A leak-proof container with flexible walls, equipped with a retaining ring that connects to the device, allowing the container to be removably connected to the enclosure.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a leak-proof container (1) having flexible walls, comprising a bag (2) formed from a flexible film arranged to define a leak-proof interior volume and a through opening; and means for securing the bag (2) to a connection device (4) for connecting the container (1) in a leak-tight manner to a sterile enclosure provided with a complementary connection device (4), the securing means comprising a fixing ring (6) arranged to allow reversible fixing of the connection device (4) to the bag (2), the ring consisting of two concentric annular parts fitted one to the other, the outer annular part being dimensioned to be press-fit around the inner annular part and exert a radial stress thereon, and a portion of the film defining the through opening is gripped between the two annular parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of containers intended to be connected in a leak - proof manner to a sterilization enclosure to enable the communication of their respective volumes without contact with the external environment.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to means for fixing a bag formed from a flexible plastic film arranged to define a leak - proof internal volume and a through - opening, a leak - proof container having a flexible wall, and a complementary connection device for leak - proof connecting the container to a sterilization enclosure provided with a connection device.

[0003] According to the present invention, the leak - proof container having a flexible wall is intended, among other things, but not exclusively, for the transfer of dangerous products such as some pharmaceutical, biotechnological, biological, chemical, or radioactive products, the transfer of components such as corks, bottles, pistons, syringes, the transfer of environmental control devices such as culture medium supports, certain counters, the transfer of cleaning systems, the transfer of liquids, powders, tools, the transfer of waste to the outside of the enclosure, and / or for the transfer of any element necessary for production or for the maintenance of a production line.

[0004] Prior Art In known fashion, connecting a leak - proof container having a flexible wall to a sterilization enclosure for the transfer of products without breaking the connection and tightness is achieved by two connection devices, one provided on the container and the other provided on the enclosure. Each connection device comprises a flange that defines a through - opening of the internal volume of the container or the enclosure, and each of the through - openings is closed by a door. The flange and the door of the container are each connected to the flange and to the door of the enclosure by a bayonet connection and are also removed from each other under the action of a rotational movement of the associated flange and the door of the container relative to the flange and the door of the enclosure to which they are attached.

[0005] In the case of containers with flexible walls formed from flexible plastic film, the connecting devices and film are conventionally assembled by welding the film onto the flange. However, in the case of this type of container, assembly by welding is associated with several disadvantages.

[0006] Firstly, such assembly by welding does not guarantee optimal adhesion and cannot eliminate the existence of leakage points. Similarly, it is not possible to ensure uniform welding at all points on the surface of the film. Furthermore, since welding inherently alters the material being welded, the flexible film may be altered during the welding process, thus potentially creating weak points in terms of resistance and adhesion.

[0007] Secondly, bonding devices have the disadvantage of not being able to be disassembled and therefore not being recyclable.

[0008] Thirdly, welding assembly determines the materials used for the flanges to which the film is welded, and for the film itself.

[0009] The present invention aims to solve these problems by proposing a leak-proof container having a flexible wall made of a flexible film that can be connected to a sterile enclosure, possessing improved mechanical strength and ensuring optimal adhesion.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to propose a leak-proof container having a flexible wall made of a flexible film that can be connected to a sterile enclosure without the risk of film degradation and contamination, and can be produced easily and quickly.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to propose a leak-proof container having a flexible wall made of a recyclable flexible film. [Purpose of the present invention]

[0012] For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the present invention proposes a leak-proof container comprising: a bag formed from a flexible plastic film having a through-opening and arranged to define a leak-proof internal volume; and means for securing the bag to a connecting device, which enables the container to be leak-proof connected to a sterile enclosure having a complementary connecting device, wherein the securing means comprises a securing ring arranged to enable the connecting device to be reversibly secured to the bag, the securing ring comprising two concentric annular portions, one fitted into the other so as to define an internal annular portion and an external annular portion, the external annular portion being pressure-fitted around the internal annular portion and sized to exert radial stress therein, and a portion of the film defining the extent of the through-opening being gripped between the external annular portion and the internal annular portion.

