Transfer cell connection port comprising a flange and a gate linked to the flange by a hybrid kinematic linkage

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a connection port (1) for a sealed transfer cell, this port comprising a flange (2) extending around a principal axis (AX), this flange (2) having an outer face (7) and an inner face (8) which is equipped with a door (3) movable between an open position and a closed position in which this door (3) closes a central opening (6) in the flange, and a slide (14) rigidly attached to the door (3) and passing through the flange (2), the slide (14) being connected to the flange (2) by a kinematic linkage with an axis parallel (AX1) to the principal axis (AX). The kinematic linkage comprises a sliding portion for restricting the slide (14) to a translational movement about the axis (AX1) during a first part of its movement, and a helical portion for restricting the slide (14) to a helical movement about the axis (AX1) during a second part of its movement. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Transfer cell connection port comprising a flange and a gate linked to the flange by a hybrid kinematic linkage technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of sealed transfer of components or materials from a sealed container connectable to a sealed cell, with a double-door transfer port system. PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

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

[0003] The transfer of devices or products from a container to a cell without breaking the seal is ensured with a double-door connection device, such a device being known for example from document FR2695343.

[0004] In such a device, the sealed transfer cell is equipped with a transfer port having a flange fitted with a door for opening or closing the central opening of this flange. In practice, the door is located on the inner side of the flange, i.e., within the cell, and is connected to this flange by a hinge. The container is closed by a door mounted in a flange of this container, to which it is reversibly attached by a mechanical connection such as a bayonet fitting. Two other bayonet fittings allow the flanges to be joined to each other, and the doors to be joined to each other.

[0005] It is common to designate the flange and the door of the cell as alpha flange and alpha door, and to designate the flange and the door of the container as beta flange and beta door.

[0006] The connection of the container to the cell is ensured by applying the flange of the container against that of the cell, and rotating it on itself, which has the effect of:

[0007] - to secure the two straps together by their bayonet connection;

[0008] - to secure the two doors together by another bayonet connection;

[0009] - Disconnect the bayonet fitting linking the container door to its flange.

[0010] Once this connection is made, the cell door can be pivoted inwards around its hinge, so as to open the communication: the container door being then rigidly secured to that of the cell by the corresponding bayonet connection, it opens together with the cell door.

[0011] Once the transfer of components or materials has been carried out from the container to the cell or vice versa, the cell door, with the container door attached to it, is folded down by pivoting around the hinge. The container is then pivoted in the opposite direction, which has the effect of:

[0012] - to secure the container door to the container flange;

[0013] - detach the container door from the cell door;

[0014] - detach the container flange from the cell flange.

[0015] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a solution for minimizing the volume swept through the cell by the door when it is operated, while ensuring that the door can be operated by an operator located outside the cell. SUMMARY

[0016] For this purpose, the present disclosure relates to a connection port for a sealed transfer cell, this port comprising a flange extending around a main axis, this flange comprising an external face and an internal face which is equipped with a movable door between an open position and a closed position in which this door closes a central opening of the flange, and a slide rigidly attached to the door and passing through the flange, the slide being linked to the flange by a kinematic linkage with an axis parallel to the main axis, this kinematic linkage comprising a sliding linkage portion to constrain the slide to a translational movement around the axis over a first part of the movement, and a helical linkage portion to constrain the slide to a helical movement around the axis over a second part of the movement.

[0017] With this solution, the door opening is achieved by slightly moving it away from the flange and then pivoting it on itself, which reduces the volume it sweeps compared with a hinged door.

[0018] The present disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which the slide is mounted in a bearing through this flange, in which the slide has an external cylindrical face provided with at least one groove comprising a straight portion extended by a helical portion, with at least one fixed pin carried by the flange and engaged in a groove.

[0019] The present disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which the slide has a cylindrical wall and in which each groove passes through this wall, in which at least one pin passes through this groove, and comprising a fixed insert which extends inside the slide and which is carried by at least one pin, and in which the slide has a bearing carrying a worm screw which extends inside the cylindrical wall and which is engaged in a tapped hole in the insert.

[0020] This disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which each groove opens into an edge of the cylindrical wall which is closed by the cover.

