Cell flange for tight double door with reduced double-door opening force

Abstract

A cell flange (200) comprising an annular flange body (201) of main axis (AX) attached to a wall (100). The flange body (201) defines an inner passage (202) and carries a cell door (15) capable of selectively sealing this passage. A peripheral annular seal (60) is mounted on the cell door (15) and bears against a seal bearing surface (80) of the flange body (201) to ensure tightness. The seal bearing surface (80) is a stepped seal bearing surface.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Cell flange for tight double door with reduced double-door opening force

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0005] PRIOR ART

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

[0007] The transfer of objects from one container towards a cell, without breaking tightness, 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 medicinal products when using an isolator or an aseptic filling line. In this case, it is necessary to transfer small objects such as vial caps to supply this line.

[0009] Conventionally, the confined enclosure or cell is equipped with a cell flange 200 which is closed on the internal side by a cell door 15 mounted on a hinge equipping this flange, commonly called the Alpha portion. A container 1 - also referred to as the Beta portion - comprises an opening which is provided with a container flange 3 closed by a container door 30. The flanges are provided with lugs separated by notches. The shapes and dimensions of the lugs of one of the flanges corresponding to the shapes and dimensions of the notches of the other flange so as to be able to form a bayonet connection.

[0010] The connection consists of engaging the container flange 3 (Beta portion) in the cell flange 200 (Alpha portion), and in pivoting it on itself, which has the effect of:

[0011] - connecting the two flanges to each other by engaging a first bayonet connection or flange-flange connection;- connecting the two doors to each other by engaging a second bayonet connection or door-door connection;

[0012] - disconnecting the door of the container from the flange thereof by disengaging a third bayonet connection or flange-door connection.

[0013] After connection, the cell door is pivoted inwards to open it: the door of the container then being rigidly connected to that of the cell by the door-door connection, it is carried with the cell door to remove it from the container flange.

[0014] When the objects have been transferred, the cell door 15 can then be folded back against this opening with the container door 30 borne thereby.

[0015] The Beta portion is then pivoted on itself in the opposite direction, which has the effect of:

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

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

[0018] - disconnecting the container door from the cell flange.

[0019] In orderto ensure a tight closure of the cell door 15 on the cell flange 200, an annular seal 60 is mounted on the cell door 15 to bear against a first bearing surface 80 of the cell flange 200. Similar arrangements are applied to the container 1 and its door 30. Thus, the container flange 3 comprises an annular seal 40 of the container flange which bears against a second bearing surface of the container door 30 when the container door 30 closes a central passage of the container flange 3.

[0020] When the cell door 15 is opened after connecting a container 1, a halfopening volume delimited jointly by the first bearing surface 80 of the cell flange 200, a flank of the seal 60 of the cell door 15, the second bearing surface of the container door 30 and a flank of the seal 40 of the container flange 3 tends to increase with zero air inlet. This results in a strong suction effect which generates a force opposing the separation of the seals 40 and 60 from their respective bearing surfaces and, incidentally, opposes the opening of the cell door 15. The operator must exert substantial traction on the cell door 15 to cause it to open. The traction exerted on the cell door 15 must indeed be sufficientto overcome the suction force that the expansion of the volume of air confined in the halfopening volume exerts against the opening of the assembly formed by the cell door 15 and container door 30 of their respective flanges. Such traction proves to be particularly substantial and difficult to apply for high cell flange diameters. In addition, this traction causes the opening of the door when a sufficiently substantial deformation of one of the seals allows venting of the half-opening volume, which results in a sudden opening of the doors, which is a possible source of accidents.

[0021] Finally, such forces exerted repetitively can tire operators, which poses the risk of a loss of vigilance and therefore a handling error which could lead to the rupture of the isolation of the cell which has substantial consequences on production quality.

[0022] It is known to make, in the cell flange, venting holes of the half-opening volume. Such holes are conventionally provided with filters, the purpose of which is to prevent a contamination of the inner volume of the cell. However, this type of solution requires filter inspection and replacement operations, while maintaining permanent aeraulic communication between the inside and outside of the cell, which poses a risk that the users of this type of equipment seek to remove.

