FR2871213A1 - Enclosure closing and containment device for e.g. pharmaceutical industry, has shutter comprising flexible sheet for being moved by translation according to direction parallel to plane of shutter and for being rolled up around winding drum - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a shutter (13) constituted of a flexible sheet of plane shape for being moved by translation according to a direction parallel to the plane of the shutter and for being deformed in a manner to be rolled up around a winding drum (15). The shutter is supported on a seat (14) of a body (9). The sheet is made up a material impermeable to fluid. The Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a sealed closing and containment gate constituted by two enclosure closing and containment devices (B) a method of containment of an enclosure under lower pressure or under vacuum.

Description

The technical field of the present invention is that of the devices

  closing and confining an enclosure. It also concerns valves and valves to ensure the isolation of an enclosure or a

  tight connection between one or more speakers.

  In many scientific or industrial fields, it is common to operate in a confined atmosphere. This is particularly the case for the pharmaceutical industry, electronics, optics or the medical environment for which the manipulations and experiments must be performed in a sterile environment so as not to be polluted by external elements. The chemical or nuclear industry must also operate in a confined environment so as not to pollute the outside environment by its often harmful emissions.

  The manipulations and experiments are therefore carried out in a confined chamber having one or more openings to allow penetration into this chamber manipulation tools or waterproof gloves. These elements must penetrate the enclosure while avoiding that one medium contaminates the other. It is therefore imperative to use a containment device ensuring firstly the sealing of the enclosure when no intervention is performed, and secondly to allow the introduction, in a confined and sterile, of elements in the enclosure.

  Numerous devices are already known providing a confinement or a tight connection between two enclosures.

  Thus, patent FR-2673990 describes a device ensuring the tight connection between two containers. Such a device implements in particular a double door waterproof transfer system. The sealing door, here acting as a shutter, is moved by a cam system along guide means to a final position, substantially lateral to its initial position, in which it is erased relative to at the opening of the device. Such a device has the main disadvantage of having a large footprint in height. Indeed, such an embodiment imposes a valve height of dimension greater than twice the diameter of the door. Thus, such a valve having an opening 900 mm in diameter must implement a valve of at least 1000 mm in diameter. The height of said valve must therefore be greater than 2000 mm.

  Patent FR-2736129 discloses a valve, or axial valve shutter, comprising a valve of convex shape actuated by an operating mechanism, said mechanism for moving the valve by rotation to make it adopt a position substantially parallel to the axis of the valve. Such a device has the main disadvantage of having a large footprint in length. Indeed, the length of the valve must be larger than the diameter of the valve. Thus, such a valve having an opening 900 mm in diameter must implement a valve of at least 1000 mm in diameter. The dimensions of the valve (height, length and width) must therefore be greater than 1000 mm.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a device for closing and confining an enclosure of reduced size providing a completely clear passage diameter.

  The invention therefore relates to a device for enclosing or sealing a chamber, made by a body comprising a shutter resting on a seat of the body, characterized in that the shutter consists of at least one flexible strip of substantially flat shape in order to be displaced by translation in a direction parallel to the plane of said shutter, then be deformed so as to be wound around a winding drum.

  According to a feature of the invention, the flexible strip is made of a material impervious to fluids.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises at least one holding means exerting pressure on the shutter to maintain it pressed against the seat of the body hermetically.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the holding means is constituted by a ring subjected to the action of a jack or a motor element to apply a holding pressure on the shutter.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the driving element acting on the ring is the winding drum.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the body is hollowed out so as to delimit a first chamber connected to a first chamber and a second chamber connected to a second chamber, to an equipment and to another closure device or to the external environment, the first and second chambers being separated by the shutter, and the flexible strip has on one of its faces reinforcements to allow said shutter, when in a flat position, to withstand pressure differences of several bars between the first and second the second rooms.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the body is hollowed out so as to delimit a first chamber connected to a first chamber and a second chamber connected to a second chamber, to an equipment and to another closure device or to the external environment, the first and second chambers being separated by the shutter, and the shutter is constituted by one or two flexible strips each comprising reinforcements disposed on opposite faces to enable said shutter, to adopt three positions a first closed position for supporting pressure differences of 0 to +2 bars between the first and second chambers, an open intermediate position allowing a passage between the two chambers and a second closed position for supporting pressure differences of -2 to 0 bar between the first and second chambers; and the second bedrooms.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a return member, such as a roller or a pulley, around which the shutter can articulate to be redirected towards the drum.

