Improved cell flange for a sealed transfer system

Abstract

A cell flange (200) comprising an annular flange body (201) having a main axis (AX) and provided with means for fastening it to a wall (100) of a cell, the flange body (201) defining an internal passage (202), the cell flange (200) having a cell door (15) capable of selectively closing the internal passage (202), the cell flange (200) also comprising a ring (210) mounted in rotation relative to the flange body (201) about the main axis (AX) and comprising a set of external lugs (212-215) which project radially from an inner periphery (216) of the ring (210) and which are capable of forming an external bayonet connection, the cell door (15) comprising a fixed portion (150) and a movable portion (160) which are mounted concentrically in rotation with respect to one another about the main axis (AX), the movable portion (160) comprising a set of internal lugs (161-164) capable of forming an internal bayonet connection.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: IMPROVED CELL FLANGE FOR SEALED TRANSFER SYSTEM

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention relates to the sealed transfer of objects from a sealed container to a cell, with a double-door connection system.

[0005] STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0006] In various industrial sectors, tasks are carried out in a confined atmosphere, for example to protect the environment from radioactivity or toxicity, or to carry out these tasks in an aseptic atmosphere.

[0007] The transfer of objects from a container to a cell, without breaking the seal, is ensured with a double-door connection device, known for example from documents FR2695343 and US8950624.

[0008] Such a device can be used for packaging medicines: a filling line is then installed in the cell, and small objects such as bottle caps are transferred into the cell to supply this line.

[0009] The cell is equipped with an annular cell flange with a main axis which defines an internal passage closed on the inside by a door mounted on a hinge fitted to this flange, and the container is for example a bag whose mouth is provided with a container flange fitted with another door.

[0010] The connection consists of engaging the container flange into that of the cell, and rotating it on itself, which has the effect of:

[0011] - secure the two flanges to each other by engaging a first bayonet connection called a flange-flange connection;

[0012] - secure the two doors to each other by engaging a second bayonet connection called a door-door connection;

[0013] - detach the container door from its flange by disengaging a third bayonet connection called the flange-door connection. After connection, the cell door is pivoted inwards to open it: the container door being then rigidly secured to that of the cell by the door-door connection, it is taken with the cell door to extract it from the container flange.

[0014] When the items have been transferred, the cell door can then be folded down against this opening with the container door it carries.

[0015] The container is then rotated on itself in the opposite direction, which has the effect of:

[0016] - secure the container door to the container flange;

[0017] - separate the container door from the cell door;

[0018] - separate the container flange from the cell flange.

[0019] Connection operations require rotation of the container flange around the main axis, which poses several problems. When the container is a flexible bag, the operator must support and manipulate the bag's contents to accompany the rotation of the flange. The bag's contents can then, during this movement, damage the bag. When the operator does not handle the bag's contents correctly, a "hernia" forms on the bag near the container flange and can damage the bag. In addition, with such a flange system, it is impossible to supply the cell with delicate or fragile objects using bags. Such objects are then stored in containers equipped with internal cradles that decouple the rotation of the cradle and the container around the main axis.Such devices are expensive, prone to failure and greatly reduce the storage volume available in the container, thus requiring an increase in the number of connection / disconnection sequences of a container to the cell, which then increases the risks of a connection failure.

[0020] The aim of the invention is to improve the reliability of a connection between a cell and a container using a double bayonet door system. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0021] For this purpose, a cell flange is provided comprising an annular flange body with a main axis and which is provided with means for fixing it to a wall of a cell, the flange body defining an internal passage, the cell flange having a door which can selectively close the internal passage. According to the invention, the cell flange also comprises a crown mounted to rotate relative to the flange body around the main axis and which comprises a set of external ears which project radially from the inner periphery of the crown and which are capable of forming an external bayonet connection. The door comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion mounted concentrically to rotate relative to each other around the main axis, the movable portion comprising a set of internal ears capable of forming an internal bayonet connection.

[0022] This provides a cell flange that reduces the amplitude of container rotation by connecting the external bayonet joint by rotating the flange, not the container. By reducing, or even eliminating, rotation of the container relative to the cell flange, the overall reliability of the connection is improved.

[0023] According to other particular, non-exclusive and optional embodiments of the invention:

[0024] - the fixed portion is an annular portion which defines an internal housing for receiving the mobile portion.

[0025] - the movable portion also includes means for locking the door to the flange.

[0026] - the means for locking the door to the flange comprise a bolt secured to the movable portion and the flange comprises a strike plate.