[0023] The aim of the invention is to improve the reliability of a tight doubledoor transfer device.

[0024] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0025] To this end, the invention provides a cell flange, comprising an annular flange body of main axis and which is provided with means for the attachment thereof to a wall of a cell. The flange body defines an inner passage, and the flange has a cell door capable of tightly sealing the inner passage. The flange also comprises a set of outer lugs projecting radially inwards from a circumferential wall of the flange to delimit, with an outer face of the flange body, a groove comprising at least one notch separating two lugs of the set of outer lugs in order to form an outer bayonet connection system with a container.

[0026] According to the invention, the cell door comprises a peripheral annular seal, the cross-section of which comprises a central body which comprises at its end a distalportion having an apex bordered by a radially outer flank and a radially inner flank, the respective ends of which define a first outer lip and a first inner lip. The peripheral annular seal also comprises two intermediate portions which project from the central body to define a second radially outer lip and a second radially inner lip. The apex is separated from the first outer lip by a first distance considered along the main axis, and the apex is separated from the second outer lip by a second distance considered along the main axis. The cell flange also comprises a seal bearing surface which partially defines the inner passage and against which the apex, the first outer lip and the second outer lip bear when the cell door seals the inner passage tightly. The seal bearing surface is a stepped seal bearing surface having a separate first surface and second surface connected by a connection portion, the first surface being delimited at its first radially outer edge by a first curve located in a first plane orthogonal to the main axis, the second surface being delimited at its second radially inner edge by a second curve located in a second plane orthogonal to the main axis and at its second radially outer edge by a third curve located in a third plane orthogonal to the main axis.

[0027] According to other specific, non-exclusive and optional embodiments of the invention:

[0028] • A third axial distance separating the outer face of the first plane is strictly greater than the first distance.

[0029] • A fourth axial distance separating the outer face of the third plane is greater than the second distance.

[0030] • A fifth axial distance separating the outer face of the second plane is less than the second distance.

[0031] • The connection portion comprises a third connection surface in the shape of a truncated cone of revolution, a generatrix of which extends along a direction which forms an angle between five and ninety degrees with the main axis.

[0032] • The first and second planes are coincident.

[0033] • The cell door is mounted on a hinge integral with the flange body, and the cell flange is provided with a door lock comprising a half-opening device arranged to cause a movement of the portion of the apex diametrically opposite the hinge equal to ahalf-opening distance, the fourth distance being less than the sum of the second distance and the half-opening distance.

[0034] • The third distance is less than the sum of the first distance and the half-opening distance.

[0035] • The first surface is a truncated cone of revolution cone wherein the directrix is a circle wherein the centre belongs to the main axis.

[0036] • The second surface is a truncated cone of revolution cone wherein the directrix is a circle wherein the centre belongs to the main axis.

[0037] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on readingthe following description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

[0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the figures which represent:

[0040] - [Fig. 1] is a schematic sectional view of a cell provided with a flange according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0041] - [Fig. 2] is a schematic front view of the flange of Figure 1, the door of which is shown closed;

[0042] - [Fig. 3] is a partial perspective view of an outer face of the flange of Figure 1;

[0043] - [Fig. 4] is a schematic view of a cross-section of a cell door seal;

[0044] - [Fig. 5] is a schematic partial view of a cross-section of a seal bearing surface of the cell flange without the cell door;

[0045] - [Fig. 6] is a partial schematic view of a cross-section of the seal bearing surface of the cell flange also featuring the cross-section of the cell door seal;

[0046] - [Fig. 7] is a schematic exploded perspective view of a container flange and a container door;

[0047] - [Fig. 8] is a schematic sectional view of the flange and the container door of Figure 7;- [Fig. 9] is a partial schematic sectional view of the flange of Figure 1; - [Fig. 10] is a schematic perspective view of a first step of connecting a container to the flange of Figure 1;

[0048] - [Fig. 11] is an identical view to Figure 10 after a second step of connecting a container to the cell flange of Figure 1;

[0049] - [Fig. 12] is an identical view to Figure 10 after a third step of connecting a container to the cell flange of Figure 1;

