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EP4267356B1 - Device and method for handling volatile powders - Google Patents

Device and method for handling volatile powders Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4267356B1
EP4267356B1 EP21839588.7A EP21839588A EP4267356B1 EP 4267356 B1 EP4267356 B1 EP 4267356B1 EP 21839588 A EP21839588 A EP 21839588A EP 4267356 B1 EP4267356 B1 EP 4267356B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flexible container
sealed enclosure
opening
hermetically sealed
enclosure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP21839588.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4267356A1 (en
EP4267356C0 (en
Inventor
Dominique CERLES
Guillaume NURDIN
Aristide BOCACCIO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thales SA
Original Assignee
Thales SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thales SA filed Critical Thales SA
Publication of EP4267356A1 publication Critical patent/EP4267356A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4267356B1 publication Critical patent/EP4267356B1/en
Publication of EP4267356C0 publication Critical patent/EP4267356C0/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
    • B65B69/0008—Opening and emptying bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/30—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled
    • B65B1/32—Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled by weighing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/04—Packaging single articles
    • B65B5/045—Packaging single articles in bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/14—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by reciprocating or oscillating members
    • B65B51/146—Closing bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/14—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by reciprocating or oscillating members
    • B65B51/148—Hand-operated members

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device and a method for handling volatile powders.
  • Volatile powders are part of the composition of many composite materials. It is for example possible to embed such powders in a resin matrix. For example, to lighten certain resins, it is possible to include a charge of microballoons formed of hollow spheres of a few micrometers in diameter. Such charged resins are used in particular for their particular acoustic properties. The presence of a vacuum inside each sphere tends to lighten them, making the powders formed of microballoons very volatile before their inclusion in resin.
  • the introduction can be carried out through a door provided in the enclosure.
  • the door When handling the powders in the enclosure, the door is closed tightly.
  • a filtration system equipped with a vacuum cleaner capable of treating the air, the interior surfaces of the enclosure and any object located inside the enclosure.
  • a vacuum cleaner capable of treating the air, the interior surfaces of the enclosure and any object located inside the enclosure.
  • a device and method for handling volatile powders are, for example, disclosed in the document US 2011/258967 A1 .
  • the invention aims to propose a much simpler solution for the introduction of volatile powders into an enclosure where they are handled.
  • the telescopic skirt is configured so that as the movable support approaches the opening, a characteristic dimension of an interior section of the telescopic skirt decreases so as to tighten the flexible container.
  • the sealed enclosure includes a collar surrounding the opening of the sealed enclosure and extending from the wall toward the outside of the sealed enclosure.
  • the flexible container is configured to cover the collar at its opening, and a seal provides a seal between the collar and the flexible container.
  • the seal is advantageously incorporated into a fold of the flexible container.
  • the device advantageously comprises an entry airlock fixed to the hermetic enclosure and in which are arranged the flexible container, the mobile support and, where appropriate, the skirt.
  • the device advantageously comprises means for sealing the flexible container.
  • the sealing means can be configured to weld the flexible container according to several strips, each of which can ensure the sealing of the flexible container.
  • the sealed enclosure may be a glove box.
  • the mechanism for moving the movable support may include an actuator configured to be controlled by a pedal arranged such that an operator can actuate the pedal while keeping his or her hands in gloves of the glove box.
  • the operation of sealing the flexible container is advantageously carried out by means of several welding strips of the flexible container, each of which can ensure the sealing of the flexible container, the operation of separating the flexible container being carried out by cutting the flexible container between the extreme welding strips.
  • the device comprises a sealed enclosure 12 in which the powders are handled.
  • the sealed enclosure 12 is mainly formed by a glove box. More precisely, the sealed enclosure 12 comprises orifices 14, four in the example shown, allowing an operator standing outside the sealed enclosure 12 to insert his hands inside the sealed enclosure through sealed gloves attached to the wall of the sealed enclosure 12.
  • a glove box allows an operator to handle products or objects located in the sealed enclosure without being in direct contact with the interior of the sealed enclosure 12.
  • the handling may consist of taking a sample from a first transport container, weighing a quantity of products to place it in a second transport container.
  • the first container can be used to fill several second containers.
  • the first container can come from a powder manufacturer and the second container can be used for transfer to a reactor separate from the hermetic enclosure and in which the powder is used for example to be embedded in a resin matrix. It is understood that taking a precise quantity of powder is only one example of handling.
  • the invention can be implemented for any type of handling carried out in the hermetic enclosure. It is for example possible to mix the powder and the resin in the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • the invention concerns the introduction of products into the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • the hermetic enclosure 12 comprises an opening 16 arranged across a wall 18 of the hermetic enclosure 12 and a hatch 20 for opening and closing the opening 16 which allows products to be introduced into the hermetic enclosure 12 in order to be handled therein. Once closed, the hatch 20 is watertight.
  • the volatile powder 22 is delivered in a sealed package 24 which is placed in a flexible container 26 adapted to the device 10. More precisely, the flexible container 26 has an opening 28 configured to seal tightly with the opening 16 of the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • the hermetic enclosure 12 comprises a collar 30 surrounding the opening 16 and projecting from the wall 18 towards the outside of the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • the flexible container 26 covers the collar 30 at its opening 28.
  • a seal 32 is interposed between the collar 30 and the flexible container 26.
  • the seal 32 is for example an O-ring.
  • a flange 34 surrounds the flexible container 26 at its opening 28 and makes it possible to compress, radially around the opening 16, the seal sealing 32.
  • Any other means allowing the flexible container 26 to seal tightly around the opening 16 of the hermetic enclosure 12 is possible.
  • the flexible container 26 is sandwiched in the conical fitting.
  • the clamping of the flange is done perpendicularly to the wall 18 along the axis of the conical fitting.
  • the hatch 20 is closed.
  • the packaging 24 is sealed allowing its handling without danger of contact with the volatile powder 22.
  • the packaging 24, still sealed is placed inside the flexible container 26.
  • the flexible container 26 is put in place so as to seal the opening 16.
  • this putting in place consists more precisely in placing the flexible container 26 around the collar 30 while maintaining the seal 32 between the flexible container 26 and the collar 30 then tightening the flange 34 around the flexible container 26 so as to compress the seal 32 between the flexible container 26 and the collar 30.
  • the device 10 comprises a movable support 36 on which the flexible container 26 rests.
  • the support 36 is movable in translation along an axis 38.
  • the mobility in translation allows the support 36 to approach the opening 16, carrying in its translation the flexible container 26 and the packaging 24.
  • the device 10 also comprises a mechanism 40 for moving the support 36 in translation in the direction of the opening 16. This mechanism can be manual.
  • the support can be guided in translation along a rod 42 extending along the axis 38.
  • a handle 43 secured to the support 36 allows the support 36 to be moved.
  • the support 36 is held in position along the rod 42, for example, by bracing using the weight of the support 36.
  • Associating a pinion secured to a handle allows the support 36 to be moved in translation along the rod 42 by meshing the pinion with the rack.
  • the mechanism 40 for moving the support 36 in translation can be motorized.
  • the device 10 comprises an actuator 44 for moving the support 36 in translation along the axis 38.
  • the actuator 44 is advantageously controlled by a pedal 45 configured to be accessible by the operator when he performs manipulations in the sealed enclosure 12, with his hands in gloves placed in the orifices 14.
  • a pedal 45 configured to be accessible by the operator when he performs manipulations in the sealed enclosure 12, with his hands in gloves placed in the orifices 14.
  • any means of moving the support 36 is possible within the scope of the invention.
  • the flexible container 26 When the support 36 drives the bottom of the flexible container 26 toward the opening 16, the flexible container 26 can deform so as to narrow the dimensions of its opening 28 below its retention on the collar 30. More precisely, when the support 36 rises toward the opening 16, the flexible container 26 can bend by sagging, thus causing a flattening of its section perpendicular to the axis 38. The operator can take care to avoid this phenomenon, according to an embodiment not included in the scope of the invention, by placing a tool in the soup container 26 or even in the packaging 24 during the translation of the support 36 toward the opening 16. Alternatively, it is advantageous to provide means limiting the risk of narrowing of the opening 28. These means comprise according to the invention a telescopic skirt 46 surrounding the flexible container 26.
  • the skirt 46 is fixed with a part to the support 36 and on the other hand to the wall 18 of the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • One of the fixings of the skirt 46 either to the support 36 or to the wall 18 is removable in order to access the flange 34.
  • the fixing of the skirt 46 to the wall 18 is chosen as a removable fixing.
  • the skirt 46 is configured to retract and expand in response to movements of the support 36, while maintaining a substantially tubular shape. around the flexible container 26.
  • the skirt 46 maintains a section, perpendicular to the axis 38, of substantially constant shape.
  • substantially constant we mean a section varying in a given proportion by its retraction and its expansion.
  • the section of the skirt 46 can be circular and remain substantially circular during the movements of the support 36.
  • the diameter of the skirt 46 varies little during its retraction and its expansion.
  • Other shapes of section of the skirt 4 are possible within the framework of the invention, for example an oval, polygonal shape, ...
  • the presence of the skirt 46 makes it possible to guide the flexible container 26 when the support 36 moves in translation, thus limiting the risk of narrowing the opening 28 of the flexible container 26 below the collar 30.
