Cell flange equipped with magnetic safety means preventing the uncoupling of a container flange

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a connection assembly for a sealed transfer cell, comprising: – a cell flange (1) having a central opening (4), and an inner face (6) equipped with a door to close the opening (4); – a latch (13) carried by the inner face (6) of the cell flange (1) to lock the door; – a groove on the inner circumference of the opening to receive external lugs of a container flange to form a bayonet connection for coupling this container flange; – a stop (31) movable in translation between an activation position in which it protrudes into the groove to prevent uncoupling of the container flange, and a deactivation position in which this movable stop releases the groove; – magnetic actuation means equipping the latch (13) and the movable stop (31) to deactivate the movable stop when this latch (13) passes into the locked state.Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Cell flange equipped with magnetic safety means preventing the uncoupling of a container flange technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of sealed transfer of components from a sealed container to a sealed cell, with a double-door connection 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 cell is closed by a door on a flange of the cell equipping that cell, the door being located on the inner side of the flange, i.e., inside the cell, and being attached to that flange by a hinge. The container is closed by a door mounted in a flange of that container to which it is secured by a bayonet fitting. Two other bayonet fittings secure the flanges to each other and the doors 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, they are folded down by pivoting around the hinge. The container is then pivoted on itself 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 security for such a system to ensure that the container flange cannot be uncoupled from the cell flange until the door is completely closed. SUMMARY

[0016] To this end, the present disclosure relates to a connection assembly for a sealed transfer cell, comprising:

[0017] - a cell flange defining a central opening, this cell flange comprising an internal face equipped with a door to close the opening;

[0018] - a lock carried by the inner face of the cell flange to lock the door when it is closed on the opening;

[0019] - a groove extending to the inner circumference of the opening to receive external ears of a container flange in order to form a bayonet connection allowing this container flange to be coupled to the cell flange;

[0020] - fixed stops extending in this groove, the external ears being supported against these fixed stops when the container flange is coupled to the cell flange;

[0021] - a movable stop in translation between an activation position in which it protrudes into the throat to interfere with an external ear of the container flange in order to prevent its rotation to prohibit its uncoupling from the cell flange, and a deactivation position in which this movable stop releases the throat;

[0022] - a return element that continually tends to activate the movable stop;

[0023] - magnetic actuation means equipping the lock and the movable stop for deactivate this movable stop when this lock enters the locked state.

[0024] With this arrangement, the uncoupling of the container flange engaged in the cell flange is only possible when the cell flange door is closed and locked.

[0025] This disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, in which the movable stop includes a permanent magnet, and in which the lock includes another permanent magnet which positions itself opposite the movable stop when this lock goes into the locked state.

[0026] This disclosure also relates to an assembly defined as follows, in which the movable stop is translationally movable along an axis parallel to an axis of revolution of the throat, and in which the lock is rotatable and comprises a radial arm ending in a magnetic end containing the lock magnet.

[0027] This disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, in which the return element is formed by a ferromagnetic part cooperating magnetically with the magnet of the movable stop.

[0028] This disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, in which the movable stop is located in a cavity of the cell flange.

[0029] This disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, in which the lock is equipped with an operating lever located on an external face of the cell flange.

[0030] This disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, in which the permanent magnet of the lock is mounted in the magnetic end.

[0031] This disclosure also relates to an assembly thus defined, in which the movable stop is located on the cell flange at a position opposite to that of a hinge carrying the door of this cell flange.

[0032] This disclosure also relates to a method of using such an assembly, comprising the steps of:

[0033] - couple the container flange to the cell flange;

[0034] - actuate the cell flange lock to switch this lock to the unlocked state and activate the movable stop;

[0035] - open the cell door to put the container in communication with the cell.

