine chamber 107, the wall surface of the worker passage 103 between the machine chamber 107 and the process chamber 102 is torn down. At this time, if the region 106 to be constructed is to be separated from the worker passage 103 so that the internal atmosphere of the worker passage 103 is not contaminated, the worker passage 103 is blocked by the region 106 on the way, It becomes impossible to come and go. In that case, since it is necessary to stop the operation of a part of the factory or the entire factory, it is difficult to introduce new equipment in this factory (the process room 102 and the machine room 107 are not adjacent to each other). It can be said that. Further, when forming the transfer port 105 in the non-interior area 104, when the transfer chamber 101 is partitioned around the transfer port 105 so that the atmosphere in the transfer chamber 101 is not contaminated, the stacker crane 100 is moved. It will be disturbed. Therefore, since it is necessary to previously form the transfer port 105 in the non-interior area 104, only a processing apparatus that can correspond to the position of the transfer port 105 can be introduced into the non-interior area 104. For this reason, the types of process chambers 102 that can be added are limited, and it is not possible to flexibly cope with an increase in production after factory construction.

In addition, in order to prevent contamination of the worker passing through the worker passage 103 through, for example, clothes, the worker passage entering the process chamber 102 and the worker passage leaving the process chamber 102 are separately provided. In the case of providing in the process chamber 102, these two passages are preferably provided on the same floor as the process chamber 102 from the viewpoint of the workability of the operator. However, since each process chamber 102 is surrounded by another process chamber 102, a transfer chamber 101, and a worker passage (entrance passage) 103 from the side, one of these passages (exit passage passage) is For example, it is provided along the transfer chamber 101 between the transfer chamber 101 and the process chamber 102. Therefore, the transfer container is carried into the process chamber 102 from the transfer chamber 101 using, for example, a horizontal transfer mechanism such as a belt conveyer provided in the upper position of the exit passage. Become. In this case, in each process chamber 102, between the height position where the transfer container is carried in and the height position where the operator performs processing (for example, the height level of the floor surface of the process chamber 102), Since a lifting device such as a lifter for lifting and lowering the transport container is required, the cost is increased.
Further, since the transfer chamber 101 is arranged so as to divide the factory into two, for example, a duct for supplying and exhausting air in each process chamber 102 and a visitor passage for visiting each process chamber 102 are provided. In the case of providing, the space that can be arranged is limited. Furthermore, when the time required for the process varies depending on the type of the process, the processed product (conveying container) is not processed in the process chamber 102 to be subsequently transferred. It is necessary to temporarily store (mount) the buffer, for example, on a shelf or a storage warehouse. Similarly, packaging containers containing raw material powder and final products that arrive at the factory are also temporarily stored in a storage warehouse until processing is started or until they are shipped from the factory. It is necessary to keep it. However, in order to access such a storage warehouse using the stacker crane 100, the storage warehouse is arranged along the transfer chamber 101 described above. In addition, the degree of freedom of the storage warehouse is further reduced, and the degree of freedom for the location of the storage warehouse is also small.

  Patent Document 1 describes a granular material charging system for charging powder into the device 40, but the above-described problems are not studied at all. Patent Document 2 describes the stacker crane 1 and the forklift, but the forklift moving path (the upper region of the conveyance track 12) extends over the first and second floors so as to penetrate the second floor. Since the plurality of yards 3 to 9 are formed in a ring shape, the above-described problems cannot be solved. In addition, when such a forklift is used to separate the flow line of an object (conveying container) and the flow line of a person (operator), the layout is the same as that of the factory using the stacker crane 100 described above. End up. Furthermore, although Patent Document 3 describes a substrate processing apparatus, the above-described problems have not been studied.

JP2007-30914A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-25572 (page 743, lower left column, line 14 to line 18, lower right column, line 15 to line 16) JP-A-9-275127

The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a plurality of process chambers that process a workpiece to obtain the workpiece, and to convey the workpiece or the workpiece. In a processing facility provided with a transport area for transporting containers and transferring the transport containers to and from these process chambers, an internal area and the arrangement of the storage areas are provided while providing a storage area for storing the transport containers. The object is to provide a processing facility with a large degree of freedom in layout.

The processing facility of the present invention is a first floor on which a plurality of process chambers are arranged for taking out an object to be processed from a transfer container and processing it with a processing apparatus, and storing the obtained processed object in the transfer container ,
A second floor for transporting an object to be processed or a transport container storing the object to be processed, provided below the first floor;
A plurality of transfer ports formed on the floor surface of the first floor, for carrying the transfer container between the process rooms of the first floor through the second floor ;
In order to transfer the transfer container between the process chamber and the second floor via the transfer port, a transport vehicle provided horizontally movable on the second floor;
A storage area provided for storing the object to be processed or the transfer container storing the process object on the second floor, and delivering the transfer container by the transfer vehicle,
The transport vehicle includes a fork that holds the transport container and moves up and down along the support, and the support is a height position when the fork delivers the transport container to and from the first floor. It is configured to be stretchable between a height position above the mouth and a height position when moving horizontally on the second floor, which is a height position lower than the transfer mouth. And

In the second floor, the storage area may be arranged along a travel path along which the transport vehicle travels, or a position where the transport vehicle delivers to a process chamber into which the transport container is loaded. May be provided in the vicinity.

In the present invention, a second floor is provided below the first floor where a plurality of process chambers are arranged, and the second floor for transporting the object to be processed or the transport container storing the processed object, and the first floor and the second floor. A transfer port is formed on the floor surface between the second floor and the transfer container is transferred between the second floor and the process chamber via the transfer port by a transport vehicle traveling on the second floor. . Then, by providing a storage area for storing the transfer vessel to the second floor, it is performed to transfer the transport container by a transport vehicle with respect to this storage area. Therefore, since the first floor where the process chamber is arranged and the second floor where the transfer container is transferred can be partitioned vertically, each area arranged on the first floor and the storage thereof are provided while providing a storage area. It is possible to increase the degree of freedom of area layout.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the principal part of the production factory of this invention roughly. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the production factory of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the said factory. It is a top view which shows the said factory. It is a top view which shows the said factory. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the conveyance container in which the to-be-processed object is accommodated in the said factory. It is a top view which shows an example of the conveyance vehicle which conveys a conveyance container in the said factory. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the delivery member to which the said conveyance container is delivered. It is a perspective view which shows the stacker crane used in the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the process chamber in the said factory. It is the schematic which shows an example of the memory | storage part of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a top view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a top view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a top view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a top view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of the effect | action of the said factory. It is a top view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a top view which shows the other example of the said conveyance vehicle. It is a top view which shows the factory in which the conveyance vehicle of the said other example was provided. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a top view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a top view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a top view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the other example of the said factory. It is a top view which shows an example of the conventional factory.

  As an example of the processing equipment of the present invention, a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant that manufactures a solid pharmaceutical preparation that is a product (processed product) from raw material powder that is an object to be processed will be described with reference to FIGS. To do. First, the main part of this factory will be schematically described with reference to FIG. 1. In this factory, for example, storage, weighing, and processing of raw material powder and intermediate products obtained from this raw material powder, A plurality of process chambers 21 for performing processing such as raw material powder filling, granulation, sieving, tableting (tabletting), coating, inspection, packaging, and the like, which will be described later, are arranged in a plane. A processing floor 1 forming the first floor is provided, and a processing chamber is transported below the processing floor 1 to transfer a processing container or a transport container C that is a transported object in which the processing object is stored. A distribution floor 2, which is the second floor for delivery to 21, is arranged. On the floor surface 11 between the processing floor 1 and the distribution floor 2, delivery ports 22 for delivering the transfer container C are formed at a plurality of locations. On the physical distribution floor 2, a shelf 71, which is a storage area for temporarily storing (mounting) the transport container C, is disposed. A hierarchical structure 3 is configured by the processing floor 1 and the distribution floor 2. The “inspection” and “packaging” are also included in the term “processing” in this specification.

