Sealing chamber flange for sealing two doors with reduced opening force

Abstract

A seal chamber flange (200) comprising an annular flange body (201) having a main axis (AX) and provided with means for fastening it to a seal chamber wall (100), the flange body (201) defining an inner passage (202), the flange (200) having a seal chamber door (15) that can selectively close the inner passage (202), and a set of outer lugs (203-206) projecting radially inward from a peripheral wall of the flange (200) to form an outer bayonet connection, the seal chamber door comprises a fixed portion (160) and a movable portion (150) mounted concentrically in rotation with respect to each other about a main axis (AX), the fixed portion (160) comprising a set of inner lugs (161-164) capable of forming an internal bayonet connection, and the seal chamber flange (200) further comprising a ring (220) mounted in rotation about the main axis relative to the flange body (200). The shaft (AX), the ring (220) comprising means (156, 157, 227, 228) for rotational connection to the movable door portion (150), the ring (220) being designed to rotate during formation of the external bayonet connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the sealed transfer of objects from a sealed container to a sealed chamber using a double door connection system. Background Art

[0002] In many industrial fields, operations are carried out in closed environments to protect the environment, for example, from radioactive or toxic influences, or to perform these operations in a sterile environment.

[0003] The objects are transferred from the container to the sealed chamber without destroying the seal using a double door connection device, such as those known from documents FR2695343 and US8950624.

[0004] Such an apparatus can be used to package pharmaceuticals: a filling line is then installed in the sealing chamber, and small-sized objects such as bottle caps are transferred into the sealing chamber to feed the line.

[0005] The sealing chamber is provided with a flange which is sealed from the inside by a sealing chamber door mounted on hinges of the flange, and the container is, for example, a bag, wherein the opening is provided with another flange provided with another door.

[0006] The connection consists of the following steps: engaging the flange of the container with the flange of the sealing chamber and rotating the flange of the container around itself, which has the following effects:

[0007] - connecting the two flanges to each other by engaging a first bayonet connection or a flange-flange connection;

[0008] – connecting the two doors to each other by engaging a second bayonet connection or a door-door connection;

[0009] – Separate the vessel door from the vessel flange by disconnecting the third bayonet connection or the flange-door connection.

[0010] Once connected, the seal chamber door is pivoted inwards to open it: the vessel door is then rigidly connected to the seal chamber door via the door-to-door connection and moves together with the seal chamber door to remove it from the vessel flange.

[0011] When the object is transferred, the sealing chamber door can be folded back to the opening carrying the container door.

[0012] The container then rotates itself in the opposite direction, with the following effect:

[0013] – Fasten the container door to the container flange;

[0014] – Disconnect the container door from the sealing chamber door;

[0015] – Disconnect the vessel door from the seal chamber flange.

[0016] In such an arrangement, it is necessary to enter the sealed chamber and perform the following operations from inside the sealed chamber:

[0017] - when connecting the container: unlocking the sealing chamber door located on the sealing chamber flange and pivoting the sealing chamber door on its hinges from its closed position to its inner access release position;

[0018] When disconnecting the container: locking the sealing chamber door from the inside, pivoting the door on its hinges from its position releasing the internal access to its closed position.

[0019] Therefore, these operations require the operator's arms to enter the sealed chamber, which necessitates the use of a device called a "glove box." This device comprises a sealed, flexible sleeve attached to the sealed chamber, with a glove fitted at the end, allowing the operator to operate the components inside the sealed chamber from the outside. However, this device is uncomfortable to operate and makes operations requiring significant force (such as locking / unlocking force) difficult.

[0020] Furthermore, in this device, the operator must apply significant force to rotate the container and its flange relative to the seal chamber flange, thereby coupling or decoupling them. This operation requires overcoming the friction and driving forces of the various bayonet connections and their corresponding seals, and rotating the container through a significant angle. Repeated application of this force can lead to operator fatigue, loss of vigilance, and consequential container connection failures, potentially resulting in rupture of the seal chamber's insulation layer, severely impacting product quality.

