Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6655759
-
Patent Number
6,655,759
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, February 19, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, December 2, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Braun; Leslie A.
- Morrison; Naschica S.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 312 1
- 312 4
- 312 296
- 141 98
- 141 346
- 141 384
- 414 217
- 220 256
- 220 349
- 220 501
- 220 502
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The present invention is a container assembly for use with a rapid transfer port. The rapid transfer port (RTP) is of the type having an RTP door, an RTP circular seal around the door, and spaced RTP indentations. The RTP requires rotation of the device being attached thereto. The container assembly includes a circular ring member having an interface end and a bearing system end. The interface end includes a first set of ring member protrusions for engagement with RTP indentations of an RTP and a container assembly circular seal for providing sealing engagement of the ring member and the RTP. A circular enclosure door is concentrically positioned within the ring member. The enclosure door includes a first set of enclosure door indentations for engaging associated RTP door protrusions and a second set of enclosure door indentations for engaging a second set of ring member protrusions. The container assembly circular seal further provides sealing engagement of the ring member and the enclosure door. A bearing system is engaged with the bearing system end of the ring member. An enclosure having a bearing system engagement portion is engaged with the bearing system wherein the bearing system provides relative rotation of the ring member and the enclosure about a central axis of the ring member. The enclosure further includes an enclosure seal operatively engaged with the ring member for providing a sealing engagement between the enclosure and the ring member. The ring member provides the rotation required for proper attachment of the container assembly to the RTP without any requirement for rotation of the enclosure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to rapid transfer port (RTP) systems for transferring articles between two environments (such as an isolator barrier system and a transfer container) that are adapted to be brought into close proximity to one another by a docking operation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container assembly for use with an RTP of the type that requires rotation of the device being attached thereto. The container assembly has an enclosure that, during docking, is not required to be rotated.
2. Description of the Related Art
Certain manufacturing processes require the maintenance of separation between two environments to avoid contamination of the cleaner of the two environments by the dirtier of the two. This is accomplished with the use of environments such as isolation barriers. For example, in the case of certain pharmaceutical products, the manufacturing process is performed within these isolation barriers to prevent contamination of the product being produced by dust particles, bacteria and viruses which are found in the outside ambient air. The same holds true for the assembly of certain medical devices. In the case of radioactive operations or bacteriological procedures, the environment within the isolation barrier is dirty as compared to the outside ambient air. In these cases, the isolation barrier serves the function of keeping the product being handled from escaping into the external environment.
In recent years, in the pharmaceutical industry, because of the expense and operational difficulties of maintaining so-called “clean rooms” into which operators enter to carry out procedures, the use of isolation barriers has become common practice. The isolation barriers, in concept large glove boxes, are integrated onto the machinery used to carry out the necessary manufacturing operations. A variation of these isolation barriers is what is commonly known as a RABS, Restricted Access Barrier System.
Means for transferring components, product, supplies, etc. into and out of these isolation barriers without risk of contamination of the components being transferred by the “dirty” external environment during the docking and components transfer process must be provided. To accomplish this, isolator barrier systems and RABS feature devices generally called Rapid Transfer Ports (RTP). These RTP devices may be of various type, size and configuration. A common type of RTP device is one that is offered by the French company La Calhene, referred to as the DPTE. This device requires rotation of the transfer container during the docking process. This type of RTP device is generally mounted on an outer surface of the isolation barrier and features docking attachments for a pre-sterilized transfer container housing the components to be transferred. Upon the docking process, the operator places the transfer container into alignment with the RTP and rotates the container approximately 60 degrees to complete the docking operation. The docking process firmly attaches the transfer container to the RTP and, simultaneously, the transfer container door to the RTP door. Once docked, the operator reaches inside the isolation barrier via gloves located on the isolation barrier wall and opens the RTP door, with it attached the transfer container door, and gains access to the components located within the transfer container. To prevent contamination of the “clean” environment, the docking process places the “dirty” surfaces of the RTP and of the transfer container in sealed contact with each other thus not permitting “dirty” particles to escape into the “clean” environment.
