EP2918891B1 - Hood with protective flange for the rotary control member of a gas-cylinder valve block - Google Patents

Hood with protective flange for the rotary control member of a gas-cylinder valve block Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2918891B1
EP2918891B1 EP15305208.9A EP15305208A EP2918891B1 EP 2918891 B1 EP2918891 B1 EP 2918891B1 EP 15305208 A EP15305208 A EP 15305208A EP 2918891 B1 EP2918891 B1 EP 2918891B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
control member
rotating control
assembly according
cowling
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP15305208.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2918891A1 (en
Inventor
Antoine Frenal
Damien GERMANI
Renaud Ligonesche
Beatriz LOPEZ
Philippe Rudnianyn
Chiara TARANTELLO
Catherine VIVIER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Air Liquide SA
Air Liquide Sante International SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
Air Liquide Sante International SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, Air Liquide Sante International SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP2918891A1 publication Critical patent/EP2918891A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2918891B1 publication Critical patent/EP2918891B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/06—Closures, e.g. cap, breakable member
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/002—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels for vessels under pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/032—Orientation with substantially vertical main axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/058—Size portable (<30 l)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0103—Exterior arrangements
    • F17C2205/0115—Dismountable protective hulls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0157—Details of mounting arrangements for transport
    • F17C2205/0165—Details of mounting arrangements for transport with handgrip
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0188—Hanging up devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0308—Protective caps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0329—Valves manually actuated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0338—Pressure regulators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0382—Constructional details of valves, regulators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0388—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters
    • F17C2205/0394—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters in direct contact with the pressure vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/016—Noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe)
    • F17C2221/017—Helium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/031—Air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/036—Very high pressure (>80 bar)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/02—Applications for medical applications
    • F17C2270/025—Breathing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a gas distribution assembly comprising a gas cylinder, in particular a medical gas cylinder, a valve block, with or without an integrated expansion system, fixed on the gas cylinder and a protection cowling arranged around the block. tap to protect it from shocks and dirt.
  • Gas containers typically gas cylinders, equipped with a valve block, with or without built-in expansion valve, namely a single tap open / closed type or a tap to integrated regulator, also called RDI, to control flow and pressure of the delivered gas.
  • RDI integrated regulator
  • Cowlings of this type are described in particular by the documents EP-A-629812 , DE-A-10057469 , US-2004/020793 and EP-A-2586481 .
  • Control of gas flow in the valve block is usually done through a gas passage control system arranged on the internal gas passage which fluidly connects the gas container to an outlet of the valve block, said gas passage control system cooperating in general with a control member operable by a user, typically a rotary wheel.
  • the rotating wheel can be easily damaged in case of drop of the bottle on the ground because it usually extends beyond the surface of the cowling and is therefore exposed in case of fall of the bottle or case of shock between two bottles, when stored side by side.
  • the document EP-A-1013986 proposes a protection cowling for a gas bottle comprising a wide opening on its front face, which gives access to the various components of the valve around which it is arranged.
  • a solution is not ideal because, due to the wide opening in the cowling, dust or the like can enter the rollover, which poses a hygiene problem, in particular when the bottle is to be used in a hospital environment or the like.
  • the problem that arises is to improve the protection of the rotary wheel fitted to the valve block of a gas distribution assembly comprising a gas cylinder, a valve block, with or without an integrated expansion system, fixed on the gas cylinder and a protective cover arranged around the valve block, in which the control of the release of the gas flow is done by means of a control member operable by a user of the rotary wheel type, while ensuring a good protection of the elements of the faucet and guarantee a hygiene compatible with a use in the field of health in particular.
  • the solution of the invention is then a gas distribution assembly comprising a gas container, a valve block attached to the gas container and a protective cowling arranged around said valve block, the protective cowling comprising an opening in which is housed a rotary control member, the aperture being at least partly bordered by a protruding flange projecting away from the outer surface of the protective cover, the projecting rim having a cut-out forming a reading window, characterized in that the protruding flange extends over at least a portion of the upper periphery of the aperture and forms a visor projecting away from the rotary actuator, the rotary actuator carrying a plurality of corresponding indicia at gas flow rates, the cut-out forming a reading window being arranged in the protruding rim so as to be positioned facing at least one rep era carried by the rotary control member so as to allow a user to visualize said at least one mark through said reading window, and the markings comprising the flow indications being readable only through the cutout
  • the assembly of the invention is well suited for use in storing and dispensing a gas or a gaseous mixture, in particular a medical gas, chosen from oxygen, air, a mixture N 2 O / O 2 , a mixture He / O 2 , a NO / nitrogen mixture or any other gas or gas mixture.
  • a gas or a gaseous mixture in particular a medical gas, chosen from oxygen, air, a mixture N 2 O / O 2 , a mixture He / O 2 , a NO / nitrogen mixture or any other gas or gas mixture.
  • FIGS 1 to 3 represent an embodiment according to the invention of an assembly comprising a rigid protective cover 1, commonly called “cap”, arranged around a valve block (not visible), namely a valve block with or without built-in expansion valve, it itself attached to the neck of a gas cylinder 20.
  • the protective cowling 1 is provided with a carrying handle 10 surmounting the cowling body.
  • the protective cover 1 is attached to the neck of the bottle or directly to the valve block.
  • the protective cover 1 protects the valve block against shocks, in the event of a fall or colliding bottles.
  • the gas bottle 20 typically has a cylindrical body and a size between 10 and 150 cm, and a capacity of 0.5 to 20 liters (in water equivalent).
  • the bottle may be steel or aluminum alloy, composite material or a combination thereof.
  • the fixing around the valve block on the neck of the gas bottle 20 is made by screwing, via reciprocal threads carried by the internal surface of the neck of the bottle 20, on the one hand, and by the outer surface of a expansion of substantially cylindrical or conical shape, located at the base of the valve body and carrying a gas inlet port, on the other hand.
  • the protective casing 1 comprises a casing body forming a protective shell 2 around an internal volume sized to receive the valve block, and a carrying handle 10 designed to be handled by a user.
  • the casing body 1 is typically made of a polymer and / or metal type material, preferably made of plastic material, such as PVC, PE, PET, PP, PMMA, PU, PA ...
  • the carrying handle 10 is itself formed of a rigid material, such as a polymer or a metal or metal alloy, and is carried by one or more support posts 12 mechanically connecting the body 2 of the cowling to the carrying handle 10
  • the carrying handle 10 is generally arranged horizontally, that is to say perpendicularly or almost perpendicular to the vertical axis of the bottle 20 and the cowling 1.
  • the carrying handle 10 has an elongated shape, which it is rectilinear or curved, typically a length less than 20 cm, typically 6 to 15 cm. It may comprise an identification bar code or the like as illustrated in Figure 3 .
  • One or more support posts 12 are attached to the carrying handle 10 so as to allow a user to easily transport the assembly comprising the cap 1, the tap and the bottle 20 by means of said carrying handle 10.
  • the amounts -supports 12 may be formed of a plastic material, such as the body of the cowling 1, but also aluminum alloy or any other metallic material. They can be attached to the handle 10 by screwing or welding, for example.
  • the protective casing 1 also has openings 9, 18, 14 giving access to the valve block located in the internal volume of the casing body.
  • a first opening 9 is arranged at the front face 3 of the protective cowling 1, within which is housed a rotary control member 5, namely a rotary wheel, operable by the user to control or adjust the flow of gas delivered by the tap.
