Cell flange for a double-sealed port with reduced disconnection force required

Abstract

A cell flange (200) comprises an annular flange body (201) having a main axis (AX), and is attached to a cell wall (100), wherein said body defines an internal passage (202). The flange (200) has a cell port (15) for selectively closing off the internal passage (202), and a set of external lobes (203-206) forming a groove (220) with an external face of the flange body to establish an external bayonet connection with a container (3). The cell flange (200) comprises a device for reducing the force required to disconnect the container (3), which device comprises a first annular groove (270).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Cell flange for double-sealed door with reduced disconnection force

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention relates to the sealed transfer of objects from a sealed container to a cell, with a double-door connection system.

[0005] PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

[0006] In various industrial sectors, tasks are carried out in a confined atmosphere, for example to protect the environment from radioactivity or toxicity, or to perform these tasks in an aseptic atmosphere.

[0007] The transfer of objects from a container to a cell, without breaking the seal, is ensured with a double door connection device, known for example from documents FR2695343 and US8950624.

[0008] Such a device can be used for packaging medications when using an isolator or an aseptic filling line. In this case, it is necessary to transfer small items such as vial caps to supply the line.

[0009] The confined enclosure or cell is equipped with a flange that is closed on the inside by a hinged door on this flange, commonly called the Alpha part. The Beta part, such as a container or bag, has another flange with a separate door at its opening. The flanges have tabs separated by notches. The shape and dimensions of the tabs on one flange correspond to the shape and dimensions of the notches on the other flange, allowing for a bayonet connection.

[0010] The connection involves engaging the container flange (Beta part) with the cell flange (Alpha part) and rotating it, which has the effect of:

[0011] - secure the two straps together by engaging a first bayonet connection called a strap-to-strap connection; - secure the two doors together by engaging a second bayonet connection called a door-to-door connection;

[0012] - detach the container door from its flange by disengaging a third bayonet connection called the flange-door connection.

[0013] After connection, the cell door is pivoted inwards to open it: the container door being then rigidly attached to the cell door by the door-to-door connection, it is taken with the cell door to extract it from the container flange.

[0014] When the items have been transferred, the cell door can then be folded down against this opening with the container door it supports.

[0015] Part Beta is then rotated in the opposite direction, which has the effect of:

[0016] - secure the container door to the container flange;

[0017] - detach the container door from the cell door;

[0018] - Disconnect the container flange from the cell flange.

[0019] When the container is connected to the cell, a volume of air is confined within substantially cylindrical boundary spaces defined by an outer face of the cell door, an outer face of the container door, and their respective peripheral seals, and by an outer face of the cell flange, an outer face of the cell door, and their respective peripheral seals. After the container disconnection operations, which bring the lugs of the container flange into alignment with the notches of the cell flange, the operator must apply traction to the container to separate the Beta portion from the Alpha portion. The traction applied to the container must be sufficient to overcome the suction effect exerted by the expansion of the confined air volume between the outer faces of the two doors, and / or between the outer faces of the two flanges, which resists the separation of the Beta and Alpha portions.Such traction proves particularly significant and difficult to apply to large container diameters, and the fact that the separation occurs abruptly is a potential source of accidents. Finally, such repeated stress can fatigue operators, leading to a loss of vigilance and thus a container connection failure that could break the cell's isolation, with significant consequences for production quality.

[0020] The aim of the invention is to provide a solution to overcome this drawback, without incorporating filters like most current solutions on the market.

[0021] STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0022] To this end, the invention provides a cell flange comprising an annular flange body with a main axis, provided with means for attachment to a cell wall. The flange body defines an internal passage and has a cell door capable of selectively closing this passage. A set of external lugs projects radially internally from a circumferential wall of the flange, defining with an external face of the flange body a groove comprising at least one notch separating two lugs of the set of external lugs in order to form an external bayonet connection system with a container. The cell flange has a device for reducing the disengagement force of the container from the external bayonet connection, this device comprising a first annular groove formed in the cell flange.

[0023] Advantageously, the device includes several annular grooves made in the cell flange.