  • the skirt 46 is for example formed of a deformable film to which is fixed an elastic metal wire winding in a helix around the flexible container 26.
  • the wire ensures the rigidity of the skirt 46.
  • the wire deforms in the manner of a helical spring while retaining a substantially tubular shape.
  • Other embodiments of the skirt 46 can be envisaged within the scope of the invention.
  • the skirt 46 can for example be formed from alternating truncated cones all extending along the same axis parallel to the axis 38. The angles at the apex of the different truncated cones increase when the skirt 46 retracts and decrease when the skirt 46 expands. The skirt 46 then deforms in the manner of an accordion.
  • the skirt 46 is configured so that when the movable support 36 approaches the opening 16, the diameter d of the inner section of the skirt 46 and more generally a characteristic dimension of the section decreases so as to tighten the flexible container 26.
  • the skirt 46 is configured so that when the movable support 36 approaches the opening 16, the diameter d of the inner section of the skirt 46 and more generally a characteristic dimension of the section decreases so as to tighten the flexible container 26.
  • the flexible container 26 and the skirt 46 when present, are fragile components. More specifically, a risk of punching by external elements exist and can cause volatile powder leaks into the environment of the device 10.
  • the device 10 may comprise an inlet airlock 50 in the form of a box fixed to the hermetic enclosure 12 and in which are arranged the flexible container 26, the mobile support 36 and, where appropriate, the skirt 46.
  • the lever 43 or the pedal 45 can extend from the airlock 50 in order to move the support 36 from the outside of the airlock 50.
  • the airlock 50 advantageously comprises a door allowing access to the flexible container 26 in order to put it in place.
  • the handling of the volatile powder is carried out inside the hermetic enclosure 12 by the operator. More precisely, the operator draws volatile powder 22 from the packaging 24 and then handles it in the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • This handling consists, for example, of filling an outlet container 52. The filling is accompanied by weighing to accurately measure the quantity of powder 22 present in the outlet container 52.
  • a scale 54 allowing the weighing is shown schematically in the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • the device 10 further comprises an outlet airlock 60 for receiving the powder 22 in different outlet containers 52.
  • the outlet airlock 60 is, like the inlet airlock 50, fixed to the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • the outlet airlock 60 can be sized to receive several outlet containers 52. From inside the hermetic enclosure 12, the outlet airlock 60 is accessed through an opening 62 made in the wall 18 of the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • a hatch 64 makes it possible to isolate the hermetic enclosure 12 from the outlet airlock 60 by closing the opening 62.
  • the volatile powders 22 may present flammability risks. This is particularly the case when the volatile powders 22 are formed of microballoons enclosing a flammable gas. To ensure the safety of the operator, it is possible to deplete the air present in the hermetic enclosure 12 of oxygen.
  • the ambient air contains around 20% oxygen and the target oxygen level to be respected in the hermetic enclosure is a function of the degree of flammability of the powders 22. For example, to obtain an oxygen level of around 8%, it is possible to use a technique called lost sweeping. More precisely, a permanent flow of inert gas, such as nitrogen, sweeps the interior of the hermetic enclosure 12. A filter allows the excess air to exit the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • the filter is calibrated to allow air to pass through and retain the powder particles handled in the sealed enclosure 12.
  • the sweep is schematized by a nitrogen reserve 66 capable of injecting nitrogen into the sealed enclosure 12 and a filter 68 arranged across the wall 18.
  • the sweep is configured so as to reach the entire volume of the sealed enclosure 12, the interior of the flexible container 26 as well as the volume of the outlet airlock 60.
  • the oxygen depletion system may have an oxygen level measurement sensor enabling it to regulate its operation. In the case of volatile powders presenting flammability risks, once the seal has been achieved between the flexible container 26 and the hermetic enclosure 12 around the opening 16, the oxygen depletion of the internal volume of the hermetic enclosure 12 is achieved before opening the hatch 20.
  • the gas pressure inside the sealed enclosure 12 can be maintained slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure prevailing in the room in which the device 10 is located.
  • the overpressure thus prevents the ambient air of the room from penetrating into the sealed enclosure through possible micro leaks or through gloves which tend to become porous over time.
  • a system for cleaning the internal volume of the sealed enclosure 12 may be provided in order to remove the particles of powder 22 that may be deposited in the sealed enclosure 12 outside the outlet container 52 during handling of the powder 22.
  • the device 10 may comprise a vacuum cleaner 70 provided with a filter 72 similar to the filter 68.
  • the vacuum cleaner 70 may be equipped with pipes, not shown, allowing the operator to reach the entire volume of the sealed enclosure 12 and also the interior of the flexible container 26 and the outlet airlock 60. It is also possible to provide a vacuum cleaner specific to the outlet airlock 60 in order to avoid completely cleaning the internal volume of the sealed enclosure 12 when the operator wishes to access the outlet airlock 60 to remove a full outlet container 52 or to deposit an empty outlet container 52 therein.
  • the exit airlock 60 comprises a door 74 for collecting the exit containers 52 filled with their dose of powder 22 and also for introducing empty exit containers 52 for filling in the enclosure. hermetic enclosure 12.
  • the hatch 64 is closed during powder handling inside the hermetic enclosure 12. When the handling is complete, the inside of the hermetic enclosure 12 and in particular the external surfaces of the outlet containers 52 are cleaned using the vacuum cleaner 70 before opening the hatch 64. Thus the internal volume of the outlet airlock 60 remains clean even when the hatch 64 is open.
  • the device has a system for depleting the oxygen in the air present in the sealed enclosure 12, it may be useful to provide a system for reoxygenating the outlet airlock 60 in order to prevent the operator from being exposed to air that is too low in oxygen when opening the door 74.
  • This reoxygenation system may use a compressed air network often present in premises of the type in which the device 10 is to be installed.
  • the reoxygenation system is activated after cleaning the interior of the sealed enclosure 12 to prevent traces of powder from being present in gas that is too rich in oxygen.
  • the reoxygenation system may have a sensor for measuring the oxygen level allowing it to regulate its operation. It is also possible to activate it when the hatch 64 is open but this requires replenishing oxygen to the entire volume of the hermetic enclosure, to carry out this operation, which consumes inert gas before a new powder handling operation 22 inside the hermetic enclosure 12.
  • FIG. 2 shows in more detail the flexible container 26 which can be used to extract waste from the device 10 and in particular the packaging 24 when it is empty.
  • the device 10 comprises means for sealing the flexible container 26.
  • the flexible container 26 can be made of a thermoplastic material and the sealing means can consist of a heating clamp 80 for welding the sealed container 26 to enclose in particular the packaging 24 once emptied of its powder and possibly any other type of waste, such as a vacuum cleaner bag 70, which the operator can place in the flexible container 26 before closing it.
  • Other means of Closures are of course possible within the scope of the invention. For example, it is possible to fold the flexible container and hold the fold using clamps.
  • a single welding strip may be sufficient to seal the flexible container 26.
  • the welding strip 82 is the closest to the opening 16 and the strip 86 the furthest away.
  • Each welding strip can by itself ensure the sealing of the flexible container 26.
  • the heating clamp 80 can be configured to produce only one strip and the operator repeats the welding operation as many times as there are strips to be produced. Alternatively, the heating clamp 80 can be configured to produce the three strips simultaneously. This allows better control of the gap between the different welding strips.
  • the flexible container 26 can be cut using any type of cutting tool between the two end strips 82 and 86 and in particular along the line of the intermediate strip 84 when three strips are made.
  • the strip 84 then serves as a guide for cutting the flexible container 26. Since the strips are made at a distance from each other, the use of a cutting guide makes it possible to limit the risk of breaking the seal of the flexible container 26 during the cutting operation. Cutting the flexible container 26 on the strip 84 has another advantage, which is to prevent any powder particles that may be between two consecutive strips from being released.
  • the flexible container 26 is cut into two parts, the part 26-1, closest to the opening 16, remains attached to the collar 30 and the other part 26-2 can be removed, for example for waste treatment and recycling.
  • FIG 3 represents an alternative embodiment of the flexible container 26 and more precisely of the seal placed at the interface between the collar 30 and the flexible container 26. More precisely, the seal 32 can be arranged in a fold 90 of the flexible container 26. It is possible to fold the edge of the flexible container 26 at its opening 28, to enclose the seal 32 in the fold 90 and to fix this fold to the rest of the flexible container 26. The fixing can be carried out in various ways, for example by welding or gluing. The presence of the seal 32 in the fold 90 of the flexible container 26 makes it possible to limit the number of operations that the operator must carry out when mounting the flexible container 26 on the collar 30. This also makes this assembly secure, forgetting the seal 32 is then impossible.
  • the seal 32 may be single or multiple as shown in the figure 3 . Inside the fold 90, it is possible to separate the joints 32 by a bead of glue or welding.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne un dispositif et un procédé de manipulation de poudres volatiles. Des poudres volatiles entrent dans la composition de nombreux matériaux composites. Il est par exemple possible de noyer de telles poudres dans une matrice de résine. A titre d'exemple, pour alléger certaines résines, il est possible d'y inclure une charge de microballons formés de sphères creuses de quelques micromètres de diamètre. De telles résines chargées sont notamment utilisées pour leurs propriétés acoustiques particulières. La présence d'un vide à l'intérieur de chaque sphère tend à les alléger, rendant les poudres formées de microballons très volatiles avant leur inclusion dans de la résine.The invention relates to a device and a method for handling volatile powders. Volatile powders are part of the composition of many composite materials. It is for example possible to embed such powders in a resin matrix. For example, to lighten certain resins, it is possible to include a charge of microballoons formed of hollow spheres of a few micrometers in diameter. Such charged resins are used in particular for their particular acoustic properties. The presence of a vacuum inside each sphere tends to lighten them, making the powders formed of microballoons very volatile before their inclusion in resin.

