Cell flange for a double-door, watertight device with a rotary lock operated by the rotation of a container connected to it.

Abstract

Cell flange (200) comprising an annular flange body (201) with a main axis (AX) and arranged to be fixed to a wall (100) of a cell, the flange body (201) defining an internal passage (202), the flange (200) having a cell door (220) capable of selectively closing the internal passage (202) and a set of external lugs (203-206) projecting radially internally from a circumferential wall (208) of the flange (200) to form an external bayonet connection, the cell door (220) comprising a set of internal lugs (223-226) capable of forming an internal bayonet connection, the flange (200) comprising a locking device (240) for locking and unlocking the cell door (220) to the flange body (201), the locking device comprising a bolt (241) carried by the cell door (220) and which is mounted to rotate relative to the cell door (220) to cooperate with a strike plate (243) carried by the flange body (201),wherein the cell door (220) includes a coupling device (250) rotatably mounted about the main axis (AX), and the flange (200) includes a transmission (260) arranged to transmit rotation from the coupling device (250) to the first bolt (241). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 4,

Description

Title of the invention: Cell flange for a double-door, watertight device with a rotary lock controlled by the rotation of a container connected to it 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. PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

[0002] 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.

[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 the packaging of 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 equipping this flange, and the container is for example a bag whose mouth is provided with another flange equipped with another door.

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

[0007] - to join the two flanges together by engaging a first connection at external bayonet known as bridle-to-bridle connection;

[0008] - to secure the two doors together by engaging a second connection at internal bayonet also known as door-to-door connection;

[0009] - detach the container door from its flange by disengaging a third bayonet fitting, also known as flange-door fitting.

[0010] After connection, the cell door is pivoted inwards to open it: the container door being then rigidly attached to that of the cell by the door-to-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 that it carries.

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

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

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

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

[0016] In such a device, it is necessary to access the inside 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 of release from the internal passage; - when disconnecting the container: locking the cell door from the inside, pivoting the door on its hinge from its position of release from the internal passage to its closed position.

[0017] These operations thus require an operator's arm to enter the cell, which implies the use of a so-called "glove box" device comprising a flexible, watertight sleeve attached to the cell and fitted at its end with a glove that allows the user to operate elements located inside the cell from the outside. However, such a device is uncomfortable and makes operations requiring significant effort, such as locking / unlocking, difficult.

[0018] The object of the invention is to improve the operational reliability of a double-gate connection device. Description of the invention

[0019] To this end, a cell flange is provided comprising an annular flange body with a principal axis arranged to be fixed to a cell wall, the flange body defining an internal passage, the flange having a cell door capable of selectively closing the internal passage and a set of external lugs projecting radially internally from a circumferential wall of the flange to form an external bayonet connection, the cell door comprising a set of internal lugs adapted to form an internal bayonet connection. The flange includes a locking device for locking and unlocking the cell door to the flange body. The locking device includes a bolt carried by the cell door and which is rotatably mounted relative to the cell door to cooperate with a strike plate carried by the flange body.According to the invention, the cell door comprises a coupling device mounted for rotation about the main axis and the flange comprises a transmission arranged to transmit rotation from the coupling device to the first bolt.

[0020] According to other specific, non-exclusive and optional embodiments of the invention: - the transmission includes a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod mechanically coupled together as well as a device ensuring a sliding type connection; - the cell flange includes a connection safety device that locks the coupling device against rotation; - the coupling device includes a dog clutch system; - the dog clutch system includes at least one housing for a dog clutch tooth, the housing including a device for detecting the presence of a dog clutch tooth allowing the connection security device to move from a locked state to an unlocked state or from an unlocked state to a locked state; - the coupling device is arranged to be rotated during the establishment of the internal bayonet connection; - the cell flange includes a control safety device to lock the coupling device against rotation; - the control safety device includes a crank with two crankpins which is mounted to rotate on the cell door, a first crankpin is arranged to come into contact with a stop located on the flange body when the cell door closes the internal passage and a second crankpin is connected to a second bolt mounted to slide relative to the cell door in a direction substantially parallel to the main direction to cooperate selectively with a bore of the coupling device; - the control safety device includes a protruding sealed cover from which the first crankpin is located; - the first bolt includes a roller bearing.

