Glove port retrofit assembly and method of replacing components

What is disclosed is a system for retrofitting a sealed enclosure for performing work therein having an outer enclosure assembly configured to be clamped to the outer annular face of a port ring and form a sealed engagement with the outer annular surface of the port ring, a change assembly having an inner ring and an access element wherein the inner ring has a first annular cylinder body that is sized to be slidably received by the port ring and the access element is configured to be sealably and slidably positioned within the first annular cylinder body of the inner ring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of technology relates to replacement of glove box components such as gloves in an efficient manner without breaking containment.

BACKGROUND

In various industries it is preferable to work, test, assemble, and the like, in an environment that is isolated from normal ambient conditions. For example, it can be preferable for such activities to be contained in a substantially dirtier environment than the ambient conditions, such as hot cells or laboratories, so inside waste does not substantially affect conditions on the outside. In other examples, such as medical and pharmaceutical applications, it may be preferable for activities to occur in a substantially cleaner environment, where outside debris and bacteria cannot substantially affect conditions in the clean environment. A sealed glove system facilitates the performance of work within an enclosure by an operator outside of the enclosure in extending a hand and arm through a glove sealed in a port in a barrier wall of the enclosure.

Gloves for remote handling of substances within a glove box are wear parts. Constant flexing of a glove by the user will naturally cause leakage if not replaced according to a regular maintenance schedule. Also, it is sometimes desirable for other components to be positioned in the glove box port, such as a plug or a bag. In some systems, however, replacement is a time consuming job and can require up to four trained people to replace a glove. The replacement process in these systems also generates a lot of waste, shuts down production, and utilizes costly labor. Replacement in these systems can also be made safer by reducing the occurrence of a glove breach causing contamination of the area outside the glovebox. Other glove box systems are designed for ease of use and include structures that facilitate easy replacement of the glove or sealing of the port. For example, the Sealed Pass-Through Enclosure System is a glove box system available from Central Research Laboratories of Red Wing, Minn. The exchange of gloves, plugs or other components in the opening of the glove box is simple, rapid and integrity of the glove box is maintained during the exchange, due in part to the structure of the glove box port ring. However, it is not possible to use the components of this system with a pre-existing glove box port that does not have the same structures.

What is needed is a gloveport retrofit system that allows for glove servicing of potentially only one person, and a quicker, easier, safer, and less costly replacement process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is described herein is a system for retrofitting a sealed enclosure for performing work therein in order to provide improved exchange of access elements. The sealed enclosure includes an annular port ring having inner and outer annular faces and being fixedly secured in leak-proof sealed relation in a port in the wall of said enclosure. An outer enclosure assembly is clamped to the annular port ring to provide a seal between the outer enclosure assembly and the annular port ring. Additionally, a change assembly is coupled to the outer enclosure assembly and the annular port ring to seal the gloveport side of the wall from the outside of the gloveport. Such a system enables alternating access elements with the use of an ejecting tool.

The outer enclosure assembly extends beyond the outermost end of the port ring and has an inner annular receiving surface that is positioned at the outermost end of the port ring. The change assembly has an inner ring and an access element. The inner ring has a first annular cylinder body having an outer diameter sized to be slidably received by the port ring, where the first annular cylinder body is configured to be received in sealing engagement with the inner annular receiving surface. The inner ring also has a flange at its outermost end that extends outwardly from the first annular cylinder body and has a diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the annular port ring. In various embodiments the flange is coupled to the outer enclosure assembly.

The access element can generally be either a plug or a glove with a glove support ring that is in sealing engagement within the first annular cylinder body, and is slidably removable there from. The glove and glove support ring generally provides an individual with a means to manually manipulate objects within the gloveport while still keeping the environment inside of the glovebox isolated from the environment outside of the glovebox. The plug generally just keeps the environment inside of the glovebox isolated from the environment outside of the glovebox. In various embodiments the access element is slidably removed through the use of an ejection tool.

What is also described herein is a method for retrofitting the annular port ring of a sealed enclosure of the type generally described above in order to provide improved exchange of access elements for use with the sealed enclosure. The outer enclosure assembly is installed surrounding the port ring and forms a sealed engagement with the outer annular surface of the port ring. The outer enclosure assembly has an inner annular receiving surface that is positioned at the outermost end of the port ring and is adjacent to an inner annular face of the port ring.

A change assembly that has an inner ring and an access element is provided. The inner ring generally has a first annular cylinder body having an outer diameter sized to be slidably and sealably received by the inner annular receiving surface and a flange extending outwardly from the first annular cylinder body. The inner ring also has an access element that is positioned within the first annular cylinder body in sealing engagement. The access element can generally be a plug or a combination of a glove and a glove support ring that is configured to be slidably removable from the first annular cylinder, as described above.

The innermost end of the change assembly is inserted into the outer enclosure assembly to form a sealing engagement with the inner annular receiving surface of the outer enclosure assembly. The change assembly is inserted until its flange, as described above, contacts the outer enclosure assembly. In various embodiments the change assembly ejects a component located in the annular port ring and a first glove into the enclosure when the change assembly is inserted into the annular port ring.

