EP1554180B1 - Device which is used to transport a container in the vertical position, comprising packaging containing a gyroscopic system - Google Patents

Device which is used to transport a container in the vertical position, comprising packaging containing a gyroscopic system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1554180B1
EP1554180B1 EP03767933A EP03767933A EP1554180B1 EP 1554180 B1 EP1554180 B1 EP 1554180B1 EP 03767933 A EP03767933 A EP 03767933A EP 03767933 A EP03767933 A EP 03767933A EP 1554180 B1 EP1554180 B1 EP 1554180B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frame
axis
articulation
container
receptacle
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EP03767933A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1554180A2 (en
Inventor
Eric Cognard
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority claimed from FR0213161A external-priority patent/FR2845972B1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for transporting a container in a vertical position comprising a package inside which is arranged a gyroscopic system.
  • the invention applies in particular to the field of transport and / or storage of goods, more specifically to the transport of liquid or solid products to be stored in a vertical position during their transport.
  • the products concerned by the invention are in particular, but not exclusively, biological products stored at very low temperature by means of a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen.
  • non-hermetic containers are used for the transport under atmospheric pressure of gas whose density is high, these containers being designed to allow free escape of the vapors they contain or that they produce as and when they are heated.
  • the nitrogen can be transported in thermally insulated containers and without a device sealing the closure.
  • the container or transport container must, in return, be kept in a vertical position in order to prevent the accidental spilling of liquid nitrogen.
  • this type of container is very widely used especially for the transport or the storage of biological materials requiring conservation at very low temperatures.
  • the weight of the metal containers helps to increase the cost of transport and, on the other hand, the empty repatriation of the container to the place of origin of the shipment must be organized if the costs to be incurred for the restitution are lower than the purchase price of a new unit.
  • This deposit system is an important constraint, especially when it comes to distant shipments or when the shipper has to cope with strong seasonal occasional demands governed by biological laws that are difficult to thwart. This is particularly the case for the reproduction of certain animal species from gametes or frozen embryos.
  • the packages are provided with a gyroscopic system, that is to say an internal mechanism allowing the free rotation of the transport container along two orthogonal axes so that, under the effect of its own weight, the container keeps a constant vertical position and this regardless of the orientation of the package.
  • FR-A-332: 113 and its Addition to Invention Patent no. 2170 describe for example a device for transporting biological products, more particularly live yeasts in their feeder liquids, comprising such a gyroscopic system.
  • the gyroscopic system is secured to a cubic transport package and has a first outer circle which is rotatably mounted relative to the package about a hinge axis by means of two journals carried by two opposite sides of the package and a second inner circle which is rotatably mounted about another axis of rotation within the first circle by means of two further journals carried by the first circle and arranged in a direction perpendicular to that of the trunnions of the package.
  • the two axes of articulation of the circles of the gyroscopic system are orthogonal to each other and perpendicular to the faces of the package.
  • Such devices require first of all time to proceed to their assembly and assembly, in particular to mount the first circle of the gyroscopic system integral with the walls of the package, so that such packages are, by their relatively complex design, long and expensive to produce.
  • the central container transported by means of such packaging is very sensitive to shocks in particular shocks transmitted during transport and / or handling operations, because such shocks received by the package are directly transmitted to the gyro system integral with the walls of the package.
  • such a package must have sufficient rigidity so that the walls can in particular support the weight of the gyro system and the transport container.
  • the invention proposes a device for transporting a container that makes it possible to remedy the disadvantages of the state of the art.
  • the invention proposes a device for transporting a container comprising a polyhedral packaging inside which is arranged a gyroscopic system intended to maintain the container vertically, of the type in which the gyroscopic system comprises a first inner frame that carries the container and a second outer frame, the first inner frame being rotatably mounted relative to the second outer frame about a first hinge pin and the second frame being rotatably mounted relative to the polyhedral packaging around a second axis of articulation orthogonal to the first axis, characterized in that the second axis of articulation extends substantially along one of the diagonals of the polyhedron packaging.
  • the transport device has a structure less sensitive to shocks than the packaging according to the state of the art.
  • the device comprises shock absorption means arranged between the package and the gyroscopic system.
  • the gyroscopic system according to the invention is simpler and faster to arrange in packaging and can be manufactured with materials sufficiently cheap so that it is not necessary to record them and that the transport device is disposable, ie disposable.
  • the device according to the invention is simple in design and easy to implement, in particular because the gyro system can be introduced and maintained in the packaging, of which it is independent, in a simple and fast manner and without putting no tools.
  • the preparation time of the package prior to shipment is significantly reduced compared to the solutions of the state of the art.
  • the transport device according to the invention can be stored in disassembled position generally flat so as to occupy a greatly reduced volume.
  • FIG. 1 shows a transport device 10 comprising, vertically from bottom to top, a package or polyhedric box 12 in which is likely to be received a gyroscopic system 14 for holding a container 16 upright.
  • the polyhedral package 12 is preferably of parallelepipedal shape, in particular of cubic form.
  • the polyhedral package 12 has a lower horizontal face 18, an upper open horizontal loading face 20 and four vertical faces 22, each of the side faces 22 being orthogonal to the faces adjacent thereto and parallel to an opposite side face.
  • the package 12 thus defines an internal volume 24 which is delimited downwards by the lower face 18 forming a bottom, laterally by the four vertical faces 22 and upwards by the upper face 20 which is open to allow the filling of the packing 12.
  • the upper face 20 is, after filling the volume 24, capable of being closed by folding inwardly the two flaps 26, alternatively by a removable cover not shown.
  • the package or box 12 has eight vertices 28 each defined by the intersection of three faces of the parallelepiped.
  • the package also has four internal angles 30 each of which is delimited by the intersection of two consecutive lateral faces 22.
  • a diagonal D is by definition a line joining two vertices 28 not belonging to the same face of the parallelepiped.
  • the packaging thus comprises four vertical diagonals, one of which is illustrated in FIG.
  • the package 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a cube forming a box, which is preferably made of cardboard, but which may also be made of other materials and other polyhedral shapes, for example rectangular parallelepiped or 18 "hexagonal base.
  • Figures 1 and 3 respectively show the gyro system 14 in the use position and in the storage position, that is to say advantageously flat.
  • the gyroscopic system 14 includes a first inner frame 32 capable of carrying the container 16 and a second outer frame 34.
  • the first inner frame 32 is rotatably mounted relative to the second outer frame 34 about a first hinge axis A1 and the second outer frame 34 is rotatably mounted relative to the package 12 around a second axis of articulation A2 orthogonal to the first axis of articulation A1.
  • the two axes A1 and A2 are here perpendicular and concurrent.
  • the second outer armature 34 is a flat ring and the second axis of articulation A2 is located in the plane of this ring 34.
  • the second outer armature 34 is a substantially elliptical ring whose major axis is substantially coincident with the second axis of articulation A2.
  • the first inner frame 32 is a flat ring of circular shape and the first hinge axis A1 is located in the plane of this ring 32.
  • first hinge axis A1 is substantially coincident with the minor axis of the ellipse forming the second outer reinforcement 34.
  • the transport device 10 comprises carrying means of the gyroscopic system 14 in particular for setting the gyro system 14 in the package 12.
  • the carrier means of the gyroscopic system 14 are constituted by a frame 36 on which the elliptical armature 34 is mounted mobile in rotation about said second axis of articulation A2.
  • the carrier frame 36 is a planar frame and consists of tubular sections made preferably by plastic molding in one piece as the frames 32 and 34.
  • the carrying frame 36 comprises two vertical and 38 opposite vertical and horizontal uprights 39 which generally form a rectangle whose two diagonally opposite angles are "truncated" by two parallel and opposite branches 40, which form an acute angle with respect to the uprights 38, 40, here substantially equal to 45 °.
  • the branches 40 carry means 42 for articulating the elliptical armature 34 with respect to the carrying frame 36 which, as can be seen in FIG. 2, is fixed with respect to the package 12.
  • the hinge means 42 of the elliptical frame 34 along the axis A2 relative to the frame 36 are for example constituted by pins or any other appropriate means.
  • the gyroscopic system 14 is intended to keep the container 16 upright, especially during transport and / or handling operations during which the package 12 may for example be returned in any orientation or shock .
  • the container 16 is advantageously a cryostat, that is to say a thermally insulated container for maintaining liquid or solid products, for example biological products, at low temperature for a determined duration thanks to a cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen.
  • a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen.
  • the container 16 here comprises an outer body 46 which is preferably made of a thermally insulating material as polystyrene or polyurethane and which has a central housing open upwards and closed a plug 48.
  • an outer body 46 which is preferably made of a thermally insulating material as polystyrene or polyurethane and which has a central housing open upwards and closed a plug 48.
  • the housing (not shown) of the outer body 46 of the container 16 is for example capable of receiving an internal insulating bulb (not shown) of the type which comprises a double glass wall separated by a vacuum so as to maintain for a determined duration and to a given temperature the biological products it contains, such a bulb is known commercially as the bulb "Thermos" (trademark).
  • the outer cylindrical body 46 of the container 16 is of generally circular section.
  • the body 46 has a lower portion 50 of diameter D1 substantially equal to the diameter of the circular ring 32 and which is connected to an upper portion 52 of diameter D2 greater than the diameter D1, by a shoulder 54 facing downwards for the positioning of the circular ring 32 along the outer wall of the container 16.
  • the container 16 and the first inner armature 32 comprise complementary means so as to allow the insertion in a "vertical" stroke of fitting perpendicular to the plane of the circular ring 32, then the locking of the container 16 in the circular ring 32 at the end of the press fit.
  • the container 16 can be vertically pushed up and down easily in the circular ring 32 prior to setting the transport configuration of the system 14. If one of the branches 39 of the support frame 36 is likely to interfere with the fitting operation.
  • FIG. 4 more particularly illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of such a container 16 comprising complementary means of the circular ring 32 to achieve a bayonet type mounting.
  • the circular ring 32 has lugs 56 which extend radially inwardly of the ring 32 and the lower portion 50 of the container 16 has two grooves 58 arranged symmetrically with respect to the central vertical axis and of which one is illustrated.
  • Each groove 58 comprises a first guide portion 60 which extends vertically and in a rectilinear manner and which extends, at its upper end, a second horizontal locking section 62 forming a complementary notch of the lugs 56 of the circular ring 32.
  • the lugs 56 being in coincidence with the guide portions 60 of the grooves 58, the container 16 is fitted vertically up and down in the circular ring 32, then the locking is obtained by rotating the container 16 so as to penetrate the lugs 56 in the notches or locking sections 62.
  • the initial introduction of the container 16 into the circular ring 32 is facilitated by the chamfering profile of the lower end of the lower part 50 of the container 16.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the transport device 10 in transport configuration, that is to say the configuration in which the subassembly constituted by the carrier frame 36 and the gyroscopic system 14 in which the container 16 has been mounted, is arranged in the interior volume 24 of the polyhedral package 12, shown in silhouette.
  • the second axis of articulation A2 of the gyroscopic system 16 extends substantially along the diagonal D of the package 12.
  • the gyro system 14 may be arranged in the interior volume 24 of the package 12 along any one of the four diagonals.
  • the carrier frame 36 is arranged in the package 12 so that the horizontal uprights 39 extend parallel and to the bottom 18 and upper faces 20, so that the uprights 38 are received without play in two interior angles 30 of the packaging 12 opposite diagonally D so as to wedge the subassembly in the package 12.
  • the package 12 can absorb some of the shocks and vibrations without these being transmitted to the gyroscopic system 14 by the carrier frame 36.
  • the carrier frame 36 does not extend into the two opposite upper and lower peaks 28 along the diagonal of the hinge axis A2, so that shocks in this direction are not transmitted, or transmitted little, to the underside. formed by the frame 36 and the gyroscopic system 14.
  • the support frame 36 has four branches 40 of angles so that the frame 36 has no portion which extends into one of the vertices 28 of the package 12.
  • the corners of the package 12 corresponding to the vertices 28 are capable of being deformed by crushing the carton, without, however, the shock wave being directly and integrally transmitted to the gyroscopic system 14 and / or to the container 16.
  • the deformation capacity of the corners of the package 12 is made possible by the arrangement inwardly withdrawing from the package 12 of the branches 40 of the carrier frame 36, and by the choice of the material used for the package 12.
  • the container 16 is better protected against shocks, in particular lateral shocks, that is to say according to one of the faces 22 of the package 12, compared to the state of the art in which one of the hinge axes of the system was integral with the faces.
  • the carrier frame 36 is capable of deforming to absorb the shocks and comprises for example recesses in its structure, as in the horizontal uprights 39, in order to give it a capacity for elastic deformation, in particular in the vertical direction and at the surplus to reduce its weight.
  • the support frame 36 comprises additional shock absorption means which are interposed in a general manner between the frame 36 and the package 12.
  • the carrier frame 36 can thus be provided with shock absorbing means such as split cylindrical foam sleeves which are mounted on the uprights of the frame 36 so as to be interposed between the frame 36 and the package 12 in the corners 30. .
  • shock absorbing means such as split cylindrical foam sleeves which are mounted on the uprights of the frame 36 so as to be interposed between the frame 36 and the package 12 in the corners 30.
  • FIGS 5 to 7 show a second preferred embodiment of the carrier means of the gyroscopic system 14 which will now be described by comparison and analogy with the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.
  • the carrier means of the gyroscopic system 14 comprise two diagonally opposite identical pieces 64, each of which carries means of articulation of the second outer armature 34 in the form of an elliptical ring.
  • each carrier intermediate piece 64 comprises a body or base 66 of generally triangular shape which carries on the one hand the hinge means and, on the other hand, three positioning arms arranged in trihedron which each extend to from one of the vertices of the triangular base 66.
  • each arm 68 is provided to extend in a direction parallel to the intersection of two faces of the packing case 12.
  • the means of articulation of the elliptical ring 34 with respect to the carrier means, and thus with respect to the package 12, along the axis of articulation A2 are constituted for example by a pin 70 integral with the second outer reinforcement 34 which is received in a complementary housing 72 of the base 66 of the intermediate piece 64.
  • the assembly of the elliptical ring 34 with the base 66 of the intermediate piece 64 is made by elastic interlocking of the pin 70 in the housing so that the assembly can be carried out simply and quickly.
  • the shock absorption means shown are constituted by cylindrical sleeves 74 which are preferably made of foam or in any other elastically deformable material.
  • cylindrical sleeves 74 are particularly advantageous in the case of disposable disposable device. Indeed they can be obtained economically by cutting a tubular section foam foam.
  • Each cylindrical sleeve 74 comprises at one end a bearing face 75 and at least in the opposite face of its other end a hole 76 intended to receive, for example by fitting, one of the positioning arms 68 of the carrier piece 64.
  • FIG. 6 represents, before its arrangement in the package 12, the subassembly constituted by the gyroscopic system 14 and the carrier means after assembly of each intermediate piece 64 with the elliptical ring 34 and the damping cylindrical sleeves 74.
  • the container 16 can be mounted by fitting into the circular ring 32 of the gyroscopic system 14 subsequent to the operation of arranging the subassembly in the package 12 so as to obtain the transport configuration illustrated in FIG. .
  • the second axis of articulation A2 of the gyroscopic system 14 extends substantially along one of the diagonals D of the package 12.
  • Each of the intermediate carrier parts 64 is arranged inside one of the two vertices 28 of the packaging 12 opposite along said diagonal D corresponding to the second axis of articulation A2.
  • the base or plate 66 of the piece 64 extends in a plane perpendicular to said diagonal and each of the positioning arms 68 and the associated cylindrical sleeves 74 extends along one of the three edges of the internal angles. from the corresponding top 28.
  • the length of the sleeves 74 is such that their free end faces 75 are in abutment against the lateral faces vis-à-vis so as to ensure the wedging of the workpiece 64 in the body 12.
  • the container 16 is better protected against shocks including lateral shocks that is to say one of the faces 22 of the package 12.
  • the sleeves 74 constitute shock absorption means which are interposed between the carrier means formed by the parts 64 and the package 12.
  • the elliptical ring 34 is also elastically deformable to increase the shock absorption capacity of the device.
  • FIG. 8 represents a second exemplary embodiment for fitting and locking the cryostat container 16 in the circular ring 32 of the gyroscopic system 14.
  • the locking of the container 16 in the first inner frame 32 is obtained, after vertical fitting, by elastic deformation of said first frame 32 so that the frame 32 formed by the circular ring is automatically positioned in a groove. locking 78 complementary to the container 16.
  • the container 16 and the circular ring 32 comprise complementary complementary means, namely at least one radial lug 56 of the ring which penetrates into the rectilinear guide portion 60 of a vertical groove 58 during the press fitting stroke. container according to a movement from top to bottom.
  • the container 16 has a cylindrical lower portion 50, a control section 80 of which, in section along a horizontal plane, a non-circular section and for example oval whose perimeter is substantially equal to the diameter of the circular ring 32 of in order to cause the elastic deformation of said ring during the vertical fitting of the container 16.
  • a shock wave may, by propagating through the outer body 46 made of polystyrene, be transmitted to the bulb, in particular to the vertical walls forming the cylindrical body of the bulb.
  • the cylindrical section with double glass wall is more sensitive to shocks than are the head or the bottom or base of the bulb which, because of blow molding, have a thickness substantially higher.
  • the polyurethane foam After curing, the polyurethane foam forms a layer of material capable of absorbing all or part of the shock wave.
  • the polyurethane foam immobilizes and stall the insulating bulb in the housing, such a bulb obtained by blowing having no bottom or flat base on which it can be placed vertically in the housing.
  • Figure 9 illustrates in detail a third embodiment in which the inner frame 32 previously constituted by the circular ring is integrated in the container 16 so as to improve the shock absorption and the protection of the inner insulating bulb.
  • the container 16 has a generally cylindrical external body 46 which is formed by two recessed half-shells 45 which, after assembly, internally delimit a housing 47 in which an internal insulating bulb 82 is received.
  • the two half-shells 45 are preferably made by molding polystyrene and have a symmetry in a vertical plane containing the central vertical axis of the container.
  • the container 16 is closed, not hermetically, by a plug 48 which is housed in a recess 49 of complementary shape that the outer body 46 has in its upper horizontal face.
  • the body 46 comprises, symmetrically on each of the vertical edges of the shells 45, complementary profiles which, after assembly of the half-shells 45 form the vertical groove 58.
  • the container 16 is intended to be introduced vertically from below upwards, here into the elliptical ring 34 on which the container 16 is fixed, for example by snapping or elastic interlocking.
  • the inner armature 32 has a horizontal upper portion 31 which is received in a complementary recess 92 which internally comprises the upper part 52 of the body 46 of each half-shell 45, and comprises two diametrically opposed vertical arms 33 secured to each of the ends of the the part 31 of the frame 32.
  • the arms 33 extend vertically downwardly through the outer body 46 of the container 16 outside which they extend into the upper section 57 of the groove 58.
  • the arms 33 have at their lower end means 35 which are complementary to the hinge means that the outer frame 34 carries.
  • the articulation means along the axis A1, which is carried by the outer armature 34, consist for example of journals (not shown) which extend radially, in the manner of the lugs 56, inside the elliptical ring 34 and on which are fitted the complementary means 35 of the arms 33 of the inner frame 32.
  • the groove 58 advantageously comprises an enlarged lower rectilinear section 59 to facilitate the vertical fitting of the container 16 in the elliptical ring 34 and that extends a frustoconical guide section 60 which narrows upwards to drive the articulation means of the elliptical ring 34 in axial coincidence with the complementary means 35 of the arms 33, which are in the shape of a ring open downwards.
  • the arms 33 have an elasticity in the radial direction and can deform elastically in the upper portion 57 of the groove 58 so as to filter a portion of the shock wave.
  • the insulating bulb 82 here comprises, vertically from top to bottom, a neck 84 delimiting an upper opening 86 to allow the introduction of the biological products and the cryogenic fluid into the interior volume which laterally delimits a body 88, generally cylindrical, formed by a double glass wall separated by a vacuum and closed by a bottom or base 90.
  • the horizontal portion 31 of the frame is centrally perforated to allow passage with radial clearance of the head 84 of the bulb 82.
  • the inner armature 32 is therefore advantageously secured to the upper part of the outer body 46 of the container 16 so as to avoid in particular that a shock wave is transmitted to the side walls of the insulating bulb.
  • the hinge axis A1 of the inner frame 32 forming a subset with the container 16 relative to the outer elliptical armature 34 is arranged vertically at a substantially equal height of the body 46 of the container 16 as in the embodiments precedents.
  • polyurethane foam can be injected to form a shock absorbing layer interposed between the insulating bulb 82 and the housing 47 of the container 16 and allowing the bulb 82 to be wedged. in said housing 47.
  • the transport device 10 is a disposable device of low manufacturing cost for single use use.
  • the device 10 in storage configuration, has a small footprint, including the gyro system 14 which is then generally flat.
  • the transport device 10 in particular the gyroscopic system 14 arranged in the packaging 12, could be disassembled and provisionally conditioned storage position, prior to repatriation at low cost batch with several devices.
  • the arrangement according to a diagonal D allows, for given dimensions of the cubic box, to have on the one hand an outer reinforcement 34 of the gyroscopic system of the largest possible dimension along the long axis of the ellipse and, d on the other hand, a container of larger size.
  • the outer armature has a large capacity to deform elastically and thus to protect the container 16 from shocks.
  • the transport device according to the present invention is more particularly applicable to the transport of biological products, such as gametes or embryos, which are kept at very low temperature thanks to a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen for a determined duration sufficient to their routing.
  • a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen for a determined duration sufficient to their routing.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de transport d'un récipient en position verticale comportant un emballage à l'intérieur duquel est agencé un système gyroscopique.The present invention relates to a device for transporting a container in a vertical position comprising a package inside which is arranged a gyroscopic system.

