Device for operating item included in glove box while forming double sealed wall part and related glove box

Abstract

To provide a device for operating an item included in a glove box while forming a double sealed wall part, and to provide the related glove box.SOLUTION: The invention substantively proposes to seal an opening end of a protection sleeve 15 when a robot arm or a slave arm is inserted into the protection sleeve 15 in a glove box 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of glove boxes, and more specifically, to a device for manipulating items contained within a glove box.

Background Art

[0002] A glove box is a sealed enclosure having at least one transparent wall portion, and the sealed enclosure is adapted for the manipulation of substances and objects within a controlled atmosphere. Glove boxes are particularly useful when the substances or objects to be manipulated are harmful to the human body or subject to contamination, such as in the fields of nuclear power, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and medicine.

[0003] The glove box includes at least one through-opening formed in one of its walls for the purpose of accessing products and materials present inside the glove box, and a flexible sleeve is designed to be sealed and mounted therein. The flexible sleeve forms a sealing barrier to ensure that a controlled atmosphere is maintained within the enclosure, and through the sealing barrier, the items contained within the enclosure can be manipulated.

[0004] The flexible sleeve is typically a glove for accommodating the operator's hand.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a part of a glove box 1 including a through-opening 2, and a glove 3 is sealed and mounted within the through-opening 2. The glove 3 is mounted within the opening 2 by an enclosure ring 4 fixed to a wall portion 5 defining the boundary of the enclosure by clamping using a screw and nut system 6.

[0006] The support ring 7 is removably mounted on the enclosure ring 4. The end of the glove 3 is provided with a bead 8, and the bead 8 is accommodated between the support ring 7 and the enclosure ring 4. The support ring 7 compresses the bead 8 against the enclosure ring 4, thus ensuring the sealing of the assembly. Gloves fixed in the opening of the glove box by the support ring and the enclosure ring are also known from the prior art, and said gloves do not have beads, and the sealing is ensured by a gasket.

[0007] The immobilization ring 9 enables the support ring 7 to be immobilized with respect to the enclosure ring 4.

[0008] Operating an item contained in the glove box using a glove such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 remains dangerous for the operator.

[0009] This is because there is a risk of accidents that could break the seal of the glove box and consequently expose the operator to harmful items contained therein. In particular, there is a risk of puncturing the glove during operation.

[0010] The glove box is opaque to alpha and beta radiation, but gamma radiation can pass through the glove. Therefore, a glove box that uses the glove as a flexible sleeve does not provide optimal protection for the operator to handle radioactive items.

[0011] Moreover, some tasks that require the operator to handle items contained in the glove box, such as preventive maintenance tasks and / or cleaning tasks, are difficult. Performing these difficult tasks by the operator reduces the working time available for other tasks with higher added value.

[0012] To overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks, a robotic arm or a remote manipulator can be used for the manipulation of items contained within a glove box.

[0013] However, a standard glove box is not suitable for fully installing a robotic arm within its enclosure. In particular, the interior of the glove box is usually cramped and can be obstructed by a number of objects. Moreover, the robotic arm may not be suitable for withstanding the confined atmosphere of the glove box, which can be corrosive, dusty, and / or radioactive. Additionally, the maintenance of a robotic arm fully placed within the glove box will become very complex.

[0014] Therefore, to manipulate items inside the glove box, it is preferable to install a robotic arm outside the glove box and insert it into a flexible sleeve, which forms a protective sleeve for the robotic arm if necessary.

[0015] Similarly, considering the operation of a remote manipulator, to meet the same operating requirements, the master arm of the remote manipulator must be placed outside the glove box, and the slave arm must be inserted into a flexible sleeve, which forms a protective sleeve for the slave arm if necessary.

[0016] Similar to a glove, the protective sleeve ensures that a controlled atmosphere is maintained inside the glove box by forming a sealed barrier between the interior of the box and the robotic arm or remote manipulator. Also, the protective sleeve protects the robotic arm or remote manipulator from the confined atmosphere. The attachment of the protective sleeve into the opening of the glove box is usually similar to that of a glove (e.g., the attachment of glove 3 shown in FIG. 1).

