JP2022552472A - CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR CARRYING AND REMOVING STERILE ARTICLES IN AN ISOLATOR AND COMBINATION OF AN ISOLATOR AND CONTAINER DOCKED TO THE ISOLATOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a container 10 for transporting and removing sterile items within a clean room 12 of an isolator 14, having an opening 26 and a container side portion 18 of a rapid transfer port system which closes the opening. container lid 20 and container side portion 18 with means for docking the container to the complementary isolator side portion 16 of the rapid transfer port system, having an article receiving portion 30 movable along linear guides 34. , regarding containers. In accordance with the present invention, at least one ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic body 62 is mounted on the article receiving portion 30, the magnetic body being positioned near the circumferential wall 22 of the container and having at least one magnetic field. It can be moved parallel to the linear guide by a single magnet 64 or a strong magnet. At least one magnet 64 or strong magnet linearly moves along the circumferential wall outside the container and through the circumferential wall to move the article receiver at least partially into the clean room without engaging the isolator. It acts on the magnetic body 62 without contact due to magnetic attraction.

Description

The invention relates to a container according to the preamble of claim 1, a combination of an isolator and such a container docked to the isolator according to the preamble of claim 12, and a method according to the preamble of claim 14. .

In the pharmaceutical industry and laboratories, isolators surrounding clean rooms are often required. The term "isolator" is intended to include RABS systems within the scope of this patent application.

A so-called Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) system is commonly used to supply the sterile material to the interior of the isolator. Through the RTP system, the material contained within the sterile interior of the container is transferred to the isolator.

The sterile material can be, for example, rubber or plastic stoppers for vials or infusion bottles, which are cleaned and sterilized outside the isolator, and which close the vial or infusion bottle after being introduced into the isolator. supplied to the machine in the clean room for The cleaning and sterilization of such materials can now be performed in processing equipment as described, for example, in US Pat.

On the one hand, the sterile material can also be a replacement part or a format part, eg installed in a machine, eg for a format change in a clean room.

In the former case, the cleaned and sterilized material can be transferred directly from the processing container used in the processing equipment to the isolator. In the latter case, the container with pre-washed material is passed through an autoclave during transport to the isolator to sterilize the material inside the container. The container has an opening through which material is introduced into the container and removed from the container.

RTP systems are used for contactless transfer of sterile materials from the sterile interior of a container to the sterile clean room of an isolator with a non-sterile environment. The RTP system comprises a container side portion (commonly referred to as the beta section) that attaches to the opening of the container and a complementary isolator side section (commonly referred to as the alpha section) that attaches to the isolator. Prior to material transfer, a container having a container side portion is docked or mechanically coupled to the isolator side portion.

The container side part is positioned in front of the opening of the container and has an annular flange with an inserted seal, a container lid for sealing the opening during transport and docking means for docking to the isolator side part. Prepare. The isolator side part has a port opening surrounded by an annular flange with an inserted seal, a port door that seals the port opening and can only be opened when the container is docked, and a docking means for the container. docking means which are complementary and which ensure mechanical locking between the two annular flanges on the one hand and between the container lid and the port door on the other hand when the container is docked. If the docked container is rotatable about the central axis of the port opening, this can be achieved, for example, by rotating the container.

When the closure lid is locked to the port door, the non-sterile facing surfaces of the closure lid and the port door are pressed together to form a seal or tight fit between the port door and the closure lid. The port door and container lid then move together in a locked position to an open position inside the isolator, releasing the opening and port opening for transferring sterile material from the container to the clean room. For RTP systems with cleanroom side port door operation, this is accomplished by the operator using the glove port to grasp the port door operating handle and move it to the open position inside the cleanroom. This open position is normally located on the side of the port opening. For RTP systems with external port door operation, an operator outside the clean room operates a mechanism in the wall of the isolator that moves the port door to the open position. After the material is removed from the container, the port door and container lid return together to the closed position, first closing the opening and port opening and then unlocking the two annular flanges from each other and the closing lid and port door. , and finally, undocking and moving the container away from the isolator by unlocking and separating the two parts of the RTP system.

