Improved chamber flange for sealing transfer system

Abstract

A chamber flange (200) comprising an annular flange body (201) having a main axis (AX), said flange body (201) being provided with means for attachment to a chamber wall (100) and defining an internal passage (202); the chamber flange (200) is provided with a chamber door (15) capable of selectively closing the internal channel (202); the chamber flange (200) further comprises a ring (210) rotatable relative to the flange body (201) about the main axis (AX), the ring (210) being provided with outer lugs (212 to 215) projecting radially from its inner periphery (216), the outer lugs being able to form an outer bayonet connection; the chamber door (15) comprises a fixed part (150) and a movable part (160) which are concentrically rotatable about the main axis (AX), the movable part (160) being provided with inner lugs (161 to 164) capable of forming an inner bayonet connection.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In various industrial fields, tasks are performed in closed environments in order to protect the environment from, for example, radioactive or toxic influences, or in a sterile environment.

[0003] Transferring the objects from the container to the chamber without damaging the seal is performed using a double-door connection device, such as those known from documents FR2695343 and US8950624.

[0004] Such a device can be used to package pharmaceutical products: in this case, a filling line is installed in the chamber and small-sized objects such as bottle caps are transferred into the chamber to supply this line.

[0005] The chamber is provided with an annular chamber flange having a main axis defining an inner passage sealed from the inside by a door mounted on hinges equipped with the flange, while the container, such as a bag, has an opening provided with a container flange equipped with another door.

[0006] The connection consists in engaging the flange of the container into the flange of the chamber and pivoting it on itself, which produces the following effects:

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

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

[0009] The door of the container is disconnected from the flange of the container by disengaging the third bayonet connection or the flange-door connection.

[0010] After connection, the chamber door is pivoted inwards to open it: the container door is now rigidly connected to the chamber door via the door-door connection, which is taken along with the chamber door to remove it from the container flange.

[0011] When the object is transferred, the chamber door and the container door it carries can be folded back to rest against the opening.

[0012] The container then pivots on itself in the opposite direction, which has the following effect:

[0013] Secure the vessel door to the vessel flange;

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

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

[0016] The connection operation requires rotating the container flange around its main axis, which presents several problems. When the container is a flexible bag, the operator must support and handle the bag's contents so that they follow the flange's rotation. The bag's contents could potentially damage the bag during this movement. If the operator fails to handle the bag's contents correctly, a "bump" can form on the bag near the container flange, potentially damaging the bag. Furthermore, using this flange system, it is impossible to supply delicate or fragile objects to the chamber using a bag. Such objects are then stored in containers equipped with internal brackets that decouple the bracket and container's rotation around their main axis. Such devices are costly, prone to failure, and significantly reduce the available storage volume in the container, necessitating an increased number of connection / disconnection sequences between the container and the chamber, which in turn increases the risk of connection failures.

[0017] The object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of the connection between a chamber and a container using a double-door bayonet system. Summary of the Invention

[0018] To this end, a chamber flange is provided, comprising an annular flange body having a main axis and provided with means for attaching the flange body to a chamber wall, the flange body defining an interior passage, the chamber flange having a door capable of selectively sealing the interior passage. According to the invention, the chamber flange further comprises a ring rotatably mounted relative to the flange body about the main axis, the ring including a set of external lugs radially extending from the inner periphery of the ring, the external lugs being capable of forming an external bayonet connection. The door comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion, the fixed portion and the movable portion being rotatably mounted concentrically relative to each other about the main axis, the movable portion including a set of internal lugs capable of forming an internal bayonet connection.

[0019] Thus, a chamber flange is obtained that can engage an external bayonet connection by rotating the flange rather than the container, thereby reducing the rotation amplitude of the container. By reducing or even eliminating the rotation of the container relative to the chamber flange, the overall reliability of the connection is improved.

[0020] According to specific, non-exclusive and optional embodiments of the present invention:

[0021] The fixed portion is an annular portion that defines an interior recess for accommodating the movable portion.