The rotation necessary to dock the transfer container onto an RTP causes tumbling action of the components which are contained within the transfer container. This tumbling action may be acceptable when transferring soft plastic components such as stoppers or cleaning supplies but it is undesirable, if not prohibitive, when transferring heavy, delicate machine components. In addition, the rotation of the container upon docking does not permit interface of the container to a lifting device such as a hoist or crane. Such lifting operation may be necessary to meet the manufacturing requirements of some products.
SUMMARY
The present invention is a container assembly for use with a rapid transfer port. The rapid transfer port (RTP) is of the type having an RTP door, an RTP circular seal around the door, and spaced RTP indentations. The RTP requires rotation of the device being attached thereto. The container assembly includes a circular ring member having an interface end and a bearing system end. The interface end includes a first set of ring member protrusions for engagement with RTP indentations of an RTP and a container assembly circular seal for providing sealing engagement of the ring member and the RTP. A circular enclosure door is concentrically positioned within the ring member. The enclosure door includes a first set of enclosure door indentations for engaging associated RTP door protrusions and a second set of enclosure door indentations for engaging a second set of ring member protrusions. The container assembly circular seal further provides sealing engagement of the ring member and the enclosure door. A bearing system is engaged with the bearing system end of the ring member. An enclosure having a bearing system engagement portion is engaged with the bearing system wherein the bearing system provides relative rotation of the ring member and the enclosure about a central axis of the ring member. The enclosure further includes an enclosure seal operatively engaged with the ring member for providing a sealing engagement between the enclosure and the ring member. The ring member provides the rotation required for proper attachment of the container assembly to the RTP without any requirement for rotation of the enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an end view of the container assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a cross-sectional view of the container assembly shown along line
2
—
2
of FIG.
1
and docked to an RTP system shown in phantom.
FIG. 3
is a partial cross-sectional view of the container assembly, showing a roller assembly that provides radial positioning.
FIG. 4
is a partial cross-sectional view of the container assembly, showing a roller assembly that provides axial positioning.
FIG. 5
is a partial cross-sectional view of the container assembly, showing an alternate bearing system consisting of ball bearings.
FIG. 6
is a partial cross-sectional view of the container assembly, showing another alternate bearing system consisting of a sliding member.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon,
FIGS. 1-4
illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, designated generally as
10
. The container assembly
10
includes a circular ring member, designated generally as
12
. The ring member
12
has an interface end
14
and a bearing system end
16
. The interface end
14
includes a first set of ring member protrusions
18
for engagement with RTP indentations
20
of an RTP, designated generally as
22
. The RTP
22
, shown in phantom in
FIG. 2
, may be such as that manufactured by the French company, la Calhene, referred to in the industry as “DPTE.” The first set of ring member protrusions
18
may be integral parts of ring member
12
or separate parts that are attached to ring member
12
by means of suitable fasteners.
The RTP
22
shown in
FIG. 2
is very similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,439, issued to Jennrich et al and hereby incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,698, issued to Cazalis et al, also discloses an RTP port configuration and is hereby incorporated by reference. The RTP ports in both of these patents require rotation of the container assembly upon docking.
The ring member
12
includes a container assembly circular seal
24
for providing sealing engagement of the ring member
12
and the RTP
22
. The circular seal
24
may be, for example, what is known in this industry as a “Beta Seal” that is commercially available. This seal has two contact surfaces on two of its faces and two extensions that engage the seal
24
to the other portions of the ring member
12
. It may typically be formed of silicon or Viton™. The seal
24
snaps into a groove
26
, as can be seen most clearly in
FIGS. 3 and 4
.
A circular enclosure door, designated generally as
28
, is concentrically positioned within the ring member
12
. The enclosure door
28
includes a first set of enclosure door indentations
30
for engaging associated RTP door protrusions
32
. The enclosure door
28
includes a tapered outer surface
34
that provides a sealing engagement with an associated surface of the circular seal
24
. A second set of enclosure door indentations
36
engage a second set of ring member protrusions
38
. The second set of ring member protrusions
38
may be integral parts of the ring member
12
or separate parts that are attached to ring member
12
by means of suitable fasteners. The ring member
12
and enclosure door
28
are typically formed of a metal such as aluminum alloy.
