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Title:
SEALED TRANSFER PORT WITH INTERLOCKS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/172665
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The technology described herein relates to sealed transfer port. A port frame for placement in a barrier wall defines a port opening extending from the first side to the second side. A port door is pivotably coupled to the second side of the port frame and configured to selectively and sealably obstruct the port. A container interlock assembly is coupled to the port frame and extends from the first side to the second side of the port frame. The container interlock is configured to receive the door and disengage a mounting assembly on the first side upon receipt of the door. A door interlock assembly is coupled to the port frame and extends from the first side to the second side of the port frame. The door interlock is configured to releasably engage a latch receptacle of the port door and receive the mounting assembly on the first side.

Inventors:
GIESEN ISAAC M (US)
PETERSON SEAN K (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2014/034694
Publication Date:
October 23, 2014
Filing Date:
April 18, 2014
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
CAPITAL FORMATION INC (US)
International Classes:
B01L1/02
Domestic Patent References:
WO2013053844A12013-04-18
Foreign References:
US7287560B22007-10-30
US20030155846A12003-08-21
EP2091051A12009-08-19
GB2237816A1991-05-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
DEVRIES SMITH, Katherine, M. (Devries Smith & Deffner LLC,120 South 8th Street,TCF Tower, Suite 90, Minneapolis Minnesota, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
What is claimed is:

1. A sealed transfer port comprising:

a port frame having a first side and a second side and defining a port opening extending from the first side to the second side, wherein the port frame is configured for placement in a barrier wall;

a port door pivotably coupled to the second side of the port frame and configured to selectively and sealably obstruct the port, the port door defining a latch receptacle;

a container interlock assembly coupled to the port frame and extending from the first side to the second side of the port frame, wherein the container interlock is configured to receive the door on the second side and disengage a mounting assembly on the first side upon receipt of the door; and

a door interlock assembly coupled to the port frame and extending from the first side to the second side of the port frame, wherein the door interlock is configured to release the latch receptacle of the port door upon receipt of the mounting assembly on the first side.

2. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1 and 3-11, wherein the port door lacks a manually actuatable handle coupled to a second lock.

3. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1-2 and 4-11, wherein the port frame comprises a mounting surface partially defining a bayonet receptacle and the door interlock assembly comprises a support pin retractably extending from the mounting surface into the bayonet receptacle.

4. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1-3 and 5-11, wherein the support pin is configured to be depressed to release the port door.

5. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1-4 and 6-11, wherein the door interlock assembly comprises a pin housing and at least one spherical member, and wherein the support pin defines an outer support surface releasably supporting the at least one spherical member to extend beyond the pin housing, and wherein the spherical member releasably engages the port door through the latch receptacle.

6. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1-5 and 7-11, wherein the door interlock comprises a pin housing defining a latch opening, wherein the support pin defines an outer support surface adjacent to the latch opening in an extended position and a recessed surface adjacent to the latch opening in a recessed position.

7. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1-6 and 8-11, wherein the door interlock further comprises a first position wherein a spherical member is supported by an outer support surface of the support pin to extend from the interlock housing in an extended position, and in the second position the spherical member is supported by a recessed surface of the support pin to retract the spherical member within the interlock housing.

8. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1-7 and 9-11, wherein the door interlock further comprises a spring configured to bias the support pin in an extended position.

9. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1-8 and 10-11, wherein the container interlock assembly comprises a drive pin depressibly extending in the port door pathway and a container lock pin in mechanical communication with the drive pin, wherein the container lock pin is configured to retractably extend through a container surface.

10. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1-9 and 11, wherein the container interlock assembly further comprises a pinion gear mechanically coupling the drive pin and the container lock pin.

11. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 1-10, wherein the port frame comprises a mounting surface partially defining a bayonet receptacle and wherein the container interlock assembly comprises a drive pin depressibly extending in the port door pathway and a container lock pin in mechanical communication with the drive pin, wherein the container lock pin is configured to retractably extend past the mounting surface.

12. A sealed transfer port comprising:

a port frame having a first side and a second side and defining a port opening extending from the first side to the second side, wherein the port frame is configured for placement in a barrier wall and the first side of the port frame is configured to receive a container; a port door pivotably coupled to the second side of the port frame and configured to selectively and sealably obstruct the port opening;

a container interlock assembly configured to obstruct translation of the container relative to the port frame in response to the port door being in an open position; and

a door interlock assembly configured to completely release the port door in response to (1) a container being received by the port frame and (2) a container cover being received by the port door.

13. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 12 and 14-20, wherein the first side of the port frame comprises a mounting surface defining a bayonet receptacle and the door interlock assembly comprises a support pin depressibly extending into the bayonet receptacle.

14. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 12-13 and 15-20, wherein the support pin is configured to retract into the mounting surface to completely release the port door.

15. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 12-14 and 16-20, wherein the door interlock assembly comprises a pin housing defining a latch opening, at least one spherical member, and a support pin defining an outer support surface releasably supporting the at least one spherical member to extend beyond the latch opening, wherein the spherical member releasably engages the port door.

16. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 12-15 and 17-20, wherein the door interlock assembly comprises a pin housing defining a latch opening and a support pin defining an outer support surface adjacent to the latch opening when the pin is in an extended position and a recessed surface adjacent to the opening when the pin is in a recessed position.

17. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 12-16 and 18-20, wherein the door interlock further comprises:

a support pin having an outer support surface, a recessed surface, an extended position relative to the port frame, and a retracted position relative to the port frame; and

a spherical member supported by the outer support surface of the pin in the extended position, and in the retracted position the spherical member is supported by the recessed surface of the support pin.

18. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 12-17 and 19-20, wherein the door interlock further comprises a spring configured to bias the support pin in the extended position.

19. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 12-18 and 20, wherein the container interlock assembly comprises a drive pin retractably extending in the port door pathway and a container lock pin in mechanical communication with the drive pin, wherein the container lock pin is configured to retractably extend through a container surface.

20. The sealed transfer port of any of claims 12-19, wherein the container interlock assembly further comprises a pinion gear mechanically coupling the drive pin and the container lock pin.

Description:
SEALED TRANSFER PORT WITH INTERLOCKS

This application is being filed as a PCT International Patent application on April 18, 2014, in the name of DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC., a U.S. national corporation, applicant for the designation of all countries, and Isaac M. Giesen, a U.S. Citizen; and Sean K. Peterson, a U.S. Citizen, inventors for the designation of all countries, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/814,026, filed April 19, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Field The currently disclosed technology generally relates to a sealed transfer port.

More particularly the currently-disclosed technology relates to a port and mounting assembly interlock for a sealed transfer system.

Background

Transfer ports are used in a variety of industries to transfer materials from the ambient environment to an isolated environment without contamination of one or both of the environments. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, it is common to transfer an uncontaminated biological substance located in an ambient environment to an uncontaminated environment such as a clean room using a transfer port. An example of a rapid transfer port is comprised of an alpha assembly and a beta assembly.

The alpha assembly is generally associated with the isolated environment. The alpha assembly spans an opening in a barrier wall between the environments and the rear of the alpha assembly extends into the ambient environment. The beta assembly is generally associated with the ambient environment. The beta assembly generally consists of a sealed container containing the substance to-be-transferred and can be mounted to the transfer port in the wall that leads to a clean room. Corresponding bayonet-type mounting surfaces on the transfer port, the container, and a container cover interact such that when the container is mounted to the port, the container cover mounts to the port door, and the container cover dismounts from the container. When the port door is opened, the container is opened as well, exposing the contents of the container to the isolated environment (or clean room). In a variety of transfer port systems multiple and redundant safety mechanisms are implemented to ensure that at least one of the separated environments does not contaminate the other. For example, a door of an alpha assembly may have multiple locks to ensure that the door cannot be opened unless a beta assembly is attached and a handle lock is manually actuated by the user. Such system redundancies can result in a relatively complex facade that requires more time and expertise for regular cleaning and maintenance.

Summary

The technology described herein generally relates to sealed transfer ports. In one embodiment, a port frame is configured for placement in a barrier wall and has a first side and a second side and defines a port opening extending from the first side to the second side. A port door is pivotably coupled to the second side of the port frame and configured to selectively and sealably obstruct the port. A container interlock assembly is coupled to the port frame and extends from the first side to the second side of the port frame. The container interlock is configured to receive the door on the second side and disengage a mounting assembly on the first side upon receipt of the door. A door interlock assembly is coupled to the port frame and extends from the first side to the second side of the port frame. The door interlock is configured to release a latch receptacle defined by the port door upon receipt of the mounting assembly on the first side.

In another embodiment, a sealed transfer port is disclosed that has a port frame having a first side and a second side and defining a port opening extending from the first side to the second side. The port frame is configured for placement in a barrier wall and the first side of the port frame is configured to receive a container. A port door is pivotably coupled to the second side of the port frame and is configured to selectively and sealably obstruct the port opening. A container interlock assembly is configured to obstruct translation of the container relative to the port frame in response to the port door being in an open position, and a door interlock assembly is configured to completely release the port door in response to (1) a container being received by the port frame and (2) a container cover being received by the port door. Other embodiments are also described. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention may be more completely understood and appreciated in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 depicts a cross sectional view of one implementation of the current technology.