  Then, the detail of each part of a factory is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 4, in order to carry the delivery container C to the distribution floor 2 having a horizontal dimension of, for example, about 50 m × 40 m and deliver it to the process chamber 21, for example, AGF A plurality of transport vehicles 5 such as (Auto Guided Forklift) are arranged, and each transport vehicle 5 is a delivery vehicle main body 5a that travels (moves) in the horizontal direction and a delivery that holds the transport container C so that it can be raised and lowered And a fork 5b as a mechanism. By this fork 5b, for example, a transport container C, which is a box-shaped container, is supported from both the left and right sides at a substantially central position in the height direction as shown in FIG. Further, the fork 5b receives the transport container C in the forward direction of the transport vehicle 5 (for example, the direction of movement for receiving the transport container C) and the direction orthogonal to the forward direction (left-right direction). It is configured to be able to pass. On the lower surface of the transport vehicle 5, there are provided sensors (detection units) (not shown) for reading markers 9 and 72 described later and a transport path 6 that is a transport region.

  As an example of the specific configuration of the transport vehicle 5, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the transport vehicle 5 includes a rail 4a disposed horizontally along the orthogonal direction, and one end side of the rail 4a. A drive unit 4b configured to be connected and movable along the rail 4a, and a rotary shaft 4c connected to the other end side of the drive unit 4b and rotatable around the vertical axis are arranged. . And the base end part of the fork 5b is connected to the rotating shaft 4c so that the fork 5b may rotate (turn) with the rotating shaft 4c. In FIG. 8, 4d is an elevating unit for elevating and lowering the fork 5b together with the rail 4a, the drive unit 4b, and the rotating shaft 4c. Therefore, the fork 5b causes the transport container C to face either the forward direction of the transport vehicle 5 and the direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to the forward direction by the rotation shaft 4c, and the forward or drive of the transport vehicle 5 By the drive of the part 4b, it is comprised so that the conveyance container C can be delivered in the said opposing direction. Further, as will be described later, the fork 5b is retracted to the lower distribution floor 2 side when the transport vehicle 5 moves horizontally, and when the transport container C is transferred to and from the process chamber 21, via the transfer port 22. It is comprised so that it may extend to the process floor 1 side. In addition to those shown in FIG. 8, the fork 5b is shown in a simplified manner.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a transport path 6 such as a magnetic tape for traveling the transport vehicle 5 is attached to the floor surface 11 of the physical distribution floor 2. The shelves 71 are arranged on both sides of the transport path 6. For example, in the case where the time required for the processing described above varies depending on the type of processing, the shelf 71 performs processing in the process chamber 21 to be subsequently transported for processed processing products and intermediate processing products. When the process chamber 21 is not finished or when maintenance is being performed in the process chamber 21, the transport container C in which these processed products and intermediate products are stored until the process chamber 21 becomes empty (processing or maintenance is completed). This is a buffer area for temporary storage. Therefore, the transfer container C is stored in a shelf 71 located in the vicinity of the transfer port 22 in the process chamber 21 to be subsequently transferred, as will be described later. Further, the shelf 71 stores the raw material powder and the final product until the raw material powder arrived at the factory is processed or until the final product is shipped from the factory. It is an area used for temporarily storing the transport container C (or packing container). Furthermore, the shelf 71 may be used when it is necessary to take a certain curing time or reaction time for the processed product or intermediate product after the processing before starting the subsequent processing. Accordingly, the time (period) during which the packing container and the transport container C are stored on the shelf 71 varies, and even when temporarily placed on the shelf 71, the term “storage” is used in the following description. Is used.

  The shelf 71 is configured so that the transport container 5 can be delivered by the transport vehicle 5 (fork 5b) described above, and so that the transport container 5 does not interfere with the traveling of the transport vehicle 5 and the delivery operation of the transport container C to the process chamber 21, for example. It is arranged so as to be separated from the conveyance path 6 by a distance shorter than the stroke length (extension length) of 5b. Accordingly, the shelf 71 is not disposed in the bent portion (R portion) of the transport path 6 but is disposed along the straight portion of the transport path 6. The shelf 71 is also provided in an area adjacent to an end portion of the conveyance path 6, for example, a distal end portion of a later-described retreat branch path 8 a or a spare branch path 8 b.

  Further, as described above, since the transport container C is held by the fork 5b in the height direction on the shelf 71, the transport container C is said to be on the floor surface 11 as shown in FIG. In some cases, the containers may be placed flat (directly placed), or may be partitioned up and down by the partition plate 70, and the transport containers C may be stacked in a plurality of stages, for example, two stages. Accordingly, the shelf 71 is set in advance as a region for storing the transport container C by the control unit 10 described later, and is a region where the positional relationship with the transport path 6 is determined, for example.

  Further, the shelf 71 is provided with a plurality of side wall portions 71a extending in the vertical direction so that a space between the horizontally arranged transport containers C is partitioned in the horizontal direction. A marker (marker) 72 such as an IC (integrated circuit) chip or a barcode is attached along the conveyance path 6 so as to be adjacent to the storage area (mounting area). These markers 72 are provided with codes corresponding to the respective addresses (positions). When the transport vehicle 5 delivers the transport container C to the shelf 71, the codes attached to the markers 72 are It is read by the transport vehicle 5 and transmitted to the control unit 10 to be described later by wireless communication, for example, and it is determined whether or not the shelf 71 is to be delivered. When the control unit 10 determines that the transport vehicle 5 is located on the side of the shelf 71 for delivery, the transport vehicle 5 performs the delivery operation of the transport container C to the shelf 71, and the one-way delivery. If it is not the shelf 71 that performs the transfer, the transport vehicle 5 moves along the transport path 6 toward another marker 72 (the marker 72 that performs delivery).

  The marker 72 may be a magnetic label such as a magnetic bar. In this case, the encoder value of the transport vehicle 5 changes according to the drive amount (travel distance of the transport vehicle 5) of a travel motor (none of which is shown) that drives the wheels of the transport vehicle 5 (addition). An encoder is provided. And the encoder value of an encoder is read by the control part 10, and the position of the conveyance vehicle 5 can be known according to an encoder value. That is, the distance traveled along the transport path 6 from the encoder value addition start position (zero point) can be known. Therefore, when the transport vehicle 5 is stopped (positioned) above the marker 72, it can be determined at which position on the physical distribution floor 2 the shelf 71 corresponding to the stop position is provided. It is possible to know whether or not it is an area where the delivery is performed.

  Specifically, the transport vehicle 5 includes a magnetic sensor (not shown) that detects a displacement in the horizontal direction between the center position of the transport vehicle body 5a and the transport path 6 when moving along the transport path 6. A detection motor and a steering motor for adjusting the position of the transport vehicle 5 laterally with respect to the traveling direction of the transport vehicle 5 so that the amount of deviation detected by the detection unit is reduced or eliminated. (Not shown). For this reason, for example, a straight portion and a curved portion of the conveyance path 6 are slightly deviated between the length of the conveyance path 6 traveled along the conveyance vehicle 5 and the actual travel distance of the conveyance vehicle 5 obtained from the encoder value. May occur. Therefore, in order to compensate for such a deviation and travel with high accuracy, the control unit 10 detects the approximate position of the transport vehicle 5 based on the encoder value, and the transport vehicle 5 is positioned above the marker 72 adjacent to this position. Is stopped. That is, when the transport vehicle 5 travels along the transport path 6, the control unit 10 counts the number of markers 72 that the transport vehicle 5 has passed, and immediately precedes the marker 72 that is the destination to be stopped. After the transport vehicle 5 passes through the marker 72, the upper position of the marker 72 that arrives next is detected as the destination. Accordingly, even if a deviation occurs between the travel distance of the transport vehicle 5 calculated from the encoder value and the actual travel distance of the transport vehicle 5 due to wear of the wheels of the transport vehicle 5 or slippage of the wheels, the marker 72 is similarly applied. This offset is compensated for. Further, when the transport vehicle 5 travels along the transport path 6, for example, a gyro unit is provided in the transport vehicle 5, and the posture (orientation) of the transport vehicle 5 with respect to the magnetic marker on the floor surface 11 is detected by the gyro unit. At the same time, the posture of the transport vehicle 5 may be adjusted. Except for FIG. 5, the position of the shelf 71 is schematically shown. In addition, the markers 72 are respectively provided at two positions: a position where the transport vehicle 5 performs the delivery operation of the transport container C and a position where the traveling transport vehicle 5 starts to decelerate so as to perform the delivery operation. However, only one of each is shown in FIG.

