Rapid transfer system

Abstract

The present application provides a rapid transfer system. The rapid transfer system includes a sealed container and a container interface (3), wherein the container interface (3) includes: a container door (32); a container flange (33), wherein the container door (32) is detachably mounted on the container flange (33); and a container slewing ring bearing (35), wherein the container slewing ring bearing (35) includes an inner ring (351) and an outer ring (352) capable of relative rotation, wherein the inner ring (351) is fixed to the sealed container, and the container flange (33) is fixed to the outer ring (352), so that the container flange (33) can rotate relative to the sealed container. The present application avoids the need to rotate the sealed container, so that the material contained in the sealed container can maintain a certain position and posture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of aseptic transfer technology, and in particular to a rapid transfer system. Background Art

[0002] Currently, in the aseptic transfer process, RTP (Rapid Transfer Ports) can be used to achieve rapid, aseptic and safe transfer of drugs and other substances between two sealed spaces.

[0003] Referring to patent publication EP3985093A1, a conventional RTP comprises a flange and door disposed on a first sealed space (e.g., an isolator) and a flange and door disposed on a second sealed space (e.g., a removable sealed container). The flange of the first sealed space and the flange of the second sealed space are configured to be rotatably engaged, and the door of the first sealed space and the door of the second sealed space are configured to be rotatably engaged. After the two flanges and doors are rotatably engaged, the two engaged doors can be opened, for example, on one side of the first sealed space, thereby connecting the two sealed spaces and enabling the transfer of substances. Summary of the Invention

[0004] For example, in a case where the first sealed space is an isolator and the second sealed space is a movable container, conventional RTP connections typically involve rotating the second sealed space to achieve the desired engagement between the doors and flanges of the two sealed spaces. However, if the contents of the second sealed space (e.g., a cell storage container) need to maintain a certain position (e.g., preventing tipping), rotating the second sealed space is no longer suitable.

[0005] In order to improve or solve at least one of the above problems, the present application provides a rapid transfer system.

[0006] The rapid transfer system includes a sealed container and a container interface, wherein the container interface includes:

[0007] container door;

[0008] a container flange to which the container door is detachably mounted; and

[0009] A container slewing ring bearing comprises an inner ring and an outer ring capable of rotating relative to each other, wherein the inner ring is fixed to the sealed container and the container flange is fixed to the outer ring, so that the container flange can rotate relative to the sealed container.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the container interface further comprises a connecting seat, the connecting seat being fixed to the outer ring of the container slewing ring bearing, and the container flange being fixed to the connecting seat.

[0011] A connecting seat sealing ring is provided between the connecting seat and the sealed container.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, further comprising an isolator and an isolator interface,

[0013] The isolator interface includes an isolator door and an isolator flange. The isolator flange is fixed to the isolator, and the isolator door is detachably mounted on the isolator flange.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the isolator interface includes one of a signal switch receiver and a signal switch trigger, and the container interface includes the other of the signal switch receiver and the signal switch trigger.

[0015] When the isolator is docked with the sealed container, the signal switch receiver and the signal switch trigger can be connected, and the signal switch receiver can send a signal to cause the container flange to rotate in a controlled manner.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the isolator interface includes a motor and a gear connected to a rotating shaft of the motor, wherein the gear is provided with one of a positioning transmission column and a docking transmission plate.

[0017] The container interface includes the other of the positioning transmission column and the docking transmission plate connected to the container flange, and the docking transmission plate is provided with an opening.

[0018] The positioning transmission column can extend into the opening of the docking transmission plate, so that the motor can drive the container flange to rotate.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the gear includes a driving gear connected to the rotating shaft of the motor and a driven gear meshed with the driving gear, and the positioning transmission column is provided on the end surface of the driven gear, and the positioning transmission column extends parallel to the axial direction of the driven gear.