[0027] - the door includes a rotational coupling device, separate from the internal bayonet connection, for transmitting rotation of the movable portion.

[0028] - the flange comprises a portion actuator for actuating the rotation of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion and / or an opening actuator for selectively moving the door between a position for closing the internal passage and a position for releasing the internal passage;

[0029] - the flange comprises holding means intended to hold in position a container presented in front of the flange; the crown comprises a device for rotational connection with the movable door portion, the connection device is arranged to selectively adopt a first coupled state in which the crown is integral in rotation with the movable door portion and a second uncoupled state in which the movable door portion is free to rotate relative to the crown, the rotational connection device being arranged to be in the first coupled state when the cell door completely closes the internal passage and to be in the second uncoupled state when the cell door at least partially frees the internal passage. the set of internal ears comprises at least one stop projecting from an external face of the movable door portion.

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the figures which represent:

[0033] - [Fig.1] Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a cell provided with a flange according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0034] - [Fig.2] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the flange of Figure 1, the door of which is shown closed;

[0035] - [Fig.3] Figure 3 is a schematic half-sectional view of the flange of Figure 1 and a container flange; ■ [Fig.4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective schematic view of a container flange and a container door;

[0036] - [Fig.5] Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of the flange and container door of Figure 4;

[0037] - [Fig.6] Figure 6 is a partial schematic perspective view of the flange and container door of Figure 5;

[0038] - [Fig.7] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a first step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to the invention;

[0039] - [Fig.8] Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a second step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to the invention;

[0040] -[Fig.9] Figure 9 is a schematic front view of a third step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to the invention;

[0041] - [Fig.10] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0042] - [Fig.11] Figure 11 is a schematic front view of a fifth step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0043] - [Fig.12] Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of a sixth step of connecting a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to a first embodiment of the invention

[0044] - [Fig.13] Figure 13 is a schematic sectional view of a cell flange according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

[0045] - [Fig.14] Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of the cell flange of Figure 13 in front of which a container is presented;

[0046] - [Fig.15] Figure 15 is a schematic front view of the flange of Figure 13 whose locking system is shown in its closed state; - [Fig.16] Figure 16 is a schematic front view of the flange of Figure 13 whose locking system is shown in its open state;

[0047] - [Fig.17] Figure 17 is a schematic cutaway perspective view of the flange of Figure 13 connected to a container;

[0048] - [Fig.18] Figure 18 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of Figure 17 when the cell door clears the internal passage;

[0049] - [Fig.19] Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view of a cell provided with a flange according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

[0050] - [Fig.20] Figure 20 is a schematic detail view of the cell flange of Figure 19.

[0051] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0052] With reference to figures 1 to 3, a wall 100 of a cell not shown is equipped with a cell flange 200. This cell flange 200 has an internal face 4 facing the interior of the cell which it equips, and an external face 7 facing the exterior of the cell which it equips.

[0053] The cell flange 200 comprises an annular flange body 201 with a main axis AX and which is provided with means for its attachment to the wall 100. The flange body 201 defines an internal passage 202. The flange 200 has a cell door 15 which can selectively close the internal passage 202. The cell flange 200 is provided on the inside of the cell with a hinge 14 on which the cell door 15 is mounted. The cell door 15 as such is connected to the hinge 14 by means of an arm 16 having a first end rigidly secured to a rotating element of the hinge 14, a body fixed to the door. The cell door 15 also comprises a first square parallelepiped imprint 17 which is set back from the face 15.1 of the cell door 15. The cell door 15 opens towards the inside of the cell to release the internal passage 202 of the flange 200, as in the configuration of figure 12.This cell door 15 can also occupy a folded position on the internal passage 202 to close it, which corresponds to the configuration of figures 1 and 2. As visible in figures 1 and 2, the hinge 14 extends along an axis AY which is parallel to the wall 100 and which is here oriented vertically.

[0054] As seen in Figure 3, the cell flange 200 comprises a crown 210 mounted to rotate relative to the flange body 201 around the axis AX. The rotational guidance of the crown 210 on the flange 200 is, here, ensured by a circular slide 211 of axis AX. The crown 210 comprises a set of four external ears 212 to 215 which project radially from the inner periphery 216 of the crown 210 and which are capable of forming an external bayonet connection, also called a flange-flange connection.