[0022] The movable part also comprises means for locking the door to the flange.

[0023] The means for locking the door to the flange comprise a latch rigidly connected to the movable part, and the flange comprises a catch.

[0024] The door comprises a rotatable coupling device separate from the inner bayonet connection for transmitting the rotation of the movable part.

[0025] The flange includes a portion of an actuator for actuating the movable portion to rotate relative to the fixed portion, and / or an opening actuator for selectively moving the door between an interior passage sealing position and an interior passage releasing position.

[0026] The flange includes retaining means for holding in place a container placed in front of the flange.

[0027] The ring comprises means for rotatably connecting to the movable door portion, the connecting means being arranged to selectively adopt a first coupled state and a second uncoupled state, wherein in the first coupled state the ring is rigidly connected to the movable door portion so as to rotate therewith, and in the second uncoupled state the movable door portion is free to rotate relative to the ring, the rotatable connecting means being arranged to be in the first coupled state when the chamber door completely seals the interior passage, and to be in the second uncoupled state when the chamber door at least partially opens the interior passage.

[0028] A set of inner lugs includes at least one stop projecting from an outer surface of the movable door portion.

[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a chamber equipped with a flange according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a schematic front view of the flange shown with the door shown closed;

[0033] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a schematic half-section view of the flange and vessel flange shown;

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a container flange and a container door;

[0035] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of the flange and container door shown;

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 a schematic partial perspective view of the flange and container door shown;

[0037] Figure 7is a schematic perspective view of a first step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a chamber flange according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a second step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a chamber flange according to the present invention;

[0039] Figure 9 is a schematic front view of a third step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a chamber flange according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a chamber flange according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 11 is a schematic front view of a fifth step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a chamber flange according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of a sixth step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a chamber flange according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a chamber flange according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 a schematic perspective view of the chamber flange shown with the container positioned in front of it;

[0045] Figure 15 yes Figure 13 a schematic front view of the flange shown, with its locking system shown in its closed position;

[0046] Figure 16 yes Figure 13 a schematic front view of the flange shown, with its locking system shown in its open position;

[0047] Figure 17 yes Figure 13 a schematic cutaway perspective view of a flange shown connected to a container;

[0048] Figure 18 When the chamber door opens the internal passage Figure 17 a schematic perspective view of the whole shown;

[0049] Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view of a chamber equipped with a flange according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 20 yes Figure 19Schematic detail of the chamber flange shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the wall 100 of the chamber (not shown) is equipped with a chamber flange 200. The chamber flange 200 has an inner surface 4 facing the interior of the chamber it is equipped with, and an outer surface 7 facing the exterior of the chamber it is equipped with.

[0052] The chamber flange 200 comprises an annular flange body 201 having a main axis AX, and the annular flange body 201 is provided with means for attaching it to the wall 100. The flange body 201 defines an internal channel 202. The flange 200 has a chamber door 15 capable of selectively sealing the internal channel 202. The chamber flange 200 is provided with a hinge 14 inside the chamber, on which the chamber door 15 is mounted. The chamber door 15 itself is connected to the hinge 14 by an arm 16, which has a first end of a rotating element rigidly connected to the hinge 14 and a body attached to the door. The chamber door 15 also comprises a first square parallelepiped stamped portion 17, which is formed by recessing from the surface 15.1 of the chamber door 15. The chamber door 15 opens towards the inside of the chamber to open the internal channel 202 of the flange 200, as shown in Figure 12 The chamber door 15 may also occupy a position folded back on the inner passage 202 to seal it, which corresponds to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of . Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the hinge 14 extends along an axis AY which is parallel to the wall 100 and which is oriented here vertically.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG, chamber flange 200 includes a ring 210 that is rotatably mounted relative to flange body 201 about axis AX. Here, the rotational guidance of ring 210 on flange 200 is achieved by a circular guide 211 about axis AX. Ring 210 includes a set of four external lugs 212 to 215 that radially protrude from an inner periphery 216 of ring 210 and enable formation of an external bayonet connection, also known as a flange-to-flange connection.

