Device for Sealed Transfer Between Two Enclosed Volumes, Featuring Secure Opening

The invention relates to a sealed transfer device between two enclosed volumes, comprising two flanges (10, 20) that can be secured to each other by a first bayonet connection, two doors (11, 21) which close off the passage openings defined by the flanges and can be secured to each other by a second bayonet connection, and a control mechanism comprising a control member (3) that is movably mounted on the first flange (10) between a closed position and an open position of the doors (11, 21), characterized in that the control mechanism comprises a member (7) for locking the second door (21) to the first door (11), ensuring that the doors are locked together when the control member (3) switches into the open position of the first and second doors, said locking member (7) being integrated into the first door (11).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sealed transfer device between two enclosed volumes.

In the present application, “volume” means any product, equipment or installation delimiting a volume. Thus, it can be an enclosure, an insulator, a receptacle, a container, a bag, etc.

“Enclosed volume” is understood to mean a volume isolated from the external environment. This may be in particular, but not exclusively, a volume for preparing, storing and/or handling products that must not be in contact with the outside or with a user.

The transfer device according to the invention is intended in particular, but not exclusively, to connect two enclosed volumes in order to transfer products from one volume to the other without breaking the containment. This may include, for example, the transfer of hazardous products such as certain biological, chemical or radioactive products, the transfer of components such as stoppers, vials, plungers, syringes, etc., the transfer of environmental control devices such as culture medium plates, particle counters, etc., the transfer of cleaning systems, the transfer of liquids, powders, tools, the transfer of waste to the outside of the enclosure and/or the transfer of any element necessary to production or maintenance of the production line.

PRIOR ART

The sealed transfer devices between two enclosed volumes conventionally themselves comprise two flanges each defining a passage opening into the enclosed volumes, each of the passage openings being closed off by a door. The flange and door of one of the enclosed volumes are capable of being connected respectively to the flange and to the door of the other enclosed volume by a bayonet connection and of being secured to each other under the action of a rotational movement of the one of the flanges and associated door with respect to the flange and door to which they are attached.

The sealed transfer devices further comprise a control member for opening and closing the two doors that are attached and secured to each other. The control member, movably mounted on one of the flanges, may be manipulated from inside one of the volumes. In order to avoid a sealing breach between the two secured volumes, the sealed transfer devices are advantageously provided with mechanisms to secure the opening of the doors.

Patent application EP0586307 describes a sealed transfer device thus secured. Thus, the sealed transfer device comprises a movable control member mounted on one of the flanges so as to be able to move between a closed position and an open position, a system of ramps interposed between the control member and the door associated with the flange on which the control member is mounted, so as to detach the door from the associated flange when the control member is moved from its unlocked position to its open position, and a series of mechanical locks. Two of the locks prevent any opening maneuver as long as the door of the other enclosed volume is not present and as long as the flange associated with this door is not fully connected to the flange bearing the control device, a third lock preventing any disconnection of the two flanges and a fourth lock preventing the control member from returning to its initial position when the doors are open. The drawback of the implemented safety mechanism is that it complicates the structure of the transfer device, making it difficult to manufacture but also increasing the risks of impacting its reliability from a sealing and cleanability point of view. Another drawback of such a mechanism is that it proves difficult to maneuver in certain circumstances.

The invention aims to remedy these problems by proposing a sealed transfer device between two enclosed volumes offering simplified and increased securing of the opening of the doors, coupled to one another, of the two volumes, that is reliable from a sealing point of view and easy to implement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a transfer device offering improved opening ergonomics.

Another object of the invention is to propose a transfer device offering shapes allowing improved and facilitated cleaning.

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION

To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention provides a sealed transfer device between two enclosed volumes, comprising a first and a second flange that define a passage opening into the enclosed volumes, said first and said second flange being able to be secured to one another by a first bayonet connection, a first and a second door closing off the passage openings, said first and said second door being able to be secured to one another by a second bayonet connection, the first door being hingedly mounted on the first flange by means of a hinge, said hinge comprising a hinge pin and a control mechanism comprising a control member movably mounted on the first flange between a closed position and an open position of the first and second doors secured to one another, the device being remarkable in that the control mechanism comprises a member for locking the second door on the first door, ensuring that the doors are locked together when the control member switches into the open position of the first and second doors, said locking member being integrated into the first door.

Advantageously, the member for locking the second door to the first door comprises a locking finger that extends toward the passage opening and is radially movable between a position in which it is recessed within the first door and a position for locking the doors together in which it projects radially from the first door.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the transfer device further comprises a member for locking the second flange to the first flange when the first and second doors are in the open position, said member being provided at the hinge.

