WO2025223869A1

WO2025223869A1 - Container for double-door system with self-levelling tray

Info

Publication number: WO2025223869A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/059914
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean Belin
Original assignee: Getinge Life Science France SAS
Current assignee: Getinge Life Science France SAS
Priority date: 2024-04-22
Filing date: 2025-04-10
Publication date: 2025-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-22
Also published as: FR3161502A1

Abstract

Container (40) comprising a wall (41) separating an inner volume (42) of the container (40) and an outer volume of the container (40), the container (40) also comprising a flange (30) defining an opening (31) which accommodates a door (50) mounted on the flange (30) using a set of inner container door (50) lugs (51-54) and a set of inner flange (30) lugs (32-35) to form an inner bayonet connection, the flange (30) being also provided with a set of outer flange lugs (36-39) arranged to form an outer bayonet connection, wherein the container (40) comprises a tray (85) and rotation means (70) arranged so as to allow a rotation of the tray (85) relative to the container (40) about a main axis (Ax).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of the invention: Container for double-door system with self-levelling tray

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the tight transfer of objects from a tight container to a cell, with a double-door connection system.

PRIOR ART

In various industrial sectors, tasks are performed in a confined atmosphere, to protect the environment for example from radioactivity or toxicity, or to perform these tasks in an aseptic atmosphere.

The transfer of objects from a container to a cell, without breaking the tightness, is carried out with a double-door connection device, known for example from documents FR2695343 and US8950624.

Such a device can be used for packaging medicinal products: a filling line is then installed in the cell, and small-sized objects such as vial caps are transferred into the cell to supply this line.

The cell is equipped with a flange which is sealed from the inside by a cell door mounted on a hinge equipping this flange, and the container is for example a bag wherein the opening is provided with another flange equipped with a container door.

The container door conventionally comprises a cylindrical body of main axis provided with a central cylindrical recess defined by a circumferential wall. Inner lugs project radially inwards to form a second bayonet connection.

The connection consists of engaging the flange of the container in that of the cell, and in pivoting it on itself, which has the effect of:

- connecting the two flanges to each other by engaging a first bayonet connection or flange-flange connection;

- connecting the two doors to each other by engaging a second bayonet connection or door-door connection via the inner lugs;

- disconnecting the door of the container from the flange thereof by disengaging a third bayonet connection or flange-door connection. After connection, the cell door is pivoted inwards to open it: the door of the container then being rigidly connected to that of the cell by the door-door connection, it is carried with the cell door to remove it from the container flange.

When the objects have been transferred, the cell door can then be folded back against this opening with the container door borne thereby.

The container is then pivoted on itself in the opposite direction, which has the effect of:

- securing the container door to the container flange;

- disconnecting the container door from the cell door;

- disconnecting the container door from the cell flange.

Thus, a rotation in a first direction of the container relative to the cell flange is necessary to ensure the connection of the container to the cell and the opening of the container and cell doors. Homologous rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction is also necessary to ensure the closure of the container and cell doors as well as to disconnect the container from the cell flange. This device is unsuitable for the transfer of material sensitive to container rotation, such as, for example, fragile samples (glass pipettes, biological specimens) or uncapped samples (open vials), while its ease of use and reliability provide significant advantages in the processes wherein it is implemented. Multi-door airlocks with sliding trays are then generally used. These devices are cumbersome and require expensive instrumentation, generally electronic, which can pose reliability problems. Indeed, the translational movement must be particularly smooth in order to avoid damaging the equipment. These airlock and tray devices are complex to use, which is a source of error during their implementation. Finally, the transfer times are particularly lengthy and these devices are not compatible with existing double-door devices.

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is that of improving the ease of transfer into a cell of materials sensitive to the movement of the support on which they are disposed. DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To this end, a container is provided comprising a wall separating an inner volume of the container and a volume external to the container, the container also comprising a flange defining an opening which accommodates a door mounted on the flange using a set of inner container door lugs and a set of inner flange lugs to form an inner bayonet connection. The flange is also provided with a set of outer flanges arranged to form an outer bayonet connection. According to the invention, the container comprises a tray and rotation means arranged so as to allow a rotation of the tray relative to the container about a main axis.

