Sealed connection device for object transfer, comprising stub provided with release lug

Abstract

A device for tightly transferring objects from a container to a unit, comprising:-a unit flange configured to be fixed to a wall of the unit, and a container flange configured to be fitted on the container, the two flanges being provided with sealing coupling means; the unit flange is provided with a hinge, and a unit door (14) is arranged on the hinge; -the container flange is provided with a container door which is blocked by a bayonet connection comprising an inner eyelet (6, 7); means for fixing the container door to the cell door; the unit flange is provided with a short pipe (19) which can be moved between a guiding position partially installed in the central opening and a clearing position away from the central opening. The stub (19) comprises a lug (22) which is mounted between the two eyelets (6, 7) of the container flange in the guiding position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for sealingly transferring objects from a sealed container to a unit through a double door connection system provided with a short tube for guiding the flow of the objects in the unit. Prior art

[0002] In different industrial fields, tasks need to be performed in closed environments in order to protect the environment from radioactive or toxic substances, or to perform tasks in a sterile environment, or to achieve both purposes.

[0003] A double-door connection device can be used to ensure that the transfer process of the object from the container to the unit does not destroy the seal. Such a device can be found in patent documents FR2695343 and US8950624, for example.

[0004] Such devices are used, for example, for the packaging of medicines. A filling line is installed in the unit, and small objects (such as medicine bottle caps) are transferred into the unit to feed the filling line.

[0005] In this device, the unit is equipped with a flange which is closed on the inside by a door mounted on hinges on the flange, and small objects, such as caps of medicine bottles, are transferred into the unit to feed the filling line.

[0006] The connection process involves inserting the vessel flange into the unit flange and rotating it, which produces the following effects:

[0007] – The two flanges are fixed to each other by activating the first bayonet connection (flange-flange connection);

[0008] – The two doors are fixed to each other by activating the second bayonet connection (door-door connection);

[0009] – Separate the container door from its flange by releasing the third bayonet connection (flange-door connection).

[0010] After connection, the unit door swings inwards to open: since the container door is rigidly connected to the unit door via the door-door connection, it moves with the unit door to move away from the container flange.

[0011] In addition, the device comprises a removable stub on the inside of the cell, which is an axisymmetric element partially inserted into the opening of the cell flange to extend the opening, for guiding the flow of objects, for example to a vibrating bowl in the cell. The stub also ensures that the objects are transferred without contacting the connecting annular area of ​​the two flanges (called the contamination ring), which could become contaminated.

[0012] After the object transfer is complete, the short tube is moved away from the opening in the unit flange to clear the opening and enable the unit door to be folded at the opening together with the container door it carries.

[0013] The container then rotates in the opposite direction, which produces the following effects:

[0014] – Fasten the container door to the container flange;

[0015] – Separate the container door from the unit door;

[0016] – Separate the vessel flange from the unit flange.

[0017] In this arrangement, the container flange comprises inner holes evenly spaced along its inner circumference and projecting radially inwards. Correspondingly, the container door comprises outer holes intended to cooperate with these inner holes to form a flange-door connection.

[0018] When the transfer is completed, the unflowed object may stay between the two inner holes of the container flange, thus forming an obstacle for the outer hole of the container door to pass through and hinder the closing of the door.

[0019] The present invention aims to provide a solution to overcome this drawback. Summary of the invention

[0020] To this end, the present invention relates to a device for transferring objects from a container containing the objects to a unit seal, the device comprising:

[0021] - a cell flange configured to be fixed to the cell wall, and a container flange configured to be mounted on the container, the two flanges being provided with sealing coupling means;

[0022] - the unit flange is provided with a hinge which is provided with a unit door which can be in a closed position to seal the central opening of the unit flange and in an open position to clear the central opening;

[0023] - the container flange is provided with a container door, the container flange and the container door being provided with a bayonet connection allowing the container door to be locked in the container flange in order to close it or to be released, the bayonet connection comprising an inner eyelet protruding radially towards the inside of the container flange;

[0024] – The unit doors and container doors are provided with devices for fixing and separating the container doors and unit doors;

[0025] – the unit flange is equipped with a short tube which is movable between an introductory position, in which it extends the central opening towards the interior of the unit, and an emptying position, in which it moves away from the central opening to enable the unit door to be closed;

[0026] It is characterized in that the short tube comprises a release lug which fits between two holes of the container flange when the short tube is in the guiding position.

