Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G10/00—Treatment rooms or enclosures for medical purposes
  • A61G10/005—Isolators, i.e. enclosures generally comprising flexible walls for maintaining a germ-free environment

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of aseptic enclosures or enclosures with a controlled atmosphere for medical or industrial use, and more particularly an assembly allowing the transfer and connection between cells with a controlled atmosphere. It also relates to a method for using this assembly, ensuring in particular the transfer of materials and / or people between these cells. Finally, it relates to a controlled atmosphere installation, which comprises controlled atmosphere cells as well as at least one transfer and connection assembly above.
• each controlled atmosphere cell is a containment cell, which is provided with at least one wall forming a delimitation between two spaces, which are advantageously mutually hermetic.
• This confinement can be of the biological type, intended for the care of infected patients, but also said to be “at risk”, likely to present a high epidemic risk.
• the invention also finds application in other types of containment, in particular the handling of radioactive products in the nuclear industry or of toxic products in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.
• the aforementioned spaces first include an outdoor, unconfined space.
• the other space, called confined must be isolated as absolutely as possible from the aforementioned external space.
• the patient to be treated is received within this confined space.
• each controlled atmosphere cell is a cell where the atmosphere must be of very high purity. This is typically a so-called clean room application.
• US patent application US 2008276435 discloses a sealed securing system between two cells. This solution, however, is not realistic from an industrial standpoint. In fact, the document does not provide any technical teaching, as regards a possible transfer of materials between the cells. This solution does not allow nor to carry out a mutualisation, between the modules of these cells. Finally, the cells which are connected by means of this securing system cannot be subject to subsequent separation.
• an objective of the present invention is to remedy, at least partially, the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.
• Another objective of the invention is to provide an assembly, allowing not only a transfer between cells with a controlled atmosphere, but also a mechanical connection between them.
• Another objective of the invention is to provide a set, allowing a sealed connection between the aforementioned cells, so as to pool the interior volumes of the latter, while ensuring the containment of contamination.
• Another objective of the invention is to provide an assembly allowing a removable connection between the cells, namely an assembly which allows a mechanical separation between these cells after the transfer operation.
• Yet another objective of the invention is to provide such an assembly which has satisfactory overall strength, so as to avoid untimely tearing phenomena.
• At least one of the above objectives is achieved by means of an assembly (I; II; IIa - Ni; III) of connection and transfer between cells with a controlled atmosphere (200, 210; 500,510; 800,810), this set comprising:
• first connection and transfer member (10; 310; 610), comprising a first seal (20; 320; 620) and a second seal (40; 340; 640), as well as a first closure, in particular a first zipper (120; 420; 720), covering at least part of at least one dimension, in particular of the main dimension (XX), of the first and second contiguous joints,
• connection and transfer member 11; 311; 611
• a third seal 60; 360; 660
• a fourth seal 80; 380; 680
• a second closure in particular a second zipper (160; 460; 760) covering at least part of at least one dimension, in particular of the main dimension, of the third and fourth contiguous joints
• this assembly further comprising: a third closure , in particular a third zipper, called separable (140; 440; 740) covering the whole of said dimension, in particular of the main dimension, of the first and third joints (20,60; 320,360; 620,660) contiguous,
• a third closure in particular a third zipper, called separable (140; 440; 740) covering the whole of said dimension, in particular of the main dimension, of the first and third joints (20,60; 320,360; 620,660) contiguous
• a fourth closure in particular a fourth zipper, called separable (180; 480; 780) covering the whole of said dimension, in particular of the main dimension, of the second and fourth seals (40,80; 340,380; 620, 680 ) side by side,
• the contact distance (E11) between the side faces of the first seal and the second seal, as well as the contact distance (E12) between the side faces of the third seal of the fourth seal are each greater than 5 mm, preferably at 10 mm.
• the contact distance (E21) between the side faces of the first seal and the third seal, as well as the contact distance (E22) between the side faces of the second seal of the fourth seal are each greater than 5 mm, preferably at 10 mm.
• Each seal is made of an elastomeric material, in particular of silicone, preferably of silicone extruded from a bi-material of different characteristics, for example of different hardnesses.
• each joint is solid, and has a self-supporting structure.