[0024] The invention also relates to a transfer system which includes a cell flange and a container provided with a container door resting on a lip seal, the lip seal having a cross-section comprising a central body with a distal portion having an apex bordered by a radially external flank and a radially internal flank defining a first external lip and a first internal lip.

[0025] According to other particular, non-exclusive and optional embodiments of the invention: - the apex is separated from the first outer lip by a first distance considered along the principal axis and by a second distance considered along a direction orthogonal to the principal axis,

[0026] - the apex and the first outer lip come into contact with the first annular groove when the container is connected to the cell flange via the external bayonet connection,

[0027] - the first annular groove has a first surface delimited on its first radially internal edge by a first curve located in a first plane orthogonal to the principal axis and on its second radially external edge by a second curve located in a second plane orthogonal to the principal axis, separated from the first plane by a third distance considered along the principal axis,

[0028] - the third distance is less than the first distance, while being greater than one-third of the first distance, and preferably greater than half of the first distance,

[0029] - the first surface comprises a first frustoconical portion delimited at its third radially external edge by a third curve; the first curve is a circle of second radius, the second curve is a circle of third radius, the third curve is a circle of fourth radius, and the second distance is greater than a difference between the first and fourth radii.

[0030] - the peripheral annular joint comprises two intermediate portions defining a second radially external lip and a second radially internal lip; the apex is separated from the second external lip by a fourth distance considered along the principal axis and by a fifth distance considered along a direction orthogonal to the principal axis,

[0031] - the device includes a second annular groove made in the cell flange, having a second surface delimited on its fourth radially internal edge by a fourth curve located in a third plane orthogonal to the principal axis and on its fifth radially external edge by a fifth curve located in a fourth plane orthogonal to the principal axis, separated from the first plane by a sixth distance considered along the principal axis, - the sixth distance is less than the fourth distance, while being greater than one-third of the fourth distance, and preferably greater than half of the fourth distance,

[0032] - the second surface comprises a second frustoconical portion delimited at its sixth radially external edge by a sixth curve, the fourth curve is a circle of fifth radius, the fifth curve is a circle of sixth radius, the sixth curve is a circle of seventh radius, and the fifth distance is greater than a difference between the first radius and the seventh radius,

[0033] - the fifth distance is less than the difference between the first and seventh radii,

[0034] - the second radially external edge coincides with the fourth radially internal edge and / or the second plane coincides with the third plane.

[0035] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular, non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

[0036] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the figures which represent:

[0038] - [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cell provided with a flange according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0039] - [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the flange of Figure 1, the door of which is shown closed;

[0040] - [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an external face of the flange in Figure 1;

[0041] - [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a container flange and container door;

[0042] - [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container flange and container door of Figure 4; - [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the flange of Figure 1;

[0043] - [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a first step in connecting a container to the flange of Figure 1;

[0044] - [Fig. 8] Figure 8 is a view identical to Figure 7 after a second step of linking a container to the cell flange of Figure 1;

[0045] - [Fig. 9] Figure 9 is a view identical to Figure 7 after a third step of linking a container to the cell flange of Figure 1;

[0046] - [Fig. 10] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a final opening step of a link between a container and the cell flange of Figure 1;

[0047] - [Fig. 11] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a cell flange according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0048] - [Fig. 12] Figure 12 is a schematic perspective detail view of a cell flange according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0049] - [Fig. 13] Figure 13 is a schematic perspective detail view of the flange in Figure 12;

[0050] - [Fig. 14] Figure 14 is a projection representation of a junction curve of a portion of the flange of Figure 13 with a plane

[0051] - [Fig. 15] Figure 15 is a schematic representation of a cross-section of a container joint according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0052] - [Fig. 16] Figure 16 is a partial schematic representation of a cross-section of a cell flange according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0053] - [Fig. 17] Figure 17 is a partial schematic representation of a cross-section of a transfer system according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0054] - [Fig. 18] Figure 18 is a schematic representation of a cross-section of a container joint according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; - [Fig. 19] Figure 19 is a partial schematic representation of a cross-section of a cell flange according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0055] - [Fig. 20] Figure 20 is a partial schematic representation of a cross-section of a transfer system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0056] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0057] With reference to figures 1 to 3, a wall 100 of a cell not shown is fitted with a cell flange 200. This cell flange 200 has an inner face 4 turned towards the inside of the cell it fits, and an outer face 7 turned towards the outside of the cell it fits.

