Cell flange equipped with safety means preventing the uncoupling of a container flange

Abstract

The object of the present disclosure is a connection assembly for a sealed transfer cell, including: – a cell flange (1) including a central opening (4), and an inner face (6) equipped with a door to close the opening (4); – a lock (14) carried by the inner face (6) of the cell flange (1) to lock the door; – a groove at the inner circumference of the opening for receiving outer lugs of a container flange in order to form a bayonet connection making it possible to couple this container flange; – a stop (31) rotatably movable between an activation position wherein it protrudes into the groove to prohibit the uncoupling of the container flange, and a deactivation position wherein this movable stop releases the groove; – actuating means equipping the lock (14) to deactivate the movable stop when this lock (14) changes to the locked state.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Cell flange equipped with safety means preventing the uncoupling of a container flange

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates to the field of the sealed transfer of components from a sealed container to a sealed cell, with a double-door connection system.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] In various industrial sectors, it is necessary to carry out tasks in a confined atmosphere, to protect the environment for example from radioactivity or toxicity, or to carry out these tasks in an aseptic atmosphere, or both simultaneously.

[0007] The transfer of equipment or products from a container to a cell, without breaking the seal, is carried out with a double-door connection device, such a device being known for example from the document FR2695343.

[0008] In such a device, the cell is closed by a door of a flange of the cell equipping this cell, the door being located on the inner side of the flange, that is to say in the cell, by being connected to this flange by a hinge. The container is closed by a door mounted in a flange of this container to which it is connected by a bayonet connection. Two other bayonet connections make it possible to connect the flanges to one another, and to connect the doors to one another.

[0009] It is common to refer to the flange and the door of the cell as alpha flange and alpha door, and to refer to the flange and the door of the container as beta flange and beta door.

[0010] The connection of the container to the cell is ensured by applying the flange of the container against that of the cell, and by pivoting it on itself, which has the effect of:

[0011] - connecting the two flanges to one another by the bayonet connection thereof; - connecting the two doors to one another by another bayonet connection;

[0012] - disconnecting the bayonet connection connecting the door of the container to the flange thereof.

[0013] Once this connection has been made, the door of the cell may be pivoted inwards around the hinge thereof, so as to open the communication: the door of the container then being rigidly connected to that of the cell by the corresponding bayonet connection, it opens together with the door of the cell.

[0014] Once the transfer of components or equipment has been carried out from the container to the cell or vice versa, the cell door with the container door attached thereto are folded back by pivoting around the hinge. The container is then pivoted on itself in the opposite direction, which has the effect of:

[0015] - connecting the container door to the container flange;

[0016] - disconnecting the container door from the cell door;

[0017] - disconnecting the container flange from the cell flange.

[0018] The aim of the present disclosure is to provide security to such a system to ensure that the container flange cannot be uncoupled from the cell flange while the door is not completely closed.

[0019] SUMMARY

[0020] To this end, the object of the present disclosure is a connection assembly for a sealed transfer cell, including:

[0021] - a cell flange delimiting a central opening, this cell flange including an inner face equipped with a door to close the central opening;

[0022] - a lock carried by the inner face of the cell flange to lock the door when it is closed on the central opening;

[0023] - a groove extending to the inner circumference of the opening to receive outer lugs of a container flange in order to form a bayonet connection making it possible to couple this container flange to the cell flange; - fixed stops extending into this groove, the outer lugs bearing against these fixed stops when the container flange is coupled to the cell flange;

[0024] - a stop rotatably movable between an activation position wherein it protrudes into the groove to interfere with an outer lug of the container flange in order to prevent the rotation thereof to prohibit the uncoupling thereof from the cell flange, and a deactivation position wherein this movable stop releases the groove;

[0025] - actuation means equipping the lock to deactivate the movable stop when this lock changes to the locked state.

[0026] With this arrangement, the uncoupling of the container flange engaged in the cell flange is only possible when the cell flange door is closed and locked.