According to other specific, non-exclusive and optional embodiments of the invention: the tray is slidably mounted relative to the container along a sliding direction to be able to slide through the opening, the sliding direction is substantially parallel with the main axis, the rotation means comprise at least one roller bearing, the container is substantially in the shape of a right circular cylinder with an axis parallel with the main axis. said at least one roller bearing bears against the wall. the rotation means comprise at least one annular structure on which the at least one roller is mounted in rotation. the tray is slidably mounted relative to the annular structure, the container comprises a device for selectively locking the rotation means, the locking device being able to adopt a first locking state wherein the tray is rigidly connected in rotation with the container and a second released state wherein the tray is free to rotate relative to the container. the locking device comprises an element from among a finger and a housing, one of which is rigidly connected in rotation with the tray. the container comprises an element for returning the element to its position. - the locking device comprises: a reinforcement extending into the inner volume and which is mounted in rotation about the main axis relative to the container door; a coupling which is rigidly connected in rotation to the reinforcement and which extends into the outer volume; a lock that locks a rotation of the coupling relative to the container door when the locking device is in its first locking state, the lock allowing free rotation of the coupling relative to the container door when the locking device is in its second released state.

- one of the two elements extends between two inner flange lugs.

- the locking device is arranged to be in its first locking state when the outer bayonet connection is not engaged.

The invention also relates to a method for transferring an object from or to a tray located in an inner volume (42) of a container, said inner volume being separated from an outer volume of the container by a wall, the container also comprising a flange defining an opening which accommodates a door mounted on the flange using a set of inner container door lugs (50) and a set of inner flange lugs to form an inner bayonet connection, the flange also being provided with a set of outer flange lugs arranged to form an outer bayonet connection, wherein the container comprises rotation means arranged so as to allow a rotation of the tray relative to the container about a main axis, the container comprising a device (90) for selectively locking the rotation means, the locking device being able to adopt a first locking state wherein the tray is rigidly connected in rotation with the container and a second released state wherein the tray is free to rotate relative to the container, the method comprising the following steps: during a container transport phase, placing the locking device in its first state; during a transfer phase from or to the inner volume, connecting the container to a cell by forming the outer bayonet connection; unlocking the container door by releasing the inner bayonet connection formed by the set of inner container door lugs and the set of inner flange lugs;

- opening the door away from the opening defined by the flange;

- switching the locking device from its first state to its second state.

-loading or unloading the object on or from the tray;

- after the transfer, closing the container door, and locking the door by forming the inner bayonet connection;

- separating the container from the cell by disconnecting the outer bayonet connection.

Advantageously, the method comprises an additional step of locking the tray in rotation relative to the cell.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of a specific non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will be made to the appended figures in which:

[Fig. 1] is a schematic outside view of a cell provided with a cell flange, the door of which is shown closed and which is intended to be connected to a container flange provided with a door according to the invention; [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective view of the cell of Figure 1, the door of which is shown open;

[Fig. 3] is a perspective view of a container according to the invention;

[Fig. 4] is a partial half-sectional perspective view of the container of Figure 3;

[Fig. 5] is a half-sectional view of the container of Figure 3;

[Fig. 6] is a perspective view of a cradle of the container of Figure 3;

[Fig. 7] is a front view of the cradle of Figure 6;

[Fig. 8] is a sectional side view of the container of Figure 3 in a deployed tray configuration;

[Fig. 9] is a perspective view of a door of the container according to the invention;

[Fig. 10] is a view of the container door of Figure 9 from a different viewing angle;

[Fig. 11] is a schematic detailed view of the container door of Figure 8;

[Fig. 12] is a schematic- detailed perspective view of the container according to the invention and its locking device;

[Fig. 13] is a schematic cutaway perspective view of the flange and the container door of Figure 8;

[Fig. 14] is a schematic cutaway perspective view of the container door of Figure 8 in a configuration of engagement in a cell flange;

[Fig. 15] is a schematic view of the lock of the container door of Figure 8;

[Fig. 16] is a schematic view of the container after the container door is fully opened.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a cell partition 1 is equipped with a cell flange 2 wherein a container flange 30 of a container 40 is engaged. The container flange 30 defines an opening 31 provided with a container door 50. The door 50 is mounted in the flange 30 using a set of inner container door lugs 51-54 which cooperates with a set of inner container flange lugs 32-35 to make a first inner bayonet connection. Thus, the door 50 is mounted in rotation relative to the flange 30 about the main axis AX and can adopt a locked configuration wherein the door 50 is immobilised in the flange 30 and an unlocked configuration wherein the door 50 can be removed freely from the cell flange 30. Switching the door 50 from one configuration to another is performed by rotating the door 50 relative to the cell flange 30 about the axis Ax. The flange 30 is also provided with a set of four outer flange lugs 36-39 arranged to form a second outer bayonet connection with outer cell lugs 2.1-2.4.