[0036] This disclosure also relates to a method of use as defined, in which a connection assembly is used comprising a movable stop having a permanent magnet, and comprising a lock having another permanent magnet which positions itself opposite the movable stop when this lock goes into the locked state. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Fig. 1 is an overview perspective view of a flange equipped with a door shown open in accordance with this disclosure, viewed from inside the cell;

[0038] Fig. 2 is a front view of a flange equipped with a door shown closed in accordance with this disclosure, as seen from inside the cell;

[0039] The [Fig.3] is a perspective view showing the lock in the locked state and to deactivate the movable stop;

[0040] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the coupling of a container flange to the cell flange as seen from outside the cell;

[0041] The [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view showing the movable stop in the activated state;

[0042] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the magnetic end and the movable stop at the disabled state;

[0043] Fig. 7 is a local perspective view of the lock in the unlocked state with its radial arm away from the movable stop to activate this stop;

[0044] The [Fig.8] is a local perspective view of the lock in the locked state with its radial arm opposite the movable stop to deactivate it;

[0045] Fig. 9 is a local perspective view showing the movable stop with its rod extending into the internal groove in the activated state when the locking arm is moved away from the movable stop;

[0046] Fig. 10 is a local perspective view showing the movable stop with its rod extending into the internal groove in the deactivated state when the locking arm is opposite the movable stop. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In [Fig.1], a cell flange 1 supports a door 2 attached to this flange 1 by a hinge 3. This flange 1 is fixed to an opening not shown in a cell wall, and has a shape of revolution around an axis AX1, to delimit a central circular opening 4.

[0048] It comprises an inner face 6 extending inside the cell it equips, and an outer face 7 extending outside the cell it equips and to which is coupled a container flange 8 forming part of a container from which a transfer must be made to the cell or vice versa.

[0049] The opening 4, which is free in the situation of [Fig.1], can be closed by folding the door 2 against the flange 1 by pivoting this door 2 around the hinge 3. This hinge 3 extends along an axis AY normal to the axis AX1 and spaced from it by a distance greater than the radius of the opening 4.

[0050] In [Fig. 1], a container door 9 is attached to the inner face of the door 2 by a non-visible bayonet joint. The door 2 is connected to the hinge 3 by an arm 11 having one end rigidly attached to a rotating element 12 of the hinge 3, and a second end rigidly fixed to the door 2.

[0051] The cell flange 1 is equipped with a locking device comprising a rotary lock 13 and the door 2 is equipped with a cam 14, or groove, rigidly attached to the door 2 and from which it protrudes.

[0052] The rotary lock 13 is located opposite the hinge 3 with respect to the axis AX1, and it protrudes from the inner face 6 by being able to pivot around an axis AX2 parallel to the axis AX1, this lock 13 having a roller 16 extending parallel to the face 6.

[0053] When the door 2 is folded down as in [Fig.2], the cam 14 is positioned opposite the lock 13, so that pivoting the lock 13 around its axis allows its roller 16 to engage in the cam 14, to lock the door 2. Rotating the lock 13 in the opposite direction allows its roller 16 to disengage, to release the cam 14 and allow the door 2 to open.

[0054] This rotary lock 13 advantageously comprises a transmission shaft passing through the outer face 7 of the flange and allowing an operator to actuate it by means of an external lever 17 carried by this operating shaft. The operator can thus lock or unlock the internal door 2 from outside the cell.

[0055] As indicated above, the hinge 3 includes a rotating element 12, pivoting around the axis AY, this rotating element 12 being supported by bearings 18 and 19 which are rigidly fixed to the inner face 6.

[0056] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], coupling the container flange 8 to the cell flange 1 first involves placing its free end facing the opening 4 and engaging it therein. This container flange 8 has external lugs 20 which then engage in notches 21 of the cell flange 1, which in turn rotate into a groove 22 formed in the inner circumference of the cell flange 1, with which they form a bayonet connection.

[0057] This groove 22 is delimited by a bottom 23 which is a portion of a cylinder coaxial with the axis AX1, by a side 24 in the shape of a crown inscribed in a plane normal to the axis AX1, and by a front rim 26 projecting radially inwards. The front rim 26 has four ridges 27 separated from each other by four notches 21 which allow the engagement of the four external lugs 20 of the container flange in the groove 22.

[0058] This groove has four internal fixed stops 29 to limit the rotation of the four ears 20, i.e. to stop the rotation of the container flange 8 when it is coupled to the cell flange 1. Each internal stop 29 extends axially from one end of a bead 27 to the side 24.

[0059] When the external ears 20 are engaged in the groove 22, the container flange 8 can then be pivoted about the axis AX1 until the ears 20 are brought against the stops 29, to couple it completely to the cell flange 1.

[0060] The coupling of the container flange 8 to the cell flange 1 is performed when the door 2 is closed and locked, and similarly, the uncoupling of the container flange 8 can only be performed when the door 2 is closed and locked. Likewise, these operations are only feasible if the flange 8 is equipped with its door.