[0017] Additionally, even when a robotic arm or a remote manipulator is used, there is always a risk of piercing the protective sleeve. In some cases, the confinement of the controlled atmosphere in the glove box is no longer ensured. Moreover, the breaking of the seal of the protective sleeve may remain undetected for a long time (in particular, for a longer time than the time required to detect the breaking of the glove seal). In fact, the operator himself may notice the piercing of the glove during the operation, or the detection may be carried out during the inspection when the operator leaves the work area containing the glove box. These methods of leak detection are inappropriate for the protective sleeve into which the slave arm of a robotic arm or a remote manipulator is inserted for a period of several days. The reason is that in this case, they cannot be used frequently enough.

[0018] Sealed feedthrough systems used in shielded cells (especially in the nuclear industry) are also known. These systems are used, for example, for the transmission between the master arm and the slave arm of a remote manipulator. However, these systems are inappropriate for glove boxes. The reason is that they require thick walls that can withstand large mechanical forces, which does not apply to the walls of glove boxes.

[0019] Consequently, there is a need to improve the device for manipulating the items contained in the glove box, especially by overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0020] In particular, there is a need for such a device that provides the best confinement of the controlled atmosphere in the glove box. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0021] The object of the present invention is to provide at least a partial response to this one or more needs.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0022] For this purpose, the present invention is a device for operating an item contained in a glove box, the device comprising: - An enclosure ring adapted to be fixed to the edge of a through-opening formed in the wall (16) of the glove box; - A sealed protective sleeve including an open end; - A support ring, wherein the sealed protective sleeve is sealed and mounted on the support ring, and the support ring is adapted to fit into the enclosure ring so as to seal and fix the protective sleeve to the enclosure ring; - A slave arm of a robot arm or a remote manipulator including a plug, wherein the robot arm or the slave arm is adapted to be inserted into the protective sleeve together with the plug that seals and closes the open end of the protective sleeve; relates to a device comprising.

[0023] Preferably, the device includes a fixing ring for locking the support ring when the support ring is fitted into the enclosure ring.

[0024] Preferably, the robot arm or the slave arm is mounted on a support for absorbing the force exerted by the robot arm or the slave arm, and the support is adapted to be fixed to the ground, to a partition of a structure such as a wall, or to the ceiling.

[0025] Preferably, the device includes a pressure sensor designed to be disposed within a protective sleeve plugged by a plug to detect a change in pressure within a sealed volume defined by the protective sleeve and the plug.

[0026] Preferably, the plug includes a base, a sealing collar fixedly sealed around the base, and means for fixedly sealing the collar to a support ring.

[0027] Preferably, the collar is made of a flexible polymer, preferably polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride.

[0028] Preferably, the collar includes an inner bead received and compressed within a groove formed in the base.

[0029] Preferably, the fixing means is a support hoop, the collar is mounted on the support hoop, and the support hoop is adapted to fit into the support ring to fixedly seal the collar to the support ring.

[0030] Preferably, the support hoop is adapted to compress the collar against the support ring to provide a seal between the collar and the support ring, the collar preferably includes an outer bead received within a groove formed in the support hoop and adapted to be compressed against the support ring.

[0031] The present invention also provides a glove box, the glove box including - a through-opening formed in one of its walls, and - a device according to the present invention, wherein an enclosure ring is fixed to the edge of the through-opening, and a support ring is fitted into the enclosure ring, thus fixedly sealing the sealed protective sleeve to the enclosure ring. A glove box including the above is proposed.

[0032] Preferably, the box includes a spacer which is adapted to be assembled, preferably by bayonet fixing, with the support hoop and the base of the plug of the device so as to preferably maintain a constant radial separation between the support hoop and the base.

[0033] Preferably, the box includes an insertion tube for guiding the plug translationally when the plug is inserted into a protective sleeve in which it is sealed, the insertion tube being preferably configured to keep the plug concentric with a support ring.

[0034] Preferably, the insertion tube includes a mechanism for exerting a pushing force on the plug, the mechanism preferably converting the rotational movement of a handwheel into a translational movement.

[0035] Accordingly, the invention essentially proposes to seal the open end of the protective sleeve when a robotic arm or slave arm is inserted into the protective sleeve inside the glove box.