Containers, combinations and methods of the kind mentioned in the introduction have already been disclosed in the applicant's US Pat. There, the material receiver consists of a perforated basket that is movable relative to the container and receives the injectable material. During transport, the basket is in transport position inside the closed container. To remove material, the basket can be moved along the linear guide to the removal position. In the removal position, the basket protrudes partially into the clean room through the opening. This operation is accomplished by an operator grasping the handle of the basket from the clean room through the glove port and pulling the basket out of the container.

A container with pull-out material receptacles for individual objects such as spare parts, wherein the drawers for placing the objects are mounted on rails http://www.castus.pro/en Available at /gamma-equipment/drawer-and-rail-system/. Again, an operator must grab a drawer from the cleanroom and pull it out of the container to remove the item.

However, because the port door extends relatively deep inside the cleanroom due to the container lid locking with the port door, the operator can reach the material receiver through the glove port across the open port door. is difficult or impossible to grasp and pull into the clean room or fully back into the container. This is because in an RTP system operating the port door from the cleanroom side, two glove ports are required on either side adjacent to the RTP, one to open and close the container lid and the locked port door, The other is meant for withdrawing or returning the material receiver after removing the material. This in turn increases the space requirements of these RTP systems. In addition, grove ports in RTP systems should be avoided as much as possible.

Manual movement of the material receiver through the glove port is less automated and requires more time to remove material.

EP-A-2823828 DE-A-102016001027 WO2017/129362

Based on this, the object of the present invention is to minimize the number of glove ports in the RTP system and to achieve a higher degree of automation and a reduction in the time required to remove material. It is to improve containers, combinations and methods of the kind described.

To this end, the features of the parts characterized in claims 1, 12 and 14 are proposed according to the invention.

Accordingly, at least one ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic body is attached to the material receptacle and is located near the peripheral wall of the container, and at least one magnet or ferromagnetic material is applied to the peripheral wall outside the container. It is movable or moves parallel to the linear guide by means of at least one magnet or strong magnet, which moves linearly along and acts contactlessly on the magnetic body by means of magnetic attraction through the peripheral wall.

If the ferromagnetic material and/or permanent magnetic material and the magnet and/or ferromagnetic material are opposed on both sides of the peripheral wall so as to attract each other, a state of equilibrium is established and the magnetic field lines between the magnetic material and the magnet are directed to the peripheral wall. oriented perpendicular to the For example, if the balance is disturbed by linearly moving the magnet along the peripheral wall away from the magnetic body, the lines of magnetic force will bend. This causes the driving forces to act on the magnetic bodies in the same direction in an attempt to restore equilibrium. This driving force causes the magnetic body to move synchronously with the magnet when the magnetic attraction force is large enough to overcome the frictional force opposing movement and provide a stable magnetic coupling. The latter is achieved by maximizing the magnetic attraction as much as possible and minimizing the distance as much as possible.

The combination of features according to the invention allows the material receiver to be moved from the transfer position to the removal position and back to the transfer position by an operator located outside the isolator without intervention into the clean room. become. This means that only a single glove port is required in an RTP system with port door operation on the clean room side. In addition, if necessary, a stepper motor, or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder may be used to move at least one magnet or strong magnet along the outside of the container to remove material. Time can be reduced and the degree of automation increased.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a container having two opposing ends and a generally constant container cross-section between those ends, as is common for the delivery of sterile materials to RTP systems. , the opening is positioned at one end and the magnetic body is positioned near the other end when the material receiver is in the transport position. In this way, by moving the magnetic body along the linear guide closer to the opening, the material receptacle in the removal position can be moved particularly away from the container into the clean room.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the peripheral wall of the container is made of a non-magnetic material, which allows magnetic attractive forces to be transmitted undisturbed through the wall, thus allowing magnetic forces to move magnetic bodies. . In principle, the peripheral wall can consist of plastic or metal. Preferably, the peripheral wall consists of non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel, as this allows very good sterilization.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, when the at least one magnet and/or the at least one ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic body comprises a rare earth magnet, preferably a neodymium (NdFeB) magnet, the maximum attractive force , and thus maximum drive power, are achieved at relatively low cost. This is because neodymium magnets have a very strong magnetic attraction while being available at a relatively low cost. It is advantageous to use neodymium magnets marked SH, UH or EH, as containers with material receiving parts are customarily sterilized in autoclaves where the temperature is usually above 120°C.