[0021] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to remedy this drawback. Summary of the Invention

[0022] To this end, a seal chamber flange is provided. The flange comprises an annular flange body having a main axis and provided with means for connecting the flange body to a seal chamber wall. The flange body defines an internal passageway and includes a seal chamber door capable of selectively sealing the internal passageway. A set of external lugs project radially inward from the peripheral wall of the flange to form an external bayonet connection. The seal chamber door comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion, which are rotatably mounted concentrically about the main axis. The seal chamber flange includes a set of internal lugs capable of forming an internal bayonet connection. The seal chamber flange also includes a ring rotatably mounted relative to the flange body about the main axis. The ring includes means for rotationally connecting with the movable door portion and is arranged to rotate during the external bayonet connection. According to the present invention, the movable portion also includes means for locking the seal chamber door to the flange, the means being selectable between a door locked state and a door unlocked state. The connection means is configured to selectively position between a first coupled state and a second uncoupled state. In the first coupled state, the ring is rigidly coupled to the movable door portion and rotates therewith, thereby changing the state of the door locking means. In the second uncoupled state, the movable door portion is freely rotatable relative to the ring. The rotary connection device is configured to be in a first coupled state when the sealed chamber door completely closes the internal passage, and to be in a second uncoupled state when the sealed chamber door at least partially opens the internal passage.

[0023] According to the invention, therefore, the surface that moves while remaining in contact with the seal is reduced, and the forces for connecting the container to the flange are reduced.

[0024] According to specific, non-exclusive and optional embodiments of the present invention:

[0025] - the ring comprises a rotation stop located in an outer groove defined by at least one outer lug and the outer surface of the ring;

[0026] - the movable part is annular and extends around the fixed part;

[0027] - the means for locking the sealing chamber door to the flange comprises a latch rigidly connected to the movable part, and the flange comprises a locking catch;

[0028] - the means for rotatable connection comprise a finger cooperating with a notch;

[0029] - the sealing chamber door is also rotatably mounted relative to the flange by a hinge, the rotation axis of the hinge being orthogonal to the main axis;

[0030] - the hinge is actuated;

[0031] - the set of inner lugs is rigidly connected to the movable door part;

[0032] - the set of inner lugs is rigidly connected to the fixed door part;

[0033] - the set of inner lugs comprises at least one stopper protruding from the outer surface of the movable part;

[0034] The flange comprises retaining means for securing the container in position in front of the flange.

[0035] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The invention may be better understood on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] - Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sealed chamber provided with a flange according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic front view of the flange of FIG. 1 , wherein the door is shown in a closed state;

[0039] - Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of the outer surface of the flange;

[0040] - Figure 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a container flange and a container door;

[0041] - Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of the flange and container door;

[0042] - Figure 6 A schematic perspective view showing a first step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a sealing chamber flange according to the invention;

[0043] - Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic plan view of the main body;

[0044] - Figure 8 and Figure 7 Same, but with the container door plates erased for ease of illustration;

[0045] - Figure 9 yes Figure 6 A schematic plan rear view of

[0046] - Figure 10 The embodiment of the present invention is shown after the second step of connecting the container flange equipped with the door to the sealing chamber flange according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 Same view;

[0047] - Figure 11The second step is to connect the container flange equipped with the door to the sealing chamber flange according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 Same view;

[0048] - Figure 12 The second step is to connect the container flange equipped with the door to the sealing chamber flange according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 Same view;

[0049] - Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of a final step of opening the connection between the container flange equipped with the door and the sealing chamber flange according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] - Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sealing chamber flange according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] - Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A schematic perspective view of a sealed chamber, wherein the container faces the sealed chamber;

[0052] - Figure 16 yes Figure 14 Schematic front view of the flange with its locking system in the closed state;

[0053] - Figure 17 yes Figure 14 Schematic front view of the flange with its locking system in the open state;

[0054] - Figure 18 yes Figure 14 A schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the connection between the flange and the container;

[0055] - Figure 19 When the sealed chamber door opens the internal passage Figure 18 An overall schematic stereogram of

[0056] - Figure 20 is a schematic perspective view of a sealed chamber provided with a flange according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] - Figure 21 yes Figure 20 Schematic detailed view of the seal chamber flange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] refer to Figures 1 to 3 , the wall 100 of the sealed chamber (not shown) is provided with a sealed chamber flange 200. The sealed chamber flange 200 has an inner surface 4 facing the inside of the sealed chamber provided thereto, and an outer surface 7 facing the outside of the sealed chamber provided thereto.