[0027] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein the movable stop includes a rotary rod passing through the bottom of the groove, this rotary rod extending along an axis that is parallel to an axis of revolution of the groove, this rotary rod including a flat section that extends in the continuity of the bottom when the movable stop is deactivated, and which radially protrudes from the bottom by extending into the groove when this movable stop is activated.

[0028] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, including a return elastic element continually tending to deactivate the movable stop, wherein the rod is terminated by a flap protruding from the inner face of the cell flange, and wherein the lock bears against the flap to deactivate the movable stop when this lock is in the locked state.

[0029] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein the lock is rotatable and includes a radial arm bearing against the flap when this lock changes to the locked state.

[0030] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein the radial arm is terminated by a bearing portion that extends parallel to the axis of revolution of the groove, and wherein the axis of the rod of the movable stop extends between the bearing portion and the axis of the lock when this lock is in the locked state.

[0031] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein the lock is equipped with a manoeuvring lever located on an outer face of the cell flange. The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein the elastic return element of the movable stop is located in a cavity of the cell flange.

[0032] The present disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, wherein the movable stop is located on the cell flange at a position opposite that of a hinge carrying the door of this cell flange.

[0033] The present disclosure also relates to a method for using an assembly thus defined, including the steps of:

[0034] - coupling the container flange to the cell flange;

[0035] - actuating the lock of the cell flange to change this lock to the locked state;

[0036] - opening the door of the cell to place the container in communication with the cell.

[0037] The present disclosure also relates to a method thus defined, wherein a connection assembly is used comprising a movable stop including a rotary rod passing through the bottom of the groove, this rotary rod extending along an axis that is parallel to an axis of revolution of the groove, this rotary rod including a flat section that extends in the continuity of the bottom when the movable stop is deactivated, and that radially protrudes from the bottom extending into the groove when this movable stop is activated.

[0038] The present disclosure also relates to a method for using a connection assembly for a sealed transfer cell, this connection assembly including:

[0039] - a cell flange delimiting a central opening, this cell flange including an inner face equipped with a door to close the opening;

[0040] - a lock carried by the inner face of the cell flange to lock the door when it is closed on the opening;

[0041] - a groove extending to the inner circumference of the opening to receive outer lugs of a container flange in order to form a bayonet connection making it possible to couple this container flange to the cell flange;

[0042] - fixed stops extending into this groove, the outer lugs bearing against these fixed stops when the container flange is coupled to the cell flange; - a stop rotatably movable between an activation position wherein it protrudes into the groove to interfere with an outer lug of the container flange in order to prevent the rotation thereof to prohibit the uncoupling thereof from the cell flange, and a deactivation position wherein this movable stop releases the groove;

[0043] - actuation means equipping the lock to deactivate the movable stop when this lock changes to the locked state; and wherein the method includes the steps of:

[0044] - coupling the container flange to the cell flange;

[0045] - actuating the lock of the cell flange to change this lock to the locked state;

[0046] - opening the door of the cell to place the container in communication with the cell.

[0047] The present disclosure also relates to a method thus defined, wherein a connection assembly is used including a stop rotatably movable between an activation position wherein it protrudes into the groove to interfere with an outer lug of the container flange in order to prevent the rotation thereof to prohibit the uncoupling thereof from the cell flange, and a deactivation position wherein this movable stop releases the groove.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure l is a perspective overview of a flange equipped with a door shown open in accordance with the present disclosure viewed from the inside of the cell;

[0050] Figure 2 is a front view of a flange equipped with a door shown closed in accordance with the present disclosure viewed from the inside of the cell;

[0051] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the lock in the locked state and the flap of the movable stop of the device in the deactivated state;

[0052] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the coupling of a container flange to the cell flange viewed from the outside of the cell;

[0053] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the rod and flap of the movable stop; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the integration of the movable stop in the flange;

[0054] Figure 7 is a local perspective view of the lock in the unlocked state with the radial arm thereof disengaged from the flap of the movable stop to activate this stop;

[0055] Figure 8 is a local perspective view of the lock in the locked state with the radial arm thereof pressing on the flap of the movable stop to deactivate it;

[0056] Figure 9 is a local perspective view showing the movable stop with the rod thereof extending into the inner groove in the activated state when the arm of the lock is released from the flap;

[0057] Figure 10 is a local perspective view showing the movable stop with the rod thereof extending into the inner groove in the deactivated state when the arm of the lock is bearing against the flap.

