CELL FLANGE FOR DOUBLE SEALED DOOR WITH REDUCED OPENING EFFORTS

Abstract

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 flange (200) having a cell door (15) capable of selectively closing the internal passage (202) and a set of external ears (203-206) projecting radially internally from a circumferential wall of the flange (200) to form an external bayonet connection, the cell door comprising a fixed portion (160) and a movable portion (150) mounted concentrically to rotate relative to each other about the main axis (AX), the fixed portion (160) comprising a set of internal ears (161-164) capable of forming an internal bayonet connection, and the cell flange (200) comprising also a crown (220) mounted to rotate relative to the flange body (200) around the main axis (AX),the crown (220) comprising a rotational connection device (156, 157, 227, 228) with the movable door portion (150), the crown (220) being arranged to be rotated upon formation of the external bayonet connection. Figure for abstract: Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Cell flange for double watertight door with reduced opening forces Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the sealed transfer of objects from a sealed container to a cell, with a double-door connection system. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] In various industrial sectors, tasks are carried out in a confined atmosphere, to protect the environment, for example, from radioactivity or toxicity, or to carry out these tasks in an aseptic atmosphere.

[0003] 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.

[0004] 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.

[0005] The cell is equipped with a flange which is 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 another flange fitted with another door.

[0006] The connection consists of engaging the container flange in that of the cell, and pivoting it on itself, which has the effect of:

[0007] - secure the two flanges to each other by engaging a first connection at bayonet called flange-flange connection;

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

[0009] - detach the container door from its flange by disengaging a third bayonet connection called flange-door connection.

[0010] After connection, the cell door is pivoted inwards to open it: the container door then being 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.

[0011] When the objects have been transferred, the cell door can then be folded down against this opening with the container door it carries.

[0012] The container is then rotated on itself in the opposite direction, which has the effect of:

[0013] - secure the container door to the container flange;

[0014] - separate the container door from the cell door;

[0015] - separate the container flange from the cell flange.

[0016] In such a device, it is necessary to access the interior of the cell to perform the following operations from inside the cell: - when connecting the container: unlocking the cell door which is located on the cell flange, pivoting the door on its hinge from its closed position to its position releasing the internal passage; - when disconnecting the container: locking the cell door from the inside, pivoting the door on its hinge from its position releasing the internal passage to its closed position.

[0017] These operations thus require that an operator's arm enters the cell, which implies the use of a so-called "glove box" device which comprises a flexible, sealed sleeve fixed to the cell and fitted at its end with a glove which allows the user to act from the outside on elements located inside the cell. However, such a device is uncomfortable and makes operations for which significant efforts, such as locking / unlocking efforts, are required, delicate.

[0018] Furthermore, in such a device, pivoting the container with its flange relative to the cell flange, to couple them to each other and to uncouple them, requires the operator to exert significant forces. Indeed, this operation requires pivoting the container over a significant angular extent against the friction and actuation forces of the various bayonet connections and their respective seals. Such forces exerted repeatedly can tire the operators, which presents the risk of a loss of vigilance and therefore the occurrence of a connection fault of the container which could lead to breaking the isolation of the cell, which has significant consequences on the quality of production.

[0019] The aim of the invention is to provide a solution to remedy this drawback. Statement of the invention

[0020] 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 defines an internal passage and the flange has a cell door which can selectively close the internal passage. A set of external ears projects radially internally from a circumferential wall of the flange to form an external bayonet connection. According to the invention, the cell door comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion mounted concentrically to rotate relative to each other around the main axis and the fixed portion comprises a set of internal ears capable of forming an internal bayonet connection. The cell flange also comprises a crown mounted to rotate relative to the flange body around the main axis. crown comprises a device for rotational connection with the movable door portion and the crown is arranged to be rotated upon formation of the external bayonet connection.

[0021] Thus, the surfaces which carry out a movement while remaining in contact with the seals are reduced and the forces of connecting a container to the flange of the invention are reduced.

[0022] According to other particular, non-exclusive and optional embodiments of the invention:

[0023] - the crown comprises a rotation drive stop located in a groove external defined by at least one external ear and one external face of the crown;

[0024] - the movable portion is annular in shape and extends around the fixed portion;

[0025] - the movable portion also comprises means for locking the door of flanged cell;

[0026] - the means for locking the cell door to the flange comprise a bolt integral with the movable portion and the flange includes a latch;

[0027] - the rotational connection device comprises a finger cooperating with a notch;

[0028] - the cell door is also mounted to rotate relative to the flange by a hinge with rotation axis orthogonal to the main axis;

[0029] - the hinge is actuated;

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

[0031] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the figures which represent:

[0032] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic sectional view of a cell provided with a flange according to the invention;

[0033] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic front view of the flange of [Fig.l] whose door is shown closed;

[0034] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of an external face of the flange of [Fig.l];

[0035] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic exploded perspective view of a flange of container and a container door;

