JP5009657B2 - Work isolation bag and isolator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a work isolation bag body and an isolator that can handle a workpiece while maintaining a sterile and dust-free state.

  Conventionally, after supplying a decontamination gas such as hydrogen peroxide gas into an isolator and making the isolator sterile and dust-free, the workpiece W is put into the isolator and various operations are performed on the workpiece W in the isolator. The structure which performs is already well known (for example, refer patent document 1).

  The isolator is installed in a clean room (not shown) or the like in which a unidirectional flow is formed, and includes a metal device housing that hermetically blocks the indoor space from the outside. In addition, the device casing includes a glass window that allows the inside of the casing to be visually recognized from the outside. In addition, a work hole is formed in the apparatus housing, and a base end portion of a flexible work glove that enables manual work is attached to the work hole in a sealed manner. With this configuration, an operator can insert his / her hand into the work glove from the outside and check the inside of the casing through the glass window while handling the work W in the casing with the work glove. By setting it as such a structure, even if the workpiece | work W contains a scattering prohibition thing, an operation | work can be performed appropriately, without scattering a scattering prohibition object to the outside.

JP 2005-16909 A

  However, the above isolator has the following problems. That is, in the case where the workpiece W is sequentially inserted and the continuous work is performed, if the scattering prohibition scatters from the workpiece W and the inside of the casing becomes contaminated, the next new workpiece W is continuously inserted. I can't. This is because if the next workpiece W is put into the contaminated casing, the new workpiece W may be contaminated by the scattering prohibition. For this reason, after cleaning the inside of the casing and removing the scattering prohibition, it is necessary to throw in the next workpiece W and restart the operation. Such a cleaning operation performed every time the workpiece W is thrown in is troublesome and the work efficiency is greatly reduced. Therefore, a solution for such a problem has been demanded.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a work isolation bag body and an isolator that do not reduce the work efficiency as a whole even when work that repeatedly requires a work space maintained in a sterile or dust-free state is performed. Objective.

  The present invention is connected adjacent to a chamber having a work discharge port through which a work is discharged, and is partly or entirely a bag shape made of a soft material, and its inner cavity is sterile. Or an upstream opening that is a dust-free working space and communicates with the working space, and the upstream opening is connected to the workpiece discharge port of the chamber in an airtight manner, and the upstream opening A work isolation bag body that allows a work to be transferred to the work space via a section and is provided with an isolation flexible member that enables work in the work space from the outside.

  In the above-described configuration, since the juxtaposed chamber and the work isolation bag body communicate with each other, the work put in the chamber can be transferred into the work isolation bag body. Further, since the work isolation bag body includes an isolation flexible member (for example, a work glove), various work can be performed in the work space for the work transferred from the chamber. Here, in such work, prohibited work may be scattered from the work and the work space may be contaminated. In such a case, when the work is completed, the work isolation bag is separated from the chamber and discarded as it is. By adopting such a configuration, it is not necessary to clean the work space each time even when working continuously, so that the work efficiency is extremely good. In addition, since the isolation bag body for work which concerns on this invention is comprised with the soft material, it is possible to change an external shape easily and to discard it collectively small suitably.

  By the way, a well-known chamber can be applied to the chamber, and a pass box and the like are also included. For example, it is good also as a structure which connects the isolation bag body for work to the chamber already installed in the clean room. Here, since the chamber is a housing made of a material harder than the isolation bag body for work, the opening edge of the upstream side opening is properly connected by connecting the work discharge port and the upstream side opening. It is held and a sufficient opening area is secured, which plays the role of facilitating the loading operation. Further, as the soft material constituting the work isolation bag body, a flexible material that can be easily discarded by folding the work isolation bag body small is suitably used.

  In the above-described configuration, an opening / closing means for opening or blocking the workpiece discharge port is disposed at the workpiece discharge port of the chamber. The workpiece is opened when passing through the workpiece, and when the workpiece is not connected, the work isolation bag body is opened. A configuration is proposed in which the working space is separated from the chamber.