[0021] The invention also applies to a method for locking and unlocking a cell flange door as defined above, comprising a step of transmitting a rotation applied to the coupling device to a bolt of the locking device. Advantageously, the rotation is applied by a container flange door connected to the cell flange.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular, non-limiting embodiments of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the figures which represent:

[0024] - [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is a schematic view of the external face of a cell flange according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0025] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic front view of the inner face of the flange of cell of the [Fig.l];

[0026] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic cutaway view of the external face of the flange of cell of [Fig.1] in which the control disk was hidden;

[0027] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the cell flange of the [Fig.l] according to the section plane IV-IV;

[0028] - [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the cell flange of [Fig. 1] according to the section plane VV

[0029] - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic perspective view of a container flange; In fact, it's the full beta version.

[0030] - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective view of the external face of a cell flange according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0031] - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a partial perspective view detail of the cell flange of the [Fig.7] in which the hood was hidden;

[0032] - [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a partial perspective detail view of the cell flange of the [Fig.7] in an unlocked configuration;

[0033] - [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a partial perspective detail view of the flange of cell of [Fig.7] in an intermediate configuration;

[0034] - [Fig. 11] the figure partial view in perspective detail of the cell flange of the [Fig.7] in a locked configuration;

[0035] - [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a partial perspective view in detail along a third embodiment of the invention in a locked state;

[0036] - [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a schematic perspective view of detail of the flange of cell of [Fig. 12];

[0037] - [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a view of the cell door of [Fig. 12] in a state of unlocking;

[0038] - [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] is a partial perspective view in detail along a fourth embodiment of the invention in an unlocked state;

[0039] - [Fig. 16] [Fig. 16] is a partial schematic truncated perspective view of the cell flange of the [Fig. 15];

[0040] - [Fig. 17] [Fig. 17] is a view similar to that of [Fig. 16] in which the invention is in a locked state;

[0041] - [Fig. 18] [Fig. 18] is a partial perspective view in detail along a fifth method of implementing the invention;

[0042] - [Fig. 19] [Fig. 19] is a partial perspective view of detail of the mode of realization of [Fig. 16] view from a different angle.

[0043] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0044] In this text, the terms "interior" and "exterior" are used with reference to the position or orientation relative to the internal volume of the cell.

[0045] As a preliminary matter, a principal axial direction AX is defined, a radial direction which is orthogonal to the axial direction and a circumferential / tangential direction which is orthogonal to the axial and radial directions.

[0046] With reference to figures 1 to 5, a wall 100 of a cell not shown is equipped with a cell flange 200. This cell flange 200 has an inner face 4 turned towards the inside of the cell it equips, and an outer face 7 turned towards the outside of the cell it equips.

[0047] The cartridge flange 200 comprises an annular flange body 201 with main axis AX, 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 cartridge door 220 that can selectively close the internal passage 202. The cartridge flange 200 is provided on the inner side of the cartridge with a hinge 14 on which the cartridge door 220 is mounted. The cartridge door 220 is connected to the hinge 14 by means of an arm 16 having a first end rigidly fixed to a rotating element of the hinge 14, a body attached to the cartridge door 220. This cartridge door 220 can thus selectively occupy a folded position over the internal passage 202 to close it, which corresponds to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2.As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the hinge 14 extends along an axis AY that is parallel to the wall 100 and is oriented vertically here. The flange body 201 includes a set of four external lugs 203 to 206 that project radially from the inner periphery 207 of a circumferential wall 208 of the flange body 201 and are adapted to form an external bayonet connection. The cartridge door 220 includes a set of four internal lugs 223 to 226 that project radially from the inner periphery 227 of a circumferential wall 228 of the cartridge door 220 and are adapted to form an internal bayonet connection. The cartridge door 220 includes an external face 222 with which the internal lugs 223 to 226 define four internal grooves 233 to 236.

[0048] The cell flange 200 comprises an external face 209 with which the external lugs 203 to 206 define four external grooves 213 to 216—of which only grooves 213 and 216 are visible in [Fig. 4]. The cell flange 200 comprises two internal stops 217 and 218 that extend respectively into grooves 213 and 215. More specifically, grooves 213 to 216 each have a proximal end through which a container lug engages when establishing bayonet connections and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The internal stops 217 and 218 extend, here, at the distal ends of grooves 213 and 215.. Here, the container making a rotation of an amplitude of sixty degrees in a clockwise direction according to the representation of figures 1 and 3 to establish the bayonet connections, the distal end of a groove is located at a rotation of sixty degrees around the axis AX of the proximal end of that same groove.