  The above-described transport path 6 includes, for example, a main line (circular orbit) 6a that connects each lower position of the transfer port 22 in an elliptical shape, and a plurality of branch paths 6b that branch from the main line 6a. For example, when the transport vehicle 5 breaks down or undergoes maintenance, the branch path 6b is replaced with a retraction branch path 8a in which the operator retracts the transport vehicle 5 and a transport vehicle 5 withdrawn in the retreat branch path 8a. The preparatory branch path 8b on which the spare transport vehicle 5 to perform is waiting, and the transfer branch path 8c arranged so that the transport vehicle 5 can travel in a position facing a transfer member 15 described later. As the branch path 6b, for example, a reversing conveyance path (not shown) that branches from the main line 6a and extends in a circular shape may be provided so that the conveyance vehicle 5 can be reversed by 180 ° at a position below the transfer port 22, or the like. Further, as will be described later, when the processing is completed in the process chamber 21, the transport vehicle 5 can be quickly loaded into the process chamber 21 after another transport container C is unloaded by the transport vehicle 5. While the transport container 5 holds the transport container C and travels on the main line 6a, another unillustrated standby track is provided as a branch path 6b for the other transport vehicle 5 holding the other transport container C to wait while avoiding the main line 6a. May be. In this case, the standby track is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the process chamber 21, and for example, a standby area for the transport vehicle 5 to wait is formed on the side of each transfer port 22. The shelves 71 arranged side by side along the main line 6a are divided into a plurality of sections in the length direction, and the standby area between the shelves 71 and 71 and the main line 6a below the transfer port 22 are connected to each other. May be.

  The transport vehicle 5 detects the transport path 6 by the above-described detection unit provided on the lower surface side, and moves in the horizontal direction along the transport path 6 (transport area). In this example, shelves 71 are arranged along the main line 6a and each branch path 6b. However, the shelves 71 may be provided only on either the main line 6a or the branch path 6b, or in FIG. As shown, a dedicated shelf branch 8d (6b) for accessing the shelf 71 may be arranged. The shelf branch path 8 d is a passage provided for the transport vehicle 5 to move when the transport container C is placed on the shelf 71. In addition, the shelf 71 arranged so as to be sandwiched between the main line 6a and the branch path 6b may be configured so that, for example, both sides are opened so that the shelf 71 can be accessed from both sides. In FIG. 5, the main line 6a is indicated by a bold line in order to distinguish it from the branch path 6b.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 9 denotes a marker (marker) such as a magnetic bar attached at a stop position of the transport vehicle 5 on the floor surface 11, for example, a position below the transfer port 22, and a code is attached in the same manner as the marker 72 described above. May be. And if the conveyance vehicle 5 detects the marker 9 with the above-mentioned sensor (not shown) provided in the lower surface, it will be controlled whether the said conveyance vehicle 5 is the process chamber 21 carrying in the conveyance container C currently conveyed, for example. In the case of the process chamber 21 that is judged and carried in by the unit 10, the operation is stopped above the marker 9 and the transfer operation of the transfer container C is performed. The transport vehicle 5 may be, for example, a forklift that is manually operated (operated) by an operator. In the distribution floor 2, for reinforcement of the factory, a plurality of pillars that connect the floor surface 11 and the ceiling surface are provided at positions that do not interfere with the operation of the transport vehicle 5. is doing.

  Further, in this example, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 described above, the hierarchical structure 3 including the processing floor 1 and the distribution floor 2 is laminated in a plurality of layers, for example, two layers, In order to transport the transport container C between the floors 2 and 2, a lifting device such as a vertical lifter or an elevator, in this example, a stacker crane 12 is provided adjacent to the factory from the outside. The stacker crane 12 is disposed in an elevating chamber 13 provided over a plurality of levels of the distribution floor 2 at a position adjacent to an end portion of the factory, for example, a tableting chamber 25 described later. On the wall surface between the lifting chamber 13 and the distribution floor 2, as shown in FIG. 3, loading / unloading ports 14, 14 for transferring the transfer container C between the lifting chamber 13 and the distribution floor 2 are provided. Each is formed. A delivery member 15 for delivering the transport container C between the stacker crane 12 and the transport vehicle 5 is provided at a position facing the carry-in / out port 14 on the physical distribution floor 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the delivery member 15 is composed of, for example, two rod-like members 15 a and 15 a that are spaced apart from each other with respect to the transport direction of the transport container C (the advancing and retreating direction of a transport platform 45 described later). . In FIG. 2, drawing of the stacker crane 12 and the loading / unloading port 14 is omitted. In FIG. 4, the stacker crane 12 is drawn for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 5, rails 41 arranged horizontally along the outer wall of the factory are provided on the floor surface in the elevator chamber 13. As shown in FIG. 10, the stacker crane 12 includes two column portions 42 and 42 that extend in the vertical direction with a space therebetween, and base portions 43 and 43 that support the column portions 42 and 42 from above and below. In FIG. 10, reference numerals 44 and 46 denote lifts and wheels, respectively, which are configured so that the stacker crane 12 travels on the rail 41 and can move the transport container C up and down along the pillar portions 42 and 42. On the lift 44, a transport table 45 for placing the transport container C is installed. The transport table 45 is formed to be narrower than the distance between the rod-shaped members 15a and 15a, and has a hierarchical structure. It is configured to be movable forward and backward in the horizontal direction with respect to the body 3 (distribution floor 2).

  When the transport container C is transported from the stacker crane 12 to the distribution floor 2, the transport container C is placed on the transport table 45, and the upper part of the rod-shaped members 15 a and 15 a is placed via the previously described loading / unloading port 14. The carrier 45 is extended from the stacker crane 12 to the position, and then the lift 44 is lowered so that the carrier 45 passes between the rod-like members 15a, 15a downward, whereby the carrier C is placed on the delivery member 15. Will be placed. Further, when the transport container C is received from the distribution floor 2, the stacker crane 12 operates in the reverse order. When the transport vehicle 5 described above receives the transport container C from the delivery member 15, the transport vehicle 5 moves to a position facing the delivery member 15, and for example, from the lower side of the transport container C or the transport container C. The transfer container C is supported and lifted at a substantially central position in the height direction. When the transfer container C is delivered from the transfer vehicle 5 to the delivery member 15, the transfer vehicle 5 operates in the reverse order of the transfer operation.