  In such a configuration, by performing work in the work space with the work discharge port in a shielded state, even if the work space is in a contaminated state, the contaminant can be prevented from entering the chamber. . When the workpiece is transferred from the chamber to the work isolation bag body, the workpiece can be moved without any problem if the workpiece discharge port is opened.

  In addition, a configuration is proposed in which a small storage chamber having an inner space communicating with a work space is integrally provided.

  In such a configuration, the work in the work space is moved into the small storage chamber, and the small storage chamber is separated while ensuring airtightness, whereby the work can be taken out from the work space.

By the way, the above-mentioned working isolation bag body is suitably used in the following manner.
In other words, each has a workpiece inlet and a workpiece outlet provided with an open / close door, and a workpiece transferred from the workpiece inlet is connected to a chamber that is discharged from the workpiece outlet and adjacent to the chamber. And a part or all of the bag is made of a soft material, and the inner space of the bag is a sterile or dust-free working space, and the upstream opening and the downstream communicating with the working space A side opening, and the upstream opening is airtightly connected to the work discharge port of the chamber and allows the work to be transferred into the work space through the upstream opening. The downstream opening is provided with a filter that covers the opening, and an isolation bag for isolation that is provided with an isolation flexible member that enables operation in the work space from the outside. Body and said working space Opening and closing of the opening with an opening and closing door, which is connected to the opening on the downstream side of the bag body in an airtight manner and has an exhaust device for discharging the air in the work space of the work isolation bag body to the outside after passing through the filter When the exhaust device is operated in a state where the door is shielded, a one-way flow from the upstream opening to the downstream opening is formed in the work space of the work isolation bag body. An isolator is proposed.

  Here, at least the work space of the work isolation bag body is decontaminated by introducing a decontamination gas such as hydrogen peroxide gas, and after being made sterile or dust-free, various works are performed after the work is introduced. Is called. Here, during the work, contaminants may be scattered in the work space, but since the unidirectional flow is formed in the work space from the upstream opening toward the downstream opening, It does not enter the chamber and is captured by the filter in the downstream opening. For this reason, such scattered objects do not scatter to the outside from an opening with an opening / closing door or the like. Further, in the present invention, when the work in the work space is finished, the work isolation bag body is detached from the chamber and the exhaust device, folded small and discarded. Here, since a part or all of the working isolation bag body is made of a flexible soft material, the bag body can be easily deformed and disposed of easily. Then, when working on a new workpiece next time, a new working isolation bag is prepared. That is, it is connected to the chamber and the exhaust device in the same manner as in the connection mode described above to return to a workable state. Here, the filter captures scattered matter generated in the work space. For this reason, it is necessary to clean such a filter when starting work related to a new workpiece. Therefore, by disposing the filter together with the work isolation bag, the work for cleaning the filter becomes unnecessary, and the work efficiency is improved as a whole.

  As described above, the isolator according to the present invention can provide the work space by sequentially replacing the work isolation bags constituting the work space each time the work of the work is repeatedly performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to clean the work space every time for the next work work. For this reason, it is possible to make the continuous work work smooth and quick, and the work efficiency is drastically improved as a whole. In addition, the present invention makes it possible to operate the chamber in a sterile or dust-free state by simply connecting the working isolation bag body and the exhaust device to a chamber that is not sterile or dust-free. There is a technical significance that the device can be upgraded. In other words, the invention is useful in that the performance related to the airtightness of the existing chamber can be easily improved. The decontamination described above includes chemical T-phase decontamination, sterilization, sterilization, and the like.

  Moreover, in the said structure, the structure provided with the member for suspension which suspends the isolation bag body for work is proposed.

  By adopting such a configuration, the work isolation bag body having a relatively low form retention property is appropriately held with a simple structure, the work space in the work space is appropriately secured, and the work environment in the work space is improved. can do.

  Even in the isolator, a configuration is proposed in which the work isolation bag is integrally provided with a small storage chamber having an inner space communicating with the work space.

  With this configuration, it is possible to move the work in the work space into the small storage room and take out the work from the work space.

  Since the work isolation bag body of the present invention is made of a soft material, it can be separated from the chamber and disposed of at the end of the work, and the work efficiency can be greatly improved by eliminating the work space cleaning work. There is an effect that can be done.