[0058] The cell flange 200 comprises an annular flange body 201 with main axis AX and which is provided with means for its attachment to the wall 100. The flange body

[0059] 201 defines a circular internal passage 202 with a smallest radius equal to a first radius R202. The flange 200 has a cell door 15 that can selectively close the internal passage 202. The cell flange 200 is provided on the inner side of the cell with a hinge 14 on which the cell door 15 is mounted. The cell door 15 can be in an open position facing inwards to free the internal passage

[0060] 202 of the flange 200. The cell door 15 can also be folded down onto the internal passage 202 to close it, corresponding to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the hinge 14 extends along an axis AY that is parallel to the wall 100 and is oriented vertically here. The flange 200 also includes a set of four external lugs 203 to 206, visible in Figure 3, which project radially from the inner periphery 207 of a circumferential wall 208 of the flange 200 and are suitable for forming an external bayonet connection. The external ears 203 to 206 extend at a non-zero axial distance from an external face 210 (i.e. turned outwards from the cell) of the flange body 201 to define four portions 223 to 226 of an external groove 220 - of which only the groove portions 223, 224 and 226 are visible in figure 3.The groove 220 includes a first notch 213 which separates the lugs 203 and 204. A second notch 214 separates the lugs 204 and 205. A third notch 215 separates the lugs 205 and 206. Finally, a fourth notch 216 separates the lugs 206 and 203.

[0061] The cell door 15 also includes a cylindrical portion 16 projecting from its outer face 17 (i.e., facing outwards from the cell). The cell door 15 includes a set of four internal tabs 18 to 21 that project radially from the cylindrical portion 16 and are adapted to form an internal bayonet connection. The cell door 15 also includes an annular lip seal 22, two lips 23 of which bear against the flange body 201.

[0062] As seen in figure 1, and according to a first embodiment of the invention, the cell flange 200 includes an annular groove 270, here made in the external face 210 of the cell flange 200.

[0063] As seen in figures 4 and 5, the container flange 3 comprises a right cylindrical body of revolution about the axis AX, an internal cylindrical face 5 of which defines an internal passage 6. The internal passage 6 has four internal tabs 10 to 13 regularly distributed around a central principal axis AX of the container flange 3. Two of these internal tabs 10 and 13 are visible in figure 4; these internal tabs 10 to 13 protrude radially towards the axis AX.

[0064] The container flange body 3 also includes an external face 8 projecting outwards from which come four container ears 3.1 to 3.4.

[0065] The container flange 3 is provided with a container door 30 which rests on a lip seal 60 shown in figure 5.

[0066] The container door 30 comprises a cylindrical body 31 of revolution about axis AX, projecting outwards from which four door lugs 48, 49, 50, and 51 (51 not visible) are attached, adapted to form a bayonet connection with the internal tabs 10 to 13. The body 31 also defines a blind cylindrical housing 32 about axis AX, open on its front face 33. The housing 32 comprises a radially projecting wall 34 from which are attached four internal tabs 35, 36, 37, and 38 adapted to form an internal bayonet connection with the internal lugs 18 to 21 of the cell door 15. With reference to Figures 7 to 10, the connection of the container flange 3 to the cell 200 consists of engaging the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 with the cell flange 200. so as to present the container ears 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 in the notches 213 to 216 of the flange 200 (figures 7 and 8).In this configuration, the inner ears 18 to 21 of gate 15 extend between the inner legs 35 to 38 of gate 30.

