Door arrangement for reducing the risk of contamination when connecting a second enclosed space to a first enclosed space

Abstract

The invention relates to a door device (1) for a first closed space, which enables a sealed connection between the first closed space and a second closed space, comprising a flange (2) defining an opening to the first closed space, a door (4) mounted on the flange (2) by means of a hinge, a member for fixing the flange of the second space pressed against the flange of the first space, comprising a lock catch (8) which is movable between an unlocked position in which it is embedded inside the flange (2) and a locked position in which it protrudes radially from the flange (2) to the opening, whereby the flange of the second space is locked by engaging each lock catch in a notch provided on the peripheral edge of the flange of the second space without rotating the flange (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a door device designed to be fitted into a first enclosed space and capable of allowing a second enclosed space to be sealed to the first enclosed space.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a door device assembled into a first enclosed space, the door device comprising: a flange defining a passage opening to the first enclosed space; a hinged door mounted on the flange for movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the door closes the passage opening; and a fixing member capable of fixing a flange of a second enclosed space against the flange of the first space and holding the flange of the second enclosed space against the flange of the first space.

[0003] In this application, "space" means any product, equipment, or facility that defines a space. Therefore, it can be a box, insulator, storage container, bag, etc.

[0004] "Enclosed space" is understood to mean a space isolated from the external environment. This can be specifically, but not exclusively, a space used for the preparation, storage, and / or handling of products that must not come into contact with the outside world or users.

[0005] The door device is specifically, but not exclusively, designed to connect two enclosed spaces to allow the transfer of products from one space to another without compromising airtightness. This may include the transfer of hazardous products such as certain biological, chemical, or radioactive products; the transfer of components such as stoppers, vials, plungers, and syringes; the transfer of environmental control devices such as culture media plates and particle counters; the transfer of cleaning systems; the transfer of liquids, powders, and tools; the transfer of waste to the outside of the container; and / or the transfer of any components required for the production or maintenance of the production line. Background Technology

[0006] Transferring products from one enclosed space to another without compromising the airtightness of those spaces is a challenging problem. To address this, double-door sealing connection devices have been developed. These include, for example, the double-door sealing connection devices described in patent applications FR2777822 and FR3036054.

[0007] These double-door connection devices are formed by a first door / flange assembly and a second door / flange assembly, one of which is a door / flange assembly for one space, and the other for the other space. Typically, the enclosed space to be connected is a container or bag-type receiver, while the other enclosed space connected to the receiver is usually a fixed processing box. The receiver is connected to the processing box by joining the door / flange assemblies together. This connection is typically achieved by engaging a so-called bayonet system—the lugs of the flange and the door of the receiver, which engage in the notches of the flange and the door of the processing box, respectively—and then rotating the receiver so that the flange of the receiver locks onto the flange of the processing box, and the door of the receiver locks onto the door of the box. The doors connected to each other are unlocked by unlocking the door from its respective flange.

[0008] During rotational movement performed to lock the flange and door together, unlock the door from its associated flange, or unlock the space from each other, friction is generated between the flange and the door. The disadvantage of this is that it generates particles, which may cause contamination in the enclosed space and may lead to damage to the connection seal.

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage by providing a door device that prevents or at least limits the emission of particles that can easily pollute enclosed spaces when they are connected.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a door device that restricts turbulent flow under laminar flow when the door is opened, as turbulence is a source of contamination risk during the transfer process. Summary of the Invention

[0011] To this end, the present invention proposes a door device for a first enclosed space, the door device enabling a sealed connection between the first enclosed space and a second enclosed space, the door device comprising: a flange arranged to define a passage opening in the first enclosed space, the passage opening defining an opening plane and a passage axis perpendicular to the opening plane; a door hinged to the flange for movement between a closed position and an open position, in which the door closes the passage opening; and a fixing device capable of fixing the flange of the second enclosed space against the flange of the first space and keeping the flange of the second enclosed space against the flange of the first space. A significant feature of the device is that the fixing member includes latches movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, in which the latches are embedded within the flange, and in the locked position, the latches protrude radially from the flange toward the passage opening, thereby locking the flange of the second enclosed space by engaging each latch in a notch provided on the peripheral edge of the flange of the second space without causing rotational movement of the flange.

