JP5745786B2 - Processing equipment - Google Patents

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 for producing a solid preparation such as a pharmaceutical, as shown in FIG. 42, 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. 42, reference numeral 105 denotes a transfer port, and reference numeral 104 denotes an uninterior (unused) area (room). This non-interior area 104 is used for interior work, Remodeling work such as formation and carrying in of processing equipment is performed and used as the process chamber 102. In FIG. 42, 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. These worker passage 103 and machine room 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. For this reason, 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 conveyor provided at 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.

  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 for processing a workpiece to obtain the workpiece, and a workpiece to be processed or a workpiece to be processed. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing facility having a large degree of freedom in the layout of internal regions in a processing facility provided with a transport region for transporting an object and delivering a transported object to these process chambers.

The treatment facility of the present invention is
A plurality of process chambers are provided for taking out the object to be processed from the transfer container and processing with the processing apparatus, and storing the obtained processed objects in the transfer container , and an entrance for an operator to enter and exit the process chamber A first floor constituting one floor in the factory where
A second floor for transporting a transport container that stores the transport object or the transport object to be processed, which is provided below the first floor;
A delivery port formed on the floor of at least one process chamber among the plurality of process chambers, for delivering a transport container storing a transported object between the process chamber and the second floor;
In order to transfer the transfer container between the at least one process chamber and the second floor through the transfer port, the transfer container is provided so as to be horizontally movable on the second floor, and the transfer container can be moved up and down. A transport vehicle having a delivery mechanism held in
A partition provided around the transfer port so as to extend upward from the floor surface of the first floor, and for partitioning an upper region of the transfer port and a processing atmosphere inside the at least one process chamber With walls,
A transfer port formed in the partition wall for delivering the transfer container and a door for opening and closing the transfer port;
When the door is open, the transport container then passes carrying container between the delivery mechanism in a state located in the occupied region at the time of closing of the door, said a position for transferring to said transfer mechanism A transport unit configured to transport a transport container between a position on the processing atmosphere side of the door, and
The delivery mechanism includes a fork that holds the transport container and moves up and down along the support, and the support is at 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
The conveyance unit holds the object to be conveyed from the lower side with respect to the support unit provided on the processing atmosphere side with respect to the door, and the position between the delivery and the position on the processing atmosphere side with respect to the door. The slide mechanism may include a holding portion that is supported by the support portion so as to freely advance and retract in the horizontal direction.
The transfer unit is provided on the processing atmosphere side of the door, supports the object to be transferred from below, and is covered between a position on the processing atmosphere side and a position for delivering to the delivery mechanism. A horizontal transport mechanism for transporting a transported object in the horizontal direction;
Auxiliary, which is provided between the door and the delivery port, and supports an object to be conveyed at a position where the delivery mechanism is delivered to the delivery mechanism so as to be movable forward and backward between the horizontal conveyance mechanism and the delivery mechanism. A transport unit, and
The transferred object is transferred between the transfer mechanism and the horizontal transfer mechanism in a state where the area on the transfer port side of the transferred object is supported from below by the auxiliary transfer unit. You may carry in / out with respect to the position by the side of a process atmosphere, being supported from the downward side by the conveyance part.

  According to the present invention, a second floor is provided below the first floor where a plurality of process chambers are arranged. A transfer port is formed on the floor surface between the second floor and the transfer object is transferred between the second floor and the process chamber via the transfer port by a transport vehicle traveling on the second floor. Yes. Then, when transferring the object to be transferred between the transport vehicle and the process chamber through the door of the partition wall provided around the transfer port, the space between the transport vehicle and the transport vehicle is occupied when the door is closed. A transfer unit for delivering the transfer object is provided, and the transfer object is carried into the process atmosphere side of the process chamber by the transfer unit. Therefore, since the first floor where the process chamber is arranged and the second floor where the object to be conveyed is conveyed can be partitioned vertically, the degree of freedom of arrangement layout of each area arranged on the first floor is increased. Can be taken.

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 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 explanatory drawing which shows an example of the slide mechanism 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 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 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 an example of the effect | action 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 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 perspective 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. The processing floor 1 is provided with a partition wall 22a for partitioning the atmosphere between the floors 1 and 2 so as to be close to the delivery port 22, and an opening / closing door 22b formed on the partition wall 22a and In order to transfer the transfer container C between the floors 1 and 2 via the transfer port 22, a slide mechanism (slide station) 55 as a transfer unit is provided in the process chamber 21. 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, a plurality of transport vehicles 5 such as AGF (Auto Guided Forklift) are arranged on the distribution floor 2 in order to transport the transport container C and deliver it to the process chamber 21. Each transport vehicle 5 includes a travel vehicle main body 5a that travels (moves) in the horizontal direction and a fork 5b that is a delivery mechanism that holds the transport container C so as to be movable up and down. 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, 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.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a conveyance path 6 such as a magnetic tape is attached to the floor surface 11 of the distribution floor 2, and the conveyance path 6 has an elliptical shape at each lower position of the delivery port 22, for example. A main line (circular orbit) 6a to be connected and a plurality of branch paths 6b branched from the main line 6a are provided. 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. On the lower surface side of the transport vehicle 5, a detection unit (not shown) that detects the transport path 6 is provided so that it can move in the horizontal direction along the transport path 6 (transport area).

