Patent Publication Number: US-2023158820-A1

Title: Portable cleanroom printing cabinet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The invention is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/033,045, filed Sep. 20, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a portable printing cabinet for use in a sterile environment. In particular, the invention provides a multi-compartment printing unit that can be used in a cleanroom without introducing outside contaminants such as particulates and microorganisms. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sterile “cleanroom” environments demand that any person or item entering the room be free of a certain level of contaminants. Sterilized environments are most commonly designed for use in manufacturing facilities and medical research and treatment facilities in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries, to name a few. Sterile cleanroom environments may be classified under a variety of classification schemes, including the International Organization of Standardization (“ISO”) Cleanroom Standards, whereby the highest level of sterilization is an ISO 1 cleanroom, and normal ambient air (no sterilization) is classified as ISO 9. The ISO standards correspond to the allowed number of particles having a minimum particle size per cubic meter. For example, an ISO 5 cleanroom allows the following: a maximum of 100,000 particles with a particle size greater than 0.1 μm; a maximum of 23,700 particles greater than 0.2 μm; a maximum of 10,200 particles greater than 0.3 μm; a maximum of 3,520 particles greater than 0.5 μm; a maximum of 832 particles greater than 1 μm; and a maximum of 29 particles greater than 5 μm. 
     A variety of products are utilized inside cleanroom environments, including paper and paper products used to document manufacturing and testing records within the controlled areas. Such paper products include, but are not limited to, forms, logbooks, tags and batch records. All of these documents are necessary to detail the manufacturing and testing processes so as to ensure that proper procedures are followed and results are documented. Indeed, these documents are subject to review by regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and represent the mechanism by which such agencies can review the manufacturing and testing process details after the manufacture, testing, or handling of a drug product, for example, to assure patient safety. 
     However, paper and paper products are a significant contamination source due to shedding fibers, particulates and microorganisms (e.g.,  bacillus  and mold). About 40% of paper products used in sterile environments are standard documents that can be pre-printed, packaged and sterilized by known means. However, the remainder of the documents introduced into sterile environments cannot be pre-printed, sterilized and packaged in a timely fashion. Their preparation requires information that is not readily available until days, or even hours, before the manufacturing or testing is to begin. In some instances, they must be prepared while manufacturing and/or testing is underway. Because of this, these documents are forced to be brought into sterilized areas without prior treatment for the reduction of shedding fibers, particulates and microorganisms. Thus, they represent a significant contamination source. 
     To solve this problem, the invention provides for a portable cleanroom printing cabinet which allows documents to be printed in sterile environments without the introduction of any outside contaminants. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the invention provides a portable printing cabinet which includes a housing having a substantially enclosed interior and an opening formed in a side surface thereof, a printing device located within the interior of said housing, and a paper tray positioned outside of the housing and in communication with the opening of the housing. 
     The invention further provides a portable printing cabinet which includes a housing having a substantially enclosed interior and an opening formed in a side surface thereof, an interior shelf located within the housing defining an upper portion and a lower portion of the cabinet, wherein the upper portion has a top surface with a step-up portion, a printing device located on the interior shelf, a paper tray positioned outside of the housing and in communication with the opening of the housing, at least one L-shaped hinged cover that forms part of the step-up portion of the top surface of the upper portion of the housing, a second hinged cover fixed to the top surface of the upper portion of the housing adjacent to the step-up portion, at least one air filtration unit located within the housing having vents positioned on an outside surface of the housing, and at least one power source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a portable printing cabinet in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a front sectional view of the portable printing cabinet illustrated in  FIG.  1    taken along line  2 - 2 ; 
         FIG.  3    is a side elevational view of the portable printing cabinet illustrated in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a front perspective view of a portable printing cabinet in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a cutout view of the front of the portable printing cabinet illustrated in  FIG.  4   , showing the hinged cover in an open position to provide access to the printing device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG.  5 B  is a cutout view of the front of the portable printing cabinet illustrated in  FIG.  4    showing the paper tray in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the portable printing cabinet  100  of the invention allows the printing of documents within a controlled, cleanroom environment onto sterilized paper at high speeds. This cabinet reduces or eliminates the presence of bioburden (e.g., microorganisms such as  bacillus  and mold) on printed documents. The printing cabinet  100  further assures that particulates and shedding fibers from the paper is minimized or eliminated. The printing cabinet  100  of the invention may be used in any ISO level controlled area, including cleanrooms at an ISO 5 level or lower. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the printing cabinet  100  generally includes a housing  102  having at least four sides and a bottom  104 . In the embodiment shown, the four sides are formed of thin rectangular-shaped panels and include a left side  130 , front side  124 , right side  134 , and back side  135 . The sides  124 ,  130 ,  134  and  135  are preferably joined with the bottom  104  of the housing  102  to form a substantially rectangular box-shaped cabinet  100 . Preferably, the housing  102  forms an enclosure that defines an interior space. Cross-member  113  may connect the front side  124  of the housing  102  to the back side  135  of the housing  102 . The cabinet  100  may be supported by any structure known in the art. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the cabinet  100  is supported by a plurality of wheels  106  fixed to the bottom  104 . The use of wheels  106  allows the cabinet  100  to be moved out of the cleanroom when necessary for cleaning or sterilization treatment. Legs may also be used if the cabinet  100  does not need to be moved from one location to another. 