  Next, the processing floor 1 will be described in detail. On the processing floor 1, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, a plurality of process chambers 21 are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction (Y direction in FIG. 2). A plurality of rows, for example, two rows are arranged so as to be separated from each other in parallel in the left-right direction (X direction in FIG. 2). In each process chamber 21, a processing device 27 for performing the above-described processing is provided. A delivery port 22 for delivering the transfer container C is formed on the floor surface 11 of the process chamber 21 (the floor surface 11 between the processing floor 1 and the distribution floor 2). In the processing floor 1, the ceiling from the floor surface 11 of the processing floor 1 is located at a position spaced from the outer edge of each transfer port 22 toward the inner region of the processing floor 1 as shown in FIG. A partition wall 22 a for partitioning the atmosphere of the processing floor 1 and the atmosphere of the distribution floor 2 is provided around the transfer port 22 so as to extend toward the surface. The partition wall 22a is formed with an opening 22c that is opened and closed by an opening / closing door 22b. This open / close door 22b is for partitioning these areas so that the air flow hardly flows between areas on both sides of the open / close door 22b (the area above the transfer port 22 and the atmosphere in the process chamber 21). is there. Therefore, the open / close door 22b is connected to the other from one side of these regions according to the pressure difference formed between the regions on both sides through the gap formed between the open / close door 22b and the opening 22c. It is configured so that the atmosphere flows little by little to the side. The same applies to the door 48a and the loading / unloading port 24 described later. In FIG. 1B described above, the delivery port 22 is drawn smaller than the floor surface 11 surrounded by the partition wall 22a, but the delivery port 22 actually covers the entire lower side of the partition wall 22a. It is in an open state.

  The opening 22c is provided on the side surface on the processing atmosphere side described above, and is opened and closed by an instruction from the control unit 10 described later or by an operator when the transfer container 5 is delivered by the transfer vehicle 5. The Further, when the transport container C is temporarily stored in the process chamber 21, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a door between the storage area (storage area 48) and the partition wall 22a is a door. Openable / closable opening 48b is formed by 48a. In this case, the marker 72 described above is attached so as to be close to the transport path 6 on the distribution floor 2. The partition wall 22a may also serve as the inner wall surface of the process chamber 21, as shown in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the above-described delivery port 22 may be provided individually for each process chamber 21, or a plurality of, for example, two processes in which one delivery port 22 is adjacent to each other. In some cases, the rooms 21 and 21 are shared. For example, the process chamber 21 in which the transfer port 22 is formed is referred to as a first process chamber 21a, and the process chamber 21 that is adjacent to the first process chamber 21a and in which the transfer port 22 is not formed is referred to as a second process chamber 21b. The transfer port 22 of the first process chamber 21a is disposed in proximity to the second process chamber 21b. A loading / unloading port 24 for delivering the transfer container C is formed on the wall surface between the first process chamber 21a and the second process chamber 21b. The loading / unloading port 24 is configured to be opened and closed by an opening / closing mechanism 24a such as a door, and the transfer container C has a delivery port 22 and a first process chamber 21a with respect to the second process chamber 21b. And it is conveyed by the conveyance vehicle 5 through the loading / unloading port 24. Accordingly, the processing apparatus 27 already described is disposed in the first process chamber 21a in the vicinity of the transfer port 22, and in the second process chamber 21b in the position in the vicinity of the loading / unloading port 24.

  Further, for example, the process chamber 21 for performing the tableting process, that is, the tableting chamber 25 shown in FIG. 11 is divided into upper and lower two layers by a partition 26, an input area 25a and a processing area 25b. In the tableting chamber 25, the above-described delivery port 22 is provided so as to penetrate the floor surface 11 (the floor surface of the processing area 25b) and the partition 26 between the distribution floor 2 and the processing floor 1 vertically. Each is formed. That is, dedicated transfer ports 22 and 22 are formed in the input area 25a and the processing area 25b, respectively. In this example, these two transfer ports 22 and 22 are overlapped when viewed in a plane. I can say that. In the input area 25a and the processing area 25b, the partition walls 22a described above are respectively provided at positions separated from the outer edges of the transfer ports 22 and 22 toward the input area 25a and the processing area 25b. The transport ports 22c are each opened and closed by an open / close door 22b.

  The processing area 25b is provided with a processing device (tablet press) 27 for performing a tableting process on an object to be processed. An opening 26a is provided in the partition 26 at a position above the processing device 27. Is formed. In the charging area 25a, one end side of a tubular charging path 27a for supplying a workpiece from the charging area 25a through the opening 26a to the processing apparatus 27 below is opened. In the input area 25a, a transfer unit 28 is provided for transferring the transfer container C between an upper position of the processing device 27 and a position close to the open / close door 22b.

  The delivery unit 28 is, for example, two sets of conveyors arranged so as to be separated from each other along the conveyance direction of the conveyance container C to the input area 25 a, and delivers the conveyance container C to and from the conveyance vehicle 5. The transport container C is configured to be transported horizontally between the delivery position and the position above the processing device 27. Further, in the processing area 25b, a transport container C for storing the processed material that has been subjected to the tableting process in the processing device 27 is placed at a side position of the processing device 27. In FIG. 11, 27b is a transport member for taking out the processed product for which the tableting process has been completed in the processing device 27 and storing it in the transport container C placed in the processing area 25b. In FIG. 6, the tableting chamber 25 is shown in a simplified manner. Further, the mechanism for moving the transport container C up and down in the transport vehicle 5 is shown in a simplified manner in FIG.

  In addition, as the process chamber 21, for example, as shown as an unused area 31 in FIG. 6, there may be a region (room) in which interior is not provided on the inner wall surface or floor surface. This unused area 31 is an area used as the process room 21 after the factory is constructed, for example, when the process room 21 is added in order to increase the production of pharmaceuticals. It is an area that has not been done. In this unused area 31, the delivery port 22 is not formed, and the delivery port 22 of the adjacent process chamber 21 is shared. Moreover, since the height position where the transfer container C is installed may differ depending on the type of the processing device 27, the loading / unloading port 24 is not formed in the unused area 31, and when the process chamber 21 is added, Depending on the type of processing device 27 provided in the process chamber 21 (unused area 31), the loading / unloading port 24 is formed by construction. Further, when the process chamber 21 is expanded, the interior work and the work for carrying in the processing device 27 are carried out together with the work for the carry-in / out port 24. A loading / unloading port 24 that is opened and closed by a door or the like may be formed in advance.

  On the left side and the right side of the row of the process chambers 21, the machine room 61 and a work for an operator working in the process chamber 21 to enter and exit the process chamber 21. A person passage 62 is provided along the row of the process chambers 21. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, machine rooms 61 and 61 are arranged on both sides of the processing floor 1 along the outer wall of the factory, and are sandwiched between two process chambers 21 and 21. In addition, worker passages 62 and 62 are provided (inside). A door (not shown) for carrying in / out the processing device 27 described above is formed on a wall surface (outer wall) facing the outside of the factory in the machine room 61. The ceiling surface of the worker passage 62 may be lower than the ceiling surface of the process chamber 21 by a predetermined height.

  This machine room 61 is an area for installing, for example, mechanical equipment 61a such as a dust collector, an air conditioner, or a switchboard related to the processing device 27 in the process room 21, and the process room 21 or the distribution floor 2 or The level of cleanliness is set lower than that of the worker passage 62 and the like. On the wall surface between the process chamber 21 and the machine chamber 61, an opening (not shown) for routing wiring and piping connecting the processing device 27 and the machine equipment 61a is formed. Further, as will be described later, this machine room 61 is a door (not shown) formed on the outer wall of the factory (side surface of the machine room 61) when the processing device 27 is exchanged between the outside of the factory and the process room 21, for example. This is a region for transporting the processing device 27 from the machine chamber 61 through the machine room 61. As an example of replacing (replacement) the processing apparatus 27 in this way, for example, when switching the old processing apparatus 27 in the process chamber 21 to a new processing apparatus 27, or when the type of processing in the process chamber 21 is changed. and so on.

  At this time, the processing device 27 may not be replaced, and the size of the processing device 27 varies depending on the type of processing. Therefore, when the processing apparatus 27 is carried in and out between the machine room 61 and the process chamber 21, an opening is formed each time on the wall surface between the machine room 61 and the process room 21, for example, by performing construction. Will be. Note that an opening may be formed in advance on this wall surface and closed with a door or the like when the processing device 27 is not transported. Moreover, this machine room 61 should just be arrange | positioned so that the side surface in any one of three side surfaces other than the wall surface which faces the process chamber 21 may contact | connect the outer wall of a factory. In FIG. 6, only one of the above-described mechanical equipment 61a is schematically drawn.