  In FIG. 5, 9 is a marker such as a magnetic bar attached to a stop position of the transport vehicle 5 on the floor surface 11, for example, a position below the transfer port 22, and the transport vehicle 5 is a marker by a sensor (not shown) provided on the lower surface. 9 is detected and stopped above the marker 9 by an instruction from the control unit 10 to be described later, and the transfer operation of the transport container C is performed. On the floor surface 11 of the distribution floor 2, for example, a reversing conveyance path (not shown) that branches from the main line 6 a and extends in a circular shape is provided so that the conveyance vehicle 5 can be reversed 180 ° at a position below the delivery port 22. May be. Further, 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. 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 open. 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. 8, the delivery member 15 is composed of, for example, two rod-like members 15a and 15a 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 table 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. 9, 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. 9, 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. The stacker crane 12 may be a lifting device such as a luggage elevator, a vertical lifter, or a vertical conveyor.

  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 spaced apart 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, as shown in FIG. 1B, the floor of the processing floor 1 is located at a position separated from the outer edge of each delivery port 22 toward the inner region (processing atmosphere) side of the processing floor 1. 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 delivery port 22 so as to extend from the surface 11 toward the ceiling surface. The partition wall 22a is formed with a transfer port 22c that is opened and closed by an open / close door (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 opening / closing door 22b is connected to the other side from one side of these regions according to the pressure difference formed between the regions on both sides through the gap formed between the opening / closing door 22b and the transport port 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. In FIG. 1B, the partition wall 22a is partially cut away.

  The transfer port 22c is opened and closed by an instruction from the control unit 10 described later or by an operator when the transfer container C is delivered by the transfer vehicle 5. Further, as will be described later, when the transport container C is temporarily stored in the process chamber 21, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, between the storage region (storage region 48) and the partition wall 22a, as shown in FIG. An opening 48b that can be opened and closed by a door 48a is formed on the wall surface. The partition wall 22a may also serve as the inner wall surface of the process chamber 21, as shown in FIG.

  In the process chamber 21, a slide mechanism 55 for transferring the transfer container C to and from the transfer vehicle 5 is provided as a transfer unit so as to be close to the transfer port 22 c. As shown in FIG. 7, the slide mechanism 55 includes, for example, a plate-like holding portion 55 a that supports the transport container C from below, and a process chamber through an occupied area when the transport port 22 c and the opening / closing door 22 b are closed. An advancing / retreating support portion 55b that supports the holding portion 55a so as to be able to advance and retreat in the horizontal direction between the processing atmosphere inside 21 and the delivery port 22 side is laminated in this order from above. The tip of the holding portion 55a on the delivery port 22 side is bent vertically upward to form an upright surface portion 55c, so that the transport container C on the holding portion 55a does not fall to the delivery port 22 side. It is provided as a stopper. As shown in FIG. 10, the advance / retreat support portion 55 b includes a drive mechanism 56 such as an air cylinder and a guide mechanism 57 such as a linear guide. As the drive mechanism 56 is driven, The holding portion 55a is configured to advance and retract in the horizontal direction while guiding. In FIG. 7, the partition wall 22a is partially cut away.

  That is, the drive mechanism 56 includes a base end portion 56a and an advancing / retreating portion 56b that moves (projects and retracts) along the advancing / retreating direction of the holding portion 55a with respect to the base end portion 56a. It is fixed to the advance / retreat support part 55b, and the distal end side of the advance / retreat part 56b is connected to the lower surface of the holding part 55a. The guide mechanism 57 includes a guide shaft 57a disposed along the advancing / retreating direction of the advance / retreat portion 56b, and a slide portion 57b that is guided (fitted) and slides by the guide shaft 57a. The shaft 57a is fixed to the advance / retreat support portion 55b, and the slide portion 57b is provided on the lower surface of the holding portion 55a. For example, two sets of the drive mechanism 56 and the guide mechanism 57 are provided in a direction orthogonal to the advancing / retreating direction of the holding portion 55a. The part 55a is moved forward and backward to deliver the transport container C to and from the transport vehicle 5 (fork 5b). The slide mechanism 55 is also provided in the storage area 48 described above.