In principle, instead of using permanent magnets, the magnet(s) may also be constituted by electromagnets, which can also be used to achieve very high magnetic attractive forces.

In order to achieve a large attractive force, the at least one magnet and/or the at least one ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic body are preferably both magnetic field lines on the side of the magnet or magnetic body that faces outwards when viewed from the peripheral wall. may be provided with one or more pot or yoke magnets, including ferromagnetic pots or yokes that redirect the magnets to the side adjacent the peripheral wall.

Since it is customary for steam to be supplied to the interior of the container during sterilization of the material, a further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that at least one magnetic body has a shell or coating made from a rust-resistant material. shall be granted. Preferably, the magnetic body is covered by a thin shell of stainless steel plate, which is easier to implement for ferromagnetic bodies because the arc discharge is not deflected by the magnetic field lines during arc welding. Magnetic bodies, on the other hand, can be chrome-plated or nickel-plated, for example, to prevent oxidation and thus contamination of the material in the container.

On the other hand, according to a further advantageous embodiment, it is advantageous to move the material receptacle on rollers along linear guides, thereby minimizing the frictional forces reacting to the movement of the material receptacle. is. The ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic bodies are supported by the material receiver and are not supported against the peripheral wall of the container or the linear guides.

In order to prevent friction-induced material depletion and thus possible contamination of the sterile material in the container, the at least one magnetic body is always kept at a short distance from the peripheral wall when it is moved along the linear guide and is positioned on the inner surface of the peripheral wall. Advantageously, there is an air gap between the magnetic body and the opposing surface. This air gap preferably has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm to a maximum of 3 mm in order to minimize the distance between the magnet and the magnetic body and ensure stable magnetic coupling during movement.

A small air gap should also be provided between the at least one magnet outside the container and the outer surface of the peripheral wall to avoid scratches on the outer surface of the peripheral wall during use. Alternatively, however, the magnet may be provided with a thin friction-reducing layer, for example made of PTFE, on the side facing the peripheral wall.

In order to minimize the size and weight of the at least one magnetic body without a corresponding reduction in the magnetic attraction force, the magnetic body, on the side facing the peripheral wall, is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the peripheral wall and the container is If generally cylindrical, it is advantageous to have a surface shape with an arcuate cross-section with a corresponding radius of curvature. If the magnetic body contains a plurality of permanent magnets, these are preferably arranged along an arc on the side of the magnetic body adjacent to the peripheral wall.

In principle, a single large rare earth permanent magnet, preferably a neodymium magnet, can be used as the magnet outside the container, which includes a single ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic body inside the container, For example, in the first case mentioned, a single larger magnetic body made of iron or a ferrous material or a single large permanent magnet, conveniently either a rare earth magnet or a ferrite magnet, are opposed.

However, a plurality of disc-shaped or plate-shaped permanent magnets outside the container, next to each other in the circumferential direction and/or one behind the other in the direction of movement, is advantageously a single ferromagnetic body inside the container. or a plurality of permanent magnetic bodies, expediently placed opposite a corresponding number of disc-shaped or plate-shaped permanent magnets, to reduce the weight of the magnets and/or magnetic bodies without affecting the magnetic coupling. I have found that it can be reduced. In the latter case, the orientation and magnetization of the opposing permanent magnets are chosen such that the north pole facing the inner peripheral wall of the container faces the south pole facing the outer peripheral wall of the container. Disc-shaped or plate-shaped permanent magnets are referred to herein as magnets whose thickness in a plane parallel to the peripheral wall is less than half the diameter of the magnet or less than half the lateral dimension of the magnet.