[0054] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in FIG, the chamber door 15 includes an annular fixed portion 150 defining an internal recess 151 for accommodating a movable portion 160. The fixed portion 150 and the movable portion 160 are rotatably mounted concentrically relative to each other about an axis AX, and the movable portion 160 includes a set of internal lugs 161 to 164 capable of forming an internal bayonet connection. The fixed portion 150 includes an annular double-lip seal 152.

[0055] like Figure 1As can be seen in FIG, the recess 151 is a through recess, that is, it passes through the chamber door 15 to communicate the inside and outside of the chamber.

[0056] The flange body 201 includes a latch 203 protruding from the inner surface 4 , and the movable portion 160 includes a latch 165 radially overhanging the fixed portion 150 to cooperate with the latch 203 by rotating about the axis AX.

[0057] The container flange 3 is annular and includes a cylindrical inner surface 5 defining an inner channel 6. The inner channel 6 includes four inner fins 10 to 13 regularly distributed around the central main axis AX of the container flange 3. Two of these inner fins, 10 and 13, are shown in FIG. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , these inner tabs 10 to 13 project radially toward the axis AX. The surface of tab 10 facing the internal passage 6 includes a truncated pyramidal recess 10.1 formed by a depression therein. Inner tabs 11, 12, and 13 include similar recesses 11.1, 12.1, and 13.1, respectively. The container flange 3 includes four container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 that project outwardly from the outer surface 8 of the container flange 3.

[0058] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the container door 30 comprises a cylinder 31 of revolution along an axis AX. The cylinder 31 further defines a blind cylindrical recess 32 with an axis AX, which opens at its front surface 33. The recess 32 comprises a wall 34 with a set of four radially projecting inner tabs 35, 36, 37 and 38 capable of forming an inner bayonet connection with the inner lugs 161 to 164 of the chamber door 15. The container flange 3 is provided with the container door 30, which rests on a double-lip seal 3.10.

[0059] The door 30 also includes a plate 40 that is rotatably mounted relative to the cylinder 31 about the axis AX. To this end, the plate 40 includes an axial cylindrical protrusion 41 that is received in a central cylindrical bearing 39 of the cylinder 31. A screw 42 passes through the protrusion 41 and the bearing 39, rotatably connecting the plate 40 to a cover 43 located on one side of the front surface 33 of the cylinder 31. The cover 43 is provided with a second square parallelepiped stamped portion 44 at its top, which protrudes from the top surface 45 of the cover 43. The second stamped portion 44 is complementary to the first stamped portion 17. A coil spring 46 inserted between the cylinder 31 and the cover 43 returns the plate 40 to the cylinder 31.

[0060] The plate 40 comprises on its peripheral edge 47 a set of four radially projecting door lugs 48, 49, 50 and 51 capable of forming a door bayonet connection with the inner lugs 10 to 13. Figure 4As shown in FIG, the surface of the door lug 48 facing the cylindrical body 31 includes a truncated pyramidal positioning tongue 48.1 protruding axially from the surface. The door lugs 49, 50 and 51 include similar positioning tongues 49.1, 50.1 and 51.1 respectively.

[0061] The cylindrical body 31 comprises four regularly distributed outer stops 55 to 58 projecting radially from the cylindrical body 31 around the axis AX. Two of these outer stops, 56 and 57, are shown in FIG. Figure 4 middle.

[0062] The outer stops 55 to 58 radially protrude from the circular outer periphery of the cylindrical body 31 so as to be able to engage between two adjacent inner tabs 10 to 13 of the container flange 3 and bear against them, as in Figure 6 The stops 55 to 58 thus lock the rotation of the cylinder 31 relative to the container flange 3 about the axis AX.