  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, if 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 in which the transfer port 22 is not formed is referred to as a second process chamber 21b, the transfer port of the first process chamber 21a is referred to as a first process chamber 21a. 22 is disposed close 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. Therefore, the above-described slide mechanism 55 is disposed in the first process chamber 21 a in the vicinity of the transfer port 22, and is provided in a position in the second process chamber 21 b 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. Further, the above-described slide mechanisms 55 and 55 are provided on the input area 25a side and the processing area 25b side, respectively. An opening (not shown) is formed in the holding portion 55a of the slide mechanism 55 in the processing area 25b so as to correspond to the central portion of the lower surface of the transport container C placed on the slide mechanism 55. The conveyance port 22c of the partition wall 22a is opened and closed by the 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. The partition 26 is placed on the slide mechanism 55 of the processing area 25b. An opening 26 a is formed for drawing a tubular charging path 27 a that connects the lower surface of the transfer container C and the processing device 27. The input path 27a is connected to the lower surface of the transport container C through an opening formed in the holding portion 55a of the slide mechanism 55 in the processing area 25b. In FIG. 11, the transfer container C (slide mechanism 55) in the loading area 25 a and the processing device 27 in the processing area 25 b are spaced apart from each other, but the processing apparatus 27 is positioned below the slide mechanism 55. Alternatively, a horizontal transfer mechanism that transfers the transfer container C from the slide mechanism 55 to a position above the processing apparatus 27 may be disposed in the input area 25a so that the object to be processed is input and dropped from the transfer container C to the processing apparatus 27. good.

  In the processing area 25 b, a transport container C for storing the processed material that has been subjected to the tableting process in the processing device 27 is placed on the slide mechanism 55 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 that is used as the process room 21 when, for example, the process room 21 is added to increase the production of pharmaceuticals after the factory is constructed, and is therefore used when the factory is constructed. This is not an area. 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. Further, since the position where the transfer container C is installed (the position where the slide mechanism 55 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 the process chamber When the number 21 is increased, the loading / unloading port 24 is formed by construction according to the type of the processing device 27 provided in the process chamber 21 (unused area 31). Further, when the process chamber 21 is added, an interior work and a work for carrying in a processing device 27 (to be described later) are carried out along 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 is output. 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.

  Next, the operation of this factory will be described with reference to FIGS. First, for example, from a warehouse (not shown) provided on the same level as the distribution floor 2, an object to be conveyed, which is a packaging container (not shown) in which raw material powder is stored, is received by the transport 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 transfer container C in which the raw material powder is stored so as to have a weight of about 500 kg is processed by the transfer vehicle 5 with respect to the object to be processed in the transfer container C as shown in FIG. Is conveyed toward the process chamber 21 where the process is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, 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 when it detects 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. 12B, the transfer port 22c on the side of the transfer port 22 is opened.

  Next, the transport vehicle 5 is transported at a height position (a position where the lower surface of the transport container C is higher than the upper surface of the upright surface portion 55c) slightly higher than the height position where the transport container C is installed in the slide mechanism 55. For example, the transfer container C moves backward so as to enter the process chamber 21 through the opening 22c. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12C, in the slide mechanism 55, the holding portion 55 a extends toward the transport vehicle 5 through the occupied area when the transport port 22 c and the opening / closing door 22 b are closed, and below the transport container C. The holding portion 55a is located at the position. Then, as shown in FIG. 14A, the fork 5 b of the transport vehicle 5 is lowered and the transport container C is placed on the holding portion 55 a of the slide mechanism 55.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 14B, for example, the transport vehicle 5 slightly lowers the fork 5b and advances to a position below the transfer port 22, and the fork 5b is moved to the distribution floor as shown in FIG. 14C. Degenerate within 2. Further, the holding portion 55a holding the transfer container C is retracted to the inner region of the process chamber 21, and the transfer port 22c is closed by the open / close door 22b. At this time, the transport container C on the holding portion 55a tends to fall or skid to the delivery port 22 side by the retracting operation of the holding portion 55a, but the standing surface portion 55c is at the tip of the holding portion 55a on the transport vehicle 5 side. Since it is provided, it does not fall to the delivery port 22 side. 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. The processing is performed on the object to be processed in the transport container C. 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. At this time, if the transport container C is transported toward the delivery port 22 by the slide mechanism 55, the transport container C is likely to slide or fall down toward the delivery port 22 when stopped, for example. The fall is prevented. The transport container C is transported, for example, clockwise by the transport vehicle 5 along the transport path 6 to a warehouse (not shown) or a process chamber 21 for performing the next processing. The processed product in the transfer container C is processed as an object to be processed in the subsequent process chamber 21. 12 and 14, the processing device 27 is omitted, and the slide mechanism 55 is schematically shown. The same applies to FIGS. 15 and 16 described later.