[0067] Next, container 3 is rotated around the AX axis - here a sixty-degree clockwise rotation as shown in Figures 8 and 9 - to form the external bayonet connection and link container 3 to cell flange 200, and during this rotational movement the following steps take place:

[0068] - the container ears 3.1 to 3.4 engage in the portions 223 to 226 of the groove 220 - during the rotation of the container flange 3 relative to the door 15, the internal tabs 35 to 38 of the container door 30 come into contact with the internal ears 18 to 21 of the cell door 15 to engage the internal bayonet connection, also called the door-to-door connection and not visible in the figures. The internal bayonet connection secures the container door 30 to the cell door 15;

[0069] - the four door ears 48 to 51 also come to be positioned between the internal tabs 10 to 13 to detach the container door 30 from the body 31.

[0070] Following these operations, the coupling of container door 30 with cell door 15 is complete. Opening cell door 15 then frees the internal passage 202, taking container door 30 with it (figure 10).

[0071] Similarly, when the transfer has been carried out, the cell door 15 is folded down before applying a rotation around the AX axis in a counter-clockwise direction (as shown in Figure 9) to the container 3. This has the effect of locking the door 15 onto the flange 200, disengaging the internal bayonet connection - which separates the cell door 15 and the container door 30 - and engaging the door bayonet connection - which secures the container door 30 to the container flange 3. The lugs 3.1 to 3.4 are then located in the notches 213 to 216 and the operator can extract the container 3 from the cell flange 200 by exerting a pulling force on it in a direction substantially parallel to the Ax axis.The annular groove 270, by significantly increasing the volume of air confined between the cell flange 200 and the container flange 3, makes it possible to reduce the pulling force required to extract the container 3 from the cell flange 200.

[0072] This results in a cell flange 200 whose particular arrangement allows a considerable reduction in the overall effort to be applied by an operator to overcome the suction force exerted against an extraction of container 3 from flange 200.

[0073] Elements identical or analogous to those previously described shall bear a numerical reference identical to that in the following description of the second, third and fourth embodiments of the invention.

[0074] According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12, the outer face 210 of the flange 200 comprises a first counterbore 230, a second counterbore 240, a third counterbore 250, and a fourth counterbore 260, respectively located directly above the notches 213, 214, 215, and 216. Counterbores 240, 250, and 260 are not visible. Since all the counterbores are identical, only counterbore 230 will be described.

[0075] The counterbore 230 accommodates a first assembly 231 called a ramp attached by screwing into the counterbore 230 and which has a first portion of separation 232, here a flat portion, which protrudes from the external face 210. The portion 232 is secant with a plane P comprising the external face 210 along a junction curve 233.

[0076] The curve 233 includes, here, a section 233.1 extending substantially radially, two sections 233.2 and 233.3 extending substantially tangentially from endpoints 233.4 and 233.5 of section 233.1. A semi-circular section 233.6 connects sections 233.2 and 233.3. The portion 232 is arranged so that a tangent 234 to the portion 232 at any point of section 233.1 of the curve 233 forms a first angle al between fifteen and sixty degrees with the external face 210, here an angle al equal to twenty-five degrees. Similarly, the 240, 250 and 260 lamages respectively accommodate a second set 241, a third set 251 and a fourth set 261 which have a second portion 242, a third portion 252 and a fourth portion 262.

[0077] When connecting the container flange 3 to the cell flange 200, the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 are engaged in the cell flange 200 so that the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 are presented in the notches 213 to 216 of the cell flange 200. The container lug 3.1 comes into contact with the portion 232 and is guided towards the groove portion 224. The operations for connecting the container 3 to the flange 200 are identical to those previously described.

[0078] During disconnection, container 3 is rotated counterclockwise around the AX axis (as shown in Figure 9). This disengages the internal bayonet connection—which separates the container door 30 from the cell door 15—and engages the door bayonet connection—which secures the container door 30 to the container flange 3. During this rotation, the tabs 3.1 to 3.4 engage in the notches 213 to 216 and come into contact with the assemblies 231 to 261. By continuing to rotate the container flange 3 relative to the cell flange 200, the operator causes the tabs 3.1 to 3 to slide.4 on portions 232, 242, 252 and 262 which cause a distancing of container 3 relative to part alpha of cell 1 thus breaking the air confinement between doors 15 and 30 and between cell flange 200 and container flange 3 and thus canceling the suction effect between the two doors 15 and 30 and the two flanges 200 and 3.