La mise en oeuvre de telles poudres pose des problèmes de manipulation. La dimension très faible des particules formant ces poudres les rend toxiques en cas d'inhalation par un opérateur qui les manipule. De plus, dans le cas de microballons, le gaz enfermé dans chaque sphère peut être inflammable. Pour manipuler ce type de poudres deux types de réglementations doivent être appliquées. Tout d'abord, une réglementation en matière d'hygiène et de sécurité permet de protéger les opérateurs du risque d'inhalation de ces poudres. Ensuite en cas de présence de produits inflammables, une réglementation permet d'alerter et de renseigner sur la nature du risque d'explosion. A titre d'exemple de réglementation concernant les produits inflammables, on peut citer la directive européenne 2014/34/UE.The implementation of such powders poses handling problems. The very small size of the particles forming these powders makes them toxic if inhaled by an operator who handles them. In addition, in the case of microballoons, the gas enclosed in each sphere can be flammable. To handle this type of powder, two types of regulations must be applied. First of all, hygiene and safety regulations protect operators from the risk of inhaling these powders. Then, in the event of the presence of flammable products, regulations provide warnings and information on the nature of the explosion risk. As an example of regulations concerning flammable products, we can cite European Directive 2014/34/EU.

Afin de respecter la réglementation en matière d'hygiène et de sécurité, il est possible de manipuler les poudres dans un local étanche, l'opérateur pouvant pénétrer dans le local habillé d'une combinaison étanche aux particules manipulées. Il est également possible de confiner les poudres dans une enceinte étanche en permettant la manipulation des poudres par l'extérieur de l'enceinte. La manipulation peut être faite au moyen de bras articulés opérant dans l'enceinte et commandés par l'extérieur. Il est également possible de mettre en oeuvre une enceinte appelée boîte à gants. L'enceinte est équipée de gants dans lesquels un opérateur situé à l'extérieur de l'enceinte introduit ses mains pour lui permettre de manipuler des objets situés à l'intérieur de l'enceinte.In order to comply with health and safety regulations, it is possible to handle powders in a sealed room, with the operator being able to enter the room wearing a suit that is impervious to the particles handled. It is also possible to confine the powders in a sealed enclosure by allowing the powders to be handled from outside the enclosure. Handling can be done using articulated arms operating in the enclosure and controlled from outside. It is also possible to implement an enclosure called a glove box. The enclosure is equipped with gloves into which an operator located outside the enclosure inserts his hands to allow him to handle objects located inside the enclosure.

Concernant le risque d'explosion, il est possible de le supprimer en contrôlant l'atmosphère du local ou de l'enceinte dans laquelle les poudres sont manipulées en réduisant la proportion d'oxygène qui agit comme comburant.Regarding the risk of explosion, it is possible to eliminate it by controlling the atmosphere of the room or enclosure in which the powders are handled by reducing the proportion of oxygen which acts as an oxidant.

La mise en sécurité des opérateurs intervenant sur les poudres, aussi bien en matière d'hygiène et de sécurité que vis-à-vis de produits inflammables doit s'appliquer pour la manipulation des poudres à l'intérieur des enceintes prévues à cet effet et aussi pour l'introduction des poudres à l'intérieur de l'enceinte.The safety of operators working with powders, both in terms of hygiene and safety and with regard to flammable products, must apply to the handling of powders inside the enclosures provided for this purpose and also to the introduction of powders inside the enclosure.

L'introduction peut être réalisée par une porte prévue dans l'enceinte. Lors de la manipulation des poudres dans l'enceinte, la porte est fermée de façon étanche. Pour pouvoir ouvrir la porte, il est nécessaire d'éliminer toute trace de poudre située dans l'enceinte par exemple au moyen d'un système de filtration muni d'un aspirateur apte à traiter l'air, les surfaces intérieures de l'enceinte et tout objet situé à l'intérieur de l'enceinte. En cas de risque d'explosion, il est nécessaire de rétablir une proportion d'oxygène acceptable après élimination des poudres. Ces opérations sont lourdes et coûteuses.The introduction can be carried out through a door provided in the enclosure. When handling the powders in the enclosure, the door is closed tightly. In order to open the door, it is necessary to eliminate all traces of powder located in the enclosure, for example by means of a filtration system equipped with a vacuum cleaner capable of treating the air, the interior surfaces of the enclosure and any object located inside the enclosure. In the event of a risk of explosion, it is necessary to restore an acceptable proportion of oxygen after elimination of the powders. These operations are cumbersome and costly.

Un dispositif, ainsi qu'un procédé de manipulation de poudres volatiles sont, par exemple, divulgués dans le document US 2011/258967 A1 .A device and method for handling volatile powders are, for example, disclosed in the document US 2011/258967 A1 .

L'invention vise à proposer une solution beaucoup plus simple pour l'introduction de poudres volatiles dans une enceinte où elles sont manipulées.The invention aims to propose a much simpler solution for the introduction of volatile powders into an enclosure where they are handled.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un dispositif de manipulation de poudres volatiles comprenant une enceinte hermétique comprenant une trappe permettant de fermer une ouverture disposée en traversée d'une paroi de l'enceinte hermétique, à l'extérieur de l'enceinte hermétique le dispositif comprenant :

  • un contenant souple étant destiné à recevoir un emballage contenant des poudres volatiles,
  • un accrochage étanche du contenant souple dont une ouverture vient épouser de façon étanche l'ouverture de l'enceinte hermétique,
  • un support mobile sur lequel le contenant souple repose,
  • un mécanisme de déplacement du support mobile en translation en direction de l'ouverture de l'enceinte hermétique
  • une jupe télescopique disposée de façon à entourer le contenant souple, la jupe télescopique étant fixée d'une part au support et d'autre part à la paroi de l'enceinte hermétique, la jupe télescopique étant configurée pour se rétracter et se dilater en fonction de déplacements du support tout en conservant une forme sensiblement tubulaire et une section de forme sensiblement constante autour du contenant souple.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for handling volatile powders comprising a hermetic enclosure comprising a hatch making it possible to close an opening arranged across a wall of the hermetic enclosure, outside the hermetic enclosure the device comprising:
  • a flexible container intended to receive packaging containing volatile powders,
  • a watertight attachment of the flexible container, one opening of which fits tightly into the opening of the airtight enclosure,
  • a mobile support on which the flexible container rests,
  • a mechanism for moving the mobile support in translation towards the opening of the hermetic enclosure
  • a telescopic skirt arranged to surround the flexible container, the telescopic skirt being fixed on the one hand to the support and on the other hand to the wall of the sealed enclosure, the telescopic skirt being configured to retract and expand according to movements of the support while maintaining a substantially tubular shape and a section of substantially constant shape around the flexible container.

Avantageusement, la jupe télescopique est configurée pour que lorsque le support mobile se rapproche de l'ouverture, une dimension caractéristique d'une section intérieure de la jupe télescopique diminue de façon à resserrer le contenant souple.Advantageously, the telescopic skirt is configured so that as the movable support approaches the opening, a characteristic dimension of an interior section of the telescopic skirt decreases so as to tighten the flexible container.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, l'enceinte hermétique comprend une collerette entourant l'ouverture de l'enceinte hermétique et débordant de la paroi vers l'extérieur de l'enceinte hermétique. Le contenant souple est configuré pour recouvrir la collerette au niveau de son ouverture, et un joint d'étanchéité assure l'étanchéité entre la collerette et le contenant souple.In a particular embodiment, the sealed enclosure includes a collar surrounding the opening of the sealed enclosure and extending from the wall toward the outside of the sealed enclosure. The flexible container is configured to cover the collar at its opening, and a seal provides a seal between the collar and the flexible container.

Le joint d'étanchéité est avantageusement incorporé dans un pli du contenant souple.The seal is advantageously incorporated into a fold of the flexible container.

Le dispositif comprend avantageusement un sas d'entrée fixé à l'enceinte hermétique et dans lequel sont disposés, le contenant souple, le support mobile et le cas échéant, la jupe.The device advantageously comprises an entry airlock fixed to the hermetic enclosure and in which are arranged the flexible container, the mobile support and, where appropriate, the skirt.

Le dispositif comprend avantageusement des moyens de fermeture étanche du contenant souple.The device advantageously comprises means for sealing the flexible container.

Les moyens de fermeture étanche peuvent être configurés pour souder le contenant souple selon plusieurs bandes pouvant assurer chacune l'étanchéité du contenant souple.The sealing means can be configured to weld the flexible container according to several strips, each of which can ensure the sealing of the flexible container.

