SYSTEMS FOR THE TRANSFER BETWEEN A CHAMBER AND A CONTAINER

• US 20120219388A1
• Filed: 09/22/2010
• Published: 08/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech SA (Sartorius AG)
• Original Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech SA (Sartorius AG)
• Inventors: Armau, Stephanie
• Granted Patent: US 9,545,628 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/217
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/02 Air-pressure chambers; Air-locks therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/024 Storing results with means integrated into the container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/041 Connecting closures to device or container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/54 Labware with identification means identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers G01N35/00732

Abstract

The chamber (2) includes a wall (5) having an opening (7) and a connection interface (8), a door (10), joining elements (12), elements for maneuvering the door (10) and actuating elements for control of the maneuvering elements. The container (3) includes a wall (14) having an opening (16), a connection interface (9), a door (18), joining elements (13) and elements for maneuvering the door that are functionally joined to the door, and the system also includes, functionally integrated, marking elements, that rest on the container and that can store data, elements for short-range data reading that are functionally complementary to the marking elements, elements for storing read data, elements for producing an output signal based on read or stored data, and elements for controlling the opening of the first door and thus the second door, that respond to the output signal received from the elements for producing an output signal.

Claims

1-48. -48. (canceled)

49. System (1) for transferring a certain content (C) in one direction or another between a chamber (2) and a container (3) that can be moved in relation to the chamber (2),

the chamber (2) comprising:

a first wall (5) provided with a first opening (7) and a first connection interface (8),

a first door (10) arranged to be in the closed state or in the open state where, respectively, it closes or opens the first opening (7),

first joining means (12),

first means for maneuvering the first door (10) to move it from one state to the other,

and means for actuating and controlling the first maneuvering means,

the container (3) comprising;

a second wall (14) provided with a second opening (16) that, when the container (3) is joined to the chamber (2), is in communication with the first opening (7), and provided with a second connection interface (9) in addition to the first connection interface (8),

a second door (18) arranged to be in the closed state or in the open state, where, respectively, it closes or opens the second opening (16),

second joining means (13) that can work with the first joining means (12) so as to carry out a stationary, detachable, and airtight joining of the container (3) to the chamber (2),

and second means for maneuvering the second door (18) to move it from one state to the other, functionally joined to the first door (10), that makes it possible for the opening or closing of the first door (10) to result in, respectively, the opening or closing of the second door (18),

the system being able, when the container (3) is joined to the chamber (2), and once the first door (10) and the second door (18) are brought into the open state, to transfer the content (C) from an initial location, located either in the container (3) or in the chamber (2), and towards a final location, located either in the chamber (2) or in the container (3), while being isolated from the external environment, characterized by the fact that it also comprises, functionally integrated;

marking means (19), which rest on the container (3), which can store data,

means (20) for short-range data reading that are functionally complementary to the marking means (19),

means (21) for storing read data,

means for producing an output signal (22) based on read or stored data, and

means for controlling the opening of the first door (10) and thus the second door (18), which respond to the output signal received from the means for producing an output signal (22).

50. The transfer system (1) according to claim 49, wherein it also comprises means (24) for writing data onto the marking means (19), functionally joined to the opening and/or closing of the first door (10) of the chamber (2).

51. The transfer system (1) according to claim 49, wherein the data reading means (20) and/or the data writing means (24) are located, at least during operation of the transfer system (1)—

or in preparation for this operation—

a short distance from the marking means (19), namely a short distance from the first door (10) or at least from a passage area (25) of the container (3) for the purpose of joining it to the chamber (2) or of locating the container (3) during this joining.

52. The transfer system (1) according to claim 51, wherein the data reading means (20) and/or the data writing means (24) either rest on the chamber (2) or are at least essentially adjacent to the first door (10) of the chamber (2) or to the passage or location area of the container (3) while it is being joined to the chamber (2).

53. The transfer system (1) according to claim 49, wherein the data reading means (20) and/or the data writing means (24) do not rest directly on the chamber (2), but are located apart from it, being either arranged in a stationary manner or movable, in particular portable.