[0063] Optionally, a safety device (not shown in the figures) ensures that the latch 165 can only be disengaged from the catch 203 and locked in the locked position when the connection between the chamber flange 200 and the container flange 3 is engaged. Thus, it is not possible to open the chamber door 15 without a container connected to the chamber flange 200 via its container flange 3.

[0064] Reference Figures 7 to 12 , connecting the container flange 3 to the chamber comprises engaging the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 into the chamber flange 200, thereby placing the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 between the outer lugs 212 to 215 of the ring 210 ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 ). Then, the ring 210 is pivoted about the axis AX - here as Figure 9 Thirty degrees of rotation in the clockwise direction is shown - to form an external bayonet connection and connect the container 3 to the chamber flange 200. During the operation of bringing the container flange 3 close to the chamber flange 200 ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 ), the second stamped portion 44 of the cover 43 is received in the first stamped portion 17 of the chamber door 15, thereby rotatably coupling the chamber door 15 and the plate 40. When the container flange 3 is inserted into the chamber flange 200, the chamber door 15 exerts a force on the cover 43 against the bearing force of the spring 46, causing the plate 40 to translate relative to the cylindrical body 31 in a direction parallel to the axis AX. The positioning tongues 48.1, 49.1, 50.1, and 51.1 are removed from the recesses 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, and 13.1, respectively, allowing the plate 40 to rotate freely relative to the cylindrical body 31.

[0065] Then, a rotational motion (here, as Figure 2 and Figure 10Sixty degrees of counterclockwise rotation is shown), and during this rotational motion, the following steps occur:

[0066] The inner lugs 161 to 164 of the chamber door 15 cooperate with the inner tabs 35 to 38 of the container door 30 to engage an inner bayonet connection, also known as a door-to-door connection, not shown in the drawings. The inner bayonet connection connects the container door 30 to the chamber door 15;

[0067] The second stamping 44, which engages in the first stamping 17, connects the movable part 160 of the chamber door 15 to the plate 40 so that it can rotate about the axis AX. The stops 55 to 58 come into contact with the inner tabs 10 to 13, locking the rotation of the cylinder 31 relative to the container flange 3 about the axis AX. Therefore, during the rotational movement of the movable part 160 about the axis AX, the rotation of the movable part 160 is transmitted to the plate 40, which rotates relative to the cylinder 31 about the axis AX. This causes the lugs 48 to 51 to be brought into a position facing the stops 55 to 58, thereby disengaging the door bayonet connection, also known as the flange-door connection. The container door 30 is then disconnected from the container flange 3 ( Figure 11 );

[0068] The movable portion 160 is rotated about the axis AX to release the latch 165 from the latch 203 ( Figure 10 ).

[0069] After these operations, the coupling of the container door 30 to the chamber door 15 is completed, and the chamber door 15 is unlocked. Opening the chamber door 15 can open the internal passage 202 and take the container door 30 with it, which corresponds to Figure 12 The scene in.

[0070] Similarly, when the transfer is completed, the chamber door 15 is first folded back, and then a clockwise rotation around the axis AX is applied to the movable portion 160 (eg, Figure 2 and Figure 10 ). This has the following effects: it locks the door 15 to the flange 200, disengages the inner bayonet connection - which disconnects the chamber door 15 and the container door 30 - and engages the door bayonet connection - which connects the container door 30 to the container flange 3. Finally, by acting on the ring 210 to rotate it in the counterclockwise direction, the outer bayonet connection is disengaged and the container flange 3 is decoupled from the chamber flange 200.

[0071] Thus, a chamber flange 200 is obtained, the specific arrangement of which avoids the need to apply a rotational movement to the container in order to connect it to the chamber. Thus, by avoiding the need to twist the flexible bag or use a rotatably mounted bracket in a rigid container, the risk of failure in the connection between the container and the chamber is reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the chamber flange according to the present invention compared to existing flanges.