[0055] As seen in Figures 1 to 3, the cell door 15 comprises an annular fixed portion 150 which defines an internal housing 151 for receiving a movable portion 160. The fixed portion 150 and movable portion 160 are mounted concentrically to rotate relative to each other around the axis AX and the movable portion 160 comprises a set of four internal ears 161 to 164 capable of forming an internal bayonet connection. The fixed portion 150 comprises an annular seal 152 with a double lip.

[0056] As seen in Figure 1, the housing 151 is a through housing, that is to say it passes through the cell door 15 to connect the inside and the outside of the cell.

[0057] The body 201 comprises a striker 203 which projects from the internal face 4 and the movable portion 160 comprises a bolt 165 which extends radially overhanging the fixed portion 150 to collaborate with the striker 203 by rotation around the axis AX.

[0058] The container flange 3 is annular in shape and comprises a cylindrical inner face 5 which defines an inner passage 6. The inner passage 6 comprises four inner tabs 10 to 13 regularly distributed around a central main axis AX of the container flange 3. Two of these inner tabs 10 and 13 are visible in Figure 4, these inner tabs 10 to 13 protrude radially towards the axis AX. The face of the tab 10 which faces the inner passage 6 comprises a notch 10.1 in the shape of a truncated pyramid and which is set back from said face. The inner tabs 11, 12 and 13 respectively comprise similar notches 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1. The container flange 3 comprises four container ears 3.1 to 3.4 which project outwardly from the outer face 8 of the container flange 3.

[0059] As visible in figures 4 and 5, the container door 30 comprises a cylindrical body 31 of revolution along the axis AX. The body 31 also defines a cylindrical housing 32 blind with axis AX and which is open on its front face 33. The housing 32 comprises a radially projecting wall 34 from which comes a set of four internal tabs 35, 36, 37 and 38 capable of forming the internal bayonet connection with the internal ears 161 to 164 of the cell door 15. The container flange 3 is provided with a container door 30 which rests on a double lip seal 3.10.

[0060] The door 30 also comprises a plate 40 mounted for rotation about the axis AX relative to the body 31. For this purpose, the plate 40 comprises an axial cylindrical protrusion 41 which is received in a central cylindrical bearing 39 of the body 31. A screw 42, which extends through the protrusion 41 and the bearing 39, connects in rotation the plate 40 and a cap 43 located on the side of the front face 33 of the body 31. The cap 43 is provided at its top with a second square parallelepiped impression 44 which projects from an upper face 45 of the cap 43. The second impression 44 is complementary to the first impression 17. A helical spring 46 interposed between the body 31 and the cap 43 returns the plate 40 towards the body 31.

[0061] The plate 40 comprises, projecting radially from its periphery 47, a set of four door lugs 48, 49, 50 and 51 capable of forming a door bayonet connection with the internal tabs 10 to 13. As visible in FIG. 4, the face of the door lug 48 which faces the body 31 comprises a stud 48.1 in the shape of a truncated pyramid and which projects axially from said face. The door lugs 49, 50 and 51 respectively comprise similar studs 49.1, 50.1 and 51.1.

[0062] The body 31 comprises four external stops 55 to 58 regularly distributed in radial projection from the body 31 around the axis AX. Two of these external stops 56 and 57 are visible in Figure 4.

[0063] The external stops 55 to 58 protrude radially from the circular external periphery of the body 31 so that they can each engage between two contiguous internal tabs 10 to 13 of the container flange 3 on which they bear, as in the configuration of FIG. 6. The stops 55 to 58 thus block rotation around the axis AX of the body 31 relative to the container flange 3.

[0064] Optionally, a safety feature not visible in the figures ensures that the bolt 165 can only be disengaged from the strike plate 203 when the cell flange 200-container flange 3 connection is engaged, and that it is locked in the locked position. It is thus not possible to open the cell door 15 without a container being connected by its container flange 3 to the cell flange 200.

[0065] Referring to Figures 7 to 12, the connection of the container flange 3 to the cell consists of engaging the container ears 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 in the cell flange 200 so as to present the container ears 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 between the external ears 212 to 215 of the crown 210 (Figures 7 and 8). The crown 210 is then pivoted about the axis AX - here a rotation of thirty degrees clockwise according to the representation of figure 9 - to form the external bayonet connection and connect the container 3 to the cell flange 200. During the operation of approaching the container flange 3 to the cell flange 200 (figures 7 and 8), the second impression 44 of the cap 43 is received in the first impression 17 of the cell door 15, which rotationally couples the cell door 15 and the plate 40.When the container flange 3 is inserted into the cell flange 200, the bearing force exerted by the cell door 15 on the cap 43 against the spring 46 causes a translation of the plate 40 relative to the body 31 in a direction parallel to the axis AX. The pins 48.1, 49.1, 50.1 and 51.1 are respectively released from the notches 10.1, 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1 and the plate 40 is then free to rotate relative to the body 31.