  At this time, if the previous process is not completed in the process chamber 21 where the next process is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. Then, the transport vehicle 5 moves and reverses, for example, 180 °. Then, the transport vehicle 5 causes the transport container C to enter the position (storage area 48) that does not interfere with the processing device 27 and the worker in the process chamber 21 via the transport port 22c, and as described above, the slide mechanism 55 and The transfer container C is carried into the process chamber 21 by the cooperative action. The transport vehicle 5 moves to perform another transport, and after that, when the previous processing is finished in the process chamber 21, the transport vehicle 5 is placed at a position where it does not interfere, for example, by an operator or by the transport vehicle 5. The transport container C is installed at a position close to the processing device 27 (for example, the slide mechanism 55).

  Further, for example, in the process chamber 21b sharing the transfer port 22, as shown in FIG. 16A, the fork 5b of the transport vehicle 5 is directed 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 transferred between the transfer vehicle 5 and the slide mechanism 55 through the transfer port 24. Thereafter, as described above, the slide mechanism 55 is retracted into the process chamber 21b, and the transfer container C is carried into the process chamber 21b.

  And when the process chamber 21 which performs the next process is arrange | positioned at the hierarchical structure 3 of the upper layer side of this distribution floor 2, for example, as shown to Fig.17 (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. 17B, 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.

  Further, when the transport container C is transported to the input area 25a of the process chamber 21 (tablet chamber 25) for performing the tableting process described above, as shown in FIG. 22 and the transfer 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 carries it into the input area 25a by the cooperative action with the slide mechanism 55. . 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 transferred to the slide mechanism 55 through the transport port 22c, and then is carried into the processing area 25b by the slide mechanism 55. 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 C storing the processed material is carried out of the tableting chamber 25 (processing area 25b) by the transport vehicle 5 and the slide mechanism 55. Then, 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.

  Next, a case where the processing device 27 in the process chamber 21 is replaced (replaced) will be described. First, as shown in FIGS. 20 (a) and 21 (a), dust or the like generated in the process chamber 21 due to construction is transferred 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. 20 (b), construction is performed and the wall surface between the machine chamber 61 and the process chamber 21 is demolished. 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. 20 (c) and 21 (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, and the covering member 65 is removed as described above. Processing resumes at 20 and 21, 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 transfer port 22 are provided as shown in FIGS. 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. 22 (b) and 23 (b). 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, for example, the type of the processing device 27 installed in the unused area 31 and the position of the slide mechanism 55. Then, for example, the unused area 31 is subjected to interior work and a work for demolishing the wall surface between the machine room 61 and newly loading the processing device 27 and the slide mechanism 55 to the unused area 31. On the other hand, a new 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.

  Then, for example, when the transport vehicle 5 breaks down or undergoes maintenance, as shown in FIG. 24, 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. When the transfer container C is transferred via the transfer port 22 and the opening / closing door 22b, the slide mechanism 55 is disposed in the process chamber 21 so as to be close to the opening / closing door 22b, and between the transfer vehicle 5 and The transfer container C is delivered using the slide mechanism 55. Therefore, the length dimension of the fork 5b extending from the transport vehicle 5 toward the side can be suppressed. Therefore, for example, even when the transport container C is heavy, when the transport container C is delivered to the slide mechanism 55, the balance of the transport vehicle 5 is not lost until the transport vehicle 5 falls. 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, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the layout of each region of the processing floor 1 (the process chamber 21, the machine room 61, the worker passage 62, and the visitor passage 63).

  Further, since the layout floor 1 has a high degree of freedom in layout, 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 in which the construction is performed 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, and therefore, it is possible to 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 loading / unloading port 24 is matched to the type of the processing device 27 installed in the unused area 31 (process chamber 21) and the position of the slide mechanism 55. Therefore, the unused area 31 can 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.

  Further, since the transport vehicle 5 is horizontally moved and the transport container C is moved up and down, the position of the transfer port 22 and the height position (slide mechanism) on which the transport container C is placed for each process chamber 21. Even if the height position of 55 varies, each process chamber 21 does not require a lifting device, and therefore 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 process chamber 21 is not provided with an elevating device. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, a slide mechanism is provided according to the height position at which the transfer container C is placed in the process chamber 21. By providing 55, that is, for example, by combining the slide mechanism 55 with the processing device 27, the transfer container C can be directly delivered to the height position by the slide mechanism 55 and the transfer vehicle 5.

  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 distribution floor 2 or when there is little risk, the partition wall 22a may not be provided as shown in FIG.

