CONTAINMENT VALVE FOR THE TRANSFER OF PHARMACEUTICAL MATERIALS

Technical field

This invention relates to a containment valve for the transfer of pharmaceutical materials.

In particular, the invention relates to a containment valve for the transfer of pharmaceutical materials of the type which can be used in pharmaceutical or chemical plants for temporarily connecting two containment chambers in such a way as to allow the transfer of material from a starting container to a destination container.

In particular, the containment valve for the transfer of pharmaceutical materials is such that it allows a transfer of material avoiding dispersion of the material into the outside environment or, vice versa, contamination of the material from the outside environment .

Background art

As is known, in the chemical and pharmaceutical plants there are sealing elements made of elastic material, in this instance gaskets, which are positioned in connecting sections of pipes or apparatuses through which the passage of the material processed occurs. Devices of different types are currently used, such as, for example, plugs, guillotine type sliding devices or butterfly valves, around which a gasket is usually mounted to ensure the seal and prevent the escape of the material into the surrounding environment during the transfer.

In this instance, the butterfly valves comprise a pair of portions designed to be coupled with respective containers and to be mutually coupled by seals, and a shutter positioned inside the duct for transferring material (represented by the coupling of the two portions) and identified by a disc which rotates about a relative axis normal to the direction of the flow of material.

More in detail, the disc is designed to pass from a position for blocking the flow to a position in which it allows the passage of material through a portion of duct. This type of prior art device represents a good solution for allowing the transfer of materials from a starting container to an arrival container, but it is certainly not free from drawbacks.

A major drawback is due to the fact that the disc being positioned inside the duct, and therefore having (even when set up for the passage of material) a portion inside the duct, prevents the passage of a part of the material transferred.

In this way, a part of the material deposited on the disc will infiltrate into the gaskets of the device during the passage from the open configuration to the blocked configuration.

For this reason, following the dismantling of the device a part of the material to be transferred is dispersed into the environment.

This inevitably results in the pollution of the surrounding environment. Another major drawback is that the loss of this material results in a consequent loss in economic terms, due to the high costs relating to the materials involved in the transfer process, as well as the costs necessary for subsequently processing the waste product in controlled landfills.

In this regard, valves are known wherein the shutter is identified by a cylindrical body having an inner gap and designed to pass from a blocked configuration (with the gap extending along a direction transversal to the direction of the flow of material), to an open configuration (with the gap extending along a direction parallel to the direction of the flow of material).

The cylindrical shutter is enclosed inside a structure which can be dismantled wherein a first casing (comprising a first part of the shutter) can be connected in an interlocking fashion to a second casing (comprising a second part of the shutter).

These prior art devices, whilst representing a valid solution such as to solve the above-mentioned problem relative to the butterfly valves, are not, however, free from major drawbacks.

A first drawback of these prior art devices is that they are not always easy and inexpensive to make and often require a large quantity of components due to the particular cylindrical shape of the shutter which requires a complex technology of snap fitting between the first and the second casing.

Aim of the invention

For this reason, the technical purpose which forms the basis of the invention is to propose a containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials which is able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide a containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials such as to considerably limit the risks of dispersion of polluting materials into the outside environment.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials which is simple and inexpensive to make.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials which guarantees optimum quality efficiency. According to the invention, these aims and others are achieved by a containment valve for the transfer of pharmaceutical materials comprising the technical features described in the accompanying claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical features of the invention, according to the above-mentioned aims, are clearly described in the appended claims and its advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a nonlimiting example embodiment of it, and in which:

- Figure 1 shows a schematic partly exploded and perspective side view from above of a containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials,

- Figures 2 and 3 show side perspective views from above of the valve of Figure 1, according to two different configurations of use, - Figures 4 and 5 show schematic side cross sections of the valve of Figure 1, according to two different configurations of use,

- Figure 6 shows a schematic cross section view of a detail of the valve of Figure 1,

- Figure 7 shows a perspective side view from above of a detail of the valve of Figure 1,

- Figure 8 shows a perspective view from above of a detail of the valve of Figure 1,

- Figure 9 shows a schematic side view in cross-section of a detail of Figure 1,

- Figure 10 shows a perspective view from above of a detail of the valve of Figure 1,

- Figures 11 and 11a show cross sections from above of a detail of the valve of Figure 1, according to two different configurations of use,

- Figure 12 shows a perspective side view from above of a detail of the valve of Figure 1,

- Figures 13 and 14 show schematic side perspective views from above of a detail of the valve of Figure 1, according to two different configurations of use, and

- Figures 13a and 14a show zoomed views of the details of Figures 13 and 14.