[0066] A rotational movement is then applied to the movable portion 160 (here a rotation of sixty degrees in the counterclockwise direction according to the representation of figures 2 and 10), and during this rotational movement the following steps take place:

[0067] - the internal ears 161 to 164 of the cell door 15 cooperate with the internal tabs 35 to 38 of the container door 30 to engage the internal bayonet connection, also called door-door connection and not visible in the figures. The internal bayonet connection secures the container door 30 to the cell door 15; - the second imprint 44 engaged in the first imprint 17 links in rotation around the axis AX the movable portion 160 of the cell door 15 with the plate 40. The stops 55 to 58 in contact with the internal tabs 10 to 13 block a rotation around the axis AX of the body 31 relative to the container flange 3. Thus, during the rotational movement of the movable portion 160 around the axis AX, the rotation of the movable portion 160 is transmitted to the plate 40 which performs a rotation around the axis AX relative to the body 31.This has the effect of bringing the ears 48 to 51 opposite the stops 55 to 58 and thus disengaging the door bayonet connection, also called the flange-door connection. The container door 30 is then detached from the container flange 3 (figure 11);.

[0068] - the rotation of the movable portion 160 around the axis AX releases the bolt 165 from the strike plate 203 (figure 10).

[0069] At the end of these operations, the coupling of the container door 30 with the cell door 15 is completed and the cell door 15 is unlocked. The opening of the cell door 15 makes it possible to free the internal passage 202, taking with it the container door 30, which corresponds to the situation in FIG. 12.

[0070] In the same way, when the transfer has been carried out, the cell door 15 is folded down before applying a rotation around the axis AX in the clockwise direction (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10) to the movable portion 160. This has the effect of locking the door 15 on the flange 200, disengaging the internal bayonet connection - which separates the cell door 15 and the container door 30 - and engaging the door bayonet connection - which secures the container door 30 to the container flange 3. Finally, by acting on the crown 210 to impart a rotation in an anticlockwise direction, the external bayonet connection is disengaged and the container flange 3 is uncoupled from the cell flange 200.

[0071] A cell flange 200 is thus obtained, the particular arrangement of which avoids having to apply a rotational movement to the container in order to connect it to the cell. Thus, by avoiding the twisting of flexible bags or the use of cradles mounted for rotation in a rigid container, the risks of failure to connect the container to the cell are reduced, which thus increases the reliability of the cell flange of the invention compared to existing flanges.

[0072] Elements identical or analogous to those previously described will bear a numerical reference identical to this in the following description of a second, third and fourth embodiment of the invention.

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

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

[0075] According to a fourth embodiment not shown, the flange 200 comprises a holding cradle connected to the external face 7 of the flange 200. This cradle is arranged to receive the container flange 3 and hold it in position during the rotation step of the crown 210.

[0076] According to a fifth embodiment shown in Figures 13 to 18, the crown 210 comprises two handles 230 and 231 which extend outside the cell. The crown 210 is received in an annular housing 220 of the flange 200 which is defined by two concentric annular elements 221 and 222 of the flange 200 secured to each other by four arms 218 which are flush with the internal face 4 of the flange 200. The crown 210 thus passes through the door 15.

[0077] As seen in Figure 15, the portion of the crown 210 which projects from the inner face 4 of the cell flange 200 comprises two radial notches 227 and 228 which respectively accommodate diametrically opposed portions 166 and 167 which extend facing the inner face 4 of the flange 200 in radial directions from the movable portion 160 in the form of a first and a second arm 166.1 and 167.1. The bolt 165 is also secured to a third arm 165.1 which extends facing the inner face 4 of the flange 200 in a radial direction from the movable portion 160.

[0078] During the operation of approaching the container flange 3 to the cell flange 200 (figure 15), the second impression 44 of the cap 43 is received in the first impression 17 of the movable portion 160 of the cell door 15, which couples in rotation the fixed portion 160 of the cell door 15 and the plate 40. When the container flange 3 is inserted into the cell flange 200, the bearing force exerted by the cell door 15 on the cap 43 against the spring 46 causes a translation of the plate 40 relative to the body 31 in a direction parallel to the axis AX. The pins 48.1, 49.1, 50.1 and 51.1 are respectively released from the notches 10.1, 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1 of the internal tabs 10 to 13 and the plate 40 is then free to rotate relative to the body 31.

