Protector® Glove Boxes
Protector® Glove Boxes are sealed enclosures that allow handling of materials through long, relatively impermeable gloves secured to ports in the walls of the enclosure. These boxes provide protection or isolation through a physical barrier, either to isolate sensitive materials inside the box from environmental contamination or to protect the operator from hazardous materials being manipulated inside the box.
Product Overview
Labconco's Protector line consists of three types of glove boxes: vented filtered glove boxes, controlled atmosphere glove boxes, and combination vented/controlled atmosphere glove boxes. Every Protector Glove Box is rigorously tested using a helium mass spectrometer, with no detectable leaks greater than 1 x 10-6 ml/second, which calculates to less than 0.09 ml per day.
Protector® Filtered Glove Boxes
These glove boxes have inlet and outlet filters (either HEPA or ULPA) that protect the operator from hazardous particulates and establish a "clean room" environment inside the box. Available in three configurations:
- Single-width HEPA-filtered glove boxes with one-piece molded fiberglass liners
- Single-width ULPA-filtered glove boxes with stainless steel liners
- Double-width ULPA-filtered glove boxes with stainless steel liners
Protector® Controlled Atmosphere Glove Boxes
These glove boxes isolate sensitive material inside the box from environmental contamination. The ambient environment inside the box is replaced with an inert gas such as nitrogen, argon or helium. Available in the following configurations:
- Single-width glove boxes with one-piece molded fiberglass liners (Basic Models with manual control or Auto Pressure Controller Models)
- Single-width glove boxes with stainless steel liners (Basic Models with manual control or Auto Pressure Controller Models)
- Double-width glove boxes with stainless steel liners (Basic Models with manual control or Auto Pressure Controller Models)
Protector® Combination Glove Boxes
A combination glove box has the capability to function as either a filtered box or a controlled atmosphere glove box. Opening two internal valves converts the box from controlled atmosphere mode to filtered mode. All of these glove boxes include an Auto-Pressure Controller. Available in three configurations:
- Single-width glove boxes with one-piece molded fiberglass liners and HEPA filters
- Single-width glove boxes with stainless steel liners and ULPA filters
- Double-width glove boxes with stainless steel liners and ULPA filters
Key Applications
Filtered Glove Box Applications
- Pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing
- Biochemistry
- Particulate chemical carcinogens
- Asbestos handling
- Proteins and enzymes
- Weighing potent fine powders
- Cleanroom applications requiring ISO Class 3 conditions
- Nanoparticle manipulation
Controlled Atmosphere Applications
- Organometallic chemistry
- Hydrophilic chemical handling
- Organic synthesis
- Electronic component assembly
- Lithium battery handling
- Hemoglobin research
- Metabolic research
Protector® Filtered Glove Boxes - Features & Benefits
- Inlet and outlet HEPA or ULPA filters prevent particulate contaminants from entering or leaving the glove box chamber
- HEPA filters (standard on fiberglass-lined boxes): 99.99% efficient on 0.3 micron particulates
- ULPA filters (standard on stainless steel-lined boxes): 99.999% efficient on 0.12 miculates
- True Bag-in/Bag-out Filter Disposal System allows for safe filter removal and replacement
- Airborne particulate cleanliness exceeds ISO Class 4 conditions and achieves ISO Class 3 conditions
- Particulate containment
- Built-in blower with speed control, capable of airflows from 15 to 85 CFM
- Fast "clean up" reduces turnaround time: 0.05 ppm average tracer gas levels or less after five-minute dilution (surpasses ASHRAE 110 standards)
- Factory-tested with no detectable leaks greater than 1 x 10-6 ml/sec
- LCD display provides real time monitoring and adjustable alarm levels for volume dilution rates in CFM and ACM, and main chamber static pressure in inches of water
- Bright interior: fluorescent illumination exceeds 120 footcandles on fiberglass-lined models and 80 footcandles on stainless steel-lined models
- Large laminated safety glass viewing window, 36" wide x 27.7" high, removable for placement of large equipment
- Space-saving inner and outer transfer chamber doors pivot upward and are counterbalanced with quick latches
- Interior right-hand side wall-mounted electrical receptacle (duplex on 100/115 volt models, single on 230 volt models) with 10 amp maximum circuit load
- Neoprene gloves, size 9¾, 30" long, impermeable to water vapor, gases and toxic chemicals
- One-piece molded fiberglass or type 304 stainless steel liner provides smooth, durable, chemical-resistant surface
- Powder-coated steel exterior with superior corrosion resistance
- ETL-listed (North America models): UL 61010-1 and CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 1010.1