[0027] With this arrangement, the lugs fitted between the eyelets of the container flange prevent objects from becoming lodged between these eyelets when the transfer is complete, so that they do not interfere with the closing of the unit door.

[0028] The invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the release lug extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the short tube.

[0029] The invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the release lug is offset radially inwardly with respect to the inner axisymmetric plane of the short tube.

[0030] The invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the release lug is carried by the inner surface of the short tube.

[0031] The invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the release lug has a free end in the shape of a rounded tip.

[0032] The invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the release lug is concave.

[0033] The invention also relates to a device as defined above, in which the release lug is formed by a bent rod, the two ends of which are fixed to the inner surface of the short tube.

[0034] The invention also relates to a device as defined above, wherein the short tube comprises two release lugs which are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry of the short tube.

[0035] The invention also relates to a short tube as defined above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 shows the unit flange connected to the container flange as seen from the outside of the unit;

[0037] Figure 2 shows the unit flange from a view inside the unit, with its door open and its stub tube facing away from the opening;

[0038] Figure 3 shows the flange of the unit from a perspective inside the unit, with its door open and its stub inserted into its opening;

[0039] Figure 4 The flange of the cell is shown from the perspective of the outside of the cell, with a short tube inserted into its opening, showing the flow of an object in the cell;

[0040] Figure 5 shows a unit flange connected to a container flange, from a perspective outside the unit, with the door open and a short tube inserted into the opening, showing the situation where unflowed material resides in the area between the two internal apertures;

[0041] Figure 6shows the unit flange with the container flange attached as seen from the outside of the unit, showing the situation where an unflowing object is preventing the door from closing;

[0042] Figure 7 shows a partial enlarged view of the unit flange connected to the container flange as seen from the outside of the unit, showing the situation where the non-flowing object prevents the door from closing;

[0043] Figure 8 A short tube equipped with two release lugs according to the invention is shown;

[0044] Fig. 9 A partial enlarged view of a unit flange connected to a container flange is shown from the perspective of the unit exterior, with the release lug of the short tube fitting between two internal holes to prevent the situation of non-flowing objects;

[0045] Fig.10 A partial enlarged view of the unit flange from the perspective of the outside of the unit is shown with the release tab of the short tube fitting between the two internal holes to capture the non-flowing object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the wall 1 of the unit is provided with a unit flange 2, into which a container flange 3 is inserted, which container flange is provided with a container door 4. The container itself is not shown, it extends along the flange 3 outside the unit and can be a flexible bag or a rigid box.

[0047] The container flange 3 includes four internal holes (also called inner legs) evenly distributed at 90° around the central axis AX of the flange 3, two of which are marked 6 and 7. Figure 1 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , these internal holes project radially from the cylindrical inner surface 8 of the flange 3 toward the axis AX.

[0048] The container door 4 comprises four external holes (also called external legs) evenly distributed around the axis AX at 90°, two of which are marked 9 and 11. Figure 1 These external holes protrude radially from the circular periphery of the door 4 so as to be able to fit between two adjacent internal holes of the flange 3, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 Configuration shown.

[0049] The unit flange 2 is provided with a hinge 13 on the inner side of the unit, and the unit door 14 is mounted on the hinge. Figure 2 The unit door 14 opens toward the interior of the unit to clear the central opening 16 of the flange 2, as shown. Figure 2 The door 14 can also be folded over the opening 16 to close it, which corresponds to Figure 1 As shown in the configuration. Figure 1 and 2As shown, the hinge 13 extends along an axis AY parallel to the wall 1 , which axis is oriented vertically here.

[0050] The connection of the container flange 3 consists of inserting its end into the unit flange 2 and then rotating it around the axis AX by means of two radially extending gripping handles 17 and 18 of the flange 3, which results in the engagement of a first bayonet connection (i.e., a flange-flange connection, not shown in the figure) to fix the two flanges. Thus, this first bayonet connection forms a coupling device for the two flanges.

[0051] This rotation also results in the disengagement of the second bayonet connection (i.e. flange-door connection) corresponding to the inner 6, 7 and outer 9, 11 eyelets to separate the container door 4 from the container flange 3. This second bayonet connection thus forms a blocking and release device for the container door.