[0050] - [Fig. 13] is a schematic partial view of a cross-section of the cell flange seal bearing surface and the flange seal bearing surface when the cell door is closed;

[0051] - [Fig. 14] is a schematic partial view of the cross-section of the cell door seal bearing surface when the cell door is open

[0052] - [Fig. 15] is a partial schematic view of a cross-section of a seal bearing surface of the cell flange without the cell door according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0053] - [Fig. 16] is a schematic detailed view of the door lock according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0054] DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0055] With reference to Figures Ito 3, a wall 100 of a cell not shown is equipped with a cell flange 200. This cell flange 200 has an inner face 4 facing the inside of the cell which it equips, and an outer face 7 facing the outside of the cell which it equips. The cell flange 200 comprises an annular flange body 201 of Main Axis AX and which is provided with the means for the attachment thereof to the wall 100. In the present text, the terms "radially inner" and "radially outer" will be used with reference to the position or orientation relative to the main axis of the cell flange 200.

[0056] The flange body 201 defines an inner passage 202. The flange 200 has a cell door 15 capable of selectively sealing the inner passage 202. The cell flange 200 is provided on the inside of the cell with a hinge 14 whereon the cell door 15 is mounted. The cell door 15 can occupy an open position towards the inside of the cell to free the inner passage 202 of the flange 200. The cell door 15 can also occupy a position folded back ontothe inner passage 202 to seal it, which corresponds to the configuration of Figures 1 and 2. As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the hinge 14 extends along an Axis AY which is parallel to the wall 100 and which is here vertically oriented.

[0057] The flange 200 is provided with a cell door lock 90. The lock 90 comprises a strike 91 integral with the door 15 and the cross-section of which is substantially U-shaped, the inner flank 92.1 and the outer flank 92.2 of which delimit a groove 92. The lock 90 also comprises a latch 93 rotatably mounted on the flange body 201 about an Axis substantially parallel to the Axis Ax. The latch 93 comprises a roller 94 intended to cooperate with the groove 92. A handle 95 makes it possible to engage or disengage the roller 94 from the groove 92 and thus selectively switch the lock 90 into a locked or unlocked state.

[0058] The flange 200 also comprises a set of four outer lugs 203 to 206 seen in Figure 3 - which project radially from the inner periphery 207 of a circumferential wall 208 of the flange 200 and which are capable of forming an outer bayonet connection. The outer lugs 203 to 206 extend to a non-zero axial distance from an outer face 210 (i.e. facing outwards from the cell) of the flange body 201 to define four portions 223 to 226 of an outergroove 220 - of which only the groove portions 223, 224 and 226 can be seen in Figure 3. The groove 220 comprises 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.

[0059] The cell door 15 also comprises a cylindrical portion 16 which projects from its outer face 17 (i.e. facing outwards from the cell). The cell door 15 comprises a set of four inner lugs 18 to 21 which project radially from the cylindrical portion 16 and which are capable of forming an inner bayonet connection. The cell door 15 also comprises a double-lip peripheral annular seal 60.

[0060] With reference to Figure 4, the seal 60 has a cross-section 61 which comprises a central body 62. The central body 62 comprises at its end 62.1 a distal portion 63, here shaped as an arrowhead, which has an apex 64 bordered by a radially outer flank 65 and a radiallyinner flank 66, the respective ends 65.1 and 66.1 of which define a first outer lip 67 and a first inner lip 68.

[0061] The seal 60 also comprises two intermediate portions 69 and 70 which project orthogonally from the central body 62 to define a second radially outer lip 71 and a second radially inner lip 72. As can be seen in Figure 4, the apex 64 is separated from the first outer lip 67 by a first distance dl considered along the main axis Ax. The apex 64 is also separated from the second outer lip 71 by a second distance d2 considered along the main axis Ax.

[0062] The flange 200 also comprises a first seal bearing surface 80 which extends from the outer face 210 and against which the apex 64, the first outer lip 67 and the second outer lip 71 bear when the cell door 15 seals the inner passage 202 tightly.