In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a system for retrofitting a sealed enclosure includes forming the outer enclosure assembly, placing a compression seal against a compression seal mating surface of the outer enclosure assembly, forming the inner ring, and forming an access element configured to be positioned within the first annular cylinder body and in sealing engagement with the first annular cylinder body of the inner ring, wherein the access element is slidably removable from the first annular cylinder body.

In another embodiment, a system for retrofitting a sealed enclosure having an annular port ring is described where a ring housing includes an outer ring portion and an inner ring portion. The ring housing includes an outer ring portion and an inner ring portion, wherein the ring housing is configured to form a sealed engagement with an annular face of the port ring. The ring housing extends beyond the outermost end of the port ring. The inner ring portion of the ring housing includes a first annular cylinder body having an outer diameter sized to be slidably received by the port ring. The system also includes an access element configured to be positioned within the first annular cylinder body and in sealing engagement with the first annular cylinder body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally applies to systems for allowing access to a sealed enclosure for performing work within the sealed enclosure. The invention particularly applies to a sealed glove box system where the gloves can be changed, and alternatively, the opening can be covered and other items can be attached to the opening.

As discussed in the background, some prior art systems and methods for changing gloves in a glove box are difficult, time-consuming and present an increased risk of contamination compared to other systems. The prior art glove box system shown inFIG. 1has several disadvantages. The invention particularly relates to a system that can be used to retrofit an existing glove box system like shown inFIG. 1with structures that allow easier, safer replacement of gloves and attachment to the opening. First, the elements of the prior art system ofFIG. 1will be described. Then, a system and method for retrofitting the system ofFIG. 1will be described.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a prior art gloveport having a glove. A gloveport wall120separates the gloveport side121of the wall from the outside surface122of the glovebox. An annular port ring100is present in an opening102of the wall120. The presence of a glove160provides access to the gloveport side121of the wall120without contamination of either the outside of the glovebox from the gloveport side121of the wall or of the gloveport side121of the wall from the outside of the glovebox. The annular port ring100is generally cylindrical and extends at least partially through the opening102defined by the thickness of the glovebox wall120, and defines an outer annular surface124extending beyond the outside surface122of the glovebox wall120.

The annular port ring100also defines an inner annular surface126. The inner annular surface126of the annular port ring100is generally smooth. In this example of a port ring, the inner annular surface126does not include any protruding or recessed structure. The lack of protruding or recessed structure on the inner surface of the annular port ring is characteristic of the port rings of many pre-existing glove box systems for which changing access elements is difficult. However, the practice of the technology disclosed herein does not require a smooth structure on the inner surface of the port ring.

The length l1of the annular port ring in a typical prior art system can generally be at least about 3.2 centimeters to no more than about 4.3 centimeters and may be in a circular or ovular shape. More typically, the length l1of the annular port ring in a typical prior art system will be in a range from about 3.7 centimeters to about 3.9 centimeters. For a circular annular port ring, the diameter can generally be at least about 20.1 centimeters to no more than about 20.6 centimeters, or about 20.3 centimeters. The annular port ring can comprise a variety of materials, any of which are currently used in the art such as stainless steel, aluminum, plastics, and so on. Commonly a 300 series stainless steel is used.

The glove160has an outermost shoulder end161and in innermost hand end162that is configured to receive the hand of a user through an opening on the outermost shoulder end161. In at least one embodiment, the glove comprises an impermeable flexible material such as low density polyethylene. The outermost shoulder end161of the glove160extends from the glovebox side of the wall121, through the annular port ring100, and is secured around the outer annular surface124of the port ring100with a rubber band130and a hose clamp110.

The prior art process of installing a glove160into an annular port ring100will now be described. A glove160is inserted through the annular port ring100and into the glovebox side121of the glovebox wall120. The open end of the existing glove160is folded over an exterior end170of the annular port ring100and secured to the outside annular surface124of the annular port ring100. A means for securing the folded over exterior end of the glove160may be a neoprene or rubber band130that is further clamped down by a hose clamp110or any other suitable means for sealably securing the glove. A bead172is present at the outermost shoulder end161of the glove. Additional components may be used to sealably secure the glove160.

Now one process of retrofitting the prior art system with the improved system of the present invention will be described. The removal of any components from the inner annular surface126of the annular port ring100is the first step in retrofitting the gloveport ofFIG. 1with an improved system. After removal, the outermost shoulder end161of the glove160remains secured to the annular port ring100with the hose clamp110and the rubber band130. As a result, the glove box side of the wall121remains isolated from the outside of the glovebox122.

A replacement glove sealing ring can be inserted into the gloveport. The replacement glove sealing ring is annular and defines an inwardly extending flange. The flange generally extends inwardly from the annular body149of the replacement glove sealing ring. The outer diameter of the annular surface153of the replacement glove sealing ring is generally configured to be received by the annular port100. The annular surface153defines three ridges that are configured to have sealing and slide-able engagement with the inner diameter of the annular port and exert localized compression force on the outermost shoulder end of a glove that is disposed between the replacement glove sealing ring and the annular port. In various embodiments there are one, three, or more ridges defined by the replacement glove sealing ring.