     The housing  102  may be formed of any durable material which can store a printing device and other items, and which prevents the passage of fluids or air into the interior of the cabinet  100 . Indeed, the housing  102  preferably forms a sealed unit (with covers  110  and  112 ) such that contaminants cannot escape. According to one embodiment, the entire housing  102  is formed of stainless steel. According to another embodiment, other durable metals or plastic materials may be used. Metals are preferred such that sterilization of the unit can be performed by an autoclave or other similar devices. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , a cross-section is shown of the printing cabinet  100  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG.  1   . An interior shelf  118  may be provided that divides the cabinet  100  into an upper portion  114  and a lower portion  120 . In one embodiment, the interior shelf  118  is welded to sides  124 ,  130 ,  134  and  135  of the housing  102  to form a complete assembly. The upper portion  114  houses a printing device  116 , which can be placed on the interior shelf  118 . Any printing device known in the art may be used. High-grade printers which emit the lowest level of particulates, reduce shedding, and reduce ink droplet release, are preferred. According to one embodiment, the CDT 1600S printer manufactured by Colordyne Technologies LLC of Brookfield, Wis., which may include MEMJET® printing technology, may be used. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable or standard printer can be utilized within the scope of the invention. 
     The upper portion  114  of the cabinet  100  may also house an air filtration unit  133  having a fan aligned with exterior vents  140  positioned on at least one side of the housing  102  (see  FIG.  1   ). Any filtration unit known in the art may be used, though preferable that the unit achieves a filtration rate of 99.97%. More specifically, the unit  133  must filter air from the interior of the cabinet  100  at a rate of 99.97% with respect to 0.5 micron particles. According to one embodiment, a high-efficiency particulate air (“HEPA”) filtration unit may be used. The fan of the air filtration unit  133  blows air out of the cabinet through the filter. This maintains the cabinet  100  under negative pressure, via the exterior vents  140 , such that the risk of transmission of particles to the exterior environment is minimized. Thus, if a door  122  or  132 , or a cover  110  or  112 , is opened, the fan will suck air into the housing interior, preventing particles from escaping. In addition, the interior shelf  118  may have vents (not shown) which permit equalization of the pressure in the cabinet  100  between the upper portion  114  and the lower portion  120 . 
     According to a preferred embodiment, at least one hinged cover is fixed to the housing  102  of the cabinet  100  so as to enclose the upper portion  114  and still allow for easy access to the interior of the housing  102 , such as to access the printing device  116 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , the upper portion  114  is enclosed by two adjacent hinged covers  110  and  112  having a generally triangular cross-section. Specifically, hinged covers  110  and  112  may each have angled edges  123  which engage the front side  124  and back side  135  of the housing  102 . The front cover  110  may be hinged to cross-member  113  of the housing  102  along one lateral side  115  that extends transversely across from side  124  to side  134 . Any method of hinging one member to another member may be used, including piano style mechanical hinges or the inclusion of a polymer strip (e.g., polypropylene) between the cover  110  and the cross-member  113  along side  115 . While the air filtration unit  133  adequately maintains the interior of the cabinet  100  under negative pressure so as to minimize the risk of contamination, gaskets or rubber seals may optionally be utilized between the hinged covers  110  and  112  and the housing  102  (on any side) to further ensure contamination protection. 
     The front cover  110  may include a paper tray  126  on an outer surface for receiving printed documents. In another embodiment, the paper tray  126  need not be on the front cover  110 , but may be separate from the housing  102  and attached thereto. Alternatively, the printed paper may be ejected from an opening in the housing  102  located on any side adjacent to the end of the printing device  116  (see  FIGS.  4  and  5 A -B). 