L'invention s'applique notamment au domaine du transport et/ou du stockage de marchandises, plus précisément au transport de produits liquides ou solides devant être conservés en position verticale pendant leur acheminement.The invention applies in particular to the field of transport and / or storage of goods, more specifically to the transport of liquid or solid products to be stored in a vertical position during their transport.

Les produits concernés par l'invention sont en particulier, mais non exclusivement, les produits biologiques conservés à très basse température grâce à un fluide cryogénique tel que de l'azote liquide.The products concerned by the invention are in particular, but not exclusively, biological products stored at very low temperature by means of a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen.

Dans le domaine des récipients pour le transport de gaz liquéfiés, on connaît principalement deux techniques à savoir d'une part les récipients fermés hermétiquement munis d'un système qui permet de contrôler la pression interne et, d'autre part, les récipients non hermétiques auxquels se rapporte plus particulièrement l'invention.In the field of containers for the transport of liquefied gases, there are two main known techniques namely on the one hand the hermetically sealed containers provided with a system that allows to control the internal pressure and, on the other hand, the non-hermetic containers. to which the invention relates more particularly.

Ces récipients non hermétiques sont utilisés pour le transport sous pression atmosphérique de gaz dont la densité est élevée, ces récipients étant prévus pour laisser échapper librement les vapeurs qu'ils renferment ou qu'ils produisent au fur et à mesure de leur réchauffement.These non-hermetic containers are used for the transport under atmospheric pressure of gas whose density is high, these containers being designed to allow free escape of the vapors they contain or that they produce as and when they are heated.

