Contaminant containing apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus for use within a controlled environment, the apparatus having an enclosure, an air filter, and an air flow generator. The enclosure includes an interior region for receiving an article and performing contaminant generating operations. The air filter receives contaminated air from the enclosure and outputs air substantially free of contaminants. The air flow generator can be sealably disposed between the enclosure and the air filter for establishing an air flow into the enclosure interior region from the controlled environment and out of the air filter into the controlled environment.

1 . An apparatus for use within a controlled environment, comprising: 
 an enclosure having an interior region for receiving an article;    an air filter for receiving contaminated air from the enclosure and outputting air having a reduced amount of contaminants; and    an air flow generator for establishing an air flow into the enclosure interior region from the controlled environment and out of the air filter into the controlled environment.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow generator is sealably disposed between the enclosure and the air filter.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure further comprises a substantially transparent portion to permit the viewing of an article disposed within the enclosure.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the substantially transparent portion is an observation window.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air filter is a High Efficiency Particle Arresting (HEPA) type filter.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow generator is configured to reduce air pressure within the enclosure.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow generator comprises: 
 a fan for producing a pressure difference between an inflow opening and an outflow opening; and    a one-way flow unit for permitting air flow in a first direction through the air flow generator while inhibiting air flow in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a user area adjacent to the enclosure.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the enclosure further comprises a sealed glove port for receiving a hand of the user and extending into the interior portion of the enclosure interior region.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a light source for providing illumination upon the article within the enclosure interior region.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the light source provides illumination at a range of frequencies.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the light source can selectively emit light substantially within the visible range.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the light source can selectively emit light substantially outside the visible range.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a light blocking member for surrounding a predetermined portion of the enclosure to block ambient light from entering the enclosure.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor device for sensing a predetermined attribute of an article within the enclosure and producing an image signal.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 an image processor for receiving the image signal and outputting a display signal; and    a display unit for receiving the display signal and producing an image representation of the display signal,    wherein the sensor device includes a camera for producing an image signal including image information from the interior region of the enclosure.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled environment is a clean room.  
   
   
       18 . A contaminant containing apparatus for use within a controlled environment, comprising: 
 an enclosure having an interior region for receiving an article, the enclosure having at least one sealed glove port for receiving a hand of a user and extending into the interior portion of the enclosure interior region;    an air filter for receiving contaminated air from the enclosure and outputting air having a reduced level of contaminants;    an air flow generator sealably disposed between the enclosure and the air filter for establishing an air flow into the enclosure interior region from the controlled environment and out of the air filter into the controlled environment so that a contaminant producing operation performed within the enclosure does not contaminate the controlled environment, the air flow generator including a fan for producing a pressure difference between an inflow opening and an outflow opening, the air flow generator including a one-way flow unit for allowing air flow in a first direction while inhibiting air flow in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction;    a light source for providing illumination upon the article within the enclosure interior region, the light source for selectively emitting light in a plurality of ranges including visible light and ultraviolet light; and    a light blocking member for surrounding a predetermined portion of the enclosure to block ambient light from entering the enclosure.    
   
   
       19 . A method of performing a contaminant generating operation within a controlled environment, the method comprising: 
 establishing an air flow into an enclosure for receiving an article within the controlled environment, the established air flow within the enclosure being sufficient to prevent the escape of contaminants from within the enclosure to the controlled environment;    positioning an article within the enclosure;    performing a contaminant generating operation on the article within the enclosure;    filtering contaminants from the air within the enclosure to yield substantially contaminant free air; and    outputting the substantially contaminant free air to the controlled environment.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising illuminating the interior region of the enclosure.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , the filtering further comprising: 
 generating an air flow through the enclosure to carry airborne contaminants; and    removing the airborne contaminants carried by the air flow to yield substantially contaminant free air.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising blocking light into the interior portion of the enclosure.  
   
   
       23 . An article processing system in a controlled environment, comprising: 
 a first processing station within the controlled environment for performing non-contaminant generating operations; and    a second processing station within the controlled environment for performing contaminant generating operations,    wherein the second processing station comprises: 
 an enclosure for performing contaminant generating operations;  
 an air flow generator for drawing air through the enclosure and into the controlled environment; and  
 a filter for filtering contaminants from the air within the enclosure and releasing the filtered air into the controlled environment.