[0058] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] In figure 1, a cell flange 1 carries a door 2 connected to this flange 1 by a hinge 3. This flange 1 is attached to an opening not shown of a cell wall, and has a shape of revolution about an axis AX1, to delimit a circular central opening 4.

[0060] It includes an inner face 6 extending inside the cell that it equips, and an outer face 7 extending outside the cell that it equips and to which is coupled a container flange 8 forming part of a container from which a transfer must be made to the cell or vice versa.

[0061] The opening 4 that is free in the situation of Figure 1, may be closed by folding back the door 2 against the flange 1 by pivoting this door 2 around the hinge 3 extending along an axis AY normal to the axis AX1 and spaced therefrom by a distance greater than the radius of the opening 4.

[0062] In Figure 1, a door 9 of the container is connected to the inner face of the door 2 by a non-visible bayonet connection. The door 2 is connected to the hinge 3 by an arm 11 having a first end rigidly connected to a rotary element 12 of the hinge 3, and a second end rigidly attached to the door 2. The flange 1 is equipped with a locking device comprising a rotary lock 14 and the door 2 is equipped with a cam 16, or block, rigidly connected to the door 2 and from which it protrudes.

[0063] The rotary lock 14 is located opposite the hinge 3, and it protrudes from the inner face 6 while being capable of pivoting about an axis AX2 parallel to the axis AX1, this lock 14 including a roller 17 extending parallel to the face 6.

[0064] When the door 2 is folded back as in Figure 2, the cam 16 is located facing the lock 14, such that pivoting the lock 14 about the axis thereof makes it possible to engage the roller 17 thereof in the cam 16, to lock the door 2. Rotating the lock 14 in the opposite direction makes it possible to disengage the roller 17 thereof, to release the cam 16 and make it possible to open the door 2.

[0065] This rotary lock 14 advantageously includes a transmission axis passing through the outer face 7 of the flange and making it possible for an operator to actuate it thanks to an outer lever 18 carried by this manoeuvring axis. The operator may thus lock or unlock the door 2, which is internal, from the outside of the cell.

[0066] As indicated above, the hinge 3 includes a rotary element 12, pivoting about the axis AY, this rotating element 12 being carried by bearings 19 and 20 that are rigidly attached to the inner face 6.

[0067] As illustrated in Figure 4, the coupling of the container flange 8 to the cell flange 1 first consists in placing the free end thereof facing the opening 4 and engaging it therein. This container flange 8 includes outer lugs 21 then engaging in notches 28 of the cell flange 1, then engaging by rotation in a groove 22 formed at the inner circumference of the cell flange 1 with which they form a bayonet connection.

[0068] This groove 22 is delimited by a bottom 23 that is a cylinder portion coaxial to the axis AX1, by a crown-shaped flank 24 inscribed in a plane normal to the axis AX1, and by a front edge 26 protruding radially inwards. The front edge 26 includes four beads 27 separated from one another by four notches 28 that make it possible to engage the four outer lugs 21 of the container flange in the groove 22. This groove includes four fixed inner stops 29 to limit the rotation of the four lugs 21, that is to say to stop the rotation of the container flange 8 when it is coupled to the cell flange 1. Each inner stop 29 extends axially from an end of a bead 27 to the flank

[0069] 24.

[0070] When the outer lugs 21 are engaged in the groove 22, the container flange 8 may then be pivoted on itself about the axis AX1 until the lugs 21 are brought against the stops 29, to fully couple it to the cell flange 1.