[0012] Therefore, this arrangement of the fixing members allows the elimination of rotational movement imposed on existing connecting devices to connect the flanges to each other, thereby limiting the friction generated between the two spaces when they are connected and thus limiting the generation of polluting particles.

[0013] Advantageously, each latch is driven by a miniature motor formed on the outside of the flange.

[0014] Advantageously, the micro motor is associated with a component for detecting the presence of the flange of the second space that abuts against the flange of the first space.

[0015] Advantageously, the door is secured to the flange by a double-joint linkage mechanism comprising a first joint and a second joint, the first joint being arranged to allow rotational movement of up to 30 degrees relative to the plane of the channel opening about an axis perpendicular to the channel axis, and the second joint being arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis parallel to the channel axis.

[0016] Advantageously, the second connector is arranged to allow rotational movement relative to the plane of the channel opening, preferably 180 degrees.

[0017] Advantageously, the dual-joint linkage is coupled to a micro motor located in the connecting arm. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0019] - Figure 1 A rear perspective view of the door device according to the invention in the closed position is shown;

[0020] - Figure 2a It shows Figure 1 A front view of a door with the device in the closed position;

[0021] - Figure 2b It shows Figure 1 A top view of the door with the device in the closed position;

[0022] - Figure 3a It shows Figure 1 A front view of the door in the middle open position of the device;

[0023] - Figure 3b It shows Figure 1 A top view of the door of the device in the middle open position;

[0024] - Figure 4a It shows Figure 1 A front view of the door in the middle open position of the device;

[0025] - Figure 4b It shows Figure 1 A top view of the door of the device in the middle open position;

[0026] - Figure 5a It shows Figure 1 A front view of the door with the device in the fully open position;

[0027] - Figure 5b It shows Figure 1 A top view of the door in the fully open position;

[0028] - Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 A front perspective view of the door with the device in the closed position;

[0029] - Figure 7a A detailed view of the flange latch in the unlocked state is shown;

[0030] - Figure 7b It shows Figure 7a The flange latch is in the locked state of the flange.

[0031] - Figure 8 It shows Figure 1The device is shown in the front perspective view of the door in the closed position, with the door positioned to be fixed to the second enclosed space.

[0032] In the following text, the term "rear view" or "view from the rear" refers to a view located in or pointing towards the interior space of an enclosed space defined by a door device. Similarly, the term "front view" in relation to an enclosed space means a view located outside the interior space of the enclosed space or away from the interior of the enclosed space defined by a door device. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Combination Figures 1 to 8 The invention describes a door device 1 for a first enclosed space. This door device is arranged to allow connection to a second enclosed space. According to a particular embodiment, the first enclosed space is a fixed box, while the second enclosed space is a transportable container. Of course, this is only one embodiment, and the device according to the invention is not limited to this type of enclosed space. The door devices of the first space and the second space form a sealing functional device when connected to each other, which allows the transfer of products between the two enclosed spaces without compromising airtightness.

[0034] The door device 1 according to the invention includes a flange 2 and a door 4. The flange 2 is arranged to define a passage opening 3 in a housing on which the door device 1 is disposed, the passage opening 3 defining an opening plane and a passage axis perpendicular to the opening plane. The door 4 is hinged to the flange 2 to move from a closed position where the door 4 closes the passage opening 3 to an open position where the door 4 extends substantially parallel to the passage opening plane, and vice versa. For this purpose, the door is fixed to the flange by a double-joint linkage mechanism 5. Therefore, the double-joint linkage mechanism includes, on the one hand, a first joint 6 arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis A perpendicular to the axis C of the door (or the axis of the passage opening), and on the other hand, a second joint 7 arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis B parallel to the axis C of the door (or the channel axis of the passage opening). Figure 1 In this specification, the term "door axis" refers to the axis perpendicular to the door's extension when the door is in the closed position. Therefore, the door axis corresponds to the channel axis of the channel opening 3. Figure 1 The axis C shown will subsequently represent the axis of the door or the channel when it is in the closed position.

[0035] These two joints 6 and 7, together with the door 4, are arranged such that the opening of the door occurs first after a rotational movement about axis A, and then after a rotational movement about axis B. The first joint 6 is in the form of a hinge, the fixed portion of which is fixed to the second joint 7, which is in turn connected to the door via a connecting arm 9.