  The drive mechanism 56 in the slide mechanism 55 may be a rack and pinion type mechanism as shown in FIG. That is, in this case, the drive mechanism 56 is configured so as to be able to advance and retract together with the holding portion 55a, a rack portion 56c having a plurality of grooves formed on the lower surface and extending horizontally along the advancing / retreating direction of the holding portion 55a, and the rack A large number of gear-like irregularities meshing with the grooves of the portion 56c are formed on the outer peripheral surface, and the pinion portion 56d fixed to the advancing / retracting support portion 55b so as to be rotatable about the axis while the outer peripheral surface meshes with the rack portion 56c. And. When the pinion portion 56d is rotated by a motor (not shown) or the like, the rack portion 56c moves forward and backward while meshing with the outer peripheral surface of the pinion portion 56d, and the holding portion 55a moves back and forth while being guided by the guide mechanism 57.

  Further, the drive mechanism 56 may be a mechanism that drives in a chain manner as shown in FIG. In this case, the advancing / retreating support portion 55b includes a guide member 58a that supports the holding portion 55a so as to freely advance and retreat from the lower side, and a chain drive portion 58b for advancing and retreating the holding portion 55a along the guide member 58a. Is done. On the top surface of the guide member 58a and the back surface of the holding portion 55a, a recess and a protrusion (both not shown) are formed so as to fit each other along the advancing and retreating direction of the holding portion 55a.

  The chain drive unit 58b includes a drive chain 59a, a fixing unit 59b provided on the back surface of the holding unit 55a for fixing one end side of the drive chain 59a to the holding unit 55a, and the other end side of the drive chain 59a. A rotating part 59c that is connected and rotatable around the axis so that the drive chain 59a can be wound and delivered on the outer peripheral surface; and a motor M that rotatably supports the rotating part 59c around the axis; It is comprised by. On the side surface of the guide member 58a, the drive chain 59a is movably held and the bearing portions 59d are separated from each other in the advancing and retreating direction so as to be drawn in a bellows shape between the rotating portion 59c and the fixed portion 59b. It is provided in the place.

  Further, two sets of the drive chain 59a, the fixed portion 59b, and the rotating portion 59c are provided in this example, and are arranged so that the winding direction and the discharging direction of the chain 59a by the motor M are opposite to each other. Also, one of these chains 59a, 59a is routed from one side and the other side of the bearings 59d, 59d from the rotating part 59c to the fixed part 59b, and the other of the chains 59a, 59a is From the rotating portion 59c toward the fixed portion 59b, the bearing portions 59d and 59d are routed through the other side and one side. In FIG. 28, one and the other of these chains 59a and 59a are drawn with a thick line and a broken line, respectively, in order to explain the routing method of these chains 59a and 59a.

  When one of the chains 59a and 59b is wound up by the motor M via the rotating portion 59c, the holding portion 55a moves forward along the guide member 58a toward the transfer port 22, for example, and the other chain When 59a is paid out (extends) from the rotating portion 59c and the other of the chains 59a, 59a is wound up, the holding portion 55a moves backward toward the process chamber 21 and one chain 59a is paid out from the rotating portion 59c. Thus, the chain drive unit 58b is configured such that the holding unit 55a moves forward or backward depending on the rotation direction of the motor M.

  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, the transport vehicle 5 may be provided with a mechanism for moving the fork 5b forward and backward on the transport vehicle 5 and a mechanism for moving the fork 5b in the left-right direction with respect to the advancing / retreating direction of the transport vehicle 5. The orientation of the fork 5b (conveying container C) may be adjusted.

  Further, as described above, since the transport vehicle 5 holds the transport container C from both sides in the central portion, the transport container C can be directly delivered to the floor surface 11 of the physical distribution floor 2. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 29 (a), for example, a transport container C that has been processed, a transport container C that is temporarily stored in the middle of processing, or an empty transport container C is transported to a transport vehicle 5 on the distribution floor 2. It may be placed at a position where it does not interfere with the operation. Thus, by using the distribution floor 2 as a warehouse (mounting area), the transport container C can be stored at low cost without providing a separate space for the warehouse. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 29B, a shelf 71 may be provided on the distribution floor 2 and the shelf 71 may be used as a warehouse.

  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. 30, the process chamber of the center of the three adjacent process chambers 21 is demonstrated. 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, a conveyor 91 or a slide mechanism 55 may be provided between the delivery port 22 and the loading / unloading port 24. . In FIG. 30, the partition wall 22a and the processing device 27 are omitted. The same applies to FIG. 31 below.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 31 (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.