[0072] Elements that are the same as or similar to those described above will be marked with the same reference numerals in the following description of the second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention.

[0073] According to a second embodiment, not shown, the flange 200 comprises a partial actuator for actuating the rotation of the movable part 160 relative to the fixed part 150. Such a partial actuator may take the form of a rotary gear motor placed between the fixed part 150 and the movable part 160. This partial actuator may also take the form of a linear actuator extending between the latch 165 and the fixed part 150.

[0074] According to a third embodiment, not shown, the flange 200 comprises a door opening actuator 15 in the form of a motorized hinge 14. Such a door opening actuator makes it possible to selectively move the door 15 between a position sealing the interior passage 202 and a position releasing the interior passage 202 without requiring intervention from inside the chamber.

[0075] According to a fourth embodiment not shown, the flange 200 comprises a retaining bracket connected to the outer surface 7 of the flange 200. This bracket is arranged to receive the container flange 3 during the steps of rotating the ring 210 and to hold it in place.

[0076] According to the Figures 13 to 18 In the fifth embodiment, the ring 210 comprises two handles 230 and 231 extending outside the chamber. The ring 210 is housed in an annular recess 220 of the flange 200, defined by two concentric annular elements 221 and 222 of the flange 200, rigidly connected by four arms 218 flush with the inner surface 4 of the flange 200. The ring 210 thus passes through the door 15.

[0077] like Figure 15 As can be seen in the drawing, the portion of the ring 210 that projects from the inner surface 4 of the chamber flange 200 comprises two radial recesses 227 and 228 that accommodate diametrically opposed portions 166 and 167, respectively, extending from the movable portion 160 in the form of first and second arms 166.1 and 167.1, radially facing the inner surface 4 of the flange 200. The latch 165 is also rigidly connected to a third arm 165.1 that extends from the movable portion 160 radially facing the inner surface 4 of the flange 200.

[0078] During the operation of bringing the container flange 3 close to the chamber flange 200 ( Figure 15), the second stamped portion 44 of the cover 43 is received in the first stamped portion 17 of the movable portion 160 of the chamber door 15, thereby rotatably coupling the fixed portion 160 of the chamber door 15 and the plate 40. When the container flange 3 is inserted into the chamber flange 200, the chamber door 15 exerts a force on the cover 43 against the bearing force of the spring 46, causing the plate 40 to translate relative to the cylindrical body 31 in a direction parallel to the axis AX. The positioning tongues 48.1, 49.1, 50.1, and 51.1 are respectively removed from the recesses 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, and 13.1 of the inner tabs 10 to 13, thereby allowing the plate 40 to rotate freely relative to the cylindrical body 31.

[0079] Then, using handles 230 and 231, the ring 210 is pivoted about the axis AX - here as shown Figure 13 and Figure 15 A thirty degree clockwise rotation is shown - to form the outer bayonet connection and connect the container 3 to the chamber flange 200, and during this rotational movement the following steps occur:

[0080] The second stamping 44, which engages in the first stamping 17, connects the movable part 160 of the chamber door 15 rotatably to the plate 40 about the axis AX. The stops 55 to 58 come into contact with the inner tabs 10 to 13, locking the rotation of the cylinder 31 relative to the container flange 3 about the axis AX. The rotational movement of the ring 210 about the axis AX is transmitted to the movable part 160 via the recesses 227 and 228. The rotation of the movable part 160 then causes the plate 40 to rotate about the axis AX. The inner tabs 10 to 13 remain stationary, while the plate 40 rotates thirty degrees about the axis AX relative to the door lugs 48 to 51. This causes the lugs 48 to 51 to be brought into a position facing the stops 55 to 58, thereby disengaging the door bayonet connection, also known as the flange-door connection. The container door 30 is then disconnected from the container flange 3;

