RU2820113C2 - Assembly for two-door transfer system of simplified production - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: machine building.

SUBSTANCE: assembly for a two-door sealed connection system between two closed spaces, comprising two flanges configured to be attached to each other, and two doors, each of which usually closes the hole limited by the flange. Said assembly comprises flange (120) and seal (138) configured to provide tight contact between flange (120) and seal (138), between seal (138) and the other flange of the connection system and between seal (138) and door (124) closing the hole of the said flange. Flange (120) has groove (140), and seal (138) is a part cast on flange (120) and partially entering groove (140).

EFFECT: simplified two-door transfer system assembly is provided.

15 cl, 10 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

This invention relates to an assembly for a two-door transfer system with simplified manufacturing.

State of the art

In certain industries, such as the nuclear, medical, pharmaceutical and food industries, some work is necessary or desirable to be carried out in a confined space in order to protect the environment, for example, from radioactive radiation, toxic substances, etc., or, conversely, to be able to carry out these works in an aseptic or dust-free atmosphere, or, finally, to carry out both the first and second types of work at the same time.

Creating equipment that allows you to move products from one enclosed space to another without breaking the tightness of both of these spaces relative to the external environment is a difficult task. This task can be solved using a two-door connecting device.

Such a two-door device equipped with a multiple security control system is disclosed, for example, in patent document FR 2 695 343. Each space is closed by a door mounted on a flange. Each door is attached to its flange using a bayonet connection, and both flanges are also configured to be attached to each other using a bayonet connection.

For example, one of the confined spaces is an isolator and the other is a container.

Generally, the connecting part mounted on the insulator is called the alpha part, and the connecting part mounted on the container is called the beta part.

The beta part may be mounted on a rigid container, bag or casing called a "pipe", for example to dispose of waste. The pipe is a flexible casing, usually of great length, which can reach 30 meters, wound around a rigid body. It includes a beta part mounted on a solid body. The flexible casing is gradually unwound to the required length, and then welded and cut. Such a pipe allows the transportation of waste or other products outside the insulator semi-continuously, without violating the tightness.

The alpha and beta parts have seals to prevent leakage at the joints.

The beta flange contains a groove into which the beta seal collar fits.

The beta seal simultaneously serves to ensure:

tightness of the connection between the flange of the beta part and the door of the beta part;

tightness between beta flange and alpha flange; And

seal between the beta flange and the seal collar.

The assembly of the seal collar in the flange groove is an important point, since the tightness between the collar and the flange depends on it. The assembly operation is difficult because the collar may become twisted during assembly.

Thus, the assembly operation can be complex and time-consuming, which increases production costs. Additionally, in pharmaceutical applications, bags or containers equipped with a beta part are manufactured in a clean room, further complicating the assembly of the flange seal.

In addition, there is a risk that the seal may slip out of the groove, particularly during the autoclave cycle. Therefore, the flange must be designed to prevent this phenomenon.

Disclosure of the invention

Thus, the object of the invention is to create a two-door transmission system assembly with simplified manufacturing.

The above object is achieved by a two-door transfer system assembly including a flange closed by a door and a seal secured to the flange, which assembly is at least partially manufactured by additional casting.

With this technology there is no longer any operation of assembling the seal in the flange and therefore the risk of incorrect assembly is eliminated. In addition, the production time for the beta part is reduced. The risk of leaks is also reduced.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the flange is pre-fabricated and includes a groove, and then the seal is molded onto the flange. Preferably, the bottom of the groove has through holes through which seal material can flow, providing improved seal retention to the flange.

In one preferred embodiment, the seal ring is positioned against the radial inner wall of the flange groove prior to assembly, further enhancing the tightness of the flange-seal connection.

In another embodiment of the invention, the seal is prefabricated and the flange is molded onto the seal.

Thus, one aspect of the invention is an assembly for a two-door sealed connection system between two enclosed spaces, comprising two flanges configured to be mounted on top of each other, and two doors, each of which typically covers an opening defined by a flange, said assembly comprising a flange and a seal configured to provide a sealed contact between the flange and the seal, between the seal and another flange of the connection system, and between the seal and a door covering an opening of said flange, the seal or flange being a part molded onto the flange or seal, respectively.

In a preferred embodiment, the flange includes a groove surrounding a central opening of the flange, with a portion of the seal fitting into said groove.

For example, the flange may include at least one channel, and thus the seal material penetrates into the space between the inner region of the flange and the radially outer surface of the flange.

Preferably, at least one channel connects the inner cavity of the groove with the radially outer surface of the flange.