Par exemple, l'azote peut ainsi être transportée dans des récipients isolés thermiquement et dépourvus de dispositif assurant l'étanchéité de la fermeture. Toutefois, le récipient ou conteneur de transport doit en contrepartie être impérativement maintenu en position verticale afin d'éviter le déversement accidentel de l'azote liquide.For example, the nitrogen can be transported in thermally insulated containers and without a device sealing the closure. However, the container or transport container must, in return, be kept in a vertical position in order to prevent the accidental spilling of liquid nitrogen.

De par sa simplicité, ce type de récipient est très largement utilisé notamment pour le transport ou encore le stockage de matériels biologiques nécessitant une conservation à très basse température.Because of its simplicity, this type of container is very widely used especially for the transport or the storage of biological materials requiring conservation at very low temperatures.

Or la plupart de ces conteneurs ou emballages connus sont métalliques et sont fabriqués à partir de matériaux dont le coût élevé rend prohibitif toute utilisation à usage unique.However, most of these containers or known packaging are metallic and are made from materials whose high cost makes prohibitive all-purpose use.

De plus, pour le transport de matériels biologiques dont la valeur commerciale peut être très faible, les frais d'expédition générés par l'utilisation de tels conteneurs sont très importants.In addition, for the transportation of biological materials whose commercial value may be very low, the shipping costs generated by the use of such containers are very important.

D'une part, le poids des conteneurs métalliques contribue à augmenter le coût du transport et, d'autre part, le rapatriement à vide du conteneur vers le lieu d'origine de l'expédition doit être organisé si les frais à engager pour la restitution sont inférieurs au prix d'achat d'une unité neuve.On the one hand, the weight of the metal containers helps to increase the cost of transport and, on the other hand, the empty repatriation of the container to the place of origin of the shipment must be organized if the costs to be incurred for the restitution are lower than the purchase price of a new unit.

Ce système de consigne est une contrainte importante surtout lorsqu'il s'agit d'expéditions lointaines ou lorsque l'expéditeur doit faire face à de fortes demandes ponctuelles saisonnières régies par des lois biologiques qu'il est difficile de contrarier. C'est notamment le cas pour la reproduction de certaines espèces animales à partir de gamètes ou d'embryons congelés.This deposit system is an important constraint, especially when it comes to distant shipments or when the shipper has to cope with strong seasonal occasional demands governed by biological laws that are difficult to thwart. This is particularly the case for the reproduction of certain animal species from gametes or frozen embryos.

Par ailleurs, lorsque le transport est confié à un service de messagerie, les conteneurs sont vulnérables et restent exposés aux chocs et aux renversements fréquents, surtout lorsqu'il s'agit de petites unités les moins stables. Or, la perte totale ou partielle du liquide de refroidissement diminue d'autant la durée de conservation de la marchandise, voire entraîne irrémédiablement sa destruction.In addition, when transport is entrusted to a courier service, the containers are vulnerable and remain exposed to frequent shocks and rollovers, especially in the case of smaller, less stable units. However, the total or partial loss of coolant decreases the shelf life of the goods, or even irretrievably causes its destruction.

On connaît dans l'état de la technique diverses solutions qui ont été proposées pour pallier ces inconvénients et qui mettent notamment en oeuvre des systèmes gyroscopiques.Various solutions are known in the state of the art which have been proposed to overcome these drawbacks and which notably implement gyroscopic systems.

Dans ces solutions, les emballages sont pourvus d'un système gyroscopique, c'est à dire d'un mécanisme interne permettant la libre rotation du récipient de transport selon deux axes orthogonaux de manière que, sous l'effet de son propre poids, le récipient garde constamment une position verticale et ceci quelle que soit l'orientation de l'emballage.In these solutions, the packages are provided with a gyroscopic system, that is to say an internal mechanism allowing the free rotation of the transport container along two orthogonal axes so that, under the effect of its own weight, the container keeps a constant vertical position and this regardless of the orientation of the package.

Le document FR-A-332:113 et son Addition au Brevet d'Invention no. 2170 décrivent par exemple un dispositif de transport de produits biologiques, plus particulièrement de levures vivantes dans leurs liquides nourriciers, comportant un tel système gyroscopique.FR-A-332: 113 and its Addition to Invention Patent no. 2170 describe for example a device for transporting biological products, more particularly live yeasts in their feeder liquids, comprising such a gyroscopic system.

Plus précisément, le système gyroscopique est solidaire d'un emballage cubique de transport et comporte un premier cercle extérieur qui est monté mobile en rotation, par rapport à l'emballage, autour d'un axe d'articulation au moyen de deux tourillons portés par deux faces opposées de l'emballage et un second cercle intérieur qui est monté mobile en rotation, autour d'un autre axe de rotation, à l'intérieur du premier cercle au moyen de deux autres tourillons portés par le premier cercle et agencés selon une direction perpendiculaire à celle des tourillons de l'emballage.More specifically, the gyroscopic system is secured to a cubic transport package and has a first outer circle which is rotatably mounted relative to the package about a hinge axis by means of two journals carried by two opposite sides of the package and a second inner circle which is rotatably mounted about another axis of rotation within the first circle by means of two further journals carried by the first circle and arranged in a direction perpendicular to that of the trunnions of the package.

Ainsi, les deux axes d'articulation des cercles du système gyroscopique sont orthogonaux entre eux et perpendiculaires aux faces de l'emballage.Thus, the two axes of articulation of the circles of the gyroscopic system are orthogonal to each other and perpendicular to the faces of the package.

De tels dispositifs nécessitent tout d'abord du temps afin de procéder à leur montage et à leur assemblage, notamment pour monter le premier cercle du système gyroscopique solidaire des parois de l'emballage, de telle sorte que de tels emballages sont, de par leur conception relativement complexe, longs et coûteux à réaliser.Such devices require first of all time to proceed to their assembly and assembly, in particular to mount the first circle of the gyroscopic system integral with the walls of the package, so that such packages are, by their relatively complex design, long and expensive to produce.

Ensuite, ils présentent un autre inconvénient lié à leur rapatriement qui en raison de leur poids et de leur volume à vide s'avère très coûteux puisque le système gyroscopique étant solidaire de l'emballage, il doit donc être rapatrié avec ceiui-ci.Then, they have another drawback related to their repatriation which because of their weight and their empty volume is very expensive since the gyro system is integral with the package, it must be repatriated with it.

Cet inconvénient lié au volume apparaît également lorsque les emballages ne sont pas utilisés, nécessitant d'importantes zones de stockage.This volume-related disadvantage also occurs when the packages are not in use, requiring large storage areas.

Enfin et surtout, le récipient central transporté au moyen de tels emballages s'avère très sensible aux chocs notamment aux chocs transmis lors du transport et/ou des opérations de manutention, car de tels chocs encaissés par l'emballage sont directement transmis au système gyroscopique solidaire des parois de l'emballage.Last but not least, the central container transported by means of such packaging is very sensitive to shocks in particular shocks transmitted during transport and / or handling operations, because such shocks received by the package are directly transmitted to the gyro system integral with the walls of the package.

Il existe ainsi un risque important de détérioration, principalement de la structure du système gyroscopique et/ou du récipient qu'il porte, et par conséquent du produit transporté.There is thus a significant risk of deterioration, mainly of the structure of the gyroscopic system and / or the container it carries, and therefore the product transported.

Enfin, un tel emballage doit présenter une rigidité suffisante pour que les parois puissent notamment supporter le poids du système gyroscopique et du récipient de transport.Finally, such a package must have sufficient rigidity so that the walls can in particular support the weight of the gyro system and the transport container.

L'invention propose un dispositif de transport d'un récipient qui permette de remédier aux inconvénients de l'état de la technique.The invention proposes a device for transporting a container that makes it possible to remedy the disadvantages of the state of the art.

Dans ce but, l'invention propose un dispositif de transport d'un récipient comportant un emballage de forme polyédrique à l'intérieur duquel est agencé un système gyroscopique destiné à maintenir à la verticale le récipient, du type dans lequel le système gyroscopique comporte une première armature intérieure qui porte le récipient et une deuxième armature extérieure, la première armature intérieure étant montée mobile en rotation par rapport à la deuxième armature extérieure autour d'un premier axe d'articulation et la deuxième armature étant montée mobile en rotation par rapport à l'emballage polyédrique autour d'un deuxième axe d'articulation orthogonal au premier axe, caractérisé en ce que le deuxième axe d'articulation s'étend sensiblement selon une des diagonales de l'emballage polyédrique.For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for transporting a container comprising a polyhedral packaging inside which is arranged a gyroscopic system intended to maintain the container vertically, of the type in which the gyroscopic system comprises a first inner frame that carries the container and a second outer frame, the first inner frame being rotatably mounted relative to the second outer frame about a first hinge pin and the second frame being rotatably mounted relative to the polyhedral packaging around a second axis of articulation orthogonal to the first axis, characterized in that the second axis of articulation extends substantially along one of the diagonals of the polyhedron packaging.

Grâce à l'invention, le dispositif de transport présente une structure moins sensible aux chocs que les emballages selon l'état de la technique. De préférence, le dispositif comporte des moyens d'absorption des chocs disposés entre l'emballage et le système gyroscopique.Thanks to the invention, the transport device has a structure less sensitive to shocks than the packaging according to the state of the art. Preferably, the device comprises shock absorption means arranged between the package and the gyroscopic system.

Avantageusement, le système gyroscopique selon l'invention est plus simple et plus rapide à agencer dans l'emballage et peut être fabriqué avec des matériaux suffisamment bon marché pour qu'il ne soit pas nécessaire de les consigner et que le dispositif de transport soit à usage unique, c'est à dire jetable.Advantageously, the gyroscopic system according to the invention is simpler and faster to arrange in packaging and can be manufactured with materials sufficiently cheap so that it is not necessary to record them and that the transport device is disposable, ie disposable.

De plus, le dispositif selon l'invention est simple de conception et facile à mettre en oeuvre, notamment du fait que le système gyroscopique peut être introduit et maintenu dans l'emballage, dont il est indépendant, de manière simple et rapide et sans mettre en oeuvre aucun outillage.In addition, the device according to the invention is simple in design and easy to implement, in particular because the gyro system can be introduced and maintained in the packaging, of which it is independent, in a simple and fast manner and without putting no tools.

Le temps de préparation de l'emballage préalablement à son expédition est donc notablement réduit par rapport aux solutions de l'état de la technique.The preparation time of the package prior to shipment is significantly reduced compared to the solutions of the state of the art.