  In addition, when an opening / closing means is provided at the work discharge port of the chamber, the work can be transferred from the chamber to the work isolation bag body, and contaminants generated in the work space of the work isolation bag body are contained in the chamber. There is an advantage that the intrusion can be suppressed.

  Moreover, when it is set as the structure by which the small storage chamber is arrange | positioned, there exists an advantage from which a workpiece | work can be taken out appropriately from work space.

  The isolator of the present invention includes a chamber, a work isolation bag made of a soft material, and an exhaust device, and is provided in the work space of the work isolation bag from the upstream opening to the downstream opening. Since the unidirectional flow is formed, the scattered objects do not scatter to the outside during work, and after the work is performed with the work isolation bag, the work isolation bag is separated from the chamber and the exhaust device. When the work is to be discarded and the work is performed again in the work space, it can be replaced with a new unused work isolation bag. Therefore, when the work of the workpiece is repeatedly performed, it is not necessary to clean the work space each time, so that an excellent effect of dramatically improving the work efficiency as a whole occurs.

  Moreover, when it is set as the structure provided with the member for suspension which suspends the work isolation bag body, the work isolation bag body with comparatively low form retainability is hold | maintained appropriately with simple structure, and the work isolation bag body There is an effect that the working environment can be improved.

  Moreover, when it is set as the structure using the isolation bag body for work provided with the small storage chamber, there exists an advantage which can take out a workpiece | work from work space appropriately.

  An embodiment of an isolator 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the isolator 1 includes a chamber 3, a work isolation bag body 5 adjacent to the chamber 3, and an exhaust device 7 adjacent to the work isolation bag body 5. It is comprised with the trolley | bogie 9 which supports the connecting body formed. The carriage 9 has wheels 11 attached to the four corners, and is provided with a support rod 12 that extends in the horizontal direction, and the chamber 3 and the exhaust device 7 are fixed on the support rod 12. .

  The chamber 3 has a metallic (SUS) box shape, and has two openings on the side surface. One is a work insertion port 21 to which an opening / closing door 25 is attached. The open / close door 25 is pivotally attached to the chamber 3 via a hinge member 27 (see FIG. 3) so that the open / close door 25 is opened by a rotary handle 28 disposed vertically. It is possible to be in a state or a shielding state.

  On the other hand, a cylindrical projecting portion 17 projecting sideways is provided at a position opposite to the work insertion port 21, and a work discharge port 29 is configured by the open end of the tip. Here, the workpiece insertion port 21 and the workpiece discharge port 29 have an opening area that allows a workpiece W to be described later to pass through appropriately. The work discharge port 29 will be described in detail later.

  An air supply duct 15 is fixed on the upper surface of the chamber 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the air supply duct 15 has a filter 19 disposed therein, and takes in outside air from an air supply port 16 that is open to the side, and the outside air passes through the communication port 18. Guide into chamber 3.

  In addition, flexible working gloves (separation flexible members) 35 and 35 are arranged side by side on the side surface of the chamber 3 (front surface in FIG. 1). More specifically, two working holes 36 and 36 are opened on the side surface of the chamber 3, and a palm part and an arm part are arranged in the chamber 3 in each working hole 36, and the base ends thereof are arranged. The portion and the edge of the working hole 36 are connected in an airtight manner. With this configuration, the operator can perform an internal operation while inserting a hand into the work globe 35 from outside and checking the inside through the transparent glass window 37 disposed on the side surface of the chamber 3. In addition, a well-known technique is suitably employ | adopted for the structure which connects the work glove 35 to the chamber 3 airtightly.

  Further, the exhaust device 7 is a box type carried by a plurality of support columns 40 fixed on the carriage 9 and standing in the vertical direction, and support rods 47 (see FIG. 2) spanning the support columns 40. The cover body 53 and a fan 54 that is inherent in the cover body 53 are configured. A vertical pipe 45 is connected to the lower surface of the cover body 53. In such a configuration, when the fan 54 is driven, the air guided by the pipe 45 enters the cover body 53, and the air is further discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 46 opened to the side. In addition, a well-known technique is suitably employ | adopted for the exhaust apparatus 7 which concerns on this invention.