[0049] As seen in Figures 2 and 4, the flange 200 includes a door lock 240 for locking the cell door 220 to the flange 201. The door lock 240 has a bolt 241 carried by the cell door 220 and integral with a shaft 242 which is mounted for rotation relative to the cell door 220 about a lock axis A242 parallel to the axis AX. The bolt 241 is thus actuated for rotation about the axis A242 to cooperate with a first strike plate 243 carried by the flange body 201. The bolt 241 includes a roller 244 mounted for rotation relative to the bolt 241 about a bolt axis A241 orthogonal to the axis AX. The strike plate 243 has a first locking surface S243 with which a second locking surface S244 of the roller 244 cooperates.

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the cell door 220 includes a control disc 250 mounted for rotation relative to the door 220 about the axis AX. To this end, the disc 250 includes a housing 251 in which an outer end 253.1 of a shaft 253 that passes through the door 220 is received. The shaft 253 is rotationally fixed to the disc 250 by means of two diametrically opposed pins 252, which are mounted between the walls of the housing 251 and the shaft 253. An axial screw connects the shaft 253 to the disc 250. The inner end 254 of the shaft 253 is keyed to a transmission 260

[0051] The transmission 260 comprises, here, a first connecting rod 261 and a second connecting rod 262 mechanically coupled to each other by means of a sliding joint. More specifically, the first end 261.1 of the connecting rod 261 is keyed to the shaft 253. The second end 261.2 of the connecting rod 261 has a longitudinal oblong slot 263 in which a roller 264 is mounted for rotation on a third end 262.1 of the connecting rod 262. The fourth end 262.2 of the connecting rod 262 is rotationally fixed to the shaft 242.

[0052] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the length L261 of the connecting rod 261 is greater than the length L262 of the connecting rod 262. Here, the length L261 is twice the length L262. This difference in length between the connecting rods 261 and 262 makes it possible to multiply the amplitude of the rotation transmitted by the transmission 260. Thus, a thirty-degree rotation of the shaft 253 is converted, by the transmission 260, into a sixty-degree rotation of the shaft 242 and therefore of the bolt 241.

[0053] The disc 250 has an outer surface 255 provided with two housings 256 and 257 - here cylindrical housings - located diametrically opposite each other with respect to the axis AX

[0054] As shown in [Fig. 5], the housing 256 comprises a receiving portion 256.1 and a cylindrical portion 256.2 which opens opposite one end 258.1 of a lever 258 rotatably mounted on the door 220 about an axis A258. The other end 258.2 of the lever 258 is engaged in a bore 221 of the cell door 220. A spring 259 bearing on the disc 250 exerts a thrust on the end 258.2 which tends to hold it in the bore 221. The lever 258 constitutes a device for detecting the presence of a dog clutch tooth in the housing 256, which, in combination with the bore 221, provides a safety connection device that locks the control disc 250 against rotation, and whose operation will be detailed below.

[0055] As seen in [Fig. 6], the container flange 1 is annular in shape and comprises a cylindrical inner wall 2 that defines an internal container passage 3. The internal container passage 3 has four non-visible container lugs evenly distributed around a central principal axis AX of the container flange 1. These internal lugs extend radially towards the axis AX. The container flange 1 also includes four external lugs 10 to 13 that project radially from the wall 2 and are adapted to form the external bayonet connection with the external lugs 203 to 206 of the flange body 200.

[0056] The internal passage 3 is closed by a container door 30 which rests on a double-lip seal (not shown). The container door 30 comprises a cylindrical body 31 of revolution about the axis AX projecting outwards from which four container door lugs (not shown) are attached. The four container door lugs cooperate with the internal tabs of the container flange 1 to form a bayonet connection linking the container door 30 to the container flange 1.

[0057] The body 31 also includes a front face 32 bordered by a radially projecting wall 33 from which comes a set of four internal lugs 34, 35, 36 and 37 suitable for forming the internal bayonet connection with the internal ears 223 to 226 of the cell door 220. The lugs 34 to 37 are each provided with stops 34.1 to 37.1 extending axially towards the front face 32.

[0058] The front face 32 has two teeth 38 and 39 in axial projection and which are diametrically opposed relative to the axis AX.