[0059] The sealing chamber flange 200 comprises an annular flange body 201, the main axis of which is AX, and the flange body 201 is provided with means for connecting it to the wall 100. The flange body 201 defines an internal passage 202. The flange 200 has a sealing chamber door 15, which is capable of selectively sealing the internal passage 202. The sealing chamber flange 200 is provided with a hinge 14 inside the sealing chamber, and the sealing chamber door 15 is mounted on the hinge 14. The sealing chamber door 15 itself is connected to the hinge 14 by an arm 16, the first end of which is rigidly connected to the rotating element of the hinge 14, the body of which is attached to the door. The sealing chamber door 15 also comprises a first square parallelepiped imprint 17, which is recessed from the surface 15.1 of the sealing chamber door 15. The sealing chamber door 15 opens towards the inside of the sealing chamber to release the internal passage 202 of the flange 200, as shown Figure 13 The sealed chamber door 15 can also be folded back onto the inner passage 202 to seal it, which is similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure corresponds to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the hinge 14 extends along an axis AY parallel to the wall 100 and oriented vertically thereto. The flange 200 further comprises a set of four external lugs 203 to 206. Figure 3 Only the lugs 203 , 204 and 206 are visible, which project radially from the inner circumference 207 of the peripheral wall 208 of the flange 200 and enable an external bayonet connection to be formed.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the sealing chamber flange 200 includes a ring 220 which is rotatably mounted relative to the flange body 201 about the axis AX and extends around the door 15. The rotational guidance of the ring 220 on the flange 200 is achieved by a circular slide 221 about the axis AX. The ring 220 includes an outer surface 222, with which the outer lugs 203 to 206 together define four outer grooves 213 to 216, wherein the grooves 213, 214 and 216 are Figure 3 The ring 220 comprises a set of four inner stops 223 to 226 which extend in the grooves 213 to 216 respectively.

[0061] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the sealing chamber door 15 includes an annular movable part 150 and a fixed part 160 connected to the arm 16. The movable part 150 and the fixed part 160 are rotatable concentrically about the axis AX, and the fixed part 160 includes a set of inner lugs 161 to 164 that can form an inner bayonet connection. The movable part 150 includes a double-lip annular seal 152, one of the sealing lips 152.1 pressing against the ring 220. The movable part 150 includes an inner surface 158 facing the interior of the sealing chamber and an outer surface 159 facing the exterior of the sealing chamber. The fixed part 160 includes an inner surface 168 facing the interior of the sealing chamber and an outer surface 169 facing the exterior of the sealing chamber. Therefore, the sealing chamber door 15 includes an inner surface 15.1 facing the interior of the sealing chamber, which inner surface includes the inner surface 158 of the movable part 150 and the inner surface 168 of the fixed part 160. The sealing chamber door 15 further comprises an outer surface 15 . 2 facing the outside of the sealing chamber, which outer surface comprises an outer surface 159 of the movable part 150 and an outer surface 169 of the fixed part 160 .

[0062] The body 201 includes a lock catch 217 protruding from the inner surface 4, while the movable part 150 includes a radially extending latch 155 that cooperates with the lock catch 217 by rotating about the axis AX. A first portion 156 of the latch 155 is received in a first radial notch 227 of the ring 220. The movable part 150 includes another diametrically opposed portion 157, which is received in a second radial notch 228 of the ring 220. Portions 156 and 157 act as transmission fingers that transmit the rotation of the ring 220 to the movable part 150. Thus, the rotation of the ring 220 about the axis AX is transmitted to the movable part 150 via the latch 155.

[0063] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the container flange 3 is annular and comprises a cylindrical inner surface 5 defining an inner channel 6. The inner channel 6 comprises four inner protrusions 10 to 13 which are regularly distributed around the central main axis AX of the container flange 3. Figure 4 Two of the inner projections 10 and 13 are shown, projecting radially toward the axis AX. The surface of projection 10 facing the inner passage 6 includes a truncated cone-shaped indentation 10.1 recessed from the surface. Inner projections 11, 12, and 13 include similar indentations 11.1, 12.1, and 13.1, respectively.