  In the example described above, the transfer container C is delivered to and from the transfer vehicle 5 by the slide mechanism 55. However, instead of the slide mechanism 55, the transfer container C is supported from below as shown in FIG. A horizontal transport mechanism 111 such as a conveyor may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the horizontal transport mechanism 111 includes a support base 120 configured such that the height position of the upper surface is higher than the lower end position of the transport port 22c. And a rotating body 121 formed in a cylindrical shape so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the loading / unloading direction of the transfer container C into / from the process chamber 21 and horizontally. The rotating body 121 is rotatably supported around the horizontal axis on the support stand 120 by a driving unit such as a motor (not shown), for example. In this example, a plurality of rotating bodies 121 are arranged along the loading / unloading direction. The horizontal transfer mechanism 111 is disposed close to the partition wall 22 a on the processing atmosphere side in the process chamber 21. And between this division wall 22a and the delivery port 22, in order to assist the delivery of the conveyance container C between the horizontal conveyance mechanism 111 and the conveyance vehicle 5, the auxiliary conveyance which supports the conveyance container C from the downward side A portion 112 is provided.

  The auxiliary transport unit 112 includes a support unit 114 provided so that the height position of the upper surface is aligned with the height level of the mounting surface of the transport container C on the horizontal transport mechanism 111 described above, and transport to the process chamber 21. The container C is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the loading / unloading direction of the container C and horizontally, and both end portions in the length direction are supported on the upper surface of the support portion 114 so that the container C can rotate around the horizontal axis. And a rotating body 113. Therefore, the auxiliary transport unit 112 is configured to support the transport container C so as to advance and retreat from the lower side along the loading / unloading direction between the delivery port 22 and the horizontal transport mechanism 111. The separation distance between the auxiliary transport unit 112 and the horizontal transport mechanism 111 is set to, for example, ½ or less, preferably 以下 or less of the length of the bottom surface of the transport container C in the loading / unloading direction. . The horizontal transport mechanism 111 and the auxiliary transport unit 112 constitute a transport unit.

  When the horizontal transfer mechanism 111 and the auxiliary transfer unit 112 are provided, for example, the transfer container C lifted into the processing floor 1 via the transfer port 22 passes through the transfer port 22c and the open / close region of the open / close door 22b. Thus, it is placed across the auxiliary transport unit 112 and the horizontal transport mechanism 111. When the horizontal transfer mechanism 111 is driven by the control unit 10, the area on the transfer port 22 side on the lower surface of the transfer container C is assisted (supported) by the auxiliary transfer unit 112, while the process chamber 21 side on the lower surface of the transfer container C is The region is drawn toward the process chamber 21 by the horizontal transfer mechanism 111, and the transfer container C is carried into the process chamber 21. At this time, the separation distance between the horizontal transport mechanism 111 and the auxiliary transport unit 112 is equal to or less than ½ of the length of the bottom surface of the transport container C in the loading / unloading direction of the transport container C as described above. Since it is preferably set to 1/3 or less, even if the lower end of the transfer container C is separated from the auxiliary transfer unit 112 when the transfer container C is carried into the process chamber 21, the transfer container C is still in the delivery port 22. Don't tip over. When the transfer container C is unloaded from the process chamber 21, the horizontal transfer mechanism 111, the auxiliary transfer unit 112, and the transfer vehicle 5 are driven in the reverse order of the transfer. In this case, as the auxiliary conveyance unit 112, a conveyor similar to the horizontal conveyance mechanism 111 may be disposed. Note that FIG. 32B shows a part of the partition wall 22a and the opening / closing door 22b.

  Further, in the case of providing the horizontal transport mechanism 111 and the auxiliary transport unit 112, a mechanism for preventing a side slip and a drop of the transport container C toward the delivery port 22 is provided in the same manner as the standing surface portion 55c in the slide mechanism 55. Also good. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33, the lower end surface of the transfer container C forms a frame-like body 201 that supports the transfer container C on the peripheral edge side, so to speak, an inner region surrounded by the frame-like body 201. Is open in a rectangular shape. Therefore, as a mechanism for preventing the movement of the transport container C transported by the horizontal transport mechanism 111 (falling to the delivery port 22 side), a gap is formed between the rotating bodies 121 arranged in parallel. For example, a stopper mechanism 200 having an elevating mechanism such as an air cylinder (not shown) may be provided so that a substantially plate-shaped tip portion projects and sinks with respect to the inner region of the frame-like body 201 through the region. The stopper mechanism 200 is more than the end of the frame 201 on the process chamber 21 side with respect to the transport container C when the transport container C is transferred between the horizontal transport mechanism 111 and the transport vehicle 5. It is arranged slightly on the delivery port 22 side.