54. The transfer system (1) according to claim 49, wherein the means (21) for storing read data and/or the means for producing an output signal (22) based on the read or stored data and/or the means for controlling the opening of the first door (10) may or may not rest on the chamber (2).

55. The transfer system (1) according to claim 49, wherein the marking means (19) are either of the read/rewrite type, or of the read-only type.

56. The transfer system (1) according to claim 49, wherein the marking means (19) are a transponder or RFID label.

57. Process for implementing a transfer system (1) according to claim 49, wherein it comprises the following stages:

data concerning the container (3) in question or its content (C) are written onto the marking means (19),

the container (3) is drawn close to the chamber (2), their doors (10, 18) being in the closed state,

they are joined by having their interfaces (8, 9) and their respective joining means (12, 13) work together,

the data written onto the marking means (19) are read using data reading means (20), and the read data D are stored using storing means (21),

an output signal is produced based on the read or stored data, and

the opening of the first door (10), and thus the second door (18), is controlled in response to the output signal.

58. The process according to claim 57, wherein the control means (23) are programmed not to allow—

and even to prevent—

the control of the opening of the first door (10), if the output signal means that the container (3) in question must not be used for a transfer.

59. The process according to claim 57, wherein, during the process of producing at least one container (3), preparing its content (C), filling it with the content (C), and treatment, a number of pieces of information regarding the container (3) in question and its content (C) are written onto the marking means (19).

60. Container (3) specially designed for a system (1) for transferring a certain content (C) in one direction or another between such a container (3) and a chamber (2), according to claim 49, wherein it comprises a wall (14) that forms a flexible envelope, a rigid, annular joining flange (27), which is attached in an airtight manner to the wall (14) forming an envelope around an opening (16) and provided with joining means (13) that can work with the first joining means (12) of the chamber (2), a door (18) placed on the flange (27) and arranged to be in the closed state or in the open state, means for maneuvering the door (18) to move it from one state to the other, functionally joined to the first door (10) of the chamber (2), and marking means (19) that can store data.

61. The container (3) according to claim 60, wherein the marking means (19) are attached rigidly and in a manner that is normally inseparable to the wall (14) forming an envelope, in the vicinity of the flange (27), the second opening (16), the second door (18) and/or in a less flexible area of the container (3) such as an area where the wall (14) is sealed together.

62. The container (3) according to claim 60, wherein the marking means (19) are attached rigidly and in a manner that is normally inseparable to the joining flange (27), either by an adhesion means (30) inserted between them, or by inlaying and forcible embedding after production of the flange (27) or by injection during production of the flange.

63. The container (3) according to claim 62, wherein the marking means (19) are placed in a receiving cavity (29) provided in the joining flange (27) in such a way as to offer a front surface (31) that is essentially coplanar with the surface of the flange (27) that is around the cavity (29).

64. The container (3) according to claim 60, wherein the marking means (19) are enclosed in a pouch (35) connected and attached, rigidly and in a manner that is normally inseparable, to the container (3), located in the vicinity of the flange (27), the second opening (16), the second door (18) and/or in a less flexible area of the container (3) such as an area where the wall (14) is sealed together.

65. The container (3) according to claim 60, wherein the marking means (19) are not in physical contact with the content (C) of the container (3).

66. Chamber (2) specially designed for a system (1) for transferring a certain content (C) in one direction or another between such a chamber (2) and a container (3), according to claim 49, wherein it comprises a first wall (5) provided with a first opening (7) and a first connection interface (8), a first door (10) arranged to be in the closed state or in the open state where, respectively, it closes or opens the first opening (7), first joining means (12), first means for maneuvering the first door (10) to move it from one state to the other, external actuation means for control of the first maneuvering means, and wherein it is functionally joined to means (20) for short-range data reading, means (21) for storing read data, means for producing an output signal (22) based on read or stored data, and means for controlling the opening of the first door (10) that respond to the signal received from the production means of an output signal (22).

67. The chamber (2) according to claim 60, wherein the data reading means (20) and/or the means (21) for storing read data and/or the means for producing an output signal (22) based on the read or stored data and/or the means for controlling the opening of the first door (10) rest on it.

68. The chamber (2) according to claim 66, wherein the data reading means (20) are at least essentially adjacent to the first door (10).