En outre, le dispositif de transport selon l'invention peut être stocké en position démontée globalement à plat de manière à occuper un volume considérablement réduit.In addition, the transport device according to the invention can be stored in disassembled position generally flat so as to occupy a greatly reduced volume.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention :

  • la deuxième armature extérieure est un anneau plat et en ce que le deuxième axe d'articulation est situé dans le plan de cet anneau,
  • la deuxième armature extérieure est un anneau sensiblement en forme d'ellipse et en ce que le deuxième axe d'articulation est sensiblement confondu avec le grand axe de l'ellipse,
  • le premier axe d'articulation est sensiblement confondu avec le petit axe de l'ellipse,
  • la première armature intérieure est un anneau plat de forme circulaire et le premier axe d'articulation est situé dans le plan de cet anneau circulaire,
  • le dispositif comporte des moyens porteurs du système gyroscopique sur lesquels la deuxième armature extérieure est montée mobile en rotation autour dudit deuxième axe d'articulation,
  • les moyens porteurs comportent un cadre porteur plan comportant deux montants de montage parallèles opposés reçus dans deux angles intérieurs de l'emballage polyédrique opposés selon ladite diagonale,
  • le cadre porteur comporte deux branches parallèles et opposées qui portent des moyens d'articulation de la deuxième armature extérieure par rapport au cadre porteur et qui forment un angle aigu par rapport auxdits montants de montage,
  • les moyens porteurs sont constitués de deux pièces opposées dont chacune est agencée à l'intérieur d'un desdits deux sommets de l'emballage polyédrique opposés selon ladite diagonale, et dont chacune porte des moyens d'articulation de la deuxième armature extérieure selon ledit deuxième axe d'articulation,
  • chaque pièce intermédiaire porteuse comporte une embase qui s'étend selon un plan perpendiculaire à ladite diagonale et qui porte d'une part les moyens d'articulation et, d'autre part, trois bras de positionnement agencés en trièdre dont chacun s'étend le long d'une des trois arêtes associées audit sommet de l'emballage,
  • l'embase de la pièce intermédiaire est de forme triangulaire et en ce que chaque bras de positionnement s'étend à partir d'un des sommets de l'embase triangulaire,
  • les moyens d'articulation de la deuxième armature extérieure sont constitués par un tourillon solidaire de la deuxième armature extérieure qui est reçu dans un logement complémentaire de l'embase de la pièce intermédiaire,
  • l'assemblage du tourillon de la deuxième armature extérieure avec l'embase de la pièce intermédiaire est réalisé par emboîtement élastique,
  • des moyens d'absorption des chocs sont interposés entre les moyens porteurs, et l'emballage polyédrique, notamment dans les angles intérieurs correspondants de l'emballage,
  • le moyen d'absorption des chocs est un manchon cylindrique, réalisé dans un matériau déformable élastiquement, dont une extrémité reçoit le bras de positionnement et dont l'autre extrémité est en appui sur une face opposée de l'emballage polyédrique,
  • le récipient et la première armature intérieure du système gyroscopique comportent des moyens complémentaires de manière à permettre l'introduction du récipient, selon une course d'emmanchement perpendiculaire au plan de la première armature intérieure, puis le verrouillage du récipient dans la première armature intérieure en fin de course d'emmanchement,
  • le verrouillage du récipient dans la première armature intérieure est obtenu, après emmanchement, par un mouvement de rotation de manière à engager un ou plusieurs ergots dans des crans complémentaires selon un montage dit à baïonnette,
  • le verrouillage du récipient dans la première armature intérieure est obtenu, après emmanchement, par déformation élastique de la première armature intérieure de manière que ladite armature intérieure se positionne automatiquement dans une gorge de verrouillage complémentaire du récipient,
  • le récipient de transport est un cryostat,
  • l'emballage polyédrique est une caisse de forme parallélépipédique, notamment cubique, comportant une face supérieure ouverte de remplissage de la caisse.
According to other features of the invention:
  • the second outer armature is a flat ring and in that the second axis of articulation is located in the plane of this ring,
  • the second outer armature is a ring substantially elliptical in shape and in that the second axis of articulation is substantially coincidental with the major axis of the ellipse,
  • the first hinge axis is substantially coincident with the minor axis of the ellipse,
  • the first inner armature is a flat ring of circular shape and the first axis of articulation is located in the plane of this circular ring,
  • the device comprises carrying means of the gyroscopic system on which the second outer armature is mounted rotatably about said second axis of articulation,
  • the carrying means comprise a planar support frame comprising two opposing parallel mounting posts received in two interior angles of the polyhedral package opposite said diagonal,
  • the support frame comprises two parallel and opposite branches which carry means of articulation of the second outer armature relative to the support frame and which form an acute angle with respect to said mounting posts,
  • the carrier means consist of two opposite parts each of which is arranged inside one of said two vertices of the polyhedron package opposite said diagonal, and each of which carries means of articulation of the second outer armature according to said second articulation axis,
  • each carrier intermediate piece comprises a base which extends in a plane perpendicular to said diagonal and which carries on the one hand the hinge means and, on the other hand, three positioning arms arranged in trihedron each of which extends the along one of the three edges associated with the top of the package,
  • the base of the intermediate piece is of triangular shape and in that each positioning arm extends from one of the vertices of the triangular base,
  • the articulation means of the second outer armature are constituted by a journal integral with the second external armature which is received in a complementary housing of the base of the intermediate piece,
  • the assembly of the journal of the second outer frame with the base of the intermediate piece is made by elastic interlocking,
  • shock absorbing means are interposed between the carrier means and the polyhedron package, in particular in the corresponding interior angles of the package,
  • the shock absorbing means is a cylindrical sleeve, made of an elastically deformable material, one end of which receives the positioning arm and the other end end is supported on an opposite side of the polyhedron packaging,
  • the container and the first inner frame of the gyroscopic system comprise complementary means so as to allow the introduction of the container, in a fitting stroke perpendicular to the plane of the first inner frame, and the locking of the container in the first inner frame in end of fitting stroke,
  • the locking of the container in the first inner frame is obtained, after fitting, by a rotational movement so as to engage one or more lugs in complementary notches according to a so-called bayonet assembly,
  • the locking of the container in the first inner frame is obtained, after fitting, by elastic deformation of the first inner frame so that said inner frame is automatically positioned in a complementary locking groove of the container,
  • the transport container is a cryostat,
  • the polyhedral package is a parallelepiped shaped box, in particular cubic, having an open top surface for filling the box.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit pour la compréhension de laquelle on se reportera aux dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, et dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un dispositif de transport selon l'invention qui représente les principaux composants du dispositif avant leur assemblage et leur montage et qui illustre un premier mode de réalisation des moyens porteurs du système gyroscopique selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 1 qui illustre l'ensemble des composants en position montée et assemblée du dispositif prêt au transport et sur laquelle la caisse d'emballage est représentée en silhouette ;
  • la figure 3 illustre en vue de dessus le système gyroscopique et son cadre porteur en position repliée de stockage ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un premier exemple de réalisation des moyens de verrouillage du récipient destiné à être porté et maintenu verticalement par le système gyroscopique ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue en perspective analogue à celle de la figure 1 qui illustre un deuxième mode de réalisation des moyens porteurs et du système gyroscopique selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 6 une vue en perspective du dispositif de transport selon la figure 5 qui représente le système gyroscopique et ses moyens porteurs en position montée et assemblée ;
  • la figure 7 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de transport selon la figure 6 en configuration de transport qui illustre le système gyroscopique agencé à l'intérieur de l'emballage polyédrique, avant l'emmanchement du récipient ; et
  • la figure 8 est une vue en perspective d'un deuxième exemple de réalisation des moyens de verrouillage du récipient destiné à être porté et maintenu verticalement par le système gyroscopique ;
  • la figure 9 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un troisième exemple de réalisation du récipient destiné à être porté et maintenu verticalement par le système gyroscopique.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and in which:
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a transport device according to the invention which represents the main components of the device before their assembly and their assembly and which illustrates a first embodiment of the carrier means of the gyroscopic system according to the invention. ;
  • Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 which illustrates all the components in assembled and assembled position of the device ready for transport and on which the packing case is shown in silhouette;
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the gyroscopic system and its support frame in the folded storage position;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the container locking means to be carried and held vertically by the gyro system;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1 which illustrates a second embodiment of the carrier means and the gyroscopic system according to the invention;
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the transport device according to Figure 5 which shows the gyroscopic system and its bearing means in assembled and assembled position;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of the transport device according to Figure 6 in the transport configuration which illustrates the gyroscopic system arranged inside the polyhedron package, before the fitting of the container; and
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container locking means to be carried and held vertically by the gyroscopic system;
  • Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the container to be carried and held vertically by the gyro system.

Dans la description qui va suivre, des chiffres de références identiques, ou analogues, désignent des pièces identiques ou ayant des fonctions similaires.In the following description, like reference numerals, or the like, denote identical parts or having similar functions.

Par convention, les termes « intérieur », « extérieur », désignent respectivement des éléments proches du récipient et proches de l'emballage et les directions « horizontale », « verticale » et « transversale » sont données selon le trièdre (L, V, T) de la figure 1.By convention, the terms "inside" and "outside" refer respectively to elements close to the container and close to the package and the "horizontal", "vertical" and "transverse" directions are given according to the trihedron (L, V, T) of Figure 1.

On a représenté à la figure 1, un dispositif de transport 10 comportant, verticalement de bas en haut, un emballage ou caisse de forme polyédrique 12 dans lequel est susceptible d'être reçu un système gyroscopique 14 destiné à maintenir à la verticale un récipient 16.FIG. 1 shows a transport device 10 comprising, vertically from bottom to top, a package or polyhedric box 12 in which is likely to be received a gyroscopic system 14 for holding a container 16 upright.

L'emballage polyédrique 12 est de préférence de forme parallélépipédique, notamment de forme cubique.The polyhedral package 12 is preferably of parallelepipedal shape, in particular of cubic form.

L'emballage polyédrique 12 comporte une face horizontale inférieure 18, une face horizontale supérieure ouverte de chargement 20 et quatre faces verticales 22, chacune des faces latérales 22 étant orthogonale aux faces qui lui sont adjacentes et parallèle à une face latérale opposée.The polyhedral package 12 has a lower horizontal face 18, an upper open horizontal loading face 20 and four vertical faces 22, each of the side faces 22 being orthogonal to the faces adjacent thereto and parallel to an opposite side face.

L'emballage 12 délimite ainsi un volume interne 24 qui est délimité vers le bas par la face inférieure 18 formant un fond, latéralement par les quatre faces verticales 22 et vers le haut par la face supérieure 20 qui est ouverte pour permettre le remplissage de l'emballage 12.The package 12 thus defines an internal volume 24 which is delimited downwards by the lower face 18 forming a bottom, laterally by the four vertical faces 22 and upwards by the upper face 20 which is open to allow the filling of the packing 12.

De manière connue, la face supérieure 20 est, après remplissage du volume 24, susceptible d'être fermée en rabattant vers l'intérieur les deux rabats 26, en variante par un couvercle amovible non représenté.In known manner, the upper face 20 is, after filling the volume 24, capable of being closed by folding inwardly the two flaps 26, alternatively by a removable cover not shown.

L'emballage ou caisse 12 comporte huit sommets 28 définis chacun par l'intersection de trois faces du parallélépipède.The package or box 12 has eight vertices 28 each defined by the intersection of three faces of the parallelepiped.

L'emballage comporte aussi quatre angles internes 30 dont chacun est délimité par l'intersection de deux faces latérales consécutives 22.The package also has four internal angles 30 each of which is delimited by the intersection of two consecutive lateral faces 22.

Dans un tel emballage 12, une diagonale D est par définition une droite joignant deux sommets 28 n'appartenant pas à une même face du parallélépipède.In such a package 12, a diagonal D is by definition a line joining two vertices 28 not belonging to the same face of the parallelepiped.

L'emballage comporte ainsi quatre diagonales verticales dont l'une est illustrée à la figure 1.The packaging thus comprises four vertical diagonals, one of which is illustrated in FIG.

L'emballage 12 illustré à la figure 1 est un cube formant une caisse, qui est de préférence réalisée en carton, mais qui pourra également l'être en d'autres matériaux et en d'autres formes polyédriques, par exemple, parallélépipédique rectangle ou à base 18 "hexagonale".The package 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a cube forming a box, which is preferably made of cardboard, but which may also be made of other materials and other polyhedral shapes, for example rectangular parallelepiped or 18 "hexagonal base.

Les figures 1 et 3 représentent respectivement le système gyroscopique 14 en position d'utilisation et en position de stockage, c'est-à-dire avantageusement à plat.Figures 1 and 3 respectively show the gyro system 14 in the use position and in the storage position, that is to say advantageously flat.

Comme on peut le voir sur ces figures, le système gyroscopique 14 comporte une première armature intérieure 32 susceptible de porter le récipient 16 et une deuxième armature extérieure 34.As can be seen in these figures, the gyroscopic system 14 includes a first inner frame 32 capable of carrying the container 16 and a second outer frame 34.

La première armature intérieure 32 est montée mobile en rotation par rapport à la deuxième armature extérieure 34 autour d'un premier axe d'articulation A1 et la deuxième armature extérieure 34 est montée mobile en rotation par rapport à l'emballage 12 autour d'un deuxième axe d'articulation A2 orthogonal au premier axe d'articulation A1.The first inner frame 32 is rotatably mounted relative to the second outer frame 34 about a first hinge axis A1 and the second outer frame 34 is rotatably mounted relative to the package 12 around a second axis of articulation A2 orthogonal to the first axis of articulation A1.