  The processing floor 1 is provided with processing stations 7 including the process chamber 21, the machine room 61, and the worker passage 62 in parallel in a plurality of rows, for example, in two rows. On the side opposite to the process chamber 21 on the side surface 62, a visitor observes the inside of the process chamber 21 through a window (not shown) formed on the side wall of the worker passage 62 and the side wall of the process chamber 21, for example. A visitor passage 63 is disposed along the worker passage 62 (process chamber 21). The ceiling surface of the visitor passage 63 is set to the same height level as the ceiling surface of the worker passage 62. In this example, the worker passages 62, the process chamber 21 and the machine room 61 on both the left and right sides are arranged symmetrically via the visitor passage 63. Therefore, in this case, the left and right two passages are arranged. The processing station 7 also serves as a visitor passage 63. 4 and 6, reference numeral 29 denotes a door through which an operator enters and exits the process chamber 21 from the worker passage 62. Further, the worker passage 62, the distribution floor 2 and the process chamber 21 are maintained in a clean atmosphere in order to suppress the occurrence of contamination.

  Above the worker passage 62 and the visitor passage 63, for example, the ceiling surface is at a level similar to the ceiling surface of the process chamber 21 so as to be adjacent to the upper side of the side surface of the process chamber 21. An air passage (duct) 35 disposed in the front and rear is provided, and the air passage 35 is formed long along the process chambers 21 arranged in the front-rear direction. The air passage 35 is an area for exhausting the atmosphere of the process chamber 21 to the outside of the factory, or sucking clean air from the outside of the factory, for example, from each process chamber 21 to the outside of the factory. An extending air supply path and exhaust path (not shown) are routed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the factory includes a control unit 10 that controls the transport operation of the stacker crane 12 and the transport vehicle 5 and the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing door 22b. The control unit 10 includes a CPU, a memory, and a program storage unit. For each part of the factory (the transport vehicle 5 and the stacker crane 12) so that the processed object can be obtained by processing the processed object. And a control signal for carrying out the carrying operation of the carrying container C. Then, the control unit 10 causes a collision between the transport containers C on the shelf 71 (when another transport container C is carried into the shelf 71 on which the transport container C is already placed), the transport container from the shelf 71. When carrying out C, it is prevented from being mistaken for another carrying container C or carrying mistakes to carry out the carrying container C from the shelf 71 on which the carrying container C is not placed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the control unit 10 includes information on whether or not the transport container C is stored in the shelf 71 corresponding to the code of each marker 72 and the transport to the shelf 71. When the container C is stored, a storage for storing information on which processing stage and processing object in the transport container C are in which processing stage (processed product is stored) is stored. A portion 10a is provided. When the shelves 71 are arranged in a plurality of upper and lower stages, for example, two stages, the information is stored in the storage unit 10a for the shelves 71 of each stage. When the transport container C is stored on the shelf 71 according to the instruction of the control unit 10, the transport container C is stored on the shelf 71 and the type of contents in the transport container C stored on the shelf 71. Is stored in the storage unit 10a, and when the transport container C is unloaded from the shelf 71, the information is deleted from the storage unit 10a. The program stored in the program storage unit is installed in the control unit 10 from a storage medium (not shown) such as a hard disk, a compact disk, a magnetic optical disk, or a memory card. In FIG. 12, the code is simplified, and “◯” in the “Presence / absence of transport container” column indicates that the transport container C is stored, and “×” indicates that the transport container C is not stored. Indicates the state. Further, the code 008 in FIG. 12 shows a case where only one shelf 71 is provided.

  Next, the operation of this factory will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an object to be conveyed, which is a packing container (not shown) in which raw material powder is stored, is received from the shelf 71 by the conveyance vehicle 5. This packing container is carried into one of the process chambers 21 by the transport vehicle 5, unpacked, and the raw material powder inside is transferred to the transport container C. Subsequently, for example, the transport container C in which the raw material powder is stored so as to have a weight of about 500 kg is processed with respect to the object to be processed in the transport container C by the transport vehicle 5 as shown in FIG. Is conveyed toward the process chamber 21 where the process is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the transport vehicle 5 moves, for example, clockwise along the transport path 6 (main line 6a) while detecting the trajectory in the transport path 6 described above. Next, the transport vehicle 5 stops above the marker 9 provided at a position below the delivery port 22 of the process chamber 21 and performs a predetermined delivery operation. Specifically, when the transport vehicle 5 raises the fork 5b through the transfer port 22 as shown in FIG. 13B, the transfer port 22c on the side of the transfer port 22 is opened.

  Next, the transport vehicle 5 carries the transport container C into the process chamber 21 through the transport port 22 c at a height position slightly higher than the height position where the transport container C is placed in the processing device 27. Then, as shown in FIG. 13C, the fork 5 b of the transport vehicle 5 is lowered and the transport container C is placed on the processing device 27.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15 (a), for example, the transport vehicle 5 slightly lowers the fork 5b and retracts to a position below the transfer port 22, and as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the fork 5b is moved to the distribution floor. Degenerate within 2. Further, the conveyance port 22c is closed by the opening / closing door 22b. The transport vehicle 5 that has finished transporting the transport container C into the process chamber 21 moves, for example, clockwise along the transport path 6 in order to perform the next transport.

  Then, the operator enters the process chamber 21 from the worker passage 62 and adjusts the atmosphere in the process chamber 21 or the processing apparatus 27 through the ventilation path 35 to set up the processing apparatus 27. It uses and processes with respect to the to-be-processed object in the conveyance container C. FIG. Thereafter, the processed material processed in the process chamber 21 is stored in, for example, the transport container C, and is transported to the distribution floor 2 by the transport vehicle 5 in the reverse order of the transport order. The transport container C is transported, for example, clockwise by the transport vehicle 5 along the transport path 6 to the process chamber 21 for performing the next processing, for example. The processed product in the transfer container C is processed as an object to be processed in the subsequent process chamber 21.

  And this conveyance container C reaches | attains the position near the process chamber 21 in which the next process is performed by the conveyance vehicle 5. FIG. At this time, when the previous process is not completed in the process chamber 21 or when maintenance is performed, or when a curing time or a reaction time is set after performing the process, an instruction from the control unit 10 is given. Then, the transport vehicle 5 moves toward the shelf 71 that stores the transport container C. The position of the shelf 71 is set in the vicinity of a position (a position below the delivery port 22) where delivery is performed by the transport vehicle 5 to the process chamber 21 where the next processing is performed. That is, when the process chamber 21 for performing the next processing is vacant, or when the curing time or the reaction time has elapsed, the transport container C is placed in the process chamber 21 so that the transport container C can be quickly loaded from the shelf 71. It is stored in a nearby shelf 71. This “near” is preferably as close as possible to the delivery port 22 of the process chamber 21 into which the transport container C is carried. However, when other transport containers C are stored, the position below the delivery port 22 For example, a shelf 71 in an area within 10 m, preferably within 1 m in the horizontal direction, more preferably a shelf 71 immediately below the delivery port 22 (a storage area for the transport container C is opened so as to face a region below the delivery port 22. Shelf 71). Then, at a position above the marker 72 on the side of the shelf 71 for storing the transport container C, the fork 5b extends toward the shelf 71 as shown in FIG. Advancing toward the shelf 71, the transport container C is placed on the shelf 71 as shown in FIG.