[0021] This disclosure also relates to a port as defined above, in which at least one pin engaged in a groove carries a ball bearing to reduce friction with the groove in which this pin is engaged.

[0022] The present disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which the actuating member is carried by a radial extension of the flange, in which each pin is engaged through the extension to protrude radially inside the bearing, and comprising a bellows surrounding the slide extending from the extension to an arm by which the door is fixed to the slide, the ends of this bellows being fixed to the extension and the arm.

[0023] This disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which the door pivots by at least a quarter turn of rotation when the slide is moved on its second part of travel.

[0024] This disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, comprising a crank rigidly attached to the worm gear to drive it in rotation.

[0025] This disclosure also relates to a method of using a port as defined above, comprising the operation of moving the slide to operate the door.

[0026] This disclosure also relates to a method thus defined, in which the slide is mounted in a bearing through this flange, in which the slide has an external cylindrical face provided with at least one groove comprising a straight portion extended by a helical portion, with at least one fixed pin carried by the flange and engaged in a groove.

[0027] This disclosure also relates to a method of using a connection port for a sealed transfer cell, this port comprising a flange extending around a main axis, this flange comprising an external face and an internal face which is equipped with a movable door between an open position and a closed position in which this door closes a central opening in the flange, and a slide rigidly attached to the door and passing through the flange, the slide being connected to the flange by a kinematic linkage with an axis parallel to the main axis, this kinematic linkage comprising a sliding linkage portion for restricting the slide to a translational movement about the axis over a first part of the movement, and a helical linkage portion for restricting the slide to a helical movement about the axis over a second part of the movement,This process involves moving the sliding mechanism to operate the door.

[0028] This disclosure also relates to a method thus defined, in which the slide is mounted in a bearing through this flange, in which the slide has an external cylindrical face provided with at least one groove comprising a straight portion extended by a helical portion, with at least one fixed pin carried by the flange and engaged in a groove. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Fig. 1 is an overview of the port according to the present disclosure shown in perspective when its gate is closed;

[0030] Fig. 2 is an overview of the port according to the present disclosure shown in perspective when its gate is open;

[0031] The [Fig.3] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the port operating mechanism according to the present disclosure shown alone;

[0032] Fig. 4 is a side view of the port according to the present disclosure when its door is closed;

[0033] The [Fig.5] is a side view of the port according to the present disclosure when its door is partially moved away from its flange;

[0034] Fig. 6 is a side view of the port according to the present disclosure when its door is partially open;

[0035] Fig. 7 is a side view of the port according to the present disclosure when its door is open.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0037] In figures 1 and 2, a connection port 1 for a sealed transfer cell includes a cell flange 2 supporting a door 3 secured to this flange 2 by an actuation member 4. This flange 2 is fixed to an opening in a cell wall not shown, and has a shape of revolution around an axis AX, to delimit a circular central opening 6.

[0038] The flange 2 has an external face 7 appearing in figures 1 and 2 and extending outside the cell it equips, and an internal face 8, identified in figures 1 and 2, but appearing more clearly in figures 4 to 7 and extending inside the cell it equips.

[0039] In the figures, a container flange 9 is shown mechanically connected or engaged in the cell flange 2, on the side of its external face 7, to be rigidly secured to it by a flange-flange bayonet connection.

[0040] For ease of understanding, the container flange 9 is shown connected to the connection port, but a person skilled in the art would recognize that it can constitute the free end of a container, or alternatively the end of a “beta-bag” type bag containing components to be transferred into the cell.

[0041] To this end, the cell flange 2 has internal tabs 5 on its outer face to form, with corresponding external tabs 10 of the container flange 9, a bayonet connection allowing the container flange 9 to be secured to the cell flange 2. This securing consists of engaging the container flange 9 axially in cell flange 2, and rotate the container flange around the AX axis to lock the bayonet connection.

[0042] The central opening 6, which is free in the situation of [Fig.2], can be closed as in [Fig.1], by moving the door 3 from its open position to its closed position by means of the operating member, which allows the door to be folded back against the flange and moved away from it.