Les deux axes A1 et A2 sont ici perpendiculaires et concourants.The two axes A1 and A2 are here perpendicular and concurrent.

La deuxième armature extérieure 34 est un anneau plat et le deuxième axe d'articulation A2 est situé dans le plan de cet anneau 34.The second outer armature 34 is a flat ring and the second axis of articulation A2 is located in the plane of this ring 34.

Plus précisément, la deuxième armature extérieure 34 est un anneau sensiblement en forme d'ellipse dont le grand axe est sensiblement confondu avec le deuxième axe d'articulation A2.More specifically, the second outer armature 34 is a substantially elliptical ring whose major axis is substantially coincident with the second axis of articulation A2.

La première armature intérieure 32 est un anneau plat de forme circulaire et le premier axe d'articulation A1 est situé dans le plan de cet anneau 32.The first inner frame 32 is a flat ring of circular shape and the first hinge axis A1 is located in the plane of this ring 32.

De plus, le premier axe d'articulation A1 est sensiblement confondu avec le petit axe de l'ellipse formant la deuxième armature extérieure 34.In addition, the first hinge axis A1 is substantially coincident with the minor axis of the ellipse forming the second outer reinforcement 34.

Le dispositif de transport 10 comporte des moyens porteurs du système gyroscopique 14 notamment pour le calage du système gyroscopique 14 dans l'emballage 12.The transport device 10 comprises carrying means of the gyroscopic system 14 in particular for setting the gyro system 14 in the package 12.

Selon un premier mode de réalisation illustré aux figures 1 à 3, les moyens porteurs du système gyroscopique 14 sont constitués par un cadre 36 sur lesquels l'armature elliptique extérieure 34 est montée mobile en rotation autour dudit deuxième axe d'articulation A2.According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the carrier means of the gyroscopic system 14 are constituted by a frame 36 on which the elliptical armature 34 is mounted mobile in rotation about said second axis of articulation A2.

Le cadre porteur 36 est un cadre plan et il est constitué par des tronçons tubulaires réalisés de préférence par moulage en matière plastique en une seule pièce comme les armatures 32 et 34.The carrier frame 36 is a planar frame and consists of tubular sections made preferably by plastic molding in one piece as the frames 32 and 34.

Le cadre porteur 36 comporte deux montants parallèles et opposés verticaux 38 et horizontaux 39 qui forment globalement un rectangle dont deux des angles diagonalement opposés sont "tronqués" par deux branches 40, parallèles et opposées, qui forment un angle aigu par rapport aux montants 38, 40, ici sensiblement égal à 45°.The carrying frame 36 comprises two vertical and 38 opposite vertical and horizontal uprights 39 which generally form a rectangle whose two diagonally opposite angles are "truncated" by two parallel and opposite branches 40, which form an acute angle with respect to the uprights 38, 40, here substantially equal to 45 °.

Les branches 40 portent des moyens 42 d'articulation de l'armature elliptique 34 par rapport au cadre porteur 36 qui, comme on peut le voir à la figure 2, est fixe par rapport à l'emballage 12.The branches 40 carry means 42 for articulating the elliptical armature 34 with respect to the carrying frame 36 which, as can be seen in FIG. 2, is fixed with respect to the package 12.

Les moyens d'articulations 42 de l'armature elliptique 34 selon l'axe A2 par rapport au cadre 36 sont par exemple constitués par des tourillons ou tous autres moyens appropriés.The hinge means 42 of the elliptical frame 34 along the axis A2 relative to the frame 36 are for example constituted by pins or any other appropriate means.

De même, il est prévu des moyens connus d'articulation 44 de l'anneau circulaire intérieur 32 par rapport à l'armature elliptique extérieure 34 selon l'axe A1.Similarly, there are provided known hinge means 44 of the inner circular ring 32 relative to the outer elliptical armature 34 along the axis A1.

De manière connue, le système gyroscopique 14 est destiné à maintenir le récipient 16 à la verticale, notamment pendant le transport et/ou des opérations de manutention au cours desquelles l'emballage 12 peut par exemple être retourné selon une orientation quelconque ou subir des chocs.In known manner, the gyroscopic system 14 is intended to keep the container 16 upright, especially during transport and / or handling operations during which the package 12 may for example be returned in any orientation or shock .

Le récipient 16 est avantageusement un cryostat, c'est à dire un récipient thermiquement isolé permettant de maintenir des produits liquides ou solides, par exemple des produits biologiques, à basse température pendant une durée déterminée grâce à un fluide cryogénique, tel que de l'azote liquide.The container 16 is advantageously a cryostat, that is to say a thermally insulated container for maintaining liquid or solid products, for example biological products, at low temperature for a determined duration thanks to a cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen.

Le récipient 16 comporte ici un corps externe 46 qui est de préférence réalisé dans un matériau isolant thermiquement comme le polystyrène ou le polyuréthane et qui comporte centralement un logement ouvert vers le haut et obturé un bouchon 48.The container 16 here comprises an outer body 46 which is preferably made of a thermally insulating material as polystyrene or polyurethane and which has a central housing open upwards and closed a plug 48.

Le logement (non représenté) du corps externe 46 du récipient 16 est par exemple susceptible de recevoir une ampoule interne isolante (non représentée) du type qui comporte une double paroi de verre séparée par un vide de manière à maintenir pendant une durée déterminée et à une température donnée les produits biologiques qu'elle contient, une telle ampoule est connue commercialement sous le nom d'ampoule « Thermos » (marque déposée).The housing (not shown) of the outer body 46 of the container 16 is for example capable of receiving an internal insulating bulb (not shown) of the type which comprises a double glass wall separated by a vacuum so as to maintain for a determined duration and to a given temperature the biological products it contains, such a bulb is known commercially as the bulb "Thermos" (trademark).

Selon un plan de coupe horizontal, le corps cylindrique externe 46 du récipient 16 est de section globalement circulaire.According to a horizontal section plane, the outer cylindrical body 46 of the container 16 is of generally circular section.

Le corps 46 comporte une partie inférieure 50 de diamètre D1 sensiblement égal au diamètre de l'anneau circulaire 32 et qui se raccorde à une partie supérieure 52 de diamètre D2 supérieur au diamètre D1, par un épaulement 54 orienté vers le bas pour le positionnement de l'anneau circulaire 32 le long de la paroi externe du récipient 16.The body 46 has a lower portion 50 of diameter D1 substantially equal to the diameter of the circular ring 32 and which is connected to an upper portion 52 of diameter D2 greater than the diameter D1, by a shoulder 54 facing downwards for the positioning of the circular ring 32 along the outer wall of the container 16.

Avantageusement, le récipient 16 et la première armature intérieure 32 comportent des moyens complémentaires de manière à permettre l'introduction selon une course "verticale" d'emmanchement perpendiculaire au plan de l'anneau circulaire 32, puis le verrouillage du récipient 16 dans l'anneau circulaire 32 en fin de course d'emmanchement.Advantageously, the container 16 and the first inner armature 32 comprise complementary means so as to allow the insertion in a "vertical" stroke of fitting perpendicular to the plane of the circular ring 32, then the locking of the container 16 in the circular ring 32 at the end of the press fit.

Selon le premier mode de réalisation du système gyroscopique 14 illustré à la figure 3, le récipient 16 peut être emmanché verticalement de haut en bas aisément dans l'anneau circulaire 32 préalablement à la mise en configuration de transport du système 14. A défaut une des branches 39 du cadre porteur 36 est susceptible de gêner l'opération d'emmanchement.According to the first embodiment of the gyroscopic system 14 illustrated in Figure 3, the container 16 can be vertically pushed up and down easily in the circular ring 32 prior to setting the transport configuration of the system 14. If one of the branches 39 of the support frame 36 is likely to interfere with the fitting operation.

La figure 4 illustre plus particulièrement un premier exemple de réalisation d'un tel récipient 16 comportant des moyens complémentaires de l'anneau circulaire 32 pour réaliser un montage de type à baïonnette.FIG. 4 more particularly illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of such a container 16 comprising complementary means of the circular ring 32 to achieve a bayonet type mounting.

Plus précisément, l'anneau circulaire 32 comporte des ergots 56 qui s'étendent radialement vers l'intérieur de l'anneau 32 et la partie inférieure 50 du récipient 16 comporte deux rainures 58 agencées symétriquement par rapport à l'axe vertical central et dont l'une est illustrée.More specifically, the circular ring 32 has lugs 56 which extend radially inwardly of the ring 32 and the lower portion 50 of the container 16 has two grooves 58 arranged symmetrically with respect to the central vertical axis and of which one is illustrated.

Chaque rainure 58 comporte un premier tronçon de guidage 60 qui s'étend verticalement et de manière rectiligne et que prolonge, à son extrémité supérieure, un second tronçon horizontal de verrouillage 62 formant un cran complémentaire des ergots 56 de l'anneau circulaire 32.Each groove 58 comprises a first guide portion 60 which extends vertically and in a rectilinear manner and which extends, at its upper end, a second horizontal locking section 62 forming a complementary notch of the lugs 56 of the circular ring 32.

Ainsi, les ergots 56 étant en coïncidence avec les tronçons de guidage 60 des rainures 58, le récipient 16 est emmanché verticalement de haut en bas dans l'anneau circulaire 32, puis le verrouillage est obtenu par rotation du récipient 16 de manière à faire pénétrer les ergots 56 dans les crans ou tronçons de verrouillage 62.Thus, the lugs 56 being in coincidence with the guide portions 60 of the grooves 58, the container 16 is fitted vertically up and down in the circular ring 32, then the locking is obtained by rotating the container 16 so as to penetrate the lugs 56 in the notches or locking sections 62.

L'introduction initiale du récipient 16 dans l'anneau circulaire 32 est facilitée par le profil formant chanfrein de l'extrémité inférieure de la partie inférieure 50 du récipient 16.The initial introduction of the container 16 into the circular ring 32 is facilitated by the chamfering profile of the lower end of the lower part 50 of the container 16.

La figure 2 illustre le dispositif de transport 10 en configuration de transport, c'est-à-dire la configuration dans laquelle le sous-ensemble, constitué par le cadre porteur 36 et le système gyroscopique 14 dans lequel on a monté le récipient 16, est agencé dans le volume intérieur 24 de l'emballage polyédrique 12, représenté en silhouette.FIG. 2 illustrates the transport device 10 in transport configuration, that is to say the configuration in which the subassembly constituted by the carrier frame 36 and the gyroscopic system 14 in which the container 16 has been mounted, is arranged in the interior volume 24 of the polyhedral package 12, shown in silhouette.

Conformément à l'invention, le deuxième axe d'articulation A2 du système gyroscopique 16 s'étend sensiblement selon la diagonale D de l'emballage 12.According to the invention, the second axis of articulation A2 of the gyroscopic system 16 extends substantially along the diagonal D of the package 12.

Le système gyroscopique 14 peut être agencé dans le volume intérieur 24 de l'emballage 12 selon l'une quelconque des quatre diagonales.The gyro system 14 may be arranged in the interior volume 24 of the package 12 along any one of the four diagonals.

Ensuite, quelle que soit la position de transport ou stockage de l'emballage l'axe A2 est toujours orienté selon une diagonale et le récipient est en position verticale.Then, regardless of the transport position or storage of the packaging axis A2 is always oriented diagonally and the container is in a vertical position.

Ainsi le cadre porteur 36 est agencé dans l'emballage 12 de telle sorte que les montants horizontaux 39 s'étendent parallèlement et aux faces inférieure 18 et supérieure 20, de manière que les montants verticaux 38 sont reçus sans jeu dans deux angles intérieurs 30 de l'emballage 12 opposés selon la diagonale D de manière à caler le sous-ensemble dans l'emballage 12.Thus the carrier frame 36 is arranged in the package 12 so that the horizontal uprights 39 extend parallel and to the bottom 18 and upper faces 20, so that the uprights 38 are received without play in two interior angles 30 of the packaging 12 opposite diagonally D so as to wedge the subassembly in the package 12.

