Door Arrangement Comprising a Transfer Chute Having Two Rotation Axes

Abstract

The invention relates to a door arrangement (1) for a door with a first enclosed volume, the arrangement permitting a sealed connection between the first enclosed volume and a second enclosed volume, and comprising a flange (2) defining passage opening and a passage axis (O) perpendicular to the opening plane, a door (4) pivotably mounted on the flange (2) and a chute for discharging (10) components which is movable between a discharge position in which the chute is positioned opposite the passage opening and a position in which the chute is spaced apart from the passage opening, the chute being attached to the flange (2) by means of a first double-jointed link mechanism (11) comprising a first link (12) arranged to permit a rotational movement about an axis (C) parallel to the passage axis (O) of the passage opening and a second link (13) arranged to permit a rotational movement about an axis (D) perpendicular to the passage axis (O) of the passage opening.

Claims

1. A door arrangement for a first enclosed volume allowing a sealed connection between said first enclosed volume and a second enclosed volume, comprising: a flange arranged to define a passage opening, defining an opening plane and a passage axis perpendicular to the opening plane, in the first enclosed volume, a door pivotably mounted on the flange so as to pass from a closed position in which the door closes the passage opening to an open position, and a chute for discharging components, movable between a discharge position in which the chute is positioned facing the passage opening to receive and pour the components from the second enclosed volume into the first enclosed volume when the second enclosed volume is connected to the first enclosed volume and a position spaced apart from the passage opening, characterized in that the discharge chute is fixed to the flange by means of a first double-jointed link mechanism comprising a first joint arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis parallel to the passage axis of the passage opening and a second joint arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis perpendicular to the passage axis of the passage opening.

2. The door arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the first double-jointed link mechanism is driven by a micromotor.

3. The door arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling the micromotor to move the discharge chute from its spaced apart position to its discharge position by driving the first joint, then the second joint, and vice versa to move the discharge chute from its discharge position from to its spaced apart position.

4. The door arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge chute has a half-truncated cone profile.

5. The door arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the door is fixed to the flange by means of a second double-jointed link mechanism comprising a first joint arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis perpendicular to the passage axis of at most 30 degrees relative to the plane of the passage opening and a second joint arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis parallel to the passage axis.

6. The door arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the first double-jointed link mechanism is diametrically opposed to the second double-jointed link mechanism.

7. The door arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the second joint of the second double-jointed link mechanism is arranged to allow a rotational movement of at least a quarter turn.

8. The door arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the second joint of the second double-jointed link mechanism is arranged to allow a rotational movement of up to 180 degrees with respect to the plane of the passage opening.

9. The door arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the double-jointed link mechanism is motorized.

10. The door arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the second joint of the second double-jointed link mechanism is arranged to allow a rotational movement of at least a quarter turn.

11. The door arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the second joint of the second double-jointed link mechanism is arranged to allow a rotational movement of up to 180 degrees with respect to the plane of the passage opening.

12. The door arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the second joint of the second double-jointed link mechanism is arranged to allow a rotational movement of up to 180 degrees with respect to the plane of the passage opening.

13. The door arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the second joint of the second double-jointed link mechanism is arranged to allow a rotational movement of up to 180 degrees with respect to the plane of the passage opening.

14. The door arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the double-jointed link mechanism is motorized.

15. The door arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the double-jointed link mechanism is motorized.

16. The door arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the double-jointed link mechanism is motorized.

17. The door arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the double-jointed link mechanism is motorized.

18. The door arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the double-jointed link mechanism is motorized.

19. The door arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the double-jointed link mechanism is motorized.

20. The door arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the double-jointed link mechanism is motorized.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the rear of a door arrangement according to the invention, the door being in the closed position;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the door arrangement of FIG. 1, with the door in position and the discharge chute in the discharge position;

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the door arrangement of FIG. 1, in the closed position;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the door arrangement of FIG. 1, the door being in the fully open position, the discharge chute being positioned in front of the passage opening;

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a front view of the door arrangement of FIG. 1, the discharge chute being in an intermediate fully open position;

[0029] FIG. 6 shows a front view of the door arrangement of FIG. 1, the discharge chute being in an intermediate fully open position.

[0030] In the following, the term “rear view” means the view that is in or directed toward the inside space of the enclosed volume defined by the door arrangement. Similarly, the term “front view” means that which is located outside the inside space of the enclosed volume or directed away from the inside of the enclosed volume defined by the door arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In connection with FIG. 1 to 6, there is described a door arrangement 1 equipping a first enclosed volume. This door arrangement is arranged to allow the connection of a second enclosed volume. Advantageously, the first enclosed volume is a fixed enclosure while the second enclosed volume is a transportable container. This is of course one embodiment, the device according to the invention not being limited to this type of enclosed volumes. When the door arrangement of the first volume and the door arrangement of the second volume are connected to each other, they form a sealed function device allowing the transfer of products between the two enclosed volumes, without breach of containment.

[0032] The door arrangement 1 comprises a flange 2, a door 4 and a chute 10 for discharging components.