[0052] It also causes the engagement of a third bayonet connection (i.e., a door-door connection, not shown in the figure) to secure the container door 4 to the unit door 14. Thus, this third bayonet connection forms a securing and detaching means for the container door and the unit door.

[0053] Once the container flange 3 is connected to the cell flange 2, the central opening 16 can be emptied by opening the cell door 14 and simultaneously moving the container door 4 fixed thereto, which corresponds to Figure 2 The situation shown.

[0054] If the Figure 2 As shown, the unit flange 2 is also provided with a short tube 19 on the inside of the unit, which short tube is a cylindrical part here, and its outer diameter is significantly smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 16. The short tube 19 is a movable element, fixed to the flange 2 by a displacement device not shown.

[0055] It can be in the clear position, corresponding to Figure 2 The position shown, in which it is away from the opening 16 to allow the door 14 to pass through to open or close.

[0056] It can be in a guiding position in which its upstream circular edge 20 is inserted concentrically into the opening 16 while bearing axially against the inner holes 6, 7, which corresponds to Figure 3 The situation shown.

[0057] This short tube allows guiding the object to be transferred into the cell, for example to a container in the cell specifically used for this purpose, and it also ensures that the object does not come into contact with the annular area where the cell flange 2 and container flange 3 join, which area could become contaminated, during the transfer.

[0058] exist Figure 2In the embodiment shown, the short tube is arranged to occupy a vertical position above the opening when it is in the empty position. Then, it can also be arranged to occupy a vertical position below the opening when it is in the empty position.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the object to be transferred (reference numeral 21 ) slides on the inner surface 8 of the container flange 3 and then on the lower part of the inner surface of the short tube 19 due to the action of gravity.

[0060] Once the transfer is complete, it may happen that some objects 21 do not leave the opening and remain in the lower region of the surface 8, e.g. Figure 5 , in which two objects are located between two holes 6 and 7 on the inner surface 8 of the container flange 3.

[0061] In this case, after withdrawing the short tube 19, folding the unit door 14 may be impossible due to the presence of these objects 21. Figure 6 and 7 As shown, when the unit door 14 is folded, it carries the container door 4, whose outer eyelet 9 should be basically fitted between the two inner eyelets 6 and 7 to achieve complete closure. Under these conditions, the object 21 present in the holding area is squeezed between the edge of the outer eyelet 9 and the inner surface 8, so that the door cannot be closed.

[0062] It should be noted that this disturbance is more pronounced when the object is held in the region close to the hinge axis AY, since under these conditions the angle of incidence of the door is substantially perpendicular to the angle of incidence of the surface 8 .

[0063] If some objects 21 are held in a region remote from the axis AY, for example between the internal eyelet 6 and an internal eyelet (not shown) diametrically opposite the eyelet 7, the incidence of the corresponding external eyelet of the container door 4 is substantially tangential to the surface 8 and parallel to the axis AX. Under these conditions, the held objects 21 are then only pushed along the surface 8 towards the container by the external eyelet, so that they ultimately do not interfere with the closure.

[0064] According to the invention, the short tube 19 is provided with a release lug 22 extending parallel to the axisymmetric direction AX of the axisymmetric inner surface of the short tube 19 so as to protrude from the upstream circular edge 20 of the short tube in the AX direction. The lug is rigidly fixed to the body of the short tube 19 or forms an integral part of the short tube.

[0065] The lug 22 is positioned on the edge 20 so that it fills a circumferentially extending area between the two inner holes 6 , 7 , the width of which is significantly smaller than the width of the space separating these holes 6 and 7 circumferentially from one another and is situated opposite this space.

[0066] like Fig. 9As shown, after the transfer of the objects 21 , if some of the objects 21 are not discharged into the short tube 19 , they are blocked by the lug 22 which prevents them from entering the holding area extending between the internal apertures 6 and 7 .

[0067] Under these conditions, after the stub 19 has been withdrawn, the cell door 14 can be folded up so that it is sealed closed without the risk of objects being present obstructing such closure, thereby enabling the subsequent removal of the container.