     As seen in  FIG.  2   , the printing device  116  may include a paper guide  128  extending from an end thereof. The paper guide  128  may be a C-shaped paper dispensing guide having a plurality of rollers  131  along its length. In one embodiment, the paper guide  128  is a half circle with a radius of between 3 and 8 inches, such that a variety of paper sizes may be accommodated. When the printed paper is expelled from the printing device  116 , it is moved along by the rollers  131  on the paper guide  128  in direction “A.” The paper guide  128  guides the paper upward to be received in the paper tray  126 , which is then accessible without needing to lift the front cover  110  to access the printing device  116 . In this way, the paper guide  128  transfers the paper from the printing device  116 , inside of the housing  102 , to the paper tray  126 , outside of the housing  102 . The printed paper should be ejected from the printing device  116  with a force sufficient to push the paper along the rollers  131  of the paper guide  128  and deposited into paper tray  126  above. In one embodiment, a gear-driven assembly having a motor (not shown) may be used to rotate the rollers to thereby push or pull the printed paper along the paper guide  128 . The front cover  110  includes an opening  129  in communication with the paper tray  126  so as to allow the printed paper to pass through. Specifically, the paper guide  128  is connected to the top of the opening  129  in the front cover  110  such that the paper can be deposited into the paper tray  126  on top of any paper previously printed. The front cover  110  only needs to be lifted if the printing device  116  experiences a paper jam or lodged paper needs to be removed from the paper guide  128 . The front cover  110  may include a handle  121  designed for use by an individual wearing a protective glove. 
     The rear cover  112  may be configured similarly to the front cover  110 . The rear cover  112  may be used to feed paper into the printing device  116 . Specifically, the rear cover  112  may be hinged to cross-member  113  of the housing  102  along a lateral side  117  opposite the side connected to the front cover  110 . The hinging mechanism may be similar to those used with the front cover  110 , as discussed above. The rear cover  112  may have a handle  119 , which is designed for use by an individual wearing a protective glove. The opened first and second covers  110  and  112 , respectively, are illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
     The left side  130  of the housing  102  may include one or more doors  132  (one is illustrated in  FIG.  1   ) for access to the printing device  116  and upper portion  114  of the printing cabinet  100 . Specifically, while not limited to such an embodiment, the door  132  may be used for printer cartridge replacement. Because high-quality printing devices are preferred according to the invention, numerous printing cartridges may need to be used and replaced often. The user may access the printing device  116  to replace printing cartridges by opening the door  132 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . While the door  132  is depicted on the left side  130  of the cabinet  100  in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , it may be positioned on any side of the cabinet  100  which allows access to the printing device  116  (e.g., front side  124 ). Like the front and rear covers  110  and  112 , respectively, gaskets or rubber seals may optionally be utilized between door  132  and the housing  102  to further ensure contamination protection. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the right side  134  of the housing  102  may include ports for the connection of a data cable and/or power cable. Specifically, two data connection ports  136  and one power outlet  138  are shown, although any number of ports may be present for various purposes. According to another embodiment, the ports  136  and outlet  138  may be provided on any side of the cabinet  100 . The data connection ports  136  and outlet  138  may be present on both the outside of the housing  102  (as shown in  FIG.  3   ) and the inside of the housing  102  for connection to the printing device  116  or any other devices inside the cabinet  100 . Specifically, the printing device  116  and other electronics may be plugged into the power outlet  138 , for example, from the inside of the housing  102 . From the outside of the housing  102 , an AC electrical power cord, which is plugged into a power source, may then be plugged into the power outlet  138 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the power outlet  138  on the outside of the housing  102  is a male connector (with two or three prongs) that is inset into the housing  102  so as to protect it from damage. At the interior of the housing  102 , the outlet  138  is a female receptacle to accept the power plugs from the printing device  116  and other electrical components. The placement of ports  136  and power outlet  138  on the exterior surface of the cabinet  100  are advantageous in that the doors  122  (discussed below) need not be opened in order to plug and unplug the printing device  116 , such as when the cabinet  100  is moved from one location to another. 
     As a portable unit, the cabinet  100  may operate on either AC electrical power (i.e., 110V AC in the U.S. or 220V AC globally) or battery power. In one embodiment, a battery (not shown) is located within the lower portion  120  of the cabinet  100  and is electrically connected to the power outlet  138 . The battery may be of a type that would power the printing device  116  and one or more air filtration units  133  for a period of up to six hours. When not in use, the battery may be charged via electrical power delivered through the outlet  138 . 
