Glove intervention protection

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety device (10) for glove intervention in a glove box (2) of a machine, wherein the glove box (2) comprises a wall (4) in which an opening (6) is provided, the opening enabling glove intervention, wherein a light barrier (9) is arranged in the glove box (2), the light barrier being coupled to the machine so that the operation of the machine is stopped when an intervening object is detected by the light barrier (9), wherein the safety device comprises: a shaft designed to extend from the outside to the inside of the glove box (2) along the axis of rotation of the shaft; an operating element designed to be operated by a user to achieve axial movement of the shaft; and a housing through which the shaft is guided, wherein the housing is designed For being fixed to the wall (4) in a rotationally fixed manner; and a cover (20) designed to be fixed to the shaft transversely to the axis of rotation of the shaft, wherein the cover (20) is also designed to: close the opening in the closed state and switch to the open state and open the opening (6) by a rotational movement around the axis of rotation of the shaft, wherein the shaft and the housing are coupled to each other so that the shaft together with the cover (20) is fixed in an axial rotationally fixed position to prevent twisting and can be rotated in an axial rotational position to switch between the closed state and the open state of the cover (20), wherein the shaft and / or the cover (20) are designed in the rotational position to be detected by a grating (9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a safety device for glove tampering in a glove box of a machine, wherein the glove box comprises a wall with an opening provided in the wall, the opening enabling glove tampering, wherein a light barrier is arranged in the glove box and is coupled to the machine so that the operation of the machine is stopped when an tampering object is detected by the light barrier. Background Art

[0002] Glove intervention is essential in many pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. It allows access to manufacturing facilities so that, in the event of a production interruption, interference can be resolved without having to remove protective gear. This ensures sterile production without the risk of contamination.

[0003] However, in order to prevent uncontrolled spontaneous access via the gloves, the machine is preferably equipped with a safety device for glove manipulation.

[0004] DE 91 04 920 U1 discloses a mechanical safety slide which closes a glove opening of a glove box by a lateral movement and reopens the glove opening by a return movement.

[0005] A safety device for a glove collar is known from DE 10 2018 209 249 A1, comprising a glove ring and a sensor device arranged on the glove ring, wherein the sensor device is designed to detect an intervention of an object, in particular a hand, into the glove ring.

[0006] CH 709 889 A2 describes an RFID-based identification system for detecting the presence of a person at a glove box. The identification system comprises an RFID transponder, which is intended to be carried by a specific person. A reader unit is provided at the glove box to indicate the presence of an operator equipped with the transponder when entering the glove box.

[0007] EP 2 627 484 B1 also discloses a safety device for glove tampering, wherein the safety device comprises a locking unit with a distance sensor, which in the closed state engages with a stop section of the flap and thus blocks access into the glove compartment, wherein an alarm signal is generated as soon as the flap is lifted upwards into a transition state for opening and the distance sensor detects the thereby lifted position of the stop section.

[0008] Various manufacturers also offer various solutions on the market, many of which use light barriers designed into the glove box. As soon as the light barrier is interrupted by an intervention into the glove box, the machine receives a signal and is automatically forced to stop. However, all machines have a specific coasting time, which varies depending on the machine type and configuration. Due to inertia, mechanical movement cannot be stopped immediately from full power, and a sudden switch to a standstill can also cause damage to mechanical components. Since mechanical movement can still be running in the working area of ​​the glove during the coasting time, it cannot be ruled out that moving machine parts may still be touched during "rapid" intervention. This risk conflicts with current safety regulations, such as DIN EN ISO 13855 and DIN EN ISO 13857. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to the following aspects, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved or alternative solution for safety devices compared to the prior art in order to avoid the risk of injury and thus increase the safety of glove interventions while still ensuring maximum product protection.