A bearing system of the container assembly
10
engages with the bearing system end
16
of the ring member
12
. Referring now specifically to
FIG. 3
, the bearing system includes a first set of circumferentially spaced roller assemblies, designated generally as
40
. Each roller assembly
40
of this first set is attached to the bearing system end
16
of the ring member
12
. This attachment is provided by an associated mount or bracket
42
that is attached to the bearing system end
16
by suitable fasteners such as bolts (not shown). The roller assembly
40
includes a round shaft
44
fastened to mount
42
. A plastic bushing
46
is pressed into a metallic roller
48
and rotates freely on shaft
44
. This provides radial positioning of the enclosure as described in detail below.
Referring now specifically to
FIG. 4
, the bearing system also includes a second set of circumferentially spaced roller assemblies designated generally as
50
. As with the first set, each roller assembly
50
of this second set is attached to the bearing system end
16
of the ring member
12
. Such attachment is provided by associated mounts or brackets
52
, attached to the bearing system end
16
by suitable fasteners. The roller assembly
50
may be designed the same as the roller assembly
40
, with the shaft
54
, bushing
56
and roller
58
.
An enclosure
60
includes a bearing system engagement portion comprising an axially oriented bearing surface
62
(seen in
FIG. 3
) and a radially oriented bearing surface
64
(seen in FIG.
4
). The radially oriented bearing surface
64
is obtained by machining a groove
66
in a forward section
68
of the enclosure
60
.
The enclosure
60
includes an enclosure seal, designated generally as
70
. The enclosure seal includes an o-ring
72
positioned in a ring member facing groove
74
of the enclosure
60
. A sliding element
76
is positioned between the o-ring
72
and a portion
78
of a surface of the bearing system end
16
of the ring member
12
. The o-ring
72
provides a compressive force on the sliding element
76
that is transferred onto the ring member
12
. The sliding element is preferably formed of Teflon®. The enclosure
60
includes the forward section
68
and a main section
80
. The main section
80
may be attached to the forward section
68
by suitable circumferentially spaced fasteners
81
and an o-ring
83
. The main section
80
may take different forms depending upon the desired application; however, a specific embodiment will be described below for the purposes of illustration and not limitation. A shuttle assembly, designated as
82
is fastened to a surface of the main section
80
for the purpose of safe transport and handling of internal components. A lifting interface element, designated generally as
84
, is permanently attached to the main section
80
for the purpose of safely lifting and transporting the container assembly
10
. A support hook device
86
is attached to the lifting interface element
84
for supporting the weight of the container assembly
10
during docking with the RTP
22
. The support hook device
86
also functions as an anti-rotation element that prevents rotation of the enclosure
60
relative to RTP
22
. Lifting handles
88
are permanently attached along the sides of the main section
80
for safely lifting and carrying the container assembly
10
.
The container assembly
10
provides the ability to transfer parts contained within the environment of enclosure
60
to another enclosure such as an isolator barrier system or RABS that has an RTP. The external surfaces of the container assembly
10
and RTP
22
are considered to be contaminated. Therefore, transfer of such parts between the two environments must take place without contacting such outer surfaces. When the container assembly
10
is connected to the RTP
22
, all contaminated surfaces are maintained in close contact with each other, including the outer surfaces of the RTP door
94
and the enclosure door
28
. This close contact prevents contact of the sterile components with the contaminated surfaces.
During use, the operator, using lifting handles
88
, positions the container assembly
10
such that the support hook device
86
engages a mating element
90
of the RTP
22
. The operator then assures proper engagement of the container assembly
10
with the RTP
22
. The operator then turns ring member
12
using turning handles
92
. This turning provides engagement of ring member protrusions
18
with RTP indentations
20
and enclosure door indentations
36
with ring member protrusions
38
. During this process, the circular seal
24
remains in contact with RTP
22
. However, during this rotation, the enclosure
60
is prevented from rotating by the engagement of support hook
86
and a mating element or cradle
90
of the RTP
22
. Although a particular mating element
90
has been shown, this showing is by way of illustration and not limitation. Obviously, other types of mating elements can be used. For example, pin elements or blades or other suitable anti-rotation means can be similarly utilized. Once the required rotation is achieved, the operator actuates a latching device (not shown) on the RTP
22
to open the RTP door
94
. The RTP door
94
and the enclosure door
28
open as an integral unit permitting access to any components within the enclosure
60
. To facilitate rotation of the ring member
12
in the RTP
22
, a set of axially oriented and radially oriented anti-friction rollers
96
are fixed to the ring member protrusions
18
.
