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.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to manufacturing processes and, more particularly, to a contaminant containing apparatus and method that facilitates the use of contaminant producing processes within a controlled environment including a clean room.

BACKGROUND

Processes performed within a clean room environment can be especially susceptible to airborne contaminants. In the past, when a particular process includes the possibility of introducing contamination to the controlled environment, it has been desirable to remove the article from the controlled environment in order to perform the potentially contaminating process. The article is then reintroduced to the controlled environment once the potentially contaminating process is completed. Removing and reintroducing the article can cause significant disruption to the manufacturing process as well as costly delays. Transporting the work piece into and out of the controlled environment can add additional packaging, inspecting, repackaging, and transaction costs that can significantly increase the cost to produce the final product. Further, the removal and reintroduction of the article also includes the risk of contamination from other sources associated with a breach or opening of the controlled environment.

As a result, there is a need to address costly delays associated with removing and reintroducing an article within a controlled environment including a clean room.

SUMMARY

An apparatus for use within a controlled environment is disclosed herein to provide, in one embodiment of the present invention, an enclosure having an interior region for receiving an article of manufacture, an air filter for receiving contaminated air from the enclosure and outputting air substantially free of contaminants, and 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. In this manner, a contaminant producing operation may be performed upon the article within the enclosure without removing the article from the controlled environment.

In a controlled environment such as a clean room, when a contaminant producing operation upon an article is desired, the article within the clean room is typically sealed within a bag or other sealable container, an inspection is performed, and the article within the sealed bag is transferred out of clean room. The contaminant producing operation is then performed on the article outside the clean room environment. Once the contaminant producing operation is completed, a reverse process of re-packaging, re-inspecting, and transferring the processed article into the clean room is typically performed. These non-value-added operations, as a result of performing the contaminant producing operation outside the controlled environment, can significantly increase the cost to produce the final product. In keeping with embodiments of the present invention, such costly and time-consuming non-value-added operations are avoided.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a substantially transparent portion or observation window to permit viewing of an article disposed within the enclosure. The article can be an item of manufacture within a manufacturing process, for example. The air filter can be a High Efficiency Particle Arresting (HEPA) type filter or other suitable filter for receiving air having a level of contaminants and outputting air having a lower level of contaminants. The air flow generator includes 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.

In another embodiment, a user area is adjacent to the enclosure providing a location for a user to stand or sit in proximity to the contaminant containing apparatus. The contaminant containing apparatus includes at least one sealed glove port for receiving a hand of the user and extending into the interior portion of the enclosure interior region to enable the user to grasp or manipulate the article or other objects within the enclosure. The contaminant containing apparatus includes a light source for providing illumination upon the article within the enclosure interior region. The light source provides illumination at a range of frequencies including visible and ultraviolet. The apparatus further includes a light blocking member for surrounding a predetermined portion of the enclosure in order to block ambient light from entering the enclosure. Ambient light is the light within the controlled environment not supplied by the enclosure light source.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the contaminant containing apparatus can include at least one sensor device for sensing a predetermined attribute of the article within the enclosure. The sensor device can be a camera for producing an image signal including image information from the interior region of the enclosure. The apparatus can include an image processor for receiving at least one image signal and outputting a display signal, and a display unit for receiving the display signal and presenting an image representation of the display signal.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed of performing a contaminant generating operation within a controlled environment while preserving the controlled environment substantially free of contaminants. The method includes establishing an air flow into an enclosure for receiving an article of manufacture within the controlled environment, positioning an article of manufacture within the enclosure, performing a contaminant generating operation on the article within the enclosure, filtering contaminants from the air within the enclosure, and outputting the filtered air into the controlled environment. The established air flow within the enclosure is sufficient to prevent the escape of contaminants from within the enclosure to the controlled environment. The filtering method can include 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 in accordance with a standard of cleanliness such as a clean room specification or other guideline.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the method includes illuminating the interior region of the enclosure with a light source which can be a black light or a white light. The method can further include surrounding a predetermined portion of the enclosure with a light blocking member to prevent illumination of the interior portion of the enclosure from a source other than the enclosure light source.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an article processing system in a controlled environment includes a first processing station for performing non-contaminant generating operations and a second processing station for performing contaminant generating operations. The second processing station includes 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.