The replacement glove sealing ring can generally be made of any material known in the art. In various embodiments the replacement glove sealing ring is made of a molded plastic. In various embodiments the replacement glove sealing ring is made of a molded low density polyethylene.

After the replacement glove sealing ring is placed, the hose clamp110and rubber band130depicted inFIG. 1can be removed to release the outermost shoulder end161of the glove from the outside diameter of the annular port ring. Releasing the outermost shoulder end of the glove from the outside diameter of the annular port ring exposes the outside surface of the annular port ring. In various embodiments it can be advantageous to clean and/or sterilize the outside surface of the annular port ring to contain any contaminants from the interior of the glove box that have contacted the outer surface of the annular port ring. The outermost shoulder side of the glove can then be placed within the inner diameter of the replacement glove sealing ring. In one embodiment the replacement glove sealing ring includes clips or snaps that couple to the outermost shoulder side of the glove160.

At this point of the retrofitting process, the replacement glove sealing ring is in position within the gloveport100, the hose clamp110and rubber band130have been removed, and the shoulder end161of the glove has been placed within the inner diameter of the replacement glove sealing ring. Next, an outer enclosure assembly is clamped to the outer annular face of the annular port ring100. Then a change assembly is inserted into the outer enclosure assembly. The change assembly forms a sealing engagement between the change assembly and an inner annular receiving surface of the outer enclosure assembly. The outermost shoulder end of the glove, which had been previously placed within the inner diameter of the replacement glove sealing ring, is trapped between the flange of the replacement glove sealing ring and the change assembly. The change assembly also pushes against the flange of the replacement sealing ring so that the replacement sealing ring and the old glove are pushed into the interior of the glove box.

There can be a variety of approaches to retrofitting the prior art system, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The structures of outer enclosure assembly and various change assemblies will now be described.FIG. 2is a perspective view of an assembled retrofit assembly having an outer enclosure assembly200and a change assembly202. The change assembly202includes an inner ring220and a plug210that is in sealing engagement with the inner ring220. The change assembly is slide-ably received by the annular port ring100(shown inFIG. 1) and the outer enclosure assembly200. The plug210can also be referred to as an “access element” for purposes of this application. In other embodiments that will be discussed herein, the change assembly includes a glove support ring and a new glove instead of a plug. In these embodiments, the glove support ring and the new glove are the access element.

The outer enclosure assembly200is clamped to the outer annular face of the annular port ring and forms a sealing engagement with the outer annular surfaces of the port ring. The outer enclosure assembly200can extend beyond the outermost end of the port ring and further define an inner annular receiving surface that is positioned at the outermost end of the port ring, as will be further illustrated inFIG. 5. The outer enclosure assembly200comprises at least a split retaining flange240, an outer enclosure ring230, in addition to other structures in various embodiments.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of an assembled retrofit assembly with a glove160and an inner ring in place of a plug. The outer enclosure assembly200is configured to be disposed on the outer annular face of the annular port ring (depicted inFIG. 1). The outer enclosure assembly200comprises at least a split retaining flange240and an outer enclosure ring230. An access element having at least a glove160and an inner ring220is received by the annular port ring and the outer enclosure assembly200. A support ring250having an annular cylindrical surface is disposed on the inside annular surface of the inner ring220. The outermost shoulder side of the glove is trapped between the support ring250and the inner ring220.

FIG. 4is a side view of the assembled retrofit assembly ofFIG. 3with a cutaway portion in a cross sectional view.FIG. 5is an enlarged cross sectional view of portion A fromFIG. 4. From this view it is discernable that the outer enclosure assembly200is disposed on the annular port ring100and forms a sealed engagement with the outer annular surface of the port ring100. The outer enclosure assembly200includes at least a split retaining flange240, a split clamping ring270, a compression seal260, and an outer enclosure ring230. Outer enclosure ring230is coupled to the split retaining flange240with screws233, although other methods of coupling would be consistent with the technology disclosed herein. The compression seal260is an annular seal disposed between the outer enclosure ring230and the annular port ring100and provides a seal between the outer enclosure ring230and the annular port ring100.

The outer enclosure assembly includes an inner annular receiving surface235, which is in contact with the outer surface of the change assembly. The inner annular receiving surface235is located at the outermost end of the port ring100, and extends beyond the inner annular surface of the port ring100.