Once the enclosure door
28
has been opened, the operator may access the shuttle assembly
82
, pulling it in or out for retrieving or replacing components on the shuttle tray
98
. After the retrieving or the placing of components has been accomplished, the operator can close the enclosure door
28
(along with the RTP door
94
) and turn the ring member
12
, using handles
92
, for disengaging the container assembly
10
from the RTP
22
. Then, the container assembly
10
can be disengaged and can be transported using lifting handles
88
.
FIG. 5
shows an alternate embodiment of the bearing system. A first set of circumferentially located ball bearings
100
are positioned in a ring member
12
facing groove
99
of enclosure
60
and are in operative engagement with a radially oriented portion
110
of a surface of the bearing system end
16
of ring member
12
and a radially oriented surface
108
of groove
99
. A second set of circumferentially located ball bearings
106
are positioned in a cavity formed by the proximity of ring member
12
and enclosure
60
and are in operative engagement with a radially oriented surface
114
of enclosure
60
and a radially oriented surface
112
of ring member
12
and with an axially oriented surface
104
of enclosure
60
and an axially oriented surface
102
of ring member
12
.
FIG. 6
shows a third embodiment of the bearing system. A circular sliding member
116
provides both axial and radial positioning of ring member
12
relative to enclosure
60
. To maintain axial positioning of ring member
12
relative to enclosure
60
, the sliding member
116
is in operative engagement with a radially oriented portion
118
of a surface of the bearing system end
16
of ring member
12
and the corresponding radially oriented surface
126
of enclosure
60
, with a radially oriented surface
120
of ring member
12
and a corresponding radially oriented surface
128
of enclosure
60
. To maintain radial positioning of ring member
12
relative to enclosure
60
, the sliding member
116
is in operative engagement with an axially oriented surface
122
of ring member
12
and an axially oriented surface
124
of enclosure
60
.
Although the invention here described is directed mostly for use in the pharmaceutical industry, it is understood that it is equally applicable to the nuclear industry, the medical devices industry, and any other industry requiring transfer of materials through a barrier wall without intermingling of the environments on opposite sides of the barrier wall.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Claims
- 1. A container assembly for use with a rapid transfer port, the rapid transfer port (RTP) having an RTP door, an RTP circular seal around the door, and spaced RTP indentations, said RTP port requiring rotation of a device being attached thereto, comprising:a) a circular ring member having an interface end and a bearing system end, said interface end including a first set of ring member protrusions for engagement with RTP indentations of an RTP and a container assembly circular seal for providing sealing engagement of said ring member and the RTP; b) a circular enclosure door concentrically positioned within said ring member, said enclosure door including a first set of enclosure door indentations for engaging associated RTP door protrusions and a second set of enclosure door indentations for engaging a second set of ring member protrusions, said container assembly circular seal for further providing sealing engagement of said ring member and said enclosure door; c) a bearing system engaged with said bearing system end of said ring member; and, d) an enclosure having a bearing system engagement portion engaged with said bearing system wherein said bearing system provides relative rotation of said ring member and said enclosure about a central axis of said ring member, said enclosure further including an enclosure seal operatively engaged with said ring member for providing a sealing engagement between said enclosure and said ring member, wherein said enclosure seal, comprises:an O-ring positioned in a ring member facing groove of said enclosure; and, a sliding element positioned between said O-ring and a portion of a surface of the bearing system end of said ring member, wherein said O-ring provides a compressive force on said sliding element, which is transferred onto said ring member, and, wherein said ring member provides the rotation required for proper attachment of the container assembly to the RTP without any requirement for rotation of said enclosure.
- 2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said sliding element is formed of TEFLON®.