The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of embodiments of the present invention will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram view illustrating a clean room environment including a contaminant containing enclosure apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a contaminant containing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C show a frame for supporting the contaminant containing apparatus and two positions for a light blocking member surrounding a portion of the contaminant containing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the contaminant containing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method of performing a Dye Penetrant Inspection process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top-down view of the enclosure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Various embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating one possible layout for an article processing system 100 including a contaminant containing apparatus 102 within a controlled environment 104 such as a clean room. Controlled environment 104 can include an assembly cell area 106 comprising a number of exemplary processing stations. Although not limited to this description, the processing stations can include one or more dirty processing stations such as contaminant containing apparatus 102, and a number of clean processing stations including a first station 108, a second station 110, a third station 112, a fourth station 114, a fifth station 116, and a sixth station 118, where a number of articles can be processed in a sequential or serial fashion. Operations can be performed upon an article at each station. A more detailed description of dirty and clean operations will be discussed below.

A sequential stream of articles can follow an example assembly line process where a first article is introduced 120 to first station 108. A first processing operation is performed upon the article at first station 108. After the first processing operation is completed, the first article is transported 122 to second station 110 and a second article can then be introduced 120 to the unoccupied first station 108. At second station 110, a second processing operation is performed upon the first article. First station 108 and second station 110 can be considered as clean processing stations since they do not produce contaminants that could undesirably affect the controlled environment.

Meanwhile, the first processing operation can be performed on the second article at first station 108 so that a number of articles may be simultaneously processed in an assembly line fashion where each article is in a different stage of processing corresponding to an increasing degree of completeness. Although the singular term article is used to describe a work piece being operated upon at a particular station, the term article can also include a number of elements grouped together that are intended to be processed together or at the same processing stage.

Once the second processing operation is completed, the article can be transferred 124 to third station 112. Alternatively, it may be desirable to perform a separate, dirty processing operation using the contaminant containing apparatus 102 before transferring the article to third station 112. A dirty processing operation can be any contaminant producing operation where it is desirable to avoid contamination within the controlled environment. When this is so, the article is removed from second station 110 on the assembly line and introduced 126 to contaminant containing apparatus 102 where the contaminant producing processing operation may be performed without contaminating, or requiring the article be removed from, controlled environment 104. Once the contaminant producing processing operation is completed, the article is returned 128 to the assembly line for further processing at the same stage from which it previously left. In contrast to a clean processing station, contaminant containing apparatus 102 can be considered a dirty processing station for safely performing contaminant generating operations without contaminating controlled environment 104.

Alternatively, once the contaminant producing processing operation is completed, the article may be transferred 130 to a different stage on the assembly line. In reference to FIG. 1, after the contaminant producing processing operation is completed following the processing at second station 110, it may be desirable to transfer 130 the processed article to third station 112. In one embodiment, the contaminant producing processing operation is a diagnostic process that can be used to determine if the processing from second station 110 was completed properly by determining whether the processed article conforms to a predetermined standard, such as a specified MIL-SPEC (Military Specification) or MIL-STD (Military Standard).

If the processed article from second station 110 conforms to the specified standard, then processing from second station 110 is completed and the second processed article may be transferred 130 to third station 112. Alternatively, if the processed article from second station 110 does not conform to the standard, then processing from second station 110 can be re-accomplished and the second processed article may be transferred 128 again to second station 110 where some or all of the second processing operation may be performed on the article. The contaminant producing processing operation can also include a modification process such as altering or treating the article, or may include a combination of diagnostic, altering, or treating operations. This testing and recursion may be desirable following a non-deterministic processing operation where the results depend on the skill of a particular artisan performing the processing operation at a particular station.

In one embodiment, the contaminant producing processing operation includes a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) process such as a Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) process for determining surface flaws or defects. DPI can be used on many different types of non-porous articles having a relatively smooth surface, such as metals, glass, ceramics, and plastics. In the DPI process, liquid oil having a dye or other marker in suspension is applied to the surface of a non-porous article to be inspected. In a fluorescent DPI process, the markers are fluorescent particles suspended in the applied liquid oil. The fluorescent particles can include phosphors that receive energy at a wavelength outside the visible range and convert a portion of that received energy to light within the visible range. Excess oil can be removed and a developer can be applied.

The developer can be a sprayed-on, fine powdery substance used to bring to the surface the remaining oil containing the fluorescent particles. In the DPI process, it is at least this developing operation that is typically very disruptive to a clean room or other controlled environment 104. The application of a fine powder can produce airborne particles that can contaminate other articles or processes within controlled environment 104. Even if controlled environment 104 is not a clean room that is compliant with a strict standard limiting contaminant particle size, for example, it may be desirable to avoid contamination of a less stringently clean environment. Once the developer is applied, the developed surface can then be visually inspected under a specified lighting or illumination condition to reveal flaws in the surface including irregularities or discontinuities in the inspected surface. Illumination can include specified lighting conditions with a range of wavelengths or frequencies including visible light, meaning light within the visible range for a human, also described as white light.