[0013] Advantageously, the inner annular portion has an outer peripheral surface having at least two circumferential knurled lines, which, together with the inner peripheral surface of the outer annular portion, define a compression zone of a portion of the film held between the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion.

[0014] Advantageously, the knurled grooves are spaced apart from each other to contact the inner surface of the outer annular portion and to define a contact zone defined by the knurled grooves, which is subjected to lower pressure stress than the outer annular portion is subjected to by the knurled grooves.

[0015] Advantageously, the outer annular portion has a surface that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the inner annular portion supporting the knurling pattern, and this surface is flat.

[0016] In a modified version, the inner peripheral surface of the outer annular portion can be provided with a hollow imprint in which one knurled hole is positioned and held within each of the inner annular portion, while the radial stress of the outer annular portion is exerted on the inner annular portion.

[0017] In another modification, the inner annular portion has an outer peripheral surface having at least two knurled lines, which, together with the knurled lines on the inner peripheral surface of the outer annular portion, define at least one annular zone that ensures both the fixation and adhesion of the annular portions to each other.

[0018] Advantageously, the height of the inner annular section is greater than the height of the outer annular section.

[0019] Advantageously, the connecting device is supported by an internal annular portion.

[0020] Advantageously, the outer annular portion is clipped to the inner annular portion.

[0021] Advantageously, the fixing ring is made of a bacteriostatic plastic material.

[0022] Advantageously, the retaining ring can be disassembled.

[0023] Advantageously, the container is positioned to connect in a leak-proof manner to a sterile enclosure equipped with a complementary connecting device, the connecting device comprising a flange which is reversibly and leak-proofly fixed to a retaining ring and together with the retaining ring defines the extent of the through-opening. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of the container according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a detailed view of the container shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a part of the container shown. [Figure 4]It is a view of the fixing ring of the container in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the continuous part of the fixing ring in FIG. 4 before assembly. [Figure 6] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the continuous part of the fixing ring in FIG. 4 when assembled. [Figure 7] It is a view of the outer annular part of the fixing ring in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] It is a view of the inner annular part of the fixing ring of the container in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] It is a partial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the fixing ring. [Figure 10] It is a partial cross-sectional view of another modified example of the fixing ring.

[0026] For the sake of clarity, the same or similar elements in different embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals in all the drawings.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Regarding FIGS. 1 to 8, a leak-proof container 1 having a flexible wall will be described. The container includes a bag 2 and a leak-proof connection device 4 arranged to enable the bag 2 to be connected to a complementary connection device of a sterilization enclosure.

[0028] The bag 2 is formed of a flexible plastic film arranged to define a leak-proof internal volume and having a through-opening that enables the internal volume to communicate with the outside of the bag.

[0029] The connecting device 4 comprises a flange 40 connected to the bag 2, the flange defining a through-opening in the bag 2 when the body of the container is secured to the flange. The connecting device further comprises a removable door 41 secured to the flange 40 to close the through-opening. Advantageously, the flange 40 and the door 41 are secured to each other by notches and lugs supported by the flange 40 and the door 41, respectively. The container 1 further comprises an annular seal 42 supported by the flange (Figure 3). The annular seal defines the door / flange seal of the connecting device 4.

[0030] The bag is connected to the connecting device in a manner that ensures sterile communication between the internal volume of container 1 and the internal volume of the enclosure.

[0031] Advantageously, the container 1 is equipped with a protective cover 5 for the connecting device. An example of the protective cover is shown in Figure 3. The protective cover is located on the opposite side of the door 41 of the connecting device and is clipped to the lugs of the flange 40 in a pressure-fit manner.

[0032] According to the present invention, the container 1 is equipped with a retaining ring 6 that enables leak-proof securing of the bag 2 to the connecting device 4 without requiring reliance on welding. As described below, the retaining ring 6 is positioned to allow reversible securing of the connecting device 4 to the bag 2, and to allow the connecting device to be disassembled in principle. The retaining ring 6 is positioned together with the bag 2 to define a through-opening.

[0033] The fixing ring 6 according to the present invention is made of two concentric annular portions that fit together. This part defines an annular portion referred to as an inner annular portion 7 and an annular portion referred to as an outer annular portion 8. Advantageously, the outer annular portion 8 is clipped to the inner annular portion 7. Advantageously, the fixing ring 6 is made of a bacteriostatic plastic material, preferably polyphenylene oxide.