In one possible embodiment, the seal material on the radially outer surface of the flange may form a ring completely surrounding the flange.

In another possible embodiment, the seal material on the radially outer surface of the flange may form a sleeve completely surrounding the flange.

Preferably, the assembly includes at least one sealing ring mounted against the radially inner longitudinal wall of the groove, the seal being molded onto the flange and said sealing ring. Preferably, the seal and the O-ring are made of the same material.

For example, the flange is made from a thermoplastic polymer, and the seal is made from a thermoset polymer or thermoplastic polymer.

Another object of the invention is a transfer device for a two-door sealed connection system, including a unit according to the invention and a container sealed to a flange.

In one embodiment, the container is rigid and formed as a single piece with a flange.

In another embodiment, the container is flexible and attached to a flange. The flexible container may be a shell.

Another object of the invention is a method for manufacturing an assembly according to the invention, including:

- ensuring the presence of a flange;

- installation of a mold on the flange, which together with the flange determines the final shape of the seal;

- injection of plastic material of this seal into the mold and into the flange and/or onto the flange;

- curing of said material;

- removing the unit from the mold.

The proposed manufacturing method may include manufacturing the flange by casting a thermoplastic material.

Another object of the invention is a method for manufacturing an assembly according to the invention, including:

ensuring the presence of a seal;

installing a mold on at least part of the seal, which together with the seal determines the final shape of the flange;

injecting plastic flange material into the mold and into the seal and/or onto the seal;

curing said material;

removing the assembly from the mold.

The proposed manufacturing method may include manufacturing the seal by casting a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer material.

Another object of the invention is a method for manufacturing an assembly according to the invention by means of double injection, comprising:

providing at least one mold that defines the final outer shape of the assembly;

injecting the first flange or seal material into the mold;

curing said first material;

injecting a second seal or flange material into the mold;

curing said second material;

removing the assembly from the specified mold.

Brief description of drawings

The invention will be better understood after reading the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

in fig. 1 schematically shows the connection of the container with the insulator using a two-door sealed transfer device with a bayonet-type connection, a longitudinal section view;

in fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a two-door coupling system in which a beta part known in the art is mounted on an alpha part;

in fig. 3A shows an embodiment of a beta part assembly according to the invention in longitudinal section;

in fig. 3B is a detail view of FIG. 3A;

in fig. 4 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 3A is a perspective view;

in fig. 5 shows the flange of the assembly shown in FIG. 3A, without seal, top perspective view;

in fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the assembly shown in FIG. 3A is a side perspective view;

in fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, a perspective view;

in fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, a longitudinal section view;

in fig. 9 shows another embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale.

Carrying out the invention

In fig. 1 is a diagram of a specific possible embodiment of a two-door transfer system.

In the following description, the two enclosed spaces, the tightness of which it is desirable to check before connecting them, will be referred to as the isolator 10 and the container 12, respectively. However, it should be borne in mind that the present invention is also applicable in the case where the enclosed spaces may be, without limitation, for example, in one case, a glove box, and in another case, a container or glove box.

The insulator 10 is delimited by a wall 14, only part of which is visible in FIG. 1. It will typically be provided, for example, with remote control means, such as remote controls and/or gloves (not shown) attached to the wall 14, by which the central control mechanism within the isolator 10 can be manipulated. The container 12 is also limited wall 16, as shown in particular in FIG. 1.

The two-door sealed transfer device generally includes an isolator flange 18, a container flange 20, an isolator door 22 generally covering a circular opening defined by the isolator flange 18, and a container door 24 generally closing and opening the opening defined by the container flange 20. The insulator flange 18 and the container flange 20 are attached, respectively, to the wall 14 of the insulator 10 and to the wall 16 of the container 12. In the example under consideration, the isolator door 22 is hinged to the insulator flange 18 using a hinge 26.

The means, designated generally by the reference numeral 28, serves to control the opening and closing of the doors 22 and 24.

For example, the container door 24 may be attached to the container flange 20 using a bayonet connection 30, as described in patent document FR 2 695 343. For example, to be able to attach the container flange 20 to the isolator flange 18 and the container door 24 to the isolator door 22, The two-door sealed transfer system also includes two other bayonet connections, designated respectively by reference numerals 32 and 34. The three bayonet connections 30, 32 and 34 are configured such that once the container flange 20 is positioned against the insulator flange 18, rotation of the container 12 relative to its axis, for example, clockwise, leads to the fastening of the container flange 20 with the insulator flange 18, the fastening of the container door 24 and the isolator door 22 to each other, and the detachment of the container door 24 from the container flange 20. These last two operations occur sequentially such that the opening of the container occurs only after the container door 24 has been detached from the isolator door 22 to form a double door.