Figure 2 depicts a perspective second-side view of the implementation of the current technology from Figure 1.

Figure 3 depicts a perspective first-side view of the embodiment depicted in Figures l and 2.

Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment consistent with at least one implementation of the current technology.

Figure 5 depicts a perspective view of an example interlock pin assembly consistent with at least one implementation of the current technology. Figure 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the example interlock pin assembly of Figure 5.

Figure 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of an example door interlock assembly consistent with one implementation of the current technology.

Figure 8 depicts a perspective view of a container interlock assembly consistent with at least one embodiment of the current technology.

Figure 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of the container interlock assembly consistent with Figure 8.

Figure 10 depicts a perspective view of the mounting assembly consistent with some embodiments of the technology described herein. Figure 11 depicts a second-side view of an alternate implementation of the current technology from Figure 1.

Figure 12 depicts a cross-sectional view of Figure 11 through A-A'. Figure 13 depicts a detail view of Figure 12.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 depicts a cross sectional view of one implementation of the current technology, where a transfer port 100 extends from a first side 20 of a barrier wall 10 to a second side 30 of the barrier wall 10 and a mounting assembly 170, such as a container 172. Figures 2, 3, 4 and 10 can be viewed in conjunction with the discussion of Figure 1 for clarity. Figure 2 depicts a view from the second side of an embodiment of a transfer port 100 and Figure 4 depicts a similar view of another embodiment of a transfer port with the transfer port door 140 in an open position, Figure 3 depicts a view from the first side of a transfer port 100, and Figure 10 depicts an example container 172.

Referring back to Figure 1, the transfer port 100 extends from the first side 20 of the barrier wall 10 to the second side 30 of the barrier wall 10, where the first side 20 can be consistent with ambient conditions in at least one implementation of the technology described herein, and the second side 30 of the barrier wall 10 can be consistent with conditions that are relatively cleaner or dirtier than the ambient conditions. The barrier wall 10 and the transfer port 100 generally prevent

contamination between the first side 20 and second side 30.

The words ambient and isolated will be used herein to refer to the two different sides 20, 30 of the wall 10, respectively, where the isolated side 30 is the isolated side of the wall that can be a relatively "clean" or "dirty" side, and the ambient side is the opposite side of the wall. The isolated side 30 of the wall can generally be contained on all sides by one or more barrier walls. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that adjectives such as "dirty" or "clean" are non-limiting to the technology described herein. Indeed, the isolated environment, in a variety of instances, can be a contaminated or dirty environment and the non-isolated environment can be the relatively clean environment.

With regard to Figure 1, a port frame 110 has an extension portion 112 (also visible in Figures 2 and 3) that is configured to extend through a port opening defined in the barrier wall 10 in fixed leak-proof sealed engagement with the periphery of the port opening 101 (visible in Figure 4). As such, the port frame 110 mutually defines the port opening which extends through the barrier wall 10. A port door 140 is pivotably coupled to the isolated side 30 of the port frame 110 with a hinge 142 (also visible in Figure 2). The port door 140 is generally configured to selectively and sealably obstruct the port opening 101 (visible in Figure 4). In Figure 1 the port door 140 is shown in a closed position in leak-proof sealed engagement with the inside perimeter of the port frame 110, is moveable to an open position such as depicted in Figure 4.

As a broad overview, to transfer items in and out of the isolated side 30 of the barrier wall 10 from the ambient side 20 of the barrier wall 10 without exposing the transfer items to the ambient conditions on the ambient side 20 of the wall 10 requires that a container 172 or other type of sealed mounting assembly 170 containing the transfer items be sealably mounted to the transfer port 100 such that when the container 170 is opened, the contents are only exposed to the isolated side 30 of the barrier wall 10 through the transfer port 100. This can be accomplished by sealably mounting the container 172 around the port 100 (such as to the port frame 1 10) and, at the same time, sealably mounting the container cover 180 (also visible in Figure 10) to the port door 140. As such, the outside surface of the container cover 180 that was previously in contact with ambient conditions on the ambient side 20 is not exposed to the isolated side 30 of the barrier wall 10, which could result in contamination. The container cover 180 is released from the container 172 as the container cover 180 is mounted to the port door 140. When the door 140 is then opened, the inside of the container 172 communicates with the port opening 101 such that the contents of the container 172 can be removed into the isolated environment 20.

The container 172 and container cover 180 can generally be referred to as a mounting assembly 170. As indicated above, Figure 10 depicts an example mounting assembly 170 that is similar to the container embodiment depicted in Figure 1, shown uncoupled from a transfer port for purposes of this discussion. The mounting assembly 170 has a container 172, a flanged ring 174 configured to mount to a transfer port 100, a removable cover 180 and handles 50 with which a user manually mounts the mounting assembly 170 to the transfer port 100 (shown in Figures 1-4).