Especially if the material receiver has a flat support surface for receiving the individual objects, the at least one magnetic body is advantageously arranged below the material support, so that the material above the support surface will make more space available. And in this case at least one magnet or strong magnet can be moved under the container. However, the magnetic body may be arranged above the material support, and the magnet or ferromagnetic may be displaceable above the container.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the combination of isolator and docked container comprises a table or trolley supporting the container and provided with linear guides for the magnets. In principle, the outer surface of the peripheral wall could serve as a linear guide.

At least one magnet is preferably displaceable along a linear guide of the table or trolley to ensure a constant distance between the magnetic body and the magnet along the path of movement of the material receiver and the magnet, Movement of the magnet is conveniently limited by stops in the transport and removal positions of the material receiver.

If the walls of the isolator are not transparent, it is easy for the operator to determine whether the at least one magnetic material inside the container is moving with the linear movement of the at least one magnet without looking into the clean room through the window. is not possible. To enable such determination from the outside, a preferred embodiment of the present invention determines the attractive force between the magnetic body and the magnet so that when the magnetic body faces the magnet inside the container, the magnet is shall be large enough to adhere to the exterior of the In that case, the magnet moves away from the peripheral wall if no ferromagnetic or permanent magnetic material is present in front of or behind the magnetic body in the direction of movement. This movement is visible to the operator and indicates that the magnetic coupling no longer exists. Therefore, attaching the magnet to the peripheral wall is also advantageous in that a constant distance is always secured between the magnet and the magnetic body during linear movement.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to some exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a container and a storage table according to the present invention with a container lid; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and a storage table according to the present invention with a container lid; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and a storage table according to the present invention without a container lid; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and a storage table according to the present invention without a container lid; FIG. Fig. 1c is an enlarged perspective view of a container and storage table similar to Fig. 1c; Fig. Id is an enlarged perspective view of a container and storage table similar to Fig. Id; Fig. 1c is an enlarged side view of the container and storage table according to Fig. 1c; Fig. Id is an enlarged side view of the container and storage table according to Fig. Id; Figure 3b is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the container and storage table along line IV-IV of Figure 3a; FIG. 4B is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the container on the storage table and part of the isolator after docking the container side portion of the RTP system to the isolator side portion, with the material receiving portion of the container in the transport position; Fig. 11 is a corresponding longitudinal section view, but after opening the port door and container lid of the RTP system, with the material receptacle in the removal position; 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of detail VI of FIG. 4 according to the first exemplary embodiment; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of detail VI of FIG. 4 according to a second exemplary embodiment; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of detail VI of FIG. 4 according to a third exemplary embodiment; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of detail VI of FIG. 4 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of detail VI of FIG. 4 according to a fifth exemplary embodiment; FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of detail VI of FIG. 4 according to a sixth exemplary embodiment; FIG.

A container 10 according to the invention, shown in FIGS. and to transport or sterilize replacement parts or format parts for a closing machine (not shown). Sterilization of the material previously introduced into the container 10 is carried out inside the container 10, for example by feeding superheated steam into the container 10 in an autoclave. The container 10 with the sterile material is then transported to the isolator 14 for docking the container 10 to the isolator 14 and introducing the material into the clean room 12 .