The cell flange 2 defines a central opening 18 which connects the inside and outside of the cell 2. This cell flange 2 has an inner face 4 facing the inside of the cell which it equips, and an outer face 7 facing the outside of the cell which it equips and with which the container flange 3 is coupled.

The cell flange 2 is provided on the inside of the cell with a hinge 14 whereon a cell door 15 seen in Figures 1 and 2 is mounted. The cell door 15 has an outer face 8 facing the outside of the cell 2. The door 15 per se is connected to the hinge 14 via an arm 16 having an end rigidly connected to the rotary element of the hinge 14 and a body attached to the door 15. The door 15 comprises a locking unit equipped with a cam 21, or engorger, which projects radially from the side opposite to the hinge 14. The door 15 comprises four outer cell door 15 tabs 15.1 to 15.4 which project radially from the door 15 from the main axis AX.

The cell door 15 opens towards the inside of the cell to free the central opening 18 of the cell flange 2, as in the configuration of Figure 2. This door 15 can also occupy a position folded back onto the opening 18 to close it, which corresponds to the configuration of Figure 1. As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the hinge 14 extends along an axis AY which is parallel with the partition 1 and which is here vertically oriented.

The cell flange 2 is equipped with a locking device comprising a rotary lock 19 for selectively cooperating with the cam 21.

The rotary lock 19 is located opposite the hinge 14, and it projects from the inner face 4 while being capable of pivoting about an axis parallel with the axis AX, this lock 19 including a finger 22 extending parallel with the face 4 and which is capable of cooperating with the cam 21.

When the door 15 is folded back, the cam 21 is located facing the lock 19, such that a pivoting of the lock 19 about its axis makes it possible to engage the finger 22 thereof in this cam 21, so as to lock the door. Rotating the lock 19 in the opposite direction makes it possible to disengage its finger 22, to release the cam 21 and enable an opening of the door 15 and the release of the opening 18.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the container 40 comprises a wall 41 which delimits an inner volume 42 of the container 40 and a volume external to the container 40.

The wall 41 thus defines a container 40 bottom 43 and a right cylindrical portion 44 of the wall 41 to form a container 40 substantially in a right circular cylinder shape with the main axis Ax. The bottom 43 is, here, a bottom that is curved towards the inner volume 42 of the container 40.

The container 40 comprises a cradle 70 which extends into the volume 42. The cradle 70 comprises a rear annular structure 71 and a front annular structure 72 connected by two rails 73.1 and 73.2 of circular cross-section which extend parallel with the axis Ax.

The structure 71 is substantially stirrup-shaped and includes a top vertex 71.1 and two bottom vertices 71.2 and 71.3. A first portion 71.4 of structure 71 connects the vertices 71.1 and 71.2, a second portion 71.5 of structure 71 connects the vertices 71.1 and 71.3, a third portion 71.6 of structure 71 connects the vertices 71.2 and 71.3. The portions 71.4, 71.5 and 71.6 respectively comprise a roller 74.1, 74.2, 74.3 mounted in rotation on the structure 71 about concurrent axes substantially orthogonal to the axis Ax. The vertices 71.1, 71.2 and 71.3 receive rollers 75.1, 75.2 and 75.3 mounted in rotation on the structure 71 about axes parallel with the axis Ax.

The structure 72 is substantially in a circle shape and is composed of a top part 72.1 attached to a bottom part 72.2 by bolting.

Three top rollers 76.1, 76.2 and 76.3 are mounted in rotation on the part 72.1 about axes parallel with the axis Ax. Two bottom rollers 76.4 and 76.5 are mounted in rotation on the part 72.2 about axes parallel with the axis Ax. The stirrup-type shape of the annular structure 71 advantageously allows the insertion of the annular structure 71 into the inner volume 42 through the opening 31 by inclining it relative to the axis Ax, avoiding a design in two removable elements as for the structure 72.

The two-part embodiment of the structure 72 makes it possible to benefit from a circular guidance of the cradle relative to the container 40, without reducing the usable passage diameter of the container 40.