[0079] The operator can then extract container 3 from cell flange 200 without having to exert excessive pulling force.

[0080] According to a third embodiment shown in Figures 15 to 17, the joint 60 has a cross-section 61 comprising a central body 62. The central body 62 has at its end 62.1 a distal portion 63, here arrowhead-shaped, which has an apex 64 bordered by a radially external flank 65 and a radially internal flank 66, the respective ends 65.1 and 66.1 of which define a first external lip 67 and a first internal lip 68. As can be seen in Figure 15, the apex 64 is separated from the first external lip 67 by a first distance d1 considered along the principal axis AX. The apex 64 is also separated from the first external lip 67 by a second distance d2 considered along a direction orthogonal to the principal axis AX.

[0081] The apex 64 and the first external lip 67 are intended to bear against the external face 210 of the cell flange 200 when the container 3 is connected to the cell flange 200 (figure 17).

[0082] Referring to Figure 16, the groove 270 of the outer face 210 of the cell flange 200 has a first surface 271 which is delimited at its first radially internal edge 271.10 by a first curve 272 which is located in a first plane PI orthogonal to the principal axis Ax. The first curve 272 is also delimited at its second radially external edge 271.20 by a second curve 273 located in a second plane P2 orthogonal to the principal axis Ax and which is separated from the first plane PI by a third non-zero distance d3, considered along the principal axis AX.

[0083] As shown in Figure 16, the first surface 271 comprises a first frustoconical portion 274, delimited at its third radially external edge 274.10 by a third curve 275. The first frustoconical portion 274 has a first generatrix that forms a first angle of approximately ten degrees with the principal axis Ax. The first curve 272 is a circle of second radius R272. The second curve 273 is a circle of third radius R273. The third curve 275 is a circle of fourth radius R275.

[0084] Advantageously, the third distance d3 is less than the first distance dl, and the third distance d3 is also greater than one-third of the first distance dl. Preferably, the third distance d3 is greater than half the first distance dl. Even more advantageously, the second distance d2 is greater than the difference between the first radius R202 and the fourth radius R275. Such an arrangement of the seal 60, in combination with the groove 270 of the flange 200, allows for a considerable reduction in the overall effort required by an operator to overcome the suction force exerted against the extraction of the container 3 from the flange 200.

[0085] According to a fourth embodiment shown in figures 18 to 20, the joint 60 also includes two intermediate portions 69 and 70 which project orthogonally from the central body 62 to define a second radially external lip 71 and a second radially internal lip 72. As can be seen in figure 18, the apex 64 is separated from the second external lip 71 by a fourth distance d4 considered along the principal axis Ax and the apex 64 is separated from the second external lip 71 by a fifth distance d5 considered along a direction orthogonal to the axis AX.

[0086] According to this fourth embodiment, the device for reducing the disengagement force of container 3 from the external bayonet connection comprises a second annular groove 290 formed in the cell flange 200. The second annular groove 290 has a second surface 291 which is delimited at its fourth radially internal edge 291.10 by a fourth curve 292 located in a third plane P3 orthogonal to the principal axis Ax, and at its fifth radially external edge 291.20 by a fifth curve 293 located in a fourth plane P4 orthogonal to the principal axis Ax. In the particular case shown in Figure 19, the second radially external edge 291.20 coincides with the fourth radially internal edge 291.10, and the second plane P2 coincides with the third plane P3. The fourth plane P4 is separated from the first plane PI by a sixth distance d6 considered along the non-zero principal axis AX.

[0087] The second surface 291 comprises, here, a second frustoconical portion 294 delimited at its sixth edge 294.10 radially externally by a sixth curve 295. The second frustoconical portion has a second generatrix that forms a second angle of approximately ten degrees with the principal axis Ax. The fourth curve 292 is a circle of fifth radius R292. The fifth curve 293 is a circle of sixth radius R293. The sixth curve 295 is a circle of seventh radius R295. Advantageously, the sixth distance d6 is less than the fourth distance d4. Preferably, the sixth distance d6 is greater than one-third of the fourth distance d4, and most preferably, the sixth distance d6 is greater than half of the fourth distance d4. Even more advantageously, the fifth distance d5 is greater than the difference between the first radius R202 and the seventh radius R295.