[0064] The container door 30 comprises a rotatable cylindrical body 31 along the axis AX, from which four container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 project outwardly. The body 31 further defines a blind-ended cylindrical recess 32 along the axis AX, which opens at its front face 33. The recess 32 comprises a wall 34 with a set of four radially projecting inner projections 35, 36, 37, and 38 that are capable of forming an inner bayonet connection with the inner lugs 161 to 164 of the sealing chamber door 15. The container door 30 is provided on the container flange 3 and is seated on a double-lip seal (not shown).

[0065] Door 30 also includes a plate 40, which is rotatably mounted relative to body 31 about axis AX. To this end, plate 40 includes an axial cylindrical protrusion 41, which is received in a central cylindrical bearing 39 of body 31. A screw 42, passing through protrusion 41 and bearing 39, rotatably connects plate 40 to a cover 43 located on the front side 33 of body 31. The top of cover 43 is provided with a second square parallelepiped stamp 44, which protrudes from a top surface 45 of cover 43. Second stamp 44 is complementary to first stamp 17. A coil spring 46, inserted between body 31 and cover 43, returns plate 40 to body 31.

[0066] The plate 40 includes a set of four door ears 48, 49, 50 and 51 projecting radially from its periphery 47, which are capable of forming a bayonet door connection with the inner protrusions 10 to 13. Figure 4 As shown, the face of door ear 48 facing body 31 includes a frustoconical dog point 48.1 projecting axially therefrom. Door ears 49, 50 and 51 include similar dog points 49.1, 50.1 and 51.1, respectively.

[0067] The body 31 comprises four outer stops 55 to 58 regularly distributed around the axis AX and projecting radially from the body 31 . Figure 4 The two outer stoppers 56 and 57 can be seen in FIG. The outer stoppers 55 to 58 radially protrude from the circular periphery of the main body 31 so as to be able to engage between two adjacent inner protrusions 10 to 13 of the container flange 3 against which they abut, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 Therefore, the stoppers 55 to 58 lock the rotation of the main body 31 relative to the container flange 3 around the axis AX.

[0068] Optionally, a safety device (not shown) ensures that the latch 155 can only be disengaged from the catch 217 and locked in the locked position when the sealing chamber flange 200 is connected to the container flange 3. Therefore, if the container is not connected to the sealing chamber flange 200 via its container flange 3, the sealing chamber door 15 cannot be opened.

[0069] refer to Figures 6 to 13, connecting the container flange 3 to the sealing chamber 200 consists of the following steps: engaging the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 with the sealing chamber flange 200 so that the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 are located between the outer lugs 203 to 206 of the flange 200 ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this configuration, the inner lugs 161 to 164 of the door 15 extend between the inner protrusions 35 to 38 of the door 30 ( Figure 8 ). The movable part 150 and the fixed part 160 are in Figure 9 The nominal state shown, in which the latch 155 is engaged below the catch 217 to close the sealed chamber door 15. The locking device consisting of the latch 155, its first portion 156 and the catch 217 is in the locked state of the door 15 ( Figure 9 ).

[0070] During the operation of bringing the container flange 3 close to the sealing chamber flange 200 ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 ), the second indentation 44 of the cover 43 is received by the first indentation 17 of the fixed portion of the sealing chamber door 15, thereby rotatably connecting the fixed portion 160 of the sealing chamber door 15 and the plate 40. When the container flange 3 is inserted into the sealing chamber flange 200, the force exerted by the sealing chamber door 15 on the cover 43 overcomes the force of the spring 46, causing the plate 40 to translate relative to the body 31 in a direction parallel to the axis AX. The positioning bosses 48.1, 49.1, 50.1, and 51.1 respectively disengage from the notches 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, and 13.1 of the inner protrusions 10 to 13, allowing the plate 40 to rotate freely relative to the body 31.