Two support fingers 77.1 and 77.2 are attached by screwing onto the bottom part 72.2 to project axially forwards (i.e. in the direction of the opening 31) from the bottom part 72.2.

A rear plate 80 is slidably mounted on the rails 73.1 and 73.2. A stop 78 is attached to the rail 73.1 and to delimit a sliding distance d. A second stop 79 is attached to the rail 73.2 to delimit the sliding distance d.

The plate 80 is connected to a front plate 81 by a bottom shaft 82.1 and two top shafts 82.2 and 82.3 all three extending substantially parallel with the axis Ax.

The bottom shaft 82.1 is also slidably mounted through a hole 72.20 of the bottom part 72.2.

A tray 85 is connected to a rear slide 83 and a front slide 84 which are slidably mounted on the top shafts 82.2 and 82.3. Thus, the rails 73.1 and 73.2 as well as the plates 80 and 81 form with the shafts 82.1, 82.2 and 82.3 and the slides 83 and 84 a telescopic device for sliding the plate 85 relative to the cradle 70 along the axis Ax. The tray 85 comprises a main surface 86 intended to receive objects to be transferred and which extends in a plane P substantially parallel with the axis Ax.

As can be seen in Figures 6 and 12, the cradle 70 partially bears a device 90 for locking the rotation of the cradle 70 about the axis Ax.

The device 90 comprises two rods 91 and 92 respectively slidably mounted in sleeves 91.10 and 92.10 which open into holes 72.21 and 72.22 of the bottom part 72.2. The respective rear ends 91.1 and 92.1 of the rods 91 and 92 are connected to each other by a rear bar 93 to which they are bolted and the respective front ends 91.2 and 92.2 of the rods 91 and 92 are connected to each other by a front bar 94. Two helical springs 95 and 96 respectively mounted on the rods 91 and 92 extend between a front face 72.23 of the part 72.2 and the bar 94 in order to move the bar 94 away from the front face 72.23. Two fingers 97 and 98 project from a front face 94.1 of the bar 94 to extend between the lugs 32 and 33 of the flange 30. The fingers 97 and 98 are identical and respectively comprise a frustoconical portion 97.1 and 98.1.

With reference to Figures 9-11 and 13-14, the container door 50 comprises a disc-shaped reinforcement 55 which extends into the inner volume 42 substantially parallel with an inner face 50.1 of the door 50. The reinforcement 55 is rigidly connected to an inner end 56.1 of a central shaft 56 which passes through the container door 50 and is mounted in rotation relative to the container door 50 about the axis Ax when the container door 50 is mounted on the container flange 30.

As seen in Figure 9, the reinforcement 55 comprises four oblong-shaped slots 68 located in proximity to its outer circumference and which are angularly distributed at ninety degrees from one another. The shape of each slot 68 is chosen such that when the frustoconical portions 97.1 and 98.1 of the fingers 97 and 98 are accommodated in the same slot 68, the rotational gap of the reinforcement 55 relative to the container door 50 is minimal.

The outer end 56.2 of the shaft 56 is in turn rigidly connected to a coupling 57 which extends into a blind cylindrical housing 58 with the main axis Ax. The housing 58 comprises a wall 59 with a radially projecting set of inner lugs 60.1-60.4 separated by inner notches 61.1-61.4 to form an annular groove 62 and which are capable of forming an inner bayonet connection.

The coupling 57 comprises a plate 57.1 which extends substantially parallel with the bottom 58.1 of the housing 58 and the two free radial ends 57.2 and 57.3 of which extend into the groove 62. The plate 57.1 has a width I57.1 substantially greater than a width lei of the notches 61.1-61.4. The end 57.2 comprises two abutments 57.20 and 57.21 which extend axially projecting from the plate 57.1 to border the notch 61.1. In the same way, the end 57.3 comprises two abutments 57.30 and 57.31 which extend axial projecting from the plate 57.1 to border the notch 61.3. The plate 57.1 also comprises a slot 63 which describes a portion of an amplitude a equal to thirty degrees of a ring centred on the shaft 56. A first end 63.1 of the slot 63 delimits a right cylindrical housing 64 with a first diameter D64 and an axis substantially parallel with the axis Ax when the container door 50 is mounted on the container flange 30. The opening 63 has a width les much smaller than the diameter De4.