To prevent contamination of sterile materials within container 10 during transport to and docking to isolator 14, isolator 14 and container 10 are equipped with a rapid transfer port (RTP) system. Here, the isolator 14 is provided with an isolator-side portion 16 (also referred to as the alpha portion) of the RTP system, while the container 10 is provided with a complementary container-side portion 18 (also referred to as the beta portion) of the RTP system. ) is provided. Suitable Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) systems are provided, for example, by Getinge-LaCalhene.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the container 10 has a generally cylindrical peripheral wall 22 closed at one end by a flat end wall 24 and at the other end for introducing materials into the container 10 and An opening 26 is provided through which it can be removed from the container 10 . The opening 26 is closed by the container lid 20 during transportation of the container. At least the peripheral wall 22 is made of austenitic stainless steel, such as non-magnetic V2A steel. The open cross-section of opening 26 substantially corresponds to the inner cross-section of peripheral wall 22 . The container 10 is provided with four legs 28 , one pair of which are located near the end wall 24 and one pair which are located near the opening 26 .

On the end wall 24, the container 10 can have a media connection (not shown) to a filter through which superheated steam can be sent into the interior of the closed container 10 to sterilize the material. can.

For transport and removal of material, the container 10 is provided with a material receiver 30 on which material can be placed. In the transport position (FIGS. 2a and 5a) the material receiver 30 is completely inside the container 10. FIG. When the container lid 20 is open, the material receiver 30 moves along a linear guide 34 parallel to the longitudinal center axis 32 of the container 10 so that the material receiver 30 is partially removed from the container 10 through the opening 26 . can be moved to a removal position where the

The material receiver 30 shown in the drawings consists essentially of a flat plate 36 arranged slightly below the central longitudinal axis 32 , the two opposite edges 38 of which extend downward along the peripheral wall 22 . bent in the direction Attached to each of the two edges 38 are four pairs of rotatable rollers 40 . The rollers 40 of each pair of rollers bear and roll in each case on the narrow sides of two guide rails 42 of the linear guide 34, one from above and one from below. Parallel guide rails 42 are fastened with one of their wide sides to the ends of the legs 28 projecting inwardly beyond the peripheral wall 22 .

As best shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the rapid transfer port (RTP) system beta section 18 includes an annular flange 46 surrounding the opening 26 and screwed to an end flange 44 of the peripheral wall 22, and an annular flange 46. It includes an annular seal 48 inserted therein and a container lid 20 . When closed, the container lid 20 has a conical outer peripheral surface that seals against a complementary conical inner peripheral surface of the annular seal 48 to seal the opening 26 during material transfer and material sterilization.

As best shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the alpha section 16 of the rapid transfer port (RTP) system is rigidly connected to the compartment wall 52 of the isolator 14 and has a circular profiled port opening (visible in the drawings). ), an annular flange 54 rotatable relative to the mounting flange 50, and an annular seal (not visible in the drawing) inserted within the annular flange 54. Alpha section 16 is pivotally attached to mounting flange 50 and further includes a port door 56 having a circular profile.

The alpha portion 16 and beta portion 18 are further provided with complementary locking devices (not visible in the drawings). Complementary locking devices ensure interlocking of the two annular flanges 54 and 46 of the alpha portion 16 and beta portion 18 respectively on the one hand and the container lid 20 on the other hand when the container 10 is docked. and the interlocking of the port door 56. Thus, on the one hand, the container 10 is secured to the isolator 14 and, on the other hand, the opposing non-sterile surfaces of the two annular flanges 54 and 46 on the one hand and the port door 56 and the container lid 20 on the other hand. Non-sterile surfaces are in contact with each other and are in intimate contact with each other.

In order to dock the container 10 to the isolator 14 after sterilization of the material and to supply the material to the isolator 14, the container 10 is first transported to the isolator 14 (FIG. 1a) and the four legs 28 of the container 10 are moved to the isolator 14. , on a table 58 (FIG. 1b). The height of the table 58 matches the height of the isolator side alpha section 16 of the rapid transfer port system. The legs 60 of the table 58 may be provided with casters (not shown). Upon docking, the locking devices of the alpha section 16 and beta section 18 engage each other and the container 10 is secured to the isolator 14 by rotating the annular flange 54 .