[0010] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a safety device for glove intervention in a glove box of a machine, wherein the glove box includes a wall with an opening provided in the wall, the opening enabling glove intervention, wherein a light barrier is arranged in the glove box, the light barrier being coupled to the machine so that the operation of the machine is stopped when an intervening object is detected by the light barrier, wherein the safety device includes: a shaft designed to extend from the outside to the inside of the glove box along a rotation axis; an operating element designed to be operated by a user to achieve axial movement of the shaft; and a housing through which the shaft is guided, wherein the housing is designed to be fixed to the wall in a rotationally fixed manner; and a cover designed to be fixed to the shaft transversely to the rotation axis of the shaft, wherein the cover is also designed to close the opening in a closed state and to switch to an open state and open the opening by a rotational movement around the rotation axis of the shaft, wherein the shaft and the housing are coupled to each other so that the shaft together with the cover is secured in an axial rotationally fixed position to prevent twisting and can be rotated in an axial rotational position to switch between a closed state and an open state of the cover, wherein the shaft and / or the cover are designed in the rotational position to be detected by the light barrier. By allowing the shaft to rotate only when the shaft and / or cover is in an axially rotated position detected by a light barrier, it is ensured that the machine has stopped before a user can intervene in the production machine with gloves. This avoids the risk of injury and ensures the safety of glove intervention. In addition, depending on the embodiment, the cover can be pivoted in all directions, while in many prior art solutions, the cover can only be opened to the right or left. In addition, the safety device according to the present invention can be simply installed on the wall of the glove box as a separate unit and achieve protection against glove intervention by means of a combination of mechanical intervention protection and a light barrier already present in the glove box, wherein the light barrier generates a signal for stopping the machine, so that costs and design expenditure can be significantly reduced. In addition, the safety device can be constructed separately so that it is easy to disassemble and clean, so that hygiene requirements can also be met.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the safety device further comprises a curved track section having a guide section, which is attached to the shaft in a rotationally fixed and axially non-displaceable manner or is integrally integrated with the shaft; and a guide element, which is fixedly attached to the inner side of the housing or is integrally integrated with the housing, wherein the guide element is designed to engage in the guide section of the curved track section, wherein the rotational position of the shaft is determined by the position of the guide element. The guide section is preferably designed as a deepening on the surface of the curved track section, and the guide element is preferably designed as a projection on the surface of the housing. Once the guide element is introduced into the guide section, a defined rotational movement of the shaft can be achieved by forcibly guiding the guide element on the guide section, wherein the maximum rotational angle of the shaft is determined by the length of the guide section.

[0012] In order to introduce the guide element into the guide section or to achieve a transition between the anti-rotation position and the rotation position, the curved track portion has an entry opening, which passes from the guide section to the side of the curved track portion facing the guide element in the anti-rotation position, and the entry opening is designed to allow the guide element to enter the guide section through axial movement of the shaft.

[0013] Before the shaft reaches the axial rotation position, the shaft must be stabilized against twisting. Therefore, the safety device preferably also has a covering part, which is fixedly attached to the inner side of the housing or is integrated with the housing in one piece, wherein the covering part has a surface that is designed to cooperate with the surface of the curved track part so that the shaft is stabilized against twisting in the anti-rotation position. By constructing the covering part in one piece, screws for fixing the cover can be eliminated, wherein the cleaning of the safety device can be significantly improved thereby. The guide section preferably includes a starting position and an end position. In order to stabilize the cover against twisting back in the open state after twisting, the curved track part preferably also includes a recess at the end position of the guide section, the recess being connected to the guide section, wherein the guide element is designed to engage in the recess by axial movement in order to stabilize the shaft against twisting.

[0014] The guide element is preferably designed as a bolt, which can have any cross-section. The bolt can be fixedly attached to the housing or integrally integrated with it. To achieve the connection between the guide element and the guide path, the bolt can also have a rolling or sliding section to enable or simplify rolling or sliding along the guide path.

[0015] The housing can also be designed in one piece or in multiple pieces, wherein a one-piece design can save fastening means for connecting the individual components, thereby simplifying the cleaning of the safety device.

[0016] In order to avoid unintentional axial movement of the shaft and a machine stop triggered thereby, the safety device preferably comprises a locking unit, wherein the locking unit is designed to: prevent axial movement of the shaft in the locked state and to unlock axial movement of the shaft in the unlocked state, thereby securing the shaft against unintentional operation.

[0017] The locking unit preferably includes a locking tongue, which is preloaded into the locked state by a resilient element, preferably a compression spring. The locking tongue is preferably designed to press against the shaft by means of the compression spring in the locked state, thereby securing the shaft against axial movement. To release the shaft from axial movement, the user preferably pulls the locking tongue in a direction opposite to the pressure of the compression spring.

[0018] Furthermore, the locking tongue has an inclined surface which is designed such that a transition from the rotational position of the shaft into the rotationally fixed position is achieved solely by an axial movement of the shaft, without requiring an actuation of the locking unit.