Advantageously, the member for locking the second flange to the first flange comprises an oblong hole receiving a rotational pin parallel to the hinge pin and coupled to the latter by drive means on the one hand and a locking finger extending toward the passage opening, said locking member being translatable in a direction perpendicular to the hinge pin, between a position in which the finger is recessed within the first flange and a position for locking the flanges together in which the finger projects radially from the first flange.

Advantageously, the rotational pin is actuated by an external lever passing through the first flange so as to allow the opening of the first door. Crossing the flange allows the problem relating to sealing to be overcome.

According to an advantageous configuration, the control mechanism further comprises a first blocking member ensuring the blocking of the control member in the closed position in the absence of the second flange.

Advantageously, the first blocking member comprises an eccentric hole crossed by a rotational pin with which the control member is secured, said first blocking member being radially movable between a locking position in which the eccentric hole blocks the rotation of said control member and an unlocking position in which the eccentric hole is moved to allow rotation of the control member, the movement of said second blocking member being ensured by a lug of the bayonet system of the second flange.

It may also be provided that the control mechanism to comprise a second blocking member ensuring the blocking of the control member in the absence of the second door.

Advantageously, the second blocking member is radially movable between a blocking position in which it has a peripheral end engaged in a blocking bore in said control member and a release position in which said peripheral end is disengaged from the blocking bore, the second blocking member being moved by a lug of the bayonet system of the second door.

Advantageously, the control member is movable about an axis tangential to the periphery of said first flange, between a closed position where said member forms an angle α with the transverse plane of the flange, and an open position where said member forms an angle β greater than a with the transverse plane and causes the coupled doors to open.

Advantageously, the control member is a handle for opening the alpha door, which can be activated manually and is movably mounted in rotation about a pin parallel to the hinge pin and located diametrically opposite the hinge.

For greater clarity, identical or similar elements of the various embodiments are denoted by identical reference signs in all of the figures.

In the following, the terms “inside” or “internal” in relation to an enclosed volume mean that which is in or directed toward the inside space of the enclosed volume. Similarly, the terms “outside” or “external” in relation to an enclosed volume mean that which is outside the inside space of the enclosed volume or directed away from the inside of the enclosed volume.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In relation to the figures, a sealed transfer device between two enclosed volumes is described.

The transfer device according to the invention comprises a first assembly1, shown inFIG. 1, including a first flange10which defines a passage opening into a first enclosed volume (not shown), and a first door11which closes off the passage opening defined by the first flange10. The first door11is joined together with the flange10by a hinge4.

The transfer device further comprises a second assembly2, shown inFIG. 4, comprising a second flange20that defines a passage opening22into a second enclosed volume23, and a second door21that closes off the passage opening defined by the second flange20.

The first and second flanges10,20are capable of being secured to each other by a first bayonet-type connection. Similarly, the first and second doors11,21are capable of being secured to each other by a second connection, for example of the bayonet type. The flanges and doors are thus respectively provided with internal or external notches and lugs.

The first flange10and the first door11of the first volume will subsequently be referred to as the alpha flange10and the alpha door11and the second flange20and the second door21of the second volume as the beta flange20and the beta door21.

According to a particular embodiment, the first enclosed volume is an enclosure while the second enclosed volume is a container of the type illustrated inFIG. 4. This is of course one embodiment, the device according to the invention not being limited to this type of enclosed volume.

The device according to the invention further comprises a control mechanism comprising a control member3mounted on the alpha flange10so as to be movable between a closed position in which the alpha door11sealingly closes off the passage opening defined by the alpha flange10, and a position for opening the alpha door and the beta door. In the depicted embodiment, the control member3is an opening handle31of the alpha door11, which handle can be activated manually and is rotatably mounted about a rotational pin30, which is arranged diametrically opposite the hinge4, between a closed position in which the control member3forms an angle α with the transverse plane of the flange, and an open position in which said member forms an angle β with the transverse plane, the angle β being greater than the angle α (FIG. 1a). The pin30is advantageously located tangentially to the periphery of the alpha flange10and perpendicular to the passage opening axis associated with the alpha flange. The pin30is housed in a housing32. The control member3and the hinge4are supported by the alpha flange10.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises means for indexing the control member3allowing blocking of said member when it is in the closed position of the alpha door11and in the open position of the alpha and beta doors.

In order to improve the safety associated with the joint opening of the doors of the two volumes and the placement of each of their interiors in communication, the transfer device comprises a set of safety mechanisms allowing the door and the beta flange20of the second volume to be unlocked only when the second volume is connected with the first volume.