[0036] The first connector 6 is arranged to allow rotational movement of up to 30 degrees relative to the plane of the opening, while the second connector 7 is arranged to allow rotational movement of at least 45 degrees, and preferably 180 degrees, relative to the plane of the opening.

[0037] Figures 2 through 5 illustrate the rotational movement of the door to move it from the closed position to the open position. Thus, in the example shown (Figure 3), the opening of door 4 occurs by a stroke of approximately 20 degrees of rotation about axis A of the hinge (first joint 5) from its closed position (Figure 2). In this case, door 4 is in the partially open position. Door 4 is then actuated to rotate approximately 180 degrees about axis B of the second joint 7 to pass through the intermediate open position to reach the final open position shown in Figure 5, thereby providing full clearance for the passage opening 3 (Figure 4 shows the door in the intermediate open position). In its final position, the door extends diametrically relative to its closed position in a plane parallel to the plane of the passage opening.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment, the door is advantageously motorized. For this purpose, the first connector 6 and the second connector 7 are each connected to, for example, a stepper motor. Of course, it is obvious that the invention is not limited to a motorized door; the movement of the motorized door can be manually operated by a control lever on the actuating door, which can be positioned inside and / or outside the enclosed space.

[0039] As previously indicated, the door device according to the invention allows for the connection of a second space with a second flange defining a passage opening in the second enclosed space that is closed by a second door. For this purpose, the flange 2 advantageously has an outer surface 20, which is provided with a fixing member capable of securing the flange of the door of the second enclosed space against the outer surface and keeping the flange of the door of the second enclosed space pressed against the outer surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening member of the flange includes a magnetic latch 8. Obviously, this is an exemplary embodiment, and other locking members, such as actuators, can be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0040] Each latch 8 is provided with a locking lug 10, which is movable between a position where the lug is embedded within the flange and a position where the lug protrudes radially from the flange 2 toward the channel opening, thereby locking the flange of the second enclosed space. Furthermore, each latch 8 is associated with a micro-motor capable of driving the latch to rotate, thereby changing the latch from its unlocked state to its locked state. Figure 7a and 7b The latch is shown in both the unlocked and locked positions.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the flange is provided with four latches 8 arranged at 90-degree angles. Of course, this is only an example embodiment; the number of latches can vary depending on the size of the door. Therefore, the flange includes at least two latches that are advantageously positioned diametrically opposite each other.

[0042] according to Figure 8 Door 4 rotates about axis C (advantageously by 60°) to unlock the door of the second enclosed space from its flange and to secure the door of the second enclosed space to door 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the door is driven by a motor located in connecting arm 9.

[0043] The invention has been described for example. It should be understood that various variant embodiments of the invention can be derived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A door device (1) of a first closed space, which allows a sealed connection between the first closed space and a second closed space, comprising - a flange (2) arranged to define a passage opening in the first closed space, which defines an opening plane and a passage axis perpendicular to the opening plane, - a door (4) hingedly mounted on the flange (2) so as to move between a closed position, in which the door (4) closes the passage opening (3), and an open position, - a fixing member capable of fixing and keeping the flange of the second closed space pressed against the flange of the first closed space, characterized in that the fixing member comprising a catch (8) movable between an unlocked position, in which it is embedded in the flange (2), and a locked position, in which it radially projects from the flange (2) towards the passage opening, so as to lock the flange of the second closed space by engaging each catch in a notch provided on the peripheral edge of the flange of the second closed space, without causing a rotational movement of the flange (2).

2. The door arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that Each catch (8) is driven by a micro motor formed at the outer face of the flange (2).

3. The door arrangement (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The micro motor is associated with a member for detecting the presence of the flange of the second closed space against the flange (2) of the first closed space.

4. The door arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The door (4) is fixed to the flange (2) by a double-joint linkage (5) comprising a first joint (6) arranged to allow a rotational movement of up to 30 degrees around an axis (A) perpendicular to the passage axis with respect to the plane of the passage opening (3), and a second joint (7) arranged to allow a rotational movement around an axis (B) parallel to the passage axis.

5. The door arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The second joint (7) is arranged to allow a rotational movement with respect to the plane of the passage opening (3).

6. The door arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The double-joint linkage (5) is coupled to a micro motor located in a connecting arm (9).

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