[0059] Connecting the container flange 1 to the cell flange 200 involves presenting the container flange 1 in front of the cell flange 200 so as to engage the external tabs 10 to 13 of the container flange 1 between the external tabs 203 to 206 of the flange 200. In this configuration, the internal tabs 223 to 226 of the cell door 220 extend between the internal tabs 223 to 226 of the door 30. During During the approach operation of the container flange 1 to the cell flange 200, teeth 38 and 39 engage respectively in the housings 256 and 257. Tooth 38 comes into contact with the end 258.1 of the lever 258 and causes it to pivot against the effect of the spring 259. This pivoting around the axis A258 has the effect of disengaging the end 258.2 from the bore 221, which frees the rotation of the control disc 250 relative to the cell door 220.

[0060] The container 1 is then pivoted around the AX axis—here, a sixty-degree clockwise rotation as shown in Figures 1 and 3—to form the external bayonet joint and connect the container 1 to the cell flange 200. During this rotation, the following steps take place:

[0061] - formation of the internal bayonet joint: the internal tabs 34 to 37 of the door container 30 engage in the grooves 233 to 236 of the cell door 220 until the stops 34.1 to 37.1 come into contact respectively with the inner ears 223 to 226.

[0062] - Disengagement of the bayonet flange-door connection: During the movement of As the container flange 1 rotates around the AX axis, the internal tabs of the container flange 1 move relative to the internal ears of the container door 30, causing the door bayonet joint, also known as the flange-door joint, to disengage. The container door 30 is then detached from the container flange L;

[0063] - drive of the control disk 250: during the establishment of the connection With an internal bayonet fitting, the rotation of the container flange 1 relative to the cell flange 200 is transferred by teeth 38 and 39 to the control disc 250. Referring to [Fig. 3], the shaft 253 then rotates clockwise (as shown in [Fig. 3]) around the axis AX and drives the connecting rod 261 around the axis AX. This rotation is transmitted to the end 262.1 of the connecting rod 262 by the sliding pivot joint formed by the slot 263 and the roller 264. The connecting rod 262 then rotates around the axis A242 and drives the shaft 242, which in turn rotates around the axis A242, thus disengaging the bolt 241 from the strike plate 243.

[0064] Following these operations, the connection of container door 30 with cell door 220 is completed and cell door 220 is unlocked. Opening cell door 220 frees the internal passage 202, taking container door 30 with it.

[0065] Similarly, once the transfer has been completed, the cell door 220 is folded down before rotating the container flange 1 counterclockwise around the AX axis (as shown in Figures 1 and 3). This disengages the internal bayonet connection, thereby detaching the cell door. 220 and container door 30 – and engage the bayonet linkage – which secures container door 30 to container flange 1. The rotation of container door 30 is transmitted to the control disc 250 by the transmission 260, which controls the return of the bolt 241 to the strike plate 243 and locks door 220 onto flange 200. The external tabs 10 to 13 of container flange 1 are then positioned between the external lugs 203 to 206 of flange 200, and the internal tabs 34 to 37 of cell door 220 extend between the internal lugs 223 to 226 of door 30. Container flange 1 can then be detached from cell flange 200. The transmission indexes the rotation of disc 250 to bolt 241, in this meaning that the rotation of the disc 250 is proportionally transmitted to the bolt 241.

[0066] This results in a cell flange 200 whose specific arrangement allows the opening of the cell door 220 to be controlled after the internal and external bayonet connections have been made. This ensures that the cell door 220 can only be opened when a container flange 1 is connected to the cell flange 200.

[0067] The identical or analogous elements to those previously described shall bear a numerical reference identical to that in the following description of the second, third and fourth embodiments of the invention.

[0068] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in figures 7 to 11, the cell flange 200 includes a control safety device 270 for locking the control disc 250 in rotation.

[0069] As seen in [Fig.8], the control safety device 270 includes a crank 271 with two crankpins 272 and 273. The crank 271 is rotatably mounted on the cell door 220 about a crank axis A271 which extends in a substantially radial direction. A first radially distal crankpin 272 is provided with a roller 274 and extends radially beyond the internal passage 202 to face the flange body 201 when the cell door 220 closes the passage 202. In this closed configuration, the roller 274 is arranged to come into contact with a stop 210 located on the flange body 201. A second crankpin 273 includes a roller 275 that extends in a groove 276 of a first end 277.1 of a second control bolt 277 slidably mounted in a housing 229 of the door 220 in a direction substantially parallel to the main direction AX. The second end 277.2 of the bolt 277 extends opposite a bore 278 made in the control disc 250. Two helical return springs in positions not shown extend between a plate 279 integral with the bolt 277 and a face 229.1 of the housing 229 to return the end 277.2 of the bolt 277 into the bore 278, which causes the rotation of the control disc 250 to be blocked around the axis AX. A cover.