[0036] Accordingly, the device according to the invention makes it possible to manipulate the items contained inside the glove box while forming a double sealing wall between the controlled atmosphere of the glove box and the external environment. The first sealing wall is formed by the protective sleeve and the second sealing wall is formed by a plug which seals and closes the open end of the protective sleeve.

[0037] As a result, if the seal of the protective sleeve is broken, the plug still preserves the confinement of the controlled atmosphere of the glove box.

[0038] In contrast to prior art devices, the confinement of the controlled atmosphere thus does not rely on a single wall part that is relatively fragile and at risk of significant puncture. Moreover, the wall part formed by the plug is not at risk of puncture and / or tearing, and in particular, it is not installed in contact with the item being manipulated.

[0039] The items contained within the glove box can be manipulated by the robotic arm or slave arm of the device according to the invention. This avoids the risks and problems associated with manipulation by an operator using gloves.

[0040] Moreover, advantageously, with the device according to the invention, the mechanical forces of the robotic arm or slave arm are not supported by the walls of the glove box.

[0041] In addition, the device is suitable for existing glove boxes and thus does not require modification of the box for installation of the device. In particular, the enclosure ring, support ring, and protective sleeve can be of the same type as existing types for the assembly of the protective sleeve into the opening of the glove box. In particular, they can conform to existing standards such as those described in the ISO11933-1 standard.

[0042] The device according to the invention is easy and quick to install on the glove box. In particular, the device is suitable for replacing a worn glove or protective sleeve with a new protective sleeve without disrupting the confinement of the controlled atmosphere.

[0043] Other advantages and features will become more readily apparent from a perusal of the detailed description provided as a non-limiting illustration with reference to the following figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0044]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] FIG. 1 has already been described in the preamble and will therefore not be described below.

[0046] For the sake of clarity, the different elements of the figures are shown at variable scales and the actual dimensions of the different parts are not necessarily maintained.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a glove box 10 including a through opening 11 and a device 12 according to the present invention for operating an item contained in the glove box 10, and the device 12 is hermetically mounted through the through opening.

[0048] The device 12 includes an enclosure ring 13, a support ring 14, and a protective sleeve 15.

[0049] The enclosure ring 13 is fixed to the wall 16 of the glove box 10 by clamping or welding around the opening 11.

[0050] The protective sleeve 15 is hermetically mounted to the support ring 14 at its open end, and the support ring 14 itself is hermetically fitted into the enclosure ring 13.

[0051] The support ring 14 can be clipped into the enclosure ring 13.

[0052] Also, the device 12 includes a fixing ring 17, and the fixing ring 17 ensures that the support ring 14 fitted into the enclosure ring 13 is maintained in a fixed state.

[0053] The hermetic attachment of the protective sleeve 15 within the opening 11 can conform to existing standards according to ISO 11933-1.

[0054] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the protective sleeve 15 can include a bead 18 at its open end, which is hermetically inserted into the support ring 14, and the seal between the support ring 14 and the enclosure ring 13 is then provided by a lip seal 19 on the outer periphery of the support ring 14.

[0055] According to another example, the attachment of the protective sleeve 15 within the opening 11 can be the same as that shown in FIG. 1.

[0056] Also, the device 12 includes a robotic arm 20, and the robotic arm 20 is inserted into the protective sleeve 15 and is capable of operating an item contained within the glove box 10.

[0057] The robotic arm 20 includes a plug 21 at its base, and the plug 21 seals and closes the open end of the protective sleeve 15. The plug 21 is surrounded by the support ring 14. Thus, the remaining portion of the robotic arm 20 is housed within a sealed volume defined between the protective sleeve 15 and the plug 21. Even if the protective sleeve 15 is punctured, the seal of the robotic arm 20 within the glove box 10 is still preserved by the plug 21.

[0058] The pressure sensor can be accommodated within the above-described sealed volume and, thus, advantageously, any leakage can be detected, thereby enabling detection of a puncture of the protective sleeve 15.

[0059] The plug 21 includes a base 22 and a sealing collar 23, the remainder of the robotic arm 20 being mounted on the base 22, and the collar 23 being sealed and fixed around the base 22.

[0060] The outer peripheral portion of the collar 23 is sealed and fixed to the support ring 14.

[0061] Thus, the base 22 partially closes the open end of the protective sleeve 15, and the collar 23 seals and closes the space between the base 22 and the support ring 14.