More particularly, the illustrated sealed transfer device includes a set of securing mechanisms comprising two members for blocking the control member3and two members for locking the doors and flanges together. Thus, said device comprises a first blocking member5which blocks the control member3in the absence of the beta door21, a second blocking member6which blocks said control member3in the absence of the associated beta flange20, a first locking member7which interlocks the beta door21with the alpha door11, and a second locking member8which interlocks the beta flange20with the alpha flange10when the two joined-together doors11,21are open. The blocking member5and the locking member7are integrated into the door while the blocking member6is located in the control unit and the locking member8is located in the hinge4. The operation of these securing means is described below.

The first blocking member5has the function of blocking the control member3in the closed position while the beta door21is not locked to the alpha door11. It thus forms what is referred to as a means for securing the presence of the beta door21on the alpha door11.

This first blocking member5is a lock integrated into the alpha door11. It comprises an upper finger50and a lower finger52, which fingers are parallel to one another, extend in parallel with the plane of the alpha door11, and are connected to one another by a joining wall. The blocking member5is mounted so as to slide radially, i.e., perpendicularly to the axis of the passage opening defined by the alpha flange and to the rotational pin30of the control member3, in a cavity51provided in the alpha door11, under the action of and against a return means, here a compression spring55. The blocking member5is thus movable between a blocking position in which the blocking finger50is engaged in a blocking bore33provided in the housing32, which is supported by the alpha flange10and in which is housed the pin30to which the control member3is coupled, and a release position in which the blocking finger50is disengaged from the blocking bore33. In the absence of the container, the control member3is blocked in the closed position by the blocking finger50engaged in the blocking bore33(FIG. 5a). When the container is docked on the enclosure, the beta flange20and the beta door21are respectively brought into contact with the alpha flange10and the alpha door11of the enclosure, the external lugs200of the beta flange20being placed in the notches100in the alpha flange10. The operator then turns the beta part (beta door and flange) clockwise (rotation of approximately 60 degrees) into the alpha part (alpha door and flange) until coming into contact with a stop14of the alpha flange10. The beta flange20is then blocked in translation by the alpha flange10. The beta door21is unlocked from the beta flange20and locked with the alpha door11. During the rotational movement for connecting the beta part to the alpha part, one of the internal lugs210of the beta door21pushes the lower finger52of the blocking member5, which has the effect of moving said finger into the cavity51, against the action of the compression spring55and away from the alpha flange10. The blocking member5carries along in its movement the finger50, which then disengages from the blocking bore33in the block32. Once said finger is released, the control member3can then be actuated to open the alpha and the beta door which are locked together. The locking together of the doors will be described later.

The second blocking member6has the function of blocking the control member3in the closed position while the beta flange20is not completely secured to the alpha flange10. It thus forms what is referred to as a means for securing the presence of the beta flange20on the alpha flange10.

The second blocking member6acts as a latch. Its particular shape allows the opening to be mechanically blocked if the presence of beta flange20is not observed.

More particularly, the blocking member6comprises an eccentric hole60(in the example depicted, hole having two parallel and offset opening axes) receiving the rotational pin30of the control member3. The blocking member6also comprises a finger61extending so as to project from alpha flange10. This blocking member6is mounted in the housing32so as to be able to slide radially, i.e., perpendicularly to the axis of the passage opening defined by the alpha flange10, under the action of and against a compression spring65. It is movable between a blocking position in which the eccentric hole60blocks the rotational movement of the pin of the control member3(FIG. 6a) and a release position in which the eccentric hole is moved toward the external circumference of the alpha flange10, to allow rotation of the rotational pin30to which the control member3is connected (FIG. 6b).

In the absence of the container, the rotational pin30passes through the part of the hole60blocking the rotational movement of said pin, and thus blocking the control member3in the closed position. When the container is docked on the enclosure, the beta flange20and the beta door21are brought into contact with the alpha flange10and the alpha door11, the external lugs200of the beta flange20being placed in the notches100in the alpha flange10. The beta part is then connected to the alpha part by turning the beta part into the alpha part clockwise (rotation of approximately 60°) until coming into contact with a stop14supported by the alpha flange10. The beta flange20is then blocked in translation by the alpha flange10. During the rotational movement for connecting the beta part to the alpha part, the external lug200of the beta flange20pushes the finger61of the second blocking member6, which has the effect of moving the blocking member6radially, toward the outside of alpha flange10, and therefore of moving the hole60relative to the rotational pin of control member3into the position in which the rotational pin30of control member3is released (FIG. 6b).

The advantage of providing these two blocking members5,6is to provide double securing means in terms of opening the connected doors, it being possible for said doors to be opened only if the beta flange20and the beta door21are respectively well connected to the alpha flange10and the alpha door11of the enclosure. These two blocking members are thus means for securing the presence of the beta door and the beta flange on the associated alpha part.