• the first to fourth joints are likely to be contiguous, so as to form a central contact zone (ZC).
• ZC central contact zone
• At least one heating means is provided in the vicinity of said central contact zone.
• the first closure and / or the second closure is a non-separable closure, covering only a fraction of said dimension.
• the non-separable closure comprises a slot extending over said fraction of said dimension, said slot being bordered by two areas not covered by said non-separable closure.
• This set includes first securing means between the two joints of the same transfer member.
• This assembly comprises second securing means between the opposite joints, belonging respectively to the first and to the second transfer member.
• the first and or second securing means comprise resilient snap-fastening securing means.
• the resilient snap fastening means comprise a heel, optionally provided with at least one bead, belonging to a first seal, as well as a notch, optionally provided with at least one cavity, belonging to a second seal, the heel being able to cooperate with the notch, the or each bead also possibly being able to cooperate with the or each cavity.
• This assembly comprises permanent fixing means, making it possible to fix the first and the second transfer and connection member respectively on a first and a second cell with a controlled atmosphere.
• the permanent fixing means comprise fixing means by gluing.
• the adhesive fixing means comprise 2 strips, mounted on each joint, these 2 strips being able to be glued on either side of a wall of said controlled atmosphere cell.
• the subject of the invention is also a controlled atmosphere installation comprising a first controlled atmosphere cell (200; 500; 800), at least one second a second controlled atmosphere cell (210; 510; 810), as well as at least a connection and transfer assembly above, the first transfer and connection member (10; 310; 610) being fixed, in particular permanently, on a wall of said first cell, while the second transfer member and connection (11; 311; 611) is fixed, in particular permanently, on a wall of said second cell.
• connection and transfer member define an open contour, extending one (20,60) next to the other (40,80).
• connection and transfer member (310,311; 610,611) define a closed contour, each of said members comprising an inner peripheral seal (340,380; 640,680) and an outer peripheral seal (320,360; 620,660).
• connection and transfer members For each connection and transfer assembly, the two connection and transfer members define an insert (506, 516) of each respective cell (500,510).
• the installation comprises a plurality of cells (500 - 590), each pair of facing cells being provided with a first and a second connection and transfer members, which are able to cooperate with each other.
• the so-called end cells among said plurality of cells, comprise a single transfer connection member, while each of the so-called intermediate cells comprises two connection and transfer members, provided on separate walls of each intermediate cell.
• a first connection and transfer set delimits an insert of a first cell, called main cell (800), while the second cell, called reserve cell (810), is received in the interior volume of said first cell.
• the subject of the invention is also a method for implementing an installation according to a first embodiment of the invention, a method in which, from a so-called disconnected configuration between two adjacent cells, configuration in which the organs connection and transfer of these adjacent cells are mutually distant,
• connection and transfer members are brought together so that they adopt a closed connected position, in which they cooperate with each other without however allowing a transfer between the interior volumes of these cells
• the subject of the invention is also a method for implementing an installation according to another embodiment of the invention, a method in which, from a so-called disconnected configuration between the main cell and the reserve cell, configuration in which the connection and transfer members of these adjacent cells are mutually distant,
• connection and transfer members are brought together so that they adopt a closed connected position, in which they cooperate with each other without however allowing a transfer between the interior volumes of these cells
• This auxiliary cell confined at a distance from the main cell is evacuated.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view, illustrating a transfer and connection assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, illustrating a seal belonging to the assembly of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the mutual interlocking between the different joints forming the assembly of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view, illustrating on a larger scale fixing bands, belonging to the assembly according to the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a front view, illustrating the attachment of an assembly according to the invention to a wall of a controlled atmosphere cell.
• FIG. 6 is a top view, illustrating the attachment of the assembly according to the invention to the wall of the cell of Figure 5.
• FIG. 7 is a top view, illustrating a so-called non-separable closure, belonging to the assembly according to the invention, in its first functional position.
• FIG. 8 is a top view, illustrating the non-separable closure of FIG. 7 in its second functional position.
• FIG. 9 is a top view, illustrating a so-called separable closure, belonging to the assembly according to the invention, in its first functional position.
• FIG. 10 is a top view, illustrating the separable closure of FIG. 7 in its second functional position.