  The invention also relates to a containment or sealed closure valve providing double containment or double sealing, characterized in that it consists of at least two containment devices or sealed closure defined above, two of which are separable so as to each ensure the containment or sealing of an enclosure.

  The invention also relates to a method for confining an enclosure under low pressure or under vacuum, characterized in that the closure with a device as defined above, is put in relation with equipment or with a removable chamber also equipped with a device as defined above, said devices are connected together and the shutters are actuated when it is desired to communicate the enclosure with the equipment or the removable chamber.

  A first advantage of the device according to the invention resides in its small size.

  Another advantage lies in the variety of dimensioning of the device thus making it possible to produce containment valves having diameters ranging from millimeters to a few meters.

  Another advantage lies in the fact that the passage completely cleared through such a valve according to the invention allows the passage of objects or instruments for manipulation in the enclosure.

  Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description given below as an indication in relation to drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a confinement device according to FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sealed closure device according to the invention in its closed position; FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the operating principle of the shutter of a tight closure device; FIG. 4 shows a sealing device according to the invention in its open position; FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the holding ring; FIGS. 6a to 6c illustrate the principle of operation and use. FIG. of a containment valve according to the invention, - Figures 7a to 7d show an alternative embodiment of the sealing device, and - Figure 8 shows is another embodiment of the sealing device.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a confinement device according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the confinement device 16 is fixed on an enclosure 2 by means of a flange 10 secured to the wall 20 of the enclosure 2. The confinement device 16 is in the form of a body 9 recessed and of which the obvious can be closed by means of a shutter 13. The shutter 13 is made by a flexible sheet 13 of substantially flat shape wound around a drum 15 and guided in translation by slides (not shown ) integral with the body 9 to be unrolled until closing the recess. In the figure, the confinement device is shown in its closed position for which the flexible strip 13 is unwound and rests on a seat 14 of the body 9. The flexible strip is made of a material impermeable to fluids and whose mechanical characteristics it provides flexibility for winding around the drum 15, for example stainless steel, composite material, treated steel, plastic, Teflon or vinyl. When it is desired to open the confinement device, for example to make the enclosure 2 communicate with another enclosure, or to make a handling instrument enter the enclosure, it suffices to control the winding drum 15 by means of a motor (not shown), the strip 13 is then wound around the drum and releases access to the enclosure 2.

  Such a confinement device makes it possible to close the enclosure 2 without polluting the external environment and preserving it from any contamination (dust, gas, particles, etc.). FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a device for sealing a chamber according to the invention. Such a tight closure device makes it possible to ensure the tight closure of an enclosure and to withstand a pressure difference of several bars on either side of its shutter, whereas a confinement device as described above makes it possible to effectively achieve the confinement of a chamber while resisting a pressure difference of a few millibars on either side of its shutter but is not able to withstand the forces due to a pressure difference of several bars.

  In this figure, the sealing device 17 is shown in its closed position. The sealing device 17 consists of a hollow body 3 in order to constitute a first chamber 30, one end of which is connected to an enclosure 2 (not shown) and whose other end is closed by a shutter 4 and a second chamber 31 whose one end is limited by the shutter 4 and the other end is connected to a device 11 (not shown) or to another enclosure. In this embodiment, the shutter 4 is in the form of a flexible strip 18 having an articulated portion 19 and a rigid plate 21. The flexible strip 18 is made of a waterproof material, for example stainless steel, composite material, of treated steel, plastic, Teflon or vinyl. In this closed position, the shutter 4 is substantially flat in its portion located between the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 31. The flexible strip 18 is partially wound at one end around a winding drum 8 and worn by a return roller 7 and completely closes the opening between the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 31. The shutter is carried around the periphery of the chamber 30 by a seat 6 of the body 3. A holding ring 5 exerts a pressure on the shutter to maintain the latter pressed hermetically against the seat 6 of the body 3. In this configuration, the shutter thus provides a hermetic partition between the chambers and 31 of the device.

  Figure 3 partially shows the hinged portion 19 of the shutter. In its articulated part, the shutter 4 is constituted by the flexible strip 18 and by reinforcements 41 integral with the flexible strip 18 and arranged side by side. In this embodiment, the reinforcements 41 are of substantially parallelepipedal shape and made of a rigid material, for example tubes made of stainless steel, PVC, aluminum or composite material.