The change assembly includes an inner ring220, a glove support ring250and a glove160in the embodiment ofFIG. 5. An inner ring220is coupled to the outer enclosure ring230with screws225in this embodiment, although in other embodiments coupling can be achieved through any means known in the art. A cylindrical portion221of the inner ring220is slidably disposed in the annular ring100and the outer enclosure ring230. The flange227defined by the inner ring220extends outwardly from the cylindrical portion221and is in physical contact with the outer enclosure ring230to enable coupling. One or more o-rings280are disposed between the inner annular receiving surface235of the outer enclosure ring230and the inner ring220to provide a seal. The inner annular receiving surface235of the outer enclosure ring230is configured to slidably and sealably receive the inner enclosure ring220. The outer enclosure ring230and inner enclosure ring220in this embodiment form a seal by virtue of the outer enclosure ring230defining two openings to receive two o-rings280that are partially compressed between the inner annular receiving surface235of the outer enclosure ring230and the inner enclosure ring220.

A glove support ring250is disposed within an inner opening of the inner ring220. The glove support ring250and the inner ring220can have corresponding mating surfaces. A shoulder252defined by the support ring250is configured to mate with a mating groove226of the inner ring220. Such mating ensures a secure seal between the support ring250and the inner ring220.

The height of the shoulder252in various embodiments is at least about 0.8 millimeters to no more than about 1.3 millimeters, and is 1.1 millimeters in a particular example. The length of the shoulder252in various embodiments is at least about 4.6 millimeters to no more than about 5.3 millimeters, and is 4.9 millimeters in a particular example.

In this particular embodiment, an o-ring281is disposed between the glove support ring250and the inner ring220. The o-ring281fits into a groove282on the outer surface of the glove support ring250. The glove is trapped between the o-ring-281and the outer surface of the glove support ring250, and serves to secure the glove160to the glove support ring250. A bead283is present at the outermost shoulder end161of the glove160, and fits into a groove284.

FIG. 13is a side view of the assembled retrofit assembly ofFIG. 2with a cutaway portion in a cross sectional view.FIG. 14is an enlarged cross sectional view of portion B fromFIG. 13.FIGS. 13 and 14vary from the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 4 and 5, discussed above, at least in that the access element of the change assembly402is a plug410, rather than the glove160and glove support ring250as depicted and discussed inFIGS. 4 and 5. Similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, an outer enclosure assembly200is disposed on the annular port ring100and forms a sealed engagement with the outer annular surface of the port ring100. The outer enclosure assembly200includes at least a split retaining flange240, a split clamping ring270, a compression seal260, and an outer enclosure ring230. Also similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, a flange227of an inner ring220is coupled to the outer enclosure ring230and slidably disposed in the annular ring100and the outer enclosure ring230.

The plug410is disposed within the inner opening of the inner ring220and defines a surface that blocks the opening of the inner ring220. The plug410is generally circular. The plug410and the inner ring220can have corresponding mating surfaces. A shoulder452defined by the plug410is configured to mate with a mating groove226of the inner ring220. Such mating ensures a secure seal between the shoulder410and the inner ring220. The height and length of the plug shoulder452can be similar or the same to corresponding parameters of the shoulder of the glove support ring discussed above with regard toFIGS. 4 and 5. An o-ring481is disposed between the plug410and the inner ring220, much the same way that an o-ring is disposed between the glove support ring and the inner ring, discussed above. The o-ring481fits into a groove482on the outer surface of the plug410, and is compressed between the inner ring220and the plug410, forming a seal.

The components of the outer enclosure assembly will now be described in more detail with respect toFIGS. 6,7and9-11.FIG. 6is a front perspective view of the outer enclosure ring230, whileFIG. 7is a back perspective view of the outer enclosure ring230. The outer enclosure ring230is generally annular and configured to couple to the split retaining flange240(depicted inFIGS. 4 and 5) and additionally couple to the inner ring220(depicted inFIG. 4andFIG. 8). The outer enclosure ring230can include virtually any material known in the art such as various metals and plastics. In one embodiment the outer enclosure ring230includes aluminum or steel. In another embodiment the outer enclosure ring230includes steel.

The inner diameter of the outer enclosure ring230is configured to accommodate the compression seal260(depicted inFIG. 4andFIG. 5) therein, and the annular port ring within the compression seal260. Clearance holes232,236for screws are disposed along the surface of the outer enclosure ring230to enable coupling to the inner ring and the split retaining flange240, respectively. Bayonet-style connectors234are circumferentially disposed on the outer enclosure ring230to interface with at least an ejection tool, for example, which is described in the discussion ofFIG. 12, below. The outer enclosure ring230additionally defines the inner annular receiving surface235, which will seal against the inner ring. The inner receiving surface235has o-ring grooves238that are configured to receive one or more o-rings, which will assist with the seal with the inner ring. From the perspective ofFIG. 7, which is a back perspective view of the outer enclosure ring ofFIG. 6, a compression seal mating surface231is visible. The compression seal mating surface231is configured to receive the compression seal260, shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of the split retaining flange. The split retaining flange240has two splits244that aid in installation around the annular port ring (seeFIG. 5) so that each half can be set over the annular port ring and the split clamping ring (which is described in detail in the description ofFIG. 10, below). The split retaining flange240can include virtually any material known in the art such as various metals and plastics. The split retaining flange240defines an annular flange246extending within the inner diameter of the split retaining flange240. The flange246is configured to bear against the split clamping ring270(seeFIG. 5) when tightened down. The split retaining flange240is configured to be coupled to the outer enclosure ring230(seeFIG. 5). In this embodiment, clearance holes242defined around the diameter of the split retaining flange240are configured to receive screws233that couple to the outer enclosure ring230.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of the split clamping ring. The split clamping ring270has two splits276to aid in ease of installation of the split clamping ring270around the annular port ring100(seeFIG. 5). The split clamping ring270can include virtually any material known in the art such as various metals and plastics. Two screws272substantially perpendicular to the split are used to tighten the split clamping ring270about the annular port ring100. Set screws274disposed along the perimeter of the split clamping ring270are used to lock the clamping ring into place around the annular port ring100. The inner diameter surface278of the split clamping ring270bears down on the annular port ring100when locked into place. The leading face279of the split clamping ring270bears up against the split retaining flange240when the split retaining flange is set into place, as depicted inFIG. 5.