- 3. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said bearing system, comprises:a first set of circumferentially spaced roller assemblies, each being attached to said bearing system end of said ring member and each being in operative engagement with an axially oriented bearing surface of said enclosure for providing radial positioning of said enclosure relative to said ring member upon relative rotation between said enclosure and said ring member; and, a second set of circumferentially spaced roller assemblies, each being attached to said bearing system end of said ring member and each being in operative engagement with a radially oriented bearing surface of said enclosure for providing axial positioning of said enclosure relative to said ring member upon relative rotation between said enclosure and said ring member.
- 4. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said bearing system, comprises:a first set of circumferentially located ball bearings in operative engagement with a radially oriented bearing surface of said ring member and corresponding radially oriented bearing surface of said enclosure for providing axial positioning of said enclosure relative to said ring member upon relative rotation between said enclosure and said ring member; and, a second set of circumferentially located ball bearings in operative engagement with a radially and axially oriented surfaces of said ring member and corresponding radially and axially oriented bearing surfaces of said enclosure for providing axial and positioning of said enclosure relative to said ring member upon relative rotation between said enclosure and said ring member.
- 5. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said bearing system, comprises:a circular sliding member in operative engagement with axially and radially oriented bearing surfaces of said ring member and corresponding axially and radially oriented surfaces of said enclosure for providing radial and axial positioning of said enclosure relative to said ring member upon relative rotation between said enclosure and said ring member.
- 6. The container assembly of claim 5, wherein said sliding member is formed of TEFLON®.
- 7. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said enclosure further comprises an anti-rotation element for engaging a mating element of said RTP thereby presenting relative rotation of said enclosure and said RTP.
- 8. The container assembly of claim 7, wherein said anti-rotation element comprises a support hook device that supports the weight of the container assembly during attachment of the container assembly to the RTP.
- 9. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said enclosure further comprises means for interface to a hoist or lifting system.
- 10. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said container assembly circular seal comprises a Beta Seal.
- 11. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said ring member further comprises a set of radially oriented rollers and a set of axially oriented rollers fixed to said first set of ring member protrusions for engagement of said first set of ring member protrusions with said RTP indentations.
- 12. A rapid transfer port (RTP) system, comprising:an RTP comprising an RTP door, an RTP circular seal positioned around the door and spaced indentations, said RTP requiring rotation of a device being attached thereto; and, a container assembly for use with said RTP, said container comprising: a) a circular ring member having an interface end and a bearing system end, said interface end including a first set of ring member protrusions for engagement with RTP indentations of an RTP and a container assembly circular seal for providing sealing engagement of said ring member and the RTP; b) a circular enclosure door concentrically positioned within said ring member, said enclosure door including a first set of enclosure door indentations for engaging associated RTP door protrusions and a second set of enclosure door indentations for engaging a second set of ring member protrusions, said container assembly circular seal for further providing sealing engagement of said ring member and said enclosure door; c) a bearing system engaged with said bearing system end of said ring member; and, d) an enclosure having a bearing system engagement portion engaged with said bearing system wherein said bearing system provides relative rotation of said ring member and said enclosure about a central axis of said ring member, said enclosure further including an enclosure seal operatively engaged with said ring member for providing a sealing engagement between said enclosure and said ring member, wherein said enclosure seal, comprises:an o-ring positioned in a ring member facing groove of said enclosure; and, a sliding element positioned between said o-ring and a portion of a surface of the bearing system end of said ring member, wherein said o-ring provides a compressive force on said sliding element, which is transferred onto said ring member, and wherein said ring member provides the rotation required for proper attachment of the container assembly to the RTP without any requirement for rotation of said enclosure.
- 13. A container assembly for use with a rapid transfer port, the rapid transfer port (RTP) having an RTP door, an RTP circular seal around the door, and spaced RTP indentations, said RTP requiring rotation of a device being attached thereto, comprising:a) a circular ring member having an interface end and a bearing system end, said interface end including a first set of ring member protrusions for engagement with RTP indentations of an RTP and a container assembly circular seal for providing sealing engagement of said ring member and the RTP; b) a circular enclosure door concentrically positioned within said ring member, said enclosure door including a first set of enclosure door indentations for engaging associated RTP door protrusions and a second set of enclosure door indentations for engaging a second set of ring member protrusions, said container assembly circular seal for further providing sealing engagement of said ring member and said enclosure door; c) a bearing system engaged with said bearing system end of said ring member, said bearing system having a rolling element; and, d) an enclosure having a bearing system engagement portion engaged with said bearing system wherein said bearing system provides relative rotation of said ring member and said enclosure about a central axis of said ring member, said enclosure further including an enclosure seal operatively engaged with said ring member for providing a sealing engagement between said enclosure and said ring member, wherein said ring member provides the rotation required for proper attachment of the container assembly to the RTP without any requirement for rotation of said enclosure.
