Device for collecting particles or microorganisms

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (10) for collecting particles, comprising a suction device (12) and a chamber (14) for centrifuging and collecting particles: the centrifugal chamber (14) comprises a guide edge (38) and a gas inlet (40) and a gas outlet (42); the device (12) comprises: a component (16) and a member (31), the component (16) comprising a gas suction duct (28), the member (31) comprising a guide and receiving structure (52) of at least one guide edge (38) of the chamber (14), the member (31) being movable relative to the duct (28) between a first position and a second position for collecting particles, wherein in the first position the at least one guide edge (38) can be guided and received in the guide and receiving structure, and in the second position the gas outlet (42) of the chamber (14) is applied to one end of the duct (28).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for collecting particles and / or microorganisms to identify and count or filter these particles and / or microorganisms. Background Art

[0002] Identification and counting are important in many fields, such as pharmaceutical industry, agribusiness industry, medical environment, health services, veterinary services, field monitoring, etc. The sizes of collected particles and microorganisms range from 0.5μm to tens of microns.

[0003] Document FR-A-2 855 831 discloses a device of this type comprising a removable centrifugal chamber associated with a gas suction structure, the chamber comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet and forming a container for transporting a liquid sample containing collected particles and microorganisms.

[0004] With this device, the element used to separate and collect the particles and microorganisms present in the ambient air and their transport for analytical purposes is the same element. This reduces handling and reduces the risk of contamination of the collected particles and microorganisms. This guarantees that the particles and microorganisms analyzed represent 100% of the collected particles and microorganisms.

[0005] However, although this type of device proves to be interesting, it does not allow easy handling of the chamber and requires the user to use both hands at each operation to position the chamber and remove it from its connection with the assembly supporting the suction device.

[0006] In document EP059583, it is proposed to use a plurality of chambers of different diameters to enable a wide range of suction flow rates. Even so, it is understandable that the handling of a plurality of chambers may be difficult.

[0007] Document US8051532 describes a vacuum cleaner with a latch mechanism for detachably installing a dust collection container. However, this mechanism still cannot conveniently operate the container.

[0008] The present invention provides a simple and effective solution to the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to a system for collecting particles and / or microorganisms suspended in a gaseous medium, the system comprising a suction device and a chamber for centrifuging and for collecting said particles and / or microorganisms:

[0010] - the centrifugal chamber comprises at least one guiding edge, and a gas inlet and a gas outlet;

[0011] -The device includes:

[0012] o an assembly including a gas extraction conduit and including an extraction structure;

[0013] o A member comprising a structure for guiding and for receiving said at least one guiding edge of said chamber, which member can be moved relative to the conduit between a first position and a second position for collecting particles, wherein in the first position said at least one guiding edge can be guided and received in said guiding and receiving structure, and in the second position wherein the gas outlet of the centrifugal chamber is applied to one end of the gas suction conduit.

[0014] Thus, according to the invention, the centrifugal chamber can be received in a structure for receiving a mobile member, allowing the outlet of the chamber to be applied to the suction end of the suction conduit of the collection system by translational movement of the member. It should be understood that the positioning of the chamber can be achieved with one hand by first positioning the at least one guide edge in the receiving structure and then moving the member to achieve a sealed engagement between the outlet of the chamber and one end of the suction conduit.

[0015] According to another characteristic of the invention, the member may comprise a tubular portion slidably mounted around one end of the suction duct and comprising said receiving structure.

[0016] More specifically, the receiving structure may comprise a housing for receiving the at least one guiding edge, the housing being bounded by an edge (eg annular) dimensioned to retain the at least one guiding edge along the axis of the tubular portion by gravity.

[0017] A rim, which may be annular, may be formed at one end of the tubular portion and include a passage opening of the at least one leading edge of the centrifugal chamber.

[0018] It will be noted that the guiding edge may be annular, but may also have other shapes, such as a rectangular or square shape suitable for engagement with the guiding and receiving structure. The term "guiding edge" therefore primarily aims to ensure that the indicated function is not limited to a specific shape. However, it will be noted that the annular shape of the guiding edge with an external circular contour is a shape that facilitates its introduction into the guiding and receiving structure due to its rotational symmetry.

[0019] In a practical embodiment of the invention, the passage opening allows the introduction of said at least one leading edge of the chamber into the receiving housing.The translational movement of the member then ensures fluid communication of the outlet of the chamber with the inlet of the suction duct.