For a fluorescent dye penetrant inspection process, the specified lighting conditions can include the use of a black light that emits light near the ultraviolet end of the visual spectrum. Alternatively, an infra-red illumination, below visible light range, may be desirable in combination with particular dyes, markers, or developers. For a visible light penetrant inspection process, the specified lighting conditions include a white light broadly within the visual spectrum. Once the inspection process is completed and any irregularities are noted, the inspected surface can then be treated with a solvent, such as alcohol, to remove any remaining oil and the suspended particles, dyes, or markers. Both the visible light and fluorescent light liquid penetrant inspection are non-destructive methods of revealing flaws on the surface of a solid and essentially non-porous material. Other contaminant producing processes, diagnostics, or treatments are possible.

Once the processing operation at third station 112 is completed, the third processed article is transferred 132 to fourth station 114. Similarly, third station 112 is then available to process a trailing article in the assembly process. Once the fourth processing operation is completed, the fourth processed article is transferred 134 to fifth station 116. Once the fifth processing operation is completed, the fifth processed article is transferred 136 to sixth station 118. Similar to the second station 110, after processing at sixth station 118 completes, the sixth processed article can be transferred 138 to contaminant containing apparatus 102 for performance of a second contaminant producing processing operation. This second contaminant producing processing operation can be the same as or different from the previously discussed DPI operation.

The paths traced through the example assembly line in the assembly cell area 106 are exemplary in nature and can include transfers between stations in a different manner than that which is shown and described. The number of clean processing stations (108, 110, 112, 114, 116, and 118) can vary from one to many. It is not necessary that a particular contemporaneous process may be interfered with by contaminants in order to practice the present invention. Instead, it may simply be desirable to contain contaminants rather than disperse them within the surrounding environment. Similarly, the number of contaminant producing processing stations 102 can vary from at least one to many.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of contaminant containing apparatus 102 according to one embodiment. Apparatus 102 includes a box-like enclosure 202 for receiving an article of manufacture, an air filter 204 adjacent to enclosure 202, and an air flow generator 206 sealably disposed between enclosure 202 and filter 204. Either or both of air filter 204 and air flow generator 206 can be physically attached to enclosure 202. When activated, air flow generator 206 draws air in a first direction 208, to enter enclosure 202, and pushes air out in a second direction 210 to exit filter 204, so that contaminant producing operations may be conducted on the received article within enclosure 202 without emitting contaminants into controlled environment 104. The air flow through enclosure 202 carries airborne contaminants into filter 204 where they are trapped. Use of this apparatus enables a dirty process to be conducted within a clean room environment, for example.

Enclosure 202 may be partially or entirely constructed from a substantially transparent material in order to permit viewing of an article disposed within enclosure 202. Alternatively, enclosure 202 can include a substantially transparent observation window 234 in order to permit viewing. Observation window 234 may be constructed from clear glass, specially tinted or polarized glass, or optical quality plastic, for example. The choice of materials for enclosure 202 and observation window 234 can be determined by the types of operations that will be conducted within enclosure 202. Similarly, the type of filter 204 can be determined by the types of contaminant producing operations that will be conducted, the type of contaminants expected, and the degree of contaminant reduction or removal required to yield air flow out of the filter 204 that is acceptable, or substantially free of contaminants, without violating the specifications describing the acceptability of the controlled environment 104. For a clean room, this contaminant removal requirement typically requires the output air from the air filter be substantially free from contaminants of a particular size or larger. For example, for particulate matter contamination, the size of the emitted particles may be less than a predetermined maximum, such as one micron. Alternatively, filter 204 may be specified based on a performance rating such as the filter is 99.97% effective at capturing particles 0.3 microns and larger in a test environment, in accordance with an accepted performance qualification for a HEPA filter.

Air flow generator 206 can be implemented using a fan or other structure to create air flow movement in a predetermined direction. Air flow generator 206 can be regarded as a compressor which receives air at a first pressure and outputs air at a second, higher pressure. In this way, air flow generator 206 creates a negative pressure in enclosure 202 causing air to flow into the enclosure from controlled environment 104. Additionally, air flow generator 206 preferably includes a one-way flow unit for allowing air flow in a first direction 208 while inhibiting air flow in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. This one-way flow unit will allow air flow into the enclosure from the controlled environment in order to capture and filter out contaminants liberated within the enclosure 202 interior region while preventing contaminated air from entering the controlled environment 104. Contaminants may be liberated by a heating operation, especially if the dirty operation includes heating an article with a volatile coating, for example. It is preferable that filter 204 be located downstream of the airflow from the air flow generator 206 in order to capture any contaminants that may be generated by the air flow generator 206 itself such as by a motor or similar device.