Next, the work isolation bag body 5 which is a main part of the present invention will be described.
The work isolation bag body 5 is substantially entirely made of a transparent soft vinyl chloride resin (PVC), and as shown in FIG. 6, is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped bag body whose inside can be visually recognized from the outside. . The internal space is decontaminated in advance, and the internal space is made as a sterile or dust-free work space 58.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the working isolation bag body 5 is provided with an upstream opening 61 and a downstream opening 62 at the left and right ends, respectively. More specifically, on one side of the work isolation bag body 5, a cylindrical side protrusion 55 having an open end is formed, and the upstream end 61 is configured by the open end. . Here, the side protrusion 55 is externally fitted to the cylindrical protrusion 17 of the chamber 3, and two upstream O-rings 65 are attached to the fitting portion so that the upstream opening 61 is provided. And a work discharge port 29 of the chamber 3 are connected in an airtight manner. With this configuration, the workpiece W introduced into the chamber 3 from the workpiece insertion port 21 can pass through the workpiece discharge port 29 and pass through the upstream opening 61 to enter the work space 58.

  The outer periphery of the cylindrical protrusion 17 of the chamber 3 is formed with a concave groove 69 arranged in the front and rear, and the O-ring 65 is positioned in the concave groove 69 so that the side protrusion 55 is formed. The separation from the cylindrical protrusion 17 is prevented.

  The work discharge port 29 is provided with an opening / closing member (so-called door) 75 made of a soft resin (made of rubber) shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, and both spaces are simply defined. Specifically, a disc-shaped opening / closing member 75 having a cross-shaped cutting portion 76 formed in the center is fitted into the cylindrical protruding portion 17. In such a configuration, the opening / closing member 75 is pressed by the workpiece W transferred from the workpiece insertion port 21 due to its flexibility, so that the center expands and allows the workpiece W to pass therethrough. The center is closed and the two spaces are partitioned. Even in a state of being partitioned by the opening / closing member 75 (partitioned state), the flow of air flowing back and forth between both spaces through the fine gap by the cutting portion 76 is ensured. Here, the opening and closing means according to the present invention is configured by the opening and closing member 75 that is in an open state when the workpiece passes and is in a shielding state that partitions the work space 58 and the chamber 3 when the workpiece is not in communication.

  On the other hand, a rectangular downstream opening 62 is opened on the other side of the work isolation bag 5 as shown in FIG. Further, a known filter 66 is disposed in the downstream opening 62.

  More specifically, the tube member 51 with a filter is fixed around the downstream opening 62 so as to cover the downstream opening 62. The tubular member 51 with a filter is filled with a known filter 66 and has a flange-shaped flange portion 68 at the tip portion. And this flange part 68 contact | abuts to the peripheral edge of the downstream opening part 62 in the surface contact state, and mutually weld-joins in this contact state. Thus, the filter 66 is mounted in an airtight manner so as to cover the downstream opening 62. In addition, as a technique for connecting the flange portion 68 and the downstream opening 62 in an airtight manner, a known technique is preferably employed, and, for example, a structure in which the flange 68 and the downstream opening 62 are fixed to each other with a known adhesive may be used.

  In addition, the end portion of the above-mentioned filter-containing cylinder member 51 is connected to the vertical pipe 45 communicating with the above-described exhaust device 7 so as to be detachable. As the configuration for detachably connecting the tube member 51 with the filter and the pipe 45, a known technique such as attaching and detaching with a one-touch by a ferrule clamp is suitably employed. In this connected state, when the exhaust device 7 is operated, the air in the work space 58 of the work isolation bag body 5 is introduced into the pipe 45 through the filter 66 and exhausted to the outside. .

By the way, as for the isolation bag body 5 for work described so far, the bag shape is maintained in the following manner.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and the like, two suspension rods 41 (suspending members) that are horizontally held are arranged in parallel between the support column 40 and the side surface of the chamber 3. Has been handed over. Each suspension rod 41 has a plurality of hooks 48a arranged in a line.