[0020] By extending the positioning transmission column into the opening of the docking transmission plate, the isolator can be guided to dock with the sealed container.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the isolator interface further comprises an isolator slewing ring bearing,

[0022] The driven gear is rotatably mounted to the isolator or the isolator flange via the isolator slewing ring bearing.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the gear is a set of synchronous pulleys, the isolator interface further includes a synchronous belt cooperating with the synchronous pulleys, and the motor can output rotational power through the synchronous pulleys and the synchronous belt.

[0024] In at least one embodiment, the isolator interface includes a cylinder, an isolator slewing ring bearing, and a gear, the gear being rotatably mounted to the isolator or the isolator flange via the isolator slewing ring bearing.

[0025] One end of the cylinder is connected to the gear, and the other end of the cylinder is connected to the isolator, so that the gear can rotate by providing rotational power through the cylinder, and / or the number of the cylinders is multiple.

[0026] In at least one embodiment, a first sealing ring is provided between the container flange and the connecting seat, and a second sealing ring is provided between the connecting seat and the connecting seat sealing ring.

[0027] This application sets up a slewing ring bearing to enable relative rotation between the flange and the sealed space (especially the sealed container). When the two sealed spaces are docked through a quick transfer interface, the need to rotate one of the sealed spaces is avoided, so that the material contained in the sealed space can maintain a certain position and posture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1A An axonometric view of an isolator interface and a first sealed space of a rapid transfer system according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0029] Figure 1B Shown Figure 1A Front view of the isolator interface and the first sealed space of the rapid transfer system.

[0030] Figure 2A An axonometric view of a container interface and a second sealed space of a rapid transfer system according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0031] Figure 2B Shown Figure 2A A front view of the container interface and the second sealed space of the rapid transfer system.

[0032] Figure 2C Shown Figure 2A A sectional view from a side view of the container interface and the second sealed space of the rapid transfer system.

[0033] Figure 2D Shown Figure 2C A partial enlarged view of the container interface of the rapid transfer system.

[0034] Description of Reference Numerals

[0035] 1 isolator interface; 11 mounting base; 12 motor; 13 driving gear; 14 driven gear; 141 positioning transmission column; 15 isolator slewing ring bearing; 16 isolator door; 17 signal switch receiver; 18 isolator flange;

[0036] 2 first sealed space; 21 cavity plate;

[0037] 3 Container interface; 31 Signal switch trigger; 32 Container door; 33 Container flange; 331 Container flange body; 332 Container flange sealing ring; 34 Connecting seat; 341 Connecting seat sealing ring; 35 Container slewing ring bearing; 351 Inner ring; 352 Outer ring; 36 Docking transmission plate; 37 First sealing ring; 38 Second sealing ring;

[0038] 4 second sealed space; 41 container body; 42 mounting plate DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these specific descriptions are only used to teach those skilled in the art how to implement the present application, and are not intended to exhaust all possible embodiments of the present application, nor to limit the scope of the present application.

[0040] Embodiments of the present application provide a rapid transfer system, which further includes a sealed space and a rapid transfer interface. The sealed space may include a first sealed space 2 (e.g., an isolator) and a second sealed space 4 (e.g., a removable sealed container). It will be understood that the present application is equally applicable even if both the first sealed space 2 and the second sealed space 4 are isolators or removable sealed containers.

[0041] See also Figure 1A and Figure 1B In one embodiment of the present application, the first sealed space 2 may be an isolator, and the quick transfer interface may include an isolator interface 1 , which is installed on the cavity plate 21 of the first sealed space 2 .

[0042] Illustratively, the isolator interface 1 may include a mounting base 11, a motor 12, and a driving gear 13. The mounting base 11 may be fixed to the cavity plate 21, the motor 12 may be fixed to the mounting base 11, and the driving gear 13 may be mounted on the rotating shaft of the motor 12, for example, by a key and bolts. The motor 12 may be a reduction motor.

