A transfer device for transferring multiple objects through a transfer port.

Abstract

The present application relates to a transfer device (60) for transferring a plurality of objects (O) through a transfer port (R), including a container (61) having an interior space (67) configured to accommodate the plurality of objects (O) to be transferred through the transfer port (R). The container (61) has at least one removal opening (62) at an end of the container (61) in an axial direction (X) and having a dimension that allows at least individual objects (O) to be removed from the container (61), a door (63) configured to selectively close the at least one removal opening (62) to seal the interior space (67) from the external environment, and a piston (64) disposed within the container so as to be movable in a translational motion toward and away from the at least one removal opening (62) in the axial direction (X) to move the objects (O) contained within the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a transfer device for transferring a plurality of objects through a transfer port to or from a clean processing area. This application relates, in particular, to the field of inspection in pharmaceutical and food processing, and more specifically, to the field of environmental monitoring of clean or ultra-clean processing areas. It is also applicable to other processing scenarios, such as in the fields of semiconductor, electronic device or aircraft manufacturing, where the cleanliness or environment of the processing area is to be determined and monitored.

Background Art

[0002] In order to monitor the environmental conditions in a closed processing area of the above-described type, in passive air sampling, it has been a commonly practiced method to place one or more media plates in the active zone of the manufacturing area to expose them to the surrounding air in order to capture the maximum amount of particles in the surrounding air. Larger particles tend to settle on the media plate more quickly by gravity. Smaller particles take some time to settle due to factors such as air currents. The media plate functions best in a non-moving area. Microorganisms settle on the media plate from the air either alone or in colonies.

[0003] In the active monitoring of the air in the manufacturing area, a microbial air sampler that forcibly sends air into or onto a collection medium for a specific period of time is used. The collection medium can be a normal Petri dish, for example, a Petri dish containing a test medium of a nutrient agar base material or other appropriate test media according to other requirements.

[0004] The collection medium, in the form of a medium plate, Petri dish, or fixing plate (these terms are used interchangeably herein), is repeatedly transported into and out of the manufacturing area for further handling and evaluation. This is generally done manually, with one or more plates or Petri dishes being transported manually into or out of the manufacturing area through sterile transport ports. However, this manual handling of Petri dishes involves a high risk of contamination, as the lid may be inadvertently opened, or the plate may be shifted or removed during handling, including bringing in, setting up, and removing the medium plate, thereby compromising the detection results, particularly when multiple medium plates are handled in batch processing.

[0005] Aseptic transfer ports for selective access to a clean treatment area through a valve without compromising sterility are known. Such systems are also known as “RTP” or “rapid transfer ports,” and this application aims at a transfer device that is useful in conjunction with such a transfer port, namely a transfer device configured to fit each of the valve designs.

[0006] For example, GB2237816 A1 discloses a double-door transfer port that enables sealed transfer between a container and a shutoff device, i.e., a clean processing area. The container is docked by the closed port of the container, and then the port door is opened from the inside side of the shutoff device. Docking the container to the shutoff device may be achieved by a bayonet system, which docks the container in place at the port location by twisting the container around its axis. Since the container must be physically rotated, the contents of the container are also subject to rotation, which may cause liquid leakage or damage to delicate equipment. In this prior art, the entire container, including the lid and bayonet closing mechanism, is housed in a short box collar extension of the container, which is attached to the container itself via an airtight slip ring joint. In such a configuration, the extension is rotated to dock the container in place at the port, but the container does not need to rotate thanks to the slip ring joint. Since this device merely provides an open container accessible from the inside of the shutoff device, handling the object becomes difficult for the reasons mentioned above, especially when the object to be transported is a media plate, petri dish, or fixing plate. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] This application considers the application of a concept in which a container holding multiple objects to be transported is docked to a high-speed transport port of a shutoff device, and the port is opened to transport the objects from the container into the shutoff device and in the reverse direction. This application aims to provide a transfer device that transfers multiple objects, particularly Petri dishes as objects to be transferred, through a transfer port in an active process that does not impair sterility.

[0008] To solve this problem, this application provides a transfer device having the constituent elements of claim 1 for transferring a plurality of objects, in particular Petri dishes, through a transfer port, and a transfer method having the constituent elements of claim 12 for transferring a plurality of objects through a transfer port. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This application particularly provides a transfer device for transferring multiple objects through a transfer port, A container having an internal space configured to accommodate multiple objects to be transported through a transport port, wherein the container has at least one removal opening at its axial end, having dimensions such that the objects can be removed from the container individually. A door configured to selectively close at least one of the aforementioned access openings to seal the interior space from the external environment, and The container includes a piston, configured to be movable in translational motion axially toward and away from the at least one removal opening, in order to move an object contained inside the container.