• FIG. 11 is a front view, illustrating the non-separable closure in its position of FIG. 7.
• FIG. 12 is a front view, illustrating the non-separable closure in its position of FIG. 8.
• FIG. 13 is a front view, illustrating the separable closure in its position of the figure
• FIG. 14 is a front view, illustrating the separable closure in its position of FIG.
• FIG. 15 is a top view, illustrating an installation according to the invention, comprising two controlled atmosphere cells as well as an assembly according to the invention, in a disconnected configuration.
• FIG. 16 is a top view, similar to Figure 15, showing the cells and assembly of Figure 15 in a closed connected configuration.
• FIG. 17 is a perspective view, showing from a first angle the cells and assembly of Figure 15 in an open connected configuration.
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 17, illustrating from another angle the open connected configuration of this Figure 17.
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view, illustrating an installation according to a second embodiment of the invention, in a disconnected configuration.
• FIG. 20 is a front view illustrating a controlled atmosphere cell belonging to the installation of FIG. 19, which is provided with a first connection and transfer member.
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view, illustrating the installation of Figure 19 in a closed connected configuration.
• FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view, illustrating the cooperation between the transfer connection members, in this closed connected configuration.
• FIG. 23 is a perspective view, illustrating the installation of Figure 19 in an open connected configuration.
• FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view, illustrating the cooperation between the transfer connection members, in this open connected configuration.
• FIG. 25 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 3, illustrating the open connected configuration of an installation according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 26 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 19, illustrating the disconnected configuration of an installation according to another variant of the second regulation mode of the invention.
• FIG. 27 is a perspective view, illustrating an installation according to a third embodiment of the invention, in a disconnected configuration.
• FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view, illustrating the installation of Figure 27 in this disconnected configuration.
• FIG. 29 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar to Figure 28, illustrating the installation of Figure 27 in an intermediate configuration.
• FIG. 30 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar to Figure 28, illustrating the installation of Figure 27 in a final configuration.
• FIG. 31 is a front view, illustrating the two sealing zones allowed by the seals belonging to the assembly according to the invention.
• FIG. 32 is a front view, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the seals belonging to the assembly according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 shows a connection and transfer assembly according to the invention, which is designated as a whole by the reference I.
• This assembly essentially comprises a first connection and transfer member 10 which includes in particular a first seal 20 and a second seal 40, as well as a second transfer connection member 11 which includes in particular a third seal 60 and a fourth seal 80.
• This assembly I of generally parallelepipedal shape, has a so-called main dimension XX, as well as two dimensions said secondary YY and ZZ By way of nonlimiting examples, the above dimensions are as follows: length X1 of the assembly I, between 10 and 300 centimeters
• the seal 20 will be described in more detail, it being understood that the other seals 40,60,80 are substantially identical.
• the mechanical elements of the seals 40,60,80, which are similar to those of the seal 20, are assigned the same reference numbers increased respectively by the numbers 20, 40 and 60.
• the seal 20 is made of any suitable material, with a view to perform a sealing function, but also its thermal or chemical decontamination in the event that the latter is used in contaminated volumes.
• the following material will be mentioned: silicone which can be extruded from a bi-material of different characteristics (for example, without limitation, of different hardnesses).
• This seal 20 comprises a base 21, illustrated in dotted lines, of rectangular shape, in particular substantially square.
• the first side of this rectangle is hollowed out with a notch 22, intended to form a mortise.
• the walls of this notch define a U, the bottom of which is denoted 23, as well as 24 and 25 the wings.
• These wings 24,25 are slightly inclined with respect to each other, so that the distance which separates them increases away from the bottom 23.
• a24 and a25 the angles formed by these wings, with reference to a straight line perpendicular to the bottom 23. These angles typically have a value between 5 and 25 °, in particular close to 10 °.
• each wing 24,25 is hollowed out with a respective cavity 26,27.
• a heel 28 On a second side of the base 21, adjacent to that equipped with the notch 22, there is provided a heel 28, intended to form a tenon as will be seen below.
• This heel 28 has the same shape as the mortise 22, so as to be able to penetrate the latter during assembly between the various joints 20,40,60,80.
• this heel 28 is provided with beads 29,30, each of which is able to cooperate with a respective cavity 26,27.