[0063] With reference to Figure 5, the cell flange 200 comprises a seal bearing surface 80 having a stepped geometry. The bearing surface 80 comprises a first surface 81, a second surface 82 and a third connection surface 83 separate from each other.

[0064] The first surface 81 is a truncated cone. It has a first generatrix 81.1 forming a first angle a81 of about 10 degrees with the main axis Ax.

[0065] The second surface 82 is a truncated cone. It has a second generatrix 82.1 forming a second angle a82 of about 10 degrees with the main axis Ax and parallel to the first generatrix 81.1 The third connection surface 83 is a truncated cone. It is located between the first surface 81 and the second surface 82. It has a third generatrix 83.1 forming a third angle a83 of about sixty degrees with the main axis Ax.

[0066] The first surface 81 is connected to the third connection surface 83 by a first curve 84. The curve 84 delimits the first radially outer edge 81.10 of the first surface 81 and is located in a first plane Pl orthogonal to the main axis Ax.

[0067] The second surface 82 is connected to the third surface 83 by a second curve 85. The curve 85 delimits the second radially outer edge 82.10 of the second surface 85 and is located in a second plane P2 orthogonal to the main axis Ax.

[0068] The second surface 82 is delimited, moreover, at its second radially inner edge 82.20 by a third curve 86. This curve is located in a third plane P3 orthogonal to the main axis Ax. The third surface 83 defines, here, a connection portion 87 between the surfaces 81 and 82. The outer face 210 is separated from the first plane Pl by a third axial distance d3.The outer face 210 is separated from the third plane P3 by a fourth axial distance d4. The outer face 210 is separated from the second plane P2 by a fifth axial distance d5. Advantageously, the third axial distance d3 is strictly greater than a first axial distance dl, and / or the fourth axial distance d4 is greater than a second axial distance d2, and / or the fifth axial distance d5 is less than the second axial distance d2.

[0069] As can be seen in Figures 7 to 9, the container flange 3 comprises a straight cylindrical body of revolution along the axis AX, a cylindrical inner face 5 of which defines an inner passage 6. The inner passage 6 comprises four inner tabs 10 to 13 regularly distributed about a central main axis AX of the container flange 3. Two of these inner tabs 10 and 13 are seen in Figure 5, these inner tabs 10 to 13 project radially towards the axis AX.

[0070] The body of the container flange 3 also comprises an outer face 8 with four outwardly projecting container lugs 3.1 to 3.4.

[0071] The container flange 3 is provided with a container door 30 which rests on a double-lip container door seal 40 shown in Figure 8. The container door seal 40 comprises a radially outer lip 41 and a radially inner lip 42 which bears against a second seal bearing surface, here a tapered surface 30.1 of the container door 30.

[0072] The container door 30 comprises a cylindrical body 31 of revolution along the axis AX with four outwardly projecting door lugs 48, 49, 50 and 51 (51 not seen) capable of forming a door bayonet connection with the inner tabs 10 to 13. The body 31 also defines a blind cylindrical recess 32 of axis AX and which is open at the front face 33 thereof. The recess 32 comprises a wall 34 with a radially projecting set of four inner tabs 35, 36, 37 and 38 capable of forming the inner bayonet connection with the inner lugs 18 to 21 of the cell door 15.

[0073] With reference to Figures 10 to 12, connecting the container flange 3 to the cell flange 200 consists of engaging the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 in the cell flange 200 so as to present the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 of the container flange 3 in the notches 213 to 216 of the flange 200 (Figures 10 and 11). In this configuration, the inner lugs 18 to 21 of the door 15 extend between the inner tabs 35 to 38 of the door 30.The container 3 is then pivoted about the axis AX - here a rotation of sixty degrees in the clockwise direction as represented in Figures 11 and 12 - to form the outer bayonet connection and connect the container 3 to the cell flange 200, and during this movement, the following steps take place:

[0074] - the container lugs 3.1 to 3.4 are engaged in the portions 223 to 226 of the groove 220 - during the rotation of the container flange 3 relative to the door 15, the inner tabs 35 to 38 of the container door 30 connect with the inner lugs 18 to 21 of the cell door 15 to engage the inner bayonet connection, also referred to as door-door connection and not seen in the figures. The inner bayonet connection connects the container door 30 to the cell door 15;

[0075] - the four door lugs 48 to 51 are also positioned between the inner tabs 10 to 13 to disconnect the container door 30 from the container 3;

[0076] Following these operations, the coupling of the container door 30 with the cell door 15 is completed. Opening the cell door 15 then makes it possible to free the inner passage 202 by carrying the container door 30 with it (Figure 12).