[0043] As can be seen in the figures, the flange 2 has a general shape of a flat ring around the axis AX, comprising an external radial extension 11 carrying the actuating member 4. This actuating member 4 has a hybrid kinematic link 12 with axis AX1 parallel to the axis AX and spaced from it by a distance greater than the radius of the opening 6.

[0044] The door 3 is linked to the actuation member 4 by an arm 13 to which it is rigidly attached, this arm 13 having a first end rigidly attached to a slide 14 of this actuation member 4, and a second end rigidly fixed to the door 3. This door 3 has its external face equipped with a fixed central plate which has lugs 15 on its external periphery to form a bayonet connection allowing the container door to be attached to this door 3.

[0045] The actuating member 4, which is more clearly shown in [Fig. 3], comprises the slide 14, which is engaged in an inner ring 16 fitted to a bearing 17 extending the extension 11 of the flange 2 from its outer face 7 to its inner face 8, with axis AX1. As can be seen in the figures, the bearing 17 is a tubular extension of the extension 11 of the flange 2, which extends perpendicularly to the principal plane of this flange 1, and which defines a cylindrical inner face. This bearing 17 is thus formed as a single unit with the flange 2.

[0046] This slide 14 is linked in motion to the flange 2 by a kinematic link 12 comprising a sliding link portion to constrain this slide 14 to a translational movement along the axis AX1 on a first part of the movement, and a helical link portion to constrain this slide 14 to a helical movement around the axis AX1 on a second part of the movement.

[0047] The slide 14 comprises a body 18 which includes a cylindrical wall 19 and a bottom 21 closing its end located on the inner side. The end of this body 18, located on the outer side, is closed by a separate cover 22 which is here fixed to the cylindrical wall by screws.

[0048] The wall 19 has two grooves 23 and 24 that guide the movement of the slide from the open position of the door to its closed position, and vice versa. In the example shown in the figures, each groove passes through the wall 19 and extends longitudinally within it, these two grooves being symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis AX1.

[0049] The groove 23 comprises a first portion which is straight 23a extended by a second portion which is helical 23b which is itself extended by a third portion which is straight 23c.

[0050] The first portion 23a is located in the vicinity of the bottom 21 and forms the sliding connection portion corresponding to a first part DI of the movement of the slide 14. The helical portion 23b extends in the median region of the wall 19 along the axis AX1, and it forms the helical connection portion corresponding to the second part D2 of the movement of the slide 14.

[0051] The third portion 23c extends to the edge of the cylindrical wall 19, which is closed by the cover 22, opening into this edge. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the mounting of the slide 14 in the bearing 17, by allowing it to be mounted by engaging it in the bearing 17 from the inner face 8. This third portion thus has no direct function in relation to the movement of the slide during operation.

[0052] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the slide 14 is engaged in the bearing 17 which passes through the flange 2, and two pins 26 and 27 protrude radially into the interior of this bearing 17, to be engaged each in a groove, so as to control the movement of the slide 14 when it is moved along the axis AX1.

[0053] Starting from the closed position, in which the cover 22 of the slide 14 is furthest from the flange 2 as shown in [Fig. 4], this slide is pushed to bring its cover 22 closer to the flange 2 in order to open the door. It is first held in translation along the axis AX1 by the pin 26, which is then in the straight section 23a, corresponding to a first part of the displacement DI. During this first part D1, the door 3, rigidly attached to the slide, is translated from a closed state corresponding to [Fig. 4], to a state furthest from the opening 6, as shown in [Fig. 5].

[0054] When the door is completely moved away from the flange 2, the slide 14 continues to be pushed. The pin 26 then enters the helical portion 23b, to constrain the slide 14 to a helical movement around the axis AX1 during the second part of the movement D2, so as to rotate it on its own axis while translating it. During this second part D2, the door 3, rigidly fixed to the slide 14, also undergoes a helical movement.

[0055] During this second part D2, the door starts from the state where it is completely separated from the flange 2 to pass to the intermediate state of [Fig. 6] in which it has pivoted approximately one-eighth of a turn around the axis AX1, and then reach the situation of [Fig. 7] where it has pivoted approximately one-quarter of a turn around the axis AX1. As can be seen in [Fig. 7], when the door 3 has pivoted a quarter of a turn, the opening 6 is completely free.