[0010] Preferably, the piston is configured to be operable from outside the container. Preferably, the container has an access opening for introducing pushing and / or pulling forces to the piston to cause translational motion of the piston within the container. Preferably, the internal space of the container is sealed from the external environment of the container by a deformable sleeve and / or sliding seal sealed (or positioned) between the piston and the container.

[0011] Preferably, at least one dispensing opening is provided at the axial end of the container or around the periphery of the axial end. Preferably, at least one dispensing opening and piston are provided at the opposite end of the container when viewed in the axial direction.

[0012] Preferably, the door is configured to connect to a transport port, preferably an "alpha part door design". Preferably, the container is rigid or semi-rigid. Preferably, the container is cylindrical and has an internal structure configured to receive a stack (S) of objects (O), preferably in the form of a stack of petri dishes aligned in parallel, and to allow movement of the objects along the axial direction. Preferably, the transfer device includes a stack of multiple petri dishes as multiple objects received inside the container.

[0013] This application also provides a method for transferring a plurality of objects through a transfer port into a sterile or at least clean processing area or sealed device, the method preferably comprising the following steps sequentially. (a) A step of providing a transfer device comprising a stack of objects as defined herein, the objects being preferably Petri dishes. (b) Step of attaching the transfer device to the transfer port. (c) The step of opening the transfer port, thereby opening the internal space of the container to a sterile or at least clean processing area or sealed device. (d) Moving the piston in translational motion axially (X) toward at least one dispensing opening, thereby moving a stack of objects in the container toward at least one dispensing opening, i.e. toward a sterile or at least clean processing area or sealing device. (e) Step of removing the top object from the stack.

[0014] Preferably, the method further includes the following steps. (f) Repeat steps (d) and (e) until all objects in the stack have been removed. Preferably, the method also includes the following steps. (g) The step of closing the transfer port, and (h) The step of removing the transfer device from the transfer port.

[0015] Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described by referring to the attached typical explanatory drawings. In those,

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of the present transfer device before docking to the high-speed transfer port. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view of the present transfer device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of the present transfer device in a state where it is docked to the transfer port and the transfer port is closed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cutaway perspective view of the present transfer device in a state where it is docked to the transfer port and the transfer port is open. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating principle of one defined embodiment. [Figure 6] r FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating principle of another defined embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cutaway perspective view of the transfer port according to a further embodiment docked to the high-speed transfer port. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating principle of the transfer device according to a still further embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] For the purposes of this application, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “right-angled,” and similar terms are understood to mean “essentially horizontal,” “essentially vertical,” and “essentially right-angled,” respectively, unless explicitly stated otherwise, insofar as this does not negatively affect functionality. Preferably, the term “essentially” is used to describe a deviation of up to 10 degrees from being horizontal, vertical, or right-angled, respectively; more preferably up to 5 degrees; even more preferably up to 4 or 3 degrees; and even more preferably up to 2 or 1 degree.

[0018] This application relates to a transfer device 60 for transferring a plurality of objects O, which are to be transferred into or out of a sterile or at least clean processing area where a plate is used to detect contaminants in the air, through a transfer port R (i.e., a high-speed transfer port, such as disclosed in, for example, document GB2237816A1) to a sterile or at least clean processing area or a shutoff device, without impairing the sterility or cleanliness of the objects and the processing area or shutoff device. The objects to be transferred are preferably petri dishes, which typically include a container and a fitted lid, arranged in a parallel-aligned stack, preferably with the lid facing the transfer port R (or facing the dispensing opening 62 as defined below).

[0019] The transfer device 60 typically includes a container or cartridge 61, preferably cylindrical and preferably rigid or semi-rigid, which is configured in any case to accommodate a plurality of objects O to be transferred through the transfer port R in a parallel-aligned orientation as a stack S within its internal space 67. The container 61 is designed to be detachably coupled (i.e., docked) to the high-speed transfer port R.

[0020] The container 61 has at least one removal opening 62 at its axial X end, which is sized to allow an object O to be removed at least individually from the internal space 67 of the container 61 through the opening 62. A door 63 configured to selectively close at least one removal opening 62 is detachably attached to the end of the container to seal the internal space 67 at the removal opening 62 from the environment (as long as the container is not connected to the transport port R) and from the transport port after it has been connected but before the port is opened.

