ZJNF Custom Design SUS304 Material Cleanroom Transfer Window For Air Purification

A cleanroom transfer window or pass box is a crucial piece of equipment used in controlled environments like cleanrooms or laboratories to transfer materials or items between two areas while minimizing contamination risks. It allows for the safe and sterile transfer of items without directly exposing them to the outside environment or the cleanroom.

Key Features and Purpose of a Cleanroom Transfer Window (Pass Box):

1. Contamination Prevention:

   • The primary purpose of a cleanroom transfer window (or pass box) is to prevent contamination between the cleanroom and adjacent, non-clean areas (like hallways, storage areas, or other controlled zones). This is especially critical in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food production, and semiconductor manufacturing, where even minor contamination can compromise the quality or safety of products.

2. Design:

   • Dual Door System: A typical transfer window or pass box has two interlocking doors (one on each side of the wall) to prevent contamination of the cleanroom or adjacent space. This interlocking system ensures that only one door can be open at a time, preventing unfiltered air or contaminants from entering the cleanroom when the other door is open.

   • Transparent Window: The window is often made of glass or acrylic, allowing users to see inside the box without needing to open it, which further minimizes the risk of contamination.

   • Seals and Gaskets: Both doors are tightly sealed with high-quality gaskets to prevent leaks and air contamination.

3. Airflow and Filtration:

   • HEPA/ULPA Filters: Some pass boxes are equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) or ULPA (Ultra-Low Particulate Air) filters to remove airborne particles from the materials before they enter the cleanroom or from the outside environment. These filters ensure that any air entering or exiting the pass box is clean and particle-free.

   • Airflow Control: Depending on the design, the pass box may have laminar flow or unidirectional airflow, which helps to further minimize contamination by directing clean air over the transferred materials.

4. Types of Pass Boxes:

   • Manual Transfer Box: The most basic type of pass box, where items are manually placed inside and transferred through. The operator may need to wear gloves or use other methods to handle the materials.

   • Automatic Transfer Box: Some pass boxes have automated mechanisms (such as sliding doors) to transfer items more efficiently and in a more sterile manner. These systems may also incorporate UV sterilization or ionization to further reduce the risk of contamination.

   • Sterilization-Enabled Pass Box: These models may include UV-C lights, ozone generators, or other sterilization systems to decontaminate materials before they enter the cleanroom.

5. Applications:

   • Material Transfer: Pass boxes are used to transfer materials (e.g., equipment, supplies, raw materials, or finished products) into and out of the cleanroom without exposing the clean environment to external contaminants.

   • Personnel and Sample Transfer: In some configurations, personnel can also use the pass box to transfer small items, documents, or samples into or out of the cleanroom without the need for full gowning procedures (though they still must follow standard contamination protocols).

   • Pharmaceutical Industry: Used to transfer active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), sterile vials, bottles, and other materials into cleanroom areas where sterile conditions are critical.

   • Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing: Pass boxes are used to transfer delicate electronic components or microchips into cleanrooms to prevent contamination.

   • Biotechnology and Research Labs: Used to transfer biological samples or lab equipment into cleanrooms where research or cell cultures require a sterile environment.

6. Sterilization Options:

   • UV-C Light: Some transfer boxes are equipped with UV-C lamps inside to sterilize the materials before or after they pass through the box. UV-C light can help kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, adding an additional layer of protection against contamination.

   • Ozone Sterilization: Certain pass boxes may also use ozone (O₃) to disinfect items. The ozone can be used to neutralize any potential contaminants on the surface of materials being transferred.

7. Control Features:

   • Interlocking Doors: As mentioned, the interlocking mechanism ensures that the doors cannot be opened at the same time. This helps prevent cross-contamination between the cleanroom and non-clean areas.

   • Electronic Control Systems: In automated pass boxes, the transfer process can be controlled by a user interface, allowing the operator to monitor and control the transfer process efficiently. Some models may include sensors to ensure the box is sealed before opening the second door.