Il est particulièrement avantageux que l'emballage 12 puisse absorber une partie des chocs et vibrations sans que celles-ci soient transmises au système gyroscopique 14 par le cadre porteur 36.It is particularly advantageous that the package 12 can absorb some of the shocks and vibrations without these being transmitted to the gyroscopic system 14 by the carrier frame 36.

Avantageusement, le cadre porteur 36 ne s'étend pas dans les deux sommets supérieur et inférieur 28 opposés selon la diagonale de l'axe d'articulation A2, afin que les chocs selon cette direction ne soient pas transmis, ou peu transmis, au sous-ensemble formé par le cadre 36 et le système gyroscopique 14.Advantageously, the carrier frame 36 does not extend into the two opposite upper and lower peaks 28 along the diagonal of the hinge axis A2, so that shocks in this direction are not transmitted, or transmitted little, to the underside. formed by the frame 36 and the gyroscopic system 14.

En variante non représentée, le cadre porteur 36 comporte quatre branches 40 d'angles de sorte que le cadre 36 ne comporte aucune partie qui s'étende dans un des sommets 28 de l'emballage 12.In a variant not shown, the support frame 36 has four branches 40 of angles so that the frame 36 has no portion which extends into one of the vertices 28 of the package 12.

Ainsi, en cas de chute par exemple, les coins de l'emballage 12 correspondants aux sommets 28 sont susceptibles de se déformer par écrasement du carton, sans toutefois que l'onde choc ne soit directement et intégralement transmise au système gyroscopique 14 et/ou au récipient 16.Thus, in the event of a fall, for example, the corners of the package 12 corresponding to the vertices 28 are capable of being deformed by crushing the carton, without, however, the shock wave being directly and integrally transmitted to the gyroscopic system 14 and / or to the container 16.

La capacité de déformation des coins de l'emballage 12 est rendue possible par l'agencement en retrait vers l'intérieur de l'emballage 12 des branches 40 du cadre porteur 36, et par le choix du matériau utilisé pour l'emballage 12.The deformation capacity of the corners of the package 12 is made possible by the arrangement inwardly withdrawing from the package 12 of the branches 40 of the carrier frame 36, and by the choice of the material used for the package 12.

Grâce à l'invention, le récipient 16 est mieux protégé contre les chocs notamment les chocs latéraux, c'est-à-dire selon l'une des faces 22 de l'emballage 12, par rapport à l'état de la technique dans lequel l'un des axes d'articulation du système était solidaire des faces.Thanks to the invention, the container 16 is better protected against shocks, in particular lateral shocks, that is to say according to one of the faces 22 of the package 12, compared to the state of the art in which one of the hinge axes of the system was integral with the faces.

En effet, aucun choc sur une face latérale n'est transmis directement au système gyroscopique dont aucun axe A1, A2 n'est orthogonal à une quelconque des faces de l'emballage 12.Indeed, no impact on a lateral face is transmitted directly to the gyro system of which no axis A1, A2 is orthogonal to any of the faces of the package 12.

De préférence, le cadre porteur 36 est susceptible de se déformer pour absorber les chocs et comporte par exemple des évidements dans sa structure, comme dans les montants horizontaux 39, afin de lui conférer une capacité de déformation élastique, notamment selon la direction verticale et au surplus de réduire son poids.Preferably, the carrier frame 36 is capable of deforming to absorb the shocks and comprises for example recesses in its structure, as in the horizontal uprights 39, in order to give it a capacity for elastic deformation, in particular in the vertical direction and at the surplus to reduce its weight.

Avantageusement, le cadre porteur 36 comporte des moyens supplémentaires d'absorption des chocs qui sont interposés d'une manière générale entre le cadre 36 et l'emballage 12.Advantageously, the support frame 36 comprises additional shock absorption means which are interposed in a general manner between the frame 36 and the package 12.

De tels moyens ne sont pas illustrés pour le premier mode de réalisation.Such means are not illustrated for the first embodiment.

Le cadre porteur 36 peut ainsi être muni de moyens d'absorption des chocs tels que des manchons cylindriques fendus en mousse qui sont montés sur les montants du cadre 36 de manière à être interposés entre le cadre 36 et l'emballage 12 dans les angles 30.The carrier frame 36 can thus be provided with shock absorbing means such as split cylindrical foam sleeves which are mounted on the uprights of the frame 36 so as to be interposed between the frame 36 and the package 12 in the corners 30. .

Les figures 5 à 7 représentent un deuxième mode de réalisation préférée des moyens porteurs du système gyroscopique 14 qui va maintenant être décrit par comparaison et analogie avec le premier mode de réalisation illustré aux figures 1 à 3.Figures 5 to 7 show a second preferred embodiment of the carrier means of the gyroscopic system 14 which will now be described by comparison and analogy with the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

Comme on peut le voir à la figure 5, les moyens porteurs du système gyroscopique 14 comportent deux pièces identiques diagonalement opposées 64 dont chacune porte des moyens d'articulation de la deuxième armature extérieure 34 en forme d'anneau elliptique.As can be seen in FIG. 5, the carrier means of the gyroscopic system 14 comprise two diagonally opposite identical pieces 64, each of which carries means of articulation of the second outer armature 34 in the form of an elliptical ring.

Plus précisément, chaque pièce intermédiaire porteuse 64 comporte un corps ou embase 66 de forme générale triangulaire qui porte d'une part les moyens d'articulation et, d'autre part, trois bras 68 de positionnement agencés en trièdre qui s'étendent chacun à partir d'un des sommets de l'embase triangulaire 66.More specifically, each carrier intermediate piece 64 comprises a body or base 66 of generally triangular shape which carries on the one hand the hinge means and, on the other hand, three positioning arms arranged in trihedron which each extend to from one of the vertices of the triangular base 66.

Ainsi, chaque bras 68 est prévu pour s'étendre selon une direction parallèle à l'intersection de deux faces de la caisse d'emballage 12.Thus, each arm 68 is provided to extend in a direction parallel to the intersection of two faces of the packing case 12.

Les moyens d'articulation de l'anneau elliptique 34 par rapport aux moyens porteurs, donc par rapport à l'emballage 12, selon l'axe d'articulation A2 sont constitués par exemple par un tourillon 70 solidaire de la deuxième armature extérieure 34 qui est reçu dans un logement complémentaire 72 de l'embase 66 de la pièce intermédiaire 64.The means of articulation of the elliptical ring 34 with respect to the carrier means, and thus with respect to the package 12, along the axis of articulation A2 are constituted for example by a pin 70 integral with the second outer reinforcement 34 which is received in a complementary housing 72 of the base 66 of the intermediate piece 64.

Avantageusement, l'assemblage de l'anneau elliptique 34 avec l'embase 66 de la pièce intermédiaire 64 est réalisé par emboîtement élastique du tourillon 70 dans le logement de manière que l'assemblage puisse s'effectuer simplement et rapidement.Advantageously, the assembly of the elliptical ring 34 with the base 66 of the intermediate piece 64 is made by elastic interlocking of the pin 70 in the housing so that the assembly can be carried out simply and quickly.

Les moyens d'absorption des chocs représentés sont constitués par des manchons cylindriques 74 qui sont de préférence réalisés en mousse ou dans tout autre matériau déformable élastiquement.The shock absorption means shown are constituted by cylindrical sleeves 74 which are preferably made of foam or in any other elastically deformable material.

L'utilisation de tels manchons cylindriques 74 est particulièrement avantageuse dans le cas d'un dispositif jetable à usage unique. En effet ils peuvent être obtenu de manière économique par tronçonnage d'un profilé tubulaire de mousse expansée.The use of such cylindrical sleeves 74 is particularly advantageous in the case of disposable disposable device. Indeed they can be obtained economically by cutting a tubular section foam foam.

Chaque manchon cylindrique 74 comporte à une première extrémité une face d'appui 75 et au moins dans la face opposée de son autre extrémité un trou 76 destiné à recevoir, par exemple par emmanchement, un des bras de positionnement 68 de la pièce porteuse 64.Each cylindrical sleeve 74 comprises at one end a bearing face 75 and at least in the opposite face of its other end a hole 76 intended to receive, for example by fitting, one of the positioning arms 68 of the carrier piece 64.

La figure 6 représente, avant son agencement dans l'emballage 12, le sous-ensemble constitué par le système gyroscopique 14 et les moyens porteurs après assemblage de chaque pièce intermédiaire 64 avec l'anneau elliptique 34 et les manchons cylindriques amortisseurs 74.FIG. 6 represents, before its arrangement in the package 12, the subassembly constituted by the gyroscopic system 14 and the carrier means after assembly of each intermediate piece 64 with the elliptical ring 34 and the damping cylindrical sleeves 74.

Avantageusement, le récipient 16 peut être monté par emmanchement dans l'anneau circulaire 32 du système gyroscopique 14 postérieurement à l'opération d'agencement du sous-ensemble dans l'emballage 12 de manière à obtenir la configuration de transport illustrée à la figure 7.Advantageously, the container 16 can be mounted by fitting into the circular ring 32 of the gyroscopic system 14 subsequent to the operation of arranging the subassembly in the package 12 so as to obtain the transport configuration illustrated in FIG. .

Conformément à l'invention, dans cette configuration de transport, le deuxième axe d'articulation A2 du système gyroscopique 14 s'étend sensiblement selon une des diagonales D de l'emballage 12.According to the invention, in this transport configuration, the second axis of articulation A2 of the gyroscopic system 14 extends substantially along one of the diagonals D of the package 12.

Chacune des pièces intermédiaires porteuses 64 est agencée à l'intérieur d'un des deux sommets 28 de l'emballage 12 opposés selon ladite diagonale D correspondant au deuxième axe d'articulation A2.Each of the intermediate carrier parts 64 is arranged inside one of the two vertices 28 of the packaging 12 opposite along said diagonal D corresponding to the second axis of articulation A2.

De préférence, l'embase ou platine 66 de la pièce 64 s'étend selon un plan perpendiculaire à ladite diagonale et chacun des bras de positionnement 68 et des manchons cylindriques associés 74 s'étend le long d'une des trois arêtes des angles intérieurs du sommet 28 correspondant.Preferably, the base or plate 66 of the piece 64 extends in a plane perpendicular to said diagonal and each of the positioning arms 68 and the associated cylindrical sleeves 74 extends along one of the three edges of the internal angles. from the corresponding top 28.

La longueur des manchons 74 est telle que leurs faces d'extrémités libres 75 sont en appui contre les faces latérales en vis-à-vis de manière à assurer le calage de la pièce 64 dans la caisse 12.The length of the sleeves 74 is such that their free end faces 75 are in abutment against the lateral faces vis-à-vis so as to ensure the wedging of the workpiece 64 in the body 12.

Grâce à l'invention, le récipient 16 est mieux protégé contre les chocs notamment les chocs latéraux c'est-à-dire selon l'une des faces 22 de l'emballage 12.Thanks to the invention, the container 16 is better protected against shocks including lateral shocks that is to say one of the faces 22 of the package 12.

Les manchons 74 constituent des moyens d'absorption des chocs qui sont interposés entre les moyens porteurs formés par les pièces 64 et l'emballage 12.The sleeves 74 constitute shock absorption means which are interposed between the carrier means formed by the parts 64 and the package 12.

De préférence, l'anneau elliptique 34 est aussi déformable élastiquement pour augmenter la capacité d'absorption des chocs du dispositif.Preferably, the elliptical ring 34 is also elastically deformable to increase the shock absorption capacity of the device.