  When the transport container C is transported, for example, from the delivery port 22 side into the process chamber 21 by the horizontal transport mechanism 111, the stopper mechanism 200 prevents the transport container C from interfering with the movement of the transport container C. When the transfer container C moves from the inside of the process chamber 21 toward the transfer port 22 and reaches a position for transfer to and from the transfer vehicle 5, the horizontal transfer mechanism 111 is driven. While stopping, the stopper mechanism 200 rises with respect to the inner region of the frame-like body 201 and stops the movement of the transport container C. Therefore, the transport container C does not fall to the delivery port 22 side. Thereafter, when the transport container C is supported by the transport vehicle 5 and lifted, the stopper mechanism 200 is again retracted downward. By providing the stopper mechanism 200 that is driven not by electrical drive but by hardware, for example, even when the transport container C is about to skid on the horizontal transport mechanism 111, or due to electrical trouble, Even if the transport operation of the transport mechanism 111 does not stop, the transport container C is prevented from falling to the delivery port 22 side.

In the above-described example, the slide mechanism 55, the horizontal transport mechanism 111, and the auxiliary transport unit 112 are arranged to transfer the transport container C to and from the transport vehicle 5. For example, the length dimension of the fork 5b When the transport container C is sufficiently light with respect to the forklift load weight, for example, as shown in FIG. 34, the slide chamber 55 is not provided and the process chamber is connected to the process chamber 22c via the transport port 22c. The transfer container C may be directly delivered into the 21.
Moreover, although the case where the unused area 31 is remodeled to the process chamber 21 has been described, construction is similarly performed when a warehouse (not shown) arranged instead of the process chamber 21 in this factory is remodeled to the process chamber 21, for example. Will be done.

  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, a shelf 71 may be provided. In FIG. 35, 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 laminated over a plurality of layers, for example, two layers, it may be a single layer as shown in FIG. In FIG. 36, the slide mechanism 55 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, for a factory with a layout different from the above-described example, 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 can be freely set while suppressing an increase in construction costs.

  In each of the above-described examples, the process chambers 21 are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction, but the transfer container C is transferred from the lower distribution floor 2 to the processing floor 1 by the transfer vehicle 5. When the side is viewed from one process chamber 21, a layout in which other 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, and the operator has no process chamber 21 in the middle of the nine process chambers 21. Enter and exit through the surrounding process chamber 21. 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, the partition wall 22a is disposed from the floor surface 11 to the ceiling surface of the processing floor 1, but as shown in FIG. 39, the partition wall 22a is located above the transfer port 22 from the ceiling surface of the process chamber 21 (processing floor 1). The ceiling surface at the position may be set low.

  Further, an interlock mechanism for preventing abnormal operation of the fork 5b of the transport vehicle 5 may be provided in the factory described above. That is, when the fork 5b is raised through the transfer port 22, if the fork 5b is likely to collide with the ceiling surface of the processing floor 1 due to, for example, a failure of the transport vehicle 5, the transport vehicle 5 is not passed through the control unit 10. There may be provided a mechanism for directly shutting off (turning off) the power source. Briefly describing such an interlock mechanism with an example, the interlock mechanism is provided on the ceiling surface of the processing floor 1 above the transfer port 22, an optical sensor including a light emitting part and a light receiving part, Based on a signal transmitted from the optical sensor (the light reception signal has been interrupted), a power cutoff unit (none of which is shown) for shutting off the power of the transport vehicle 5 located below the delivery port 22 is provided. Yes. When the light reception signal is blocked by the optical sensor, that is, when the fork 5b of the transport vehicle 5 is likely to collide with the ceiling surface of the processing floor 1, the power switch is turned off for the transport vehicle 5 located below the transfer port 22. A signal is transmitted so that the power of the transport vehicle 5 is cut off before the fork 5b collides with the ceiling surface of the processing floor 1.

  The power shut-off unit may be, for example, an optical sensor embedded in the floor surface 11 of the distribution floor 2 or an electromagnetic induction type switch. In this case, for example, it is routed to the outer wall of the factory and the floor surface 11. The signal from the optical sensor on the ceiling surface of the processing floor 1 is transmitted to the power cut-off unit through the cable and the like, and the power cut-off signal is transmitted to the switch unit (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the transport vehicle 5. Is done. Moreover, as this power supply interruption | blocking part, when light is interrupted | blocked in the optical sensor of the ceiling surface of the processing floor 1, the mechanism which turns off the power supply of the whole factory may be sufficient. Further, as the power shut-off unit, if the processing floor 1 or the distribution floor 2 is divided into a plurality of areas in a plane and a power supply unit is provided independently for each of these areas, It may be a mechanism for cutting off the power of the power supply unit corresponding to the region where the transport vehicle 5 is placed (the region where light is blocked in the optical sensor).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 40, a cleaning chamber 121 for cleaning the inside or the outside of the transfer container C may be provided on the distribution floor 2. In FIG. 40, 122 is a carry-in port for carrying the transfer container C into the cleaning chamber 121, and 123 is a carry-out port for carrying the transfer container C out of the wash chamber 121. In FIG. 40, reference numerals 8d and 8e denote branch paths that branch from the main line 6a to positions close to the carry-in port 122 and the carry-out port 123, respectively, in order to load and unload the transfer container C into and from the cleaning chamber 121 by the transfer vehicle 5. . In the cleaning chamber 121, a delivery mechanism configured in the same manner as the delivery member 15 described above is provided at the carry-in port 122 and the carry-out port 123 in order to deliver the transport container C to and from the transport vehicle 5. It is provided at a position close to each other.