[0043] The isolator interface 1 may further include a driven gear 14, an isolator slewing ring bearing 15, an isolator door 16 and an isolator flange 18. The driven gear 14 may be engaged with the driving gear 13. A positioning transmission column 141 extending away from the cavity plate 21 may also be provided on the end face of the driven gear 14. The isolator slewing ring bearing 15 may include an inner ring and an outer ring, and the inner ring and the outer ring may rotate relative to each other. The inner ring of the isolator slewing ring bearing 15 may be fixed to the cavity plate 21, and the driven gear 14 may be mounted on the outer ring of the isolator slewing ring bearing 15. The isolator flange 18 may be connected to the cavity plate 21 or the inner ring of the isolator slewing ring bearing 15, and the isolator door 16 may be detachably mounted on the isolator flange 18.

[0044] The isolator interface 1 may further include a signal switch receiver 17. Upon receiving a corresponding signal (described later), the signal switch receiver 17 is capable of controlling the operating state of the motor 12, the rotation angle of the shaft, and the like. In one embodiment of the present application, the shaft of the motor 12 is controlled to rotate, and the shaft of the motor 12 is capable of driving the driving gear 13 and the driven gear 14 to rotate.

[0045] See also Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B 、 Figure 2C and Figure 2D In one embodiment of the present application, the quick transfer interface further includes a container interface 3, which is mounted on the second sealed space 4. The second sealed space 4 can be a movable sealed container, and the second sealed space 4 can include a container body 41 and a mounting plate 42, and the mounting plate 42 is fixed to the container body 41.

[0046] For example, the container interface 3 may include a signal switch trigger 31, which may be mounted on the mounting plate 42. When a corresponding position of the signal switch trigger 31 contacts a corresponding position of the signal switch receiver 17, the signal switch receiver 17 may receive a specific signal (e.g., an electrical signal), and the signal switch receiver 17 may then send a signal wirelessly or otherwise to control the operating state of the motor 12, the rotation angle of the shaft, and the like.

[0047] The container interface 3 may also include a container door 32, a container flange 33, a connecting seat 34, and a container slewing ring bearing 35. The container slewing ring bearing 35 may include an inner ring 351 and an outer ring 352, and the inner ring 351 and the outer ring 352 are capable of relative rotation. The inner ring 351 of the container slewing ring bearing 35 may be fixed to the mounting plate 42 or the container body 41. The connecting seat 34 may be fixed to the outer ring 352 of the container slewing ring bearing 35, and the container flange 33 may be fixed to the connecting seat 34, so that the container flange 33 can rotate relative to the second sealed space 4, thus avoiding the situation in the prior art where the second sealed space 4 needs to rotate with the container flange 33. It is understood that the container flange 33 can also be directly connected to the outer ring 352 of the container slewing ring bearing 35.

[0048] See also Figure 2D The container flange 33 may include a container flange body 331 and a container flange sealing ring 332. The container flange body 331 may be fixed to the connecting base 34, and the container flange sealing ring 332 may be fixed to the container flange body 331. The container door 32 may be detachably mounted on the container flange 33 and abut against the container flange sealing ring 332. For example, the container flange sealing ring 332 may be a double-lip sealing ring. The container door 32 may be fixed to the container flange 33 by friction or other means. Similarly, the isolator door 16 may be fixed to the isolator flange 18 by friction or other means, achieving detachable installation between the flange and the door.

[0049] A first sealing ring 37 can be provided between the container flange 33 and the connection seat 34 for static sealing. A connection seat sealing ring 341 can be provided between the connection seat 34 and the container body 41. This connection seat sealing ring 341 can include a sealing lip and a self-tightening spring for dynamic sealing. A second sealing ring 38 can be provided between the connection seat 34 and the connection seat sealing ring 341 for static sealing. It will be appreciated that the above sealing measures effectively seal the second sealed space 4.