[0061] According to this disclosure, the cell flange 1 is equipped with a movable stop 31 for locking the ears in the throat 22 when the door 2 is open, in order to prevent reverse rotation of the container flange 8 so as to prevent the uncoupling of this container flange when the door 2 is open.

[0062] As seen in Figures 5, 6, 9 and 10, this movable stop 31 extends in the groove 22, circumferentially at a distance from a fixed stop 29 slightly greater than the circumferential length of a lug 20. When the container flange 8 is coupled to the cell flange 1, and the movable stop 31 is activated, the lug located between this movable stop and the nearest fixed stop is blocked in rotation by this movable stop, to prevent uncoupling of the container flange 8 which is then blocked in rotation in the groove 22.

[0063] As seen in [Fig.5], this movable stop 31, which has a shape of revolution around an axis AX3 parallel to the axis AX1, is housed in a cavity 32 of the flange 1 opening into the inner face 6, being carried by a cap 33 closing this cavity 32. The cap 33 is fixed to the cavity 32 by being, for example, screwed into a threaded hole in the inner face of this cavity 32.

[0064] This movable stop 31 comprises a cylindrical body 34 in which a permanent magnet 36 is housed, this body 34 being extended by a rod 37 sliding in a hole connecting the cavity 32 to the groove by opening into its side 24. The movable stop 31 is displaceable in translation along the axis AX3 by being able to slide in an internal cylindrical cavity of this cap 33.

[0065] A fixed magnetic steel ring 38, advantageously made of magnetic stainless steel, is housed in the bottom of the cavity 32 through which the rod 37 passes. The permanent magnet 36 and the ring 38 exert a mutual magnetic attraction, so that the movable stop 31 tends continuously to move closer to the ring 38. This ring 38 thus constitutes a return means which continually tends to return the stop 31 to its activation position.

[0066] When the movable stop 31 is activated, as in Figures 5, 7 and 9, its rod 37 which passes through the ring 38 extends into the groove 22, protruding into it through its side 24 in order to constitute an obstacle blocking in rotation a lug of the container flange, as seen in Figures 5 and 9. Under these conditions, if the container flange 8 is coupled to the cell flange 1, the lug located between this movable stop 31 and the nearest fixed stop is blocked in rotation, to prevent uncoupling of the container flange 8.

[0067] In addition, the lock 13 is equipped with a radial arm 39 ending in a magnetic end 41 arranged to come opposite the movable stop 31 when this lock moves from its unlocked position to its locked position.

[0068] As can be seen in [Fig. 6], the end of the radial arm 39 extends along the axis AX3, and it terminates in an internal bore 42 receiving a plug 43 carrying another permanent magnet 44, this plug 43 being for example screwed into the hole to close it.

[0069] When the latch 13 is in its locked position, as shown in Figures 6, 8, and 10, the magnetic end 41 is located opposite the movable stop 31, that is, in line with this stop 31 along the axis AX3. The permanent magnets 36 and 44 then exert a mutual attraction on each other, which is greater than that exerted between the magnet 36 of the stop and the ring 38. Under these conditions, the stop 31 is attracted towards the magnetic end 41 to a deactivated state in which its rod 37 releases the groove 22, as shown in Figures 6 and 10.

[0070] As can be seen in the figures, the movable stop 31 is located on the flange 1 opposite the hinge 3 with respect to the axis AX1: it is very close to the latch 13, or even adjacent to it. In general, the present disclosure ensures that the container flange cannot be uncoupled from the cell flange until the door is completely closed and locked.

[0071] Thanks to this positioning of the movable stop 31, it is actuated by the lock 13, so that it is the closed and locked state of the door which allows the movable stop to be deactivated.

[0072] More specifically, the lock 13 comprises an internal body 46 of cylindrical shape carrying on its peripheral face the roller 16 which extends radially, connected by the transmission axis to an external body, also cylindrical, which carries the lever 17 extending radially with respect to this external body. The internal body protrudes from the inner face 6 of the flange 1 while the external body protrudes from the outer face 7 of this flange.