  • gripping means allowing the user to grip the rotary control member 5 between his fingers and to give it a rotational movement, as detailed below.
  • the rotating handwheel 5 cooperates with a gas flow control system, when it is maneuvered by the user, to control the passage of gas, that is to say to allow or prevent its exit of the faucet block.
  • the user By acting on this rotary wheel 5, the user can choose or adjust the gas flow delivered by the valve block, or conversely completely interrupt it.
  • the rotary control member 5 according to the present invention is detailed below.
  • the protective casing 1 further comprises a second opening 18 within which is housed a pressure gauge 16, either needle or electronic. More specifically, the protective casing 1 comprises a flat surface 17 located at the top of the cowling 1 and the side its front face 3, within which is arranged the second opening 18. The flat surface 17 is in fact an oblique face relative to the vertical axis of the bottle 20.
  • Such an arrangement of the manometer 16 in the upper position on the valve tap and the cowling 1, and front 3 of said cowling 1 can significantly facilitate the pressure reading delivered by the pressure gauge 16 and thus to avoid reading errors.
  • the protective cowling 1 comprises other openings 14, 21 giving access to filling connections, pressurized gas outlet ... located laterally or on the rear face 4 of the body of the cowling 1, as visible on the Figures 1 and 2 .
  • the rotary handwheel 5 is arranged around the gas outlet fitting 15 carrying the gas outlet port 6 for withdrawing the gas stored in the bottle 20, that is to say in a coaxial manner.
  • the protective cover 1 comprises, on the side of its rear face 4, a hooking device 13 pivoting between a fully folded position, called “rest” (schematized in Figures 1 and 2 ), that is to say the position adopted by the attachment device 13 when stored and in contact or near-contact body body 2 of the cowling 1, and a completely unfolded position called “hanging” (Not shown), that is to say the position adopted by the attachment device 13 when it is fully extended and can be hooked to a support, such as a bed bar or the like.
  • the pivoting attachment device 13 has two arms or hooks 13a, as visible on the Figures 1 to 3 .
  • the valve block is of the RDI type, that is to say that it comprises a gas expansion system arranged between the gas flow control system and the gas outlet orifice 6 so as to operate a reduction in the pressure of the high pressure gas from the bottle 20 to a lower pressure value delivered by the outlet orifice 6, for example a pressure reduction from a high pressure greater than 100 bar to a low pressure lower than 20 bar abs.
  • a gas expansion system comprising in particular a high pressure chamber, a relief valve and a valve seat.
  • the final pressure can be adjustable or fixed value.
  • the rotary wheel 5 cooperates with the gas flow control system arranged on an internal gas passage of the valve block, to control or adjust the passage or flow of gas in the internal gas passage, that is to say that is, to allow or, conversely, prevent any flow of gas in said passage, in the direction from the gas inlet port positioned at the neck of the bottle 20, at the gas outlet port 6 carried by the outlet fitting 15.
  • the flow control system comprises a pierced element calibrated orifices, the steering wheel being, as the case may be, to cooperate a calibrated orifice corresponding to the desired flow rate with a fixed orifice, or to cooperate a movable orifice passage with the calibrated orifice corresponding to the desired flow rate.
  • a pierced element calibrated orifices the steering wheel being, as the case may be, to cooperate a calibrated orifice corresponding to the desired flow rate with a fixed orifice, or to cooperate a movable orifice passage with the calibrated orifice corresponding to the desired flow rate.
  • the pierced element of calibrated orifices is a rotating metal disc traversed by calibrated orifices.
  • the orifices have different sizes, i.e. increasing, each caliber corresponding to a given flow rate value. This disc is mobile in rotation and driven by the steering wheel 5.
  • the rotary wheel 5 constituting the control member which cooperates with the gas flow control system, is rotatable about an axis of rotation AA.
  • the opening 9 which accommodates the rotary wheel 5 is, according to the present invention, partly bordered by a projecting rim 7 projecting away from the outer surface of the front face 3 of the body 2 of the cowling of protection 1, that is to say in the manner of a cap visor.
  • the protruding flange 7 extends over at least a portion of the upper periphery of the opening 9.
  • the rim 7 projecting extends over the upper half of the circular periphery of the circular opening 9 in which is housed the rotating wheel 5 also circular periphery.
  • This protruding flange 7 is preferably rigid. It further comprises a cutout 8 forming a reading window which is positioned facing at least one of the markers 11 carried by the rotary control member 5, as explained hereafter, so as to allow a user to display this flow mark 11 through the reading window 8.
  • the marks 11 are readable and visible only through the cutout 8 forming read window.
  • the cutout 8 forming a reading window here has a shape of "U”; however, it could have another shape, for example a shape of "V", “O” open or closed, square, rectangle, or any other form for reading the marker 11 below.
  • the rotary control member 5 typically a rotary wheel, is designed and arranged so that a rotation of the rotary control member 5, by manual / digital action of the user on the gripping means, causes a scrolling of the marks 11 in the cutout 8 forming read window.
  • the protruding flange 7 furthermore makes it possible to protect the flywheel 5 in the event of the bottle 20 falling on its front face 3.
  • This protruding flange 7 is preferably formed in one piece with all or part of the rollover body 2 1, in particular of its front face 3.
  • the protruding rim 7 forms a visor projecting away from the rotary control member 5 so as to be able to absorb a shock, in the event of a fall of the bottle 20 on the ground or in the event of a collision between two bottles, when they are stored side by side, since it is this rim 7 which will enter the first contact with the ground, which will preserve the connection of any deterioration.
  • the maximum width L of the flange is less than 5 cm, typically of the order of 3 cm or less.
  • the protruding flange 7 comprises one or more markings 21, for example arrows and / or symbols "+” and / or "-”, representative of the direction in which the user must operate a rotation of the organ rotary control 5 to increase and / or decrease the gas flow delivered by the valve block, that is to say the clockwise or counterclockwise.
  • the rotary wheel 5 comprises a central region with the axis of rotation AA and a peripheral region located at the periphery of the central region.
  • the central region comprises the gripping means allowing the user to grip the rotary control member 5 between his fingers and to give it a rotational movement about the axis of rotation AA, and thus to scroll the pins 11 in the reading window formed by the cutout 8.
  • the gripping means carried by the central region of the rotary control member comprise one or more elements in reliefs and / or housings, ie recesses or recesses, suitable for and designed, that is to say dimensioned, to be gripped between his fingers by the user.
  • These relief elements and / or housings are for example formed of small walls obtained by molding the part forming the flywheel 5.
  • they are arranged on the outer surface of the central region of the rotary control member 5, typically a rotary wheel.
  • the rotating flywheel 5 has a general shape of revolution, for example a general shape of disc or the like.
  • control member 5 further comprises a central orifice through which the outlet fitting 15 carries the outlet orifice 6.
  • the control member 5 is free to rotate around said connection output 15.
  • the peripheral region 10 comprises meanwhile pins 11 angularly offset with respect to the axis AA, said pins 11 each corresponding to a given flow rate of gas.
  • the marks 11 are ordered in a ring located on the entire periphery of the central region, and indicate increasing flow values.
  • the other marks 11 correspond to positions of the flywheel 5 in which the gas is delivered at different flow rates, namely flow rates of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 25. min of gas.
  • the markers 11 may be engraved, printed, glued or applied by any other suitable technique. Likewise, the markers 11 may comprise numbers, letters or any other type of marking.
  • the rotary wheel 5 is preferably made of plastic, such as PVC, PE, PET, PP, PMMA, PU, PA ... but can also be formed of an aluminum alloy or any other material metal, or even a combination of several materials, for example plastic and metal materials.
  • At least a portion of the rotating flywheel 5 is made of a rigid material covered with a flexible material having a Shore hardness between 0 and 95, for example a coating formed of a paint giving an effect called " soft touch " (ie effect soft and silky to the touch) to increase user comfort for the user, or a coating formed of a layer overmolded with an elastomeric material, silicone or the like.
  • An assembly according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a medical environment, that is to say in the field of health, in particular it is suitable for the storage of any medical gas or gas mixture, in particular of the oxygen type, air, N 2 O / O 2 , He / O 2 , NO / nitrogen or other.