[0081] During the rotation of the ring 210 relative to the door 15, the inner lugs 161 to 164 of the movable portion 160 of the chamber door 15 connect with the inner tabs 35 to 38 of the container door 30 to engage an inner bayonet connection, also called a door-to-door connection, not shown in the drawings. The inner bayonet connection rigidly connects the container door 30 to the chamber door 15 ( Figure 18 );

[0082] The rotation of the ring 210 also causes the grooves 212 to 215 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 212 and 215, thereby forming an external bayonet connection, also called a flange-flange connection, between the container 3 and the chamber flange 200 ( Figure 18 );

[0083] The rotation of the ring 210 is transmitted to the movable part 160 through the notches 227 and 228. Rotating the movable part 160 about the axis AX releases the latch 165 from the catch 203 ( Figure 16 The locking device consisting of the latch 165 and the latch 203 is then switched to the unlocked state of the door 15 ( Figure 16 ).

[0084] After these operations, the coupling of the container door 30 to the chamber door 15 is completed, and the chamber door 15 is unlocked. Opening the chamber door 15 can open the internal passage 202 and take the container door 30 with it, which corresponds to Figure 18 When the door 15 leaves its closed position (shown in FIG. Figure 16 ) to at least partially open the passage 202, portions 166 and 167 of the movable portion 160 are disengaged from the notches 227 and 228, respectively, and the movable portion 160 is free to rotate relative to the ring 210 ( Figure 18 ).

[0085] Likewise, when the transfer is complete, the chamber door 15 is first folded back, and then the handles 230 and 231 are used to apply a counterclockwise rotation about the axis AX to the ring 210 (e.g., Figure 15 ). This has the following effects: it locks the door 15 to the flange 200, disengages the inner bayonet connection, which disconnects the chamber door 15 and 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 disengaged, and the container flange 3 is decoupled from the chamber flange 200.

[0086] According to the Figure 19 and Figure 20 In the sixth embodiment, the movable portion 160 is provided with the stamped portion 17 , and the inner lugs 161 to 164 include a stopper 170 protruding from the outer surface 7 of the flange 200 , more specifically, from the outer surface 168 of the movable portion 160 .

[0087] According to this sixth embodiment, when the chamber flange 200 is connected to a container 3 of known type whose door 30 lacks any plate 40 and stamping 44, the door 30 is decoupled from the container 3 by rotating the door 30 relative to the container 3. This rotation is caused by the bearing of the stop 170 on the internal tabs 35, 36, 37 and 38, which then rotate the door 30 about the axis AX in order to disconnect the internal bayonet connection between the container door and the container flange.

[0088] 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.

[0089] In particular,

[0090] Although the embossing portion herein is a parallelepiped with a square cross-section, the present invention is also applicable to other types of embossing portion patterns, such as other versions of a quadrilateral pattern, such as a rectangle, a diamond or any shape. The embossing portion may also adopt a triangular or polygonal pattern. The embossing portion is preferably protruding from or recessed in the top surface of the cover.

[0091] Although the coupling device herein comprises a square stamped portion intended to cooperate with an equivalent stamped portion of the container door, the invention is also applicable to other types of coupling devices accessible from the front surface of the door body, such as a device that does not require modification of the chamber door and in which the coupling is performed frictionally by means of a friction disk mounted on the cover;

[0092] Although the external lugs herein comprise truncated pyramidal locating tongues, the invention is also applicable to other types of means for locking the flange-door connection, such as cylindrical locating tongues or any other type of axially protruding protrusions or axially recessed parallelepiped recesses or recesses of any shape;

[0093] Although the container herein comprises a coil spring, the present invention is also applicable to other types of reset means, which may be a reset means of the elastic type, such as an elastic block, a Belleville washer, or a reset means without an elastic element, such as a magnet;

[0094] Although the external lugs herein comprise truncated pyramidal locating tongues, the invention is also applicable to other types of means for locking the flange-door connection, such as cylindrical locating tongues or any other type of axially protruding protrusions or axially recessed parallelepiped recesses or recesses of any shape;