[0020] According to another characteristic of the invention, a ring is mounted in rotation around the suction duct and is prevented from translating on the duct, the ring being rotationally coupled to the member so that the rotational movement of the ring causes a translational movement of the member between a first receiving position and a second collecting position.

[0021] This embodiment allows the movement of the member between its first position and its second position to be achieved simply and quickly.The conversion of the rotational movement of the ring into the translational movement of the member can be achieved by making an external thread on the member and engaging with a corresponding internal thread of the ring.

[0022] According to another feature of the invention, the ring and the mobile member are sized and positioned relative to each other so that: when the member is in its first position, the passage opening is available for the introduction and exit of said at least one guiding edge of the chamber, and when the member is in its second position, said opening is blocked by said ring.

[0023] This embodiment has the advantage of allowing the chamber to be locked to the collecting device when the member is in its second position, thus preventing removal of the centrifuge chamber.

[0024] The centrifugal chamber may comprise a first frustoconical part removably connected to a second part comprising a gas inlet, the gas outlet being surrounded externally by a cylindrical skirt. The cylindrical skirt makes it possible to avoid the introduction of large particles into the chamber, thus protecting the gas inlet. The removable fixing allows to preserve only the first frustoconical part after collection and to close its opening by means of a cover, thus limiting the total volume of the part operated only by the first part.

[0025] The first part is preferably secured by threaded engagement on the second part.

[0026] Advantageously, the second portion comprises said at least one guiding edge surrounding said gas outlet.Said at least one guiding edge may comprise an annular flange, which preferably extends substantially radially with respect to the axis of the chamber.

[0027] The invention will be better understood and other details, features and preferences of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a system according to the present invention;

[0029] - Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the top of a system according to the present invention, with the hood removed;

[0030] - Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the connection between the centrifugal and collection chambers and the suction device;

[0031] - Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of the invention with the rotating ring removed;

[0032] - Figure 5is a schematic perspective view of a gas extraction conduit of a system according to the present invention;

[0033] - Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of components for the guide and receiving chambers;

[0034] - Figures 7 to 10 represents different assembly components for realizing the connection between the suction device and the chamber within the scope of possible embodiments of the invention;

[0035] - Fig.11A and 11B is a schematic perspective view of a centrifugation and collection chamber intended for use in a device according to the invention;

[0036] - Fig.12 is a schematic perspective view of a first portion of the chamber;

[0037] - Fig.13 is a schematic perspective view of a second portion of the chamber, which is intended to be removably secured to Fig.12 On the first part shown in ;

[0038] - Fig.14 and Fig.15 is a schematic perspective view of a chamber, wherein the second portion is not fully shown to facilitate observation of the features of the chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 A system 10 for collecting particles according to the invention is shown, comprising a suction device 12 and a chamber 14 for centrifuging and collecting particles present in the surrounding gas, the chamber 14 being fixed to the device 12 .

[0040] The device 12 comprises an assembly 16 comprising a support base 18, two arms 20 extending from the support base 18 for connection to an upper pad 22 carrying a cover 24 and supporting a suction wheel 26 connected upstream to a substantially vertically oriented suction duct (28) ( Figure 5 ) and is connected downstream to a gas outlet conduit 30 outside the system 10. The suction wheel 26 is rotated by a motor which is arranged in the base 18 and which is not visible in the drawings.

[0041] The suction device 12 further comprises a moving member 31 mounted around the suction conduit 28. Figure 2 , Figure 5 as well as Figures 6 to 10As can be seen in the drawing, the gas suction duct 28 comprises a first lower portion 28a and a second upper portion 28b, the outer diameter of the second upper portion 28b being greater than the outer diameter of the first lower portion 28a. The upper end of the suction duct 28 is connected to a radial annular flange 32, which is fixed to the upper pad 22 by bolts in the present case. It should also be noted that the housing 33 of the suction wheel 26 is supported by the radial annular flange 32 provided on the upper surface of the pad 22, the suction duct 22 introduced through the hole of the pad 22 and the radial annular flange 32 ensuring the retention of the assembly before fixing.