[0088] Such an arrangement of the seal 60 in combination with the grooves 270 and 290 of the flange 200 allows a considerable reduction in the overall effort to be applied by an operator to overcome the suction force exerted against an extraction of the container 3 from the flange 200 coupled with an improvement in the reliability of the sealing of the connection between the container 3 and the flange 200.

[0089] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0090] Especially,

[0091] - although here the number of annular grooves is one, this number can be greater and adapted to the design of the joint;

[0092] - although here the number of counterbores and ramps is four, it can advantageously be independent of the number of ears and can therefore be between one and the total number of ears;

[0093] - although here the first angle is equal to twenty-five degrees, the invention also applies to other values ​​of the first angle such as for example a first angle between fifteen and sixty degrees, preferably a first angle between twenty-five and forty-five degrees;

[0094] - although here the operations of linking and unlinking the container and the cell flange require a relative rotation of the container and the cell flange of an amplitude of sixty degrees, the invention also applies to other values ​​of the angular amplitude such as for example an amplitude of thirty degrees; - although here the door is mounted to rotate relative to the flange, the invention also applies to a door mounted freely relative to the flange and the cell;

[0095] - although here the external bridle includes a set of four external ears, the invention also applies to a bridle whose set of external ears includes a different number of ears such as two, three or more than four external ears;

[0096] - although here the detached portion is integral with a removable assembly attached by screwing onto the flange, the invention also applies to other types of reversible connection such as, for example, a snap-fit ​​connection;

[0097] - although here the portion of the separation is attached by screwing into a counterbore made in the flange, the invention also applies to a portion of the separation attached directly against the external face of the flange;

[0098] Although here the distal portion is described as having an arrowhead shape, the invention also applies to configurations where the distal portion has other geometric shapes. For example, it could be rounded, T-shaped, or mushroom-shaped, depending on the sealing and contact requirements with the cell flange.

[0099] Although here the first surface of the groove is described as comprising a frustoconical portion, the invention also applies to configurations where this surface has other shapes. For example, it could be cylindrical, hemispherical, or have flat facets.

[0100] Although here the third distance d3 is described as being less than the first distance dl and greater than one-third of dl, the invention also applies to configurations where d3 is adjusted differently. For example, d3 could be equal to dl or slightly greater, depending on the alignment and tolerance requirements between planes PI and P2.

[0101] Although here the intermediate portions are described as projecting orthogonally from the central body, the invention also applies to configurations where these portions have other orientations or shapes. For example, they could be inclined with respect to the main axis or have curvatures adapted to optimize contact with the cell flange.

[0102] Although here the second surface of the groove is described as comprising a frustoconical portion, the invention also applies to configurations where this surface has other shapes. For example, it could be cylindrical, hemispherical, or have flat facets.

[0103] Although here the sixth distance d6 is described as being less than the fourth distance d4 and greater than one-third of d4, the invention also applies to configurations where d6 is adjusted differently. For example, d6 could be equal to d4 or slightly greater, depending on the alignment and tolerance requirements between planes P3 and P4.

[0104] Although here the second radially external edge is described as coinciding with the fourth radially external edge, the invention also applies to configurations where these edges do not coincide. For example, they could be offset radially or axially to meet specific mounting or sealing requirements.

[0105] Although here the third plane is described as coinciding with the fourth plane, the invention also applies to configurations where these planes are distinct. For example, plane P3 could be offset relative to plane P4 along the principal axis to optimize alignment and contact between the seal and the cell flange.

Claims

Claims 1. A cell flange (200) comprising an annular flange body (201) with a principal axis (AX) and provided with means for its attachment to a wall (100) of a cell, the flange body (201) defining an internal passage (202), the flange (200) having a cell door (15) capable of selectively closing the internal passage (202) and a set of external lugs (203-206) projecting radially internally from a circumferential wall (208) of the flange (200) to define, with an external face of the flange body, a groove (220) comprising at least one notch separating two lugs of the set of external lugs (203-206) in order to form an external bayonet connection system with a container (3), the cell flange (200) having a device for reducing the disengagement force of the container (3) from the connection external bayonet, in which the device includes a first annular groove (270) made in the cell flange (200).