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

[0037] - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic perspective view of a first stage of connection of a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to the invention;

[0038] - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a schematic front plan view of [Fig.6];

[0039] - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a view identical to [Fig.7] but with the door plate container has been deleted for explanation purposes;

[0040] - [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a schematic rear plan view of [Fig.6];

[0041] - [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a view identical to [Fig.7] after a second step of connection of a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to the invention;

[0042] - [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a view identical to [Fig.8] after a second step of connection of a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to the invention;

[0043] - [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a view identical to [Fig.9] after a second step of connection of a container flange equipped with a door to a cell flange according to the invention;

[0044] - [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a schematic perspective view of a final stage opening a connection between a container flange equipped with a door and a cell flange according to the invention.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

[0046] 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 inside of the cell that it equips, and an external face 7 facing the outside of the cell that it equips.

[0047] The cell flange 200 comprises an annular flange body 201 with a main axis AX and which is provided with means for fixing it 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 includes 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 [Fig. 13].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. The flange 200 also comprises a set of four external ears 203 to 206 - of which only the ears 203, 204 and 206 are visible in [Fig. 3] - which project radially from the inner periphery 207 of a circumferential wall 208 of the flange 200 and which are capable of forming . an external bayonet connection.

[0048] As visible in [Fig. 3], the cell flange 200 comprises a crown 220 mounted to rotate relative to the flange body 201 around the axis AX and which extends around the door 15. The rotational guidance of the crown 220 on the flange 200 is, here, ensured by a circular slide 221 of axis AX. The crown 220 comprises an external face 222 with which the external ears 203 to 206 define four external grooves 213 to 216 - of which only the grooves 213, 214 and 216 are visible in [Fig. 3]. The crown 220 comprises a set of four internal stops 223 to 226 which extend respectively in the grooves 213 to 216.

[0049] As visible in figures 1 to 3, the cell door 15 comprises an annular movable portion 150 and a fixed portion 160 connected to the arm 16. The movable 150 and fixed 160 portions are concentrically rotatable relative to each other around the axis AX and the fixed portion 160 comprises a set of four internal ears 161 to 164 capable of forming an internal bayonet connection. The movable portion 150 comprises an annular double-lip seal 152, one lip 152.1 of which bears on the crown 220.

[0050] The body 201 comprises a striker 217 which projects from the internal face 4 and the movable portion 150 comprises a bolt 155 which extends radially to collaborate with the striker 217 by rotation about the axis AX. A first portion 156 of the bolt 155 is received in a first radial notch 227 of the crown 220. The movable portion 150 comprises another portion 157, diametrically opposite and which is received in a second radial notch 228 of the crown 220. The portions 156 and 157 act as a finger for transmitting the rotation of the crown 220 to the movable portion 150. Thus, a rotation of the crown 220 about the axis AX is transmitted to the movable portion 150 via the bolt 155.

[0051] As visible in [Fig.4] and 5, the container flange 3 is annular in shape and comprises a cylindrical internal face 5 which defines an internal passage 6. The internal passage 6 comprises four internal tabs 10 to 13 regularly distributed around a central main axis AX of the container flange 3. Two of these internal tabs 10 and 13 are visible in [Fig.4], these internal tabs 10 to 13 protrude radially towards the axis AX. The face of the tab 10 which faces the internal passage 6 comprises a notch 10.1 in the shape of a truncated pyramid and which is set back from said face. The internal tabs 11, 12 and 13 respectively comprise similar notches 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1.

[0052] The container door 30 comprises a cylindrical body 31 of revolution along the axis AX projecting outwardly from which come four container ears 3.1 to 3.4. The body 31 also defines a blind cylindrical housing 32 of axis AX and which is open on its front face 33. The housing 32 comprises a wall 34 projecting radially 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 not shown.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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 form 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.

[0055] The body 31 comprises four external stops 55 to 58 regularly distributed radially projecting from the body 31 around the axis AX. Two of these external stops 56 and 57 are visible in [Fig. 4]. 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.

[0056] Optionally, a safety feature not visible in the figures ensures that the bolt 155 can only be disengaged from the strike plate 217 when the cell flange 200-container flange 3 connection is engaged, and that it is blocked 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.

[0057] With reference to Figures 6 to 13, the connection of the container flange 3 to the cell 200 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 203 to 206 of the flange 200 (Figures 6 and 7). In this configuration, the internal ears 161 to 164 of the door 15 extend between the internal legs 35 to 38 of the door 30 ([Fig.8]). The portions mobile 150 and fixed 160 are in a nominal state shown in [Fig.9] in which the bolt 155 is engaged under the latch 217 to close the cell door 15.

[0058] During the operation of approaching the container flange 3 to the cell flange 200 ( [Fig. 6] and 7), the second impression 44 of the cap 43 is received in the first impression 17 of the fixed portion 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.