• FIG. 3 shows the assembly between the different joints 20,40,60,80, the shape of which has just been described above.
• each tenon respectively 28,48,68,88 cooperates with a mortise respectively 22,42,62,82.
• each projection 33,53,73,93 respectively cooperates with a depression respectively 34,54,74,94.
• the inclined ramps of two adjacent joints delimit recesses 38,58,78,98 (see FIG. 3), the function of which will be described below.
• FIGs 2 and 3 there is shown a particular embodiment of the seals, belonging to the assembly according to the invention.
• This embodiment presents specific advantages, in particular in that it guarantees satisfactory interlocking between these gaskets both mechanically and in terms of sealing, without however affecting the capacity of the gaskets to be separated two by two in the desire for an opening.
• this embodiment is not limiting, namely that it is possible to impart other shapes to these seals.
• the various seals are shown schematically, with a square section.
• each seal namely which is fixed in service against the wall of a cell;
• each seal namely which is opposite to the above front face
• each seal namely which is opposite the inner side face above;
• the assembly I according to the invention is furthermore equipped with several slides.
• some of these slides form a first and a second, so-called non-separable, closures 120 and 160. These closures are provided on the front end faces of each pair of seals 20,40 and 60,80 belonging to the same member. connection and transfer 10 or 11.
• other of these slides form a first and a second closures, called separable 140 and 180. These additional closures are provided on the outer side faces of each pair of seals 20 , 60 and 40,80 belonging to different connection and transfer organs.
• This closure 120 comprises a first slide 122, which is integral with the first seal 20 belonging to the first transfer member 10.
• a second slide 142 is integral with the second seal 40 belonging to this first transfer member.
• Each of these guides 122, 142 of a type known per se, has a plurality of teeth.
• each of the seals 20, 40 receives a sheet 124, made of any suitable material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane (PU).
• This sheet is hollowed out with a slot 126, which is aligned with the I24 interface as defined above. This slot delimits facing edges, on each of which is fixed a respective slide 122 and 142.
• the fixing of each slide on the sheet 124 is carried out by any suitable means, in particular by gluing or welding.
• the slot 126 and, therefore, the non-separable closure extends over only a part of the main dimension X of each joint 20 and 40.
• the length X36 and X37 of these sections which is visible in Figure 5, is generally constant and is not typically a function of the length X. This length X36 and X37 is generally between 2 and 5 centimeters.
• the sheet 124 has a transverse dimension greater than that of the contiguous joints, that is to say placed side by side.
• this sheet defines a central body 130, in which the aforementioned slot is formed.
• This body which covers the front end face 20A, 40A of the joints, is extended laterally, in opposite directions, by free bands 131, 151, which are not pressed against the joints.
• each of the outer side faces 20D, 40D is coated by means of an additional sheet 132,152.
• Each of these sheets has a transverse dimension greater than that of the above external lateral face. Consequently, it delimits a body 133,153 covering a respective outer side face, which is extended by a free band 134,154, which is not pressed against the seal.
• closure 140 will now be described, it being understood that the closure 180 is similar.
• This separable closure has a structure similar to that of the closure 120, in particular in that it comprises slides 142, 162, each of which has 144,164 teeth, as well as a 146,166 fixing strip.
• closure 140 differs from closure 120 in that it extends over the entire major dimension of the joints. In other words, the latter are devoid of free end sections, such as those 36, 37, 56 and 57.
• sliders 138,158,178,198 are also equipped by means of sliders 138,158,178,198.
• the latter which are of a type known per se, comprise two grooves which meet each other, so as to mesh with the teeth of the slides, or else to separate these teeth from one another.
• each closure whether of separable type or non-separable type, has two functional positions. As first illustrated in Figures 7 and 11. the non-separable closures 120 and 160 have a so-called closed functional position, in which the edges of the slot are mutually joined by means of the slides.
• each non-separable closure is made to pass into its so-called open functional position, which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 12.
• the edges of the slot are no longer joined together so that 'they can provide an intermediate passage, which is noted P for the closure 120 and P' for the closure 160.
• P for the closure 120
• P' for the closure 160.
• the transverse dimension of the assembly I can then undergo an increase, up to a value U ⁇ shown in particular in FIG. 8.