[0077] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the specific operation of the invention and schematically represent a partial cross-section of the assembly formed by the container 3 and its door 15 on the cell flange 200, located at a point of the cell flange 200 diametrically opposite the hinge 14. The deformations of the seals have been deliberately exaggerated for didactic purposes and are not intended to be representative of reality.

[0078] After the container 1 has been connected to the flange 200 by establishing the inner and outer bayonet connections, the assembly formed by the container flange 3 and its door 30 on the cell flange 200 is in the configuration illustrated in Figure 13. In this configuration, the lip 67 is in contact with the surface 81, the lip 71 is in contact with the surface 82. The apex 64 is in contact with the peripheral portion of the door 30, and the peripheral portion of the bearing surface 80 of the cell flange 200, and with an apex of the seal 40 according to the fine positioning of the door 15 relative to the container flange 3 and the fine positioning of the container 1 relative to the flange 200. The lips 68 and 72 are, for their part, in contact with the door 30. The lip 41 of the seal 40 is in contact with the outer face 210 and the lip 42 is in contact with the surface 30.1.The operator then actuates the latch 93 to switch the lock 90 into its unlocked state. The operator then exerts an opening traction on the door 15 to half-open it. Afterthe portion of the apex 64 diametrically opposite the hinge 14 has moved by a halfopening distance dent measured from the outer face 210 - and here corresponding to an opening between about 0 and five degrees of the cell door 15-, the lip 71 is separated from the surface 82. The volume between the lip 67 bearing on the surface 81, the surface 82 and the lip 71 is then "vented", which greatly reduces the suction force opposing the opening of the door (air supply symbolised by the arrow AA). This reduction further facilitates the separation of the lip 67 from the surface 81 to finish cancelling the suction force opposing the opening of the door 15 (Figure 14). Indeed, although Figure 14 represents a final situation wherein the two lips 67 and 71 are respectively separated from the surfaces 81 and 82, according to the geometry of the surfaces 81 and 82 and of the seal 60, the detachment of the lips 67 and 71 from the surfaces 81 and 82 is not necessarily synchronous.

[0079] When the transfer has been carried out, the cell door 15 is folded back before applying a rotation about the axis AX in the anti-clockwise direction (as represented in Figure 9) to the container 1. This has the effect of locking the door 15 on the flange 200, disengaging the inner bayonet connection - which disconnects the cell door 15 and the container door 30- and engaging the door bayonet connection - which connects 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 1 from the cell flange 200.

[0080] Thus, a cell flange 200 is obtained, the particular arrangement of which allows a considerable reduction of the overall force to be applied by an operator to overcome the suction force exerted against an opening of the cell door 15 after connecting the container 1 and connecting the container door 30 to the cell door 15.Identical or similar elements to those described above will bear an identical reference number to that in the following description of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0081] According to a second embodiment shown in Figure 15, the first plane Pl and the second plane P2 are coincident. This corresponds to a surface 83, of which the third generatrix 83.3 forms a third angle a83 of ninety degrees with the main axis Ax.