[0019] In addition to axial movement, the operating element is also designed to enable rotational movement of the shaft about its axis of rotation via user operation. The operating element can also be coupled to the shaft or integrally integrated into the shaft, with the operating element preferably being a clamping lever, a star handle, or an operating tool that can be attached to the receiving geometry to operate the safety device. This has the advantages that, on the one hand, the entire safety device is more compact and requires less space, and, on the other hand, only selected operators can operate the safety device.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by an installation comprising: a glove box of a machine, wherein the glove box comprises a wall in which an opening is provided for enabling glove intervention; a light barrier coupled to the machine such that the operation of the machine is stopped when an intervening object is detected by the light barrier; and a safety device.

[0021] To avoid the risk of injury to the shoulder and facial areas and a restricted field of vision, in a preferred embodiment, the housing is fixedly attached to the wall to the lower left or right of the opening. This minimizes the pivoting range of the cover. Furthermore, with this positioning of the housing, the shaft can be secured in the stop position by the weight of the cover. The guide element cannot slip out of the recess due to, for example, vibrations, thus securing the cover in the stop position and preventing it from falling.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the housing is fixedly attached to the outside of the wall, wherein the risk of contamination is thereby minimized.

[0023] To allow for glove access, the gloves are secured to the opening. In the prior art, gloves are typically left hanging unprotected and held in place by a flap. This design carries the risk of potentially damaging the gloves and rendering the entire production batch unusable due to contamination. To avoid this, the flap is preferably secured to a shaft within the glove box, more preferably to one end of the shaft within the glove box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment. In the accompanying drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 A front view showing a glove box with safety equipment;

[0026] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A perspective view of the safety equipment in the

[0027] Figure 3 Shown with Figure 1 A top view of the glove box of the safety device in FIG. 1 , wherein the shaft of the safety device is in an axial rotationally fixed position;

[0028] Figure 4 Shown with Figure 1 A top view of the glove box of the safety device, wherein the shaft of the safety device is in an axially rotated position;

[0029] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 A cutaway top view of the safety device in FIG.

[0030] Figure 6 Show Figure 1 A cutaway side view of the safety equipment in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 A front view of a glove box 2 of a machine having a safety device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The glove box 2 comprises a wall 4 in which an opening 6 is provided, which allows the engagement of gloves. A ring 8 is provided around the wall 4, wherein a glove is fixed at the opening. Figure 1 A light barrier 9 is arranged in the glove box and is coupled to the machine in such a way that the operation of the machine is stopped when the light beam of the light barrier 9 is interrupted by an intervening object.

[0032] As from Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the safety device 10 comprises a shaft 12 extending along the rotation axis and a housing 14. The shaft 12 is guided through the housing, wherein the housing 14 is fixed to the wall 4 below and to the left of the opening 6 in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a fixing screw 16. A clamping lever 18 is coupled to one end of the shaft and is preferably designed to be actuated by a user to enable both axial movement of the shaft along the rotation axis and rotational movement of the shaft about the rotation axis. The safety device 10 also comprises a cover 20, which is designed to be fixed to the shaft transversely to the rotation axis. The cover 20 is further designed to close the opening 6 in the closed state and to be switched to the open state and to open the opening 6 by means of a rotational movement about the rotation axis. To secure the shaft 12 against unintentional operation and to prevent the machine from being stopped as a result of such operation, a locking unit 22 is preferably provided on the housing 14. The locking unit is designed to prevent axial movement of the shaft in the locked state and to enable axial movement of the shaft in the open state.

[0033] Figure 3 Shown with Figure 1 A top view of the glove box 2 with the safety device 10 in FIG. 1 , wherein the shaft 12 of the safety device 10 is in an axial rotationally fixed position, and Figure 4 The glove box 2 is also shown in a top view with the shaft 12 of the safety device 10 in an axially rotated position. It can be seen that the shaft 12 extends along its rotation axis from the outside to the inside of the glove box 2 , with the cover 20 fixedly attached to one end of the shaft 12 inside the glove box 2 .