Enclosure 202 has a first opening and a second opening to permit air flow through an interior region of enclosure 202. Air flow can be drawn in from controlled environment 104 and through enclosure 202 by activating air flow generator 206. Air flow 210 in a direction out of the enclosure 202 continues through air flow generator 206 and through filter 204 back into the controlled environment 104. Thus, the contaminant containing apparatus 102 can operate entirely within controlled environment 104 so that a contaminant producing operation performed within enclosure 202 does not contaminate controlled environment 104. Air flow generator 206 includes a first opening forming an air-tight seal with the second opening of enclosure 202 at a junction 212. Air flow generator 206 also includes a second opening forming an air-tight seal with a first opening of filter 204 at a junction 214. A second opening of filter 204 allows air to flow out of apparatus 102.

According to one embodiment, a user can stand in proximity to contaminant containing apparatus 102 at a user area 216 in order to conduct the contaminant producing operations on the received article within enclosure 202. The user standing in user area 216 can reach their hand into the one or more sealed glove ports (218, 220) to permit the user to grasp and manipulate an article within the interior region of enclosure 202 as well as any supplies, instruments, or materials present within enclosure 202 for use in the isolated, contaminant generating process. The base of each sealed glove port (218, 220) forms a seal with the enclosure in order to maintain a continuous barrier at the sealing point where the interior portion of each sealed glove port forms a part of the exterior of the enclosure 202.

Similarly, the exterior portion of each sealed glove port forms a part of the interior of enclosure 202. In this way, a user can insert their hand and forearm into a sealed glove port to grasp and manipulate items within the interior region of the enclosure 202. Alternatively, one or more remotely controlled instruments may be partially or completely extended through a sealable junction with a wall portion of enclosure 202 to enable a user to manipulate the exterior portions of the remotely controlled instruments in order to perform the contaminant producing operation within the contaminant containing apparatus 102. In yet another alternative, robotic instruments may be electronically controlled from a distance in order to perform the contaminant producing operation within enclosure 202.

In another embodiment, contaminant containing apparatus 102 includes an air lock 222 adjacent to enclosure 202 providing an intermediate chamber for passing the received article to an interior portion of enclosure 202. Air lock 222 has a first opening and a second opening and can include a mechanism, characteristic, or attribute that ensures the first opening and second opening are not both opened at the same time so that air may not pass in either direction directly through an interior portion of air lock 222 through the first opening and the second opening at the same time. The second opening of air lock 222 forms an air-tight seal with the first opening of enclosure 202 at a junction 224. The openings at junction 224 allow an article disposed within air lock 222 to be passed from an interior portion of air lock 222 into the interior portion of enclosure 202.

In another embodiment, contaminant containing apparatus 102 includes a user controlled light source 226 to illuminate the interior region of enclosure 202. The light source 226 can emit light in one or more ranges including traditional broad-spectrum visible light, or white light. Light source 226 may also emit light in a higher visible range, a black light or ultra violet light, which is beyond the normal range visible to a human user. Finally, light source 226 may also emit light in a lower visible range including infra-red light. In this way, the light source 226 provides illumination at a range of frequencies.

According to another embodiment, the contaminant containing apparatus 102 includes a light blocking member 228, such as a dark curtain or light-opaque material for blocking the passage of light, surrounding at least a portion of contaminant containing apparatus 102 in order to shield enclosure 202 from ambient light in controlled environment 104 other than illumination from light source 226. Under some lighting conditions, or for some processes, it may be desirable to limit the amount of ambient light in order to perform certain diagnostic procedures on the article within enclosure 202 and to satisfy candle light intensity requirements.

According to another embodiment, the contaminant containing apparatus 102 can include one or more sensing devices (230, 232), such as optical devices including cameras, in order to observe or determine some attribute of at least a portion of the article under inspection within enclosure 202. A human user may require specialized training in order to discern the acceptability or unacceptability of a particular article at a particular stage. A camera and associated image processor can receive and process image information that can provide a more automated inspection process or serve as a supplement to human observation. Further, the presence of one or more cameras (230, 232) may render a human observer unnecessary for some processes since visual inspection may be performed completely automatically allowing an untrained or less trained operator to assist in performing the desired process.

FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of a support stand or frame 302 that provides elevation of the contaminant containing apparatus 102 above a floor surface 304 defining a first open space 306 above and a second open space 308 below the contaminant containing apparatus 102. The position of the contaminant containing apparatus 102 can be adjusted vertically within the frame 302 to adjust the working height of the apparatus 102 relative to the floor surface 304. In one embodiment, the frame 302 includes wheels making the contaminant containing apparatus 102 easily portable.