A staged lock 65 is slidably mounted in a housing 66 of the container door 50 along a direction substantially parallel with the axis Ax when the container door 50 is mounted on the container flange 30. The lock 65 is, here, a revolving part which comprises a succession of four stages 65.1, 65.2, 65.3 and 65.4 topped with a hemispherical cap 65.5. The stages 65.1, 65.2 and 65.4 are in a right cylinder shape and the stage 65.3 is in a frustoconical shape. The stage 65.1 has a diameter greater than the diameter D64. The stage 65.2 has a diameter substantially equal to or less than the diameter D64 and substantially greater than the width les. Finally, the stage 65.4 has a diameter substantially equal to or less than the width les.

The stage 65.1 comprises a central housing 65.10 wherein a spring 67 extends. A first end

67.1 of the spring 67 bears against a top face 65.11 of the housing 65.10. A second end

67.2 of the spring 67 extends out of the housing 65.10 to bear against a face 66.1 of the housing 66. Thus, the spring 67 pushes the lock 65 into the slot 63.

The lock 65 can adopt two states: a first locking state wherein the lock 65 is pushed by the spring 67 through the housing 64. The stage 65.2 then extends into the housing 64 and then locks a rotation of the coupling 57 relative to the door 50 (Figure 13). In its second released state, the lock 65 is pushed back against the effect of the spring 67 and the stage 65.4 extends into the housing 64. The diameter of the stage 65.4 allows the sliding of the stage 65.4 relative to the slot 63 and thus allows a rotation of the coupling 57 relative to the door 50 (Figure 14).

The lock 65 and the rods 91 and 92 are part of the locking device 90. The cradle 70 is installed in the container 40 by disconnecting the top 72.1 and bottom 72.2 parts of the structure 72. Once the cradle 70 is introduced into the inner volume 42 through the opening 31, the top part 72.1 is also introduced into the volume 42 through the opening 31 and bolted onto the bottom part 72.2 through the opening 31. Once the cradle 70 is installed in the container 40, the rollers 75.1-75.3 and 76.1-76.5 come into contact with the right cylindrical portion 44 of the wall 41. The rollers 74.1-74.3 come into contact with the bottom 43 of the container 40. The fingers 77.1 and 77.2, for their part, bear against an inner face of the lug 33 to prevent sliding of the cradle 70 through the opening 31. The fingers 77.1 and 77.2 thus allow axial securing (locking in translation along the axis Ax) of the cradle 70. There are two of these so that at least one of the fingers 77.1 and 77.2 is opposite a lug 32 to 35 regardless of the angular position of the cradle relative to the container lugs 32 to 35

The cradle 70 is then free to rotate about the axis Ax relative to the wall 41 of the container 40. When the door 50 is mounted in the flange 30 using the first inner bayonet connection, the fingers 97 and 98 engage in the slot 68 to connect the reinforcement 55 and the cradle 70 in rotation. The lock 65 is pushed by the spring 67 into its first locking state. The coupling 57 is locked in rotation relative to the container door 50, which is in turn kept locked in rotation relative to the container flange 30 by the first inner bayonet connection. Since the reinforcement 55 is rigidly connected in rotation to the coupling 57, the reinforcement 55 is then locked in rotation relative to the container 40. Thus, when the locking device 90 is in its locked state, the cradle 70 is rigidly connected in rotation to the container 40.

When the container flange 30 of the container 40 is moved closer to the cell flange 2, the cap 65.5 of the lock 65 comes into contact with the outer face 8 of the cell door 15. By engaging the container flange 30 in the cell flange 2 by a translation along a direction substantially parallel with the axis Ax, the following events occur: the lock 65 switches to its released position, and the coupling 57 is free to rotate relative to the container 40; the outer tabs 15.1-15.4 of the cell door 15 are engaged in the notches 61.1-61.4 of the container door 50. The outer tab 15.1 then extends between the abutments 57.20 and 57.22. The outer tab 15.3 extends between the abutments 57.30 and 57.31. The coupling 57 is then rigidly connected in rotation to the cell door 15 which, being fixed in rotation relative to the cell flange 2, becomes a new fixed reference for the reinforcement 55.

When the container 40 is rotated relative to the cell flange 2, the wall 41 performs a rotation of sixty degrees relative to the cell flange 2. The container door 50, for its part, performs a rotation of thirty degrees relative to the cell flange 2 - and incidentally relative to the cell door 15. Since the coupling 57 is rigidly connected in rotation to the cell door 15, it remains stationary during the rotation of the wall 41 relative to the cell flange 2 and the tray 85 also remains stationary relative to the cell flange 2 during the movement of the stage 65.4 in the slot 63.