FIG. 11is a perspective view of the compression seal. The compression seal260has an outer diameter264, an inner diameter266, and faces262. The outer diameter264compresses up against the inner diameter of the outer enclosure ring230(seeFIG. 5). The compression seal can include various compressible materials such as types of rubber, or various types of polymers. The inner diameter266of the compression seal260is compressed against the outer diameter of the annular port ring100(seeFIG. 5). The faces262of the seal compress against the outer face of the split clamping ring270and the inner face of the outer enclosure ring230. Such placement of the compression seal260provides sealed coupling between the outer enclosure ring230and the annular port ring100(seeFIG. 5).

Now that the components of the outer enclosure assembly have been described in detail, the inner ring will be described with reference toFIG. 8, which is a perspective view of the inner ring220. The inner ring220has a first annular cylinder body221and a flange222extending outwardly. The inner ring220can comprise any material known in the art such as various metals and plastics. The annular cylinder body221has an outer diameter sized to be slidably received by the annular port ring100(seeFIG. 4andFIG. 5). The flange222outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the annular port ring100(seeFIG. 4andFIG. 5).

The inner ring220has a leading face228side that is pushed into the annular port ring. The leading face228, when slid into the annular port ring comes into contact with the replacement glove sealing ring and slides the replacement glove sealing ring out of the annular port ring100into the glove box side of the wall. In various embodiments the leading face228traps the outermost shoulder side of the old glove between the leading face228and the replacement glove sealing ring. The flange222prevents translation of the first annular cylinder body221further in the annular port ring when the flange makes contact with the outer enclosure ring. The inner ring220additionally has a groove226that is configured to receive a shoulder252of a support ring250as depicted inFIG. 5, or a shoulder of a plug as depicted inFIG. 2. The inner ring220also defines clearance holes224for screws that fasten to the outer enclosure ring as depicted inFIG. 5.

FIG. 12is a perspective view of an ejection tool. An ejection tool300is used in various embodiments of the technology disclosed herein to eject or load a new glove ring or a plug to the annular port ring. The ejection tool300includes a collar340, an outer cage320, an inner cage330, a hand wheel310, and a ball screw350. Rotation of the hand wheel310results in rotation of the ball screw350, which drives the inner cage330forward relative to the outer cage320and the collar340. In operation, a new glove ring or plug is loaded into the collar340. The ejection tool300is docked to the outer enclosure assembly via the bayonet connections234of the outer enclosure ring230as depicted inFIG. 3, which mount onto the bayonet connections352of the ejection tool300. The hand wheel310is then turned, thereby moving the inner cage330in the direction of the glove box interior, forcing the new glove ring (or plug) through the collar340and into the annular port ring and outer enclosure ring. Such action pushes out the old glove support ring (or plug) without breaking the leak tightness of the overall assembly. The o-ring281installed on the new glove support ring250will make contact with the inner annular surface of the inner ring220before the o-ring281installed in the old glove support ring250loses its sealing contact with the inner ring220. Many alternate structures are possible for the ejection tool.

The method for installing the outer enclosure assembly200and the change assembly202to the annular port ring100consistent with the embodiments of the technology depicted inFIGS. 1-11will now be described.

First, any structures on the outer annular face124of the annular port ring100are removed. Next, the outer enclosure assembly is clamped to the outer annular face124of the annular port ring100. This process will be described with reference toFIGS. 5-7and9-11. This is achieved by first installing the split clamping ring270over the annular port ring100. Installation includes engaging split clamping ring screws272when the split clamping ring is positioned properly over the annular port ring100for a substantially secure attachment. The split retaining flange240is positioned over the annular port ring so that the flange246of the split retaining flange240abuts the leading face279of the split clamping ring270. The compression seal260is then positioned so that one face262of the compression seal abuts the split clamping ring270and the inner diameter266of the compression seal260abuts the outer annular surface of the annular port ring100. The outer enclosure ring230, having the compression seal mating surface231, is then placed over the compression seal260so that the compression seal mating surface231mates with at least one face262and the outer diameter264of the compression seal260. The outer enclosure ring230is then coupled to the split retaining flange240with screws233to substantially secure the assembly around the annular port ring100through compression forces.