• the ratio U ⁇ / U1 between the value U ⁇ in FIGS. 8 and 12 and the value Y1 in FIG. 1 , will be chosen by those skilled in the art to ensure convenient transfer between cells.
• the two seals remain mutually integral.
• the ends 36 and 56 respectively, as well as 37 and 57, are kept in mutual contact since the sheet 124 has no slit at its ends. This consequently explains the denomination of “non-separable” closures.
• the separable closures 140 and 180 first have a functional connection position.
• the latter is analogous to the position of closures described above, with reference to non-separable closures.
• this connection position of the closures 140 and 180 there is then a mechanical connection between the members 10 and 11.
• each separable closure is passed into a so-called functional position of disconnection, which ensures the disconnection between the members 10 and 11.
• the joints 20 and 60 respectively as well as 40 and 80, which are initially joined together in the connection position of FIGS. 9 and 13, are no longer integral with one another. This therefore explains the name of “separable” closures.
• the first transfer member 10 comprising in particular the seals 20 and 40, as well as the closure 120, on a wall 201 of a controlled atmosphere cell 200.
• This wall 201 is hollowed out with an opening 202. , the width of which is denoted Y202.
• the seals 20 and 40 are placed so that their front end face 20A, 40A is flush with the respective edges 203 and 204 of the opening 202. It is preferable to avoid any compression of these seals, according to the specification. direction Y, so as to limit the risks of the sheets 130, 132 and 152 peeling.
• Each edge, 203 and 204 respectively, is sandwiched by the bands 131 and 134, respectively, as well as 151 and 154.
• the mutual fixing between these different bands and these rims is implemented, preferably, by gluing.
• the closure 120 is easily accessible, being able to be operated by means of the slider 138.
• FIGS. 15 to 18 illustrate a controlled atmosphere installation 1000, comprising two controlled atmosphere cells 200 and 210, as well as the connection and transfer assembly I.
• the transfer member 10 is secured to the cell 200 as described above, while the transfer member 11 is secured in a similar manner to the cell 210.
• the installation 1000 according to the invention has three configurations. main functionalities, namely a disconnected configuration, a closed connected configuration, that is to say without the possibility of transfer, and finally an open connected configuration, namely allowing a transfer. It is first of all assumed that the cells 200 and 210 are mutually distant, as shown in FIG. 15. This corresponds to the disconnected configuration of the installation 1000, for which the two separable closures adopt their disconnected position, such as as described above.
• the next step is to bring the cells 200 and 210 closer together, as shown in Figure 16, so that the connection and transfer members 10 and 11 can cooperate.
• the sliders With a view to the connection of these members 10 and 11, the sliders are manipulated so that the separable closures 140 and 180 are placed in their connection position, which is shown in FIGS. 9 and 13. This then corresponds to the closed connected configuration. of installation 1000.
• this configuration offers the possibility of pooling the interior volumes V200 and V210 of the respective cells. It therefore allows a transfer between these cells, while ensuring containment of the contamination. This transfer possibility is shown by the double arrow T in Figure 18. It is then possible to transport, from one cell to another, medical equipment, food, or the patient himself.
• Figure 31 illustrates various advantages, which are linked to the structure of the seals used in accordance with the invention.
• the invention offers a so-called “dual” seal, that is to say it makes it possible to create two distinct zones. sealing.
• a sealing zone can be defined as an interface through which the passage of a gas:
• the pressure value at which the sealing zone must satisfy its sealing performance will advantageously dictate the mechanical strength of all the seals 20, 40, 60, 80 between them, as well as mechanical closures 120, 140, 160 and 180.
• the nominal pressure values will then be between a few tens of Pascal (in over or under vacuum) and less than ten Bar.
• the test conditions and validation of the sealing performance of the sealing zone will be advantageously increased in terms of pressure, so as to integrate the safety coefficients inherent in the sector of activity and / or the normative framework applied.
• a first sealing zone E1 is defined by the facing faces, on the one hand of the seals 20 and 40, on the other hand of the seals 60 and 80.
• the distances of E11 and E12 are denoted by contact, respectively between the gaskets 20 and 40, as well as between the gaskets 60 and 80.