[0071] Then, the container 3 rotates around the axis AX - as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, here a thirty degree clockwise rotation is performed - to form the outer bayonet connection and connect the container 3 to the sealing chamber flange 200, and during this movement the following steps take place:

[0072] - The second stamping 44, which engages with the first stamping 17, connects the fixed portion 160 of the sealing chamber door 15 to the plate 40 so that it can rotate about the axis AX. The stops 55 to 58, which are in contact with the inner protrusions 10 to 13, lock the rotation of the main body 31 relative to the container flange 3 about the axis AX. Therefore, during the rotation of the container flange 3 about the axis AX, the plate 40 remains stationary, while the inner protrusions 10 to 13 rotate 30 degrees about the axis AX relative to the door lugs 48 to 51. This causes the lugs 48 to 51 to face the stops 55 to 58, thereby disengaging the door bayonet connection (also called flange-door connection). The container door 30 is then disengaged from the container flange 3 ( Figure 10 );

[0073] - During the rotation of the container flange 3 relative to the door 15, the inner protrusions 35 to 38 of the container door 30 are connected with the inner lugs 161 to 164 of the fixed part 160 of the sealing chamber door 15, forming an inner bayonet connection (also called door-door connection, not shown in the figure). The inner bayonet connection connects the container door 30 to the sealing chamber door 15 ( Figure 11 ).

[0074] - The container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 engage in the grooves 213 to 216 and abut against the inner stoppers 223 to 226 which are driven to move. The inner stoppers 223 to 226 are then rotated 30 degrees clockwise around the axis AX (e.g. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown), the ring 220 is driven to rotate around the axis AX.

[0075] - The rotation of the ring 220 is transmitted to the movable part 150 through the notches 227 and 228; the rotation of the movable part 150 releases the latch 155 from the lock catch 217 ( Figure 12 The locking device consisting of the latch 155, its first part 156 and the lock catch 217 is thus switched to the unlocked state of the door 15 ( Figure 12 ).

[0076] After these operations are completed, the connection between the container door 30 and the sealed chamber door 15 is completed and the sealed chamber door 15 is unlocked. Opening the sealed chamber door 15 can release the internal channel 202 by opening the container door 30 together with it, which is similar to Figures 11 to 13 When the door 15 leaves its closed position (such as Figure 12 220) and at least partially open the channel 202, portions 156 and 157 of the movable portion 150 are disengaged from the notches 227 and 228, respectively, and the movable portion 150 is free to rotate relative to the ring 220.

[0077] Likewise, after the transfer is completed, the sealed chamber door 15 is folded back, and then the movable portion 150 is rotated counterclockwise around the axis AX (eg, Figure 2 and Figure 9 ). This locks the door 15 to the flange 200, disengaging the inner bayonet connection (which disconnects the sealing chamber door 15 from the container door 30) and engaging the door bayonet connection (which connects the container door 30 to the container flange 3). Finally, by acting on the ring 220 to rotate it in a counterclockwise direction, the outer bayonet connection is disengaged and the container flange 3 is disconnected from the sealing chamber flange 200.

[0078] A sealing chamber flange 200 is obtained, the specific arrangement of which enables the total force that the operator needs to apply to overcome the friction caused by the bayonet connection to be significantly reduced by significantly reducing the friction caused by disconnection of the door 30 from the container flange 3 and the friction on the door seal 152.

[0079] In the following description of the second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar components as those described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals as above.

[0080] According to a second embodiment, not shown, the flange 200 comprises a door opening actuator 15 in the form of an electric device of the hinge 14. This door opening actuator makes it possible to selectively move the door 15 between a position sealing the internal passage 202 and a position releasing the internal passage 202, without requiring intervention from inside the sealed chamber.

[0081] according to Figures 14 to 19 In the third embodiment shown, the fixed portion 160 is annular and extends around the movable portion 150. In this case, the peripheral wall 208 is rigidly connected to a ring 220, which includes two handles 230 and 231 extending outside the sealing chamber. In this case, the inner lugs 161 to 164 are rigidly connected to the movable portion 150. The stamping 17 is formed in the movable portion 150. The ring 220 is housed in an annular recess 210 of the flange 200, which is defined by two concentric annular elements 211 and 212 of the flange 200, which are rigidly connected by four arms 218 that are flush with the inner surface 4 of the flange 200.