Once the outer enclosure assembly200has been installed, an inner receiving surface235is present at the outermost end of the annular port ring100. The inner receiving surface235defines grooves238for receiving o-rings280, which provide the sealing structure against the outer surface of the inner ring220.

Now that the installation of the outer enclosure assembly has been described, the installation of a change assembly will be described. The change assembly202includes the inner ring220and an access element. As previously described herein, the access element may be a plug210as shown inFIGS. 2,13and14that serves to cover the port opening. Alternatively, the access element may be a glove support ring250and glove160as illustrated inFIGS. 3-5. It is also possible to have a bag element positioned in the inner ring. Before installation into the glove port box, the inner ring220has the access element positioned in its interior in a sealed relationship. The access element is sealed to the inner annular surface of the inner ring220by virtue of a shoulder structure, such as shoulder252shown inFIG. 5, which fits into the groove226on the inner annular surface of the inner ring220.

To install the change assembly202, the inner ring220is inserted into the outer enclosure assembly200and the annular port ring100. The inner enclosure ring220is pushed through the inner diameter of the outer enclosure ring230and the annular port ring100. The outer surface of the inner ring220contacts the o-rings280of the inner receiving surface235. The distal end of the cylindrical surface221of the inner enclosure ring220makes contact with the replacement glove sealing ring and pushes the replacement glove sealing ring through the annular port ring100into the glovebox121as the inner enclosure ring220is being inserted in the annular glove ring100. The flange227of the inner enclosure ring220is then coupled to the outer enclosure ring230with screws225.

Once the installation of the outer enclosure assembly and the change assembly as described herein is complete, the glove box port possesses structures that facilitate changing an access element such as a glove with ease and in a safer manner. The changing of access elements within the inner ring of the change assembly will now be described.FIG. 5illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of an annular port ring100having an outer enclosure assembly200installed, and a change assembly installed including a glove support ring250and a glove160. Periodically, the glove160may be replaced with a new glove. To accomplish this, a new glove160is installed on a new glove support ring250. First, the bead283at the outermost shoulder end161of the new glove160is positioned in the groove284. Then, the o-ring281is positioned in the groove282, trapping the glove160between the o-ring and the outer surface of the glove support ring250. The glove support ring assembly, including the glove160and o-ring281, is then loaded into an ejection assembly like the one illustrated inFIG. 12. Then, the procedures described with respect toFIG. 12are followed to insert the glove support ring assembly into the inner ring, thereby ejecting the old glove support ring assembly into the glove port box.

Alternately, a plug210is loaded into the ejection assembly ofFIG. 12, and the plug is inserted into the inner ring, thereby displacing the old glove support ring assembly.

Components of the system described herein can have a variety of embodiments and implementations and remain within the spirit and scope of the current technology. Now some alternative embodiments associated with components of the current system will be described.FIG. 15is a perspective view of a retaining flange of an assembly consistent with an additional embodiment of the current technology.

Unlike the split retaining flange, described in detail in the discussion associated withFIG. 9, the retaining flange540is not “split” and is a single, unitary ring that is configured to accommodate the outer diameter of an annular port ring. The retaining flange540can include virtually any material known in the art such as various metals and plastics. In the embodiment depicted in the current figure, the retaining flange540defines at least four substantially flat surfaces541along its outer circumference. The retaining flange540also defines an annular flange546extending within the inner diameter of the retaining flange540.

The retaining flange540is configured to bear against a compression seal as described in the discussion ofFIG. 11, above, and as will be described in the discussion ofFIG. 20, below. In the current embodiment, a compression seal opening548is defined by the leading face of the annular flange546and the bottom face of the retaining flange540, relative to the installed position of the retaining flange540on an annular port ring, as can be observed inFIGS. 21-22. The bottom surface of the annular flange546is configured to face the outer surface of the annular port ring, and the leading surface of the retaining flange540is configured to face an outer enclosure ring.

The retaining flange540is generally coupled to an outer enclosure ring of the embodiment described above in the discussion ofFIGS. 6-7, or the embodiment described in the discussion ofFIGS. 16-17, below. In this embodiment, clearance holes542defined around the diameter of the retaining flange540are configured to receive screws that couple to the outer enclosure ring. Set screw openings544defined by the retaining flange540around its circumference are configured to receive set screws that mutually engage the retaining flange540and the outer surface of the annular port ring. In the embodiment depicted in the current figure, set screw openings544are defined on the substantially flat surfaces541defined by the outer circumference of the retaining flange540, although alternative positions for the set screws are also contemplated.

FIG. 16is a front perspective view of an outer enclosure ring of an assembly consistent with an additional embodiment of the current technology, andFIG. 17is a back perspective view of the outer enclosure ring ofFIG. 16. The outer enclosure ring530depicted can be used in conjunction with components of a variety of embodiments, including the retaining flange described above in the discussion ofFIG. 15, or the split retaining flange and the split clamping ring described above in the discussion ofFIGS. 9-10, as illustrative examples.