  Further, a plurality of hooks 48b are arranged in a line on the top surface of the work isolation bag body 5 and are connected to the hooks 48a of the suspension rod 41 via the wires 49, respectively. It is suspended between the chamber 3 and the exhaust device 7.

  In addition, flexible work gloves (isolation flexible members) 71 and 71 are arranged side by side on the side surface (front side in FIG. 1) of the work isolation bag body 5. More specifically, two working holes 72, 72 are opened on the side surface of the working isolation bag body 5, and a palm part and an arm part are arranged in the working space 58 in each working hole 72. The base end portion and the hole edge of the working hole 72 are connected in an airtight manner. With this configuration, an operator can insert a hand into the work glove 71 from the outside and perform an internal work in the work space 58. In addition, the structure which connects the work glove 71 airtightly employ | adopts a well-known technique like the said work glove 35 suitably. By the way, the work isolation bag body 5 and the work glove 71 play a role of airtightly isolating the internal space and the outside world in order to maintain the internal space in a sterile or dust-free state.

  Moreover, the above-mentioned working isolation bag body 5 is integrally provided with a small storage chamber 78 that protrudes outwardly at its lower end. The inside of the small storage chamber 78 communicates with the work space 58 and is later cut and separated at the root portion. The usage mode of the small storage chamber 78 will be described later.

  Next, the usage mode of the isolator 1 will be described. In addition, the usage aspect of the isolator 1 is not limited to the following example. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11, the workpiece W of the present embodiment has a double structure, and the content w2 is packaged by the package body w1, but the workpiece W according to the present invention is limited to this. Is not to be done.

  First, the open / close door 25 of the work insertion port 21 of the chamber 3 is opened (see FIG. 4), the work W shown in FIG. 11 is put into the chamber 3, and the open / close door 25 is shielded.

  Next, using the work glove 35 provided in the chamber 3, the work W put into the chamber 3 is discharged from the work discharge port 29 through the center of the opening / closing member 75. If it does so, the workpiece | work W will move to the work space 58 of the isolation bag body 5 for work.

  At the same time, the fan 54 is driven to operate the exhaust device 7. Then, the outside air flows into the chamber 3 through the air supply duct 15, passes through the work discharge port 29, flows into the work space 58 of the work isolation bag body 5 from the upstream opening 61, and is formed on the downstream opening. It passes through 62 and flows into the exhaust device 7 through the filter-containing cylinder member 51 and the pipe 45, and is exhausted from the exhaust port 46 to the outside. That is, a one-way flow from the upstream opening 61 to the downstream opening 62 is formed in the work space 58, and the airflow is optimized to control the contaminants.

  Next, the worker disassembles the workpiece W using the work glove 71 provided in the work isolation bag body 5. Specifically, the package w1 is broken and the content w2 is taken out. Then, the content w2 is stored in the small storage chamber 78 described above. At this time, a part of the content w <b> 2 is scattered in the work space 58.

  When the content w2 is stored in the small storage chamber 78, as shown in FIG. 8, the base end portion of the small storage chamber 78 is closed at a plurality of locations from both sides, and the inside of the small storage chamber 78 and the work space 58 are closed. Shut off in an airtight manner. Further, the small storage chamber 78 is cut along the cutting line k between the closed portions 80 and separated from the work isolation bag body 5 of the main body. Then, the contents w2 can be taken out of the work isolation bag body 5 without being scattered to the outside.

  On the other hand, since a part of the contents w2 is scattered in the work space 58 of the work isolation bag body 5, the work isolation bag body 5 is discarded.

  As a disposal method, first, as shown in FIG. 9, the side protrusions 55 of the work isolation bag body 5 are closed at a plurality of locations from both sides to form a plurality of closed portions 85. Shut off the inside. Further, the side protrusion 55 is cut along a cutting line m between the blocking portions 85. Thereby, the isolation bag body 5 for work and the chamber 3 are isolate | separated.

  On the other hand, on the exhaust device 7 side, the connection between the pipe 45 and the tube member 51 with filter is released. Then, the work isolation bag body 5 is discarded in a state in which the filter-containing cylinder member 51 is attached to the downstream opening 62. Since the work isolation bag body 5 is almost entirely made of a soft material, the work isolation bag body 5 can be appropriately deformed and small and can be easily discarded (see FIG. 10).