[0082] like Figure 16 As shown, the ring 220 includes two radial notches 227 and 228 that receive diametrically opposed portions 156 and 157, respectively, extending radially from the movable portion 150 opposite the inner surface 4 of the flange 200 in the form of a first arm 156.1 and a second arm 157.1. The latch 155 is also rigidly connected to a third arm 155.1 that extends radially from the movable portion 150 opposite the inner surface 4 of the flange 200.

[0083] During the operation of bringing the container flange 3 close to the sealing chamber flange 200 ( Figure 15 ), the second indentation 44 of the cover 43 is received by the first indentation 17 of the movable portion 150 of the sealing chamber door 15, thereby rotatably connecting the movable portion 150 of the sealing chamber door 15 to the plate 40. When the container flange 3 is inserted into the sealing chamber flange 200, the force exerted by the sealing chamber door 15 on the cover 43 overcomes the force of the spring 46, causing the plate 40 to translate relative to the body 31 in a direction parallel to the axis AX. The positioning bosses 48.1, 49.1, 50.1, and 51.1 respectively disengage from the notches 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, and 13.1 of the inner protrusions 10 to 13, and the plate 40 can then rotate freely relative to the body 31.

[0084] The ring 220 is then rotated about the axis AX using the handles 230 and 231 - as shown Figures 15 to 17A thirty degree clockwise rotation is shown - to form the outer bayonet connection and connect the container 3 to the sealing chamber flange 200, and during this rotational movement the following steps occur:

[0085] - The second stamp 44 that engages with the first stamp 17 connects the movable part 150 of the sealed chamber door 15 to the plate 40 rotatably around the axis AX. The stops 55 to 58 in contact with the inner protrusions 10 to 13 lock the rotation of the main body 31 relative to the container flange 3 around the axis AX. The rotational movement of the ring 220 around the axis AX is transmitted to the movable part 150 through the notches 227 and 228. The rotation of the movable part 150 then causes the plate 40 to rotate around the axis AX. The inner protrusions 10 to 13 remain stationary, and the plate 40 rotates 30 degrees around the axis AX relative to the door lugs 48 to 51. This causes the lugs 48 to 51 to face the stops 55 to 58, thereby disconnecting the door bayonet connection (also called flange-door connection). Subsequently, the container door 30 is disconnected from the container flange 3;

[0086] During the rotation of the ring 220 relative to the door 15, the inner lugs 161 to 164 of the movable part 150 of the sealing chamber door 15 connect with the inner protrusions 35 to 38 of the container door 30, thereby forming an inner bayonet connection (also called door-door connection, not shown in the figure). The inner bayonet connection rigidly connects the container door 30 to the sealing chamber door 15 ( Figure 18 ).

[0087] - The rotation of the ring 220 also causes the grooves 213 to 216 to rotate relative to the container 3 about the axis AX, which causes the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 to engage in the grooves 213 and 216, thereby forming an external bayonet connection, also called a flange-flange connection, between the container 3 and the sealing chamber flange 200 ( Figure 18 );

[0088] - The rotation of the ring 220 is transmitted to the movable part 150 through the notches 227 and 228. The movable part 150 rotates about the axis Ax, releasing the latch 155 from the catch 217 ( Figure 16 and Figure 17 The locking device consisting of the latch 155 and the lock catch 217 is thus switched to the unlocked state of the door 15 ( Figure 17 ).

[0089] After these operations are completed, the connection between the container door 30 and the sealed chamber door 15 is completed and the sealed chamber door 15 is unlocked. The sealed chamber door 15 can be opened by opening the container door 30 together with the container door 30 to release the internal channel 202, which is similar to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 When the door 15 leaves its closed position (such as Figure 16220) and at least partially open the channel 202, the portions 156 and 157 of the movable portion 150 are disengaged from the notches 227 and 228, respectively, and the movable portion 150 is free to rotate relative to the ring 220 ( Figure 19 ).