Description

L'invention porte sur un ensemble de distribution de gaz comprenant une bouteille de gaz, en particulier de gaz médical, un bloc robinet, avec ou sans système de détente intégré, fixé sur la bouteille de gaz et un capotage de protection agencé autour du bloc robinet pour le protéger des chocs et des salissures.The invention relates to a gas distribution assembly comprising a gas cylinder, in particular a medical gas cylinder, a valve block, with or without an integrated expansion system, fixed on the gas cylinder and a protection cowling arranged around the block. tap to protect it from shocks and dirt.

Les gaz industriels et médicaux sont couramment conditionnés à haute pression dans des récipients de gaz, typiquement des bouteilles de gaz, équipés d'un bloc robinet, avec ou sans détendeur intégré, à savoir un robinet simple de type ouvert/fermé ou un robinet à détendeur intégré, encore appelé RDI, permettant de contrôler débit et pression du gaz délivré.Industrial and medical gases are commonly packaged at high pressure in gas containers, typically gas cylinders, equipped with a valve block, with or without built-in expansion valve, namely a single tap open / closed type or a tap to integrated regulator, also called RDI, to control flow and pressure of the delivered gas.

Afin de protéger ce bloc robinet, il est courant d'agencer autour dudit bloc robinet, un capotage de protection formant coque protectrice autour du corps du robinet. Un tel capotage est couramment appelé « chapeau ». Des capotages de ce type sont décrits notamment par les documents EP-A-629812 , DE-A-10057469 , US-A-2004/020793 et EP-A-2586481 .In order to protect this valve block, it is common to arrange around said valve block, a protective cover forming a protective shell around the valve body. Such a cowling is commonly called "hat". Cowlings of this type are described in particular by the documents EP-A-629812 , DE-A-10057469 , US-2004/020793 and EP-A-2586481 .

Le contrôle de la circulation du gaz dans le bloc robinet se fait habituellement par le biais d'un système de contrôle de passage de gaz agencé sur le passage interne de gaz qui relie fluidiquement le récipient de gaz à un orifice de sortie du bloc robinet, ledit système de contrôle de passage de gaz coopérant en général avec un organe de commande manoeuvrable par un utilisateur, typiquement un volant rotatif.Control of gas flow in the valve block is usually done through a gas passage control system arranged on the internal gas passage which fluidly connects the gas container to an outlet of the valve block, said gas passage control system cooperating in general with a control member operable by a user, typically a rotary wheel.

Il a été constaté en pratique que si le capotage de protection assure une bonne protection du corps du bloc robinet contre les chocs, il n'en va pas de même du volant rotatif lorsque celui-ci est agencé en façade ou sur une des faces latérales du capotage et/ou du bloc robinet.It has been found in practice that if the protective casing provides a good protection of the valve block body against shocks, it is not the same for the rotary wheel when it is arranged in front or on one of the side faces the cowling and / or the valve block.

En effet, le volant rotatif peut être endommagé facilement en cas de chute de la bouteille sur le sol car celui-ci s'étend en généralement au-delà de la surface du capotage et est donc exposé en cas de chute de la bouteille ou en cas de choc entre deux bouteilles, lors de leur rangement côte à côte.Indeed, the rotating wheel can be easily damaged in case of drop of the bottle on the ground because it usually extends beyond the surface of the cowling and is therefore exposed in case of fall of the bottle or case of shock between two bottles, when stored side by side.

Le document EP-A-1013986 propose un capotage de protection pour bouteille de gaz comprenant une large ouverture sur sa face avant, laquelle donne accès aux différents composants du robinet autour duquel il est agencé. Une telle solution n'est pas idéale car, du fait de la large ouverture pratiquée dans le capotage, des poussières ou analogues peuvent pénétrer dans le capotage, ce qui pose un problème d'hygiène, en particulier lorsque la bouteille doit être utilisée en milieu hospitalier ou similaire.The document EP-A-1013986 proposes a protection cowling for a gas bottle comprising a wide opening on its front face, which gives access to the various components of the valve around which it is arranged. Such a solution is not ideal because, due to the wide opening in the cowling, dust or the like can enter the rollover, which poses a hygiene problem, in particular when the bottle is to be used in a hospital environment or the like.

De plus, si l'intégration dans le capotage du volant de manoeuvre contrôlant la libération du débit de gaz permet de le protéger contre les chutes, il se pose un problème de réglage précis du débit gaz et de lecture de la valeur de débit sélectionnée.In addition, if the integration in the casing of the steering wheel controlling the release of the gas flow to protect it against falls, there is a problem of precise adjustment of the gas flow and reading of the selected flow rate value.

Des solutions alternatives sont données par les documents US-A-5,099,567 , US-A-4,600,033 , WO-A-2008/149312 et US-A-2009/0038691 . Cependant, aucune de celles-ci n'est vraiment satisfaisante car elles posent toutes des problèmes notamment identiques ou similaires à ceux susmentionnés.Alternative solutions are given by the documents US Patent 5,099,567 , US Patent 4,600,033 , WO-2008/149312 and US-2009/0038691 . However, none of these is really satisfactory because they all pose problems including the same or similar to those mentioned above.

Le problème qui se pose est d'améliorer la protection du volant rotatif équipant le bloc robinet d'un ensemble de distribution de gaz comprenant une bouteille de gaz, un bloc robinet, avec ou sans système de détente intégré, fixé sur la bouteille de gaz et un capotage de protection agencé autour du bloc robinet, dans lequel le contrôle de la libération du débit de gaz se fait au moyen d'un organe de commande manoeuvrable par un utilisateur de type volant rotatif, tout en assurant une bonne protection des éléments du robinet et garantir une hygiène compatible avec une utilisation dans le domaine de la santé notamment.The problem that arises is to improve the protection of the rotary wheel fitted to the valve block of a gas distribution assembly comprising a gas cylinder, a valve block, with or without an integrated expansion system, fixed on the gas cylinder and a protective cover arranged around the valve block, in which the control of the release of the gas flow is done by means of a control member operable by a user of the rotary wheel type, while ensuring a good protection of the elements of the faucet and guarantee a hygiene compatible with a use in the field of health in particular.