FIG. 3B shows one embodiment where the light blocking member 228 is in a partially open position to permit a user to approach the tented contaminant containing apparatus 102 and permit ambient light from outside the light blocking member 228 to pass into enclosure 202 through the partially open light blocking member 228. Frame 302 provides support for the upper portion of the light blocking member 228. Alternatively, light blocking member 228 can be seamless, without an opening, and configured in a partially open position by rolling up in a vertical manner.

FIG. 3C shows light blocking member 228 in a fully closed position to prevent outside or ambient light from reaching contaminant containing apparatus 102. In one embodiment, light blocking member 228 can cover contaminant containing apparatus 102 to form a dark-room like inspection booth with a tent-like structure. The portion of frame 302 defining the open space 306 can also be adjusted vertically in order to accommodate the presence of a tall user or provide a larger open space 306. Alternatively, the portion of the frame 302 defining open space 306 may be omitted if light blocking member 228 is not used.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the present invention described as a series of operations performed. In operation 402, air flow generator 206 is activated to start the flow of air through enclosure 202 as described. In operation 404, an article is received within the interior portion of enclosure 202 in preparation for a contaminant producing operation. In operation 406, the contaminant producing operation is performed on the received article within enclosure 202. In operation 408, after the contaminant producing operation is completed, the processed article is removed from enclosure 202. In operation 410, air flow generator is deactivated to stop the flow of air through enclosure 202. Alternatively, if a series of articles are to be processed one after another, it would not be necessary to deactivate air flow generator 206 between processing operations. It may also be necessary to clean or otherwise treat the article immediately after insertion into enclosure 202. It may also be necessary to wait a significant amount of time before proceeding to a subsequent operation in order to allow time for drying, reacting, or cooling, for example.

FIG. 5 shows a particular embodiment of the present invention including a series of operations involved in performing a Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) process corresponding to operation 406. In operation 502, liquid oil including fluorescent particles in suspension is applied to a portion of the surface of a non-porous article to be inspected. The fluorescent particles can include phosphors that receive energy at a wavelength outside the visible range and convert a portion of that invisible energy to light within the visible range.

In operation 504, an excess amount of the oil containing the phosphor particles in suspension is removed. In operation 506, a developer is applied to the oil-covered portion of the article surface. In some applications, the developer can include a sprayed-on, fine powdery substance with some properties similar to baby powder. The application of the fine powdery substance brings up the remaining oil containing the fluorescent particles. In the DPI process, it is this developing operation that is typically most disruptive to a clean room environment. The use of a fine powder transferred through the air when the developer is applied can contaminate other articles or processes within a clean room 104, for example. In operation 508, a visual inspection is performed on the developed portion of the surface of the article under inspection. In operation 510, the developer remaining on the surface of the inspected article is removed, typically by wiping with a solvent and a clean fabric to provide physical removal of the developer and remaining oil, and the DPI process is completed. The solvent can be alcohol and the clean fabric can be a towel suitable for this purpose. The DPI process for operation 406 is only one example of a dirty process that may be conducted within contaminant containing apparatus 102 in a controlled environment 104.

FIG. 6 shows a top-down view of the enclosure 202 showing two sealed glove ports (218, 220) extended into an interior region of enclosure 202. Cameras (230, 232) can be located at diagonal corners of enclosure 202. Camera 230 has a field of view 602 while camera 232 has an oppositely directed field of view 604 within enclosure 202 to provide visualization within enclosure 202 at various angles. Camera 230 outputs a first image signal 606 including image information to an image processor 608. Image processor 608 can include a suitably programmed microcomputer. Image processor 608 outputs a display signal 610 to a display unit 612 that displays a visual image representation based on the display signal. Display unit 612 can include a television monitor. Similarly, camera 232 outputs a second image signal 614 including image information to the image processor 608.

Image processor 608 receives first and second image signals (606, 614) and determines display signal 610. Display signal 610 can be determined from each of the cameras (230, 232) individually, or from the cameras together to produce a synthesized or even a stereoscopic image. Any number of cameras may be located in positions to view the interior region of enclosure 202. Each camera may be located entirely within enclosure 202, partially within enclosure 202 forming a sealed portion of the boundary of enclosure 202, or entirely outside enclosure 202 if the enclosure material permits adequate visual inspection from outside enclosure 202.

The embodiments described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It should also be understood that numerous modifications and variations are possible in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined only by the following claims.

Claims

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.