[0042] According to the present invention, the moving member 31 includes a structure for guiding and receiving the guiding edge of the chamber. Similarly, the guiding and receiving structure can be designated as a receiver configured to guide the guiding edge of the chamber. Before the centrifugal and collecting chamber 14 is described in detail, it should be noted that it includes at least one guiding edge 38 and a gas inlet 40 and a gas outlet 42 ( Fig.11A and Fig.15 ). More specifically, it comprises a continuous guide edge 38, here an annular flange surrounding the gas outlet 42. It should be understood that the guide edge 38 may be discontinuous and not extend at an angle around the gas outlet 42 without affecting the operation of the present invention, as will be apparent in the following.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the mobile member 31 is formed by a tubular portion 46 carried on its outer surface, a thread 48 extending around an axis 50 of the tubular portion 46. The tubular portion 46 comprises an upper end and a lower end, the lower end comprising a guide and receiving end, the guide and receiving end comprising a receiving chamber 14 ( Figure 6 ) of the edge 38 or the housing 52 of the guide flange. Figure 4 and Figure 6 As can be seen more particularly in the receiving housing 52, the housing 52 is delimited by an annular rim 54 at the lower end of the tubular portion 46. The annular rim 54 comprises a substantially cylindrical wall portion 56 and a radial annular wall portion 58 relative to the axis 50 of the tubular portion 46. It should be noted that the cylindrical wall portion 56 and the radial annular wall portion 58 do not extend over more than 360°, but rather over an angle of approximately 280° and jointly define at their free ends a passage opening for the introduction of the annular flange 38 of the centrifugation and collection chamber 14. Likewise, the radial annular wall portion 58 is dimensioned so that the annular flange 38 can remain in the direction of the axis 50 of the tubular portion 46 after the flange 38 is received in the receiving housing 52. The radial annular portion 58 delimits internally an opening in which the duct 41 for the gas outlet 42 of the chamber 14 is mounted.

[0044] Figure 3 and Fig.10A ring 60 is shown that is rotatably mounted around the member 31, and the ring 60 cooperates with the member 31 so that rotation of the ring 60 causes sliding toward the top of the member 31, causing the gas outlet 42 of the chamber 14 to be applied and clamped on the lower end of the first part 28a of the gas suction duct 28 to achieve a sealed connection between the chamber 14 and the gas suction duct 28. To this end, the ring 60 includes a structure such as a thread (not shown) on its inner surface that engages with the external thread 48 of the mobile member 31. The ring 60 shown here is a clamping ring that is rotatably mounted around the first part 28a of the suction duct 28, but is prevented from translating or sliding relative to the suction duct 28.

[0045] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The different components that allow the ring 60 to be rotated about the catheter 28 to achieve the sliding movement of the member 31 are shown. The device 12 according to the invention thus comprises a first ring 64 that is engaged around the second portion of the suction catheter. The first ring 64 is blocked upwards by a shoulder 65 of the second portion 28b of the suction catheter 28 ( Fig. 9 ) and is blocked downwardly by a second ring 66 mounted around the first portion 28a of the suction conduit 28. The first ring 64 is threadedly engaged in a radial annular wall forming a shoulder 65 for separating the first portion 28a of the suction conduit 28 and the second portion 28b of the suction conduit 28. Thus, translation of the first ring 64 on the suction conduit 28 is blocked. Fig.10 As can be seen in the drawing, the clamping ring 60 is integrally formed with the first ring 64 by, for example, a bolt structure.

[0046] It is thus clear that the mobile member 31 allows, in a first position, to guide and receive the edge 38 of the chamber 14 so as to receive said edge in the housing 52 of the member 31. The sliding movement of the member 31 is ensured by the ring 60, which allows the member 31 to move to its second position in which the gas outlet 42 of the centrifugal chamber 14 is impressed on the lower end of the gas suction duct 28.

[0047] Likewise, if Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the ring 60 and the mobile member 31 are sized and positioned relative to each other so that when the member 31 is in its first position, the passage opening is available for the introduction and exit of the flange 38 of the guide chamber 14, and when the member 31 is in its second position, the opening is closed by the ring 60 ( Figure 3 ).

[0048] Reference Fig.11A , Fig. 11B ,as well as Figures 12 to 15 , shows a chamber 14 according to the present invention. The chamber 14 comprises two separate parts 14a, 14b, namely the first part 14a ( Fig.12 ) and the second part 14b( Fig.13). The first portion 14a comprises a lower frustoconical portion 68 connected to an upper cylindrical portion 70 comprising external threads or any other structure allowing removable fixation to the second portion 14b of the chamber 14. The cross section of the frustoconical portion 68 decreases from the upper cylindrical portion 70 to its end.