La solution de l'invention est alors un ensemble de distribution de gaz comprenant un récipient de gaz, un bloc robinet fixé au récipient de gaz et un capotage de protection agencé autour dudit bloc robinet, le capotage de protection comprenant une ouverture dans laquelle est logé un organe de commande rotatif, l'ouverture étant au moins en partie bordée par un rebord en saillie se projetant en éloignement par rapport à la surface externe du capotage de protection, le rebord en saillie comportant une découpe formant une fenêtre de lecture, caractérisé en ce que le rebord en saillie s'étend sur au moins une partie du pourtour supérieur de l'ouverture et forme une visière se projetant en éloignement au-delà de l'organe de commande rotatif, l'organe de commande rotatif portant plusieurs repères correspondant à des débits de gaz, la découpe formant fenêtre de lecture étant aménagée dans le rebord en saillie de manière à se positionner en regard d'au moins un repère porté par l'organe de commande rotatif de manière à permettre à un utilisateur de visualiser ledit au moins un repère au travers de ladite fenêtre de lecture, et les repères comprenant les indications de débit étant lisibles uniquement au travers de la découpe formant fenêtre de lecture.The solution of the invention is then a gas distribution assembly comprising a gas container, a valve block attached to the gas container and a protective cowling arranged around said valve block, the protective cowling comprising an opening in which is housed a rotary control member, the aperture being at least partly bordered by a protruding flange projecting away from the outer surface of the protective cover, the projecting rim having a cut-out forming a reading window, characterized in that the protruding flange extends over at least a portion of the upper periphery of the aperture and forms a visor projecting away from the rotary actuator, the rotary actuator carrying a plurality of corresponding indicia at gas flow rates, the cut-out forming a reading window being arranged in the protruding rim so as to be positioned facing at least one rep era carried by the rotary control member so as to allow a user to visualize said at least one mark through said reading window, and the markings comprising the flow indications being readable only through the cutout forming a window; reading.

Selon le cas, l'ensemble de l'invention peut comprendre l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques techniques suivantes :