  Next, to work on a new workpiece W, a new decontaminated work isolation bag body 5 is prepared, and the work isolation bag body 5 is connected to the chamber 3 and the exhaust device 7 in the same connection mode. (See FIG. 1 etc.). This makes it possible to work on a new workpiece W.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, Of course, unless it deviates from the main point of this invention, it can change suitably.

  For example, a known flow rate adjusting valve may be attached to the air supply duct 15 or the pipe 45 so that the air passage amount can be adjusted.

  Further, when discarding the working isolation bag body 5, the tube member 51 with the filter may be separated from the downstream opening 62 and discarded separately from the filter 66. Moreover, the arrangement | positioning aspect of the filter 66 can be changed suitably, and it is good also as what does not make a structure like the cylinder member 51 with a filter the object of disposal.

  Further, as the content to be worked in the work space 58, another object may be appropriately mixed with the content w2 to be taken out as a product w3.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a configuration including a carriage 9 a (first holding body) that holds the chamber 3 and a carriage 9 b (second holding base) that holds the exhaust device 7 and the work isolation bag body 5. It is also good. With this configuration, it is possible to easily connect the working isolation bag body 5 to the existing chamber 3 to obtain the isolator 1.

  Moreover, the isolation flexible member which concerns on this invention is not limited to a work glove, It can also comprise by a half suit etc. In addition, the ratio of the soft material in the work isolation bag body 5 is not particularly limited, and the use part of the material may be a part or the whole, and the soft material is easily used for disposal. Configurations are included in the present invention.

1 is a front view of an isolator 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the isolator 1. FIG. 2 is a side view of the isolator 1. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of the isolator 1. FIG. It is the BB sectional drawing of FIG. 2 which shows the junction location of the isolation bag body 5 and the chamber 3 for work. It is a figure which shows the isolation bag body 5 for work, and is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 7 is a front view of an opening / closing member 75. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the isolation | separation aspect of the small storage chamber. It is explanatory drawing which shows the isolation | separation aspect of the isolation bag body 5 for work. It is a front view which shows the isolator 1 of the state from which the isolation bag body 5 for work was removed. It is a vertical side view of the workpiece W. It is a front view which shows the modification of the isolator 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Isolator 3 Chamber 5 Work isolation bag body 7 Exhaust device 21 Work inlet 25 Opening door 29 Work outlet 41 Suspension rod (member for suspension)
58 working space 61 upstream opening 62 downstream opening 66 filter 71 working glove (isolation flexible member)
78 Small storage room W Workpiece

Claims (2)

A chamber in which a workpiece input port provided with an open / close door and a workpiece discharge port are provided, and a workpiece is transferred from the workpiece input port and discharged from the workpiece discharge port;
It is connected adjacent to the chamber and is partly or entirely made of a soft material and has a bag shape. The inner space of the bag is a sterile or dust-free working space, and the working space An upstream opening and a downstream opening communicating with the workpiece, wherein the upstream opening is connected to the work discharge port of the chamber in an airtight manner, and the work space is connected to the work through the upstream opening. The downstream opening is provided with a filter that covers the opening, and an isolation flexible member that enables work in the work space from the outside. A working isolation bag body disposed;
An exhaust device connected in an airtight manner to the downstream side opening of the work isolation bag body and exhausting air in the work space of the work isolation bag body to the outside after passing through the filter;
A suspension member for suspending a work isolation bag between the chamber and the exhaust device;
A chamber, a work isolation bag body adjacent to the chamber, and a platform that supports a connecting body formed by connecting the exhaust device adjacent to the work isolation bag body in the left-right direction ,
When the exhaust device is operated in a state where the opening / closing door with the opening / closing door is shielded , the downstream opening from the upstream opening to the working space of the work isolation bag suspended from the suspension member A one-way flow toward the
Furthermore, an isolator characterized by comprising a suspension member for suspending a work isolation bag between the chamber and the exhaust device.   2. The isolator according to claim 1, wherein the work isolation bag is integrally provided with a small storage chamber having an inner space communicating with the work space.

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