[0071] The coupling of the container flange 8 to the cell flange 1 is carried out when the door 2 is closed and locked, and likewise the uncoupling of the container flange 8 may only be carried out when the door 2 is closed and locked. Likewise, these operations may only be performed if the flange 8 is equipped with the door thereof.

[0072] According to the present disclosure, the cell flange 1 is equipped with a movable stop 31 making it possible to block the lugs in the groove 22 when the door 2 is open, so as to prevent a reverse rotation of the container flange 8 in order to prohibit the uncoupling of this container flange when the door 2 is open.

[0073] This movable stop 31 is located in the groove 22 circumferentially at a distance from a fixed stop 29 slightly greater than the circumferential length of a lug 21. When the container flange 8 is coupled to the cell flange 1, and when the movable stop 31 is activated, the lug located between this movable stop and the nearest fixed stop is blocked in rotation, thereby preventing an uncoupling of the container flange 8, the lugs 21 being trapped in the groove 22.

[0074] This movable stop 31 includes, as can be seen in Figure 5, a rotary rod 32 extending along an axis AX3 parallel to the axis AX1, and which locally passes through the bottom 23 of the groove 22, in such a way that a plane passing through the axis AX3 locally coincides with the bottom 23 which is a cylindrical wall centred on the axis AX1.

[0075] This rod 32 includes at the height of the groove 22 a flat section 33 of which the depth makes it possible, when it is in the deactivated position, to be in the continuity of the bottom 23 of the groove 22 or slightly recessed from this bottom 23. The depth of the flat section 33 corresponds for example to half the diameter of this rod 32. When the stop 31 is deactivated, the rod 32 occupies an angular position such that the flat section 33 thereof extends in the extension of the bottom 23, which corresponds to the situation in Figure 10.

[0076] When the stop 31 is activated, the rod 32 is pivoted on itself about the axis AX3 to incline the flat section 33 thereof in relation to the bottom 23 so that it protrudes radially inwards into the groove, as in the situation of Figure 9, so as to constitute an obstacle making it possible to block a lug 21 in rotation.

[0077] The rod 32 is continuously brought back by a return elastic element 34 to the activation position thereof, this elastic element 34 being housed in a revolution cavity 36 surrounding the rod 32 and opening into the inner face 6.

[0078] As can be seen in Figure 6, this cavity has a cylinder shape surrounding the rod 32 of which it is coaxial, and it contains the elastic element 34 that extends around the rod 32, being located between a fixed bearing surface 37 integral with the cavity and a movable bearing surface 38 integral with the rotation of the rod 32.

[0079] As can be seen in Figure 6, the elastic element 34, the fixed bearing surface 37 and the movable bearing surface 38 each extend about 120° about the axis AX3 when the stop is activated, these three elements then form together a ring surrounding the rod 32.

[0080] When the rod 32 is pivoted against the return element, the elastic element 34 is compressed circumferentially between the movable bearing surface and the fixed bearing surface, which reduces the circumferential length thereof to a value of less than 120°, to exert on this rod a return force tending to bring it back to the activation position thereof.

[0081] As can be seen in the figures, the rod 32 is terminated by an actuation flap 41 located at the end of this rod that protrudes from the face 6. A pressure on one face of this flap 41 thus makes it possible to pivot the rod 32 against the return element 34, to deactivate the movable stop 31. In addition, the lock 14 is equipped with a radial arm 42 terminated by a bearing portion 43 arranged to bear on the flap 41 when the lock changes from the unlocked position thereof to the locked position thereof.

[0082] As can be seen in the figures, the flap 41 as well as the movable stop 31 of which it is part are located on the flange 1 at a position opposite the hinge 3 in relation to the axis AX1: they are very close to the lock 14, or even contiguous thereto. Generally, the present disclosure ensures that the container flange cannot be uncoupled from the cell flange while the door is not completely closed and locked.