  • l'ouverture est située dans la face avant du capotage, c'est-à-dire en façade du capotage.
  • la découpe formant fenêtre de lecture a une forme en U, en V, en carré ou similaire.
  • les repères sont agencés en couronne en région périphérique de l'organe de commande rotatif, de préférence une couronne complète ou quasi-complète.
  • les repères comprennent des indications de débit croissantes.
  • les repères comprennent des indications de débit croissantes comprises entre 0 et 40 l/min, de préférence entre 0 et 25 l/min.
  • le bloc robinet est du type avec ou sans détendeur intégré.
  • l'organe de commande rotatif est un volant rotatif.
  • des moyens de préhension sont aménagés dans la région centrale de l'organe de commande rotatif, de préférence le volant rotatif.
  • le volant rotatif a une forme générale de révolution, par exemple un disque ou similaire.
  • le rebord en saillie est situé en regard d'au moins une partie de la région périphérique de l'organe de commande rotatif où figurent les repères de débit.
  • les moyens de préhension portés par la région centrale de l'organe de commande rotatif comprennent un ou plusieurs éléments en reliefs et/ou logements aptes à et conçus pour être agrippés entre ses doigts par l'utilisateur.
  • l'ouverture où se trouve l'organe de commande rotatif est aménagée dans la face avant du capotage de protection.
  • l'ouverture a une dimension correspondant à tout ou partie de celle de l'organe de commande rotatif, en particulier celle du volant rotatif.
  • les moyens de préhension portés par la région centrale de l'organe de commande rotatif sont agencés de manière à venir se positionner dans l'ouverture du capotage.
  • l'organe de commande rotatif, en particulier les moyens de préhension portés par l'organe de commande rotatif, est (sont) agencé(s) de manière à venir se positionner dans l'ouverture du capotage et à obturer ladite ouverture.
  • le rebord en saillie bordant ladite ouverture a une largeur maximale inférieure à 5 cm, de préférence inférieure ou égale à 3 cm.
  • le rebord en saillie comporte un ou plusieurs marquages représentatifs du sens dans lequel l'utilisateur doit opérer une rotation de l'organe de commande rotatif pour augmenter ou pour diminuer le débit de gaz délivré par le bloc robinet.
  • le rebord en saillie est formé d'une pièce avec au moins une partie de la face avant du capotage, par exemple par moulage.
  • l'organe de commande rotatif comprend des moyens de préhension.
  • l'organe de commande rotatif comprend des moyens de préhension et des repères correspondant à des débits de gaz, lesdits repères étant positionnés autour des moyens de préhension.
  • l'organe de commande rotatif est conçu et agencé de manière à ce qu'une mise en rotation de l'organe de commande rotatif, par action manuelle/digitale de l'utilisateur sur les moyens de préhension, engendre un défilement des repères dans la découpe formant fenêtre de lecture.
  • le bloc robinet comprend un orifice de sortie de gaz porté par un raccord de sortie de gaz, l'organe de commande rotatif étant mobile en rotation autour dudit raccord de sortie de gaz.
  • l'organe de commande rotatif coopère avec un système de contrôle de débit de gaz agencé dans le bloc robinet, lorsqu'il est manoeuvré par l'utilisateur, pour contrôler le débit de gaz sortant par l'orifice de sortie de gaz du bloc robinet.
  • le système de contrôle de débit de gaz comprend un élément mobile portant des orifices calibrés présentant des dimensions croissantes correspondant à des valeurs de débit de gaz croissantes.
  • l'élément mobile du système de contrôle de débit de gaz est un disque rotatif. Ce disque rotatif est percé d'orifices calibrés.
  • le volant rotatif coopère en rotation avec l'élément mobile du système de contrôle de débit de gaz pour contrôler le débit de gaz délivré par le bloc robinet.
  • le récipient de gaz est une bouteille de gaz, encore appelée bonbonne, obus ou cylindre.
  • le capotage de protection comprenant une ouverture aménagée au niveau de la partie supérieure du capotage de protection et au sein de laquelle vient se loger un manomètre, c'est-à-dire que l'ouverture est aménagée au travers de la paroi du capotage.
  • le capotage de protection comprend une surface plane au niveau sa partie supérieure, l'ouverture comprenant le manomètre étant aménagée dans ladite surface plane.
  • la surface plane forme une face oblique par rapport à l'axe vertical du capotage.
  • le capotage est en matériau polymère, par exemple en plastique, en composite, ou en métal ou alliage métallique, par exemple en acier, en fonte, en aluminium ou en un alliage d'aluminium.
  • le capotage est en matériau plastique, tel que le PVC, le PE, le PET, le PP, le PMMA, le PU ou le PA.
  • le capotage de protection comprend une poignée de portage, de préférence une poignée de portage reliée au capotage par l'intermédiaire d'un ou plusieurs montants-supports. La poignée de portage est fixe, c'est-à-dire non mobile.
  • la poignée de portage est agencée sur le capotage de manière à ce que le manomètre soit positionné sensiblement entre la poignée de portage et le bloc robinet portant ledit manomètre.
  • le capotage de protection comprend en outre un dispositif d'accrochage, de préférence un dispositif d'accrochage pivotant, permettant d'accrocher l'ensemble à un support, en particulier un barreau de lit, à un brancard...
  • le capotage de protection comprend un dispositif d'accrochage pivotant par rapport au corps du capotage.
  • le capotage de protection comprend un dispositif d'accrochage pivotant comprenant un ou plusieurs bras ou crochets d'accroche.
  • le capotage de protection comprend un dispositif d'accrochage pivotant fixé à la face arrière du capotage. La face arrière du capotage est la face du capotage diamétralement opposée à la face avant du capotage dans laquelle est pratiquée l'ouverture bordée par le rebord en saillie.
  • la poignée de portage et/ou le ou les montants-supports sont formés d'un matériau rigide choisi parmi les polymères et les métaux ou alliages métalliques.
  • la poignée de portage est globalement longiforme. Typiquement, sa longueur est comprise entre 5 et 20 cm, de préférence entre 6 et 15 cm.
  • la poignée de portage surmonte le corps de capotage.
  • la poignée de portage est horizontale ou quasi-horizontale et perpendiculaire à l'axe du capotage.
  • la bouteille de gaz a une taille comprise entre 10 et 150 cm.
  • la bouteille de gaz contient de 0,5 à 20 litres (contenance en équivalent eau).
  • la bouteille de gaz a un corps cylindrique creux et comprend un col portant un orifice de sortie de gaz au niveau duquel est fixé le bloc robinet, de préférence par vissage.
  • la bouteille de gaz contient un gaz ou mélange gazeux, de préférence un gaz ou mélange gazeux conforme aux spécifications du domaine médical (pharmacopée).
  • la bouteille de gaz contient un gaz ou mélange gazeux choisi parmi l'oxygène, l'air, un mélange N2O/O2, un mélange He/O2, un mélange NO/azote ou tout autre gaz ou mélange gazeux.
  • la bouteille est en acier, en un alliage d'aluminium, en matériau composite ou une combinaison de ceux-ci.
  • la bouteille contient du gaz à une pression allant jusqu'à 350 bar environ.
As the case may be, the whole of the invention may comprise one or more of the following technical characteristics:
  • the opening is located in the front face of the cowling, that is to say on the front of the cowling.
  • the read window cutout has a U-shape, a V-shape, a square shape, or the like.
  • the marks are arranged in a ring in peripheral region of the rotary control member, preferably a complete or almost complete crown.
  • benchmarks include increasing flow indications.
  • the markings comprise increasing flow indications of between 0 and 40 l / min, preferably between 0 and 25 l / min.
  • the valve block is of the type with or without built-in regulator.
  • the rotary control member is a rotary wheel.
  • gripping means are arranged in the central region of the rotary control member, preferably the rotary wheel.
  • the rotating flywheel has a general shape of revolution, for example a disk or the like.
  • the protruding flange is located opposite at least a portion of the peripheral region of the rotary control member where the flow markings appear.
  • the gripping means carried by the central region of the rotary control member comprise one or more relief elements and / or housings adapted to and designed to be gripped between his fingers by the user.
  • the opening where the rotary control member is located is arranged in the front face of the protective cowling.
  • the opening has a dimension corresponding to all or part of that of the rotary control member, in particular that of the rotary wheel.
  • the gripping means carried by the central region of the rotary control member are arranged to be positioned in the opening of the cowling.
  • the rotary control member, in particular the gripping means carried by the rotary control member, is (are) arranged so as to be positioned in the opening of the cowling and to close said opening.
  • the protruding flange bordering said opening has a maximum width of less than 5 cm, preferably less than or equal to 3 cm.
  • the protruding flange comprises one or more markings representative of the direction in which the user must rotate the rotary control member to increase or decrease the gas flow delivered by the valve block.
  • the protruding rim is formed of a part with at least a part of the front face of the cowling, for example by molding.
  • the rotary control member comprises gripping means.
  • the rotary control member comprises gripping means and marks corresponding to gas flow rates, said marks being positioned around the gripping means.
  • the rotary control member is designed and arranged so that a rotation of the rotary control member, by manual / digital action of the user on the gripping means, causes a scrolling of the marks in the cutting forming read window.
  • the valve block comprises a gas outlet port carried by a gas outlet fitting, the rotary control member being rotatable about said gas outlet fitting.
  • the rotary control member cooperates with a gas flow control system arranged in the valve block, when operated by the user, to control the outgoing gas flow through the gas outlet of the tap block .
  • the gas flow control system comprises a movable element carrying calibrated orifices having increasing dimensions corresponding to increasing gas flow values.
  • the movable element of the gas flow control system is a rotating disk. This rotating disk is pierced with calibrated orifices.
  • the rotating flywheel cooperates in rotation with the movable member of the gas flow control system to control the flow of gas delivered by the valve block.
  • the gas container is a gas cylinder, also called a cylinder, shell or cylinder.
  • the protective cowling comprising an opening arranged at the upper part of the protective cowling and within which is housed a manometer, that is to say that the opening is arranged through the wall of the cowling.
  • the protective cowling comprises a flat surface at its upper part, the opening comprising the manometer being arranged in said flat surface.
  • the flat surface forms an oblique face with respect to the vertical axis of the cowling.
  • the cowling is made of polymer material, for example plastic, composite, or metal or metal alloy, for example steel, cast iron, aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
  • the cowling is made of plastic material, such as PVC, PE, PET, PP, PMMA, PU or PA.
  • the protective casing comprises a carrying handle, preferably a carrying handle connected to the casing via one or more support posts. The carrying handle is fixed, that is to say non-movable.
  • the carrying handle is arranged on the cowling so that the manometer is positioned substantially between the carrying handle and the valve block carrying said manometer.
  • the protective cowling further comprises a hooking device, preferably a pivoting hooking device, for attaching the assembly to a support, in particular a bed rail, to a stretcher ...
  • the protective cowling comprises a hooking device pivotable relative to the body of the cowling.
  • the protective cowling comprises a pivoting attachment device comprising one or more arms or hooks.
  • the protective cowling comprises a pivoting hooking device fixed to the rear face of the cowling. The rear face of the cowling is the face of the cowling diametrically opposed to the front face of the cowling in which is formed the opening bordered by the protruding rim.
  • the carrying handle and / or the one or more supports are formed of a rigid material selected from polymers and metals or metal alloys.
  • the carrying handle is generally elongated. Typically, its length is between 5 and 20 cm, preferably between 6 and 15 cm.
  • the carrying handle overcomes the casing body.
  • the carrying handle is horizontal or almost horizontal and perpendicular to the axis of the cowling.
  • the gas cylinder has a size between 10 and 150 cm.
  • the gas cylinder contains 0.5 to 20 liters (water equivalent capacity).
  • the gas cylinder has a hollow cylindrical body and comprises a neck carrying a gas outlet orifice at which the valve block is fixed, preferably by screwing.
  • the gas cylinder contains a gas or gas mixture, preferably a gas or gas mixture according to the specifications of the medical field (pharmacopoeia).
  • the gas cylinder contains a gas or gas mixture selected from oxygen, air, an N 2 O / O 2 mixture, a He / O 2 mixture, a NO / nitrogen mixture or any other gas or gas mixture.
  • the bottle is made of steel, an aluminum alloy, a composite material or a combination thereof.
  • the bottle contains gas at a pressure up to about 350 bar.