Once the rotation of the wall 41 is completed, the container flange 30 and the cell flange 2 are rigidly connected, the container door 50 and the cell door 15 are rigidly connected and the container 40 is unlocked, the unit formed of the doors 50 and 15 can then be opened.

During the opening of the container door 50, the springs 95 and 96 push the fingers 97 and 98 n which remain in the slot 68 and thus lock a rotation of the cradle 70 relative to the container door 50, which is in turn rigidly connected to the cell door 2. Thus, when the door of the container 50 is opened, the cradle 70 is kept locked in rotation relative to the cell 2. This locking status is maintained until the rear bar 93 abuts against the rear faces of the sleeves 91.10 and 92.10. At this time, the bar 94 extends between the lugs 33 and 34 of the container 30 and the lateral faces 94.1 and 94.2 of the bar 94 abut against the respective flanks 33.1 and 34.1 of the lugs 33 and 34 (Figure 16) thus immobilising in rotation

For a short time, the rotation of the cradle 70 relative to the cell 2 is locked, on one hand, by the fingers 97 and 98 which are engaged in the slot 68 and, on the other, locked by the lateral faces 94.1 and 94.2 of the bar 94 abutting against the lugs 33 and 34. It is this overlap of functions when opening the doors 50 and 15 that ensures that the cradle 70 is held securely at all times.

When the doors 15 and 50 are fully open, locking of the cradle 70 in rotation relative to the cell 2 is ensured by the abutment of the lateral faces 94.1 and 94.2 of the bar 94 against the respective flanks 33.1 and 34.1 of the lugs 33 and 34.

After establishing the bayonet connection between the container door 50 and the cell door 15, the cell door 15 is unlocked and opened. It is then possible to trigger sliding of the tray 85 through the opening 31.

A device is thus obtained that ensures that the surface 86 of the tray 85 remains horizontal, during the transport and transfer operations, regardless of the angular orientation of the container 40, and in particular during the rotation of the container flange 30 to connect it to the cell flange 2. This type of container facilitates the transport of liquid vials.

Disconnection of the container 40 from the cell flange 2 results in the reverse chronological sequence of the operations detailed above. The fingers 97 and 98 are engaged in the slot 68 and the cradle remains fixed relative to the cell flange 2 during the rotation of the container 40 relative to the cell flange 2. The lock 65 switches to its locking state when the container flange 30 and the cell flange 2 are disengaged, and the tray 85 becomes rigidly connected in rotation to the container door 50 and thus to the container 40.

A device is thus obtained which makes it possible to maintain a fixed, preferably horizontal, reference of a tray 85 in a bayonet-connection container 40 whether the container 40 is engaged in a cell flange or during transport.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any alternative embodiment falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular,

- although here the front structure comprises two parts attached to one another by bolting, the invention also applies to other means of reversibly assembling two parts such as for example clipping, screwing; - although here the front structure comprises two parts attached to one another by bolting, the invention also applies to other means of reversibly assembling two parts such as for example clipping, screwing;

- although the coupling comprises here two abutments mounted at each end of an arm, the invention also applies to other types of coupling rigidly connected in rotation to the reinforcement such as for example a friction or dog clutch coupling;

- although here the operations for connecting and disconnecting the container and the cell flange require a relative rotation of the container and the cell flange by an amplitude of sixty degrees, the invention also applies to other angular amplitude values such as for example an amplitude of thirty degrees; - although here the slot is borne by the reinforcement and the finger is borne by the cradle, the invention also applies to a finger borne by the reinforcement and a slot borne by the cradle.

Claims

1. Container (40) comprising a wall (41) separating an inner volume (42) of the container (40) and an outer volume of the container (40), the container (40) also comprising a flange (30) defining an opening (31) which accommodates a door (50) mounted on the flange (30) using a set of inner container door (50) lugs (51-54) and a set of inner flange(30) lugs (32-35) to form an inner bayonet connection, the flange (30) also being provided with a set of outer flange lugs (36-39) arranged to form an outer bayonet connection, wherein the door (50) is mounted in rotation relative to the flange (30) about a main axis (Ax), the container (40) comprises a tray (85) and rotation means (70) arranged so as to allow a rotation of the tray (85) relative to the container (40) about a main axis (Ax) and the tray (85) comprises a main surface intended to receive objects to be transferred and which extends in a plane substantially parallel with the main axis (Ax).