[0034] The outer annular portion 8 is pressure-fitted around the inner annular portion 7 and sized to exert radial stress thereon, and a portion of the film 20 defining the extent of the through-opening is held between the outer annular portion 8 and the inner annular portion 7. The inner annular portion 7 is then sized to allow the bag 2 to be easily assembled to the annular portion while the outer annular portion is being force-fitted, while avoiding the formation of folds in the bag 2.

[0035] Advantageously, the height of the inner annular portion 7 is greater than that of the outer annular portion 6. Therefore, when the two annular portions 7 and 8 are assembled together, the inner annular portion 7 extends beyond the outer annular portion 8. As shown, the retaining ring 6 is attached to the plastic film, and the portion of the inner annular portion 7 that extends beyond the outer annular portion 8 is oriented away from the inside of the bag 2. This arrangement of the retaining ring 6 has the advantage of avoiding handling the inside of the bag while assembling the retaining ring 6 and the bag 2. Thus, the entry of particles and / or microorganisms is avoided, and the cleanliness of the bag 2 is maintained. Next, the connecting device 4 is supported by the portion of the inner annular portion 7 that extends beyond the outer annular portion 6.

[0036] Finally, to ensure, on the one hand, that the film remains gripped between the two annular portions 7, 8, and on the other hand, to ensure tight contact between the retaining ring 6 and the bag 2, the inner annular portion 7 has an outer peripheral surface 70 with circumferential knurling 10, which, together with the flat inner peripheral surface 80 of the outer annular portion 8, is arranged to define a compression zone for a portion of the film 20 gripped between the two annular portions. In the shown embodiment, the inner annular portion 7 has two knurling 10 extending around the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the portion. Naturally, it is apparent that different numbers of knurling 10 can be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the shown embodiment, the knurling has a similar profile and similar dimensions.

[0037] The knurled pattern is positioned relative to the inner surface of the outer annular portion 8 and exerts radial stress on the inner peripheral surface 80 of the outer annular portion 8, which reacts to the radial stress exerted thereon. This ensures that the seal between the container body and the retaining ring is maintained when the two annular portions are fitted together.

[0038] Advantageously, the knurled grooves 10 are spaced apart from each other to define zones between the grooves that receive lower pressure stress than the outer annular portion 8 is subjected to by the knurled grooves 10. This, in combination with the two knurled grooves supported by the inner annular portion 7, allows for enhanced adhesion.

[0039] Figure 9 shows a second modification of the retaining ring 6. In this modification, the outer annular portion 8 has two circular hollow imprints 11 extending around the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface 80. As shown in Figure 9, the outer annular portion 8 is fitted into the inner annular portion 7 by each knurled 10 engaging with one hollow imprint 11. Thus, while the outer annular portion 8 is clipped to the inner annular portion 7, the knurled 10 crush a portion of the film 20 of the bag in the hollow imprint 11 area, thus ensuring improved grip of the film. Naturally, it is clear that the number of hollow imprints 11 produced on the inner peripheral surface 80 of the outer annular portion 8 is at least equal to the number of knurled 10 provided on the inner annular portion 7. As described above, the knurled 10, together with the hollow imprints 11, are positioned to define zones that receive lower pressure stress than that exerted on the outer annular portion 8 by the knurled 10.

[0040] Figure 10 shows another modification of the retaining ring 6. In this modification, the outer peripheral surface 70 of the inner annular portion 7 and the inner peripheral surface 80 of the outer annular portion 8 are provided with knurling 13 and 14, respectively. The knurling is arranged to define an annular zone that ensures both the clipping of the annular portions to each other and the tight seal between the bag and the annular portion of the retaining ring 6. In the shown modification, the knurling has a different profile. These are configured to maintain a low-pressure zone between the knurling, as in the embodiments described above, and thus improve the tight seal of the ring / film assembly.