The inner diameter of the outer enclosure ring530is configured to exert force on a compression seal and, therefore, an annular port ring. The outer enclosure ring defines clearance holes532,536for screws, which are disposed along the surface of the outer enclosure ring530to enable coupling to the retaining flange540, for example, or other components as described above. Bayonet-style connectors534are circumferentially disposed on the outer enclosure ring530to interface with at least an ejection tool.

The outer enclosure ring530additionally defines the inner annular receiving surface535, which will seal against an inner ring. The inner receiving surface535has o-ring grooves538that are configured to receive one or more o-rings, which will assist in creating a seal with the inner ring. From the perspective ofFIG. 17, which is a back perspective view of the outer enclosure ring ofFIG. 16, a compression seal mating surface531is visible. The compression seal mating surface531is configured to receive the compression seal.

Now installing a retrofit assembly consistent with an alternative embodiment of the current technology will be described.FIG. 18is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the retrofit assembly with the inner enclosure ring ready-to-install.FIG. 19is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the retrofit assembly with the inner enclosure ring ready-to-install.FIGS. 20-22depict the retrofit assembly after the change assembly has been installed. Particularly,FIG. 20is a perspective view of the embodiment of the retrofit assembly ofFIG. 18after the change assembly has been installed.FIG. 21is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 20.FIG. 22is an enlarged view of detail C ofFIG. 21.

Starting withFIG. 18andFIG. 19, a retaining flange540is disposed over the annular port ring100, and set screws545are received by corresponding set screw openings544defined about the circumference of the retaining flange540to engage both the retaining flange540and the outer surface of the annular port ring100. An outer enclosure ring530is also disposed over the annular port ring100and screws533are received by the screw holes536of the outer enclosure ring530and the clearance holes (not visible inFIG. 18orFIG. 19) of the retaining flange540. Two o-rings580are disposed within o-ring grooves538defined by the outer enclosure ring530. A compression seal mating surface531of the outer enclosure ring530and a compression seal opening548defined by the retaining flange540receive, and exert force on a compression seal560that, as such, exerts force on the outside surface of the annular port ring100.

A change assembly502having an inner enclosure ring520and an access element550is aligned with an inner annular receiving surface535of the outer enclosure ring530. The change assembly502is viewable inFIG. 18for purposes of clarity, but in a variety of embodiments the change assembly502would not be visible in such a configuration because it is disposed in an ejection tool similar to that depicted inFIG. 12and described in the description associated therewith.

The inner enclosure ring520is similar to that depicted inFIG. 8, and has at least one removable installation tab523that prevents progression of the inner enclosure ring520through the inner diameter of the outer enclosure ring530and the annular port ring100until the one or more installation tabs523are removed. Such configuration can allow proper positioning of system components before progression of the inner enclosure ring520and, therefore, any prior art components that may be present in the annular port ring to prevent contamination of either side of the glove port or system components.

To install the change assembly502, the installation tabs523are removed from the inner enclosure ring520, and the change assembly502is pushed through to overcome frictional forces exerted by the inner annular receiving surface535of the outer enclosure ring530and the associated o-rings580to progress the flange522such that it abuts the outer enclosure ring530. As such, a substantial portion of the first annular cylinder body521extends into the opening of the outer enclosure ring530and the annular port ring100. Likewise, the access element550also is at least partially disposed in the opening defined by the outer enclosure ring530and the annular port ring100.

As mentioned above,FIG. 20is a perspective view of the embodiment of the retrofit assembly ofFIG. 18with the inner enclosure ring installed,FIG. 21is a cross-sectional view of the same, andFIG. 22is a view of detail C fromFIG. 21. Fasteners537disposed in fastener holes532defined by the inner enclosure ring520engage the outer enclosure ring530through fastener holes532defined therein. An o-ring581is disposed between the access element550and the inner enclosure ring520that can help provide a seal.FIG. 25is an exploded view of the retrofit assembly as depicted inFIGS. 18-22. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a system for retrofitting a sealed enclosure includes the step of forming an outer enclosure assembly configured to be clamped to the outer annular face of the port ring. The outer enclosure assembly may be machined from stainless steel or another metal, in one embodiment. The outer enclosure assembly includes a compression seal mating surface, and in another step of the method of manufacture, a compression seal is placed against the compression seal mating surface of the outer enclosure assembly. In another step, the inner ring is formed. The inner ring can also be formed from stainless steel or another metal. In one embodiment, a ring housing is formed which includes an outer ring portion and an inner ring portion. In another step, the retaining flange is formed. In some embodiments, the retaining flange is machined from stainless steel or another metal. In yet another step, the access element is formed, where the access element is configured to be positioned within the first annular cylinder body of the inner ring. Where the access element is a glove ring and glove, the glove ring can be high density polyethylene (HDPE), and can be molded. Alternatively, the glove ring can be stainless steel or another metal in one embodiment, and can be machined. Where the access element is a plug, it can either be molded from HDPE or machined from stainless steel or another metal. Many other methods of forming these components are possible also. Another step in the manufacture process is positioning the o-ring on an outer surface of the access element.