[0079] Then, using the handles 230 and 231, the crown 210 is rotated around the axis AX - here a rotation of thirty degrees clockwise as shown in Figures 13 and 15 - to form the external bayonet connection and connect the container 3 to the cell flange 200, and during this rotational movement the following steps take place:

[0080] - the second imprint 44 engaged in the first imprint 17 links in rotation around the axis AX the movable portion 160 of the cell door 15 with the plate 40. The stops 55 to 58 in contact with the internal tabs 10 to 13 block a rotation around the axis AX of the body 31 relative to the container flange 3. The rotational movement of the crown 210 around the axis AX is transmitted via the notches 227 and 228 to the movable portion 160. The rotation of the movable portion 160 then causes the rotation of the plate 40 around the axis Ax. The internal legs 10 to 13 remain stationary and the plate 40 rotates about the axis AX by thirty degrees relative to the door lugs 48 to 51. This has the effect of bringing the lugs 48 to 51 opposite the stops 55 to 58 and thus disengaging the door bayonet connection, also called the flange-door connection. The container door 30 is then detached from the container flange 3;

[0081] - during the rotation of the crown 210 relative to the door 15, the internal ears 161 to 164 of the movable portion 160 of the cell door 15 come into connection with the internal tabs 35 to 38 of the container door 30 to engage the internal bayonet connection, also called the door-door connection and not visible in the figures. The internal bayonet connection secures the container door 30 to the cell door 15 (figure 18);

[0082] - the rotation of the crown 210 also causes a rotation of the grooves 212 to 215 around the axis Ax relative to the container 3 which has the effect that the container ears 3.1 to 3.4 engage in the grooves 212 and 215 and thus form the external bayonet connection, also called flange-flange connection between the container 3 and the cell flange 200 (figure 18);

[0083] - the rotation of the crown 210 is transmitted via the notches 227 and 228 to the movable portion 160. The rotation of the movable portion 160 around the axis Ax releases the bolt 165 from the striker 203 (figure 16). The locking means constituted by the bolt 165 and the striker 203 then pass into a state of unlocking the door 15 (figure 16).

[0084] At the end of these operations, the connection of the container door 30 with the cell door 15 is completed and the cell door 15 is unlocked. The opening of the cell door 15 makes it possible to free the internal passage 202 while taking with it the container door 30, which corresponds to the situation of FIG. 18. When the door 15 leaves its closed position in which it completely closes the passage 202 (shown in FIG. 16) to at least partially free the passage 202, the portions 166 and 167 of the movable portion 160 disengage respectively from the notches 227 and 228 and the movable portion 160 is free to rotate relative to the crown 210 (FIG. 18).

[0085] In the same way, when the transfer has been carried out, the cell door 15 is folded down before applying a rotation around the axis AX in the counterclockwise direction (according to the representation of figure 15) to the crown 210 using the handles 230 and 231. This has the effect of locking the door 15 on the flange 200, disengaging the internal bayonet connection - which separates the cell door 15 and the container door 30 - and engaging the door bayonet connection - which secures the container door 30 to the container flange 3. Finally, the external bayonet connection is disengaged and the container flange 3 is uncoupled from the cell flange 200.

[0086] According to a sixth embodiment shown in figures 19 and 20, the movable portion 160 is devoid of imprint 17 and the internal ears 161 to 164 comprise stops 170 which project from the external face 7 of the flange 200 and more particularly from the external face 168 of the movable portion 160.

[0087] According to this sixth embodiment, when connecting the cell flange 200 with a container 3 of known type whose door 30 is devoid of a plate 40 and an imprint 44, the separation of the door 30 from the container 3 is obtained by rotation of the door 30 relative to the container 3. This rotation is caused by the stops 170 coming to bear against the internal tabs 35, 36, 37 and 38 which then cause the door 30 to rotate around the axis Ax to break 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 encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0089] Especially.