L'enceinte hermétique peut être une boîte à gants. Le mécanisme de déplacement du support mobile peut comprendre un actionneur configuré pour être commandé au moyen d'une pédale disposée de façon à ce qu'un opérateur puisse actionner la pédale tout en conservant les mains dans des gants de la boîte à gants.The sealed enclosure may be a glove box. The mechanism for moving the movable support may include an actuator configured to be controlled by a pedal arranged such that an operator can actuate the pedal while keeping his or her hands in gloves of the glove box.

L'invention a également pour objet un procédé de manipulation de poudres volatiles au moyen d'un dispositif selon l'invention, le procédé comprenant un enchainement des opérations suivantes :

  • Placer l'emballage dans le contenant souple,
  • Mettre en place le contenant souple de façon à épouser de façon étanche l'ouverture de l'enceinte hermétique,
  • Ouvrir la trappe,
  • Ouvrir l'emballage par l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique,
  • Manipuler la poudre par l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique.
The invention also relates to a method for handling volatile powders using a device according to the invention, the method comprising a sequence of the following operations:
  • Place the packaging in the flexible container,
  • Place the flexible container so that it fits tightly around the opening of the airtight enclosure,
  • Open the hatch,
  • Open the packaging from the inside of the airtight enclosure,
  • Handle the powder from inside the sealed enclosure.

Le procédé de manipulation de poudres volatiles peut comprendre en outre les opérations suivantes :

  • Fermer de façon étanche le contenant souple,
  • Désolidariser le contenant souple de l'enceinte hermétique.
The method of handling volatile powders may further comprise the following operations:
  • Close the flexible container tightly,
  • Separate the flexible container from the airtight enclosure.

L'opération de fermeture étanche du contenant souple est avantageusement réalisée au moyen de plusieurs bandes de soudage du contenant souple, chacune pouvant assurer l'étanchéité du contenant souple, l'opération de désolidarisation du contenant souple étant réalisée par découpe du contenant souple entre les bandes extrêmes de soudage.The operation of sealing the flexible container is advantageously carried out by means of several welding strips of the flexible container, each of which can ensure the sealing of the flexible container, the operation of separating the flexible container being carried out by cutting the flexible container between the extreme welding strips.

L'invention sera mieux comprise et d'autres avantages apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée d'un mode de réalisation donné à titre d'exemple, description illustrée par le dessin joint dans lequel :

  • la figure 1 représente schématiquement un exemple de dispositif de manipulation selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 représente plus en détail un contenant souple du dispositif de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 représente une variante de réalisation du contenant souple.
The invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear on reading the detailed description of an embodiment given as an example, a description illustrated by the attached drawing in which:
  • there figure 1 schematically represents an example of a handling device according to the invention;
  • there figure 2 shows in more detail a flexible container of the device of the figure 1 ;
  • there figure 3 represents an alternative embodiment of the flexible container.

Par souci de clarté, les mêmes éléments porteront les mêmes repères dans les différentes figures.For the sake of clarity, the same elements will have the same references in the different figures.

La figure 1 représente un dispositif 10 permettant la manipulation de poudres volatiles. Le dispositif comprend une enceinte hermétique 12 dans laquelle les poudres sont manipulées. L'enceinte hermétique 12 est principalement formée d'une boîte à gants. Plus précisément l'enceinte hermétique 12 comprend des orifices 14, quatre dans l'exemple représenté, permettant à un opérateur se tenant à l'extérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12 d'insérer ses mains à l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique au travers de gants étanches fixés à la paroi de l'enceinte hermétique 12. De façon générale, une boîte à gants permet à un opérateur de manipuler des produits ou des objets situés dans l'enceinte hermétique sans être en contact direct avec l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12.There figure 1 represents a device 10 for handling volatile powders. The device comprises a sealed enclosure 12 in which the powders are handled. The sealed enclosure 12 is mainly formed by a glove box. More precisely, the sealed enclosure 12 comprises orifices 14, four in the example shown, allowing an operator standing outside the sealed enclosure 12 to insert his hands inside the sealed enclosure through sealed gloves attached to the wall of the sealed enclosure 12. Generally, a glove box allows an operator to handle products or objects located in the sealed enclosure without being in direct contact with the interior of the sealed enclosure 12.

Pour des poudres volatiles, la manipulation peut consister en un prélèvement dans un premier contenant de transport, en une pesée d'une quantité de produits pour la disposer dans un second contenant de transport. Le premier contenant permet de remplir plusieurs seconds contenants. Le premier contenant peut provenir d'un fabricant de poudre et le second contenant peut être utilisé pour le transfert vers un réacteur distinct de l'enceinte hermétique et dans lequel la poudre est utilisée par exemple pour être noyée dans une matrice de résine. Il est bien entendu que le prélèvement d'une quantité précise de poudre n'est qu'un exemple de manipulation. L'invention peut être mise en oeuvre pour tout type de manipulation réalisée dans l'enceinte hermétique. Il est par exemple possible de mélanger la poudre et la résine dans l'enceinte hermétique 12.For volatile powders, the handling may consist of taking a sample from a first transport container, weighing a quantity of products to place it in a second transport container. The first container can be used to fill several second containers. The first container can come from a powder manufacturer and the second container can be used for transfer to a reactor separate from the hermetic enclosure and in which the powder is used for example to be embedded in a resin matrix. It is understood that taking a precise quantity of powder is only one example of handling. The invention can be implemented for any type of handling carried out in the hermetic enclosure. It is for example possible to mix the powder and the resin in the hermetic enclosure 12.

L'invention s'intéresse à l'introduction de produits dans l'enceinte hermétique 12. A cet effet, l'enceinte hermétique 12 comprend une ouverture 16 disposée en traversée d'une paroi 18 de l'enceinte hermétique 12 et d'une trappe 20 permettant d'ouvrir et de fermer l'ouverture 16 qui permet d'introduire des produits à l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12 afin d'y être manipulés. Une fois fermée, la trappe 20 est étanche.The invention concerns the introduction of products into the hermetic enclosure 12. For this purpose, the hermetic enclosure 12 comprises an opening 16 arranged across a wall 18 of the hermetic enclosure 12 and a hatch 20 for opening and closing the opening 16 which allows products to be introduced into the hermetic enclosure 12 in order to be handled therein. Once closed, the hatch 20 is watertight.

La poudre volatile 22 est livrée dans un emballage étanche 24 que l'on dispose dans un contenant souple 26 adapté au dispositif 10. Plus précisément le contenant souple 26 possède une ouverture 28 configurée pour venir épouser de façon étanche l'ouverture 16 de l'enceinte hermétique 12.The volatile powder 22 is delivered in a sealed package 24 which is placed in a flexible container 26 adapted to the device 10. More precisely, the flexible container 26 has an opening 28 configured to seal tightly with the opening 16 of the hermetic enclosure 12.

Dans l'exemple représenté sur la figure 1, l'enceinte hermétique 12 comprend une collerette 30 entourant l'ouverture 16 et débordant de la paroi 18 vers l'extérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12. Le contenant souple 26 vient recouvrir la collerette 30 au niveau de son ouverture 28. Un joint d'étanchéité 32 est interposé entre la collerette 30 et le contenant souple 26. Le joint d'étanchéité 32 est par exemple un joint torique. Une bride 34 entoure le contenant souple 26 au niveau de son ouverture 28 et permet de comprimer, radialement autour de l'ouverture 16, le joint d'étanchéité 32. Tout autre moyen permettant au contenant souple 26 de venir épouser de façon étanche l'ouverture 16 de l'enceinte hermétique 12 est possible. Il est par exemple possible de prévoir un emmanchement conique entre une excroissance entourant l'ouverture 16 et une bride. Le contenant souple 26 est pris en sandwich dans l'emmanchement conique. Le serrage de la bride se fait, dans cette alternative, perpendiculairement à la paroi 18 selon l'axe de l'emmanchement conique.In the example shown in the figure 1 , the hermetic enclosure 12 comprises a collar 30 surrounding the opening 16 and projecting from the wall 18 towards the outside of the hermetic enclosure 12. The flexible container 26 covers the collar 30 at its opening 28. A seal 32 is interposed between the collar 30 and the flexible container 26. The seal 32 is for example an O-ring. A flange 34 surrounds the flexible container 26 at its opening 28 and makes it possible to compress, radially around the opening 16, the seal sealing 32. Any other means allowing the flexible container 26 to seal tightly around the opening 16 of the hermetic enclosure 12 is possible. For example, it is possible to provide a conical fitting between a protrusion surrounding the opening 16 and a flange. The flexible container 26 is sandwiched in the conical fitting. In this alternative, the clamping of the flange is done perpendicularly to the wall 18 along the axis of the conical fitting.