  FIGS. 2 and 3 show the shutter 4 in the closed position and the pressure in the first chamber 30 is less than the pressure in the second chamber 31, for example when the enclosure 2 connected to is subjected to a high vacuum and the second chamber 31 remains at atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions, the pressure in the second chamber 31 generates a force E acting on the shutter 4 perpendicular to the surface of the shutter. The hinged portion 19 of the shutter then deforms substantially until the reinforcements come into contact with each other at their ends 43 opposite the flexible strip as shown schematically in Figure 3. It is then created a vault effect which prevents any additional deformation and transmits the force E to the seat 6. The reinforcements 41 then provide a stiffening of the shutter by increasing the flexural inertia. The retaining ring 5 keeps the shutter pressed against the seat 6 to ensure a hermetic partition between the chambers 30 and 31 of the device and to prevent any deformation of the shutter at its seat. Another role of the retaining ring is to ensure a pre-seal between the shutter and the body 3.

  Other embodiments are possible, for example using reinforcements of cubic form. Such an embodiment variant allows the shutter to adopt a substantially spherical geometry, the previously mentioned vault effect then applies to both the height and the width of the shutter.

  Figure 4 shows the sealing device 17 according to the invention in its open position. In this position, the retaining ring 5 has been removed from the shutter the winding drum 8 has been actuated in rotation to wind the flexible strip 18 which has moved according to the arrows F1, F2 and F3. The shutter 4 has thus undergone a translation, substantially parallel to its plane in its closed position, along the arrow F1 to the level of the deflection roller 7 on which the articulated portion 19 is wound along the arrow F2 to then undergo a translation along the arrow F3 in the direction of the drum 8. The arrangement of the reinforcements 41 parallel to the axis of the roller 7 advantageously allows the shutter to articulate around the return roller 7 without being stressed at its reinforcements .

  In this embodiment, part of the shutter undergoes no deformation around the return roller 7 and is constituted by a plate 21, such an embodiment is given by way of example. It may also replace the plate 21 by extending the articulated portion 19 by an equivalent hinged portion.

  Figure 5 is a perspective view of a sealing device 17, illustrating the operation of the retaining ring. For the sake of clarity, some parts were not shown. Only the parts necessary for the understanding of the invention have been represented.

  In this figure, the shutter 4 is closed and the retaining ring 5 exerts pressure on the shutter to maintain the latter pressed hermetically against its seat 6 (not visible). The pressure of the ring 5 on the shutter is achieved by means of a motor (not shown) rotating a cam 23 driving a rod 24 acting on the axes 25 of the ring 5 by means of rods 26. The ring 5 preferentially exerts its force on the rigid plate 21 and on the articulated part 19 of the shutter but does not act directly on the flexible strip 18.

  By way of example, the motor assembly acting on the retaining ring 5 may in particular be made by a hydraulic or pneumatic jack acting directly on the rod 24. It will also be possible to realize the invention by using the winding drum 8 as driving element acting on the ring 5.

  Figures 6a to 6c illustrate a concrete embodiment of a containment valve implementing two containment devices 16 as described above. In general, it will also be possible to provide a valve that provides vacuum sealing in both directions by coupling a plurality of vacuum sealing devices 17 as described above. Other embodiments are possible, for example by using more than two containment or vacuum sealing devices.

  In this example of use, a containment valve 1 has been made comprising two confinement devices 16a and 16b joined together by known means. The valve 1 made integral with an enclosure 2 by means of a flange 10 fixed on the wall 20 of the enclosure 2. Opposite the enclosure 2, the valve 1 is also connected by means of a flange adapter or a bellows 12 to a device 11, this equipment may be for example another enclosure, a container, a handling glove or a tool. The equipment 12 is a sterile chamber comprising a handling tool 22.

  Figure 6b illustrates the operation of the valve in the open position. In this position, the shutters 13 that equip each containment device have been opened thus allowing communication between the enclosure 2 and the equipment 11. The manipulation tool 22 can thus penetrate into the enclosure and perform manipulations with the device. inside the enclosure 2.

  Figure 6c illustrates the operation of the valve in the closed position and the two components of which are separated.

  In this position, the shutters 13 have been closed and the valve 1 has been decoupled. The containment devices 16a and 16b have been separated. The first confinement device 16a remains integral with the chamber 2 while the second confinement device 16b remains integral with the chamber 11. Such a device advantageously makes it possible to maintain the confinement of each chamber even after separation of the two chambers 2 and 11.