[0070] Thus, depending on the position of the cell door 220 relative to the internal passage 202 (door open or closed), the end 277.2 of the bolt 277 cooperates selectively with the bore 278 of the control disc 250.

[0071] As seen in figures 7 and 9 to 11, the control safety device 270 includes a sealed cover 280 integral with the cell door 220 and from which the first crankpin 272 protrudes. For sealing purposes between the inner volume 281 delimited by the cover 280 and the outside, the crank 271 includes a groove 271.1 for receiving an O-ring 282.

[0072] The operation of the control safety device 270 will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. When the cell door 220 closes the internal passage 202 ([Fig.9]), the roller 275 bears against the stop 210 and holds the end 277.2 of the bolt 277 out of the bore 278 of the control disc 250, against the force exerted by the return springs in position on the plate 279 of the bolt 277. In this configuration, it is possible to manipulate the control disc 250 and cause the bolt 241 to move relative to the strike plate 243 from its locked position to its unlocked position and vice versa. When the cell door 220 leaves its position of closing the internal passage 202, the crank 271 begins to rotate around the axis A271, in a counterclockwise direction as shown in [Fig. 8], under the effect of the return springs in position ([Fig. 10]). After a relatively small opening (on the order of 0.5 at one degree) of the cell door 220 from its position of closing the internal passage 202, the end 277.2 of the bolt 277 extends into the bore 278 and the rotation of the control disc 250 relative to the cell door 220 is blocked, preventing any movement of the bolt 241 when the cell door 220 is not closed. This ensures that the bolt 241 cannot return to its locked position when the cell door 220 is not closed, thus preventing damaging impacts of the bolt 241 against the strike plate 243. The control safety 270 also prevents accidental rotation of the door 30 from causing the doors 30 and 220 to separate, which would then expose the "dirty" faces (i.e., those that have been exposed to uncontrolled atmospheres) of both doors to the interior volumes of the cell and the container, resulting in unacceptable contamination.

[0073] Finally, the control safety device 270 prevents desynchronization of the double-door connection device comprising the cell flange of the invention with respect to known double-door connection devices. On existing devices, a slight rotation of the container door relative to the cell door while the cell door is open prevents the internal tabs of the cell door from correctly re-engaging between the internal ears of the cell door to form the flange-to-flange bayonet connection. In this configuration, the cell door becomes difficult to close and it is necessary to apply very significant forces, detrimental to the integrity of the material, to disconnect the container flange.

[0074] According to a third embodiment shown in Figures 12 to 14, the cell flange 200 includes a safety opening device 300 for the cell door 220. The safety opening device 300 includes a safety opening shaft 301 rotatably mounted in the flange body 201 about a safety opening axis A301 substantially parallel to the main axis AX. The shaft 301 passes through the flange body 201 in a housing 211 which connects the inner face 4 and the outer face 7 to provide a pivot-type connection, in which translation along the axis A301 is blocked. A pallet 310 is fixed to a first end 302 of the shaft 301 and extends parallel to the inner face 4 of the flange 20. A second end 303 of the shaft 301 protrudes from the external face 7 to extend between the external ears 203 and 206 at the level of a proximal end 216.1 of the groove 216.The second end 303 includes a bevel which forms a sliding track 304. The shaft 301 includes several grooves fitted with O-rings to ensure a tight fit of the shaft 301 in the housing 211. A helical spring (not shown) exerts a force on the shaft 301 tending to impart a rotational movement about the axis A301 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in [Fig. 12].

[0075] The opening safety device 300 can adopt a first locking state of the cell door 220 represented in [Fig.1 1], in which the helical spring returns the opening safety device 300. In this state, the pallet 310 extends in front of the cell door 220 and blocks its opening.

[0076] The opening safety device 300 can also adopt a second unlocked state of the cell door 220 shown in [Fig. 12], in which, after rotation of the shaft 301 around the axis A301 in a clockwise direction as shown in Figures 11 and 13, the paddle 310 extends tangentially to the annular internal passage 202. In this state, the paddle 310 extends opposite the flange body 201 and allows the cell door 220 to open.