[0059] The container 3 is then pivoted around the axis AX - here a rotation of thirty degrees clockwise as shown in Figures 7 and 8 - 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:

[0060] - the second imprint 44 engaged in the first imprint 17 rotates around the axis AX the fixed 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 container flange 3 around the axis AX, the plate 40 remains stationary and the internal tabs 10 to 13 rotate around 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 ([Fig. 10]);

[0061] - during rotation of the container flange 3 relative to the door 15, the internal tabs 35 to 38 of the container door 30 connect with the internal ears 161 to 164 of the fixed portion 160 of the cell door 15 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 ([Fig. 11]);

[0062] - the container ears 3.1 to 3.4 engage in the grooves 213 to 216 and come to bear against the internal stops 223 to 226 which they move. The internal stops 223 to 226 then rotate thirty degrees around the axis AX in a clockwise direction (as shown in Figures 7 and 8), which causes the crown 220 to rotate around the axis AX.

[0063] - the rotation of the crown 220 is transmitted via the notches 227 and 228 to the portion mobile 150; the rotation of the mobile portion 150 releases the bolt 155 from the latch 217 ( [Fig.12]).

[0064] 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. 11].

[0065] 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 9) to the movable portion 150. 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 ring 220 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.

[0066] This gives a cell flange 200 whose particular arrangement allows a considerable reduction in the overall force to be applied by an operator to overcome the friction induced by the bayonet connections by drastically reducing the friction induced by the separation of the door 30 from the container flange 3 as well as the friction on the door seal 152.

[0067] Elements identical or analogous to those previously described will bear a numerical reference identical to this in the following description of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0068] According to a second 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] In particular,

[0071] - 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 may also adopt a triangular or polygonal pattern, the imprint may be projecting or recessed from the upper face of the cap;

[0072] - 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;

[0073] - although here the external ears include pyramid-shaped nipples truncated, 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;

[0074] - 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;

[0075] - although here the external ears include pyramid-shaped nipples truncated, the invention also applies to other types of locking means for the flange-door bayonet 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;

[0076] - although here the body comprises four external stops, the invention applies also to other types of body rotation locking devices, such as a single stop;

[0077] - 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 by 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

[0078] - although here the flange comprises a holding cradle, the invention applies also to other types of holding means intended to hold in position a container presented in front of the flange such as for example magnets or a device for clipping the container flange;

[0079] - although here the crown rotates thirty degrees to form the link with external bayonet, 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;

[0080] - although here the door is mounted to rotate relative to the flange, the invention also applies to a door mounted free relative to the flange and the cell;

[0081] - although here the container door comprises a removable tray and a device coupling of the rotating plate, the invention also applies to the container connection whose container door is a single piece, without a plate such as those known from the prior art;

[0082] - although here the movable portion comprises a bolt, the invention also applies to other means of locking the door to the flange, such as a magnetic latch, a roller or a shaft engaged in a bore;

[0083] - 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;

[0084] - although here the movable portion is located inside the fixed portion, the invention also applies to other types of configuration such as a movable portion located outside the fixed portion;

[0085] - although here the flange comprises two notches made in the crown, and two fingers integral with the movable portion, the invention also applies to other types of devices for connecting the crown in rotation with the movable portion of the door, such as for example a finger integral with the movable portion 150 which collaborates with a notch of the bolt 155 or even one or more stops located on the crown or the movable portion; a single finger or more than two fingers.

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 flange (200) having a cell door (15) capable of selectively closing the internal passage (202) and a set of external ears (203-206) projecting radially internally from a circumferential wall (208) of the flange (200) to form an external bayonet connection, the cell door comprising a fixed portion (160) and a movable portion (150) mounted concentrically to rotate with respect to each other about the main axis (AX), the fixed portion (160) comprising a set of internal ears (161-164) capable of forming a bayonet connection internal, and the cell flange (200) also comprising a crown (220) rotatably mounted relative to the flange body (200) around the main axis (AX),the crown (220) comprising a rotational connection device (156, 157, 227, 228) with the movable door portion (150), the crown (220) being arranged to be rotated upon formation of the external bayonet connection, wherein the movable portion (150) is annular in shape and extends around the fixed portion (160).,

2. Flange (200) according to claim 1, in which the crown (220) comprises a rotational drive stop (223-226) located in an external groove (213-216) defined by at least one external ear (203-206) and an external face (222) of the crown (220).

3. Flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable portion (150) also comprises locking means (156) of the cell door (15) to the flange (200).

4. Flange (200) according to claim 3, in which the locking means (156) of the cell door (15) to the flange (200) comprise a bolt (155) integral with the movable portion (150) and the flange (200) comprises a striker (217).

5. A flange (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotational connecting device (156, 157, 227, 228) comprises a finger (156, 157) cooperating with a notch (227, 228).

6. A flange (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the cell door (15) is also rotatably mounted re- relative to the flange (200) by a hinge (14) with an axis of rotation (AY) orthogonal to the main axis (AX).

7. A flange (200) according to claim 6, wherein the hinge (14) is actuated.

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