The transport vehicle 5 moves to perform another transport, and then, when the process chamber 21 becomes empty, the control unit 10 can quickly transport the transport container C of the shelf 71 into the process chamber 21. With this instruction, the shelf 71 is returned to a position where it can be accessed a little before the timing when the process chamber 21 becomes empty. Next, the transporting vehicle 5 takes out the transporting container C from the shelf 71 and stands by in the vicinity of the process chamber 21 into which the transporting container C is transported, specifically, on the standby track (not shown). And, as soon as the transport container 5 is unloaded from the process chamber 21 by another transport vehicle 5 after the previous processing is completed in the process chamber 21, or as soon as the maintenance of the process chamber 21 is completed, For example, the transport container C is carried into the process chamber 21 from the standby track to the main line 6a. In this way, generation of useless time in the process chamber 21 (time waiting for the transfer container C to be carried in) is suppressed, and processing is performed quickly and sequentially. Also, when the curing time and the reaction time elapse, the transport vehicle 5 returns to the position where the shelf 71 can be accessed a little before the time when the time elapses. Is quickly collected and carried into the process chamber 21.
Here, as shown in FIG. 17, the transport container C is placed in the storage area 48 using a position (storage area 48) that does not interfere with the processing device 27 and the worker in the process chamber 21 as a shelf 71. Also good.

  Further, for example, in the process chamber 21b sharing the transfer port 22, as shown in FIG. 18A, the fork 5b of the transport vehicle 5 is moved upward from the transfer port 22 of the process chamber 21a adjacent to the process chamber 21b. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the transfer container C is carried in via the carry-in / out port 24.

  And when the process chamber 21 which performs the next process is arrange | positioned in the hierarchical structure 3 of the upper layer side of this distribution floor 2, for example, as shown to Fig.19 (a) and FIG. It moves toward the delivery member 15 along the delivery branch path 8 c, and the transfer container C is placed on the delivery member 15. The stacker crane 12 receives the transfer container C by moving the transfer table 45 to a position facing the transfer member 15. And the stacker crane 12 raises the conveyance container C to the position which faces the delivery member 15 of the distribution floor 2 in the hierarchical structure 3 of the upper layer side. Next, as shown in FIG. 19B, the stacker crane 12 delivers the transport container C to the transport vehicle 5 through the delivery member 15. In this way, the transport container C is transported from the lower distribution floor 2 (conveyance vehicle 5) to the upper distribution floor 2, and the subsequent processing is sequentially performed. Further, when the transport container C is transported from the upper distribution floor 2 to the lower distribution floor 2, the transport container C is similarly delivered by the transport vehicle 5 and the stacker crane 12. The stacker crane 12 may be a lifting device such as a luggage elevator, a vertical lifter, or a vertical conveyor.

  When the transfer container C is transferred to the input area 25a of the process chamber 21 (tablet chamber 25) where the tableting process described above is performed, as shown in FIG. 22 and the delivery port 22 of the input area 25a, the transport vehicle 5 raises the transport container C to the same height position as the input area 25a and places it on the transfer section 28. The transfer container C is transferred from the transfer position to the upper position of the processing device 27 by the transfer unit 28. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, for example, another transport vehicle 5 raises an empty transport container C for storing the processed material from the delivery port 22 to the tableting chamber 25 side. The transport container C is carried into the processing area 25b through the transport port 22c. Then, the operator goes up the stairs (not shown) provided in the tableting chamber 25, and connects the opening end of the input path 27a to the input port (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the transfer container C in the input area 25a. Then, an object to be processed is put into the processing device 27 from the transfer container C. The object to be processed is subjected to a tableting process in the processing device 27, and is stored as a processed object in the transfer container C in the processing area 25b by the transfer member 27b.

When the tableting process is performed for a predetermined time, the transport container 5 carries the transport container C storing the processed material out of the tableting chamber 25 (processing area 25b). Further, for example, the empty transport container C is again carried into the processing area 25b by another transport vehicle 5, and the tableting process is continued. Then, for example, the transport container 5 is carried into and out of the processing area 25b by the transport vehicle 5 until the objects to be processed in the transport container C in the input area 25a run out or decrease. Thereafter, when the transport container C in the input area 25a becomes empty or the number of objects to be processed decreases, the transport container 5 unloads the transport container C.
For example, the operations of the processing device 27 and the operator in the process chamber 21 are observed (inspected) by, for example, a visitor passing through the visitor passage 63. Then, for example, by sequentially performing a plurality of processes on the object to be processed in the process chambers 21 at a plurality of levels, a pharmaceutical product as a final product is manufactured. The final product is stored in the above-described shelf 71 until shipped from the factory.

  Next, a case where the processing device 27 in the process chamber 21 is replaced (replaced) will be described. First, as shown in FIGS. 22 (a) and 23 (a), dust or the like generated in the process chamber 21 due to construction works from the process chamber 21 to the distribution floor 2, the worker passage 62, or another process chamber 21. The delivery port 22 or the loading / unloading port 24 is sealed by, for example, a plate-shaped covering member 65 and the door 29 is closed. Next, as shown in FIG. 22B, construction is performed to tear down the wall surface between the machine chamber 61 and the process chamber 21. Further, the partition wall 22a around the delivery port 22 is also torn down when it interferes with the conveyance of the processing device 27. Although dust and the like are generated by this construction, since the process chamber 21 is closed, the dust exits from the process chamber 21 to the distribution floor 2, the worker passage 62 or the process chamber 21 adjacent to the process chamber 21. I won't go.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 22 (c) and 23 (b), the processing device 27 is carried out from the process chamber 21 to the outside of the factory via the machine chamber 61, and for example, a new processing device 27 is placed in the process chamber 21. Carry in. At this time, when the machine room 61 is arranged at a level of two or more floors, the processing device 27 is transported from the outside of the factory using a crane or the like, for example. Thereafter, the cleaning in the process chamber 21 and the wall surface between the process chamber 21 and the machine chamber 61 are formed (repaired), the partition wall 22a is formed again as necessary, and the covering member 65 is removed. Processing resumes as described above. 22 and 23, only one process chamber 21 is drawn.

  Further, when the process chamber 21 is newly installed in the unused area 31 described above, the unused area 31 and the delivery port 22 are provided as shown in FIGS. 24 (a) and 25 (a). In the shared (adjacent) process chamber 21, the transfer port 22 is similarly closed with the covering member 65, and the partition wall 22 a is demolished as necessary, as shown in FIGS. 24B and 25B. The wall surface between the unused area 31 and the process chamber 21 is demolished by construction to form the loading / unloading port 24. The position of the loading / unloading port 24 is set according to the type of the processing device 27 installed in the unused area 31, for example. Then, for example, by performing an interior work on the unused area 31 and a work for demolishing a wall surface between the machine room 61 and newly loading the processing device 27, a new one is added to the unused area 31. A process chamber 21 is provided.

  Even in this case, when construction is being performed, dust and the like are transferred from the unused area 31 and the process chamber 21 sharing the unused area 31 and the delivery port 22 to the distribution floor 2 and the worker passage 62 or other processes. I do not go out to the room 21. Similarly, after cleaning and repairing the wall surface with the machine room 61 and then forming the partition wall 22a, the unused area 31 is used as the process chamber 21.