Now alternate embodiments that are not depicted will be described, usingFIG. 22for explanation. In various embodiments it can be desired to replace one or more components with a single component. For example, a ring housing can be incorporated into the system that essentially combines the functionality of the outer enclosure ring and the inner enclosure ring. The portion of the component associated with the functionality of the outer enclosure ring can be referred to as an outer ring portion and the portion of the component associated with the functionality of the inner enclosure ring can be referred to as an inner ring portion. Instead of a screw537coupling the inner enclosure ring to the outer enclosure ring as in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 22, the inner enclosure portion and the outer enclosure portion can be separate portions of a single component that is the ring housing.

In such an embodiment the ring housing is configured to form a sealed engagement with an annular face of the port ring, where the annular face can be the inner annular face or the outer annular face of the port ring. In one embodiment, the outer ring portion of the ring housing attaches to a retaining flange in order to squeeze a compression seal between the ring housing and the retaining flange and urge the compression seal against an outer annular face of the port ring, similar to as shown in and explained with reference toFIG. 22.

The ring housing generally extends beyond the outermost end of the port ring. The inner ring portion of the ring housing, like the inner ring depicted inFIG. 22, has an outermost end, an innermost end, and a first annular cylinder body having an outer diameter sized to be slidably received by the port ring. The inner ring portion can, similar to the inner enclosure ring, be interpreted as having a “flange” at the outermost end of the inner ring. Such flange extends outwardly from the first annular cylinder body and couples to the outer ring portion of the ring housing.

In such an embodiment an access element remains as already described herein and is configured to be positioned within the first annular cylinder body. Such access element is slidably removable from, and in sealing engagement with, the first annular cylinder body, similar to the embodiments discussed throughout this application. In such an embodiment the ring housing and the installed access element would be used to slide out any components that are present and install the retrofit system.

In yet another embodiment, the ring housing could be used to replace the functionality of the outer enclosure ring, the inner enclosure ring, and the retaining flange, as well. In such an embodiment the outer enclosure portion of the ring housing would include a portion that replaces the functionality of the retaining flange. In such an embodiment it could be possible to couple the ring housing to the wall surrounding the port ring, for example, or, in another example, simply utilizing set screws to engage the outer annular surface of the port ring, as has been discussed herein.

In the embodiments discussed above and depicted inFIGS. 18-22and25, the access element550is a plug. The plug550is generally circular and defines a perimeter that is configured to be in mutual engagement with the inner annular surface of the inner enclosure ring. The plug550additionally has a blocking element552that extends across the entire inner diameter of the inner enclosure ring520. The access element can also be a glove assembly or a bag assembly.FIG. 23is a perspective view of an assembled retrofit assembly where the access element is a glove assembly510.FIG. 24is an enlarged view of detail D inFIG. 23. The glove assembly510has a glove512and a glove ring514, where the glove ring514defines an opening by which a user can access the glove512. The glove ring514accommodates a bead516on the outermost shoulder end of the glove512in a mating groove584defined by the glove ring514.

As mentioned above,FIG. 25is an exploded view of the embodiment of a retrofit assembly depicted inFIG. 20. A retaining flange540is mounted on an annular port ring100. An outer enclosure ring530is mounted on the annular port ring100and engages the surface of annular port ring100. A change assembly502having an inner enclosure ring520and an access element, which is a plug550, is received by an inner receiving surface of the outer enclosure ring530and the inner diameter of the annular port ring100. A substantial portion of a first annular cylinder body521of the inner enclosure ring520extends through the inner annular receiving surface535of the outer enclosure ring530and the annular port ring100. The interaction of receiving surfaces and inner surfaces of components of the retrofit assembly can be viewed with more clarity inFIG. 22orFIG. 24, for example.

In various embodiments, the inner annular receiving surface535is adjacent to the opening of the annular port ring100and has a length that is less than about half of the length of the inner annular port ring. In at least one embodiment, the inner annular receiving surface535is adjacent to the opening of the annular port ring100and has a length that is less than about 30% of the length of the inner annular port ring.

In some embodiments, the first annular cylinder body521extends through at least half of the length of the annular port ring100, where the length of the annular port ring100is discussed above in the description associated withFIG. 1. In some embodiments, over half of the length of the first annular cylinder body521extends into the annular port ring100. In various embodiments, the total length of the opening defined by the inner enclosure ring520and the annular port ring100is no greater than 200% of the total length of the opening defined by the inner enclosure ring520, itself. In particular embodiments, the total length of the opening defined by the inner enclosure ring520and annular port ring100ranges from about 6.4 centimeters to no more than about 8.6 centimeters.

It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the phrase “configured” describes a system, apparatus, or other structure that is constructed or configured to perform a particular task or adopt a particular configuration. The phrase “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as “arranged”, “arranged and configured”, “constructed and arranged”, “constructed”, “manufactured and arranged”, and the like.

This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.