[0068] Preferably, this lug 22 is offset radially inwardly relative to the inner surface of the short tube, so as to ensure that when it is fitted between the holes 6 and 7, i.e. when the short tubes are butted, there is no risk of contacting the connecting annular area of ​​the two flanges, which could be contaminated. In fact, when the short tube is in the guiding position, the inner surface of the short tube 19 continues the surface 8, the radial offset of the lug being less than the thickness of the object to be transferred.

[0069] like Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the release lug 22 is preferably formed by a rod or bar bent into a pointed shape corresponding to the shape of the letter V, the two ends of which are rigidly fixed to the edge 20 or the inner surface of the short tube 19 .

[0070] More specifically, the rod is bent to form a longitudinal slope 23 parallel to the axis AX and an oblique slope 24 inclined relative to the axis AX. The connection of these two slopes 23 and 24 extending parallel to the inner surface of the short tube body defines the tip 26 of the lug 22, the ends of these slopes being bent at right angles in a direction opposite to the axis AX to be fixed on the inner surface of the short tube 19.

[0071] Preferably, the tip is rounded in shape so as not to damage objects and does not form a portion protruding into the interior of the unit when the short tube is in the empty position.

[0072] This lug 22 projects from the edge 20 to define a tip in the direction of the axis AX, which enables it to fit easily between the two eyelets 6 and 7 while being properly centred between them, even in the event of a positioning deviation when the short tube 19 is placed in its guided position.

[0073] Furthermore, the oblique ramp 24 extending in the lower part allows the objects to be guided towards the bottom of the surface 8 during the transfer process.

[0074] Moreover, if Fig.10 As shown, if some objects 21 are fixed in the inner area of ​​the V-shape defined by the bent bars forming the lugs 22, withdrawing the short tube 19 to place it in the emptying position is sufficient to extract these objects 21 to empty the space between the eyelets 6 and 7 so that the door can close normally.

[0075] In other words, the concave shape of the lug 22 allows objects to be carried along during the withdrawal movement of the short tube 19 without squeezing them.

[0076] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown, the short tube can be provided with a second release lug 27, which is arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis AX corresponding to the axis of rotation of the short tube to the lug 22. The presence of two lugs 22 and 27 thus allows the same short tube to be arranged in any way so that it is located above or below the flange opening when it is in the empty position.

Claims

1. A device for transferring an object from a container containing the object (21) to a unit seal, the device comprising: - a cell flange (2) configured to be fixed to the cell wall (1), and a container flange (3) configured to be mounted on the container, the two flanges (2, 3) being provided with sealing coupling means; - the cell flange (2) is provided with a hinge (13) which is provided with a cell door (14) which can be in a closed state to seal a central opening (16) of the cell flange (2) and in an open state to clear the central opening (16); - the container flange (3) is equipped with a container door (4), the container flange (3) and the container door (4) are equipped with a bayonet connection, which allows the container door (4) to be locked in the container flange (3) to close it or to release the container door (4), the bayonet connection comprising internal holes (6, 7) protruding radially inwardly of the container flange (3); - the unit door (14) and the container door (4) are provided with a device for fixing and separating the container door (4) and the unit door (14); - the unit flange (2) is provided with a short tube (19) which is movable between a guide position, in which it extends the central opening (16) towards the interior of the unit, and an emptying position, in which it is away from the central opening (16) to enable the unit door (14) to be closed; It is characterized in that the short tube (19) comprises a release lug (22, 27) which fits between two holes (6, 7) of the container flange (3) when the short tube (19) is in the guiding position.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the release lugs (22, 27) extend parallel to the axis of rotation (AX) of the short tube (19).

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the release lugs (22, 27) are offset radially inwardly with respect to the inner axisymmetric plane of the short tube (19).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the release lugs (22, 27) are carried by the inner surface of the short tube (19).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the release lug (22, 27) has a free end in the shape of a rounded tip.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the release lug (22, 27) is concave.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the release lug (22, 27) is formed by a bent rod, the two ends of which are fixed to the inner surface of the short tube (19).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the short tube (19) comprises two release lugs (22, 27) which are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry (AX) of the short tube (19).

9. A short tube (19) for transferring objects from a container to a unit seal, characterized in that The short tube (19) is provided with a release lug (22, 27) as defined in one of the preceding claims.

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