     The lower portion  120  of the printing cabinet  100  is located below the interior shelf  118  and may be used for storage of miscellaneous items such as sterilized paper. The lower portion  120  may be accessible to a user via one or more doors  122  fixed to any of the side(s) of the cabinet  100 . As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the lower portion  120  has two doors  122  fixed to the front side  124  of the cabinet  100 , although more than two doors may be included. The lower portion  120  may also house an air filtration unit (not shown) similar to the filtration unit  133  housed in the upper portion  114 . As discussed herein, gaskets or seals may be utilized between the outer periphery of the door(s)  122  and the housing  102  to further ensure contamination protection. 
     In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the housing  102  is substantially enclosed, such that it has no openings or doors, except opening  129  where the printed paper passes into the paper tray  126 . The presence of the air filtration unit  133  within the housing  102  maintains negative pressure within the cabinet  100 , such that protection against contamination is ensured. 
     In practice, the printing device  116  and air filtration unit(s)  133  may be controlled via a wireless connection or hard wire connection to a network. According to one embodiment where hard wiring is used, a USB cable or an Ethernet cable may be connected from the PC to the ports  136 , and then another cable may be connected from ports  136  to the printing device  116  on the inside of the housing  102 . In another embodiment, any known wireless communication methods may be used, including, but not limited to, WiFi and Bluetooth® capabilities. Control of the printing device  116  may be accomplished within the cleanroom by any known wireless or wired devices, including, but not limited to, a network computer, an iPad®, a PC, or a laptop computer. When it receives a signal, the printing device  116  prints the required document and expels it into the paper tray  126  for collection by a user. The motor can activate the rollers  131 , for instance, when the printing device  116  is activated. In an embodiment, the motor can have a wireless or wired connection and can receive the same signal as the printing device  116 . 
     To further ensure the sterility of the cleanroom environment, the printing device  116  prints onto pre-sterilized paper. Any methods of sterilizing the paper known to one skilled in the art may be used, including, but not limited to, steam, heat, chemical treatment, or gamma irradiation. Preferably, a non-shedding paper product is used. In one embodiment, a plastic, non-shedding printing medium, such as Teslin® manufactured by PPG Industries of Pittsburgh, Pa., may be used. However, any suitable paper or printing medium can be used. The paper or printing medium may be provided on rolls at a predetermined length, or it may be provided as cut sheets prepared in ream. As set forth above, this paper may be stored in the lower portion  120  of the cabinet  100  when not in use. 
     The printing cabinet  100  is fully portable. All contents located within the cabinet  100  (e.g., printing device  116 , air filtration unit  133 ) are enclosed within the housing  102 . The printing cabinet  100  can be wheeled to other locations and plugged into any standard AC power source. 
     Another embodiment of a portable printing cabinet  400  is illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  5 A -B. In this embodiment, the printing cabinet  400  and its housing  402  generally have the same structure as printing cabinet  100 , including at least four sides and a bottom surface, but the upper portion  414  of housing  402  has a different shape and design. Like cabinet  100 , printing cabinet  400  is supported by a plurality of wheels  106  fixed to its bottom surface  404 , which allows the cabinet  400  to be moved out of the cleanroom when necessary for cleaning or sterilization treatment. The housing  402  may be formed of the same material(s) as housing  102  and should form an enclosed unit to prevent contaminants from escaping. 
     The interior of the printing cabinet  400  is arranged similarly to the interior of cabinet  100 , wherein an interior shelf  418  is provided that divides the cabinet  400  into an upper portion  414  and lower portion  420 . The interior shelf  418  may be coupled to the housing  402  in the same manner as interior shelf  118  is to housing  102 , as set forth above. The upper portion  414  houses the printing device  116  which is positioned on the interior shelf  418 . The lower portion  420  may house at least one air filtration unit  133  aligned with vents  140  positioned on the outside of at least one side of the housing  402 . The lower portion  420  may further include doors  422  on a front surface  423  thereof that allow for easy access to the storage area within the lower portion  420  and the air filtration unit  133 . 