[0050] A docking transmission plate 36 can be provided on the connecting seat 34, and an opening is provided on the docking transmission plate 36. When the first sealed space 2 and the second sealed space 4 are docked, the positioning transmission column 141 of the driven gear 14 in the isolator interface 1 can be inserted into the opening of the docking transmission plate 36 of the container interface 2. When the driven gear 14 rotates, the docking transmission plate 36 can rotate synchronously. In addition, the cooperation between the positioning transmission column 141 and the opening of the docking transmission plate 36 can also play a role in guiding the docking of the first sealed space 2 and the second sealed space 4. In one embodiment of the present application, the docking transmission plate 36 can be provided on the driven gear 14, and the positioning transmission column 141 can be provided on the connecting seat 34. For example, the docking transmission plate 36 can be connected to the driven gear 14, and the positioning transmission column 141 can be connected to the axial end face of the connecting seat 34.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present application, the positioning drive column 141 is inserted into the docking drive plate 36, and the signal switch trigger 31 contacts the signal switch receiver 17. The signal switch receiver 17 controls the rotation of the motor 12 via wireless control or other means, which in turn drives the driving gear 13, the driven gear 14, the connecting seat 34, the container flange 33, and the container door 32 to rotate, thereby enabling the container door 32 to rotate and engage with the isolator door 16. It is understood that the structure of the container door 32 and the isolator door 16 can be conventional, and the details such as the location of the engagement are not further described in this application.

[0052] It can be understood that the embodiment in which the gears of the isolator interface 1 drive the rotation of the container flange 33 of the container interface 3 can reduce manual operation, make the docking adjustment of the device intelligent and more accurate, and make the device suitable for more applications where manual operation is impossible (such as those requiring high cleanliness levels). The positioning of the signal switch receiver 17 and the signal switch trigger 31 can be interchanged.

[0053] In one embodiment of the present application, the isolator interface 1 may include a synchronous belt and a set of synchronous pulleys cooperating with the synchronous belt. The motor 12 can output rotational power through the synchronous pulleys and the synchronous belt, that is, the driving gear and the driven gear do not need to be directly engaged.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present application, the isolator interface 1 may include a cylinder, a gear, and a slewing ring bearing 15. The gear is rotatably mounted to the isolator or isolator flange 18 via the slewing ring bearing 15. One end of the cylinder is connected to the isolator, and the other end of the cylinder (the telescopic rod end) is connected to the gear, so that the gear can rotate via the rotational power provided by the cylinder. A positioning transmission column 141 may be provided on the end face of the gear. It is understood that the number of cylinders can be multiple, for example, two, and the extension directions of the telescopic rods of the cylinders can be parallel and opposite.

[0055] It can be understood that the isolator interface 1 can be the same as the interface component set on the first sealed space 2 of the traditional quick transfer interface, and the power mechanism (such as a motor, etc.) of the container flange 33 can be set in the second sealed space 4, that is, only changing the structure of the interface component set on the second sealed space 4 of the traditional quick transfer interface is also an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] The rapid transfer interface provided in this embodiment does not change the traditional flange and door opening and closing logic of the rapid transfer interface. Specifically, the isolator flange 18 is fixed to the first sealed space 2, and the rotation of the container flange 33 and the container door 32 completes the rotational engagement between the first sealed space 2 and the second sealed space 4. This application is compatible with existing isolator systems, reducing modification costs and operator training requirements.

[0057] By rotating the container flange 33 and the container door 32 relative to the second sealed space 4, the rotation of the second sealed space 4 is avoided, and the material in the second sealed space 4 can be prevented from tipping over, thereby enriching the use of the second sealed space 4. Materials that need to maintain their shape and position, such as cell culture dishes containing cells, can be placed.

[0058] For example, the isolator flange 18 and the isolator door 16 can also be rotated relative to the first sealed space 2 (the rotating shaft is the axis of the isolator door 16), and the container flange 33 is fixed to the second sealed space 4. This embodiment can also avoid the overall rotation of the second sealed space 4. However, since the first sealed space 2 is generally an isolator, its sealing requirements are relatively high, so the isolator flange 18 and the isolator door 16 are not easy to be the initiator of the rotational connection. In addition, after the two doors of the quick transfer interface are connected together, they are usually rotated toward the isolator (the rotating shaft is perpendicular to the axis of the isolator door 16) to open, realizing the connection between the two sealed spaces, and the device for controlling the rotation and opening of the two doors (not shown in the figure) is usually set on the isolator door 16, which makes it relatively bulky and therefore not easy to be the initiator of the rotational connection (the rotating shaft is the axis of the isolator door 16).