[0056] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the pins 26 and 27 are diametrically opposed to each other while extending in line with each other. Thus, when the pin 26 is located in either of the portions 23a, 23b of the groove 23, the pin 27 is located in the corresponding portion of the groove 24, since these grooves are symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis AX1.

[0057] The description just given corresponds to a movement where the end of the slide 14 carrying its cover 22 is pushed towards the flange 2, in order to cause the opening of the door 3.

[0058] As illustrated in the figures, on the inner side, the slide is surrounded by a bellows 28 having one end fixed to the extension 11 and its opposite end fixed to the arm 13 by which the door 3 is fixed to the slide 14. This bellows 28 ensures that there is no communication between the outside and the inside of the cell, by completely isolating the entire part of the slide 14 that can protrude from the flange towards the inner side when the door is open.

[0059] As will be understood, a reverse movement of the slide 14, consisting of moving its end fitted with the cover 22 away from the flange 2, makes it possible to close the door 3. In this case, the door 3 first pivots a quarter turn around the axis AX1 in a helical movement to be positioned opposite the opening 6, after which it is moved in translation to fold it down against this opening 6 in order to close it completely.

[0060] Advantageously, the rotation of the door, between its closed state and its open state, is at least a quarter of a turn, which makes it possible to significantly clear the central opening of the flange when the door is open, while minimizing the amplitude of its movement.

[0061] Advantageously, each pin 26, 27 carries a corresponding bearing. These bearings, which are identified as 29 and 30 in [Fig. 3], reduce the friction between the pins and the grooves in which they slide.

[0062] Generally, the slide 14 is connected to the flange 2 by a hybrid kinematic linkage comprising a sliding joint extended by a helical joint. This linkage 12 includes, in particular, the cylindrical slide 14 with its grooves 23, 24, as well as the bearing 17 with the pins 26, 27 engaged in these grooves.

[0063] The movement of the slide 14 is ensured by means of a system comprising a worm screw 31 carried by the cover and passing through a fixed insert 32 which is located inside the slide 14.

[0064] This fixed insert 32 is carried by the ends of the pins 26 and 27, as seen in [Fig.3]. The shaft of this worm screw 31 is equipped at its free end (i.e., its end protruding out of the slide 14 through the cover 22), with a crank 33 allowing an operator to rotate this screw from outside the cell. This crank appears in full in figures 1 and 2, and it is partially represented in the other figures.

[0065] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], the cover 22 is equipped with a bearing 34 through which the shaft of the worm screw 31 is engaged, and the shaft of this screw carries two stops 36, 37, here in the form of rings each provided with a clamping screw. These two stops are located on either side of the bearing 34, so that the worm screw 31, which extends along the axis AX1, is free to pivot about this axis relative to the slide 14 while being blocked in translation relative to the slide that carries it.

[0066] The insert 32 here comprises a ring 38 in which a plug-shaped body 39 is engaged, with a cylindrical sliding skirt 41 surrounding the ring and the body. The body 39, the ring 38, and the skirt 41 are coaxial elements of revolution with the axis AX1, forming an inseparable whole that constitutes the fixed insert 32 sliding in the slide 14 with low friction.

[0067] The ring 38 has two diametrically opposed radial holes, each receiving one end of a pin 26, 27, so that it is held in position to be fixed relative to the flange with the entire insert 32. The body 39 includes a central tapped hole in which the worm screw 31 is engaged.

[0068] A rotation of the worm screw 31, because it is screwed into the fixed insert 32, thus causes the translation of this screw along the axis AX, and by the same token the translation of the slide 14 along the axis AX since this worm screw 31 is fixed in translation relative to the slide 14 which carries it.

[0069] The pins 26 and 27 are steel rods extending in line with each other, in an orthoradial direction with respect to the AX axis of the flange, and they are mounted within the thickness of the extension 11 of this flange. This extension 11, which has a general tongue shape with a thickness close to that of the flange, has two holes formed in its thickness, each opening into the inside of the bearing 17.

[0070] Each pin 26, 27 is engaged in a corresponding hole and is blocked in translation therein by means not shown, which may be, for example, a clamping screw which is screwed through the external face 7 of the flange to radially press the pin into the hole which receives it.