Avant l'arrivée de la poudre volatile 22 dans son emballage 24, la trappe 20 est fermée. L'emballage 24 est scellé permettant sa manipulation sans danger de contact avec la poudre volatile 22. L'emballage 24, toujours scellé, est placé à l'intérieur du contenant souple 26. Ensuite, le contenant souple 26 est mis en place de façon à épouser de façon étanche l'ouverture 16. Dans l'exemple représenté, cette mise en place consiste plus précisément, à placer le contenant souple 26 autour de la collerette 30 en maintenant le joint d'étanchéité 32 entre le contenant souple 26 et la collerette 30 puis à serrer la bride 34 autour du contenant souple 26 de façon à comprimer le joint d'étanchéité 32 entre le contenant souple 26 et la collerette 30. Une fois l'étanchéité réalisée entre le contenant souple 26 et l'enceinte hermétique 12 autour de l'ouverture 16, il est possible d'ouvrir la trappe 20. L'intérieur du contenant souple 26 communique alors avec l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12 ce qui permet à l'opérateur de saisir l'emballage 24 et de rompre son scellement pour accéder à la poudre volatile 22.Before the arrival of the volatile powder 22 in its packaging 24, the hatch 20 is closed. The packaging 24 is sealed allowing its handling without danger of contact with the volatile powder 22. The packaging 24, still sealed, is placed inside the flexible container 26. Then, the flexible container 26 is put in place so as to seal the opening 16. In the example shown, this putting in place consists more precisely in placing the flexible container 26 around the collar 30 while maintaining the seal 32 between the flexible container 26 and the collar 30 then tightening the flange 34 around the flexible container 26 so as to compress the seal 32 between the flexible container 26 and the collar 30. Once the seal has been achieved between the flexible container 26 and the hermetic enclosure 12 around the opening 16, it is possible to open the hatch 20. The interior of the flexible container 26 then communicates with the interior of the hermetic enclosure 12 which allows the operator to grasp the packaging 24 and break its seal to access the volatile powder 22.

Lorsque l'emballage 24 est plein, son niveau dans l'emballage 24 est proche de l'ouverture 16 et l'opérateur peut accéder aux poudres au travers de l'ouverture 16. A mesure que l'opérateur puise de la poudre 22 dans l'emballage 24, son niveau baisse et l'opérateur peut avoir des difficultés à puiser dans l'emballage 24. Afin de faciliter le prélèvement de la poudre 22 dans l'emballage 24, et notamment pour permettre de vider au mieux l'emballage 24 en accédant au fond de l'emballage 24, le dispositif 10 comprend un support mobile 36 sur lequel le contenant souple 26 repose. Le support 36 est mobile en translation selon un axe 38. La mobilité en translation permet au support 36 de se rapprocher de l'ouverture 16, entrainant dans sa translation le contenant souple 26 et l'emballage 24. Le dispositif 10 comprend également un mécanisme 40 de déplacement le support 36 en translation en direction de l'ouverture 16. Ce mécanisme peut être manuel. Le support peut être guidé en translation le long d'une tige 42 s'étendant selon l'axe 38. Une manette 43 solidaire du support 36 permet le déplacement du support 36. Le maintien en position du support 36 le long de la tige 42 est par exemple assuré par arc-boutement au moyen du poids du support 36. Alternativement, pour un mouvement plus précis, il est possible de munir la tige 42 d'une crémaillère s'étendant selon l'axe 38. Associer un pignon solidaire d'une poignée permet de déplacer le support 36 en translation le long de la tige 42 par engrènement du pignon sur la crémaillère. Le mécanisme 40 de déplacement le support 36 en translation peut être motorisé. A cet effet, le dispositif 10 comprend un actionneur 44 permettant de déplacer en translation le support 36 le long de l'axe 38. La commande de l'actionneur 44 est avantageusement réalisée par une pédale 45 configurée pour être accessible par l'opérateur lorsqu'il réalise des manipulations dans l'enceinte hermétique 12, les mains dans les gants placés dans les orifices 14. De façon générale tout moyen de déplacement du support 36 est possible dans le cadre de l'invention.When the packaging 24 is full, its level in the packaging 24 is close to the opening 16 and the operator can access the powders through the opening 16. As the operator draws powder 22 from the packaging 24, its level drops and the operator may have difficulty drawing from the packaging 24. In order to facilitate the removal of the powder 22 from the packaging 24, and in particular to allow the packaging 24 to be emptied as best as possible by accessing the bottom of the packaging 24, the device 10 comprises a movable support 36 on which the flexible container 26 rests. The support 36 is movable in translation along an axis 38. The mobility in translation allows the support 36 to approach the opening 16, carrying in its translation the flexible container 26 and the packaging 24. The device 10 also comprises a mechanism 40 for moving the support 36 in translation in the direction of the opening 16. This mechanism can be manual. support can be guided in translation along a rod 42 extending along the axis 38. A handle 43 secured to the support 36 allows the support 36 to be moved. The support 36 is held in position along the rod 42, for example, by bracing using the weight of the support 36. Alternatively, for more precise movement, it is possible to provide the rod 42 with a rack extending along the axis 38. Associating a pinion secured to a handle allows the support 36 to be moved in translation along the rod 42 by meshing the pinion with the rack. The mechanism 40 for moving the support 36 in translation can be motorized. For this purpose, the device 10 comprises an actuator 44 for moving the support 36 in translation along the axis 38. The actuator 44 is advantageously controlled by a pedal 45 configured to be accessible by the operator when he performs manipulations in the sealed enclosure 12, with his hands in gloves placed in the orifices 14. Generally speaking, any means of moving the support 36 is possible within the scope of the invention.

Lorsque le support 36 entraine le fond du contenant souple 26 vers l'ouverture 16, le contenant souple 26 peut se déformer de façon à rétrécir les dimensions de son ouverture 28 au-dessous de son maintien à la collerette 30. Plus précisément, lors de la remontée du support 36 en direction de l'ouverture 16, le contenant souple 26 peut se plier en s'avachissant, entrainant ainsi un aplatissement de sa section perpendiculairement à l'axe 38. L'opérateur peut veiller à éviter ce phénomène, selon une forme de réalisation non comprise dans le périmètre de l'invention, en plaçant un outil dans le contenant soupe 26 ou même dans l'emballage 24 lors de la translation du support 36 en direction de l'ouverture 16. Alternativement il est avantageux de prévoir des moyens limitant le risque de rétrécissement de l'ouverture 28. Ces moyens comprennent selon l'invention une jupe télescopique 46 entourant le contenant souple 26. La jupe 46 est fixée d'une part au support 36 et d'autre part à la paroi 18 de l'enceinte hermétique 12. Une des fixations de la jupe 46 soit au support 36, soit à la paroi 18 est amovible afin d'accéder à la bride 34. Avantageusement on choisit la fixation de la jupe 46 à la paroi 18 comme fixation amovible. Ainsi on bénéficie de la gravité, la jupe 46 se rétractant naturellement vers le support 36, facilitant ainsi l'accès à la bride 34.When the support 36 drives the bottom of the flexible container 26 toward the opening 16, the flexible container 26 can deform so as to narrow the dimensions of its opening 28 below its retention on the collar 30. More precisely, when the support 36 rises toward the opening 16, the flexible container 26 can bend by sagging, thus causing a flattening of its section perpendicular to the axis 38. The operator can take care to avoid this phenomenon, according to an embodiment not included in the scope of the invention, by placing a tool in the soup container 26 or even in the packaging 24 during the translation of the support 36 toward the opening 16. Alternatively, it is advantageous to provide means limiting the risk of narrowing of the opening 28. These means comprise according to the invention a telescopic skirt 46 surrounding the flexible container 26. The skirt 46 is fixed with a part to the support 36 and on the other hand to the wall 18 of the hermetic enclosure 12. One of the fixings of the skirt 46 either to the support 36 or to the wall 18 is removable in order to access the flange 34. Advantageously, the fixing of the skirt 46 to the wall 18 is chosen as a removable fixing. Thus, gravity is used, the skirt 46 naturally retracting towards the support 36, thus facilitating access to the flange 34.

La jupe 46 est configurée pour se rétracter et se dilater en fonction de déplacements du support 36, tout en conservant une forme sensiblement tubulaire autour du contenant souple 26. La jupe 46 conserve une section, perpendiculairement à l'axe 38, de forme sensiblement constante. On entend par sensiblement constante, une section variant dans une proportion donnée par sa rétractation et sa dilatation. Par exemple, la section de la jupe 46 peut être circulaire et rester sensiblement circulaire lors des déplacements du support 36. Le diamètre de la jupe 46 varie peu lors de sa rétractation et sa dilatation. D'autres formes de section de la jupe 4 sont possibles dans le cadre de l'invention, par exemple une forme ovale, polygonale, ... La présence de la jupe 46 permet de guider le contenant souple 26 lorsque le support 36 se déplace en translation, limitant ainsi le risque rétrécissement de l'ouverture 28 du contenant souple 26 en dessous de la collerette 30.The skirt 46 is configured to retract and expand in response to movements of the support 36, while maintaining a substantially tubular shape. around the flexible container 26. The skirt 46 maintains a section, perpendicular to the axis 38, of substantially constant shape. By substantially constant, we mean a section varying in a given proportion by its retraction and its expansion. For example, the section of the skirt 46 can be circular and remain substantially circular during the movements of the support 36. The diameter of the skirt 46 varies little during its retraction and its expansion. Other shapes of section of the skirt 4 are possible within the framework of the invention, for example an oval, polygonal shape, ... The presence of the skirt 46 makes it possible to guide the flexible container 26 when the support 36 moves in translation, thus limiting the risk of narrowing the opening 28 of the flexible container 26 below the collar 30.