• each contact distance E11 or E12 is greater than 5 mm, preferably 10 mm.
• the total contact distance of zone E1 is advantageously greater than twice each of these values, that is to say 10 mm, preferably 20 mm.
• a second sealing zone E2 is defined by the opposite faces, on the one hand of the seals 20 and 60, on the other hand of the seals 40 and 80.
• E21 and E22 denote the contact distances, respectively between the gaskets 20 and 60, thus against the gaskets 40 and 80.
• each contact distance E21 or E22 is greater than 5 mm, preferably 10 mm.
• the total contact distance of zone E2 is advantageously greater than twice each of these values, that is to say 10 mm, preferably 20 mm.
• the sealing zones E1 and E2 are effective, in the closed position of the zippers 120 to 180. Furthermore, a passage can be formed in the first zone d sealing E1, by opening two of these closures. Similarly, a separation between the members 10 and 11 can be made on either side of the second sealing zone E2, by opening the other two closures.
• Figure 31 highlights the way in which the invention overcomes the drawbacks of US patent 4485489. Indeed, in the device according to the teaching of this US patent, there is a substantial intermediate volume which is likely to be filled with stale air. It is understood that, if a user wishes to decontaminate a space, he must access it from an initially uncontaminated area. However, during this action by the user, the stale air tends to pollute this uncontaminated area, which is obviously counterproductive.
• ZC denotes the so-called central contact zone between the four contiguous joints 20 to 80.
• the existence of this contact zone is permitted by the nature of the joints, as well as by the overall geometry of the assembly according to the invention. It can be seen that, thanks to this contact zone, any intermediate volume between the opposite faces of the joints is reduced to a marginal value. Therefore, the dual sealing of the invention, as described above, eliminates any significant volume potentially filled with stale air. In this way, during the decontamination operation, the initial uncontaminated area does not suffer from untimely pollution.
• the seals of the invention are of the solid type. With this in mind, they can be qualified as self-supporting (or “free standing” in English), ie they have their own mechanical strength. These characteristics make it possible to further increase the effectiveness of the sealing zones, described above. Moreover, thanks to these characteristics, the seals according to the invention avoid tearing phenomena. This is to be compared with the teaching of the above American patent, in which the various mechanical elements are mutually secured by a relatively fragile fastening, of the loop and hook type.
• FIG. 32 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the seals, which are intended to equip the connection and transfer assembly according to the invention.
• the gaskets 1020 to 1080 differ from those 20 to 80 above, in that they are not rectangular in shape.
• each joint 1020 to 1080 has an overall L shape. In this way, these four mutually contiguous joints define a cross.
• E1 we denote E1 as well as E2 the two sealing zones thus created, in a manner analogous to what has been described with reference to FIG. 31.
• E11 to E22 the various contact distances, which correspond to the largest dimension of each L.
• the dimension between opposite ends of each joint is less than 10 cm, preferably 5 cm. This makes it possible to reduce the overall size of the assembly, according to the invention.
• FIGS 19 to 24 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention.
• the mechanical elements similar to those of Figures 1 to 18, are assigned the same reference numbers increased by the number 300.
• each of the joints 20,40,60,80 has an elongated shape in a main direction, in this case the X direction. Consequently, these different joints 20,40,60,80 define an open contour. .
• each of the joints 320,340,360,380 defines a closed contour, in this case of substantially rectangular shape. Under these conditions, for each connection and transfer member 310,311, there is a seal called interior 340,380, at the periphery of which extends a seal called exterior 320,360.
• the installation 1300 comprises two controlled atmosphere cells 500 and 510, respectively.
• These cells which are generally identical, are of parallelepipedal shape. They each have five solid walls 505.515, as well as one open wall 501.511. The latter is hollowed out with an opening 502, at the periphery of which extends a ledge 503,513. This opening is partially occupied by an insert 506.516, the dimensions of which are slightly smaller than those of the rim.
• the insert 506 is attached to the flange 503 via the first connection and transfer member 310, mentioned above.
• the fixing of the outer seal 320 on the rim 503, as well as the fixing of the inner seal 340 on the insert 506, are similar to what has been described above with reference to the fixing of the seals 20,40.