The flanged ring 174 is mountable to the port frame 110 by virtue of bayonet connectors 176 that are configured to mate with bayonet receptacles 130 partially defined along a mounting surface 120 of the port frame 110 (visible in Figure 1 and particularly Figure 3). The mounting surface 120 is generally the surface that the flanged ring 174 is rotated against when mounting the mounting assembly 170, and the bayonet receptacles 130 are generally the locations along the mounting surface 120 that receives corresponding bayonets when the mounting assembly 170 is in a mounted position. The flanged ring 174 is generally configured to form a leak-proof seal when mounted to the port frame 110. In at least one embodiment the flanged ring 174 and the container 172 can be a cohesive unit, although in the current embodiment they are depicted as separate components.

The entrance to the container 172, which is through a passage defined by the flanged ring 174, is sealably covered by a second mountable component 180, which is the container cover 180. The container cover 180 is mounted in sealed leak-proof engagement with a cover mounting surface 178 of the flanged ring 174 via cover bayonet connectors 184 (cross-sectional view visible in Figure 1) where the cover mounting surface 178 of the flanged ring 174 is defined at least by an inner perimeter of the flanged ring 174. The container cover 180 also has a set of door bayonet connectors 182 on the outside of the container cover 180 that are configured to mount to corresponding door bayonet receptacles 150 defined on the surface of the ambient side 20 of the port door 140 (visible in Figures 3 and 4). As such, when the flanged ring 174 of the mounting assembly 170 is manually rotated by a user to dock the mounting assembly 170 to the mounting surface 120 on the port frame 110 in sealed leak-proof engagement, the container cover 180 is also docked to be in sealed leak- proof engagement with the ambient side 20 of the door 140 and simultaneously released from the flanged ring 174.

Although shown as a container 172 in Figures 1 and 10, the mounting assembly 170 may take a variety of forms, depending upon particular transfer needs. For example, rubber septums for vials for containing injectable medications are commonly sterilized in bulk in a porous flexible bag, made of a material such as

Tyvek® material made by DuPont (headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA). The system may be used to sealably interconnect two similar isolation chambers having the same interior environment while protecting them from the surrounding dirty environment. Rubber gloves may likewise be introduced into an isolation chamber to permit manual operations to be performed while maintaining the integrity of the environment of the isolation chamber.

Referring again back to Figure 1, the mounting assembly 170 defines a mounting structure 176 that is configured to be received by a mounting surface 120 defined by one or more surfaces on the ambient side 20 of the port frame 1 10. In a variety of embodiments, a system user can use the container handle 50 to bring the mounting assembly 170 in contact with the mounting surface 120. In the current embodiment, the mounting structure 176 is a series of one or more bayonet connectors 176 defined on the flanged ring 174 of the container 170. The one or more bayonet connectors 176 are received by one or more corresponding bayonet receptacles 130 defined at least by the mounting surface 120 of the port frame 110 when the container 170 is rotated relative to the port frame 110. Correspondingly, the container cover 180 defines one or more bayonet connectors 182 that are configured to be received by corresponding door bayonet receptacles 150 defined by the door. As the mounting assembly 170 is mounted, the container cover 180 is dismounted from the flange ring 174 and mounted to the port door 140.

After mounting the flanged ring 174 to the port frame 110 and the container cover 180 to the port door 140, which releases the container cover 180 from the mounting assembly 170, the door 140 can be opened and swung out of the way of the port opening 101 through the port frame 110, carrying the mounted container cover 180 with it. The port opening 101 defined by the port frame 110 and the flanged ring 174 is open such that the environment within the container 172 is accessible and exposed to the environment on the isolated side 30 of the wall 10. The container 172 can then be emptied or loaded.

When the transfer is completed the door 140 is closed. Upon closing of the door 140 and during the process of manually disengaging the container 172 from the port frame 110, the container cover 180 disengages the door 140 and re-engages the flanged ring 174, such that the container cover 180 once again seals the container 172. Further successive transfers may be made simply by docking a succession of mountable assemblies containing material to be transferred until the operation being performed within the isolated environment 30 is completed. Although the system is described with reference to the transfer of material into an isolated environment, the same series of steps is carried out in transferring materials from within the isolated environment to the ambient environment.

As will be described further herein, a sealed transfer port consistent with the current technology has a container interlock and a door interlock. By virtue of the container interlock and door interlock, the sealed transfer port consistent with the technology disclosed herein omits a manually actuatable locking handle for the door, which is a common feature in some transfer port systems. The omission of a manually actuatable locking handle simplifies the outer structure of the transfer port, which simplifies regular maintenance operations such as cleaning and sterilization.