The assembly formed by the isolator flange and the isolator door is commonly referred to as the "alpha part". The assembly formed by the container flange and the container door is commonly referred to as the "beta part".

In general, a two-door transmission system has rotational symmetry about the X axis, which is the axis of the insulator flange.

In fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the two-door system in the closed state with the beta part mounted on the alpha part. The alpha portion includes a seal 36 mounted on the periphery of the isolator door 22 . The seal 36 is in contact with the alpha flange and the beta part container door. The beta portion includes a seal 38 mounted on a flange 20 adjacent an opening closed by the container door 24. The seal 38 is in contact with the beta container door 24 and the front surface of the insulator flange 18.

This invention relates in particular to beta parts comprising, for example, a rigid container, a flexible pouch or a casing.

In fig. 3A is a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a flange 120 and a beta seal according to the invention forming a beta assembly, and FIG. 3B is a detail view of FIG. 3A. In fig. 4 is a perspective view of the flange shown in FIG. 3A, without door. In fig. Figure 5 shows the flange before the seal is cast on it.

In this example, a bayonet type connection is used as the connection between the door 124 and the flange 120, and the connection of the flange 120 to the alpha part is also a bayonet type connection. These connections are by no means limiting. It is also possible to use connections that operate by snapping or clamping.

The flange 120 has the shape of a body of rotation about the X' axis.

The flange 120 includes a first portion 120.1 containing an alpha portion connecting means and a door engaging means (not shown) for sealing the door in the flange 120, and a second portion 120.2 (tubular in shape in the example considered) extending the first portion. and serving to attach a container, which can be a rigid container or a flexible bag, or a shell, for example, to form a pipe. In fig. 4, a package S is schematically shown attached to the second portion 120.2 of the flange 120.

A seal 138 is installed on the flange 120 to provide a tight connection between the flange 120 and the door 124, as well as between the flange 120 and the alpha part.

The flange 120 includes a groove 140 formed in the first portion 120.1 surrounding the opening of the container flange 120. The groove 140 extends onto a surface in contact with the alpha portion. The groove 140 includes a radially inner wall 140.1, a radially outer wall 140.2 and a bottom portion 140.3.

A radial inner wall 140.1 and a radial outer wall 140.2 provide positioning of the seal 138 relative to the door 14.

The seal 138 is annular in shape and includes a first portion 138.1 located in the groove and a second portion 138.2 projecting from the groove and serving to contact radially with the door and contact longitudinally with the insulator flange.

As shown in the example, and preferably, the bottom portion 140.3 of the groove 140 is provided with holes 142 extending through the bottom portion 140.3 and extending outward (see FIG. 5). In one possible embodiment, the seal 138 is created by casting onto a flange. The seal material partially fits into the groove. In this embodiment, the seal material 138 passes through the holes 142 in the bottom portion 140.3 and forms a ring 143 surrounding the second flange portion 120.2. At the same time, the fixation of the seal on the flange is significantly improved.

In the exemplary embodiment, groove 140 includes tubular concentric walls 140.1 and 140.2. In one embodiment, said walls and/or bottom are shaped to help anchor the seal material in the groove and improve sealing.

For example, a beta flange can be made of plastic, preferably a thermoplastic such as PE (polyethylene), PC (polycarbonate), PS (polysulfone), PP (polypropylene), styrene-acrylic copolymers, such as those sold under the trade name Zylar® , POM (polyoxymethylene), PETPG (glycolysed polyethylene terephthalate), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).

The seal 138 is preferably made of an elastomer, such as thermoset silicone, thermoset EPDM, thermoset LSR, thermoplastic elastomer, or PVC.

Preferably, the choice of materials for the flange and seal is such that a chemical bond can be formed between them. For example, the flange is made of PVC and the seal is also made of PVC. In yet another example, the flange is made of a styrene containing material, such as Zylar® or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), or polystyrene, and the seal is made of thermoplastic styrene elastomer (TPE-S). In another embodiment, the flange is made of polyethylene and the seal is made of unvulcanized thermoplastic olefin elastomer (TEP-O). In yet another embodiment, the flange is made of polypropylene and the seal is made of vulcanized thermoplastic olefin elastomer (TPE-B). In another embodiment, the flange is made of polyurethane and the seal is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE-U). In another embodiment, the flange is made of polyester, such as glycated polyethylene terephthalate (PETTG) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and the seal is made of thermoplastic copolyester (TPE-E).