[0062] The collar 23 takes the form of a hollow disk. The inner peripheral portion of the collar 23 includes an inner bead 24, the inner bead 24 being received and compressed within the base 22, which improves the seal for fixing the collar 23 around the base 22. In particular, the base 22 can include two plates, the two plates sandwiching the inner bead 24 therebetween.

[0063] The plug 21 can include a support hoop 25 as means for fixing the collar 23 to the support ring 14. The outer peripheral portion of the collar 23 is fixed to the support hoop 25. In particular, the outer peripheral portion of the collar 23 includes an outer bead 26, the outer bead 26 being received within a groove formed in the outer peripheral portion of the support hoop 25.

[0064] The support hoop 25 is fitted into the support ring 14 by pressing the collar 23 against the support ring 14. In particular, the support hoop 25 can be pushed into the support ring 14 and abutted against the stop of the support ring 14 that protrudes inwardly. Alternatively, the support ring 14 can include an inner radial groove, and the support hoop 25 can include ribs on its outer periphery such that the support hoop 25 is snap - fitted into the support ring 14.

[0065] The collar 23 is sandwiched between the stop and the support hoop 25.

[0066] The outer bead 26 is compressed by the support hoop 25 against the inner wall of the support ring 14. Thus, the outer bead 26 improves the seal of the fixation of the collar 23 to the support ring 14.

[0067] The robot arm 20 is mounted on the support 27, the support 27 is independent of the glove box 10, and is adapted to cause the force exerted by the robot arm 20 to be absorbed by the ground. Thus, the robot arm 20 does not transmit mechanical force to the wall 16 of the glove box 10.

[0068] This support 27 can be adapted to be fixed to the ground, to a partition of a structure such as a wall, or to the ceiling.

[0069] Also, this support 27 may be movable relative to the glove box 10. For example, the support 27 can include casters, preferably casters with brakes.

[0070] The support 27 can include lifting means for vertically moving the robotic arm 20 relative to the ground and the glove box 10. Therefore, the height of the robotic arm 20 can be adjusted according to the height of the opening 11 relative to the ground. Such lifting means can include, for example, telescopic columns and / or jacks.

[0071] The support 27 can include fixing means configured to removably fix the support 27 to the frame of the glove box 10.

[0072] Figures 3 to 7 show different steps of a method for installing the protective sleeve 152 of the device 12 according to the present invention into the glove box 10. The method for installing the protective sleeve 152 into the glove box 10 is similar to the standard procedure according to the ISO11933-1 standard.

[0073] The new protective sleeve 152 is installed to replace another worn protective sleeve 151 or glove 3.

[0074] Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the worn protective sleeve 151 to be replaced is hermetically mounted in the opening 11 of the glove box 10.

[0075] Figure 4 shows the extraction of the fixing ring 17 for the purpose of proceeding with the replacement of the worn protective sleeve 151.

[0076] Following this extraction, the new protective sleeve 152 is inserted by fitting the new support ring 142 into the enclosure ring 13, and the new support ring 142 pushes the old support ring 141 until the old support ring 141 falls into the glove box 10. This insertion step (shown in Figures 5 and 6) enables the containment of the controlled atmosphere to be maintained within the glove box 10.

[0077] Insertion can be performed using an insertion tube (not shown here). The insertion tube is also referred to in the art as an "ejection gun".

[0078] The support ring 142 and the new protective sleeve 152 to be inserted are installed inside the insertion tube. The insertion tube is locked to the enclosure ring 13, and the insertion tube is then screwed in, thereby inserting the support ring 142 into the enclosure ring 13. When the insertion tube reaches the stop, the insertion of the new support ring 142 and the new protective sleeve 152 is complete. The insertion tube can be configured such that at the end of its travel, at the stop position, the support ring 142 is clipped into the enclosure ring 13. The insertion tube is then unscrewed and removed from the enclosure ring 13.

[0079] When the support ring 142 is fitted into the enclosure ring 13, the immobilization ring 17 is installed again, thus locking the support ring 142 into the enclosure ring 13 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0080] FIGS. 8 to 14 show different steps of a method for installing the robotic arm 20 inside the protective sleeve 15 of the device 12 according to the present invention.