The container interlock is generally configured to engage the mounting assembly, such as a container, when the port door is open, and disengage from the mounting assembly when the port door is closed. In at least one embodiment the container interlock prevents translation of the mounting assembly when the port door is open, and allows translation of the mounting assembly when the port door is closed. Such a configuration prevents the mounting assembly from being removed, thereby exposing the inside of the container and the isolated environment, prior to closing the port door. While the term "container interlock" is used herein, those having skill in the art will appreciate that other types of mounting assemblies can be used in conjunction with the container interlock, such as gloves, as described above.

The door interlock is generally configured to completely release the port door from the port frame in response to the mounting assembly being mounted to the port frame. Such a configuration allows the port door to be immediately opened after the mounting assembly is secured to the port frame. Such a configuration avoids the additional structure associated with a manually actuatable component that would require the additional step of manual actuation in order to open the door. In some further embodiments, the door interlock is configured to completely release the port door from the port frame in response to the mounting assembly being mounted to the port frame and the container cover being mounted to the port door. Now the container interlock and the door interlock will be described in more detail.

As mentioned above, Figure 2 depicts a perspective isolated-side view of the transfer port 100 of Figure 1. In this view, the transfer port 100 has a port door 140 that sealably obstructs the port opening 101 (Figure 4) and is sealably closed against the port frame 110. The port frame 110 has an extension portion 112 that is configured to extend through a barrier wall 10 (Figure 1) upon installation. A stationary handle 144 can be used by a system user to manually open and close the port door 140. Notably, such handle 144 is not directly manually manipulated to lock and unlock the port door 140. Figure 3 depicts a perspective ambient-side view of the transfer port 100 depicted in Figures 1 and 2. Similar to Figure 2, the port door 140 sealably obstructs the port opening against the port frame 110. A mounting surface 120 of the port frame 110 partially defines bayonet receptacles 130 that are configured to receive bayonets of a mounting assembly 170, such as described in Figure 1. Visible from this perspective is also the port door interlock 220 having a support pin 240 and the container interlock 300 having a container lock pin 320.

The support pin 240 of the port door interlock 220 is generally an elongate cylindrical member that is disposed within the mounting surface 120 of the port frame 110. In multiple embodiments the support pin 240 is constructed of a hardened stainless steel, although a variety of other materials could certainly be used. The support pin 240 is generally disposed within a bayonet receptacle 130, retractably extending from the mounting surface 120 of the port frame 110 such that when a bayonet of a mounting assembly is inserted in the bayonet receptacle, the support pin 240 is depressed into the mounting surface 120. Depression of the support pin 240 results in the complete release of the port door 140.

Similarly the container lock pin 320 of the container interlock 300 is disposed within the mounting surface 120 of the port frame 110. The container lock pin 320 is generally configured to prevent translation of a mounting assembly when the port door 140 is open. In a variety of embodiments, the container lock pin 320 is configured to extend from the mounting surface 120 of the port frame 110 to a position adjacent the bayonet receptacle 130 and, therefore, a bayonet mounted therein, to prevent translation of the mounting assembly relative to the transfer port 100. In another embodiment, the container lock pin 320 is configured to extend from the mounting surface 120 into the bayonet receptacle 130 of the port frame 110 and additionally into an opening defined by the mounting assembly to prevent translation of the mounting assembly relative to the port. Those having skill in the art will appreciate other approaches that can also be used to prevent translation of the mounting assembly when the port door 140 is open.

Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the current technology. This particular embodiment exhibits a slightly altered handle 144 configuration than that depicted in Figure 2 however similarly- functioning and corresponding structures have been given the same element numbers as the previous embodiment for clarity. In this depiction the port door 140 is in an open position for demonstration purposes, although in an actual implementation of the current technology the port door 140 would not be openable absent mounting of a mounting assembly 170, such as shown in Figure 1.

As is visible in this view, the container interlock 300 extends to the isolated side 30 of the transfer port 100 and through the port frame 110, in particular. A drive pin 310 depressibly extends beyond the outer surface of the port frame 100 in the translation pathway of the port door 140. As such, when the port door 140 is moved to a closed position, the drive pin 310 is depressed into the surface of the port frame 110.

Similarly, the door interlock 220 extends to the isolated side 30 of the transfer port 100 and through the port frame 110. A pin housing 230 is configured to releasably engage a latch receptacle 210 defined by the port door 140, which will be described in more detail, below, with respect to Figures 5-7.