[0021] A piston 64 is provided in the internal space 67 of the container 61 so as to be movable in translational motion along the axial direction X toward and toward at least one removal opening 62 in order to move an object O contained in the container 61 toward and from the removal opening.

[0022] The internal dimensions of the internal space 67 of the container 61, i.e., the diameter if the internal space is in the shape of a circular cylinder, are selected to accommodate the object in question, preferably a stack of petri dishes.

[0023] The piston 64 is configured to be driven from outside the container 61. To this end, the container 61 has an access opening 65 at the end opposite to the side of the container 61's take-out opening 62. The access opening 65 is configured to allow the introduction of pushing and / or pulling forces that have the effect of causing the piston 64 to move in the axial direction X within the container 61.

[0024] The pushing force on the piston picks up the stacked objects and brings them toward the opening 62, thereby opening the high-speed transfer port and presenting the objects to the position of the opening or close to it within the clean processing area, allowing for easy gripping of each object. The pushing force can be applied to the piston, for example, through the access opening 65, by a rod integrated with the piston (not shown in the drawing) or a rod selectively coupled to the piston.

[0025] The internal space 67 of the container 61 for containing the object is sealed from the external environment of the container 61 by a deformable sleeve 66 sealed between the piston 64 and the container 61 (see Figures 5, 6, and 8). The sleeve 66 is preferably at least partially elastic and / or foldable and / or retractable, allowing force to be introduced to the piston through the access opening 65 while following the axial translational motion of the piston 64 while maintaining a sealed state from the external environment.

[0026] Although not shown in the figures, the internal space 67 may be sealed from the external environment of the container 61 by a sliding seal positioned between the piston 64 and the internal surface of the container, either as an alternative to or in combination with the deformable sleeve 66. This modification with a sliding seal is applicable, in particular, to the embodiment shown in Figure 5.

[0027] The sleeve 66 can be rolled inside the container (see Figure 6) or outside the container (see Figure 5). The sleeve is not shown in Figure 7 for clarity.

[0028] An external actuator acting on the piston 64 may be a cylinder that operates a rod reaching through an access opening 65 at the end of the container 61. Embodiments in which the retrieval opening is located on the periphery of the container are shown in Figures 7 and 8. In this case, access to the stacked objects is made from the parallel or peripheral side of the container through the retrieval opening 62.

[0029] At least one removal opening 62 is provided at the axial end of the container 61, opposite the access opening 65, or on the periphery of the axial end of the container 61, such that the opening 62 and the piston 64 are preferably located substantially at the opposite end of the container. Multiple removal openings may be provided at different locations.

[0030] The container 61 and door 63 are configured to dock to a shutoff device with a fitting valve configuration so that they can be detachably connected to a high-speed transfer port R of a desired system. The docking structure is illustrated in the drawings, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and has a bayonet coupling configuration 68a at the front end of the cylinder and a stopper rim or edge 68b at a distance from the coupling configuration 68a, and a bayonet coupling configuration 68c on the front side of the door 63. The bayonet coupling configurations 68a and 68c of the cylinder and door connect simultaneously to the fitting coupling structure of the transfer port R as shown in Figure 3 when the device docks to the transfer port, and the door 63 may also detach from the container at the same time. The door 63 may also open independently as shown in Figure 3, without any surface of the transfer device that was exposed to the environment being exposed to the internal space of the container and shutoff device. A useful system for the doors of transfer ports and therefore transfer devices is available from, for example, LaClhene® or other suppliers, known as alpha part door designe.

[0031] Depending on the dimensions (diameter) of the container, the objects do not necessarily need to be stacked in an axial direction X, but may be stacked in a direction transverse to the axial direction. In that case, the entire stack is presented to an extraction opening at the end of the axial translational motion, and at the same time becomes accessible from within a clean processing area (blocking device) for manual or automatic operation and transfer devices. Handling from within the clean processing area can be done by a robot, either by picking up the objects (Petri dishes) one by one or by grasping the entire stack.

[0032] While petri dishes have been cited as a preferred example of objects to be transported by the transfer device, this application is not limited thereto. Any object that needs to be actively moved toward and through an outlet opening at the end of a container for delivery to automated handling equipment within a clean processing area is suitable for use with the transfer device defined herein.

[0033] Nevertheless, this application relates to a unit comprising a transport device as defined herein, which includes a stack S of multiple petri dishes P that are received inside a container and are ready for use in a process of monitoring environmental conditions in a closed processing area.