[0081] First, as shown in FIG. 8, the support hoop 25 is connected to the base 22 only by the collar 23. Thus, the support hoop 25 hangs relative to the base 22 and is supported by the base 22. Next, the distance between the support hoop 25 and the base 22 is not constant.

[0082] To maintain a constant radial separation between the support hoop 25 and the base 22, thus facilitating the fixation of the support hoop 25 into the support ring 14, the support hoop 25 is fixed to the spacer 28.

[0083] For this purpose, the spacer 28 can include a pin 29, the support hoop 25 can include a groove 30 formed therein, and the pin 29 and the groove 30 form a bayonet fixing system for fixing the support hoop 25 to the spacer 28.

[0084] The spacer 28 is arranged concentrically with respect to the base 22. Then, the support hoop 25 shows a certain radial separation from the base 22, and the collar 23 is uniformly stretched.

[0085] Also, the spacer 28 can be fixed to the base 22, for example, by bayonet fixing. Alternatively, the spacer 28 may not be fixed to the base 22 and can take the form of a sleeve surrounding the base 22, for example.

[0086] Following the mounting of the spacer 28, as shown in FIG. 10, the plug 21 and the spacer 28 are installed into the insertion tube 31.

[0087] Then, the insertion tube 31 is positioned around the enclosure ring 13 and supported against the enclosure ring 13 or against the wall 16 of the glove box 10.

[0088] FIG. 11 shows the insertion tube 31 positioned around the enclosure ring 13. Then, the plug 21 is centered with respect to the enclosure ring 13 and the support ring 14. This prevents the plug 21 from pushing the support ring 14 when the plug 21 is inserted into the support ring 14.

[0089] The robotic arm 20 is inserted into the protective sleeve 15, and then the plug 21 is translated in the support ring 14 while being guided by the insertion tube 31.

[0090] Figure 12 shows the translation of the plug 21 within the support ring 14. To facilitate the insertion of the robotic arm 20, the support 27 includes casters 32. The plug 21 can be translated by pushing the spacer 28. In particular, the spacer 28 can include, for example, a threaded rod 33 that is to be screwed into the body of the insertion tube 31 by a handwheel (not shown here).

[0091] As shown in Figure 13, when the support hoop 25 abuts against a stop protruding inwardly of the support ring 14, the translation of the plug 21 stops. Then, the plug 21 seals and closes the protective sleeve 15. Alternatively, the threaded rod 33 or the insertion tube 31 can include a stop, after which the threaded rod 33 is locked and cannot be further screwed into the insertion tube 31, thus ending the pushing of the spacer 28.

[0092] When the robotic arm 20 is inserted into the protective sleeve 15 with the seal provided by the plug 21, the support 27 is fixed to the glove box 10. For example, the support 27 can include means for fixing to the frame of the glove box 10, and / or the casters 32 can include a brake, and the brake is applied.

[0093] Then, the insertion tube 31 can be removed. Then, the spacer 28 can also be removed, for example, by rotation (e.g., a quarter turn), as shown in Figure 14.

[0094] If the protective sleeve 15 is intact and thus still ensures the confinement of the controlled atmosphere of the glove box 10, the robotic arm 20 can be withdrawn from the protective sleeve 15 and from inside the glove box 10 by performing the steps of the insertion procedure described above in reverse order.

[0095] When the robotic arm 20 is removed, the protective sleeve 15 can be replaced with a new protective sleeve 15 or glove 3 in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0096] If the protective sleeve 15 is punctured, as long as the plug 21 closes the protective sleeve 15, the controlled atmosphere confinement of the glove box 10 is ensured.

[0097] If necessary, it is possible to consider at least two ways to replace the protective sleeve 15.

[0098] The first method of replacement consists of pushing an assembly including the support ring 14, the protective sleeve 15, and the robotic arm 20 into the glove box 10 after the immobilization ring 17 has been pulled out. This pushing is carried out simultaneously with fitting a new support ring 14 (with the glove 3 or the new protective sleeve 15 mounted on the new support ring 14) into the enclosure ring 13. This first method includes the step of detaching the robotic arm 20 from the support 27 before the assembly is pushed. This first method can be carried out in a manner similar to the method described with respect to FIGS. 3 to 7. Once pushed into the glove box 10, the robotic arm 20 is considered to be a waste item that can be removed.