     In one embodiment, the upper portion  414  and lower portion  420  are designed as separate and discrete housings, each having a top, bottom, and four sides generally forming a substantially rectangular shape. The lower portion  420  can act as a base unit that supports the upper portion  414 . The upper portion  414  can act as a printer unit that sits on the lower portion  420  and houses the printing device  116 . In another embodiment, the lower portion  420  is optional and the upper portion  414  may house all components, including the printing device  116  and the at least one air filtration unit  133 , and be supported by legs (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 A-B , the upper portion  414  has a top surface  442  and two opposing ends  444  and  446 . The top surface  442  has a raised or step-up portion  448  (see  FIG.  4   ) adjacent to end  446 . The step-up portion  448  is raised because that end  446  receives the larger paper loading section of the printing device  116  which allows for large volumes of paper to be received therein. 
     Part of the step-up portion  448  is formed by at least one hinged cover  412 , which is fixed to the housing  402  and encloses the upper portion  414  while allowing for easy access to the printing device  116 . As best shown in  FIG.  5 B , the hinged cover  412  may be hinged to the housing  402  using any rotatable attachment mechanism know in the art, including piano style mechanical hinges. When the hinged cover  412  is lifted using the handle  419 , access to the printing device  116  is provided so as to allow a user to feed paper into the printing device  116 , fix paper jams, and the like. 
     The hinged cover  412  generally has an “L” shape formed by two joined surfaces  452  and  454 . The top surface  452  forms part of the step-up portion  448 , and side surface  454  forms part of a side  456  of the upper portion  414 . The upper portion  414  also has an opposing side  458  at end  444 . The top surface  452  may include a window  460 , such as a glass window, so that the user can see the printing device  116  and ensure that it is working properly (e.g., to check paper levels) without having to open the hinged cover  412 . While the air filtration unit  133  adequately maintains the interior of the cabinet  400  under negative pressure so as to minimize the risk of contamination, gaskets or rubber seals may optionally be utilized between the hinged cover  412  and the housing  402  to further ensure contamination protection. A bar  462  is fixed to the side  456  of the upper portion  414  of the housing  402  to assist the user in moving the printing cabinet  400 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5 A , a second hinged cover  410  forms a part of the top surface  442  of the upper portion  414  at end  444 . The second hinged cover  410  encloses the upper portion  414  while also allowing for easy access to the dispensing end  415  (i.e., where the printed document is expelled) of the printing device  116 . The second hinged cover  410  may be hinged to the housing  402  using any means set forth herein. 
     The first hinged cover  412  and second hinged cover  410  may remain in an opened position when opened by a user so that the user need not hold them in place while accessing the inside of the printing cabinet  400 . For example, first hinged cover  412  may have a bar  413  that holds it open and/or a slow close mechanism (not shown) to avoid the first hinged cover  412  from slamming down onto the housing  402  when closed. The second hinged cover  410  may also include a bar and/or slow close mechanism. 
     A paper tray  426  is coupled to the side  458  of the upper portion  414  to receive printed paper Z being expelled from the printing device  116  in direction Y. As shown in  FIG.  5 A , side  458  of the upper portion  414  has a generally rectangular opening  464  formed therein. The opening  464  is aligned with and in communication with the printing device  116 , specifically the area where the printed document is expelled from the printing device  116 . Since the printing device  116  is inside the printing cabinet  400 , the paper exits the printing device  116  and is directly expelled through the opening  464  to be received in the paper tray  426  on the outside of the printing cabinet  400 . In one embodiment, the paper tray  426  includes at least two prongs  466  at one end thereof. The prongs  466  engage the side  458  at the opening  464  and function as hooks so as to hold the paper tray  426  in place when the weight of paper tray  426  is allowed to rest on the edge of opening  464 . In this way, the paper tray  426  can be securely held in place at an angle extending toward the ground so as to allow the printed paper to slide down into the paper tray  426  in direction B when exiting through the opening  464 . The paper tray  426  can also be easily removed to be cleaned, replaced, or to allow access to the opening  464 . The paper tray  426  is sized and configured so as to be able to receive paper of various sizes and in large volumes. The paper tray  426  is generally formed of the same material used to form the housing  402  (e.g., stainless steel). In an alternative embodiment, the paper tray  426  need not be separate from the housing  402 , but can be a lower part of the housing  402 . 
     The printing cabinet  400  may further include ports and/or power outlets (not shown) such as those illustrated in  FIG.  3   . The ports and power outlets may be of any type and arrangement as set above. Moreover, the printing device  116  and air filtration unit(s)  133  may be controlled via a wireless connection or hard wire connection to a network as discussed herein. 
     Although this invention has been described in connection with specific forms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that various modifications other than those discussed above may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those specifically shown and described, certain features may be used independently of other features, and in certain cases, particular locations of elements may be reversed or interposed, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended Claims.