[0077] The opening safety device 300 is actuated to change from its locked state to its unlocked state during the establishment of the external bayonet connection. For the purposes of this application, the establishment of the bayonet connection corresponds to the phase necessary for establishing the bayonet connection. It includes the phases of presenting the container flange 1 and rotating the container flange 1 relative to the cell flange 201. The bayonet connection is considered established when the rotation of the container flange 1 relative to the cell flange 201 is complete (one of the two elements has reached its abutment). In the configuration described, the passage of the device The safety opening 300, from its locked state of cell door 220 to its unlocked state of cell door 220, occurs during the initiation of the rotation phase of the container flange 1 relative to the cell flange 200. Prior to this rotation, the outer tab 13 of the container flange 1 extends between the lugs 203 and 206. As soon as the rotation of the container flange 1 relative to the cell flange 200 begins, the outer tab 13 comes into contact with the track 304 and causes the shaft 301 to rotate clockwise around the axis A301 as shown in Figures 12 and 14.

[0078] Once the bayonet connection is complete, the outer lug 13 remains in contact with the sliding track 304 and maintains the opening safety device 300 in its unlocked state once the inner bayonet connection is established. It is then possible to open the cell door 220.

[0079] The opening safety device 300 ensures the connection of a container flange 1 to the cell flange 200 when the cell door 220 is opened.

[0080] According to a fourth embodiment shown in Figures 15 to 17, the cell flange 200 includes an anti-disconnection device 400 for the external bayonet connection. The anti-disconnection device 400 comprises a slide 401 mounted in translation within the flange body 201 about an anti-disconnection axis A401 substantially parallel to the main axis AX. The slide 401 extends into a recess 212 in the flange body 201, which connects the inner face 4 and the outer face 7. More precisely, the recess 212 opens onto the outer face 7 at the proximal end of the outer groove 213. The slide 401 includes a first end 403 that protrudes from the inner face 4 under the effect of a return spring 404. A second end 405 of the slide 401, opposite the end 403, extends into the outer groove 213 defined by the outer ear 203 and the outer face 7 of the flange 200.The slide 401 includes a notch 406 of a length substantially equal to the height of the groove 213.

[0081] The anti-disconnection device 400 also includes a crank 410 with two crankpins 411 and 412, which is rotatably mounted on the flange body 201 about an axis A410 substantially parallel to a tangential direction. A first crankpin 411 bears against the first end 403 of the slide 401.

[0082] The anti-disconnection device 400 also includes a projecting sealed cover 420 from which the second crankpin 412 is mounted. For this purpose, the crank 410 includes a groove 413 for receiving an O-ring not shown.

[0083] As seen in [Fig. 15], the anti-disconnection device 400 includes an actuating finger 430 rigidly attached to the hood 280. The finger 430 extends radially opposite the flange body 201 when the door 220 closes the passage 202.

[0084] The anti-disconnection device 400 can adopt two states: a first state of locking the external bayonet connection preventing the external bayonet connection from being broken and a second state of unlocking the external bayonet connection allowing the external bayonet connection to be broken.

[0085] In the first locking state shown in [Fig. 17], the slide 401 is returned to an upper position by the spring 404, which presses the crank 411 against an inner wall of the cover 420. In this position, the end 405 of the slide 401 extends into the groove 213 and prevents the outer tab 10 of the container flange 1, which is engaged in the groove 213 to form the external bayonet connection, from disengaging from the groove 213. The rotation of the container flange 1 around the axis AX is then blocked, and the external bayonet connection cannot be broken. This state requires that the rotation of the crank 410 around the axis A410 be free, in particular that the movement of the crank 412 is not impeded. In this state, the crankpin 412 adopts a position away from the body of the inner face 4.

[0086] In the second unlocked state shown in Figures 15 and 16, the cell door 220 closes the passage 202 and the actuating finger 430 brings the crank 412 into a position close to the inner face 4. In doing so, the crank 411 also comes close to the inner face 4 and, by acting on the end 403 against the force of the spring 404, pushes the slide 401 into the housing 212. The notch 406 is then aligned with the groove 213 and allows the outer tab 10 of the container flange 1, which is engaged in the groove 213 to form the external bayonet connection, to be disengaged from the groove 213. The rotation of the container flange 1 around the axis AX is then possible and the external bayonet connection can be broken.

[0087] An anti-disconnection device 400 is then obtained which is actuated by the cell door 220 to move the anti-disconnection device 400 into its unlocked state when the cell door 220 closes the internal passage 202. Conversely, as soon as the cell door 220 is opened, the anti-disconnection device 400 moves into its locked state, ensuring that disengagement of the container flange 1 from the cell flange 200 is impossible.