Detailed description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a containment valve for the transfer of pharmaceutical materials made in accordance with the invention, hereinafter also referred to simply as the valve 1.

The valve 1 according to the invention comprises a first block 2 and a second block 3 which can be stably connected in a removable fashion and extending, when connected, along an axis X.

The first block 2 comprises a first casing 21.

Advantageously, the first casing 21 has a substantially circular transversal cross section.

Advantageously, the first casing 21 is made of a metallic material.

According to other embodiments, the first casing 21 is made of plastic material.

The first block 2 also comprises a first obturating portion 22 positioned inside the first casing 21 and at least partly shaped to match a first inner cavity 20 of the first block 2.

The first obturating portion 22 has an engagement surface 221.

Advantageously, the engagement surface 221 is flat.

Alternatively, the surface 221 is irregular, that is to say, it is not planar.

Advantageously, the first obturating portion 22 comprises a plurality of connecting pins 223 made on the surface 221.

The first obturating portion 22 also has a gap 222.

Advantageously, the gap 222 passes through the first obturating portion 22 from one end to the opposite end. Advantageously, moreover, the gap 222 defines a cylindrical opening.

The first block 2 also comprises movement means 23 connected to the first obturating portion 22 and designed to rotate it about an axis Y transversal to the axis X. Advantageously, the movement means 23 comprise a lever 231 and a screw 232 designed to connect the first obturating portion 22 to the lever 231.

The first block 2 also comprises first connection means 24 designed to fix the first block 2 to the second block 3.

With reference to Figure 1, the first connection means 24 have a plurality of engagement cavities 241.

The first connection means 24 define with the engagement surface 221 a surface of contact of the first block 2 with the second block 3.

The above-mentioned second block 3 comprises a second casing 31.

With reference to Figures 12 to 14a, the second casing 31 comprises second connection means 34 designed to fix the second block 3 to the first block 2.

Advantageously, the second connection means 34 comprise a plurality of tabs 341.

The tabs 341 comprise an end portion 341a fixed on the second casing 31 and a raised portion 341b.

Advantageously, the tabs 341 are configured to engage inside the cavities 241.

Advantageously, the portion 341b is raised relative to the second casing 31 by a stretch substantially coinciding with the thickness of the contact surface proximal to the cavities 241, that is to say, the thickness of the retaining portion 242 indicated below. The connection means 34 also comprise a rotation element 342 designed to determine a rotation R of the second block 3 about the axis X in such a way as to allow the sliding of the tabs 341 from a first insertion position (Figures 13 and 13a) in the cavities 241 to a second position (Figures 14 and 14a) wherein a retaining portion 242 of the first connection means 24 is interposed between the raised portion 341b and the second casing 31 in such a way as to prevent the tabs 341 from translating along a direction parallel to the axis X.

More in detail, when the tabs 341 are in the above- mentioned second position, the first 2 and second 3 blocks are connected stably.

In particular, the first 2 and second 3 blocks can be connected stably by means of a reciprocal rotation about the axis X.

With reference to Figure 8, the second block 3 also comprises a second obturating portion 32 which can be stably connected in a removable fashion to the engagement surface 221 of the first obturating portion 22.

Advantageously, with reference to Figure 8, the second obturating portion 32 has a face 322 designed to engage with the surface 221 of the first obturating portion 22. Advantageously, moreover, the second obturating portion 32 comprises a plurality 323 of recesses made on the face 322.

Advantageously, the recesses of the plurality 323 are shaped to match the pins 223 and designed to engage with them when first 2 and second 3 blocks are connected.