  For example, when the transport vehicle 5 breaks down or undergoes maintenance, as shown in FIG. 26, for example, the operator retracts the transport vehicle 5 to the retreat branch path 8a and waits on the spare branch path 8b. The transport vehicle 5 is moved to the main line 6a, and the transport vehicle 5 is replaced with the transport vehicle 5 retracted to the retreat branch path 8a.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the distribution floor 2 in which the transfer area for transferring the transfer container C is formed is provided below the processing floor 1 in which the plurality of process chambers 21 are arranged in a plane, and the processing floor A transfer port 22 is formed in the floor surface 11 between 1 and the distribution floor 2, and the transfer container C is provided between the process chamber 21 and the distribution floor 2 via the transfer port 22 by the transfer vehicle 5 traveling on the distribution floor 2. Is handing over. A shelf 71 for storing the transport container C is provided on the distribution floor 2. Thus, in the present invention, in contrast to the conventional concept of transporting the transport container C from the side to the process chamber 21, transport is performed on the logistics floor 2 and the processing floor 1 on the floor. A new concept of delivering the container C is adopted. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a transport path for transporting the transport container C on the processing floor 1, the distribution floor 2, which is the flow line of goods, and the worker passage 62, which is the flow line of people, are partitioned vertically. Therefore, while providing the shelf 71, the layout layout of each region (the process chamber 21, the machine room 61, the worker passage 62, and the visitor passage 63) of the processing floor 1 is greatly increased. be able to. Further, the shelf 71 can be freely arranged along the transport path 6 on the distribution floor 2, or the shelf branch path 8d dedicated to the shelf 71 can be freely routed to the distribution floor 2. Compared with the case where the shelf 71 is arranged along the conveyance path, the degree of freedom of the arrangement layout of the shelf 71 can be increased. Furthermore, the position of the shelf 71 for storing the transfer container C is set to a position in the vicinity of the process chamber 21 into which the transfer container C is next loaded, and the transfer container C is held when the process chamber 21 is empty. Thus, the transport vehicle 5 is kept waiting in the vicinity of the process chamber 21. Therefore, when this process chamber 21 is vacant, the transfer container C can be quickly loaded, that is, the transfer time by the transfer vehicle 5 becomes the rate-limiting in the flow of processing (until processing from raw materials to products). Since it can suppress, the useless time in the process chamber 21 is shortened, and a product can be obtained rapidly.

  Therefore, for example, the process chamber 21 and the machine chamber 61 can be adjacent to each other. Usually, since the machine room 61 faces the outer wall of the factory, when the processing device 27 in the process room 21 is replaced after the factory is constructed, the outside of the factory and the process room 21 are connected via the machine room 61. Equipment such as the processing device 27 is transported between them. Therefore, when the process chamber 21 and the machine room 61 are adjacent to each other, for example, a process chamber that performs the construction without blocking the worker passage 62 and without affecting the other process chambers 21. The processing device 27 can be introduced simply by stopping the processing at 21. As a result, the processing device 27 can be easily and quickly replaced, so that it can flexibly cope with the introduction of new equipment. In addition, for example, it is not necessary to adopt a layout assuming construction such as separately routing the worker passage 62, so that there is an advantage that the factory can be easily designed, and the installation area of the factory can be reduced.

Furthermore, even when the process chamber 21 is added to the unused area 31, the construction can be performed only by stopping the processing of the process chamber 21 sharing the unused area 31 and the transfer port 22. It can easily handle increased production of pharmaceuticals. Further, when the process chamber 21 is added to the unused area 31, the place where the loading / unloading port 24 is formed can be set in accordance with the type of the processing device 27 installed in the unused area 31 (process chamber 21). Therefore, the unused area 31 can be made to correspond to various process chambers 21.
Therefore, even if new technologies such as a new manufacturing method for pharmaceuticals or a processing device 27 are developed after the factory is constructed, these new technologies can be easily introduced into the plant, and can easily cope with an increase in production. So you can get a factory with a high degree of freedom.

  In addition, since the transport vehicle 5 is moved horizontally and the transport container C is moved up and down, the position of the transfer port 22 and the height position on which the transport container C is placed for each process chamber 21 (processing device). Even if the height dimension (27) varies, each process chamber 21 does not require a lifting device, so that a factory can be constructed at low cost. That is, for example, in the process chamber 21 where the coating is performed, the processing apparatus 27 is large, so that the height position on which the transfer container C is placed is higher than the floor surface 11 of the processing floor 1 by, for example, about 2.5 m. In some cases. However, even in that case, the transfer container C is directly delivered by the transfer vehicle 5 to the height position at which the transfer container C is placed in the process chamber 21 without providing a lifting device in the process chamber 21. it can.

  Furthermore, since the transfer container C is transferred from the lower level to the upper level by the transfer vehicle 5, the transfer port 22 can be shared between the adjacent process chambers 21 and 21, so that the number of transfer ports 22 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the distribution floor 2 and the worker passage 62 are provided separately, the collision between the transport vehicle 5 and the worker can be prevented, and the transport container C, the object to be processed or the processing by the worker can be prevented. Interference with objects can be prevented. Further, since the visitor passage 63 can be provided at a side position of the process chamber 21, for example, the operation of the processing device 27 can be observed (inspected) more reliably than when provided, for example, above the process chamber 21. it can.

  Furthermore, since the transport container C is transported by the transport vehicle 5 on the horizontal distribution floor 2, for example, compared to the case where the transport chamber of the stacker crane is provided in the height direction along the process chamber 21 of a plurality of levels. For example, an operator can easily clean the inside of the distribution floor 2. In addition, since a plurality of transport vehicles 5 are provided on the distribution floor 2, even when one of the transport vehicles breaks down or maintenance is performed, for example, other transport vehicles 5 can take over the transport handled by the transport vehicle 5. it can.

  Further, when it is necessary to transport the transport container C between the upper and lower distribution floors 2 and 2, the transport container C can be moved up and down by the stacker crane 12, so that the hierarchical structure 3 can be stacked, The installation area can be reduced. At this time, the lifting / lowering chamber 13 of the stacker crane 12 can be freely installed so as to face the logistics floor 2 of a plurality of levels, that is, to face the outer wall of the factory, so that it does not interfere with the layout in the factory.

  In addition, by providing a partition wall 22a that divides the atmosphere of the distribution floor 2 and the atmosphere of the processing floor 1 around the transfer port 22, for example, the inflow and outflow of contamination between each process chamber 21 and the distribution floor 2 can be prevented. Since it can suppress, the cross contamination via the distribution floor 2 between the some process chambers 21 can be suppressed. At this time, for example, when there is no risk of contamination from the process chamber 21 to the physical distribution floor 2 or when there is little risk, the partition wall 22a may not be provided.

  As described above, the transport vehicle 5 holds the transport container C from the side at the approximate center position in the height direction, while the stacker crane 12 is configured to hold the transport container C from below. Therefore, the transfer container C may be directly transferred between the transfer vehicle 5 and the stacker crane 12 without providing the transfer member 15 described above. Further, for the transport vehicle 5, a mechanism for moving the fork 5 b forward and backward on the transport vehicle 5 and the direction of the fork 5 b (transport container C) on the transport vehicle 5 may be adjusted.

  Moreover, as the above-described transport vehicle 5, the fork 5b is configured so that the transport container C can be delivered in the traveling direction and the left-right direction of the transport vehicle 5, but as shown in FIG. The structure which delivers the conveyance container C only to the advancing direction may be sufficient. That is, the rail 4a, the drive unit 4b, and the rotating shaft 4c described above may not be provided. In that case, as shown in FIG. 28, for example, a plurality of shelves 71 are provided on the physical distribution floor 2 at a position that does not interfere with the traveling or transporting operation of the transport vehicle 5 in an area outside the transport path 6. A branch path 80 that branches from the transport path 6 toward each shelf 71 is formed so that the transport vehicle 5 can move forward with respect to these shelves 71.

Further, the shelf 71 may be provided as the storage area 48 in the process chamber 21 as described above, or may be on the upper side of the process chamber 21 as shown in FIG. In this case, the shelf 71 is disposed between the process chamber 21 and the upper distribution floor 2 of the process chamber 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 30, an air lock chamber 50 for partitioning the atmosphere of the distribution floor 2 and the atmosphere of the process chamber 21 may be disposed adjacent to the process chamber 21. At this time, for example, when the ceiling surface of the airlock chamber 50 is lower than the ceiling surface of the process chamber 21, a shelf 71 may be provided above the airlock chamber 50. In FIG. 30, 50a is an opening / closing part for opening / closing an opening formed in the side wall part of the airlock chamber 50, and 50b is, for example, a conveyor for horizontally conveying the transfer container C in the airlock chamber 50. is there. Reference numeral 53 denotes a conveyor for transferring the transfer container C to and from the air lock chamber 50 in the process chamber 21.
When the air lock chamber 50 is disposed, a shelf 71 may be provided on the processing floor 1 below the air lock chamber 50 as shown in FIG.