[0034] The shaft 12 and the housing 14 are coupled to each other so that the shaft 12 and the cover 20 are Figure 3 The axial rotationally fixed position shown in FIG is securely secured against rotation, wherein it can be seen that the shaft 12 and the cover 20 are not detected by the light barrier 9 in the rotationally fixed position. Figure 4 In the axially rotated position shown, shaft 12 and housing 14 are coupled to each other, allowing shaft 12 to rotate. It can be seen that in this rotated position, shaft 12 and / or cover 20 interrupt light beam 11 of light barrier 9, thereby stopping the machine. Safety device 10 is designed so that shaft 12 can only rotate when light barrier 9 detects shaft 12 and / or cover 20 in the axially rotated position. This ensures that the machine is stopped before intervention with the glove is attempted, thus preventing the risk of injury.

[0035] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 FIG. 1 shows by way of example how the housing 14 and the shaft 12 are coupled to each other in an embodiment according to the above-described embodiment. Figure 5 As can be seen in the drawing, the curved track section 24 is attached to the shaft 12 in a rotationally fixed and axially immovable manner, wherein the curved track section 24 comprises a guide section 26 of a specific length, which is designed as a deepening on the surface of the curved track section 24. A guide element 28 is fixedly attached to the inside of the housing 14, which in this embodiment is designed as a screw 28. The screw 28 is designed to engage in the guide section 26 of the curved track section 24, wherein the rotational position of the shaft 12 is determined by the position of the curved track section 24.

[0036] In order to introduce the bolt 28 into the guide section 26 , the curved track section 24 has an entry opening 29 which is designed to allow the guide element 28 to enter the guide section 26 by an axial movement of the shaft 12 .

[0037] Before the shaft 12 reaches the rotational position in which the light barrier 9 is interrupted, the shaft 12 must be secured against twisting. Therefore, the safety device 10 preferably also comprises a cover part 30 , which is integrally formed on the inside with the housing 14 , wherein the cover part 30 comprises a milled surface designed to cooperate with the milled surface of the curved track part 24 in order to prevent the shaft from twisting in the rotationally fixed position.

[0038] The guide section 26 of the curved track section 24 has a starting position and an end position, wherein a recess is provided at the end position of the guide section (not shown in the drawings). The recess is connected to the guide section, wherein a bolt 28 is designed to engage in the recess by axial movement in order to secure the shaft 12 against rotation in the stop position.

[0039] The guide path has a length defined by a starting position and an end position, wherein the length determines the pivoting range of the lid 20. Depending on the position of the safety device housing relative to the glove box opening, the pivoting range required for the lid 20 to open the opening 6 varies. In the embodiment shown here, the housing 14 is positioned below and to the left of the opening 6, thereby minimizing the pivoting range of the lid to approximately 65°. Furthermore, in variations of the embodiment shown here, other pivoting ranges can be selected depending on the prevailing conditions.

[0040] By minimizing the pivoting range, the outwardly pivoted cover 20 is not in the user's field of vision. In addition, the bolt 28 is firmly fixed in the stop position by the gravity of the cover so that the bolt can not slide out of the recess and cause the cover to fall off due to vibration.

[0041] As from Figure 6 As can be seen in the figure, the locking unit 22 includes a locking tongue 23, which is secured against twisting in the housing 14 by a surface and, in the locked state, is pressed against the shaft 12 by a compression spring 25. This prevents unintentional movement of the shaft 12 and the resulting interruption of the light barrier 9. Only when the locking tongue 23 is pulled upward can the shaft 12 be pushed toward the light barrier 9. Thereafter, the locking tongue 23 can be released again. Due to the inclined surface of the locking tongue 23, the locking tongue 23 is locked again in the locked state when the shaft 12 returns to its basic position. Thus, the shaft 12 is securely secured against accidental operation.

[0042] With the help of Figure 5 and Figure 6 The functions of the safety device 10 according to the embodiment shown can also be summarized as the following steps, for example:

[0043] Step 1: Release the lock

[0044] By pulling out the locking tongue 23 , the shaft 12 is unlocked and can be displaced axially.

[0045] Step 2: Displacement (Area 1)

[0046] The shaft can be pushed axially in the direction of the glove box 2. By means of the cooperation of the milled surface of the curved track portion 24 at the shaft 12 and the milled surface of the cover portion 30 at the housing 14, twisting of the cover 20 is prevented in this area.

[0047] Step 3: Displacement (Area 2)

[0048] In this area, the shaft can also be pushed axially in the direction of the glove box 2. It is initially secured against rotation by the curved track section 24. Only when the axial rotational position in which the bolt 28 engages the guide section 26 is reached is the shaft 12 allowed to rotate, the light barrier 9 being interrupted in this rotational position by the shaft 12 and / or the cover 20, and the machine being stopped.