Figure 5 depicts a perspective view of an example pin assembly 220 consistent with at least one implementation of the current technology. Figure 6 depicts a cross- sectional view of the example pin assembly 220 of Figure 5. Figure 7 depicts a cross- sectional view of an example door interlock assembly 200 consistent with one implementation of the pin assembly 220 from Figures 5 and 6. As described above, the door interlock assembly 200 is generally configured to completely release the port door 140 in response to a mounting assembly 170 (Figures 1 and 10) being docked to a port frame 110. In a variety of embodiments, which will be described below, the door interlock assembly 200 is configured to completely release the port door 140 in response to the mounting assembly 170 being docked to a port frame 110 and the container cover 180 being mounted to the port door 140.

Referring now to the pin assembly 220 depicted in Figures 5 and 6 (of the door interlock assembly depicted in Figure 7), the pin assembly 220 generally has a pin housing 230, a mounting cap 232, a support pin 240, and one or more spherical members 250 retractably protruding from latch openings 234 defined by the pin housing 230. As described above, the pin assembly 220 is generally configured to extend from the ambient side 20 of the transfer port 100 to the isolated side 30 of the transfer port 100. As such, those having skill in the art will appreciate that the pin assembly 220 sealably couples to the port frame 1 10 and is generally substantially sealed from the ambient side of the pin assembly 220 to the isolated side of the pin assembly 220.

The pin housing 230 is generally configured to house the support pin 240 and the spherical members 250 and defines a pin translation pathway 236 extending from the ambient side of the pin housing 230 to towards the isolated side of the pin housing 230. In multiple embodiments, the pin housing 230 is constructed of a hardened stainless steel. The pin housing 230 defines one or more latch openings 234 that each correspond with a spherical member 250. The latch openings 234 are generally sized to allow each spherical member 250 to protrude from the housing 230 while remaining within the housing 230. As such, each latch opening 234 generally has a diameter that is less than the diameter of its corresponding spherical member 250. The mounting cap 232 is generally configured to enable mounting the pin assembly 220 to a transfer port 100 (See Figure 3, for example).

The support pin 240 is disposed in the pin housing 230, where the pin 240 depressibly extends through a pin opening 238 defined by the mounting cap 232. The support pin 240 extends through a portion of the pin translation pathway 236 defined by the pin housing 230. In a variety of embodiments, including that depicted, the pin 240 is biased to an extended position with a spring 270 disposed between the pin 240 and the pin housing 232. Sealing components 260 such as o-rings seal the ambient side of the pin assembly 220 from the isolated side of the pin assembly 220, which correspond to the ambient side 20 of the transfer port 100 and the isolated side 30 of the transfer port, respectively.

An annular flange 244 extends from the support pin 240 to limit the extension of the support pin 240 through the pin opening 238. In a variety of embodiments the portion of the support pin 240 extending past the housing cap 232 is rounded. The rounded shape of the extended portion of the support pin 240 can reduce friction between the support pin 240 and a mounting assembly when the mounting assembly is being mounted to the transfer port 100. The support pin 240 defines an outer support surface 246 and a recessed support surface 242. The outer support surface 246 is configured to releasably support the least one spherical member 250 to extend the spherical member 250 beyond the surface of the pin housing 230 partially through the latch opening 234. The recessed support surface 242 is configured to receive the at least one spherical member 250 to retract the spherical member 250 substantially within the pin housing 230. As such, the linear position of the support pin 240 relative to the pin housing 230 extends or retracts the one or more spherical members 250. Notably, the pin translation pathway 236 defined by the pin housing 230 allows such linear translation of the support pin 240 along the housing.

Generally, when the outer support surface 246 of the support pin 240 is adjacent to the latch opening 234, the support pin 240 is in an extended position relative to the mounting cap 232 and the one or more spherical members 250 are extended through one or more corresponding latch openings 234. Correspondingly, when the recessed support surface 242 of the pin 240 is adjacent to the latch opening 234, the pin 240 is in a recessed position relative to mounting cap 232 and the one or more spherical members 250 are recessed relative to the pin housing 230, or in some embodiments, less extended relative to the pin housing 230 compared to their extended position.

As visible in Figure 7, the door interlock assembly 200 is generally coupled to the port frame 110 and extends from the ambient side 20 of the port frame 110 to the isolated side 30 of the port frame 110. The door interlock 200 is configured to releasably engage the port door 140. More particularly, in the current embodiment the door interlock is configured to releasably engage a latch receptacle 210 of the port door 140 on the isolated side 30 and receive a mounting assembly on the ambient side 20. In at least one embodiment, the latch receptacle 210 can be defined by the port door 140 and a removable liner 212 that is configured to mutually engage the pin housing 230 and spherical members 250 when the spherical members 250 are in an extended position. In at least one embodiment the removable liner 212 is constructed from a hardened stainless steel.