[0083] In practice, the axis AX3 of rotation of the rod 32 is located between the axis AX2 of the lock 14 and the bearing portion 43, when the lock 14 is in the locked state, as in the case of Figure 3.

[0084] Thanks to this positioning of the movable stop 31, it is actuated by the lock 14, such that it is the closed and locked state of the door that makes it possible to deactivate the movable stop.

[0085] More particularly, the lock 14 includes an inner body 44 of cylindrical shape carrying on the peripheral face thereof the roller 17 that extends radially, connected by the transmission axis to an outer body 46 also cylindrical, which carries the lever 18 extending radially with respect to this outer body. The inner body protrudes from the inner face 6 of the flange 1 while the outer body protrudes from the outer face 7 of this flange.

[0086] As can be seen in Figures 3, 7 and 8, the arm 42, which is carried by the outer body 46, protrudes from this outer body 46 radially and includes an end oriented parallel to the axis AX1 which is terminated by the bearing portion 43.

[0087] When the door 2 is open, the lock 14 is necessarily unlocked as in Figure 7, and the bearing portion 43 is moved away from the flap 41, such that the movable stop 31 is brought back by the return element 34 thereof to the activated position thereof. In these conditions, and as can be seen in Figure 9, the rod 32 is pivoted such that the flat section 33 thereof protrudes into the groove 22 to form an obstacle preventing the movement of the lugs, to prohibit the uncoupling of the container flange 8.

[0088] When the door 2 has been closed again, and when the operator actuates the lever 18 by pivoting it by 90° to place the lock 14 in the locked state, the bearing portion 43 comes into contact with the flap 41 to press on it so as to deactivate the movable stop, which corresponds to the situation in Figures 8 and 10. In other words, thanks to the radial arm 42 thereof, the lock 14 bears against the flap 41 when this lock 14 is placed in the locked state. The 90° rotation angle of the lever is dependent on the roller / cam system making the locking possible.

[0089] In this situation, the flat section 33 of the rod 32 extends in the extension of the bottom 23 of the groove 22, such that the outer lugs of the container flange 8 are free to slide in this groove 22, in order to permit an uncoupling of the container flange 8.

[0090] Generally, the arrangement according to the present disclosure makes it possible to ensure that the uncoupling of the container flange 8 from the cell flange 1 may only be performed when the door 2 is closed and when it is locked by the lock 14. This is ensured thanks to the movable stop 31 that is located in the vicinity of the lock 14 to be actuated by this lock 14 using the arm 42 and the bearing portion 43 thereof.

[0091] The actuation of this system may be performed either using the lever 18, in the case of an opening from the outside of the cell, or by directly manipulating the body

[0092] 44 or the arm 42 from the inside of the cell, the operator then accessing the inside of the cell thanks to a glove equipping the wall thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Connection assembly for a sealed transfer cell, including:- a cell flange (1) delimiting a central opening (4), this cell flange (1) including an inner face (6) equipped with a door (2) to close the opening (4);- a lock (14) carried by the inner face (6) of the cell flange (1) to lock the door (2) when it is closed on the opening (4);- a groove extending to the inner circumference of the opening (4) to receive outer lugs (21) of a container flange (8) in order to form a bayonet connection making it possible to couple this container flange (8) to the cell flange (1);- fixed stops (29) extending into this groove (22), the outer lugs (21) bearing against these fixed stops (29) when the container flange (8) is coupled to the cell flange (1);- a stop (31) rotatably movable between an activation position wherein it protrudes into the groove (22) to interfere with an outer lug (21) of the container flange (8) in order to prevent the rotation thereof to prohibit the uncoupling thereof from the cell flange (1), and a deactivation position wherein this movable stop (31) releases the groove (22);- actuating means (42) equipping the lock (14) to deactivate the movable stop (31) when this lock (14) changes to the locked state.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the movable stop (31) includes a rotary rod (32) passing through the bottom (23) of the groove (22), this rotary rod (32) extending along an axis (AX3) that is parallel to an axis of revolution (AX1) of the groove (22), this rotary rod (32) including a flat section (33) that extends in the continuity of the bottom (23) when the movable stop (31) is deactivated, and that radially protrudes from the bottom (23) extending into the groove (22) when this movable stop (31) is activated.