  In the cleaning chamber 121, a cleaning device 120 is provided. As shown in FIG. 41, the cleaning device 120 supports a transport container C from the lower side and rotates it around a vertical axis. , Nozzles 125 and 125 are provided for spraying, for example, powdered dry ice from the side and the upper side to the transport container C on the rotation stage 124, respectively. In FIG. 41, 126 is a moving mechanism for moving the nozzles 125, 125 in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, respectively, and V is a valve provided in the dry ice supply path 127. The dry ice is supplied from the supply source 128 to the dry ice supply path 127 by the screw feeder 129 and is blown from the nozzle 125 to the transport container C by the gas discharged from the air supply mechanism 130.

  Then, the used transfer container C from which the object to be processed and the process object are taken out and emptied, for example, is taken out from the delivery port 22 to the distribution floor 2 by the transport vehicle 5 and carried into the cleaning chamber 121. . In this cleaning chamber 121, by spraying dry ice on the transport container C, the dirt on the surface outside or inside the transport container C is removed. The cleaned transfer container C is used for another process. By cleaning the transport container C using dry ice in this way, for example, there is a problem that the cleaning liquid enters the interior of the transport container C, or the processed product is adversely affected in the subsequent process due to moisture remaining in the packing portion (not shown). Absent. As the cleaning device 120, a liquid cleaning liquid (for example, distilled water or pure water) may be used. In this case, together with the cleaning device 120, for example, dry air is blown to dry the transfer container C. May be provided in the cleaning chamber 121. Thus, when using a liquid cleaning liquid, it replaces with the rotation stage 124, and the mounting base for mounting the conveyance container C is provided, and the conveyance container C is the state (state which is not rotating) which left stationary. ).

  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. 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 21 Process chamber 22 Delivery port 22a Partition wall 22b Open / close door 22c Transfer port 55 Slide mechanism 55a Holding unit 56 Drive mechanism

Claims (3)

A plurality of process chambers are provided for taking out the object to be processed from the transfer container and processing with the processing apparatus, and storing the obtained processed objects in the transfer container, and an entrance for an operator to enter and exit the process chamber A first floor constituting one floor in the factory,
A second floor for transporting a transport container that stores the transport object or the transport object to be processed, which is provided below the first floor;
A delivery port formed on the floor of at least one process chamber among the plurality of process chambers, for delivering a transport container storing a transported object between the process chamber and the second floor;
In order to transfer the transfer container between the at least one process chamber and the second floor through the transfer port, the transfer container is provided so as to be horizontally movable on the second floor, and the transfer container can be moved up and down. A transport vehicle having a delivery mechanism held in
A partition provided around the transfer port so as to extend upward from the floor surface of the first floor, and for partitioning an upper region of the transfer port and a processing atmosphere inside the at least one process chamber With walls,
A transfer port formed in the partition wall for delivering the transfer container and a door for opening and closing the transfer port;
When the door is open, the transfer container is transferred to and from the transfer mechanism in a state where the transfer container is located in the occupied area when the door is closed, and the transfer position to the transfer mechanism is A transport unit configured to transport a transport container between a position on the processing atmosphere side of the door, and
The delivery mechanism includes a fork that holds the transport container and moves up and down along the support, and the support is at 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 conveyance unit holds the object to be conveyed from the lower side with respect to the support unit provided on the processing atmosphere side with respect to the door, and the position between the delivery and the position on the processing atmosphere side with respect to the door. The processing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the processing equipment is a slide mechanism including a holding portion that is supported by the support portion so as to be movable back and forth in the horizontal direction. The transfer unit is provided closer to the processing atmosphere than the door, supports the object to be transferred from below, and is transferred between a position on the processing atmosphere side and a position where delivery is performed to the delivery mechanism. A horizontal transport mechanism for transporting objects horizontally;
Auxiliary, which is provided between the door and the delivery port, and supports an object to be conveyed at a position where the delivery mechanism is delivered to the delivery mechanism so as to be movable forward and backward between the horizontal conveyance mechanism and the delivery mechanism. A transport unit, and
The transferred object is transferred between the transfer mechanism and the horizontal transfer mechanism in a state where the area on the transfer port side of the transferred object is supported from below by the auxiliary transfer unit. The processing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the processing equipment is carried into and out of a position on the processing atmosphere side while being supported from the lower side by the transport unit.

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