The second obturating portion 32 is designed to be positioned in a respective second inner cavity 30 of the second block 3.

The first 22 and second 32 obturating portions define a shutter element 4. The first 22 and the second 32 obturating portions are positioned stably inside the respective first 2 and second 3 blocks, even when the latter are separated.

This feature makes the first 2 and the second 3 block hermetic even when they are separated from each other.

With reference to Figure 5, the shutter element 4 is designed to be positioned in a first closed position P, when the gap 222 is positioned along a direction D transversal to the axis X.

With reference to Figure 4, the shutter element 4 is designed to be positioned in a second open position Q when the gap 222 is positioned along a direction E parallel to the axis X.

The shutter element 4 is substantially spherical in shape.

The spherical shape of the shutter element 4 allows the operation of stable connection between the first 2 and the second 3 blocks to be performed by reciprocal rotation.

This makes it possible to optimise the seal of the valve in use.

Such a type of connection by rotation is not possible for the prior art valves which have a cylindrical shutter element positioned inside a seat shaped to match it .

In effect, a cylindrical shape, or in any case any other non-spherical shape, of the shutter and of the seat in which it is positioned, would not allow a reciprocal rotation of the two blocks due to the non-radial extension (of shutter and seat) along the main axis of the valve. The shutter element 4 therefore has a substantially spherical shape wherein the first obturating portion 22 has a size greater than that of the second obturating portion 32.

Substantially, the first obturating portion 22 covers a size greater than 50% of the total size of the shutter element 4, and the second obturating portion 32 covers a size less than 50% of the total size of the shutter element.

In effect, as explained above, the first obturating portion 22 comprises inside it the gap 222.

The engagement surface 221 is positioned outside the mid-plane of the shutter element 4.

In particular, the mid-plane of the shutter element 4 means the plane coinciding with the axis of extension of the gap 222.

Advantageously, with reference to Figures 4 to 6, the valve 1 according to this invention comprises a first 25 and a second 35 opening positioned, respectively, on the first 2 and second 3 blocks.

Advantageously, the first 25 and second 35 openings are designed to be connected to respective containers.

In particular, they are designed to be connected to a starting container and to an arrival container in such a way as to allow, through the valve 1, the transfer of pharmaceutical material from the starting container to the arrival container.

With reference to Figure 4, the first 25 and second 35 opening define together with the gap 222 a channel CT for transferring pharmaceutical material, when the shutter element 4 is in the above-mentioned position Q. Advantageously, when the shutter element 4 is in the above-mentioned position Q, the channel CT is entirely free from obstructions.

Moreover, advantageously, with reference to Figure 4, when the shutter element 4 is in the above-mentioned position Q, the engagement surface 221 is positioned outside the channel CT.

That is to say, when the shutter element 4 is in the above-mentioned position Q, the surface 221 is positioned in a zone inaccessible to the pharmaceutical material designed to pass through the channel CT.

This allows the important advantage of limiting in a significant manner the possibility that a part of pharmaceutical material can be inserted in joining elements such as the above-mentioned engagement surface 221.

With reference to Figure 5, when the shutter element 4 is in the above-mentioned position P, the channel CT is blocked.

Advantageously, the first block 2 comprises a first supporting element 27 positioned interposed between the first casing 21 and at least a first portion of the shutter element 4.

With reference to Figure 6, the first supporting element 27 is shaped in such a way as to define the first inner cavity 20 shaped to match at least a first portion of the shutter element 4.

Advantageously, the second block 3 comprises a second supporting element 37 positioned interposed between the second casing 31 and at least a second portion of the shutter element 4. With reference to Figure 6, the second supporting element 37 is shaped in such a way as to define the second inner cavity 30 shaped to match the at least a second portion of the shutter element 4.

In detail, when the shutter element 4 is in the position P the at least a first portion of the shutter element 4 coincides with the first obturating portion 22 and the at least a second portion of the shutter element 4 coincides with the second obturating portion 32.