[0095] Although the cylinder here comprises four outer stops, the invention is also applicable to other types of means for locking the cylinder against rotation, such as a single stop;

[0096] Although the operations herein for connecting and disconnecting the container and the chamber flange require a relative rotation between the container and the chamber flange of an amplitude of sixty degrees, the present invention is also applicable to other angular amplitude values, such as an amplitude of thirty degrees;

[0097] Although the flange herein includes a retaining bracket, the present invention is also applicable to other types of retaining devices intended to hold in place a container placed in front of the flange, such as magnets, devices that hold the container flange relative to the chamber flange by vacuum, or devices that snap the container flange onto the chamber flange;

[0098] Although the ring is rotated thirty degrees here 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;

[0099] Although the container door herein comprises a removable plate and means for rotatably coupling the plate, the present invention is also applicable to container connections in which the container door is one-piece, without a plate as is known in the prior art;

[0100] Although the movable part here comprises a latch, the invention is also applicable to other types of means for locking the door to the flange, such as a magnetic lock, a roller or a pin inserted into a hole;

[0101] Although the outer flange herein comprises a set of four outer lugs, the present invention is also applicable to flanges in which the set of outer lugs comprises a different number of lugs, such as two, three or more than four outer lugs;

[0102] Although the movable part is located inside the fixed part here, the present invention is also applicable to other types of configurations, such as where the movable part is located outside the fixed part.

Claims

1. A chamber flange (200), comprising an annular flange body (201) having a main axis (AX), the annular flange body (201) being provided with means for attaching it to a wall (100) of a chamber, the flange body (201) defining an internal passage (202), the chamber flange (200) having a chamber door (15) capable of selectively sealing the internal passage (202), the chamber flange (200) further comprising a ring (210), the ring (210) being arranged relative to the flange body (201) about the main axis (AX) rotatably mounted, and the ring (210) comprises a set of outer lugs (212 to 215) radially projecting from an inner periphery (216) of the ring (210), the outer lugs being capable of forming an outer bayonet connection, the chamber door (15) comprising a fixed portion (150) and a movable portion (160), the fixed portion (150) and the movable portion (160) being rotatably mounted concentrically relative to each other about the main axis (AX), the movable portion (160) comprising a set of inner lugs (161 to 164) being capable of forming an inner bayonet connection, in, The fixed portion (150) is an annular portion defining an inner recess (151) for accommodating the movable portion (160).

2. The flange (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that The movable part (160) also comprises locking means (165, 203) for locking the chamber door (15) to the flange (200).

3. The flange (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking means (165, 203) for locking the chamber door (15) to the flange (200) comprises a latch (165) rigidly connected to the movable part (160), and the flange (200) comprises a snap-fit ​​(203).

4. The flange (200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The chamber door (15) comprises a rotatable coupling device (17) separate from the inner bayonet connection for transmitting the rotation of the movable part (160).

5. The flange (200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that It includes: A part actuator for actuating the movable part (160) to rotate relative to the fixed part (150), and / or an opening actuator for selectively moving the chamber door (15) between an internal passage (202) sealing position and an internal passage (202) releasing position.

6. The flange (200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that It comprises holding means for holding in place a container (3) placed in front of said flange (200).

7. The flange (200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The ring (210) includes means (166, 167, 227, 228) for rotatably connecting to the movable door part (160), the connecting means being arranged to selectively adopt a first coupling state and a second uncoupling state, in which, in the first coupling state, the ring (210) is rigidly connected to the movable door part (160) so as to rotate therewith, and in the second uncoupling state, the movable door part (160) is free to rotate relative to the ring (210), the rotatable connecting means being arranged to be in the first coupling state when the chamber door (15) completely seals the internal passage (202), and to be in the second uncoupling state when the chamber door (15) at least partially opens the internal passage (202).

8. The flange (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that The set of inner lugs (161 to 164) includes at least one stopper (170) protruding from the outer surface (7) of the movable door portion (160).

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