La jupe 46 est par exemple formée d'un film déformable auquel est fixé un fil métallique élastique s'enroulant en hélice autour du contenant souple 26. Le fil assure la rigidité de la jupe 46. Le fil se déforme à la façon d'un ressort hélicoïdal en conservant une forme sensiblement tubulaire. D'autres modes de réalisation de la jupe 46 peuvent être envisagés dans le cadre de l'invention. La jupe 46 peut par exemple être formée à partir de troncs de cônes alternés s'étendant tous selon un même axe parallèle à l'axe 38. Les angles au sommet des différents troncs de cônes augmentent lorsque la jupe 46 se rétracte et diminuent lorsque la jupe 46 se dilate. La jupe 46 se déforme alors à la façon d'un accordéon. De façon plus générale, la jupe 46 est configurée pour que lorsque le support mobile 36 se rapproche de l'ouverture 16, le diamètre d de la section intérieure de la jupe 46 et plus généralement une dimension caractéristique de la section diminue de façon à resserrer le contenant souple 26. Ainsi au fur et à mesure qu'un opérateur prélève de la poudre dans l'emballage 24, l'opérateur rapproche le support mobile 36 de l'ouverture 16 et la poudre encore présente dans l'emballage 24 est poussée vers l'intérieur de l'emballage 24, ce qui facilite le prélèvement par l'opérateur de la poudre encore présente dans l'emballage 24. D'autres modes de réalisation de la jupe 46 que des troncs de cônes alternés sont possibles pour permettre la variation de la section intérieure de la jupe 46. Il est par exemple possible d'équiper la jupe de plusieurs anneaux rétractables en fonction l'élongation de la jupe 46.The skirt 46 is for example formed of a deformable film to which is fixed an elastic metal wire winding in a helix around the flexible container 26. The wire ensures the rigidity of the skirt 46. The wire deforms in the manner of a helical spring while retaining a substantially tubular shape. Other embodiments of the skirt 46 can be envisaged within the scope of the invention. The skirt 46 can for example be formed from alternating truncated cones all extending along the same axis parallel to the axis 38. The angles at the apex of the different truncated cones increase when the skirt 46 retracts and decrease when the skirt 46 expands. The skirt 46 then deforms in the manner of an accordion. More generally, the skirt 46 is configured so that when the movable support 36 approaches the opening 16, the diameter d of the inner section of the skirt 46 and more generally a characteristic dimension of the section decreases so as to tighten the flexible container 26. Thus, as an operator takes powder from the packaging 24, the operator moves the movable support 36 closer to the opening 16 and the powder still present in the packaging 24 is pushed towards the inside of the packaging 24, which makes it easier for the operator to take the powder still present in the packaging 24. Other embodiments of the skirt 46 than alternating truncated cones are possible to allow the variation of the inner section of the skirt 46. For example, it is possible to equip the skirt with several retractable rings depending on the elongation of the skirt 46.

Le contenant souple 26 et la jupe 46, lorsqu'elle est présente, sont des composants fragiles. Plus précisément, un risque de poinçonnement par des éléments extérieurs existe et peut entrainer des fuites de poudre volatiles dans l'environnement du dispositif 10. Pour limiter l'occurrence de ce risque, le dispositif 10 peut comprendre un sas d'entrée 50 sous forme d'un caisson fixé à l'enceinte hermétique 12 et dans lequel sont disposés, le contenant souple 26, le support mobile 36 et le cas échéant, la jupe 46. Du sas 50 peut sortir la manette 43 ou la pédale 45 afin de déplacer le support 36 par l'extérieur du sas 50. Le sas 50 comprend avantageusement une porte permettant d'accéder au contenant souple 26 afin de le mettre en place.The flexible container 26 and the skirt 46, when present, are fragile components. More specifically, a risk of punching by external elements exist and can cause volatile powder leaks into the environment of the device 10. To limit the occurrence of this risk, the device 10 may comprise an inlet airlock 50 in the form of a box fixed to the hermetic enclosure 12 and in which are arranged the flexible container 26, the mobile support 36 and, where appropriate, the skirt 46. The lever 43 or the pedal 45 can extend from the airlock 50 in order to move the support 36 from the outside of the airlock 50. The airlock 50 advantageously comprises a door allowing access to the flexible container 26 in order to put it in place.

La manipulation de la poudre volatile est réalisée à l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12 par l'opérateur. Plus précisément, l'opérateur puise de la poudre volatile 22 dans l'emballage 24 puis la manipule dans l'enceinte hermétique 12. Cette manipulation consiste par exemple en un remplissage d'un contenant de sortie 52. Le remplissage est accompagné d'une pesée permettant de doser avec précision la quantité de poudre 22 présente dans le contenant de sortie 52. Une balance 54 permettant la pesée est représentée schématiquement dans l'enceinte hermétique 12.The handling of the volatile powder is carried out inside the hermetic enclosure 12 by the operator. More precisely, the operator draws volatile powder 22 from the packaging 24 and then handles it in the hermetic enclosure 12. This handling consists, for example, of filling an outlet container 52. The filling is accompanied by weighing to accurately measure the quantity of powder 22 present in the outlet container 52. A scale 54 allowing the weighing is shown schematically in the hermetic enclosure 12.

Le dispositif 10 comprend en outre un sas de sortie 60 permettant de recevoir la poudre 22 dans différents contenants de sortie 52. Le sas de sortie 60 est, comme le sas d'entrée 50, fixé à l'enceinte hermétique 12. Le sas de sortie 60 peut être dimensionné pour recevoir plusieurs contenants de sortie 52. Par l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12, on accède au sas de sortie 60 par une ouverture 62 réalisée dans la paroi 18 de l'enceinte hermétique 12. Une trappe 64 permet d'isoler l'enceinte hermétique 12 du sas de sortie 60 en obturant l'ouverture 62.The device 10 further comprises an outlet airlock 60 for receiving the powder 22 in different outlet containers 52. The outlet airlock 60 is, like the inlet airlock 50, fixed to the hermetic enclosure 12. The outlet airlock 60 can be sized to receive several outlet containers 52. From inside the hermetic enclosure 12, the outlet airlock 60 is accessed through an opening 62 made in the wall 18 of the hermetic enclosure 12. A hatch 64 makes it possible to isolate the hermetic enclosure 12 from the outlet airlock 60 by closing the opening 62.

Les poudres volatiles 22 peuvent présenter des risques d'inflammabilité. C'est notamment le cas lorsque les poudres volatiles 22 sont formées de microballons enfermant un gaz inflammable. Pour assurer la sécurité de l'opérateur, il est possible d'appauvrir en oxygène l'air présent dans l'enceinte hermétique 12. L'air ambiant contient de l'ordre de 20% d'oxygène et le taux d'oxygène cible à respecter dans l'enceinte hermétique est fonction du degré d'inflammabilité des poudres 22. Par exemple pour obtenir un taux d'oxygène de l'ordre de 8%, il est possible d'utiliser une technique dite de balayage perdu. Plus précisément, un flux permanent de gaz inerte, tel que par exemple l'azote, balaye l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12. Un filtre permet à l'excédent d'air de sortir de l'enceinte hermétique 12. Le filtre est calibré pour laisser passer l'air et retenir les particules de poudre manipulées dans l'enceinte hermétique 12. Le balayage est schématisé par une réserve d'azote 66 pouvant injecter de l'azote dans l'enceinte hermétique 12 et un filtre 68 disposé en traversée de la paroi 18. Dans la pratique, le balayage est configuré de façon à atteindre la totalité du volume de l'enceinte hermétique 12, l'intérieur du contenant souple 26 ainsi que le volume du sas de sortie 60. Alternativement au balayage perdu qui peut entrainer une grande consommation de gaz inerte, il est possible de mettre en oeuvre un système de purification en boucle fermé qui permet de limiter la consommation de gaz inerte. Le système d'appauvrissement en oxygène peut disposer d'un capteur de mesure du taux d'oxygène lui permettant de réguler son fonctionnement. En cas de poudres volatiles présentant des risques d'inflammabilité, une fois l'étanchéité réalisée entre le contenant souple 26 et l'enceinte hermétique 12 autour de l'ouverture 16, l'appauvrissement en oxygène du volume interne de l'enceinte hermétique 12 est réalisé avant d'ouvrir la trappe 20.The volatile powders 22 may present flammability risks. This is particularly the case when the volatile powders 22 are formed of microballoons enclosing a flammable gas. To ensure the safety of the operator, it is possible to deplete the air present in the hermetic enclosure 12 of oxygen. The ambient air contains around 20% oxygen and the target oxygen level to be respected in the hermetic enclosure is a function of the degree of flammability of the powders 22. For example, to obtain an oxygen level of around 8%, it is possible to use a technique called lost sweeping. More precisely, a permanent flow of inert gas, such as nitrogen, sweeps the interior of the hermetic enclosure 12. A filter allows the excess air to exit the hermetic enclosure 12. The filter is calibrated to allow air to pass through and retain the powder particles handled in the sealed enclosure 12. The sweep is schematized by a nitrogen reserve 66 capable of injecting nitrogen into the sealed enclosure 12 and a filter 68 arranged across the wall 18. In practice, the sweep is configured so as to reach the entire volume of the sealed enclosure 12, the interior of the flexible container 26 as well as the volume of the outlet airlock 60. As an alternative to lost sweeping which can lead to a large consumption of inert gas, it is possible to implement a closed-loop purification system which makes it possible to limit the consumption of inert gas. The oxygen depletion system may have an oxygen level measurement sensor enabling it to regulate its operation. In the case of volatile powders presenting flammability risks, once the seal has been achieved between the flexible container 26 and the hermetic enclosure 12 around the opening 16, the oxygen depletion of the internal volume of the hermetic enclosure 12 is achieved before opening the hatch 20.