2. Container (40) according to claim 1, wherein the tray (85) is slidably mounted relative to the container (40) along a sliding direction to be able to slide through the opening (31).

3. Container (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sliding direction is substantially parallel with the main axis (Ax).

4. Container (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation means (70) comprise at least one roller (74.1-74.3; 75.1-75.3; 76.1-76.5).

5. Container (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (40) is substantially in the shape of a right circular cylinder with an axis parallel with the main axis (Ax).

6. Container (40) according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the at least one roller (74.1- 74.3; 75.1-75.3; 76.1-76.5) bears against the wall (41).

7. Container (40) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the rotation means (70) comprise at least one annular structure (71, 72) on which the at least one roller (74.1-74.3; 75.1-75.3; 76.1-76.5) is mounted in rotation.

8. Container (40) according to claims 2 and 7 or 3 and 7, wherein the tray (85) is slidably mounted relative to the annular structure (71, 72).

9. Container (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (40) comprises a device (90) for selectively locking the rotation means (70), the locking device (90) being able to adopt a first locking state wherein the tray (85) is rigidly connected in rotation to the container (40) and a second released state wherein the tray (85) is free to rotate relative to the container (40).

10. Container (40) according to claim 9, wherein the locking device (90) comprises an element (97, 98) from among a finger (97, 98) and a housing (68) of which one of the two is rigidly connected in rotation to the tray (85).

11. Container (40) according to claim 10, comprising an element (95, 96) for returning the element (97, 98) to its position.

12. Container (40) according to any one of claims 9 to 6, wherein the locking device (90) comprises:

1. a reinforcement (55) extending into the inner volume (42) and which is mounted in rotation about the main axis relative to the container door (40);

2. a coupling (57) rigidly connected in rotation to the reinforcement (55) and which extends into the outer volume;

3. a lock (65) which locks a rotation of the coupling (57) relative to the container door (50) when the locking device (90) is in its first locking state, the lock (65) allowing free rotation of the coupling (57) relative to the container door (50) when the locking device (90) is in its second released state.

13. Container (40) according to claims 10 and 12, wherein one of the two elements (97, 98) extends between two inner flange (30) lugs (32-33).

14. Container (40) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the locking device (90) is arranged to be in its first locking state when the outer bayonet connection is not engaged.

15. Method for transferring an object from or to a tray (85) located in an inner volume (42) of a container (40), said inner volume being separated from an outer volume of the container (40) by a wall (41), the container (40) also comprising a flange (30) defining an opening (31) which accommodates a door (50) mounted on the flange (30) using a set of inner container door (50) lugs (51-54) and a set of inner flange (30) lugs (32-35) to form an inner bayonet connection, the flange (30) also being provided with a set of outer flange lugs (36-39) arranged to form an outer bayonet connection, wherein the door (50) is mounted in rotation relative to the flange (30) about a main axis (Ax), the tray (85) comprises a main surface intended to receive objects to be transferred and which extends in a plane substantially parallel with the main axis (Ax), the container (40) comprises rotation means (70) arranged so as to allow rotation of the tray (85) relative to the container (40) about a main axis (Ax), the container (40) comprising a device (90) for selectively locking the rotation means (70), the locking device (90) being able to adopt a first locking state wherein the tray (85) is rigidly connected in rotation to the container (40) and a second released state wherein the tray (85) is free to rotate relative to the container (40), the method comprising the following steps:

- during a container transport phase, placing the locking device (90) in its first state;

- during a transfer phase from or to the inner volume (42), connecting the container (40) to a cell (2) by forming the outer bayonet connection;

- unlocking the door (50) of the container (40) by releasing the internal bayonet connection formed by the set of inner container door lugs (51-54) and the set of inner flange lugs (32-35);

- opening the door (50) away from the opening (31) defined by the flange (30);

- switching the locking device (90) from its first state to its second state;

- loading or unloading the object on or from the tray (85);

- after the transfer, closing the container door (50), and locking the door (50) by forming the internal bayonet connection;

- separating the container (40) from the cell by disconnecting the outer bayonet connection.

16. Transfer method according to claim 15, comprising an additional step of locking the tray (85) in rotation relative to the cell (2).