• the rim 503 is sandwiched by fixing strips 431, 434 fitted to the seal 320, which are glued to the opposite faces of this rim.
• the insert 506 is sandwiched by fixing strips 451, 454 fitted to the seal 340, which are glued to the opposite faces of this insert.
• the seals 320 and 340 cooperate with a closure 420.
• this closure 420 is of the separable type. It extends in a closed loop, namely on all four sides of both the rim and the insert. Therefore it has a closed position which is shown in figure 20, as well as an open position in which it allows the separation between the insert and the rim, through the use of a slider 438.
• the seals 360 and 380 cooperate with an additional closure 460, similar to that 420.
• the cells are mutually separated while each insert is held on a respective rim, by means of the various seals and of the respective closure 420,460, the latter being in its closed position.
• the cells are brought together so that the joints 320,360 and 340,380 respectively are in mutual contact.
• This closure 440 extends at the level of the interface between the seals 320 and 360, over the entire outer periphery of the latter.
• Another separable closure 480 is also provided between the seals 340 and 380, which notably comprises a slider 498.
• each closure 420,460 is manipulated so as to place them in their open position. This makes it possible to separate each insert 506.516, provided with its respective internal seal 360.380, vis-à-vis the rim 503.513, provided with its respective external seal 320.340. The installation is then in its open connected configuration (see Figures 23 and 24), ensuring the sharing between the interior volumes V500 and V510.
• this closure 440 can be of the non-separable type, like the closure 120. In this case, it extends only on three sides of the rim and of the insert.
• the insert 340 can be wound around a vertical axis, denoted A340. In the open connected position of the installation, as shown in Figure 25, this insert is folded against one of the side walls of the cell.
• each of the so-called intermediate cells namely those numbered 510 to 580, is provided with two open walls, placed on opposite faces. More precisely, each end cell is provided with a single connection and transfer member, respectively 310A and 3111. Furthermore, each intermediate cell is equipped with 2 connection and transfer members, respectively 311A and 310B,. .., 311 H and 3101. In this embodiment, there is therefore a plurality of connection and transfer sets 11a to Ni.
• the controlled atmosphere installation 1600 firstly comprises a main cell 800, of generally parallelepipedal shape.
• This main cell is associated with a so-called reserve cell 810 which, unlike previous embodiments, is housed inside the main cell.
• This auxiliary cell 810 which has a size much smaller than that of the main cell, delimits an interior volume V810 bordered by walls 826 and 836, preferably of a flexible nature.
• the bottom 803 of the main cell 800 is equipped with a first transfer connection member 610, which includes gaskets 620 and 640, as well as a separable closure.
• the reserve cell 810 is equipped with a second transfer connection member 611.
• the latter includes gaskets 660 and 680, provided at the junction between the walls 826 and 836, as well as a separable closure.
• the seals 620, 640, 660 and 680 define closed contours, in this case substantially circular.
• the auxiliary cell is stored, for example near a side wall of the main cell. It is now assumed that one wishes to evacuate, without loss of confinement, an object or a person likely to be contaminated, referenced P. In this case, this object P is placed on a central removable insert 806 of the bottom 803, which insert is defined by the peripheral seals 620 and 640. Next, according to the arrows F810 in FIGS. 27 and 28, the reserve cell 810 is brought together in the direction of the bottom 803.
• the cells are in a connected position for which, as in the previous embodiments, the joints 640 and 680 now cooperate with each other.
• the gaskets are joined 620 and 660, by means of a closure 760, as well as the seals 640 and 680 by means of an additional closure 780.
• each inner seal respectively 640 and 680, relative to its outer seal 620 and 660.
• an auxiliary cell called discharge 910 is formed.
• last which is bordered by the walls 816 826, can be removed with respect to the main cell, according to the arrow F910 in FIG. 30. It will be noted that, during this evacuation operation, there is no risk propagation of the contamination, since the object P is confined between the walls 816 and 826.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)

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• 2020
  • 2020-04-23 FR FR2004041A patent/FR3109522B1/fr active Active
• 2021
  • 2021-04-22 WO PCT/IB2021/053316 patent/WO2021214700A1/fr unknown
  • 2021-04-22 EP EP21721222.4A patent/EP4138755A1/de active Pending

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