[0033] The flange 2 is arranged to define a passage opening 3 in the enclosure provided with the door arrangement 1, the passage opening 3 defining an opening plane and a passage axis O perpendicular to the opening plane. The door 4 is pivotably mounted on the flange 2 so as to pass from a closed position in which the door 4 closes the passage opening 3 to an open position in which the door 4 extends substantially parallel to the opening plane passage, and vice versa. The discharge chute 10 is arranged inside the first volume 1 to allow the discharge of components from the second enclosed volume into the first enclosed volume when the second enclosed volume is connected to the first enclosed volume.

[0034] According to the invention, the discharge chute 10 is pivotably mounted on the flange 2 so as to pass between a discharge position in which the discharge chute 10 is positioned facing the passage opening 3 to receive and discharge the components coming from the second enclosed volume and a position spaced apart from the passage opening 3. To do this, the discharge chute 10 is fixed to the flange 2 via a double-jointed link mechanism 11. The latter thus comprises a first joint 12 arranged to allow a rotational movement about an axis C parallel to the passage axis O of the passage opening and a second joint 13 arranged to allow a rotational movement about an axis D perpendicular to the passage axis O of the passage opening.

[0035] Advantageously, the double-jointed link mechanism 11 is arranged so that the displacement of the discharge chute 10 from its spaced apart position to its discharge position takes place firstly following the rotational movement about the axis C, then secondly following the rotational movement about the axis D, and vice versa to pass from its discharge position to its spaced apart position.

[0036] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the double-jointed link mechanism 11 is driven by a micromotor. The latter is advantageously controlled to move the discharge chute from its spaced apart position to its discharge position according to the successive rotational movements described above. It is of course obvious that the invention is not limited to a motorized discharge chute, the movement of the latter being able to be carried out manually by accessing the first enclosed volume via a secondary opening of the first volume.

[0037] The discharge chute 10 advantageously has a half-truncated cone profile, the large base of which is intended to engage in the passage opening 3 when the discharge chute 10 is in the discharge position, the small base defining the discharge end in the first volume. In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge chute 10, positioned at the median flange 2 level, extends vertically near the wall of the enclosure, the discharge end being directed toward the top of the enclosure. It is of course obvious that the invention is not limited to such an arrangement of the discharge chute, the latter being able to be arranged on the flange at a location other than that illustrated and a motorized door, or to have another orientation without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0038] Like the discharge chute 10, the door 4 is also advantageously fixed to the flange 2 by means of a double-jointed link mechanism 5. In the illustrated example, this second double-jointed link mechanism 5 is diametrically opposed to the first double-jointed link mechanism 11.

[0039] The second double-jointed link mechanism 5 comprises a first joint 6 arranged to allow rotational movement about an axis B perpendicular to the axis of the door (or to the passage axis O of the passage opening) on the one hand and a second joint 7 arranged to allow a rotational movement about an axis A parallel to the axis of the door on the other hand (or to the passage axis O of the passage opening). In the present description, the term “axis of the door” denotes the axis that extends perpendicularly to the door when the latter is in the closed position. The axis of the door therefore corresponds to the passage axis O. Advantageously, the two joints 6 and 7 are arranged with the door 4 so that the opening of the door takes place firstly following the rotational movement about the axis B, then secondly following the rotational movement about the axis A. The first joint 6 is in the form of a hinge, the fixed part of which is secured to the second joint 7, which in turn is coupled to the door by a connection arm 9. The first joint 6 is arranged to allow a rotational movement of at most 30 degrees relative to the opening plane, while the second joint 7 is arranged to allow a rotational movement of at least 45 degrees, and preferably 180 degrees relative to the opening plane.

[0040] It is of course obvious that the invention is not limited to a door fixed to the flange by a double joint, and that a door opening can be provided with another mechanism without departing from the scope of the invention, such as for example a single hinge. The advantage of providing a double-jointed mechanism, whether for the discharge chute or the door, is to avoid the formation of turbulent flows when they move from one position to another.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment, the door is advantageously motorized. To do this, the first and second joints 6 are each coupled to a motor of the stepper type, for example. It is of course obvious that the invention is not limited to a motorized door, the movement of the latter being able to be carried out manually by actuating a control lever carried by the door, this control lever being able to be provided on the interior side and/or exterior side of the enclosed volume.

[0042] FIG. 2 to 6 illustrate the placement of the discharge chute 10 in its discharge position.

[0043] Thus, prior to installing the discharge chute in front of the passage opening 3, the door is opened. This takes place, from its closed position (FIG. 2), by rotation about the axis B of the hinge (first joint 6) following a stroke of approximately 20 degrees in the example illustrated, followed by a rotational movement about the axis A of the second joint 7 over a stroke of approximately 180 degrees to reach the final open position illustrated in FIG. 3. In its final open position, the door 4 extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the passage opening, diametrically opposed to its closed position.

[0044] Once the door is fully open, the discharge chute 10 is then moved. This takes place, from its spaced apart position (FIG. 3), by rotation about the axis C (first joint 12) following a stroke of 90 degrees in the illustrated example (FIG. 4). The discharge chute 10 is then moved in rotation about the axis D along a stroke of 90 degrees to reach the discharge position in FIG. 5, passing through intermediate opening positions offering complete clearance of the passage opening 3.

[0045] The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is in a position to produce various variant embodiments of the invention without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.