The locking member7has the function of locking the beta door21to the alpha door11, that is to say, of preventing the separation of the beta door21from the alpha door11when the control member3moves to the door opening position. The locking member7comprises a lower finger71and an upper finger72, which fingers are parallel to one another, extend perpendicularly to the plane of the alpha door11, and are connected to one another by a joining wall. The lower finger71forms a locking finger (also denoted by reference sign71) capable of moving from a position in which it is recessed within the alpha door11and a locking position in which it projects radially from the alpha door11. The locking member7is mounted so as to slide radially into a cavity70within the alpha door11against and under the action of a compression spring73. When the control member3is in the closed position, the locking member7is held in abutment against the housing32via the upper finger72under the action of the compression spring73(FIG. 7a). When the control member3moves into the position for opening the doors, the alpha door11carries along in its rotational movement the upper finger72, which disengages from the housing32(FIGS. 7band 7c). When the upper finger72is completely disengaged, the locking member7is pushed by the compression spring toward the outside of the door, moving the locking finger71into the notch in the beta door21. Since the beta door21is blocked by placing an internal lug210of the beta door21in abutment between the lower finger71and a stop12supported by the alpha door11, said beta door can then no longer rotate with respect to the alpha door11(FIG. 7d).FIG. 7ato 7cshow the movement of the locking member7during the transition of the locking member7from its position for closing the doors (FIG. 7a) to its position for opening the doors (FIG. 7c), depicting an intermediate position (FIG. 7b).

The locking member8has the function of locking the beta flange20with the alpha flange10, that is to say, of preventing the separation of the beta flange20and the alpha flange10, when the doors are open inside the enclosure. It is combined with the pin40of the hinge4. It forms what is referred to as a means for securing, in an anti-unlocking manner, the open-door beta flange20.

This locking member8comprises a hole80through which a peg42passes which is supported a second rotational pin41coupled to the pin40of the hinge4by drive means43,44(cams in the example depicted). The second rotational pin41is also coupled to a third pin45that passes through the alpha flange10and that can be actuated by an external lever (not shown) so as to allow the alpha door11to open.

The locking member8comprises a finger81facing the inside of the passage opening.

Said locking member is translatable toward the inside of the passage opening of the alpha flange10, perpendicularly to the rotational pin40of the hinge4.

When the alpha door11is closed, the locking member8is placed such that the finger81is recessed relative to the internal surface of the alpha flange10. When the doors are opened by actuation of the external lever, the third pin45rotates the second rotational pin41via the drive means43. During the rotation of the second pin41, the peg42slides along the hole80that is arranged to translate the locking member8and to position the finger of said locking member in the notch in the beta flange20. Since the beta flange20is blocked by placing one of the external lugs200of the beta flange20in abutment against the finger81of the locking member and by a stop14of the alpha flange10, said beta flange can then no longer rotate with respect to the alpha flange10. In the previously described method, the opening of the doors is actuated by an external lever. It is of course clear that this is one embodiment, and that the hinge could be unconnected to an external lever (in this case the hinge would lack a third rotational pin). The door would then be opened manually, by pulling the alpha door from the inside, after releasing the control member3.

In order to free the passage of products from one enclosed volume to the other enclosed volume, a hinge is provided with an eccentric cam (FIG. 9, 9a,10,10a). Thus, the pin40of the hinge4comprises a cam45that advantageously has a notched surface and has a profile of substantially ovoidal shape arranged in stress with a peg46, the part47of the peg in contact with the cam being movable in translation. This arrangement allows the door to be opened in a range at a minimum angle allowing the passage of the transferred products not to be blocked with respect to the plane in which the passage opening is located.

FIG. 11 to 13bshow an alternative embodiment for locking the beta flange20with the alpha flange10when the doors are open inside the enclosure.

In this alternative, the locking member8is connected to the pin40of the hinge4by a cam, which is fixedly mounted about the pin. The cam90has a first profile of claws91arranged to come under stress onto a peg82supported by the locking member8and thus to translate said locking member toward the passage opening during actuation of rotation in one direction (clockwise in the example depicted). The cam90also has a second profile92arranged to block the peg82, and therefore for the translation of the locking member8when the alpha door11is in the closed position. Advantageously, the locking member8is guided in translation in a guide rail100.

Thus, when the alpha door11is closed, the locking member8is placed such that the finger81is recessed relative to the internal surface of the alpha flange10while the cam90is in the position for blocking the peg82via the second profile92(FIG. 13a). When the doors are opened, the pin40of the hinge4rotates in the clockwise direction, as depicted inFIG. 13b, rotating the cam90and thereby putting the peg82under stress via the profile of claws91of the cam. Since the locking member8is pushed by the cam90, said locking member translates along the guide rail, in a manner guided by the guide rail100, toward the passage opening, so as to position the finger81in the notch in the beta flange20.

The invention is described above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is in a position to produce various alternative embodiments of the invention without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.