2. Cell flange (200) according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises several annular grooves (270) made in the cell flange (200).

3. Transfer system comprising a cell flange according to any one of the preceding claims and a container (3) provided with a container door (30) which rests on a lip seal (60), the lip seal (60) having a cross-section which includes a central body (62) which has at its end a distal portion which has an apex (64) bordered by a radially external flank (65) and a radially internal flank (66) the respective ends of which define a first external lip (67) and a first internal lip (68), - the apex (64) is separated from the first external lip (67) by a first distance (dl) considered along the principal axis (AX), and the apex (64) is separated from the first external lip (67) by a second distance (d2) considered along a direction orthogonal to the principal axis (AX); - the apex (64) and the first outer lip (67) come into contact with the first annular groove (270) when the container (3) is connected to the cell flange via the external bayonet connection. - the first annular groove (270) has a first surface (271) which is delimited in its first radially internal edge (271.10) by a first curve (272) located in a first plane PI orthogonal to the principal axis (Ax) and in its second radially external edge (271.20) by a second curve (273) located in a second plane (P2) orthogonal to the principal axis (Ax) and which is separated from the first plane (PI) by a third distance (d3) considered along the principal axis (AX) non-zero.

4. Transfer system according to claim 2, wherein the third distance (d3) is less than the first distance (dl), the third distance (d3) also being greater than one third of the first distance (dl), and preferably greater than half of the first distance (dl).

5. Transfer system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, the internal passage (202) being a circular passage of smallest radius equal to a first radius (R202), the first surface (271) comprises a first frustoconical portion (274) delimited in its third radially external edge (274.10) by a third curve (275), the first curve (272) is a circle of second radius (R272), the second curve (273) is a circle of third radius (R273), the third curve (275) is a circle of fourth radius (R275), and wherein the second distance (d2) is greater than a difference between the first radius (R202) and the fourth radius (R275).

6. Transfer system according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral annular seal (60) also comprises two intermediate portions (69, 70) which project from the central body (62) to define a second radially external lip (71) and a second radially internal lip (72), the apex (64) being separated from the The second outer lip (71) is separated from the second outer lip (71) by a fourth distance (d4) considered along the principal axis (AX), and the apex (64) is separated from the second outer lip (71) by a fifth distance (d5) considered along a direction orthogonal to the principal axis (AX). The device comprises a second annular groove (290) formed in the cell flange (200). The second annular groove (290) has a second surface (291) which is delimited at its fourth radially internal edge (291.10) by a fourth curve (292) located in a third plane (P3) orthogonal to the principal axis (Ax), and at its fifth radially external edge (291.20) by a fifth curve (293) located in a fourth plane (P4) orthogonal to the principal axis (Ax) and which is separated from the first plane (P1) by a sixth distance (d6) considered along the principal axis (AX). zero.

7. Transfer system according to claim 5, wherein the sixth distance (d6) is less than the fourth distance (d4), the sixth distance (d6) also being greater than one third of the fourth distance (d4), and preferably greater than half of the fourth distance (d4).

8. Transfer system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second surface (291) comprises a second frustoconical portion (294) delimited in its sixth radially external edge (294.10) by a sixth curve (295), the fourth curve (292) is a circle of fifth radius (R292), the fifth curve (293) is a circle of sixth radius (R293), the sixth curve (295) is a circle of seventh radius (R295), and wherein the fifth distance (d5) is greater than a difference between the first radius (R202) and the seventh radius (R295).

9. Transfer system according to claim 7, wherein the fifth distance (d5) is less than a difference between the first radius (R202) and the seventh radius (R295).

10. Transfer system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the second radially external edge (271.20) coincides with the fourth radially internal edge (291.10) and / or the second plane (P2) is coincident with the third plane (P3).

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