With reference to Figure 6, the first 27 and second 37 supporting elements delimit internally a substantially spherical empty space 40 designed to contain the shutter element 4.

The empty space 40 is therefore shaped to match the shutter element 4.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the valve 1 according to the invention comprises a first pin 26 fixed on the first casing and designed to pass from a locked position PB1 (Figure 2) wherein the first pin 26 prevents the rotation of the lever 231 about the axis Y, to an unlocked position PSI (Figure 3) so that the rotation of the lever 231 about the axis Y is allowed.

When the first pin 26 is in the unlocked position PSI, that is to say, when the lever 231 is enabled to rotate about the axis Y, the first obturating portion 22 is also enabled to rotate about the axis Y (following the rotation of the lever 231).

With reference to Figures 9 to 11a, the valve 1 according to the invention comprises a plurality of pins 38 for coupling the second obturating portion 32. The coupling pins 38 are designed to pass from a locked position PB2 (Figure 11) wherein the coupling pins 38 are inserted in respective slots 321 of the second obturating portion 32 in such a way as to make it fixed inside the second block 3, to an unlocked position PS2 wherein the second obturating portion is free to rotate about the axis Y.

More in detail, when the pin 26 is in the unlocked position PSI and the pins 38 are in position PS2, the shutter element 4 is free to rotate about the axis Y. Advantageously, the valve 1 according to the invention comprises a pin 36 designed to block/release the relative rotation of the second casing 31 with respect to the rest of the second block 3, about the axis X.

Advantageously, the shutter element 4, the first casing 21 and the second casing 31 are made of metallic material.

Moreover, advantageously, the first 27 and second 37 supporting elements are made of plastic material.

According to a further embodiment, the shutter element 4, the first casing 21 and the second casing 31 are made of plastic material.

This further embodiment allows a disposable type valve 1 to be provided.

In use, in order to transfer pharmaceutical material from a starting container to an arrival container, there is a first step of placing in contact a first block 2 with a second block 3 of the valve 1.

Advantageously, the first block 2 is designed to connect to a starting container. Advantageously, the second block 3 is designed to connect to an arrival container.

Advantageously, during the step of placing in contact, the tabs 341 are inserted inside the engagement cavities 241, and the pins 223 are inserted inside the recesses 323 in such a way as to connect the first block 2 to the second block 3.

This is followed by the step of releasing the pin 36 in such a way as to release the relative rotation of the second casing 31 with respect to the rest of the second block 3.

Advantageously, during the step of releasing the pin 36, the coupling pins 38 protrude from the slots 321 of the second obturating portion 32, in such a way that it can follow the rotation of the first obturating portion 22. This is followed by the step of unlocking the pin 26. Advantageously, during the step of releasing the pin 26, the pin 26 passes from a position PB1 for locking the lever 231 to an unlocked position PSI in such a way as to allow the lever 231 (and the first obturating portion 22 together with it) to rotate about an axis Y.

Advantageously, therefore, after the step of unlocking the pin 26, the shutter element 4 is free to rotate about the axis Y in such a way as to pass from a locked position P to an open position Q and vice versa.

The containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials according to the invention overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks and brings important advantages.

A first important advantage of the containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials is due to the fact that the valve guarantees an optimum degree of safety during its use, considerably limiting the possibility of releasing polluting substances into the outside environment.

A further advantage is due to the fact that the containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials is practical to use and inexpensive to make, thanks to the considerable reduction in waste which it is possible to obtain.

A further advantage of the containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials is due to the fact that the substantially spherical shape of the shutter element 4 allows the components necessary for making the valve to be simplified, further optimising the costs. Another advantage is due to the fact that the containment valve for transferring pharmaceutical materials guarantees the important dismantling feature, combining it with a high degree of safety in use, that is to say, once mounted, the valve greatly reduces the risks of involuntary separation between the components during use.

This is made possible thanks to the particular structure of the valve, which, thanks to the spherical shape of the shutter element 4 and the matching shape of the supporting elements 27 and 37 and of the casings 21 and 31, allows the blocks to be engaged by rotation to obtain an optimum coupling.