L'ensemble de l'invention est bien adapté à une utilisation pour stocker et distribuer un gaz ou un mélange gazeux, notamment un gaz médical, choisi parmi l'oxygène, l'air, un mélange N2O/O2, un mélange He/O2, un mélange NO/azote ou tout autre gaz ou mélange gazeux.The assembly of the invention is well suited for use in storing and dispensing a gas or a gaseous mixture, in particular a medical gas, chosen from oxygen, air, a mixture N 2 O / O 2 , a mixture He / O 2 , a NO / nitrogen mixture or any other gas or gas mixture.

L'invention va maintenant être mieux comprise grâce à la description détaillée suivante, faite à titre illustratif mais non limitatif, en référence aux figures annexées parmi lesquelles :

  • la Figure 1 représente une vue de 3/4 avant d'un mode de réalisation d'un ensemble bouteille/bloc robinet/capotage selon l'invention,
  • la Figure 2 est une vue du côté gauche du capotage de l'ensemble de la Figure 1,
  • la Figure 3 est une vue de dessus du capotage de l'ensemble de la Figure 1, et
  • la Figure 4 est une vue partielle de la face avant du capotage de l'ensemble de la Figure 1.
The invention will now be better understood thanks to the following detailed description, given by way of illustration but without limitation, with reference to the appended figures among which:
  • the Figure 1 represents a 3/4 front view of an embodiment of a bottle / valve block / cowl assembly according to the invention,
  • the Figure 2 is a view of the left side of the cowling of the entire Figure 1 ,
  • the Figure 3 is a top view of the rollover of the entire Figure 1 , and
  • the Figure 4 is a partial view of the front face of the cowling of the entire Figure 1 .

Les Figures 1 à 3 représentent un mode de réalisation selon l'invention d'un ensemble comprenant un capotage de protection 1 rigide, couramment appelé « chapeau », agencé autour d'un bloc robinet (non visible), à savoir un bloc robinet avec ou sans détendeur intégré, lui-même fixé sur le col d'une bouteille de gaz 20. Le capotage de protection 1 est muni d'une poignée de transport 10 surmontant le corps de capotage. Le capotage de protection 1 vient de fixer au niveau du col de la bouteille ou directement au bloc robinet.The Figures 1 to 3 represent an embodiment according to the invention of an assembly comprising a rigid protective cover 1, commonly called "cap", arranged around a valve block (not visible), namely a valve block with or without built-in expansion valve, it itself attached to the neck of a gas cylinder 20. The protective cowling 1 is provided with a carrying handle 10 surmounting the cowling body. The protective cover 1 is attached to the neck of the bottle or directly to the valve block.

Le capotage de protection 1 permet de protéger le bloc robinet contre les chocs, en cas de chute ou de bouteilles qui s'entrechoquent.The protective cover 1 protects the valve block against shocks, in the event of a fall or colliding bottles.

La bouteille de gaz 20 a typiquement un corps cylindrique et une taille entre 10 et 150 cm, et une contenance de 0,5 à 20 litres (en équivalent eau). La bouteille peut être en acier ou en alliage d'aluminium, en matériau composite ou une combinaison de ceux-ci.The gas bottle 20 typically has a cylindrical body and a size between 10 and 150 cm, and a capacity of 0.5 to 20 liters (in water equivalent). The bottle may be steel or aluminum alloy, composite material or a combination thereof.

La fixation autour du bloc de robinet sur le col de la bouteille de gaz 20 se fait par vissage, via des filetages réciproques portés par la surface interne du col de la bouteille 20, d'une part, et par la surface externe d'une expansion de forme sensiblement cylindrique ou conique, située à la base du corps de robinet et portant un orifice d'entrée de gaz, d'autre part.The fixing around the valve block on the neck of the gas bottle 20 is made by screwing, via reciprocal threads carried by the internal surface of the neck of the bottle 20, on the one hand, and by the outer surface of a expansion of substantially cylindrical or conical shape, located at the base of the valve body and carrying a gas inlet port, on the other hand.

Plus précisément, le capotage de protection 1 comprend un corps de capotage formant une coque 2 protectrice autour d'un volume interne dimensionné pour recevoir le bloc robinet, et une poignée de portage 10 conçue pour être prise en main par un utilisateur.More specifically, the protective casing 1 comprises a casing body forming a protective shell 2 around an internal volume sized to receive the valve block, and a carrying handle 10 designed to be handled by a user.

Le corps du capotage 1 est typiquement en un matériau de type polymère et/ou métal, préférentiellement en matériau plastique, tel que PVC, PE, PET, PP, PMMA, PU, PA...The casing body 1 is typically made of a polymer and / or metal type material, preferably made of plastic material, such as PVC, PE, PET, PP, PMMA, PU, PA ...

La poignée de portage 10 est quant à elle formée d'un matériau rigide, tel un polymère ou un métal ou alliage métallique, et est portée par un ou plusieurs montants-supports 12 reliant mécaniquement le corps 2 de capotage à la poignée de portage 10. La poignée de portage 10 est généralement agencée horizontalement, c'est-à-dire perpendiculairement ou quasi-perpendiculairement par rapport à l'axe vertical de la bouteille 20 et du capotage 1. La poignée de portage 10 a une forme longiligne, qu'elle soit rectiligne ou incurvée, typiquement une longueur inférieure à 20 cm, typiquement de 6 à 15 cm. Elle peut comprendre un code-barres d'identification ou analogue comme illustré en Figure 3.The carrying handle 10 is itself formed of a rigid material, such as a polymer or a metal or metal alloy, and is carried by one or more support posts 12 mechanically connecting the body 2 of the cowling to the carrying handle 10 The carrying handle 10 is generally arranged horizontally, that is to say perpendicularly or almost perpendicular to the vertical axis of the bottle 20 and the cowling 1. The carrying handle 10 has an elongated shape, which it is rectilinear or curved, typically a length less than 20 cm, typically 6 to 15 cm. It may comprise an identification bar code or the like as illustrated in Figure 3 .

Un ou des montants-supports 12 sont fixés à la poignée de portage 10 de manière à permettre à un utilisateur de transporter facilement l'ensemble comprenant le chapeau 1, le robinet et la bouteille 20 au moyen de ladite poignée de portage 10. Les montants-supports 12 peuvent être formés d'un matériau plastique, comme le corps du capotage 1, mais aussi en alliage d'aluminium ou tout autre matériau métallique. Ils peuvent être fixés à la poignée 10 par vissage ou soudage, par exemple.One or more support posts 12 are attached to the carrying handle 10 so as to allow a user to easily transport the assembly comprising the cap 1, the tap and the bottle 20 by means of said carrying handle 10. The amounts -supports 12 may be formed of a plastic material, such as the body of the cowling 1, but also aluminum alloy or any other metallic material. They can be attached to the handle 10 by screwing or welding, for example.

Le capotage de protection 1 présente par ailleurs des ouvertures 9, 18, 14 donnant accès au bloc robinet situé dans le volume interne du corps de capotage. En particulier, une première ouverture 9 est aménagée au niveau de la face avant 3 du capotage de protection 1, au sein de laquelle vient se loger un organe de commande rotatif 5, à savoir un volant rotatif, manoeuvrable par l'utilisateur pour contrôler ou ajuster le débit de gaz délivré par le robinet.The protective casing 1 also has openings 9, 18, 14 giving access to the valve block located in the internal volume of the casing body. In particular, a first opening 9 is arranged at the front face 3 of the protective cowling 1, within which is housed a rotary control member 5, namely a rotary wheel, operable by the user to control or adjust the flow of gas delivered by the tap.