[0034] This application also relates to a method for transferring a plurality of objects O through a transfer port R to a sterile or at least clean processing area or isolation device, and comprises the following steps (1) to (5) in sequence, wherein (1) a transfer device 60 described herein is provided, comprising a stack S of a plurality of objects O (preferably inside a container 61), the objects O being preferably Petri dishes P; (2) the transfer device 60 is then attached to the transfer port R; (3) the transfer port R is subsequently opened, thereby opening the internal space 67 of the container 61 to communicate with a sterile or at least clean processing area or isolation device; (4) Next, the piston 64 is moved in translational motion in the axial direction (X) toward at least one take-out opening 62, i.e., toward 62 (i.e., toward or toward a sterile or at least clean processing area or shut-off device) by preferably applying a pushing force; and (5) subsequently, the uppermost object O (i.e., the object O closest to or within a sterile or at least clean processing area), preferably a petri dish P, is removed from the stack S and used, for example, for air sampling, as intended, within a sterile or at least clean processing area or shut-off device.

[0035] It should be noted that the petri dishes P included in the transfer device 60, preferably in the container 61, are preferably oriented such that the lids of the petri dishes face or face toward the dispensing opening 62. Thus, step (1) of the present method preferably includes the following steps: (1') introducing a stack S of a plurality of petri dishes P into the transfer device 60, each in a container 61, with their lids facing toward the dispensing opening 62; and (1'') then providing the transfer device 60 containing such a stack S of petri dishes P.

[0036] Steps (4) to (5) described above may then be repeated until all objects O of stack S are removed from the transfer device 60, each from the container 61.

[0037] In addition, the method may further include (6) the step of closing the transfer port R, and (7) the step of removing the transfer device 60 defined herein from the transfer port R. The transfer port R is then ready to receive the transfer device 60, which is new and fully filled, i.e., containing a stack of objects O.

Claims

1. A transfer device (60) for transferring multiple objects (O) through a transfer port (R), A container (61) having an internal space (67) configured to accommodate a plurality of objects (O) to be transported through a transport port (R), wherein the container (61) has at least one removal opening (62) at its axial (X) end, having dimensions such that at least one object (O) can be removed from the container individually, the container (61) and A door (63) configured to selectively close at least one of the aforementioned access openings (62) to seal the internal space (67) from the external environment, and The transfer device (60) includes a piston (64) provided inside the container (61) so as to be movable in translational motion toward and toward the at least one removal opening (62) in the axial direction (X) for moving an object (O) contained inside the container.

2. The transfer device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the piston (64) is configured to be operable from outside the container (61).

3. The transfer device (60) according to claim 2, wherein the container (61) has an access opening (65) for introducing pushing and / or pulling forces into the piston (64) to cause translational motion of the piston (64) within the container (61).

4. The transfer device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the internal space (67) of the container (61) is sealed from the external environment of the container (61) by a deformable sleeve (66) and / or a sliding seal sealed between the piston (64) and the container (61).

5. The transfer device (60) according to claim 4, wherein the sleeve (66) is at least partially elastic and / or foldable and / or retractable, and is capable of following the translational motion of the piston (64) while maintaining a seal to the external environment.

6. The transfer device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one removal opening (62) is provided at the axial end of the container (61) or around the axial end of the container (61).

7. The transfer device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one take-out opening (62) and a piston (64) are provided at the opposite end of the container (61) as viewed in the axial direction (X).

8. A transfer device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the door (63) is configured to be connected to a transfer port (R).

9. A transport device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the container (61) is a rigid body.

10. The transfer device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the container (61) is a cylindrical container having an internal structure configured to receive a stack (S) of objects (O) and to allow the objects (O) to move along an axial direction (X).

11. The transfer device (60) according to claim 10, further comprising a stack (S) of a plurality of petri dishes (P) as a plurality of objects (O) received inside a container.

12. A method for transferring multiple objects through a transfer port into a sterile or at least clean processing area or sealed device, (a) Providing a transfer device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which includes a stack (S) of a plurality of objects (O), (b) The step of attaching the transfer device (60) to the transfer port (60), (c) Opening the transfer port (R), thereby opening the internal space (67) of the container (61) to a sterile or at least clean processing area or sealed device, (d) Moving the piston (64) in translational motion axially (X) toward at least one removal opening (62), thereby moving the stack (S) of multiple objects (O) contained in the container (61) toward at least one removal opening (62), (e) The step of removing the uppermost object (O) from the stack (S), The method comprising the above.

13. The method according to claim 12, (f) The method further comprising repeating steps (d) and (e) until all objects (O) of the stack (S) are removed.

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13, (g) the step of closing the transfer port (R), and (h) The method further comprising the step of removing the transfer device (60) from the transfer port (R).

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