[0041] Due to the arrangement of the elements forming the container 1, the container is assembled by clipping the elements forming the container together. Thus, the inner annular portion 7 is located inside the bag 2 within its through-opening region. The outer annular portion is then engaged around the bag 2, and the bag extends between the inner annular portion 7 and the outer annular portion 8 until it is pressure-fitted around the inner annular portion 7. Once the outer annular portion 8 is pressure-fitted to the inner annular portion 7 by a portion of the film 20 defining an opening gripped between the annular portions (Figures 1-8), or force-fitted until the parts are actually clipped together (Figures 9 and 10), the connecting device is clipped to the top of the inner annular portion (the free portion of the inner annular portion). Advantageously, clipping the components together is reversible; therefore, the ring can be disassembled from the container. Similarly, clipping the connecting device to the ring is reversible; therefore, the connecting device can also be disassembled.

[0042] Advantageously, the bag 2 and connecting device 4 are made of bacteriostatic material. The seals 8 and 13 are made of silicone or other material to minimize residual phenomena. The seals can also be made and supplied from bacteriostatic material.

[0043] The present invention is described above as an example. Those skilled in the art will understand that it is possible to carry out different modifications of the present invention in any way without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall, A bag (2) made of a flexible plastic film, positioned to define a leak-proof internal volume and having a through-opening, A flanged connecting device that enables the leak-proof connection of the leak-proof container (1) to a sterile enclosure equipped with a complementary connecting device, The bag is provided with fixing means for fixing it to the flange. Leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall, comprising a fixing ring (6) positioned to enable the reversible fixing of the connecting device (4) to the bag (2), wherein the fixing ring (6) consists of two concentric annular portions away from the flange, one of which is fitted into the other such that each defines an inner annular portion (7) and an outer annular portion (8), the flange is reversibly clipped onto the inner annular portion, the outer annular portion is clipped onto the inner annular portion, the outer annular portion (8) is pressure-fitted around the inner annular portion (7) and sized to exert radial stress therein, and a portion of a film (20) defining the extent of the through-opening is gripped between the outer annular portion (8) and the inner annular portion (7).

2. The leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner annular portion (7) has an outer peripheral surface (70) having at least two circumferential knurled lines (10) arranged together with the inner peripheral surface (80) of the outer annular portion (8) to define a compression zone of a portion of the film (20) held between the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion.

3. The leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer annular portion has a surface that contacts the outer peripheral edge surface (70) of the inner annular portion (7) having the circumferential knurled pattern (10), and the surface is flat.

4. The leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner peripheral surface (80) of the outer annular portion (8) is provided with a hollow imprint (11) in which one of the circumferential knurling patterns is positioned and held within each of them when the radial stress of the outer annular portion (8) is exerted on the inner annular portion (7).

5. Leak-proof container (1) with a flexible wall according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal annular portion (7) has an external peripheral surface (70) having at least two second knurling marks (13) arranged to define at least one annular zone that ensures both the fixing and adhesion between the internal annular portion (7) and the external annular portion (8), together with the third knurling marks (14) of the internal peripheral surface (80) of the external annular portion (8).

6. A leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the circumferential knurling (10) of the internal annular portion (7) is spaced apart from each other to define a contact zone, the contact zone is for contact with the inner surface of the external annular portion (8), and its range is defined by the circumferential knurling (10), and the contact zone receives a lower pressure stress than that exerted on the external annular portion (8) by the circumferential knurling (10).

7. A leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the height of the internal annular portion (7) is greater than that of the external annular portion (8).

8. A leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connecting device (4) is supported by the internal annular portion (7).

9. A leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outer annular portion (8) is clipped to the inner annular portion (7).

10. A leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fixing ring (6) is made of a bacteriostatic plastic material.

11. A leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is arranged to connect the leak-proof container (1) to a sterile enclosure equipped with complementary connecting devices in a leak-proof manner, and is provided with a connecting device (4) that ensures sterile communication between the internal volume of the leak-proof container (1) and the internal volume of the sterile enclosure, and the connecting device (4) is fixed to the fixing ring (6) in a reversible and leak-proof manner, and together with the fixing ring, is provided with a flange that defines the range of the through-opening.

12. A leak-proof container (1) having a flexible wall according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fixing ring can be disassembled.

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