  Moreover, in the above example, although the example which shares the delivery port 22 between the two adjacent process chambers 21a and 21b was demonstrated, as shown in FIG. 32, the process chamber of the center of the three adjacent process chambers 21 is shown. The transfer port 22 may be formed in 21a, and this transfer port 22 may be shared by the process chambers 21b and 21c adjacent to the process chamber 21a. At this time, for example, when the delivery port 22 and the loading / unloading port 24 of the process chamber 21c (21b) are separated from each other, a conveyor 91 may be provided between the delivery port 22 and the loading / unloading port 24. In FIG. 32, the partition wall 22a is omitted. The same applies to FIG. 33 below.

Further, as shown in FIG. 33 (a), two delivery ports 22 and 22 are formed in the process chamber 21a so as to be close to the loading / unloading ports 24 and 24 of the process chambers 21b and 21c without providing the conveyor 91, respectively. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, the transfer port 22 may be formed largely so as to be close to the loading / unloading ports 24 and 24 of the process chambers 21b and 21c. In this case, for example, when the processing device 27 is transported between the process chamber 21a and the machine chamber 61 via the upper region of the transfer port 22, for example, a transport path (not shown) made of, for example, metal so as to close the transfer port 22 is used. And the processing device 27 is transported on this transport path.
Moreover, although the case where the unused area 31 is remodeled to the process chamber 21 has been described, the unused area 31 may be remodeled to be used as the shelf 71.

  Further, in the above-described example, when the transfer container C is transferred to the tableting chamber 25, the transfer port 22 for transferring the transfer container C to the input area 25a and the transfer container to the processing area 25b. Although the delivery port 22 for delivering C is provided at the same position in a plan view, these delivery ports 22 and 22 may be provided at different positions as shown in FIG. That is, two delivery ports 22 and 22 may be formed in a plane in the tableting chamber 25, and paths for delivering the transfer container C to the input area 25a and the processing area 25b may be provided independently and exclusively. good. Accordingly, the partition 26 is disposed above the transfer port 22 for transferring the transfer container C to the processing area 25b. In this case, the conveyance vehicles 5 that access the respective input areas 25a and the processing areas 25b may be shared, or may be provided separately. The traveling distribution floor 2 may be partitioned. Also in this example, the shelf 71 and the airlock chamber 50 may be provided on the distribution floor 2. In FIG. 34, the two delivery ports 22 and 22 are spaced apart from each other on the left and right. However, the delivery ports 22 and 22 are formed at a transport vehicle that accesses the delivery ports 22 and 22. For example, they may be provided side by side and close to each other so as not to interfere with each other.

  Furthermore, the stacker crane 12 is provided to transfer the transfer container C between the upper and lower distribution floors 2, 2. However, when the transfer container C is not transferred between the distribution floors 2, 2, the stacker crane 12 is provided. Need not be provided. Further, although the hierarchical structure 3 is stacked over a plurality of layers, for example, two layers, it may be a single layer as shown in FIG. In FIG. 35, the partition wall 22a is omitted.

  In addition, it has already been described that the processing floor 1 and the distribution floor 2 provide a large degree of freedom in the layout of each area of the factory. However, with regard to factories having layouts different from the examples described above, FIGS. Will be described with reference to FIG. In this factory, an operator passage 95 is provided along the process chamber 21 in place of the machine room 61 described above, and a side surface between the worker passage 95 and each process chamber 21 is provided. Are provided with doors 29 for workers. In order to prevent contamination of workers entering and leaving the process chamber 21 via, for example, clothes, the worker passage 95 includes a passage for workers entering each process chamber 21 and a passage for workers leaving the chamber. It is provided to make it separate. Accordingly, one of the worker passages 62 and 95 is a passage for a worker who enters each process chamber 21, and the other of the worker passages 62 and 95 is a worker who leaves the process chamber 21. Is a passage for.

Even when the two worker passages 62 and 95 are arranged so as to be adjacent to the process chamber 21 as described above, the transfer container C can be carried into the process chamber 21 from the distribution floor 2. The chamber 21 does not require a lifting device such as a lifter for lifting and lowering the transport container C. Therefore, since the processing floor 1 and the distribution floor 2 are partitioned vertically, the layout of the processing floor 1 and the shelves 71 can be freely set while suppressing an increase in construction costs.
Note that a cleaning chamber for cleaning the inside or the outside of the transfer container C may be provided so as to be adjacent to the process chamber 21 instead of the machine chamber 61 described above.

  In each of the above-described examples, the process chambers 21 are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction. However, since the transfer container C is delivered from the lower side by the transport vehicle 5, the process chambers 21 are arranged laterally from one process chamber 21. When the side is viewed, a layout in which separate process chambers 21 are arranged on all four surrounding surfaces can be adopted. Specifically, an area in which the process chamber 21 is disposed on the processing floor 1 may be divided into three areas in the vertical and horizontal directions using wall surfaces, and the areas may be used as the process chambers 21. In this case, for example, each process chamber 21 is provided with a transfer port 22 on the floor surface 11. That is, by providing the physical distribution floor 2 below the processing floor 1 in which the process chamber 21 is arranged, it is not necessary to provide a transport track for transporting the transport container C on the processing floor 1. Compared with the case where the transport container C is transported by relying solely on the crane 100, the degree of freedom of the layout of the processing floor 1 can be made extremely high.

  Here, although the process chambers 21a and 21b sharing the transfer port 22 are arranged in the processing floor 1, the transfer port 22 may be formed for any of the process chambers 21. In that case, the unused area 31 may be shared with the adjacent process chamber 21 and the delivery port 22, or the delivery port 22 may be formed in the unused area 31 in advance. Further, when the transfer port 22 is shared between the adjacent process chambers 21a and 21b, the transfer port 22 in the process chamber 21a may be formed long along the wall surface between these process chambers 21a and 21b. By forming the transfer port 22 in this way, the degree of freedom increases not only in the height position but also in the lateral direction with respect to the position where the loading / unloading port 24 is formed.

  Further, in the above-described example, the present invention has been described by taking a pharmaceutical factory that manufactures a solid preparation as an example. However, for example, in addition to such a solid preparation, a plurality of process chambers 21 for processing an object to be processed are provided. The present invention may be applied to a processing facility such as a factory for producing foods or chemicals.

C Transport container 1 Processing floor 2 Distribution floor 5 Transport vehicle 6 Transport path 6a Main line 6b Branch path 21 Process room 22 Delivery port 71 Shelf 72 Marker

Claims (4)

A first floor on which a plurality of process chambers for taking out the object to be processed from the transfer container and processing the processed object in the transfer container and storing the obtained processed object in the transfer container ;
A second floor for transporting an object to be processed or a transport container storing the object to be processed, provided below the first floor;
A plurality of transfer ports formed on the floor surface of the first floor, for carrying the transfer container between the process rooms of the first floor through the second floor ;
In order to transfer the transfer container between the process chamber and the second floor via the transfer port, a transport vehicle provided horizontally movable on the second floor;
A storage area provided for storing the object to be processed or the transfer container storing the process object on the second floor, and delivering the transfer container by the transfer vehicle,
The transport vehicle includes a fork that holds the transport container and moves up and down along the support, and the support is a height position when the fork delivers the transport container to and from the first floor. It is configured to be stretchable between a height position above the mouth and a height position when moving horizontally on the second floor, which is a height position lower than the transfer mouth. And processing equipment.   The processing facility according to claim 1, wherein the storage area is arranged along a travel path on which the transport vehicle travels on the second floor. A control unit for controlling the operation of the transport vehicle;
It said storage region, processing equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position is managed by the control unit. The said storage area | region is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the position which delivers with the said conveyance vehicle with respect to the process chamber in which the said conveyance container is carried in, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Processing equipment.

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