[0049] Step 4: Twist (Open)

[0050] In the pivoted position, the shaft 12 can be pivoted together with the cover 20 to open the opening 6. Due to the length of the curved track section 24, the pivoting angle of the cover 20 can be limited to a value of 65°. When the end position of the guide section 26 is reached, the shaft 12 can be pushed inward again, for example, by 5 mm (axial end stop) and thus secured against twisting again.

Claims

1. A safety device for glove intervention in a glove box of a machine, wherein the glove box comprises a wall in which an opening is provided, the opening enabling glove intervention, wherein the safety device comprises: a light barrier arranged in the glove box, the light barrier being coupled to the machine in such a way that the operation of the machine is stopped when an intervening object is detected by the light barrier, - a shaft, the shaft being designed to extend from the outside to the inside of the glove box along the axis of rotation of the shaft; - an operating element, the operating element being designed to be operated by a user to achieve axial movement of the shaft; and a housing through which the shaft is guided, wherein the housing is designed to be fixedly secured to the wall in a rotationally fixed manner; and a cover, which is designed to be fastened to the shaft transversely to the axis of rotation of the shaft, wherein the cover is further designed to close the opening in a closed state and to be switched into an open state and to open the opening by a rotational movement about the axis of rotation of the shaft, wherein the shaft and the housing are coupled to each other so that the shaft together with the cover is secured against rotation in an axial anti-rotation position, in which the light barrier does not detect the shaft or the cover, and the shaft together with the cover is rotatable in an axial rotational position to switch between the closed state and the open state of the cover, in which rotational position the light barrier detects the shaft or the cover, And wherein operation of the machine is stopped when the light barrier is interrupted by the shaft when the shaft is in the rotational position.

2. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the security device further comprises: a curved track section having a guide section, which is attached to the shaft in a rotationally fixed and axially non-displaceable manner or is integrally integrated with the shaft; and - a guide element, which is fixedly attached to the inner side of the housing or is integrally integrated with the housing, The guide element is designed to engage in the guide section of the curved track portion, wherein the rotational position of the shaft is determined by the position of the guide element.

3. A safety device according to claim 2, wherein the curved track portion has an entrance opening, which passes from the guide section to the side of the curved track portion facing the guide element in the anti-rotation position, and the entrance opening is designed to: allow the guide element to enter the guide section through the axial movement of the shaft.

4. A safety device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the safety device further comprises a covering portion, which is fixedly attached to the inner side of the shell or is integrated with the shell in one piece, wherein the covering portion has a surface designed to cooperate with the surface of the curved track portion so that the shaft is securely prevented from twisting in the anti-rotation position.

5. The safety device according to claim 3, wherein the guide section includes a starting position and an end position, wherein the curved track portion further includes a recess at the end position of the guide section, the recess being connected to the guide section, wherein the guide element is designed to engage in the recess by axial movement so as to stabilize the shaft against twisting.

6. A safety device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the guide element is a bolt.

7. The safety device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the housing is constructed in one piece or in multiple pieces.

8. The safety device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a locking unit, wherein the locking unit is designed to: prevent axial movement of the shaft in a locked state, and to unlock axial movement of the shaft in an unlocked state, so as to secure the shaft against accidental operation.

9. The security device of claim 8, wherein the locking unit comprises a locking tongue, which is preloaded into the locked state by a resilient element.

10. The safety device of claim 9, wherein the resilient element is a compression spring. 11 . The safety device according to claim 9 , wherein the locking tongue has an inclined surface which is designed to enable a transition of the shaft from the rotated position to the rotationally fixed position solely by an axial movement of the shaft.

12. The safety device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the operating element is further configured to achieve a rotational movement of the shaft about its rotation axis through user operation.

13. The safety device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the operating element is a clamping lever, a star handle or an operating tool.

14. A facility for glove intervention, comprising: - a glove box of a machine, wherein the glove box comprises a wall in which an opening is provided for enabling access to gloves; a light barrier coupled to the machine in such a way that the operation of the machine is stopped when an intervening object is detected by the light barrier; and - A safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 13. 15 . The facility according to claim 14 , wherein the housing is fixedly attached to the wall at a lower left or lower right position of the opening.

16. An installation according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the housing is fixedly attached to the outside of the wall.

17. The plant of claim 14 or 15, wherein the cover is fixed at the shaft within the glove box.

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