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Publication Number
US-10737272-B2
Publication Date
2020-08-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a connection system for connecting an inside environment of a compartment to an environment outside said compartment, said compartment being isolated relative to the outside environment and said connection system, said connection system comprising a blocking device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a connection system for connecting an inside environment of a compartment to an environment outside the compartment, where the compartment is isolated relative to the outside environment. The connection system includes a connecting wall separating the inside and outside environments and having a communication orifice arranged to receive a through connecting element. The through connecting element has a main body on which a case is removably mounted, and an inner removable closing device inside the compartment tightly seals the communication orifice.
The inner removable closing device is arranged to be coupled separately with the case mounted on the main body of the through connecting element, such that when the inner removable closing device is removed from inside the compartment it allows a simultaneous removal of the case by separating it from the main body of the through connecting element. The invention addresses contamination due to manipulation error caused when the inner removable closing device is removed. It introduces a blocking device controlled by a mechanical control element situated on an outside environment outer side.
The blocking device includes a mechanical control element in the form of a control button for controlling a blocking mechanism. The control element defines a first open position to allow the through connecting element to be inserted into the communication orifice and into the inner removable closing device while blocking any movement by the inner removable blocking device, and a second closing position to block the through connecting element received in the communication orifice at the connecting wall and to authorize movement of the inner removable closing device.
The blocking mechanism is arranged to block the control element in the closed position once movement has been initiated to remove the inner removable closing device, and to maintain the blocking movement of the control element in the closed position during continued movement to remove the inner removable closing device, up to and including complete removal. Structural embodiments include first and second blocking elements, including a cam in a housing for translational movement, a pivoting element with a free end rotating around an axle, and a second blocking element including a spring with a return movement, as well as optional additional blocking to prevent insertion when a connecting element is absent.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. The independent claims share the inventive concept of a blocking mechanism controlled by an external control button with open and closed positions that blocks and maintains authorization of the inner removable closing device movement up to complete removal. The system claim further defines the structural arrangement at the connecting wall and for the inner removable closing device and through connecting element.
Isolated compartment connection with inner removable sealing and simultaneous case removal
A connection system for connecting an inside environment of a compartment to an environment outside the compartment, with a connecting wall having a communication orifice that receives a through connecting element having a main body with a case removably mounted; an inner removable closing device inside the compartment tightly sealing the communication orifice, coupled separately with the case so that when the inner removable closing device is removed it allows a simultaneous removal of the case by separating it from the main body of the through connecting element.
Blocking device controlled by an outside control button with open and closing positions
A blocking device comprising, at the connecting wall on an outside environment outer side, a mechanical control element in the form of a control button for controlling a blocking mechanism, the control element defining a first open position to allow the through connecting element to be inserted into the communication orifice and into the inner removable closing device while blocking any movement by the inner removable blocking device, and a second closing position to block the through connecting element received in the communication orifice and to allow the blocking mechanism to authorize a movement of the inner removable closing device.
Maintained blocking in closed position throughout continued removal up to complete removal
A blocking mechanism arranged to block the control element in the closed position once a movement has been initiated to remove the inner removable closing device, and maintain the blocking movement of the control element in the closed position during a continuation of the movement to remove the inner removable closing device, up to and including complete removal.
Method with insertion, external control actuation, and simultaneous removal with maintained blocking
A method comprising inserting, via a communication orifice of a connecting wall, a connecting element with a main body enabling engagement in an inner removable closing device previously positioned and blocked to tightly seal the communication orifice; actuating a mechanical control element in the form of a control button situated on an outside environment outer side to position it in the closing position to secure and block the connecting element against the connecting wall and to unblock the inner removable closing device; setting the inner removable closing device in motion to allow the inner removable closing device to be removed from the inside simultaneously with removal of a case protecting the main body of the connecting element, including blocking the mechanical control element in the closed position once removal begins and maintaining the blocking in the closed position during continuation up to and including complete removal.
Blocking mechanism defined as part of method steps
Setting the inner removable closing device in motion includes generating steps of blocking the mechanical control element in the closed position via a blocking mechanism once the inner removable closing device begins a removal movement, and maintaining the blocking of the mechanical control element in the closed position via the blocking mechanism once the inner removable closing device continues a removal movement, up to and including its complete removal.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is the combination of an isolated-compartment connection with an inner removable closing device that enables simultaneous case removal, and an exterior mechanical control element in the form of a control button that controls a blocking mechanism having an open position for insertion and a closed position that blocks the through connecting element and authorizes inner device movement, with the blocking maintained in the closed position throughout continued removal up to and including complete removal.
Stated Advantages
Prevention of contamination caused by manipulation error when the inner removable closing device is removed.
Prevention of disengagement and sustained sealing during inner closing device removal.
Documented Applications
Connecting and transferring fluid or powder through the communication orifice.
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