[0082] According to a third embodiment shown in Figure 16, the lock 90 is provided with a cell door 15 half-opening device 96. The device 96 consists of a portion 97 of the groove 92 which forms a fourth angle a97 - here five degrees - with the rest of the groove 92 (or the inner surface of the door 15) aiming to move the groove 92 away from the door 15, i.e. in a clockwise direction as represented in Figure 16. Thus, when moving the latch 93 in the groove 92 to switch the lock 90 from its locked state to its unlocked state (here a movement to the left as represented in Figure 16), the roller 94 is engaged in the portion 97. The roller 94 then bears on the outer flank 92.1 of the groove 92 and causes a half-opening of the door 15. Here, the configuration of the half-opening device 96 (angle a97 and length L97 of the portion 97) is such that when the roller 94 is released from the portion 97 of the groove 92, the value of the half-opening distance dent is sufficient to have caused the separation of the lips 67 and 71 respectively from the surfaces 81 and 82. This is ensured in that the fourth Axial distance d4, in addition to being greater than the second Axial distance d2, is also less than the sum of the second distance d2 and the half-opening distance dent. This is also ensured in that the third Axial distance d3, in addition to being greater than the first Axial distance dl, is also less than the sum of the first distance dl and the half-opening distance dent- Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any alternative embodiment falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0083] In particular,

[0084] - Although here the operations for connecting and disconnecting the container and the cell flange require a relative rotation of the container and the cell flangeby an amplitude of sixty degrees, the invention is also applicable to other angular amplitude values such as for example an amplitude of thirty degrees.

[0085] - Although here the door is rotatably mounted relative to the flange, the invention is also applicable to a freely mounted door relative to the flange and the cell.

[0086] - Although the outer flange comprises a set of four outer lugs, the invention also applies to a flange wherein the set of outer lugs comprises a different number of lugs such as two, three or more than four outer lugs.

[0087] - Although the distal portion of the central body is described here as having an arrowhead shape, the invention is also applicable to configurations where this portion has other geometric shapes, such as a rounded, conical, pyramidal, or semicircular shape.

[0088] - Although the first and second lips are defined here by the ends of the flanks and intermediate portions, the invention is also applicable to configurations where the lips are formed by additional extensions or reinforcements moulded directly onto the central body.

[0089] - Although the apex is separated here from the first and second lips by distances defined along the main axis, the invention is also applicable to seals where these distances are adjustable or asymmetrical.

[0090] - Although the material of the seal is not specified here, the invention is also applicable to seals made of varied materials, such as reinforced elastomers, technical polymers, synthetic rubbers or fibre-based composites.

[0091] - Although the intermediate portions are described here as projecting orthogonally from the central body, the invention is also applicable to configurations where these portions are inclined, curved.

[0092] - Although the seal is described here as an integral part, the invention is also applicable to modular seals formed by assemblable or replaceable segments.

[0093] - Although the first seal bearing surface is described here as extending from the outer face and bearing against the apex and lips of the seal, the invention is also applicable to configurations where the seal bearing surface is inclined, profiled or hasgrooves to improve attachment and tightness. The seal bearing surface can also be set back from the outer face

[0094] - Although the first generatrix here forms a first angle of ten degrees with the main axis, the invention is also applicable to configurations wherein this angle is between zero and 85 degrees.

[0095] - Although the first generatrix is here substantially parallel to the second generatrix, the invention is also applicable to configurations wherein the first and second generators are not parallel.

[0096] - Although the third connection surface is described here as a truncated cone with a generatrix forming an angle of sixty degrees with the main axis, the invention is also applicable to configurations where this angle is between five and ninety degrees.

[0097] - Although the third surface is a truncated cone of revolution here, the invention is also applicable to configurations wherein the third surface is a non-circular truncated cone, for example an elliptic or polygonal section.

[0098] - Although the third surface is located here between the first and second surfaces, the invention is also applicable to configurations where transition elements, such as roundings or chamfers, are integrated to improve the continuity of the surfaces and reduce stress concentrations.

[0099] - Although the third connection surface is described here as tapered, the invention is also applicable to configurations where this surface has an alternative geometry. For example, the third surface could be spheroconical (combining a conical portion and a spherical portion), cylindroconical (progressive transition between a cylindrical section and a conical section), or parabolic.

[0100] - Although the half-opening of the cell door is described here as corresponding to an angle between zero and five degrees, the invention is also applicable to configurations where this angle can vary according to specific needs. For example, the half-opening angle could be between one and twenty degrees, making it possible to adjust the half-opening distance to optimise the clearance of the lip relative to the surface, according to the dimensions of the seal or the mechanical tolerances of the system.- Although the container door seal here comprises a radially inner lip and a radially outer lip, the invention is also applicable to other seal configurations such as for example a seal comprising two inner lips and / or two outer lips.