Pour permettre la manoeuvre en rotation du volant 5, il est prévu des moyens de préhension permettant à l'utilisateur d'agripper l'organe de commande rotatif 5 entre ses doigts et de lui conférer un mouvement de rotation, comme détaillé ci-dessous.To allow the rotation of the steering wheel 5, there is provided gripping means allowing the user to grip the rotary control member 5 between his fingers and to give it a rotational movement, as detailed below.

En d'autres termes, le volant rotatif 5 coopère avec un système de contrôle de débit de gaz, lorsqu'il est manoeuvré par l'utilisateur, pour contrôler le passage de gaz, c'est-à-dire autoriser ou empêcher sa sortie du bloc robinet.In other words, the rotating handwheel 5 cooperates with a gas flow control system, when it is maneuvered by the user, to control the passage of gas, that is to say to allow or prevent its exit of the faucet block.

En agissant sur ce volant rotatif 5, l'utilisateur peut choisir ou régler le débit de gaz délivré par le bloc robinet, voire à l'inverse totalement l'interrompre. L'organe de commande rotatif 5 selon la présente invention est détaillé ci-après.By acting on this rotary wheel 5, the user can choose or adjust the gas flow delivered by the valve block, or conversely completely interrupt it. The rotary control member 5 according to the present invention is detailed below.

Le capotage de protection 1 comprend par ailleurs une deuxième ouverture 18 au sein de laquelle vient se loger un manomètre 16, soit à aiguille, soit électronique. Plus précisément, le capotage de protection 1 comprend une surface plane 17 située en haut du capotage 1 et du côté de sa face avant 3, au sein de laquelle est aménagée la deuxième ouverture 18. La surface plane 17 constitue en fait une face oblique par rapport à l'axe vertical de la bouteille 20. Un tel agencement du manomètre 16 en position haute sur le bloc robinet et le capotage 1, et en façade 3 dudit capotage 1 permet de faciliter considérablement la lecture de pression délivrée par le manomètre 16 et donc d'éviter les erreurs de lecture.The protective casing 1 further comprises a second opening 18 within which is housed a pressure gauge 16, either needle or electronic. More specifically, the protective casing 1 comprises a flat surface 17 located at the top of the cowling 1 and the side its front face 3, within which is arranged the second opening 18. The flat surface 17 is in fact an oblique face relative to the vertical axis of the bottle 20. Such an arrangement of the manometer 16 in the upper position on the valve tap and the cowling 1, and front 3 of said cowling 1 can significantly facilitate the pressure reading delivered by the pressure gauge 16 and thus to avoid reading errors.

Par ailleurs, le capotage de protection 1 comprend d'autres ouvertures 14, 21 donnant accès à des raccords de remplissage, de sortie de gaz sous pression... situées latéralement ou sur la face arrière 4 du corps du capotage 1, comme visible sur les Figures 1 et 2.Furthermore, the protective cowling 1 comprises other openings 14, 21 giving access to filling connections, pressurized gas outlet ... located laterally or on the rear face 4 of the body of the cowling 1, as visible on the Figures 1 and 2 .

Dans le mode de réalisation des Figures 1 et 2, le volant rotatif 5 est agencé autour du raccord de sortie de gaz 15 portant l'orifice de sortie de gaz 6 servant à soutirer le gaz stocké dans la bouteille 20, c'est-à-dire de manière coaxiale.In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 , the rotary handwheel 5 is arranged around the gas outlet fitting 15 carrying the gas outlet port 6 for withdrawing the gas stored in the bottle 20, that is to say in a coaxial manner.

En outre, afin de permettre l'accroche ou l'arrimage de l'ensemble bouteille/bloc robinet/capotage à un support, tel un barreau de lit d'hôpital ou de brancard, le capotage de protection 1 comprend, du côté de sa face arrière 4, un dispositif d'accrochage 13 pivotant, entre une position totalement repliée, dite « de repos » (schématisé en Figures 1 et 2), c'est-à-dire la position adoptée par le dispositif d'accrochage 13 lorsqu'il est rangé et en contact ou quasi-contact du corps du corps 2 du capotage 1, et une position totalement dépliée dite « d'accrochage » (non montrée), c'est-à-dire la position adoptée par le dispositif d'accrochage 13 lorsqu'il est complètement sorti et peut être accroché à un support, tel un barreau de lit ou analogue. Pour ce faire, le dispositif d'accrochage 13 pivotant est doté de deux bras ou crochets d'accroche 13a, comme visible sur les Figures 1 à 3.In addition, in order to allow the hooking or securing of the bottle / valve block / rollover assembly to a support, such as a hospital bed or stretcher bar, the protective cover 1 comprises, on the side of its rear face 4, a hooking device 13 pivoting between a fully folded position, called "rest" (schematized in Figures 1 and 2 ), that is to say the position adopted by the attachment device 13 when stored and in contact or near-contact body body 2 of the cowling 1, and a completely unfolded position called "hanging" (Not shown), that is to say the position adopted by the attachment device 13 when it is fully extended and can be hooked to a support, such as a bed bar or the like. To do this, the pivoting attachment device 13 has two arms or hooks 13a, as visible on the Figures 1 to 3 .

Avantageusement, le bloc robinet est de type RDI, c'est-à-dire qu'il comporte un système de détente de gaz agencé entre le système de contrôle de passage de gaz et l'orifice de sortie de gaz 6 de manière à opérer une réduction de la pression du gaz à haute pression provenant de la bouteille 20, jusqu'à une valeur de pression plus basse délivrée par l'orifice de sortie 6, par exemple une réduction de pression d'une haute pression supérieure à 100 bar à une basse pression inférieure à 20 bar abs. A cette fin, de manière classique, on prévoit un système de détente comprenant notamment une chambre à haute pression, un clapet de détente et un siège de clapet. La pression finale peut être de valeur réglable ou fixe.Advantageously, the valve block is of the RDI type, that is to say that it comprises a gas expansion system arranged between the gas flow control system and the gas outlet orifice 6 so as to operate a reduction in the pressure of the high pressure gas from the bottle 20 to a lower pressure value delivered by the outlet orifice 6, for example a pressure reduction from a high pressure greater than 100 bar to a low pressure lower than 20 bar abs. For this purpose, conventionally, there is provided an expansion system comprising in particular a high pressure chamber, a relief valve and a valve seat. The final pressure can be adjustable or fixed value.

Comme déjà expliqué, le volant rotatif 5 coopère avec le système de contrôle de débit de gaz agencé sur un passage interne de gaz du bloc robinet, pour contrôler ou ajuster le passage ou débit de gaz dans le passage interne de gaz, c'est-à-dire pour autoriser ou, à l'inverse, empêcher toute circulation du gaz dans ledit passage, dans le sens allant de l'orifice d'entrée de gaz positionné au niveau du col de la bouteille 20, à l'orifice de sortie de gaz 6 portée par le raccord de sortie 15.As already explained, the rotary wheel 5 cooperates with the gas flow control system arranged on an internal gas passage of the valve block, to control or adjust the passage or flow of gas in the internal gas passage, that is to say that is, to allow or, conversely, prevent any flow of gas in said passage, in the direction from the gas inlet port positioned at the neck of the bottle 20, at the gas outlet port 6 carried by the outlet fitting 15.