When a mounting assembly (such as depicted in Figure 1) is manually docked by a user to the bayonet receptacle 130 along the mounting surface 120 of the port frame 110, the bayonet of the mounting assembly depresses the support pin 240 and causes it to retract into the pin housing 230, which causes the spherical members 250 to release the port door 140 via the latch receptacle 210. When a mounting assembly is undocked from the port frame 110, the support pin 240 returns to its extended position relative to the mounting surface 120, and the out support surface 246 translates to a position under the spherical members 250, which extends the spherical members 250 beyond the latch openings 234 to engage the portion of the port door 140 defining the latch receptacle 210.

In a variety of embodiments, the port door 140 lacks a manually actuatable handle coupled to a secondary lock, which can simplify system maintenance and use. As such, in response to the mounting assembly being docked to the port frame 110, the door 140 is completely released to be opened. When the door interlock is used in combination with the container interlock, the necessity of redundant safety features is minimalized.

The container interlock assembly 300 can be used in transfer ports consistently as depicted in examples in Figures 3-4, for example, although other embodiments are certainly possible. Figure 8 depicts a perspective view of a container interlock assembly consistent with at least one embodiment of the current technology. Figure 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of the container interlock assembly consistent with Figure 8. A container interlock housing 360 generally houses a drive pin 310 and a container lock pin 320.

The drive pin 310 depressibly extends from the interlock housing 360 towards the isolated side of the transfer port 100. As mentioned in the discussion of Figure 4, the drive pin 310 generally depressibly extends in the port door 140 pathway. As such, the port door 140 is configured to depress the drive pin 310 when the port door 140 is moved to a closed position such that the drive pin 310 is depressed relative to the interlock housing 360 and, therefore, the port frame 110.

The container lock pin 320 is generally in mechanical communication with the drive pin 310. The container lock pin 320 is generally configured to retractably extend to prevent removal of the mounting assembly from the transfer port 100 when the port door 140 is open, such as by preventing translation of the mounting assembly relative to the transfer port 100. In a variety of embodiments, the container lock pin 320 is configured to retractably extend through a surface of the mounting assembly, such as through a bayonet of the mounting assembly. In another embodiment the container lock pin 320 is configured to retractably extend from the mounting surface 120 of the port frame 110 adjacent to the bayonet receptacle 130 of the port frame 110 to prevent translation of the mounting assembly bayonet from translating beyond the bayonet receptacle. In the current embodiment, the drive pin 310 is mechanically coupled to the container lock pin 320 through a pinion gear 330. In the current embodiment the drive pin 310 is coupled to a drive pin rack 312 which is coupled to the pinion gear 330, which is coupled to a lock pin rack 322, which is coupled to the container lock pin 320. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that other mechanical

communication chains can be used. A first spring 340 is disposed between the drive pin 310 and the interlock housing 360 to bias the drive pin 310 to an extended position relative to the interlock housing 360. Similarly, a second spring 350 is disposed between the container lock pin 320 and the interlock housing 360 to bias the container lock pin 320 relative to the interlock housing 360.

Generally, the container interlock assembly 300 is coupled to the port frame and sealably extends from the isolated side of the port frame 110 to the ambient side of the port frame 110. The container interlock assembly 300 is generally configured to be engaged by the port door 140 on the isolated side of the transfer port 100, which results in engaging the mounting assembly 170 on the ambient side of the transfer port 100. The container interlock assembly 300 is configured to obstruct translation of a mounting assembly relative to the port frame when the port door is open.

As such, the overall system disclosed herein is configured such that, when a mounting assembly is docked to a transfer port, the door is completely released to be opened. When the door is opened, the mounting assembly is locked to the transfer port. To remove the mounting assembly from the transfer port, the door must be closed to release the container interlock. To open the door, the mounting assembly must be docked to the transfer port to release the port door interlock. In an

embodiment that will now be described, in addition to docking the mounting assembly to the transfer port, the container cover must be mounted to the port door in order to completely release the port door from the port frame. In some embodiments mounting the container cover to the port door is a part of docking the mounting assembly to the transfer port. In at least one embodiment mounting the container cover to the port door is inherent to docking the mounting assembly to the transfer port.