La figure 8 représente un deuxième exemple de réalisation pour l'emmanchement et le verrouillage du récipient 16 formant cryostat dans l'anneau circulaire 32 du système gyroscopique 14.FIG. 8 represents a second exemplary embodiment for fitting and locking the cryostat container 16 in the circular ring 32 of the gyroscopic system 14.

Selon cet exemple, le verrouillage du récipient 16 dans la première armature intérieure 32 est obtenu, après emmanchement vertical, par déformation élastique de ladite première armature 32 de manière que l'armature 32 formée par l'anneau circulaire se positionne automatiquement dans une gorge de verrouillage 78 complémentaire du récipient 16.According to this example, the locking of the container 16 in the first inner frame 32 is obtained, after vertical fitting, by elastic deformation of said first frame 32 so that the frame 32 formed by the circular ring is automatically positioned in a groove. locking 78 complementary to the container 16.

Le récipient 16 et l'anneau circulaire 32 comportent des moyens complémentaires analogues, à savoir au moins un ergot radial 56 de l'anneau qui pénètre dans le tronçon rectiligne de guidage 60 d'une rainure verticale 58 lors de la course d'emmanchement du récipient selon un mouvement de haut en bas.The container 16 and the circular ring 32 comprise complementary complementary means, namely at least one radial lug 56 of the ring which penetrates into the rectilinear guide portion 60 of a vertical groove 58 during the press fitting stroke. container according to a movement from top to bottom.

Plus précisément, le récipient 16 comporte une partie inférieure cylindrique 50 dont un tronçon de commande 80 présente, en coupe selon un plan horizontal, une section non circulaire et par exemple ovale dont le périmètre est sensiblement égal au diamètre de l'anneau circulaire 32 de manière à provoquer la déformation élastique dudit anneau lors de l'emmanchement vertical du récipient 16.More specifically, the container 16 has a cylindrical lower portion 50, a control section 80 of which, in section along a horizontal plane, a non-circular section and for example oval whose perimeter is substantially equal to the diameter of the circular ring 32 of in order to cause the elastic deformation of said ring during the vertical fitting of the container 16.

Pour un récipient 16 réalisé conformément au premier ou au second exemple de réalisation décrit précédemment, des essais ont démontré qu'il pourrait exister, pour des conditions particulières déterminées, un risque non nul de détérioration de l'ampoule isolante.For a container 16 made in accordance with the first or second embodiment described above, tests have shown that there could exist, for particular conditions, a non-zero risk of deterioration of the insulating bulb.

Ces conditions particulières correspondent par exemple au cas d'une chute au cours de laquelle un choc se produirait sur l'emballage 12 avant que le système gyroscopique 14 n'ait pu ramener le récipient 16 sensiblement à la verticale de telle sorte que le récipient 16 se trouve au moment du choc dans une position globalement horizontale, c'est-à-dire formant un angle aigu avec l'axe vertical central.These particular conditions correspond for example to the case of a fall during which a shock would occur on the package 12 before the gyroscopic system 14 could bring the container 16 substantially vertical so that that the container 16 is at the moment of impact in a generally horizontal position, that is to say forming an acute angle with the central vertical axis.

Dans une telle position du récipient 16, si une onde de choc vient à être transmise par l'anneau circulaire 32 au corps extérieur 46 du récipient 16, les forces exercées ne sont alors pas réparties symétriquement sur l'ensemble de la circonférence de l'anneau circulaire 32, mais seulement sur une portion de celui-ci, contrairement au cas dans lequel au moment du choc le récipient 16 se trouve en position verticale.In such a position of the container 16, if a shock wave is transmitted by the circular ring 32 to the outer body 46 of the container 16, the forces exerted are not distributed symmetrically over the entire circumference of the circular ring 32, but only on a portion thereof, unlike the case in which at the moment of impact the container 16 is in a vertical position.

De ce fait, il existe un risque que, au voisinage de l'anneau circulaire 32, une onde de choc puisse, en se propageant au travers du corps externe 46 en polystyrène, être transmise à l'ampoule, notamment aux parois verticales formant le corps cylindrique de l'ampoule.As a result, there is a risk that, in the vicinity of the circular ring 32, a shock wave may, by propagating through the outer body 46 made of polystyrene, be transmitted to the bulb, in particular to the vertical walls forming the cylindrical body of the bulb.

Or, dans une telle ampoule isolante, le tronçon cylindrique à double paroi de verre est plus sensible aux chocs que ne le sont la tête ou le fond ou culot de l'ampoule qui, du fait de la fabrication par soufflage, présentent une épaisseur sensiblement supérieure.However, in such an insulating bulb, the cylindrical section with double glass wall is more sensitive to shocks than are the head or the bottom or base of the bulb which, because of blow molding, have a thickness substantially higher.

Par conséquent, lorsque l'anneau circulaire 32 est positionné sur le corps externe 46 verticalement sur le tronçon du corps cylindrique formé par les parois latérales de l'ampoule, on augmente, dans ces conditions déterminées, le risque de transmission des chocs à une zone la plus fragile de l'ampoule isolante.Consequently, when the circular ring 32 is positioned on the outer body 46 vertically on the section of the cylindrical body formed by the side walls of the bulb, the risk of transmitting the shocks to a zone is increased under these determined conditions. the most fragile of the insulating bulb.

Afin d'améliorer la protection de l'ampoule, on peut prévoir, selon un mode de réalisation non représenté, d'interposer, entre la paroi interne du récipient 16 délimitant le logement et l'ampoule isolante, des moyens pour absorber une onde de choc et/ou en limiter la propagation à l'ampoule isolante.In order to improve the protection of the bulb, provision can be made, according to an embodiment not shown, to interpose, between the inner wall of the container 16 delimiting the housing and the insulating bulb, means for absorbing a wave of shock and / or limit its propagation to the insulating bulb.

Avantageusement, il est par exemple possible d'injecter à l'intérieur du récipient 16 une mousse de polyuréthane afin de combler l'espace compris entre l'ampoule et la paroi interne du corps externe 46.Advantageously, it is for example possible to inject inside the container 16 a polyurethane foam in order to fill the space between the bulb and the inner wall of the outer body 46.

Après durcissement, la mousse de polyuréthane forme une couche de matériau susceptible d'absorber tout ou partie de l'onde de choc. De plus, la mousse de polyuréthane permet d'immobiliser et de caler l'ampoule isolante dans le logement, une telle ampoule obtenue par soufflage ne comportant pas de fond ou culot plan sur lequel elle puisse être posée verticalement dans le logement.After curing, the polyurethane foam forms a layer of material capable of absorbing all or part of the shock wave. In addition, the polyurethane foam immobilizes and stall the insulating bulb in the housing, such a bulb obtained by blowing having no bottom or flat base on which it can be placed vertically in the housing.

Ainsi, on s'affranchit des contraintes de précision sur les tolérances des côtes respectives de l'ampoule isolante et du logement complémentaire du récipient 16, c'est-à-dire de deux composants réalisés dans des matériaux et selon des procédés de fabrication pour lesquels une telle précision est difficile à obtenir.Thus, the accuracy constraints on the tolerances of the respective ribs of the insulating bulb and the complementary housing of the container 16, that is to say of two components made in materials and according to manufacturing processes for the respective ribs, are overcome. which such accuracy is difficult to obtain.

La figure 9 illustre de manière détaillée un troisième exemple de réalisation dans lequel l'armature intérieure 32 précédemment constituée par l'anneau circulaire est intégrée au récipient 16 de manière à améliorer l'absorption des chocs et la protection de l'ampoule interne isolante.Figure 9 illustrates in detail a third embodiment in which the inner frame 32 previously constituted by the circular ring is integrated in the container 16 so as to improve the shock absorption and the protection of the inner insulating bulb.

Le récipient 16 comporte un corps externe 46 globalement cylindrique qui est formé par deux demi-coquilles 45 évidées qui, après assemblage, délimitent intérieurement un logement 47 dans lequel est reçue une ampoule interne isolante 82.The container 16 has a generally cylindrical external body 46 which is formed by two recessed half-shells 45 which, after assembly, internally delimit a housing 47 in which an internal insulating bulb 82 is received.

Les deux demi-coquilles 45 sont de préférence réalisées par moulage de polystyrène et présentent une symétrie selon un plan vertical contenant l'axe vertical central du récipient.The two half-shells 45 are preferably made by molding polystyrene and have a symmetry in a vertical plane containing the central vertical axis of the container.

Le récipient 16 est fermé, non hermétiquement, par un bouchon 48 qui est logé dans une empreinte 49 de forme complémentaire que le corps externe 46 comporte dans sa face supérieure horizontale.The container 16 is closed, not hermetically, by a plug 48 which is housed in a recess 49 of complementary shape that the outer body 46 has in its upper horizontal face.

Le corps 46 comporte, symétriquement sur chacun des bords verticaux des coquilles 45, des profils complémentaires qui, après assemblage des demi-coquilles 45 forment la rainure verticale 58.The body 46 comprises, symmetrically on each of the vertical edges of the shells 45, complementary profiles which, after assembly of the half-shells 45 form the vertical groove 58.

Comme précédemment, le récipient 16 est destiné à être introduit verticalement de bas en haut, ici dans l'anneau elliptique 34 sur lequel le récipient 16 vient se fixer, par exemple par encliquetage ou emboîtement élastique.As before, the container 16 is intended to be introduced vertically from below upwards, here into the elliptical ring 34 on which the container 16 is fixed, for example by snapping or elastic interlocking.

L'armature intérieure 32 comporte une partie supérieure horizontale 31 qui est reçue dans une empreinte 92 complémentaire que comporte intérieurement la partie supérieure 52 du corps 46 de chaque demi-coquille 45, et comporte deux bras verticaux diamétralement opposés 33 solidaires de chacune des extrémités de la partie 31 de l'armature 32.The inner armature 32 has a horizontal upper portion 31 which is received in a complementary recess 92 which internally comprises the upper part 52 of the body 46 of each half-shell 45, and comprises two diametrically opposed vertical arms 33 secured to each of the ends of the the part 31 of the frame 32.

Les bras 33 s'étendent verticalement vers le bas en traversant le corps externe 46 du récipient 16 à l'extérieur duquel ils s'étendent dans le tronçon supérieur 57 de la rainure 58.The arms 33 extend vertically downwardly through the outer body 46 of the container 16 outside which they extend into the upper section 57 of the groove 58.

Les bras 33 comportent à leur extrémité inférieure des moyens 35 qui sont complémentaires de moyens d'articulation que porte l'armature extérieure 34.The arms 33 have at their lower end means 35 which are complementary to the hinge means that the outer frame 34 carries.

Les moyens d'articulation selon l'axe A1, que porte l'armature extérieure 34, sont par exemple constitués par des tourillons (non représentés) qui s'étendent radialement, à la manière des ergots 56, à l'intérieur de l'anneau elliptique 34 et sur lesquels sont emboîtés les moyens complémentaires 35 des bras 33 de l'armature intérieure 32.The articulation means along the axis A1, which is carried by the outer armature 34, consist for example of journals (not shown) which extend radially, in the manner of the lugs 56, inside the elliptical ring 34 and on which are fitted the complementary means 35 of the arms 33 of the inner frame 32.

La rainure 58 comporte avantageusement un tronçon rectiligne inférieur élargi 59 pour faciliter l'emmanchement vertical du récipient 16 dans l'anneau elliptique 34 et que prolonge un tronçon de guidage 60 de forme tronconique qui se rétrécit vers le haut pour conduire les moyens d'articulation de l'anneau elliptique 34 en coïncidence axiale avec les moyens complémentaires 35 des bras 33, qui sont en forme d'anneau ouvert vers le bas.The groove 58 advantageously comprises an enlarged lower rectilinear section 59 to facilitate the vertical fitting of the container 16 in the elliptical ring 34 and that extends a frustoconical guide section 60 which narrows upwards to drive the articulation means of the elliptical ring 34 in axial coincidence with the complementary means 35 of the arms 33, which are in the shape of a ring open downwards.