[0090] - although here the imprint is a parallelepiped of square section, the invention also applies to other types of imprint patterns such as for example other variations of a quadrilateral pattern such as a rectangle, a diamond or any other shape, the imprint can also adopt a triangular or polygonal pattern, the imprint can be projecting or set back from the upper face of the cap;

[0091] - although here the coupling device comprises a square imprint intended to cooperate with a homologous imprint of the container door, the invention also applies to other types of coupling devices accessible from the front face of the door body such as for example a device not requiring modification of the cell door and for which the coupling is done by friction via a friction disc mounted on the cap;

[0092] - although here the external ears comprise truncated pyramid-shaped pins, the invention also applies to other types of means for locking the flange-door connection such as, for example, cylindrical pins or any other type of axially projecting protuberances or even parallelepiped notches with axial recess or of any shape;

[0093] - although here the container door comprises a helical spring, the invention also applies to other types of return means which may be elastic type return means such as for example an elastomer block, Belleville washers or a return means without an elastic element such as a magnet for example;

[0094] - although here the external ears comprise truncated pyramid-shaped pins, the invention also applies to other types of means for locking the flange-door connection such as, for example, cylindrical pins or any other type of axially projecting protuberances or even parallelepiped notches with axial recess or of any shape;

[0095] - although here the body comprises four external stops, the invention also applies to other types of devices for locking the body against rotation, such as for example a single stop;

[0096] - although here the operations of connecting and disconnecting the container and the cell flange require a relative rotation of the container and the cell flange of an amplitude of sixty degrees, the invention also applies to other values ​​of the angular amplitude such as for example an amplitude of thirty degrees;

[0097] - although here the flange comprises a holding cradle, the invention also applies to other types of holding means intended to hold in position a container presented in front of the flange such as for example magnets, a device for holding by vacuum the container flange relative to the cell flange or a device for clipping the container flange onto the cell flange;

[0098] - although here the crown rotates thirty degrees to form the external bayonet connection, the invention also applies to other amplitudes of rotation of the crown to form this connection such as for example less than thirty degrees, sixty degrees or any value.

[0099] - although here the container door comprises a removable tray and a device for coupling the rotating tray, the invention also applies to the container connection whose container door is a single piece, without a tray such as those known from the prior art;

[0100] - although here the movable portion comprises a bolt, the invention also applies to other means of locking the door to the flange, such as for example a magnetic lock, a roller or an axis engaged in a bore;

[0101] - although here the external flange comprises a set of four external ears, the invention also applies to a flange having the set of external ears comprising a different number of ears such as two, three or more than four external ears;

[0102] - although here the movable portion is located inside the fixed portion, the invention also applies to other types of configuration such as for example a movable portion located outside the fixed portion.

Claims

Claims 1.Cell flange (200) comprising an annular flange body (201) of main axis (AX) and which is provided with means for its attachment to a wall (100) of a cell, the flange body (201) defining an internal passage (202), the cell flange (200) having a cell door (15) capable of selectively closing the internal passage (202), the cell flange (200) also comprising a crown (210) mounted to rotate relative to the flange body (201) around the main axis (AX) and which comprises a set of external ears (212-215) which project radially from an inner periphery (216) of the crown (210) and which are capable of forming an external bayonet connection, the cell door (15) comprising a fixed portion (150) and a movable portion (160) mounted concentrically to rotate relative to each other around the main axis (AX), the movable portion (160) comprising a set of internal ears (161-164) capable of forming an internal bayonet connection. , in which the fixed portion (150) is an annular portion which defines an internal housing (151) for receiving the movable portion (160).

2. Flange (200) according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion (160) also comprises locking means (165, 203) of the cell door (15) to the flange (200).

3. Flange (200) according to claim 2, in which the locking means (165, 203) of the cell door (15) to the flange (200) comprise a bolt (165) integral with the movable portion (160) and the flange (200) comprises a striker (203).

4. Flange (200) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cell door (15) comprises a rotational coupling device (17), separate from the internal bayonet connection, for transmitting a rotation of the movable portion (160).

5. Flange (200) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a portion actuator for actuating the rotation of the movable portion (160) relative to the fixed portion (150) and / or an opening actuator for selectively moving the cell door (15) between a position for closing the internal passage (202) and a position for releasing the internal passage (202).

6. Flange (200) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising holding means intended to hold in position a container (3) presented in front of the flange (200).

7. Flange (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the crown (210) comprises a rotational connection device (166, 167, 227, 228) with the movable door portion (160), the connection device is arranged to selectively adopt a first coupled state in which the crown (210) is rotationally integral with the movable door portion (160) and a second uncoupled state in which the movable door portion (160) is free to rotate relative to the crown (210), the rotational connection device being arranged to be in the first coupled state when the cell door (15) completely closes the internal passage (202) and to be in the second uncoupled state when the cell door (15) at least partially releases the internal passage (202).

8. Flange (200) according to claim 7, in which the set of internal ears (161-164) comprises at least one stop (170) projecting from an external face (7) of the movable door portion (150).

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