Patent ID: 6428122
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B01L

Abstract:
A portable containment system for chemical and biological materials, comprising:a storage container comprising a base section and a removable lid, wherein the base section has upper and lower surfaces and an opening formed in the upper surface of the base section, and wherein the removable lid is placed on the upper surface of the base section for covering the opening in the upper surface of the base section; a glovebox having top and bottom surfaces, front and rear walls, and first and second sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls have openings formed therein for access to the interior of the glovebox, wherein the glovebox is placed in the storage container when not in use, and wherein the glovebox is removed from the storage container for use; a first module means releasably secured to the first sidewall of the glovebox for covering the opening in the first sidewall and for providing a means for introducing items into and removing items from the interior of the glovebox, wherein the first module means has a body portion and a flange means extending therefrom for surrounding and sealing the opening in the first sidewall, and wherein the first module means has a storage position where the body portion of the first module is positioned in the interior of the glovebox through the opening in the first sidewall and where the flange means is secured to the first sidewall, and wherein the first module means has an operative position where the body portion is positioned exterior of the glovebox and the flange means is secured to the first sidewall; a second module means releasably secured to the second sidewall of the glovebox for covering the opening in the second sidewall, wherein the second module means is selected from the group of a dunk tank, a shelf, and a light unit, wherein the opening in the first sidewall is larger than the opening in the second sidewall and the second module means has dimensions which are less than the dimensions of the opening in the first sidewall for inserting the second module means through the opening in the first sidewall into the interior of the glovebox for storage when the glovebox is not in use; a filter system comprising a filter unit for holding a plurality of gas filters, an outlet conduit extending between and releasably connected to the glovebox and the filter unit, an inlet conduit extending between and releasably connected to the glovebox and the filter unit, and a pump means connected to the filter unit for circulating gas from the glovebox, into the outlet conduit, through the filter unit, and into the inlet conduit, wherein the filter unit comprises: a housing comprising a bottom surface, a first end wall, a second end wall, sidewalls extending therebetween, and a top surface which has a central opening formed therein, wherein the first and second end walls have passages formed therein; a first moveable plate means positioned within the interior of the housing adjacent to the first end wall, wherein the first moveable plate means has a duct formed therethrough; a first adjustment means connected to the first end wall and the first moveable plate means for moving the first moveable plate means relative to the first end wall; a first flexible conduit means connected to and extending between the passage in the first end wall and the duct in the first moveable plate means for carrying gas from the first end wall to the first moveable plate means; a second moveable plate means positioned within the interior of the housing adjacent to the second end wall; wherein the second moveable plate means has a duct formed therethrough; a second adjustment means connected to the second end wall and the second moveable plate means for moving the second moveable plate means relative to the second end wall; a second flexible conduit means connected to and extending between the passage in the second end wall and the duct in the second moveable plate means for carrying gas from the second moveable plate means to the second end wall, wherein filter units are positioned in the housing between the first and second moveable plate means and the first and second adjustment means are utilized to move the first and second moveable plate means towards each other to clamp the filter elements therebetween; and bag means releasably secured around the central opening of the housing for sealing the opening of the housing.