If the container, rather than the annular flange 54, rotates about the central axis of the port opening for docking, the material receptacle 30 may include a clip or a Other fastening means are provided.

After docking container 10 (FIG. 5a), container lid 20 and port door 56 are both opened to expose the port opening. For this purpose, a single glove port (not shown) is provided near the port opening of isolator 14 . The glove port protrudes into the clean room 12 , and an operator inserts his/her hand into this port to operate the unlocking lever 61 of the port door 56 to unlock the port door 56 . The port door 56 and container lid 20 then pivot together about a vertical pivot located laterally adjacent the port opening into the clean room 12, as shown in Figure 5b.

In the docked state, the material receiver 30 can be partially pulled out of the container 10 and into the clean room 12 without the operator wearing gloves having to reach into the clean room 12 and pull the material receiver 30 out of the container 10 through the port opening. A ferromagnetic material and/or a permanent magnetic material 62 is attached to the material receptacle 30 for movement. The ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic material 62 is moved non-contactingly through the peripheral wall 22 parallel to the linear guide 34 by magnetic attraction as the magnet 64 moves linearly along the peripheral wall 22 outside and below the container 10 . The material receiver 30, which is moved and fixedly connected to the magnetic body 62, can be moved from the transport position to the removal position, and can be returned to the transport position again after removing the material.

As best shown in FIGS. 4, 5a and 5b, the magnetic bodies 62 project downwardly across the plate 36 of the material receiver 30. FIG. This magnetic body is rigidly connected to plate 36 . Magnetic body 62 has an enlarged lower portion 66 that extends downwardly into the immediate vicinity of peripheral wall 22 . The lower surface of the magnetic body 62 adjacent the peripheral wall 22 is curved according to the curvature of the peripheral wall 22, as best shown in FIGS. It is separated from the peripheral wall 22 .

The magnetic body 62 is near the end wall 24 when the material receiver 30 is in the transport position (FIG. 5a). When material receiver 30 is in the removal position (FIG. 5b), magnetic material 62 is near opening 26 but still inside container 10 .

As best shown in FIG. 4, the magnets 64 are part of a carriage 70 along two round bars 72 that serve as linear guides parallel to the horizontal top surface of the table 58 . Displaceable. The ends of the round bar 72 are held by two supports 74 projecting above the top surface of the table, the height of these supports being adapted to the height of the legs 28 of the container 10 . In this way the magnet 64 is displaceable from the underside of the peripheral wall 22 along the round bar 72 . The upper surface of the magnet adjacent to the peripheral wall 22 is curved according to the curvature of the peripheral wall 22 to place the container 10 on the upper surface of the table and center the vertical longitudinal center plane of the container 10 between the round bars 72 and round. After being oriented parallel to the bar 72, it is separated from the peripheral wall 22 by a thin air gap 76 having a constant gap width of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. A handle 78 protruding to one side is used to displace the carriage 70 along the two round bars 72 .

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6-10, the magnetic body 62 is a single ferromagnetic body 62 made of soft iron and encased in a non-magnetic thin stainless steel plate cladding 80 .

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the magnet 64 is a single cube-shaped neodymium (NdFeB) magnet 82 embedded or inserted into a carriage 70 of plastic or metal.

A second exemplary embodiment in FIG. 7 has a single cylindrical ferrite magnet 84 embedded or inserted in the carriage 70, the surface of this magnet facing the peripheral wall 22 in the plane of FIG. , in that it has a radius of curvature corresponding to that of the peripheral wall 22 in order to bring the magnets 84 closer to the peripheral wall 22 .

In a third exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of disk-shaped neodymium (NdFeB) magnets 86 are embedded in the carriage 70 side by side in the circumferential direction and one behind the other in the direction of travel of the carriage 70 . The end faces of these magnets are oriented maximally parallel to the opposing portions of the peripheral wall 22 . The neodymium magnets 86 are oriented such that the north and south poles are opposite the peripheral wall 22 and alternate along the peripheral wall 22 and in the direction of movement.