Figure 11 depicts a second-side view of transfer port 700 in an alternative embodiment to that depicted in Figure 1, and Figure 12 depicts a cross-sectional view of the transfer port of Figure 11 through A- A'. Figure 13 depicts a detail view of the transfer port in Figure 12. Similarly-functioning and corresponding structures in Figures 11-13 have been given the same element numbers as the previous

embodiments for clarity. Similar to the previous embodiments described, the transfer port 100 has a port frame 110 with an extension portion 112 that extends from a first side of a barrier wall to a second side of the barrier wall. A port door 140 is pivotably coupled to the second side of the port frame 110 with a door hinge 142. The port door 140 is generally configured to selectively and seal ably obstruct the port opening (not shown, but similar to that depicted in Figure 4).

In the current embodiment a port door handle 144 has a handle extension portion 146 and a housing portion 148, where the handle extension portion 146 and the housing portion 148 are configured to house interlock components. Similar to the embodiments described above, although not currently depicted, the embodiment depicted in Figures 11-13 incorporates each of a container interlock assembly and a door interlock assembly. The currently-described port 100 also incorporates a safety mechanism 400, where the safety mechanism 400 can be characterized as a component of the door interlock assembly 200.

The safety mechanism 400 is generally configured to prevent opening of the port door 140 in the event that a mounted mounting assembly (such as depicted in Figure 1) is missing a container cover, which could cause contamination of the isolated environment. The safety mechanism 400 allows the port door 140 to open only if the mounting assembly that is mounted thereto has a container cover 180 (See Figure 10). If a mounting assembly is lacking a container cover and is inadvertently mounted to the port 100, the port door 140 will not open. As such, in embodiments where the door interlock assembly incorporates a safety mechanism 400, the door interlock is configured to completely release the port door from the port frame when (1) a mounting assembly is mounted to the port frame and (2) a container cover is received by the port door.

Referring in particular to Figure 13, the safety mechanism 400 generally secures the port door 140 to the port frame 110 and is configured to release the port door 140 from the port frame 110 upon mounting a container cover on the port door 140. The safety mechanism 400 is generally in mechanical communication with a door bayonet receptacle 150 defined by the port door 140, where the door bayonet receptacles 150 are configured to receive door bayonet connectors 182 of a container cover 180 (described above). Mounting of a container cover to door bayonet receptacles 150 of the port door 140 actuates the safety mechanism 400 whereby the port door 140 can be released from the port frame 110.

The safety mechanism 400 of the current embodiment has an actuator pin 410 in mechanical communication with a door lock 420 that extends from the port frame 110, to which it is secured, to a door lock opening 422 defined by the port door 140 (and particularly by the housing portion 148 of the door handle 144, in the current embodiment). A lock release pin 430 engages a notch 424 defined by the door lock 420 in the door lock opening 422 to prevent translation of the door lock 420 relative to the door lock opening 422. Generally, actuation of the actuator pin 410 results in the release of the door lock 420, thereby releasing the port door 140 from the port frame 110.

While there are a variety of specific configurations of the safety mechanism 400 that would be consistent with the current technology, in the current embodiment the actuator pin 410 is in mechanical communication with the lock release pin 430 that is in mechanical communication with the door lock 420. The lock release pin 430 extends from the actuator pin 410 towards the notch 424 defined by the door lock 420. A third spring 440 biases the actuator pin 410 to extend into the door bayonet receptacle 150, and a fourth spring 450 biases the lock release pin 430 against an adjacent surface 414 of the actuator pin 410. When no container cover is mounted to the port door 140, the adjacent surface 414 of the actuator pin 410 positions the lock release pin 430 into the notch 424 defined by the door lock 420.

When a container cover is mounted to the port door 140, on the other hand, the actuator pin 410 is depressed by the container cover and cleared from the door bayonet receptacle 150. The lock release pin 430, which is biased against the adjacent surface 414 of the actuator pin 410, translates away from the notch 424 defined by the door lock 420 as the adjacent surface 414 of the actuator pin 410 shifts away from the notch 424 via a tapered surface 412 of the actuator pin 410. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of sealing components 460 such as o-rings can be used to create seals within the safety mechanism 400, such as around the actuator pin 410 and the door lock 420. Additional seals can also be used within the safety mechanism. Components described herein can generally be a constructed with a variety of materials and combinations of materials known in the art. For example, hardened stainless steel can be incorporated in various components of the disclosed interlock assemblies in a multiple embodiments. Further, those having skill in the art will appreciate that throughout this disclosure the term "bayonet," "bayonet connector," and "bayonet receptacle" are used to generally describe the bayonet mating connections herein, and that such terms are not used to be structurally limiting.

It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the phrase "configured" describes a system, apparatus, or other structure that is constructed or configured to perform a particular task or adopt a particular configuration. The phrase "configured" can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as "arranged", "arranged and configured", "constructed and arranged", "constructed", "manufactured and arranged", and the like.

All publications and patent applications in this specification are indicative of the level of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated by reference.

This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.