La pression de gaz à l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12 peut être maintenue légèrement supérieure à la pression atmosphérique régnant dans le local dans lequel le dispositif 10 est situé. La surpression empêche ainsi l'air ambiant du local à pénétrer dans l'enceinte hermétique au travers d'éventuelles micro fuites ou au travers des gants qui tendent à devenir poreux avec le temps.The gas pressure inside the sealed enclosure 12 can be maintained slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure prevailing in the room in which the device 10 is located. The overpressure thus prevents the ambient air of the room from penetrating into the sealed enclosure through possible micro leaks or through gloves which tend to become porous over time.

Un système de nettoyage du volume interne de l'enceinte hermétique 12 peut être prévu afin d'éliminer les particules de poudre 22 pouvant se déposer dans l'enceinte hermétique 12 hors du contenant de sortie 52 lors de la manipulation de la poudre 22. A cet effet, le dispositif 10 peut comprendre un aspirateur 70 muni d'un filtre 72 semblable au filtre 68. L'aspirateur 70 peut être équipé de tuyaux, non représentés, permettant à l'opérateur d'atteindre la totalité du volume de l'enceinte hermétique 12 et également l'intérieur du contenant souple 26 et du sas de sortie 60. Il est également possible de prévoir un aspirateur spécifique au sas de sortie 60 afin d'éviter de nettoyer complètement le volume interne de l'enceinte hermétique 12 lorsque l'opérateur souhaite accéder au sas de sortie 60 pour prélever un contenant de sortie 52 plein ou pour y déposer un contenant de sortie 52 vide.A system for cleaning the internal volume of the sealed enclosure 12 may be provided in order to remove the particles of powder 22 that may be deposited in the sealed enclosure 12 outside the outlet container 52 during handling of the powder 22. For this purpose, the device 10 may comprise a vacuum cleaner 70 provided with a filter 72 similar to the filter 68. The vacuum cleaner 70 may be equipped with pipes, not shown, allowing the operator to reach the entire volume of the sealed enclosure 12 and also the interior of the flexible container 26 and the outlet airlock 60. It is also possible to provide a vacuum cleaner specific to the outlet airlock 60 in order to avoid completely cleaning the internal volume of the sealed enclosure 12 when the operator wishes to access the outlet airlock 60 to remove a full outlet container 52 or to deposit an empty outlet container 52 therein.

Le sas de sortie 60 comprend une porte 74 permettant de prélever les contenants de sortie 52 remplis de leur dose de poudre 22 et permettant aussi d'introduire des contenants de sortie 52 vides pour un remplissage dans l'enceinte hermétique 12. La trappe 64 est fermée lors des manipulations de poudres à l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12. Lorsque les manipulations sont achevées, l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12 et notamment les surfaces extérieures des contenants de sortie 52 sont nettoyés au moyen de l'aspirateur 70 avant ouverture de la trappe 64. Ainsi le volume interne du sas de sortie 60 reste propre même lorsque la trappe 64 est ouverte. Alternativement, il est possible d'ouvrir la trappe 64 pendant les manipulations de poudre et de placer un à un les contenants de sortie 52 dans le sas de sortie 60 dès leur scellement après remplissage. Cependant cela nécessite un nettoyage du sas de sortie 60 avant ouverture de la porte 70.The exit airlock 60 comprises a door 74 for collecting the exit containers 52 filled with their dose of powder 22 and also for introducing empty exit containers 52 for filling in the enclosure. hermetic enclosure 12. The hatch 64 is closed during powder handling inside the hermetic enclosure 12. When the handling is complete, the inside of the hermetic enclosure 12 and in particular the external surfaces of the outlet containers 52 are cleaned using the vacuum cleaner 70 before opening the hatch 64. Thus the internal volume of the outlet airlock 60 remains clean even when the hatch 64 is open. Alternatively, it is possible to open the hatch 64 during powder handling and to place the outlet containers 52 one by one in the outlet airlock 60 as soon as they are sealed after filling. However, this requires cleaning the outlet airlock 60 before opening the door 70.

Si le dispositif dispose d'un système d'appauvrissement en oxygène l'air présent dans l'enceinte hermétique 12, il peut être utile de prévoir un système de remise en oxygène du sas de sortie 60 afin d'éviter que l'opérateur ne soit soumis à de l'air trop pauvre en oxygène en ouvrant la porte 74. Ce système de remise en oxygène peut utiliser un réseau d'air comprimé souvent présent dans des locaux du type de ceux dans lesquels le dispositif 10 est amené à être installé. Le système de remise en oxygène est actionné après nettoyage de l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12 pour éviter que des traces de poudre ne puissent être en présence de gaz trop riche en oxygène. Le système de remise en oxygène peut disposer d'un capteur de mesure du taux d'oxygène lui permettant de réguler son fonctionnement. Il est également possible de l'actionner lorsque la trappe 64 est ouverte mais cela nécessite de remettre en oxygène la totalité du volume de l'enceinte hermétique, pour réaliser cette opération ce qui est consommateur en gaz inerte avant une nouvelle opération de manipulation de poudre 22 à l'intérieur de l'enceinte hermétique 12.If the device has a system for depleting the oxygen in the air present in the sealed enclosure 12, it may be useful to provide a system for reoxygenating the outlet airlock 60 in order to prevent the operator from being exposed to air that is too low in oxygen when opening the door 74. This reoxygenation system may use a compressed air network often present in premises of the type in which the device 10 is to be installed. The reoxygenation system is activated after cleaning the interior of the sealed enclosure 12 to prevent traces of powder from being present in gas that is too rich in oxygen. The reoxygenation system may have a sensor for measuring the oxygen level allowing it to regulate its operation. It is also possible to activate it when the hatch 64 is open but this requires replenishing oxygen to the entire volume of the hermetic enclosure, to carry out this operation, which consumes inert gas before a new powder handling operation 22 inside the hermetic enclosure 12.

La figure 2 représente plus en détail le contenant souple 26 qui peut être utilisé pour extraire des déchets du dispositif 10 et notamment l'emballage 24 lorsqu'il est vide. A cet effet, le dispositif 10 comprend des moyens de fermeture étanche du contenant souple 26. Le contenant souple 26 peut être réalisé dans un matériau thermo plastique et les moyens de fermeture étanche peuvent consister en une pince chauffante 80 permettant de souder le contenant étanche 26 pour y enfermer notamment l'emballage 24 une fois vidé de sa poudre et éventuellement tout autre type de déchet, comme un sac de l'aspirateur 70, que l'opérateur peut placer dans le contenant souple 26 avant sa fermeture. D'autres moyens de fermetures sont bien entendu possibles dans le cadre de l'invention. Il est par exemple possible de replier le contenant souple et de maintenir le pli au moyen de pinces.There figure 2 shows in more detail the flexible container 26 which can be used to extract waste from the device 10 and in particular the packaging 24 when it is empty. For this purpose, the device 10 comprises means for sealing the flexible container 26. The flexible container 26 can be made of a thermoplastic material and the sealing means can consist of a heating clamp 80 for welding the sealed container 26 to enclose in particular the packaging 24 once emptied of its powder and possibly any other type of waste, such as a vacuum cleaner bag 70, which the operator can place in the flexible container 26 before closing it. Other means of Closures are of course possible within the scope of the invention. For example, it is possible to fold the flexible container and hold the fold using clamps.

Lorsqu'une pince à souder est mise en oeuvre, une seule bande de soudage peut suffire pour sceller le contenant souple 26. Cependant pour plus de sécurité, il est possible de réaliser plusieurs bandes de soudage parallèles, trois bandes 82, 84 et 86 dans l'exemple représenté. La bande de soudage 82 est la plus proche de l'ouverture 16 et la bande 86, la plus éloignée. Chaque bande de soudage peut à elle seule assurer l'étanchéité du contenant souple 26.When a welding clamp is used, a single welding strip may be sufficient to seal the flexible container 26. However, for greater safety, it is possible to produce several parallel welding strips, three strips 82, 84 and 86 in the example shown. The welding strip 82 is the closest to the opening 16 and the strip 86 the furthest away. Each welding strip can by itself ensure the sealing of the flexible container 26.

La pince chauffante 80 peut être configurée pour ne réaliser qu'une seule bande et l'opérateur répète l'opération de soudage autant de fois que de bandes à réaliser. Alternativement la pince chauffante 80 peut être configurée pour réaliser les trois bandes simultanément. Cela permet de mieux maîtriser l'écart entre les différentes bandes de soudage.The heating clamp 80 can be configured to produce only one strip and the operator repeats the welding operation as many times as there are strips to be produced. Alternatively, the heating clamp 80 can be configured to produce the three strips simultaneously. This allows better control of the gap between the different welding strips.