In a fourth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of bar-shaped (NdFeB) magnets 88 with ferromagnetic steel yokes 90 having U-shaped cross-sections are arranged circumferentially next to each other in the carriage 70 . embedded in or inserted into Yoke 90 deflects the magnetic lines of force on the side of magnet 88 that faces outward from peripheral wall 22 toward the side adjacent to peripheral wall 22 , thereby increasing the attractive force between magnet 88 and magnetic body 62 .

In a fifth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10, magnet 64 is electromagnet 92 with iron core 94 inserted into hole 96 of carriage 70 . The iron core 94 has curved end faces whose radius of curvature matches the radius of curvature of the peripheral wall 22 .

In a sixth exemplary embodiment in FIG. 11, the permanent and ferromagnetic bodies 62 comprise a plurality of cylindrical neodymium (NdFeB) magnets 100 provided with steel ferromagnetic pots 98, these The magnets are embedded or inserted into the magnetic body 62 side by side in the circumferential direction and one behind the other in the direction of movement. A corresponding neodymium magnet 102 is inserted or embedded in the carriage 70 and comprises a ferromagnetic pot 104 made of steel. Magnets 100 and 102 are oriented such that the north pole of magnet 102 in carriage 70 faces the south pole of magnet 100 in magnetic body 62 and vice versa.

Instead of the pot magnet 100 in the magnetic body 62 and the pot magnet 102 in the carriage 70, a cylindrical, disk-shaped or otherwise shaped permanent magnet may be provided there. Instead of a single magnetic body 62, a plurality of separate magnetic bodies (not shown) may be fastened to the material receiver 30, each separate magnetic body having one or more external magnets (see not shown) works.

In principle, it is also possible to reverse the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. will be moved by a ferromagnetic body located outside the container 10, for example by a ferromagnetic carriage 70. FIG.

After opening port door 56 and container lid 20 , the operator moves carriage 70 toward compartment wall 52 of isolator 14 by handle 78 . At this time, the magnetic attraction acting between the magnet 64 and the magnetic body 62 through the peripheral wall 22 without contact causes the magnetic body 62 to move toward the isolator 14 together with the magnet 64 due to magnetic coupling. As a result, the material receiver 30 also moves along the rails 42 in the direction of the isolator 14 and overcomes rolling friction on the rails 42 if the attractive force is sufficiently great. The material receiver 30 then moves through the port opening to its removal position, where the material receiver 30 protrudes a short distance into the clean room 12, as shown in Figure 5b. Movement of material receiver 30 beyond this position is prevented by carriage 70 striking a support 74 adjacent isolator 14 .

After removing the material, the operator again moves the carriage 70 away from the isolator 14 until the carriage touches the support 74 away from the isolator 14 and the material receiver 30 returns to the transport position.

Claims (14)