[0099] The second method of replacement includes pulling out the robotic arm 20 from the protective sleeve 15, followed by replacing the protective sleeve 15 by the method commonly used to replace a punctured glove. The robotic arm 20 can be decontaminated for reuse.

[0100] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, other variations and improvements will be possible.

[0101] For example, the robot arm 20 can be replaced with the slave arm of a remote manipulator. If necessary, the base 22 of the plug 21 can be adapted to transmit the movement of the master arm of the remote manipulator to the slave arm.

[0102] According to another example, the outer bead 26 can be hermetically inserted into the support hoop 25, and the seal between the support hoop 25 and the support ring can be provided by a lip seal surrounding the support hoop 25.

Explanation of Signs

[0103] 1 glove box 2 through opening 3 glove 4 enclosure ring 5 wall portion 6 screw and nut system 7 support ring 8 bead 9 immobilization ring 10 glove box 11 through opening 12 device 13 enclosure ring 14 support ring 15 protective sleeve 16 wall portion 17 immobilization ring 18 bead 19 lip seal 20 robot arm 21 plug 22 base 23 color 24 inner bead 25 support hoop 26 outer bead 27 support 28 spacer 29 pin 30 groove portion 31 insertion tube 32 caster 33 Threaded rod 141 Old support ring 142 New support ring 151 Worn protection sleeve 152 New protection sleeve

Claims

1. A device (12) for manipulating items contained within a glove box (10), said device (12) comprising: an enclosure ring (13) adapted to be fixed to the edge of a through-opening (11) formed in the wall (16) of said glove box; - a sealed protective sleeve (15) with an open end; a support ring (14) on which the sealed protective sleeve is sealingly mounted, the support ring being adapted to be fitted into the enclosure ring so as to sealingly fix the protective sleeve to the enclosure ring; a robot arm (20) or a slave arm of a telemanipulator comprising a plug (21), said robot arm or said slave arm being adapted to be inserted into said protective sleeve with said plug sealingly closing said open end of said protective sleeve; A device (12).

2. 2. The device of claim 1, including a fixing ring (17) for locking the support ring when the support ring is fitted into the enclosure ring.

3. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the robot arm or the slave arm is mounted on a support (27) for absorbing forces exerted by the robot arm or the slave arm, the support being adapted to be fixed to the ground, to a partition of a structure such as a wall or the like, or to a ceiling.

4. 4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor designed to be placed in the protective sleeve blocked by the plug in order to detect changes in pressure in a sealed volume bounded by the protective sleeve and the plug.

5. 5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plug comprises a base (22), a sealing collar (23) sealingly fixed around the base, and means for sealingly fixing the collar to the support ring.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the collar is made from a flexible polymer, preferably polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride.

7. 7. The device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the collar includes an inner bead (24) received and compressed within a groove formed in the base.

8. 8. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the fixing means is a support hoop (25) onto which the collar is mounted, the support hoop being adapted to be fitted into the support ring so as to sealingly fix the collar to the support ring.

9. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the support hoop is adapted to compress the collar against the support ring to provide a seal between the collar and the support ring, the collar preferably including an outer bead (26) received in a groove formed in the support hoop and adapted to be compressed against the support ring.

10. A glove box (10), comprising: a through opening (11) formed in one of its walls (16), - a device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the enclosure ring (13) is fixed to the edge of the through opening and the support ring (14) is fitted into the enclosure ring, thus sealingly fixing the sealed protective sleeve (15) to the enclosure ring; A glove box (10).

11. 11. The glove box according to claim 10, wherein the device is a device according to any of claims 8 and 9, and the box includes a spacer (28) adapted to be assembled together with the support hoop (25) and the base (22), preferably by bayonet fastening, to maintain a preferably constant radial separation between the support hoop and the base.

12. 12. The glove box according to claim 10 or 11, comprising an insertion tube (31) for guiding the plug (21) in translation as it is inserted into the sealed protective sleeve (15), the insertion tube being preferably configured to maintain the plug concentric with the support ring (14).

13. 13. The glove box of claim 12, wherein the insertion tube includes a mechanism for exerting a pushing force on the plug, the mechanism preferably converting a rotational movement of a hand wheel into a translational movement.

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