Below are examples of the manufacturing method.

The first example of the manufacturing method includes:

ensuring the presence of beta flange 120;

installing a mold (not shown) onto the flange 120 defining the full seal shape with the groove;

molding the seal by injection by injecting the seal material into the mold and groove 140;

curing the seal 138, for example by heating in the case of a thermoset material, at a temperature at least equal to the cross-linking temperature. The flange material is then selected so that it can withstand the cross-linking temperature.

For example, the flange is made of polyethylene and the seal is made of silicone.

In this embodiment, the flange preferably forms part of the seal mold.

In the example shown in FIG. 3A, in which the groove 140 includes holes 142 in the bottom portion 140.3, the mold is such that it extends beyond the holes to retain material exiting the holes and thus define the shape of the seal portion located away from the portion 138.2 , protruding from the groove.

The flange 120 may be manufactured by injection molding, for example, thermoplastic. Preferably, in the case of container production, the flange and container are manufactured by casting as a single piece. In the case of a package, the package, for example, can be attached to the flange, for example by welding or casting onto the flange.

The second manufacturing method option includes:

- ensuring the presence of a seal;

- installation of a seal in the flange mold;

- injection of flange material into the mold to cast the flange on the seal;

- hardening of the flange material.

The seal is produced, for example, by casting.

The seal, in particular the first seal portion, is preferably shaped to facilitate securing the flange to the seal and to provide a seal between the flange and the seal. The second embodiment has the advantage of being able to create a seal whose first part has a complex shape, which is particularly advantageous for good flange retention.

In this embodiment, through-channels may be provided in the first seal portion through which flange material may flow, thereby forming flange retaining members extending through the seal.

For example, molds made of steel or aluminum alloy can be used as molds.

In another embodiment, the flange and seal may be manufactured by dual-material injection, in which the flange material is first injected into a tool that defines the shape of the flange, and then the seal material is injected into the same tool.

There are various double injection molding technologies that can be used to produce the assembly according to the invention using different types of molds. For example, one such technology uses injection molds where the part is transferred by hand or robot to the same mold for a second injection. Another technology uses rotary platen casting, in which a partially movable mold rotates 180 degrees to place a first cast product into a cavity for a second material. This rotation is provided by the press plates. Another manufacturing technique is rotary base casting, which uses the same principle as rotary platen casting, but where the rotary mechanism is located inside the mold. The partially movable cavity exits the frame and rotates half a turn before returning to its seat. In another possible embodiment, a sliding-cam or slide-type mold is used, in which the space for injection of the second material is made available by moving the central part.

The production of a beta flange equipped with a seal according to the invention is faster than using methods known in the prior art. In addition, the risk of installing a seal causing a leak is eliminated. In addition, there is no risk of the seal being thrown out of the flange.

The present invention also avoids the need to manage inventory of parts to be assembled.

In fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the seal flange assembly shown in FIG. 3A, in which the injection molding is performed such that the seal material behind the holes 142 forms a sleeve 144 covering a portion of the second part 120.2. The drawing shows a container door 124 covering the center opening of the flange.

Said sleeve 144 improves seal retention on the flange and can serve as a base for printing text indicating, for example, the beta part model and/or date of manufacture. The text characters may be recessed and/or raised and may be created directly by casting or applied, for example, by printing.

In fig. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the flange and bushing assembly shown in FIG. 6, in which the package S is welded directly to the sleeve 144. Alternatively, the package may be welded to the ring 143 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

This embodiment simplifies the container, and therefore the method of its manufacture, not only with regard to the flange material, since it no longer requires the materials of the second flange part 120.2 and the package S to be compatible, but also with regard to the shape of the flange, since the second flange part 120.2 can be significantly shortened.

For example, the seal may be made from a thermoplastic elastomer and the bag may be made from a polymer of the same family. For example, the seal may be made of thermoplastic polyethylene elastomer (TPE-E) and the bag may be made of polyethylene (PE). According to yet another embodiment, the seal is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE-U) and the bag is made of polyurethane (PU).

In fig. 8 shows another preferred embodiment of a beta seal flange having even more improved seal-to-flange sealing.

In this embodiment, an O-ring 146 is installed in the groove. The O-ring 146 is mounted against the radial inner wall of the groove. The seal is then cast onto the flange and O-ring.

Preferably, the O-ring 146 and the molded seal are made of the same material.