A container (10) for transporting and removing sterile materials within a cleanroom (12) of an isolator (14), comprising:
an opening (26), and
A container side portion (18) of a rapid transfer port system, comprising a container lid (20) closing said opening (26), and a complementary isolator side portion (10) of said rapid transfer port system. means (46) for docking to 16); and
a material receiver (30) movable with respect to said container (10), which in a transport position lies entirely within said closed container (10), said container (10) being docked; a linear guide (34) to a removal position in which the material receiver (30) protrudes at least partially into the clean room (12) through the opening (26) when the container lid (20) is open; In a container (10) further comprising a material receiver (30) movable along
characterized by at least one ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic material (62),
The at least one ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic body (62) is attached to the material receiver (30) and located near the peripheral wall (22) of the container (10), and comprises at least one movable parallel to said linear guide (34) by means of a magnet (64) or a strong magnet;
The at least one magnet (64) or strong magnet is adapted to move the material receiver (30) to the removal position and back to the transfer position without intervention of the isolator (14). To do so, the container moves linearly along the peripheral wall (22) outside the container (10) and acts contactlessly on the magnetic body (62) by magnetic attraction through the peripheral wall (22). A container (10) according to claim 1, characterized by two opposite ends and a generally constant container cross-section between said two opposite ends, said material receiver (30) A container wherein, when in the transport position, the opening (26) is located at one said end and the magnetic material (62) is located near the other said end. A container (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said peripheral wall (22) consists of non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel. The container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one magnetic body (62) and/or said at least one magnet (64) comprises said peripheral wall (22) and said A container spaced apart from said peripheral wall (22) such that there is an air gap (68, 76) between the opposing surfaces of the magnetic material (62) and/or magnets (64). A container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said peripheral wall (22) is cylindrical and said at least one magnetic body (62) and/or said at least one magnet ( 64) is a container having a surface with an arcuate cross-section facing said peripheral wall (22). A container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one magnetic body (62) is provided with a covering (80) or coating made from a rust resistant material. container. A container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said at least one magnetic body (62) consists of iron or steel. 7. The container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said at least one magnetic body (62) and/or said at least one magnet (64) partially or wholly , a container made of rare earth permanent magnetic material or ferrite material. 9. The container (10) of claim 8, wherein the rare earth permanent magnetic material of the magnetic body (62) comprises at least one neodymium (NdFeB) magnet designated SH, UH or EH. container. The container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said at least one ferromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic material (62) and/or said at least one magnet (64) are at least one pot magnet (100, 102) or permanent magnet (88), said at least one pot magnet (100, 102) or permanent magnet (88) facing outward from said peripheral wall (22); A container comprising a ferromagnetic pot (98, 104) or yoke (90) that redirects magnetic field lines on the side of the magnetic body (62) or said magnet (64) to the side adjacent to said peripheral wall (22). A container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said at least one magnetic body (62) is arranged below said material receiver (30). 12. An isolator (14) having a clean room (12), an isolator side part (18) of a rapid transfer port system and a container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 docked to said isolator (14). in a combination consisting of
characterized by at least one magnet (64) or strong magnet, said at least one magnet (64) or strong magnet being in a straight line outside said container (10) along said peripheral wall (22) of said container (10). In order to be movable and move parallel to the linear guide (34) with the magnetic body (62) during its linear movement, and without intervening in the isolator (14), The at least one ferromagnetic body and/or the at least one ferromagnetic body and/or magnetically attracted through the peripheral wall (22) in a non-contact manner to move the material receiver (30) to the removal position and back to the transfer position. Or a combination acting on a permanent magnetic body (62). 13. A combination according to claim 12, by a table (58) or trolley supporting said container (10) and having a linear guide (72) for said at least one magnet (64) or strong magnet. Characterized combination. A method of transporting sterile material in a container (10) and removing said material in a clean room (12) of an isolator (14), comprising:
Said container (10) comprises a container side portion (18) of a rapid transfer port system having an opening (26) and a container lid (20) closing said opening (26); a material receiver (30) movable by
said isolator (14) comprises a complementary isolator side portion (16) of said rapid transfer port system for docking said container (10);
Said material receiver (30) in transport position is located inside said closed container (10) and when said container (10) is docked and said container lid (20) is open, said Moving along a linear guide (34) to a removal position for removing material, in said removal position said material receiver is at least partially passed through said opening (26) into said clean room (12). protruding in a way
at least one ferromagnetic material mounted near the peripheral wall (22) of the container (10) on the material receiver (30) after docking the container (10) and opening the container lid (20); and/or by a permanent magnetic body (62) and linearly moving along the peripheral wall (22) outside the container (10) and without intervening the isolator (14). 22) through at least one magnet (64) or strong magnet acting on said magnetic body (62) in a non-contact manner by magnetic attraction, said material receiver (30) is moved along said linear guide (34) to said removal A method characterized by moving to a position and returning to said transport position.

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