[0071] In general, the hybrid kinematic link 12 makes it possible to ensure that the door opens in a single movement, first rectilinear, then helical, which can be caused by a single actuator, namely the rotation of the worm gear in the example of the figures.

[0072] In the example shown in the figures, the door rotates approximately a quarter turn upwards to open, but the device can also be arranged to cause the door to rotate downwards. The minimum angle of rotation of the door for The central opening angle is around 60°, but this angle of rotation of the door can be much greater and be, for example, 180°, since the greater it is, the more it penalizes the volume swept by the door when it is opened.

[0073] As regards the pitch of the worm gear, it is sufficiently small to form an irreversible helical connection with the central insert, thus naturally ensuring that the door remains open. This angle is also sufficiently large to limit the number of crank turns required to open the door, given that the dimensions should allow the door to be opened in 3 to 7 crank turns.

[0074] Furthermore, in the example in the figures, the worm gear is operated manually with a crank, but this crank can be replaced by an electric motor that can be carried by the slide, so as to allow controlled opening and closing of the door.

[0075] This disclosure is not limited to the description made in relation to the figures, and may take the form of other embodiments, provided that it is limited only to the following claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Connection port (1) for a sealed transfer cell, this port comprising a flange (2) extending around a principal axis (AX), this flange (2) comprising an external face (7) and an internal face (8) which is equipped with a door (3) movable between an open position and a closed position in which this door (3) closes a central opening (6) of the flange, and a slide (14) rigidly attached to the door (3) and passing through the flange (2), the slide (14) being connected to the flange (2) by a kinematic linkage (12) with an axis parallel (AX1) to the principal axis (AX), this kinematic linkage (12) comprising a sliding portion for restricting the slide (14) to a translational movement about the axis (AX1) over a first part of its displacement (D1), and a helical portion for restricting the slide (14) to a helical movement about the axis (AX1) on a second part of displacement (D2).

2. Port according to claim 1, in which the slide (14) is mounted in a bearing (17) passing through this flange (2), in which the slide (14) has an external cylindrical face provided with at least one groove (23, 24) comprising a straight portion (23a) extended by a helical portion (23b), with at least one fixed pin (26, 27) carried by the flange (2) and engaged in a groove (23, 24).

3. Port according to claim 2, in which the slide (14) has a cylindrical wall (19) and in which each groove (23, 24) passes through this wall (19), in which at least one pin (26, 27) passes through this groove (23, 24), and comprising a fixed insert (32) which extends inside the slide (14) and which is carried by at least one pin (26, 27), and in which the slide (14) has a bearing (34) carrying a worm screw (31) which extends inside the cylindrical wall (19) and which is engaged in a tapped hole in the insert (32).

4. Port according to claim 3, wherein the slide (14) has a cover (22) closing its cylindrical wall (19), and wherein each groove (23, 24) opens into an edge of the cylindrical wall (19) which is closed by the cover (22).

5. Port according to claim 3, wherein at least one pin (26, 27) engaged in a groove (23, 24) carries a ball bearing (29, 30) to reduce friction with the groove (23, 24) in which this pin (26, 27) is engaged.

6. Port according to claim 3, in which the slide (14) is carried by a radial extension (11) of the flange (2), in which each pin (26, 27) is engaged through the extension (11) to protrude radially inside the bearing (17), and comprising a bellows (28) surrounding the slide (14) extending from the extension (11) to an arm (13) by which the door (3) is fixed to the slide (14), the ends of this bellows being fixed to the extension (11) and to the arm (13).

7. Port according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the door (3) pivots by at least one quarter turn of rotation when the slide (14) is moved on its second part of travel (D2).

8. Port according to claim 3, comprising a crank (33) rigidly attached to the worm screw (31) to drive it in rotation.

9. Method of using a port according to claim 1, comprising the operation of moving the slider (14) to maneuver the door (3).

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the slide (14) is mounted in a bearing (17) passing through this flange (2), wherein the slide (14) has an external cylindrical face provided with at least one groove (23, 24) comprising a straight portion (23a) extended by a helical portion (23b), with at least one fixed pin (26, 27) carried by the flange (2) and engaged in a groove (23, 24).

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