3. Assembly according to claim 2, including a return elastic element (34) continually tending to activate the movable stop (31), wherein the rod (32) is terminatedby a flap (41) protruding from the inner face (6) of the cell flange (1), and wherein the lock (14) bears against the flap (41) to deactivate the movable stop (31) when this lock (14) changes to the locked state.

4. Assembly according to claim 3, wherein the lock (14) is rotatable and includes a radial arm (42) bearing on the flap (41) when this lock (14) changes to the locked state.

5. Assembly according to claim 4, wherein the radial arm (42) is terminated by a bearing portion (43) that extends parallel to the axis of revolution (AX1) of the groove (22), and wherein the axis (AX3) of the rod (32) of the movable stop (31) extends between the bearing portion and the axis (AX2) of the lock (14) when this lock (14) is in the locked state.

6. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock (14) is equipped with an operating lever (18) located on an outer face (7) of the cell flange (1).

7. Assembly according to claim 3, wherein the return elastic element (34) of the movable stop (31) is located in a cavity (36) of the cell flange (1).

8. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable stop (31) is located on the cell flange (1) in a position opposite that of a hinge carrying the door (2) of this cell flange (1).

9. Method for using a connection assembly according to claim 1, including the steps of:- coupling the container flange (8) to the cell flange (1);- actuating the lock (14) of the cell flange (1) to change this lock (14) to the locked state;- opening the door (2) of the cell (1) to place the container (8) in communication with the cell (1).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein a connection assembly is used comprising a movable stop (31) including a rotary rod (32) passing through the bottom (23) of the groove (22), this rotary rod (32) extending along an axis (AX3) that is parallel to an axis of revolution (AX1) of the groove (22), this rotary rod (32) including a flat section (33) that extends in the continuity of the bottom (23) when the movable stop (31) is deactivated, and that protrudes radially from the bottom (23) by extending into the groove (22) when this movable stop (31) is activated.

11. Method for using a connection assembly for a sealed transfer cell, this connection assembly including:- a cell flange (1) delimiting a central opening (4), this cell flange (1) including an inner face (6) equipped with a door (2) to close the opening (4);- a lock (14) carried by the inner face (6) of the cell flange (1) to lock the door (2) when it is closed on the opening (4);- a groove extending to the inner circumference of the opening (4) to receive outer lugs (21) of a container flange (8) in order to form a bayonet connection making it possible to couple this container flange (8) to the cell flange (1);- fixed stops (29) extending into this groove (22), the outer lugs (21) bearing against these fixed stops (29) when the container flange (8) is coupled to the cell flange (1);- a stop (31) rotatably movable between an activation position wherein it protrudes into the groove (22) to interfere with an external lug (21) of the container flange (8) in order to prevent the rotation thereof to prohibit the uncoupling thereof from the cell flange (1), and a deactivation position wherein this movable stop (31) releases the groove (22);- actuating means (42) equipping the lock (14) to deactivate the movable stop (31) when this lock (14) changes to the locked state;and wherein the method includes the steps of:- coupling the container flange (8) to the cell flange (1);- actuating the lock (14) of the cell flange (1) to change this lock (14) to the locked state; - opening the door (2) of the cell (1) to place the container (8) in communication with the cell (1).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein a connection assembly is used including a stop (31) rotatably movable between an activation position wherein it protrudes into the groove (22) to interfere with an outer lug (21) of the container flange (8) in order to prevent the rotation thereof to prohibit the uncoupling thereof from the cell flange (1), and a deactivation position wherein this movable stop (31) releases the groove (22).

Images