[0090] In the same manner, when the transfer is completed, the sealed chamber door 15 is folded back and then the ring 220 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the axis AX using the handles 230 and 231 (eg, Figure 15 ). This locks the door 15 to the flange 200, disconnects the inner bayonet connection (which disconnects the seal chamber door 15 from the container door 30), and engages the door bayonet connection (which connects the container door 30 to the container flange 3). Finally, the outer bayonet connection is disconnected, and the container flange 3 is disconnected from the seal chamber flange 200.

[0091] according to Figure 20 and Figure 21 In the fourth embodiment shown, the movable part 150 is provided with an imprint 17 and the inner lugs 161 to 164 comprise stops 170 projecting from the outer surface 7 of the flange 200 , more specifically from the outer surface 151 of the movable part 150 .

[0092] According to this fourth embodiment, when the sealing chamber flange 200 is connected to a container 3 of a known type, if the door 30 of the container does not have any plate 40 and stamping 44, the door 30 can be separated from the container 3 by rotating the door 30 relative to the container 3. This rotation is due to the abutment of the stopper 170 on the inner protrusions 35, 36, 37 and 38, which then rotates the door 30 about the axis Ax to disconnect the inner bayonet connection.

[0093] According to a fifth embodiment, not shown, the flange 200 comprises a retainer connected to the outer surface 7 of the flange 200. The retainer is arranged to receive the container flange 3 and to hold the container flange 3 in place during the step of rotating the ring 220.

[0094] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but covers any alternative embodiment coming within the ambit of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0095] In particular,

[0096] - Although the embossing here is a parallelepiped with a square cross-section, the present invention is also applicable to other types of embossing patterns, such as other forms of quadrilateral patterns, such as rectangles, diamonds or any shape. The embossing can also adopt a triangular or polygonal pattern. The embossing can optionally protrude or be recessed from the top surface of the cover;

[0097] - Although the coupling device herein comprises a square stamping for cooperating with an equivalent stamping on the container door, the invention is also applicable to other types of coupling devices accessible from the front of the door, for example, devices that do not require modification of the sealed chamber door and in which the coupling is effected by friction using a friction disc mounted on the cover;

[0098] - Although the outer lugs herein comprise truncated cone-shaped positioning bosses, the present invention is also applicable to other types of devices for locking flange door connections, such as cylindrical positioning bosses or any other type of axially protruding protrusions or axially recessed parallelepipeds or indentations of any shape;

[0099] - Although the container here includes a coil spring, the present invention is also applicable to other types of reset devices, which can be elastic reset devices, such as elastic blocks, Belleville spring washers, or reset devices without elastic elements, such as magnets;

[0100] - Although the outer lugs herein comprise truncated cone-shaped positioning bosses, the present invention is also applicable to other types of devices for locking the flange-door bayonet connection, such as cylindrical positioning bosses or any other type of axially protruding protrusions or axially recessed parallelepipeds or indentations of any shape;

[0101] - Although the body here comprises four external stops, the invention is also applicable to other types of locking the body against rotation, such as a single stop;

[0102] - Although the operations of connecting and disconnecting the container and the sealing chamber flange require the container and the sealing chamber flange to be rotated relative to each other by sixty degrees, the present invention is also applicable to other angular amplitude values, such as an amplitude of thirty degrees;

[0103] - Although the flange here includes a retaining bracket, the present invention is also applicable to other types of retaining devices for fixing the container in place in front of the flange, such as magnets or devices for clamping the container flange;

[0104] - Although the ring is rotated thirty degrees to form an external bayonet connection, the present invention is also applicable to other rotation amplitudes of the ring, such as less than thirty degrees, sixty degrees or any value;

[0105] - Although the door is here rotatably mounted relative to the flange, the invention is also applicable to a door which is freely mounted relative to the flange and the sealing chamber;

[0106] - although the container door herein comprises a detachable plate and means for rotatably coupling the plate, the present invention is also applicable to container connection devices made as a single-piece container door, such as those known in the prior art, in which there is no plate;

[0107] - Although the movable part here comprises a latch, the invention is also applicable to other means of locking the door to the flange, such as a magnetic lock, a roller or a pin inserted into a hole;