[0101] - Although the connection portion is described here in the form of a single surface, such as the third truncated cone-shaped connection surface 83, the invention is also applicable to configurations wherein the connection portion is embodied using several distinct surfaces. For example, the connection portion could be formed by several planar, cylindrical or conical surfaces connected progressively or by interconnection curves.

Claims

Claims1. A cell flange (200) comprising an annular flange body (201) of main axis (AX) and which is provided with means for attaching it to a wall (100) of a cell, the flange body (201) defining an inner passage (202), the flange (200) having a cell door (15) capable of selectively sealing the inner passage (202) and a set of outer lugs (203-206) projecting radially inwardly from a circumferential wall (208) of the flange (200) to delimit with an outer face (210) of the flange body (201) a groove (220) comprising at least one notch separating two lugs of the set of outer lugs (203-206) in order to form an outer bayonet connection system with a container (1), wherein:the cell door (15) comprises a peripheral annular seal (60) the crosssection of which comprises a central body (62) which comprises at its end a distal portion which has an apex (64) bordered by a radially outer flank (65) and a radially inner flank (66), the respective ends of which define a first outer lip (67) and a first inner lip (68),the peripheral annular seal (60) also comprises two intermediate portions which project from the central body (62) to define a second radially outer lip (71) and a second radially inner lip (72),the apex (64) is separated from the first outer lip (67) by a first distance (dl) considered along the main axis (AX), and the apex (64) is separated from the second outer lip (72) by a second distance (d2) considered along the main axis (AX),the cell flange (200) also comprises a seal bearing surface (80) which partially defines the inner passage (202) and against which the apex (64), the first outer lip (67) and the second outer lip (71) bear when the cell door (15) seals the inner passage (202) tightly,the seal bearing surface (80) is a stepped seal bearing surface having a separate first surface (81) and a second surface (82) connected by a connection portion (87), the first surface (81) is delimited at its firstradially outer edge (81.10) by a first curve (84) located in a first plane Pl orthogonal to the main axis (Ax), the second surface (82) is delimited at its second radially inner edge (82.10) by a second curve (85) located in a second plane P2 orthogonal to the main axis (Ax) and at its second radially outer edge (82.20) by a third curve (86) located in a third plane (P3) orthogonal to the main axis (Ax), wherein the first outer lip (67) bears against the first surface (81) and the second outer lip (71) bears against the second surface (82).

2. The cell flange (200) according to claim 1, wherein a third axial distance (d3) separating the outer face (210) from the first plane (Pl) is strictly greater than the first distance (dl).

3. The cell flange (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a fourth axial distance (d4) separating the outer face (210) from the third plane (P3) is greater than the second distance (d2).

4. The cell flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a fifth axial distance (d5) separating the outer face (210) from the second plane (P2) is less than the second distance (d2).

5. The cell flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection portion (87) comprises a third connection surface (83) in the shape of a truncated cone of revolution of which a generatrix (83.1) extends in a direction which forms an angle between five and ninety degrees with the main axis (Ax).

6. The cell flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plane (Pl) and the second plane (P2) are coincident.

7. The cell flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell door (15) is mounted on a hinge integral with the flange body (201), and the cell flange (200) is provided with a cell door lock (15) comprising a half-opening device arranged to cause a movement of the portion of the apex (64) diametrically opposite the hinge equal to a half-opening distance (dent), the fourth distance (d4)18being less than the sum of the second distance (d2) and the halfopening distance (d ent)- 8. The cell flange (200) according to claim 7, wherein the third distance (d3) is less than the sum of the first distance (dl) and the half-opening distance (d ent)9. The cell flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first surface (81) is a truncated cone of revolution wherein the directrix curve is a circle wherein the centre belongs to the main axis (AX).

10. The cell flange (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second surface (82) is a truncated cone of revolution wherein the directrix curve is a circle wherein the centre belongs to the main axis (AX).

Images