[0073] As can be seen in Figures 3, 7 and 8, the arm 39, which is supported by the internal body 46, extends radially from this internal body 46 and has an end oriented parallel to the axis AX1 terminated by the magnetic end 4L

[0074] When the door 2 is opened, the lock 13 is necessarily unlocked as shown in Figures 5, 7, and 9, and the magnetic end 41 is moved away from the movable stop 31, so that it is returned by the ring 38 to its activated position. Under these conditions, and as shown in Figures 5 and 9, the rod 37 protrudes into the groove 22 to form an obstacle preventing the movement of the lugs, thus preventing the disengagement of the container flange 8.

[0075] When the door 2 has been closed, and the operator has operated the lever 17 by rotating it 90° to place the lock 13 in the locked state, the magnetic end 41 comes opposite the stop 31 to attract it so as to deactivate this movable stop 31, which corresponds to the situation of figures 6, 8 and 10.

[0076] In this situation, the rod 37 is retracted, so that the external ears of the container flange 8 are free to slide in this groove 22, in order to allow uncoupling of the container flange 8.

[0077] In other words, thanks to its radial arm 39, the lock 13 magnetically attracts the stop 31 when this lock 13 is in the locked position. The 90° rotation angle of the lever depends on the roller / cam system that enables locking.

[0078] In general, the arrangement according to the present disclosure allows the container flange 8 to be uncoupled from the cell flange 1 only when the door 2 is closed and locked by the lock 13. This is ensured by means of the movable stop 31 which is located in the vicinity of the lock 13 to be actuated by this lock 13 by means of the magnetic end 41 of its arm 39.

[0079] The actuation of this system can be carried out either by means of the lever 17, in the case of an opening from outside the cell, or by directly manipulating the body 46 or the arm 39 from inside the cell, the operator then accessing the inside of the cell by means of a glove equipping the wall of the latter.

Claims

Demands

1. Connection assembly for a sealed transfer cell, comprising: - a cell flange (1) defining a central opening (4), this cell flange (1) having an inner face (6) equipped with a door (2) for closing the opening (4); - a latch (13) carried by the inner face (6) of the cell flange (1) for locking the door (2) when it is closed over the opening (4); - a groove extending to the inner circumference of the opening (4) for receiving external lugs (20) of a container flange (8) in order to form a bayonet connection for coupling this container flange (8) to the cell flange (1); - fixed stops (29) extending in this groove (22), the external lugs (20) bearing against these fixed stops (29) when the container flange (8) is coupled to the cell flange (1);- a movable stop (31) in translation between an activation position in which it protrudes into the groove (22) to interfere with an external ear (20) of the container flange (8) in order to prevent its rotation to prevent its disengagement from the cell flange (1), and a deactivation position in which this movable stop (31) releases the groove (22); - a return element (38) tending continuously to activate the movable stop (31); - magnetic actuation means equipping the lock (13) and the movable stop (31) to deactivate this movable stop (31) when this lock (13) passes to the locked state.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the movable stop (31) comprises a permanent magnet, and wherein the lock (13) comprises another permanent magnet which positions itself opposite the movable stop (31) when this lock (13) passes into the locked state.

3. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein the movable stop (31) is translationally movable about an axis (AX3) parallel to an axis of revolution (AX1) of the groove (22), and wherein the lock (13) is rotatable and comprises a radial arm (39) terminated by a magnetic end (41) comprising the magnet of the lock (13).

4. 4. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein the return element is formed by a ferromagnetic part cooperating magnetically with the magnet of the movable stop (31).

5. 5. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the movable stop (31) is located in a cavity (32) of the cell flange (1).

6. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock (13) is equipped with an operating lever (17) located at an external face (7) of the cell flange (1).

7. Assembly according to claim 3, wherein the permanent magnet of the lock is mounted in the magnetic end (41).

8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable stop (31) is located on the cell flange (1) in a position opposite to that of a hinge carrying the door (2) of this cell flange (1).

9. A method of using a connection assembly according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: - coupling the container flange (8) to the cell flange (1); - actuating the lock (13) of the cell flange (1) to move this lock (13) to the unlocked state and activate the movable stop (31); - opening the door (2) of the cell (1) to put the container (8) into communication with the cell (1).

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein a connection assembly is used comprising a movable stop (31) having a permanent magnet, and comprising a lock (13) having another permanent magnet which positions itself opposite the movable stop (31) when this lock (13) passes into the locked state.

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