[0088] According to a fifth embodiment shown in Figures 18 and 19, the cell flange 200 includes a safety opening device 500 for the cell door 220 relative to the flange body 201. The safety opening device 500 includes a plate 501 rigidly attached to the bolt 241 and oriented relative to it by a pin (not shown) and which has a safety surface S501 extending in a first plane PI orthogonal to the locking axis A242. The second locking surface S244 extends in a second plane P2. As seen in [Fig. 19], The first plane PI is distinct from a second plane P2 orthogonal to the locking axis A242, within which it extends. More precisely, since the roller 244 has a radius R244, the distance d separating the bolt axis A241 from the safety surface S501 is substantially less than the radius R244.

[0089] When connecting the container flange 1 to the cell flange 200, the rotation of the control disc 250 is transmitted to the shaft 242 by the transmission 260, which indexes the rotation of the bolt 241 around the axis A242 to the rotation of the container flange 1 relative to the cell flange 200. In order to ensure that the roller 244 is completely disengaged from the strike plate 243, it is necessary that the roller 244 is no longer, for the most part, directly above the strike plate 243. However, it is possible that this situation may occur when the rotational travel of the control disc 250 is not complete, and thus the internal and external bayonet connections are not fully established, which presents a risk of the cell door opening and the internal and / or external bayonet connections breaking.To avoid such a situation, the surface S501 extends orthogonally to a third plane P3 comprising axes A241 and A242 over a distance d501, considered from plane P3, which is between ninety and ninety-seven percent of the radius R244. This prevents the cell door 220 from opening, even if the bolt 241 is sufficiently disengaged from the strike plate 243 to allow such an opening. The gear reduction provided by the transmission 260 improves the precision with which the internal and external bayonet connections are determined by the possibility of opening the cell door 220. Indeed, here, the distance d501 prevents the door 220 from opening over an angular travel of the bolt 241 of approximately two degrees.This corresponds, through the gear reduction of the transmission 260, to a precision of one degree on the rotation of the control disc 250 (and therefore of the container flange 1 relative to the cell flange 200) which is directly linked to the rotation necessary for the establishment of the external and internal bayonet connections. Thus, when the bolt 241 is effectively released from the strike plate 243, the safety device 500 ensures that the rotation of the container flange 1 relative to the cell flange 200 has been sufficient for the anti-disconnection device 400 to be triggered, preventing any accidental manipulation of the container flange 1. Indeed, the device 400 requires that the external tab 10 has passed the end 405 of the slide 401. The safety device 500 thus acts synergistically with the opening device 300, as well as with the anti-disconnection device 400, to ensure their proper functioning.

[0090] The level of precision in establishing the external and internal bayonet connections is then one degree, guaranteeing that the connection is effective, including after a large number of connection / disconnection cycles of container flange 1 to cell flange 200 during which functional wear clearances can be created.

[0091] Thus, the S501 surface ensures that the 240 lock can only adopt its unlocked state when the external bayonet connection is established, and the internal bayonet connection is established.

[0092] 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.

[0093] In particular,

[0094] - although here the door includes a two-dog clutch control disc, the invention also applies to other types of coupling devices such as a pallet including a single dog clutch, a friction coupling device or a toothed coupling device;

[0095] - although here the sliding connection is ensured by a roller cooperating with a light oblong, the invention also applies to other types of devices ensuring a sliding connection such as for example a finger in a light, a sliding and rotating shaft. The device ensuring the sliding connection can also be carried by the rotation shaft 253 of the control disk, by the shaft 242 or by both shafts 242 and 253;

[0096] - although here the control bolt is connected to the second crankpin by an assembly roller / groove, the invention also applies to other types of connection between the bolt and the control such as for example a ball joint, a support, a flexible connection.