[0108] - although the outer flange comprises a set of four outer lugs, the invention is also applicable to flanges in which the set of outer lugs comprises a different number of lugs, for example two, three or more than four outer lugs;

[0109] - Although the movable part is located inside the fixed part here, the present invention is also applicable to other types of configurations, such as the movable part being located outside the fixed part;

[0110] - Although the flange here comprises two notches in the ring and two fingers rigidly connected to the movable part, the invention is also applicable to other types of devices for rotatably connecting the ring to the movable part of the door, such as a finger rigidly connected to the movable part 150, which cooperates with a notch in the latch 155 or one or more stops located on the ring or the movable part; a single finger or more than two fingers;

[0111] - although in this case the ring is received in an annular recess whose two wall-defining elements are connected by the inner surface of a flange, the invention is also applicable to other types of recesses for receiving a ring, for example recesses defined by two elements connected by arms extending through a hole in the ring;

[0112] -While the flange herein includes a retaining frame, the present invention is also applicable to other types of retaining devices for holding a container in place in front of the flange, such as magnets, devices that use vacuum to hold the container flange relative to the sealing chamber flange, or devices that clamp the container flange to the sealing chamber flange.

Claims

1. A sealing chamber flange (200), comprising an annular flange body (201) having a main axis (AX), and provided with means for attaching it to a wall (100) of a sealing chamber, the flange body (201) defining an internal passage (202), the flange (200) having a sealing chamber door (15) capable of selectively sealing the internal passage (202) and a set of external lugs (203-206) projecting radially inwardly from a peripheral wall (208) of the flange (200) to form an external bayonet connection, the sealing chamber door comprising a plurality of flanges arranged relative to each other about the main axis. The invention relates to a sealing chamber flange comprising a fixed part (160) and a movable part (150) which are rotatably mounted concentrically about a main axis (AX), the sealing chamber flange comprising a set of inner lugs (161-164) capable of forming an inner bayonet connection, and the sealing chamber flange (200) further comprising a ring (220) rotatably mounted relative to the flange body (200) about the main axis (AX), the ring (220) comprising connecting means (156, 157, 227, 228) for rotatably connecting to the movable part (150) of the door, the ring (220) being arranged to rotate during formation of the outer bayonet connection, in, The movable part (150) comprises a locking device (156) for locking the sealing chamber door (15) to the flange (200), the locking device being capable of adopting a door locked state and a door unlocked state, and The connecting means (156, 157, 227, 228) are arranged to selectively adopt a first coupled state in which the ring (220) is rigidly connected to the movable portion (150) of the door so as to rotate with the movable portion (150) and thereby change the state of the locking means (156) of the sealed chamber door (15), and a second uncoupled state in which the movable portion (150) of the door is free to rotate relative to the ring (220). The rotary connection means (156, 157, 227, 228) is arranged to be in the first coupled state when the sealed chamber door (15) completely seals the internal passage (202), and to be in the second uncoupled state when the sealed chamber door (15) at least partially opens the internal passage (202).

2. The flange (200) of claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall (208) is rigidly connected to the ring (220).

3. The flange (200) according to claim 1, wherein the ring (220) includes rotation stops (223-226) located in an outer groove (213-216) defined by at least one outer lug (203-206) and an outer surface (222) of the ring (220).

4. The flange (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The movable portion (150) is annular and extends around the fixed portion (160).

5. The flange (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The fixed portion (160) is annular and extends around the movable portion (150).

6. A flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (156) for locking the sealing chamber door (15) to the flange (200) comprises a latch (155) rigidly connected to the movable part (150), and the flange (200) comprises a locking catch (217).

7. Flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable connection means (156, 157, 227, 228) comprises fingers (156, 157) cooperating with notches (227, 228).

8. The flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The set of inner lugs (161-164) are rigidly connected to the movable portion (150) of the door.

9. The flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The set of inner lugs (161-164) are rigidly connected to the fixed portion (160) of the door.

10. The flange (200) according to claim 9, wherein: The set of inner lugs (161-164) includes at least one stopper (170) protruding from the outer surface (7) of the movable portion (150) of the door.

11. Flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising holding means for holding in place a container (3) located in front of the flange (200).

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