Une fois les trois bandes réalisées, on peut découper le contenant souple 26, à l'aide de tout type d'outil coupant entre les deux bandes extrêmes 82 et 86 et notamment sur la trace de la bande intermédiaire 84 lorsque trois bandes sont réalisées. La bande 84 sert alors de guide pour réaliser la découpe du contenant souple 26. Les bandes étant réalisées à distance l'une de l'autre, l'utilisation d'un guide de découpe permet de limiter le risque de rupture de l'étanchéité du contenant souple 26 lors de l'opération de découpe. La découpe du contenant souple 26 sur la bande 84 présente un autre intérêt qui est d'éviter que d'éventuelles particules de poudre pouvant se trouver entre deux bandes consécutives ne puissent être libérées. Ainsi le contenant souple 26 est coupé en deux parties, la partie 26-1, la plus proche de l'ouverture 16, reste solidaire de la collerette 30 et l'autre partie 26-2 peut être enlevée, par exemple pour un traitement des déchets et un recyclage.Once the three strips have been made, the flexible container 26 can be cut using any type of cutting tool between the two end strips 82 and 86 and in particular along the line of the intermediate strip 84 when three strips are made. The strip 84 then serves as a guide for cutting the flexible container 26. Since the strips are made at a distance from each other, the use of a cutting guide makes it possible to limit the risk of breaking the seal of the flexible container 26 during the cutting operation. Cutting the flexible container 26 on the strip 84 has another advantage, which is to prevent any powder particles that may be between two consecutive strips from being released. Thus, the flexible container 26 is cut into two parts, the part 26-1, closest to the opening 16, remains attached to the collar 30 and the other part 26-2 can be removed, for example for waste treatment and recycling.

Après découpe du contenant souple 26, il est possible de nettoyer par l'ouverture 16 l'intérieur de la partie 26-1 restée accrochée à la collerette 30, puis de fermer la trappe 20 et enfin de désolidariser la partie 26-1 de la collerette 30 en déposant la bride 34. La mise en place d'un nouveau contenant souple 26 peut ensuite être effectuée.After cutting the flexible container 26, it is possible to clean the inside of the part 26-1 remaining attached to the collar 30 through the opening 16, then to close the hatch 20 and finally to separate the part 26-1 from the collar 30 by removing the flange 34. A new flexible container 26 can then be installed.

La figure 3 représente une variante de réalisation du contenant souple 26 et plus précisément du joint d'étanchéité placé à l'interface entre la collerette 30 et le contenant souple 26. Plus précisément, le joint d'étanchéité 32 peut être disposé dans un pli 90 du contenant souple 26. Il est possible de replier le bord du contenant souple 26 au niveau de son ouverture 28, d'enfermer le joint d'étanchéité 32 dans le pli 90 et de fixer ce pli au reste du contenant souple 26. La fixation peut être réalisée de diverses manières, par exemple par soudage ou collage. La présence du joint d'étanchéité 32 dans le pli 90 du contenant souple 26 permet de limiter le nombre d'opérations que l'opérateur doit effectuer lors du montage du contenant souple 26 sur la collerette 30. Cela permet aussi de sécuriser ce montage, l'oubli du joint d'étanchéité 32 est alors impossible.There figure 3 represents an alternative embodiment of the flexible container 26 and more precisely of the seal placed at the interface between the collar 30 and the flexible container 26. More precisely, the seal 32 can be arranged in a fold 90 of the flexible container 26. It is possible to fold the edge of the flexible container 26 at its opening 28, to enclose the seal 32 in the fold 90 and to fix this fold to the rest of the flexible container 26. The fixing can be carried out in various ways, for example by welding or gluing. The presence of the seal 32 in the fold 90 of the flexible container 26 makes it possible to limit the number of operations that the operator must carry out when mounting the flexible container 26 on the collar 30. This also makes this assembly secure, forgetting the seal 32 is then impossible.

Le joint d'étanchéité 32 peut être unique ou multiple comme représenté sur la figure 3. A l'intérieur du pli 90, il est possible de séparer les joints 32 par un cordon de colle ou de soudage.The seal 32 may be single or multiple as shown in the figure 3 . Inside the fold 90, it is possible to separate the joints 32 by a bead of glue or welding.

Claims (11)

  1. A device for handling volatile powders comprising a hermetically sealed enclosure (12) comprising a hatch (20) for closing an opening (16) disposed through a wall (18) of the hermetically sealed enclosure (12), outside the hermetically sealed enclosure (12), the device (10) comprising:
    - a flexible container (26) intended for receiving a package (24) containing volatile powders (22);
    - a sealed fastener for the flexible container (26) with an opening (28) that sealably conforms to the opening (16) of the hermetically sealed enclosure (12);
    - a movable support (36), on which the flexible container (26) rests;
    - a mechanism (40) for translationally moving the movable support (36) towards the opening (16) of the hermetically sealed enclosure (12);
    the device being characterised in that it comprises:
    - a telescopic skirt (46) disposed so as to surround the flexible container (26), the telescopic skirt (46) being fixed, on the one hand, to the support (36) and, on the other hand, to the wall (18) of the hermetically sealed enclosure (12), the telescopic skirt (46) being configured to retract and expand as a function of movements of the support (36), while maintaining a substantially tubular shape and a cross-section with a substantially constant shape around the flexible container (26).
  2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic skirt (46) is configured such that when the movable support (36) approaches the opening (16), a characteristic dimension (d) of an inner section of the telescopic skirt (46) decreases so as to tighten the flexible container (26).
  3. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hermetically sealed enclosure (12) comprises a flange (30) surrounding the opening (16) of the hermetically sealed enclosure (12) and protruding from the wall (18) towards the outside of the hermetically sealed enclosure (12), wherein the flexible container (26) is configured to cover the flange (30) at its opening (28), and wherein a seal (32) provides the seal between the flange (30) and the flexible container (26).
  4. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the seal (32) is incorporated in a fold (90) of the flexible container (26).
  5. The device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an inlet airlock (50) fixed to the hermetically sealed enclosure (12) and in which the flexible container (26), the movable support (36) and, if applicable, the skirt (46) are placed.
  6. The device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means (80) for sealably closing the flexible container (26).
  7. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the sealable closing means (80) are configured to weld the flexible container (26) along several strips (82, 84, 86), each able to seal the flexible container (26).
  8. The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hermetically sealed enclosure (12) is a glove box, in which the mechanism (40) for moving the movable support (36) comprises an actuator (44) configured to be controlled by means of a pedal (45) disposed so that an operator can operate the pedal (45) while keeping their hands in the gloves of the glove box.
  9. A method for handling volatile powders by means of a device according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following sequence of operations:
    - placing the package (24) in the flexible container (26);
    - positioning the flexible container (26) so as to sealably conform to the opening (16) of the hermetically sealed enclosure (12);
    - opening the hatch (20);
    - opening the package (24) through the inside of the hermetically sealed enclosure (12);
    - handling the powder (22) through the inside of the hermetically sealed enclosure (12).
  10. The method for handling volatile powders according to the preceding claim, further comprising the following operations:
    - sealably closing the flexible container (26);
    - disconnecting the flexible container (26) from the hermetically sealed enclosure (12).
  11. The method for handling volatile powders according to the preceding claim, wherein the operation for sealably closing the flexible container (26) is carried out by means of several welding strips (82, 84, 86) of the flexible container (26), each of which is able to seal the flexible container (26), and wherein the operation for disconnecting the flexible container (26) is carried out by cutting the flexible container between the end welding strips (82, 86).
EP21839588.7A 2020-12-23 2021-12-22 Device and method for handling volatile powders Active EP4267356B1 (en)

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FR2013999A FR3117911B1 (en) 2020-12-23 2020-12-23 Device and method for handling volatile powders
PCT/EP2021/087190 WO2022136494A1 (en) 2020-12-23 2021-12-22 Device and method for handling volatile powders

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CN119562852A (en) * 2022-06-29 2025-03-04 恩特格里斯公司 Vibration filling process for solid chemicals
CN117104652B (en) * 2023-10-11 2025-11-14 无锡理奇智能装备股份有限公司 A fully enclosed gas-protected automatic unpacking system and its control method

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DE102007017816A1 (en) * 2007-04-16 2008-10-30 Hecht Anlagenbau Gmbh Adapter device for containers for contamination-free removal of their contents
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JP6086830B2 (en) * 2013-06-28 2017-03-01 澁谷工業株式会社 Container opening method using containment isolator and containment isolator
CN106514721B (en) * 2016-12-26 2018-11-13 河南华瑞高新材料有限公司 A kind of glove box transfer chamber
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AU2021405605A9 (en) 2024-09-26
FR3117911B1 (en) 2023-06-30
EP4267356A1 (en) 2023-11-01
EP4267356C0 (en) 2024-10-16
CA3203228A1 (en) 2022-06-30
WO2022136494A1 (en) 2022-06-30
FR3117911A1 (en) 2022-06-24

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