[0097] - although here the crank includes a helical spring to return the second bolt in locked position, the invention also applies to other types of means of returning to position which may be elastic type return means such as for example Belleville type elastic washers, an elastomer block, or return means without elastic element such as a magnet for example or an arrangement exploiting the gravity (self-weight) of one of the elements of the control safety;

[0098] - although here the opening safety shaft includes a helical spring for to return the opening safety device to its locked state, the invention also applies to other types of means of returning to position which may be elastic type return means such as for example Belleville type elastic washers, an elastomer block, or return means without elastic element such as a magnet for example or an arrangement exploiting the gravity (self-weight) of one of the elements of the control safety;

[0099] - although here the second end of the opening safety shaft extends to at the level of a proximal end of a groove, the invention also applies to other locations of the second end of the safety shaft, such as a location at a distal end of a groove or at any point in a groove;

[0100] - although here the first crankpin rests on the end of the slide, the invention also applies to other types of cooperation between the crankpin and the first end of the slider such as for example a groove and a roller, a joint, a ball joint, etc;

[0101] - although here the actuating finger is rigidly attached to the hood, the invention also applies to other means of securing the actuation finger to the cell door, such as an actuation finger attached to the door by screwing, gluing or welding;

[0102] - although here the body comprises four external stops, the invention applies also to other types of devices for blocking rotation of the body, such as a single stop;

[0103] - although here the operations of linking and unlinking the container and the The cell flange requires a relative rotation of the container and the cell flange with an amplitude of sixty degrees; the invention also applies to other values ​​of the angular amplitude, such as an amplitude of thirty degrees.

[0104] - although here the door is mounted to rotate relative to the flange, the invention also applies to a door mounted freely relative to the flange and the cell;

[0105] - although here the external bridle comprises a set of four external ears, the invention also applies to a bridle having the set of external ears comprising a different number of ears such as two, three or more than four external ears;

[0106] - although here the hood houses a control safety device, the invention also applies to a cover defining a volume for housing a safety device of another nature, such as thermal or anti-disconnection protection;

[0107] - although here the crankpins are fitted with rollers, the invention also applies to crankpins without rollers;

[0108] - although here, the housing 212 opens onto the external face 7 at the end proximal to the external groove 213, the invention also applies to other installations of the slider of the anti-disconnection device such as, for example, a housing extending to any position of the groove, the corresponding external tab of the cell flange then having a corresponding notch to allow the slider to translate

Claims

Demands

1. Cartridge flange (200) comprising an annular flange body (201) with principal axis (AX) and arranged to be fixed to a wall (100) of a cartridge, the flange body (201) defining an internal passage (202), the flange (200) having a cartridge door (220) capable of selectively closing the internal passage (202) and a set of external lugs (203-206) projecting radially internally from a circumferential wall (208) of the flange (200) to form an external bayonet connection, the cartridge door (220) comprising a set of internal lugs (223-226) capable of forming an internal bayonet connection, the flange (200) comprising a locking device (240) for locking and unlocking the cartridge door (220) to the flange body (201),the locking device comprising a bolt (241) carried by the cell door (220) and which is rotatably mounted relative to the cell door (220) to cooperate with a strike plate (243) carried by the flange body (201), wherein the cell door (220) includes a coupling device (250) rotatably mounted about the main axis (AX) and the flange (200) includes a transmission (260) arranged to transmit a rotation from the coupling device (250) to the first bolt (241).

2. Cell flange (200) according to claim 1, wherein the transmission (260) comprises a first connecting rod (261) and a second connecting rod (262) mechanically coupled together and a device (263-264) ensuring a sliding type connection.

3. Cell flange (200) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a connection safety device which rotationally locks the coupling device (250).

4. Cell flange (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling device (250) includes a dog clutch system.

5. A cell flange (200) according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the dog engagement system comprises at least one housing (256, 257) for a dog engagement tooth (38, 39), the housing (256, 257) comprising a presence detection device (258) for a dog engagement tooth (38, 39) enabling the device to pass Connection security from a locked state to an unlocked state or from an unlocked state to a locked state.

6. Cell flange (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling device (250) is arranged to be rotated during the establishment of the internal bayonet connection.

7. Cell flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control safety device (270) for rotationally locking the coupling device (250).

8. Cell flange (200) according to claim 7, wherein the control safety device (270) comprises a crank (271) with two crankpins (272, 273) and which is rotatably mounted on the cell door (220), a first crankpin (272) is arranged to come into contact with a stop (210) located on the flange body (201) when the cell door (220) closes the internal passage (202) and a second crankpin (273) is connected to a second bolt (277) mounted to slide relative to the cell door (220) in a direction substantially parallel to the main direction (AX) to cooperate selectively with a bore (278) of the coupling device (250).

9. Cell flange (200) according to claim 8, wherein the control safety device (270) comprises a sealing cover (280) projecting from which the first crankpin (272) is located.

10. Cell flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first bolt (241) comprises a roller bearing (244).

Images