[0049] The second portion 14b comprises a first cylindrical portion 72 coaxial with an outer cylindrical skirt 74. The first cylindrical portion 72 comprises an internal thread or any other structure allowing removable fixing to the first portion 14a of the chamber 14. The first cylindrical portion 72 is connected to a second cylindrical portion 76 having a diameter smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion 72 and the second cylindrical portion 76 is connected to a radial annular edge 78 opposite the first cylindrical portion 72 with respect to the axis 80 of the chamber 14. The opening 40 is formed through the second cylindrical portion 76 and the radial annular edge 78 and forms the gas inlet of the chamber 14. The outer cylindrical skirt 74 is connected to a radial annular wall 82 which extends radially inwards and is internally connected to the gas outlet duct 41 which carries the annular flange 38 at one end thereof. The radial annular edge 78 is applied and fixed to the radial wall 82 so as to make the outlet duct 41 coaxial with the axis 80 of the chamber 14.

[0050] In operation, the gas filled with particles of interest circulates through the gas inlet 42 of the second part 14b of the chamber 14, then centrifuges in the first part 14a and rises through the central part of the cone to be discharged through the outlet duct 41. The gas then flows in the suction duct 28. After the collection operation is completed, the centrifugal and collection chamber 14 is removed from the suction device and then the first part 14a of the chamber 14 is separated from the second part 14b. The first part 14a of the chamber 14 is then covered by a closing cap, which is fixed using the threads of its cylindrical part 70.

Claims

1. A system (10) for collecting particles and / or microorganisms suspended in a gaseous medium, comprising a suction device (12) and a centrifuge chamber (14) for centrifuging and collecting the particles and / or microorganisms, characterized in that: - the centrifugal chamber (14) comprises at least one guide edge (38) as well as a gas inlet (40) and a gas outlet (42); - The device (12) comprises: o an assembly (16) comprising a gas extraction conduit (28); a member (31) comprising a guide and receiving structure (52) of at least one guide edge (38) of the centrifugal chamber (14), the member (31) being movable relative to the gas suction duct (28) between a first position and a second position for collecting particles, wherein in the first position the at least one guide edge (38) can be guided and received in the guide and receiving structure, and in the second position the gas outlet (42) of the centrifugal chamber (14) is applied to the lower end of the gas suction duct (28), - The device (12) also includes a ring (60) mounted around the gas suction duct (28), the ring (60) being rotatably mounted around a first portion (28a) of the gas suction duct (28) and being blocked from translation on the gas suction duct (28), the ring (60) being rotationally coupled to the member (31) so that the rotational movement of the ring (60) causes an upward translational movement of the member (31) between a first receiving position and a second collecting position, so that the gas outlet (42) of the centrifugal chamber (14) is applied to the lower end of the gas suction duct (28).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the member (31) comprises a tubular portion (46) slidingly mounted around the gas extraction duct (28) and comprising the guide and receiving structure.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the guide and receiving structure comprises a housing for receiving the at least one guide edge (38), the housing being bounded by an edge (54) dimensioned to maintain the at least one guide edge (38) along the axis (50) of the tubular portion (46) by gravity.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the edge (54) is formed at one end of the tubular portion (46) and comprises a passage opening of the at least one guiding edge (38) of the centrifugal chamber (14).

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the member (31) comprises an external thread (48) cooperating with an internal thread of a corresponding ring (60).

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein: The ring (60) and the member are dimensioned and positioned relative to one another so that, when the member (31) is in its first position, the passage opening is available for the introduction and withdrawal of the at least one guide edge (38) of the centrifugal chamber, and when the member is in its second position, the opening is closed by the ring (60).

7. The system according to any one of claims 1-4 and claim 6, wherein the system comprises a suction structure (26) carried by the assembly (16).

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and claim 6, wherein: The centrifugal chamber (14) comprises a first part (14a) of frustoconical shape, which is removably connected to a second part (14b) comprising a gas inlet which is externally surrounded by a cylindrical skirt (74).

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first portion (14a) is secured to the second portion by threaded engagement.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the second portion (14b) includes the at least one guide edge surrounding the gas outlet (42).

11. The system of any one of claims 1-4 and claim 6, wherein the at least one guiding edge (38) comprises an annular flange.

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