Avantageusement, les bras 33 présentent une élasticité selon la direction radiale et peuvent se déformer élastiquement dans le tronçon supérieur 57 de la rainure 58 de manière à filtrer une partie de l'onde de choc.Advantageously, the arms 33 have an elasticity in the radial direction and can deform elastically in the upper portion 57 of the groove 58 so as to filter a portion of the shock wave.

L'ampoule isolante 82 comporte ici, verticalement de haut en bas, un col 84 délimitant une ouverture supérieure 86 pour permettre l'introduction des produits biologiques et du fluide cryogénique dans le volume intérieur que délimite latéralement un corps 88, globalement cylindrique, formé par une double paroi de verre séparée par un vide et que ferme un fond ou culot 90.The insulating bulb 82 here comprises, vertically from top to bottom, a neck 84 delimiting an upper opening 86 to allow the introduction of the biological products and the cryogenic fluid into the interior volume which laterally delimits a body 88, generally cylindrical, formed by a double glass wall separated by a vacuum and closed by a bottom or base 90.

La partie horizontale 31 de l'armature est trouée centralement pour permettre le passage avec jeu radial de la tête 84 de l'ampoule 82.The horizontal portion 31 of the frame is centrally perforated to allow passage with radial clearance of the head 84 of the bulb 82.

L'armature intérieure 32 est donc avantageusement solidaire de la partie supérieure du corps externe 46 du récipient 16 de manière à éviter notamment qu'une onde de choc ne soit transmise aux parois latérales de l'ampoule isolante.The inner armature 32 is therefore advantageously secured to the upper part of the outer body 46 of the container 16 so as to avoid in particular that a shock wave is transmitted to the side walls of the insulating bulb.

L'axe A1 d'articulation de l'armature intérieure 32 formant un sous ensemble avec le récipient 16 par rapport à l'armature extérieure elliptique 34 est agencé verticalement à une hauteur sensiblement égale du corps 46 du récipient 16 que dans les exemples de réalisations précédents.The hinge axis A1 of the inner frame 32 forming a subset with the container 16 relative to the outer elliptical armature 34 is arranged vertically at a substantially equal height of the body 46 of the container 16 as in the embodiments precedents.

Bien entendu, comme cela a été décrit précédemment, on peut injecter de la mousse de polyuréthane pour former une couche d'absorption des chocs interposée entre l'ampoule isolante 82 et le logement 47 du récipient 16 et permettant le calage de l'ampoule 82 dans ledit logement 47.Of course, as described above, polyurethane foam can be injected to form a shock absorbing layer interposed between the insulating bulb 82 and the housing 47 of the container 16 and allowing the bulb 82 to be wedged. in said housing 47.

Avantageusement, le dispositif de transport 10 selon le premier ou deuxième mode de réalisation constitue un dispositif jetable de faible coût de fabrication permettant une utilisation à usage unique.Advantageously, the transport device 10 according to the first or second embodiment is a disposable device of low manufacturing cost for single use use.

De plus, en configuration de stockage, le dispositif 10 présente un encombrement réduit, notamment le système gyroscopique 14 qui est alors globalement plat.In addition, in storage configuration, the device 10 has a small footprint, including the gyro system 14 which is then generally flat.

En variante, après réception de l'emballage 12, le dispositif de transport 10, notamment le système gyroscopique 14 agencé dans l'emballage 12, pourrait être démonté et conditionné provisoirement en position de stockage, préalablement à son rapatriement à faible coût par lots comportant plusieurs dispositifs.Alternatively, after receiving the package 12, the transport device 10, in particular the gyroscopic system 14 arranged in the packaging 12, could be disassembled and provisionally conditioned storage position, prior to repatriation at low cost batch with several devices.

L'agencement selon une diagonale D permet, pour des dimensions données de la caisse cubique, de disposer d'une part d'une armature extérieure 34 du système gyroscopique de la plus grande dimension possible selon le grand axe de l'ellipse et, d'autre part, d'un récipient de plus grande dimension.The arrangement according to a diagonal D allows, for given dimensions of the cubic box, to have on the one hand an outer reinforcement 34 of the gyroscopic system of the largest possible dimension along the long axis of the ellipse and, d on the other hand, a container of larger size.

Ainsi, l'armature extérieure possède une grande capacité à se déformer élastiquement et donc à protéger le récipient 16 des chocs.Thus, the outer armature has a large capacity to deform elastically and thus to protect the container 16 from shocks.

Le dispositif de transport selon la présente invention s'applique plus particulièrement au transport de produits biologiques, tels que des gamètes ou des embryons, qui sont conservés à très basse température grâce à un fluide cryogénique comme l'azote liquide pour une durée déterminée suffisante à leur acheminement.The transport device according to the present invention is more particularly applicable to the transport of biological products, such as gametes or embryos, which are kept at very low temperature thanks to a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen for a determined duration sufficient to their routing.

Claims (20)

  1. Device (10) for transporting a receptacle (16) comprising packaging (12) of polyhedral shape inside which there is arranged a gyroscopic system (14) intended to keep the receptacle (16) upright, of the type in which the gyroscopic system (14) comprises an inner first frame (32) which bears the receptacle (16) and an outer second frame (34), the inner first frame (32) being mounted so that it can rotate with respect to the outer second frame (34) about a first axis of articulation (A1) and the second frame (34) being mounted so that it can rotate with respect to the polyhedral packaging (12) about a second axis of articulation (A2) orthogonal to the first axis (A1),
    characterized in that the second axis of articulation (A2) extends more or less along one (D) of the diagonals of the polyhedral packaging (12).
  2. Device (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outer second frame (34) is a flat ring and in that the second axis of articulation (A2) is situated in the plane of this ring.
  3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the outer second frame (34) is a ring more or less in the shape of an ellipse and in that the second axis of articulation (A2) is more or less coincident with the major axis of the ellipse.
  4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the first axis of articulation (A1) is more or less coincident with the minor axis of the ellipse.
  5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the inner first frame (32) is a flat ring of circular shape and in that the first axis of articulation (A1) is situated in the plane of this circular ring.
  6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that it comprises supporting means (36, 64) supporting the gyroscopic system (14), on which the outer second frame (34) is mounted so that it can rotate about the said second axis of articulation (A2).
  7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the supporting means (36, 64) comprise a flat supporting surround (36) comprising two opposed parallel mounting members (38) housed in two inside corners (30) of the polyhedral packaging (12) which corners are opposed along the said diagonal (D).
  8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the supporting surround (36) comprises two parallel and opposed branches (40) which support articulation means (42) for articulating the outer second frame (34) with respect to the supporting surround (36) and which make an acute angle with respect to the said mounting members (38, 39).
  9. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the supporting means (36, 64) consist of two opposed components (64) each of which is arranged inside one of the said two vertices (28) of the polyhedral packaging (12) which are opposed along the said diagonal (D), and each of which supports articulating means (70) articulating the outer second frame (34) about the said second axis of articulation (A2).
  10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that each supporting intermediate component (64) comprises a base (66) which runs in a plane perpendicular to the said diagonal and supports, on the one hand, the articulating means (70) and, on the other hand, three positioning arms (68) arranged as a trihedron and each of which runs along one of the three edges associated with the said vertex (28) of the packaging.
  11. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the base (66) of the intermediate component (64) is of triangular shape and in that each positioning arm (68) runs from one (28) of the vertices of the triangular base.
  12. Device according to one of Claims 9 to 11,
    characterized in that the articulating means articulating the outer second frame (34) consist of a trunnion (70) secured to the outer second frame (34) and which is housed in a complementary housing (72) in the base (66) of the intermediate component (64).
  13. Device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the trunnion (70) of the outer second frame (34) is assembled with the base (66) of the intermediate component (64) as an elastic push-fit.
  14. Device according to any one of Claims 6 to 13,
    characterized in that shock-absorbing means are inserted between the supporting means (36, 64) and the polyhedral packaging (12), particularly in the corresponding interior corners of the packaging.
  15. Device according to Claim 14 taken in combination with Claim 10, characterized in that the shock-absorbing means is a cylindrical sleeve (74), made of an elastically deformable material, one end of which accommodates the positioning arm (68) and the other end (75) of which rests against an opposite face of the polyhedral packaging (12).
  16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the receptacle (16) and the inner first frame (32) of the gyroscopic system (14) comprise complementary means so as to allow the receptacle to be introduced in an insertion travel perpendicular to the plane of the inner first frame (32), then allow the receptacle (16) to be locked in the inner first frame (32) at the end of the insertion travel.
  17. Device according to Claim 16, characterized in that the locking of the receptacle (16) in the inner first frame (32) is obtained, after insertion, by rotational movement so as to engage one or more cones (56) in complementary slots (62) in a bayonet-type mounting.
  18. Device according to Claim 16, characterized in that the locking of the receptacle (16) in the inner first frame (32) is obtained, after insertion, by elastic deformation of the inner first frame (32) so that the said inner frame (32) automatically positions itself in a complementary locking groove (78) belonging to the receptacle (16).
  19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the transport receptacle (16) is a cryostat.
  20. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that the polyhedral packaging (12) is a box of parallelepipedal, particularly cubic, shape, comprising an open upper face (20) for filling the box.
EP03767933A 2002-10-22 2003-10-20 Device which is used to transport a container in the vertical position, comprising packaging containing a gyroscopic system Expired - Lifetime EP1554180B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0213161A FR2845972B1 (en) 2002-10-22 2002-10-22 DEVICE FOR STORAGE AND / OR TRANSPORT COMPRISING A GYROSCOPIC SYSTEM AND CARRIER MEANS ALLOWING IT TO BE FILLED IN A PACKAGING
FR0213161 2002-10-22
FR0350699A FR2845973B1 (en) 2002-10-22 2003-10-17 DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING A CONTAINER IN A VERTICAL POSITION COMPRISING A PACKAGING WITHIN WHICH A GYROSCOPIC SYSTEM IS ATTENDED
FR0350699 2003-10-17
PCT/FR2003/050096 WO2004037653A2 (en) 2002-10-22 2003-10-20 Device for transporting a container housing a gyroscopic system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1554180A2 EP1554180A2 (en) 2005-07-20
EP1554180B1 true EP1554180B1 (en) 2007-01-10

Family

ID=32071175

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03767933A Expired - Lifetime EP1554180B1 (en) 2002-10-22 2003-10-20 Device which is used to transport a container in the vertical position, comprising packaging containing a gyroscopic system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US7325690B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1554180B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003292361A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60311126T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2845973B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004037653A2 (en)

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US9888990B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2018-02-13 Inguran, Llc Methods for use of sex sorted semen to improve genetic management in swine

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US9888990B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2018-02-13 Inguran, Llc Methods for use of sex sorted semen to improve genetic management in swine
US10188082B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2019-01-29 Inguran, Llc Methods for increasing genetic progress in a line or breed of swine using sex-selected sperm cells
US10219883B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2019-03-05 Inguran, Llc Methods for use of sex sorted semen to improve genetic management in swine
US10543070B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2020-01-28 Inguran, Llc Methods for use of sex sorted semen to improve genetic management in swine
US10542734B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2020-01-28 Inguran, Llc Methods for increasing genetic progress in a line or breed of swine using sex-selected sperm cells
US11653635B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2023-05-23 Inguran, Llc Methods for increasing genetic progress in a line or breed of swine using sex-selected sperm cells

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60311126T2 (en) 2007-10-31
AU2003292361A1 (en) 2004-05-13
EP1554180A2 (en) 2005-07-20
DE60311126D1 (en) 2007-02-22
FR2845973B1 (en) 2005-03-04
US7325690B2 (en) 2008-02-05
FR2845973A1 (en) 2004-04-23
US20060102514A1 (en) 2006-05-18
WO2004037653A2 (en) 2004-05-06
WO2004037653A3 (en) 2004-07-08
AU2003292361A8 (en) 2004-05-13

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