- 14. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said enclosure seal, comprises;an o-ring positioned in a ring member facing groove of said enclosure; and, a sliding element positioned between said o-ring and a portion of a surface of the bearing system end of said ring member, wherein said o-ring provides a compressive force on said sliding element, which is transferred onto said ring member.
- 15. The container assembly of claim 14, wherein said sliding element is formed of TEFLON®.
- 16. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said bearing system, comprises:a first set of circumferentially spaced roller assemblies, each being attached to said bearing system end of said ring member and each being in operative engagement with an axially oriented bearing surface of said enclosure for providing radial positioning of said enclosure relative to said ring member upon relative rotation between said enclosure and said ring member; and, a second set of circumferentially spaced roller assemblies, each being attached to said bearing system end of said ring member and each being in operative engagement with a radially oriented bearing surface of said enclosure for providing axial positioning of said enclosure relative to said ring member upon relative rotation between said enclosure and said ring member.
- 17. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said bearing system, comprises:a first set of circumferentially located ball bearings in operative engagement with a radially oriented bearing surface of said ring member and corresponding radially oriented bearing surface of said enclosure for providing axial positioning of said enclosure relative to said ring member upon relative rotation between said enclosure and said ring member; and, a second set of circumferentially located ball bearings in operative engagement with a radially and axially oriented surfaces of said ring member and corresponding radially and axially oriented bearing surfaces of said enclosure for providing axial and positioning of said enclosure relative to said ring member upon relative rotation between said enclosure and said ring member.
- 18. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said enclosure further comprises an anti-rotation element for engaging a mating element of said RTP thereby presenting relative rotation of said enclosure and said RTP.
- 19. The container assembly of claim 18, wherein said anti-rotation element comprises a support hook device that supports the weight of the container assembly during attachment of the container assembly to the RTP.
- 20. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said enclosure further comprises means for interface to a hoist or lifting system.
- 21. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said container assembly circular seal comprises a Beta Seal.
- 22. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said ring member further comprises a set of radially oriented rollers and a set of axially oriented rollers fixed to said first set of ring member protrusions for engagement of said first set of ring member protrusions with said RTP indentations.
- 23. A rapid transfer port (RTP) system, comprising:an RTP comprising an RTP door, an RTP circular seal positioned around the door and spaced indentations, said RTP requiring rotation of a device being attached thereto; and, a container assembly for use with said RTP, said container comprising: a) a circular ring member having an interface end and a bearing system end, said interface end including a first set of ring member protrusions for engagement with RTP indentations of an RTP and a container assembly circular seal for providing sealing engagement of said ring member and the RTP; b) a circular enclosure door concentrically positioned within said ring member, said enclosure door including a first set of enclosure door indentations for engaging associated RTP door protrusions and a second set of enclosure door indentations for engaging a second set of ring member protrusions, said container assembly circular seal for further providing sealing engagement of said ring member and said enclosure door; c) a bearing system engaged with said bearing system end of said ring member, said bearing system having a rolling element; and, d) an enclosure having a bearing system engagement portion engaged with said bearing system wherein said bearing system provides relative rotation of said ring member and said enclosure about a central axis of said ring member, said enclosure further including an enclosure seal operatively engaged with said ring member for providing a sealing engagement between said enclosure and said ring member, wherein said ring member provides the rotation required for proper attachment of the container assembly to the RTP without any requirement for rotation of said enclosure.
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Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 450 700 |
Dec 1991 |
EP |
2038920 |
Jul 1980 |
GB |
2102719 |
Feb 1983 |
GB |
2237816 |
May 1991 |
GB |