- CE mark (International models)
- Full one-year warranty on parts and labor
Protector® Controlled Atmosphere Glove Boxes - Features & Benefits
- Factory leak-tested with no detectable leaks greater than 1 x 10-6 ml/sec
- Low oxygen and moisture levels maintained: Fiberglass models achieve oxygen levels as low as 0.4 ppm and moisture levels as low as 2 ppm; Stainless steel models achieve oxygen levels as low as 0.2 ppm and moisture levels as low as 1 ppm
- Exceed Class I atmosphere containment conditions per ISO 10648-2: Fiberglass models achieve
- Four inlet/outlet valves: two on main chamber and two on transfer chamber
- Two 3/4" OD rear-mounted inlet and outlet compression fittings for connection to optional accessories
- Auto pressure controller (on applicable models) provides monitor and control of main chamber pressure, main chamber evacuation and filling cycles (up to 499), and transfer chamber evacuation and filling cycles (up to 199)
- Controller regulates vacuum/pressure between -5 and +5 water gauge in main chamber and between 0 and -29.5 inches mercury in transfer chamber
- LCD displays main and transfer chamber pressure
- Three-position foot pedal provides hands-free control: increase gas/fill, off, and evacuate/decrease gas
- Factory-installed, rear-mounted, low profile stainless steel pressure relief bubbler maintains pressure between -6 and +6 inches water gauge
- Bright interior: fluorescent illumination exceeds 120 footcandles on fiberglass-lined models and 80 footcandles on stainless steel-lined models
- Large laminated safety glass viewing window: 36" wide x 27.7" high
- Interior electrical receptacle (duplex on 100/115 volt models) with 10 amp maximum circuit load
- Neoprene gloves, size 9¾, 30" long
- One-piece molded fiberglass or type 304 stainless steel liner
- Powder-coated steel exterior
- ETL-listed (North America models): UL 61010-1 and CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 1010.1
- CE mark (International models)
- Full one-year warranty on parts and labor
Protector® Combination Glove Boxes - Features
Combination glove boxes feature all the capabilities of both filtered and controlled atmosphere models, with two internal valves allowing conversion between modes.
Filtered Glove Box Mode Features
- Particulate containment
- Fast "clean up" time: 0.05 ppm average tracer gas levels or less after 5 minute dilution
- Airborne particulate cleanliness exceeds ISO Class 4 conditions and achieves ISO Class 3 conditions
- Built-in blower with speed control capable of airflow from 15 CFM to 85 CFM
Controlled Atmosphere Mode Features
- Exceed Class I atmosphere containment conditions per ISO 10648-2
- Four manual valves with 3/8" compression fittings
- Automatic control of main chamber pressure, evacuation and filling cycles
- Factory-installed stainless steel pressure relief bubbler at ±6 inches of water gauge
Performance Testing
Particulate Containment
Testing measured the ability of the Protector HEPA-Filtered Glove Box to contain powders using naproxen sodium. All samples showed particulates below 20 nanograms per cubic meter, indicating excellent particulate containment as confirmed by SafeBridge Consultants, Incorporated.
Vibration Testing
Tested at various airflow volumes with less than 0.38 x 10-5 inches displacement detected. Analytical balance readings remained stable to five decimal places under typical laboratory conditions.
Liner Materials Comparison
| Liner Material |
Stain Resistance |
Moisture Resistance |
Chemical Resistance |
Heat Resistance |
Cleanability |
Light Intensity |
| One-Piece Molded Fiberglass |
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Very Good |
Excellent (smooth finish) |
120 footcandles |
| Stainless Steel |
Good |
Excellent |
Good resistance to wide range, subject to attack by some acids |
Excellent |
Good |
80 footcandles |
Vibration Displacement Data
| Airflow (CFM) |
Displacement (x 10-5 meters) |
| 15 |
0.09 to 0.27 |
| 28 |
0.07 to 0.24 |
| 39 |
0.31 to 0.38 |
| 54 |
0.12 to 0.28 |
| 65 |
0.12 to 0.27 |
| 78 |
0.12 to 0.26 |
| 84 |
0.14 to 0.25 |
Blower Performance - Filtered Glove Boxes
| Voltage |
Filter Type |
Exhaust Volume (CFM) Minimum |
Exhaust Volume (CFM) Maximum |
ACM Minimum |
ACM Maximum |
| 100-115 |
HEPA |
≤20 |
≥75 |
≤1.1 |
≥4.1 |
| 208-230 |
HEPA |
≤28 |
≥60 |
≤1.5 |
≥3.3 |
| 100-115 |
ULPA |
≤20 |
≥60 |
≤1.1 |
≥3.3 |
| 208-230 |
ULPA |
≤28 |
≥45 |
≤1.5 |
≥2.5 |
AtmosPure™ Re-Gen Gas Purifiers
The AtmosPure Re-Gen Gas Purifier produces an ultrapure inert atmosphere inside a controlled atmosphere glove box for materials sensitive to moisture and/or oxygen. It circulates an inert gas in the glove box, removing oxygen and moisture. Compatible with any Protector® or Precise® Controlled Atmosphere Glove Box, the AtmosPure allows these glove boxes to meet or exceed ISO 10648-2 test methods.
Capacity
- Internal cylinder contains 5 pounds