  Figures 7a to 7d illustrate another embodiment of a sealing device ensuring the vacuum seal in both directions. Figure 7a partially shows a shutter 4 used for this embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7b shows a sealing device according to the embodiment in the closed position capable of ensuring a seal between the first 30 and second 31 chambers, when the pressure prevailing in the first chamber 30 is greater than the pressure prevailing in the second chamber 31. Figure 7c shows a sealing device according to the embodiment in the open position. FIG. 7d shows a sealing device according to the embodiment in the closed position adapted to ensure a seal between the first 30 and second 31 chambers, when the pressure prevailing in the first chamber 30 is lower than the pressure prevailing in the second chamber. 31.

  The shutter 4 comprises three parts: a first reinforced part made by a first flexible strip 18a comprising reinforcements 41a, an intermediate portion formed an opening 42 made in the first flexible strip 18a, and a second reinforced portion made by a second flexible strip with reinforcements 41b. The two flexible strips 18a, 18b are arranged in parallel and the reinforcements are arranged in opposite directions with respect to the faces of the flexible strips. It is also possible to obtain this embodiment with a single strip but the resulting size would be greater than with two separate strips. It is therefore the previously described embodiment that will be preferred. The operating principle is then the same as for the exemplary embodiment in relation to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The function of the reinforcements 41 is to create a vault effect in order to withstand a force due to a difference in pressure. .

  Thus when the pressure of the first chamber 30 is greater than the pressure of the second chamber 31, it is necessary to use the portion of the shutter for which the reinforcements 41 are oriented (relative to the flexible strip 18) in the direction of the first chamber 30. Conversely, when the pressure of the first chamber 30 is less than the pressure of the second chamber 31, it is appropriate to use the portion of the shutter for which the reinforcements 41 are oriented (relative to the flexible strip 18 ) in the direction of the second chamber 31. The intermediate position allows the opening of the device as has already been explained in connection with Figure 4.

  FIG. 8 is a variant embodiment of including a return roller 7 around which the shutter 4 can be articulated in a rotation of 90 so as to be directed towards the drum 8. In the same manner as for the illustrated embodiment by FIGS. 2 and 4, such an embodiment advantageously makes it possible to reduce in height the bulk of the device.

  These modes of operation and achievements are given for illustrative purposes. The invention may be obtained according to other embodiments.

Claims (10)

  1. Apparatus for confining or sealing a chamber (2), made by a body (3, 9) comprising a shutter (4, 13) resting on a seat (6, 14) of the body (3, 9), characterized in that the shutter (4, 13) consists of at least one flexible strip (18, 13) of substantially flat shape in order to be displaced by translation in a direction parallel to the plane of said shutter, then be deformed so as to be wrapped around a winding drum (8, 15).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible strip (18, 13) is made of a material impervious to fluids.   3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one holding means (5) exerting pressure on the shutter (4) to maintain it pressed against the seat (6) hermetically of the body (3).   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the holding means is constituted by a ring (5) subjected to the action of a jack or a motor element to apply a holding pressure on the shutter ( 4).   5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the motor element acting on the ring (5) is the winding drum (8).   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the body (3) is recessed to define a first chamber (30) connected to a first chamber (2) and a second chamber (31) connected to a second enclosure (11), an equipment and another closure device or the external environment, the first (30) and second (31) chambers being separated by the shutter (4), and in that the flexible strip (18) comprises on one of its faces reinforcements (41) to allow said shutter, when in a flat position, to withstand pressure differences of several bars between the first (30) and the second (31) chambers .   7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the body (3) is recessed to define a first chamber (30) connected to a first chamber (2) and a second chamber (31) connected to a second enclosure (11), an equipment and another closure device or the external environment, the first (30) and second (31) chambers being separated by the shutter (4), and in that the shutter (4) is constituted by one or two flexible strips (18) each having reinforcements (41) arranged on opposite sides to allow said shutter, to adopt three positions: a first closed position for supporting pressure differences of 0 to +2 bars between the first and second chambers, an open intermediate position allowing a passage between the two chambers and a second closed position to withstand pressure differences of -2 to 0 bar between the first (30) and the second (31) rooms.   8. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a return member (7), such as a roller or a pulley, around which the shutter (4) can articulate in order to be redirected towards the drum (8).   9. Containment or sealing valve ensuring double containment or double sealing, characterized in that it consists of at least two containment or sealing devices according to one of the preceding claims, two of which are separable to ensure each containment or sealing of an enclosure.   10. A method of confinement of a chamber (2) under low pressure or under vacuum, characterized in that it closes with a device according to any one of the preceding claims, it is related to a device (11). ) or with a removable chamber, also equipped with a device according to any one of the preceding claims, said devices are connected together and the shutters are actuated when it is desired to communicate the enclosure (2) with the equipment ( 11) or the removable chamber.