Using an O-ring improves the seal between the seal and the flange. The O-ring creates a constant compressive force on the flange, which helps maintain a tight seal. If a leak path develops between the seal and the flange, it will be blocked by the O-ring.

A plurality of sealing rings may be used, positioned in the grooves at various locations in the longitudinal direction.

The alpha seal flange assembly and/or the alpha seal door assembly may also be produced by post-casting.

Likewise, if a seal is required for a beta door, the seal door assembly can be formed by additional casting.

The use of additional casting avoids the operation of assembling the seal on the flange, which could result in damage to the seal, which could lead to loss of seal, and therefore failure of the beta part.

Production times are reduced and production becomes more reliable. In addition, this method makes it easier to meet atmospheric control requirements, such as ensuring the required level of microparticles and microbiological load, in the case of production in clean rooms.

In addition, the beta part obtained using the described method is more reliable due to the fixation of the seal in the flange, which provides better retention of the seal in the flange and a better seal between the seal and the flange.

The risk of seal release during the autoclaving step observed in prior art beta parts is eliminated. This eliminates the need for blowout mitigation measures, reducing the complexity of the flange design.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the flange 120' does not contain a groove, but only a bore 150 located next to the flange hole. In this embodiment, the radial channels 148 in the flange 120' are made through and provide fixation of the seal 138' to the flange. This embodiment simplifies the shape of the container flange portion 120.1, and therefore the design of the flange mold.

Claims (31)

1. An assembly of a two-door sealed connection system between two enclosed spaces, comprising a first flange (120) and a second flange (18) configured to be secured to each other, and two doors, each of which typically covers an opening defined by the flange, said assembly contains a seal (138) configured to provide tight contact between the first flange (120) and the seal (138), between the seal (138) and the second flange (18) and between the seal (138) and the door (124) covering the opening of the first flange, wherein the seal (138) or the first flange (120) is a part cast onto the first flange (120) or the seal (138), respectively, wherein the first flange (120) includes a groove (140) surrounding its central hole, wherein in said groove there is a part of the seal (138), wherein said groove has a bottom part (140.3) containing holes (142) connecting the inner cavity of the groove (140) with the radial outer surface of the first flange (120) so that the seal material extends between the inner surface of the first flange (120) and the radially outer surface of the first flange (120). 2. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal material (138) on the radially outer surface of the first flange (120) forms a ring (143) completely surrounding the first flange (120). 3. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal material (138) on the radially outer surface of the first flange (120) forms a sleeve (144) completely surrounding the first flange (120). 4. Unit according to one of paragraphs. 1-3, characterized in that it contains at least one sealing ring (146) mounted pressed against the radially inner longitudinal wall (140.1) of the groove (140), and the seal (138) is cast onto the first flange (120) and the sealing ring (146). 5. The assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the seal (138) and the sealing ring (146) are made of the same material. 6. Knot according to one of paragraphs. 1-5, characterized in that the first flange (120) is made of a thermoplastic polymer and the seal is made of a thermoset polymer or a thermoplastic polymer. 7. Transfer device for a two-door sealed connecting system, containing a unit according to one of paragraphs. 1-6 and a container sealed to the first flange. 8. The transfer device according to claim 7, characterized in that the container is rigid and made in the form of a single part with a first flange. 9. The transfer device according to claim 7, characterized in that the container is flexible and attached to the first flange. 10. The transfer device according to claim 9, characterized in that the flexible container is a shell. 11. Method of manufacturing a unit according to one of paragraphs. 1-6, including: ensuring the presence of the first flange (120), installation of a mold on the first flange (120), which together with the first flange determines the final shape of the seal, injection of plastic sealing material into the mold and into the first flange and/or onto the first flange, curing of said material, removing the assembly from the mold. 12. The manufacturing method according to claim 11, including manufacturing the first flange by casting a thermoplastic material. 13. Method of manufacturing a unit according to one of paragraphs. 1-6, including: ensuring the presence of a seal (138), installing a mold on at least part of the seal, defining, together with the seal, the final shape of the first flange, injection of plastic material of the first flange into the mold and into the seal and/or onto the seal, curing of said material, removing the assembly from the mold. 14. The manufacturing method of claim 13, comprising manufacturing the seal by casting a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer material. 15. Method of manufacturing a unit according to one of paragraphs. 1-6 via double injection, including: ensuring the presence of at least one mold defining the final external shape of the assembly, injecting a first material of a first flange or seal into the mold; curing said first material, injecting a second seal material or first flange into the mold; curing said second material, removing the assembly from the specified mold.