[0059] Relatively speaking, it is a more preferred embodiment to fix the isolator flange 18 to the first sealed space 2 and complete the rotational engagement between the isolator door 16 and the container door 32 by rotating the container flange 33 and the container door 32 .

[0060] It can be understood that in the present application, the relative movement between the isolator flange 18 and the container flange 33 can be limited by a limiting device such as a rotational clamp, a magnetic attraction, a bolt locking device, etc.

[0061] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present application. It should be pointed out that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A rapid transfer system comprising a sealed container and a container interface (3), characterized in that: The container interface (3) comprises: container door (32); a container flange (33), the container door (32) being detachably mounted to the container flange (33); and A container slewing ring bearing (35), the container slewing ring bearing (35) comprising an inner ring (351) and an outer ring (352) capable of relative rotation, the inner ring (351) being fixed to the sealed container, and the container flange (33) being fixed to the outer ring (352), such that the container flange (33) is capable of rotating relative to the sealed container. The rapid transfer system further comprises an isolator and an isolator interface (1), The isolator interface (1) comprises an isolator door (16) and an isolator flange (18), wherein the isolator flange (18) is fixed to the isolator, and the isolator door (16) is detachably mounted on the isolator flange (18). The isolator interface (1) includes a motor (12) and a gear connected to a rotating shaft of the motor (12), wherein the gear is provided with one of a positioning transmission column (141) and a docking transmission plate (36). The container interface (3) includes the other of the positioning transmission column (141) and the docking transmission plate (36) connected to the container flange (33), and the docking transmission plate (36) is provided with an opening. The positioning transmission column (141) can extend into the opening of the docking transmission plate (36), so that the motor (12) can drive the container flange (33) to rotate, and the container door (32) and the isolator door (16) can be rotatably engaged.

2. The rapid transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container interface (3) further includes a connecting seat (34), the connecting seat (34) being fixed to the outer ring (352) of the container slewing ring bearing (35), and the container flange (33) being fixed to the connecting seat (34). A connection seat sealing ring (341) is provided between the connection seat (34) and the sealed container.

3. The rapid transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The isolator interface (1) includes one of a signal switch receiver (17) and a signal switch trigger (31), and the container interface (3) includes the other of the signal switch receiver (17) and the signal switch trigger (31). When the isolator is docked with the sealed container, the signal switch receiver (17) and the signal switch trigger (31) can be connected, and the signal switch receiver (17) can send a signal to cause the container flange (33) to rotate in a controlled manner.

4. The rapid transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gear comprises a driving gear (13) connected to the rotating shaft of the motor (12) and a driven gear (14) meshed with the driving gear (13); the positioning transmission column (141) is provided on the end face of the driven gear (14); the positioning transmission column (141) extends parallel to the axial direction of the driven gear (14); By allowing the positioning transmission column (141) to extend into the opening of the docking transmission plate (36), the isolator can be guided to dock with the sealed container.

5. The rapid transfer system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The isolator interface (1) further comprises an isolator slewing ring bearing (15), The driven gear (14) is rotatably mounted to the isolator or the isolator flange (18) via the isolator slewing ring bearing (15).

6. The rapid transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gear is a set of synchronous pulleys, the isolator interface (1) further comprises a synchronous belt that cooperates with the synchronous pulleys, and the motor (12) can output rotational power through the synchronous pulleys and the synchronous belt.

7. The rapid transfer system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The isolator interface (1) comprises an isolator slewing ring bearing (15), and the gear is rotatably mounted to the isolator or the isolator flange (18) via the isolator slewing ring bearing (15).

8. The rapid transfer system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first sealing ring (37) is provided between the container flange (33) and the connecting seat (34). A second sealing ring (38) is provided between the connecting seat (34) and the connecting seat sealing ring (341).

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