Typiquement, le système de contrôle de débit comprend un élément perçé d'orifices calibrés, le volant venant, selon les cas, soit faire coopérer un orifice calibré correspondant au débit souhaité avec un orifice de passage fixe, soit faire coopérer un orifice de passage mobile avec l'orifice calibré correspondant au débit souhaité. Un tel agencement est classique et connu de l'homme du métier.Typically, the flow control system comprises a pierced element calibrated orifices, the steering wheel being, as the case may be, to cooperate a calibrated orifice corresponding to the desired flow rate with a fixed orifice, or to cooperate a movable orifice passage with the calibrated orifice corresponding to the desired flow rate. Such an arrangement is conventional and known to those skilled in the art.

De préférence, l'élément perçé d'orifices calibrés est un disque métallique mobile en rotation traversé par des orifices calibrés. Les orifices ont des calibres différents, i.e. croissants, chaque calibre correspondant à une valeur de débit donnée. Ce disque est mobile en rotation et entraîné par le volant 5.Preferably, the pierced element of calibrated orifices is a rotating metal disc traversed by calibrated orifices. The orifices have different sizes, i.e. increasing, each caliber corresponding to a given flow rate value. This disc is mobile in rotation and driven by the steering wheel 5.

Le volant rotatif 5 constituant l'organe de commande qui coopère avec le système de contrôle de débit de gaz, est mobile en rotation autour d'un axe de rotation AA.The rotary wheel 5 constituting the control member which cooperates with the gas flow control system, is rotatable about an axis of rotation AA.

Schématiquement, lorsque l'utilisateur va conférer un mouvement de rotation au volant 5, celui-ci va aller agir, directement ou indirectement, sur le disque métallique mobile en rotation traversé par des orifices calibrés de manière à permettre le passage d'un débit de gaz plus ou moins important dans le passage de gaz du bloc robinet en direction de l'orifice de sortie 6, ledit débit correspondant à l'ouverture définie par l'orifice calibré par lequel passe le flux de gaz.Schematically, when the user will impart a rotational movement to the steering wheel 5, it will act, directly or indirectly, on the moving metal disc in rotation traversed by orifices calibrated so as to allow the passage of a flow of gas more or less important in the gas passage of the valve block towards the outlet port 6, said flow corresponding to the opening defined by the calibrated orifice through which the gas flow.

Comme visible sur la Figure 1, l'ouverture 9 où vient se loger le volant rotatif 5 est, selon la présente invention, en partie bordée par un rebord en saillie 7 se projetant en éloignement par rapport à la surface externe de la face avant 3 du corps 2 du capotage de protection 1, c'est-à-dire à la manière d'une visière de casquette.As visible on the Figure 1 , the opening 9 which accommodates the rotary wheel 5 is, according to the present invention, partly bordered by a projecting rim 7 projecting away from the outer surface of the front face 3 of the body 2 of the cowling of protection 1, that is to say in the manner of a cap visor.

Avantageusement, le rebord en saillie 7 s'étend sur au moins une partie du pourtour supérieur de l'ouverture 9. Comme on le voit sur les Figures 1 et 2, le rebord 7 en saillie s'étend sur la moitié supérieure du pourtour circulaire de l'ouverture 9 circulaire dans laquelle se loge le volant rotatif 5 également de périphérie circulaire.Advantageously, the protruding flange 7 extends over at least a portion of the upper periphery of the opening 9. As can be seen in the Figures 1 and 2 , the rim 7 projecting extends over the upper half of the circular periphery of the circular opening 9 in which is housed the rotating wheel 5 also circular periphery.

Ce rebord en saillie 7 est de préférence rigide. Il comporte en outre une découpe 8 formant une fenêtre de lecture venant se positionner en regard d'au moins l'un des repères 11 portés par l'organe de commande rotatif 5, comme expliqué ci-après, de manière à permettre à un utilisateur de visualiser ce repère 11 de débit au travers de la fenêtre de lecture 8. Les repères 11 sont donc lisibles et visibles uniquement au travers de la découpe 8 formant fenêtre de lecture.This protruding flange 7 is preferably rigid. It further comprises a cutout 8 forming a reading window which is positioned facing at least one of the markers 11 carried by the rotary control member 5, as explained hereafter, so as to allow a user to display this flow mark 11 through the reading window 8. The marks 11 are readable and visible only through the cutout 8 forming read window.

La découpe 8 formant fenêtre de lecture a ici une forme de « U » ; toutefois, elle pourrait avoir une autre forme, par exemple une forme en « V », en « O » ouverte ou fermé, de carré, de rectangle, ou toute autre forme permettant la lecture du repère 11 situé en dessous.The cutout 8 forming a reading window here has a shape of "U"; however, it could have another shape, for example a shape of "V", "O" open or closed, square, rectangle, or any other form for reading the marker 11 below.

En d'autres termes, l'organe de commande rotatif 5, typiquement un volant rotatif, est donc conçu et agencé de manière à ce qu'une mise en rotation de l'organe de commande rotatif 5, par action manuelle/digitale de l'utilisateur sur les moyens de préhension, engendre un défilement des repères 11 dans la découpe 8 formant fenêtre de lecture.In other words, the rotary control member 5, typically a rotary wheel, is designed and arranged so that a rotation of the rotary control member 5, by manual / digital action of the user on the gripping means, causes a scrolling of the marks 11 in the cutout 8 forming read window.

Le rebord en saillie 7 permet en outre de bien protéger le volant 5 en cas de chute de la bouteille 20 sur sa face avant 3. Ce rebord en saillie 7 est formé préférentiellement d'une seule pièce avec tout ou partie du corps 2 de capotage 1, notamment de sa face avant 3.The protruding flange 7 furthermore makes it possible to protect the flywheel 5 in the event of the bottle 20 falling on its front face 3. This protruding flange 7 is preferably formed in one piece with all or part of the rollover body 2 1, in particular of its front face 3.

Comme illustré en Figure 4, le rebord en saillie 7 forme une visière se projetant en éloignement au-delà de l'organe de commande rotatif 5 de manière à pouvoir absorber un choc, en cas de chute de la bouteille 20 sur le sol ou en cas de choc entre deux bouteilles, lors de leur rangement côte à côte, puisque c'est ce rebord 7 qui entrera le premier en contact avec le sol, ce qui permettra de préserver le raccord de toute détérioration. De préférence, la largeur L maximale du rebord est inférieure à 5 cm, typiquement de l'ordre de 3 cm ou moins.As illustrated in Figure 4 , the protruding rim 7 forms a visor projecting away from the rotary control member 5 so as to be able to absorb a shock, in the event of a fall of the bottle 20 on the ground or in the event of a collision between two bottles, when they are stored side by side, since it is this rim 7 which will enter the first contact with the ground, which will preserve the connection of any deterioration. Preferably, the maximum width L of the flange is less than 5 cm, typically of the order of 3 cm or less.

Par ailleurs, le rebord en saillie 7 comporte un ou plusieurs marquages 21, par exemple des flèches et/ou des symboles « + » et/ou « - », représentatifs du sens dans lequel l'utilisateur doit opérer une rotation de l'organe de commande rotatif 5 pour augmenter et/ou pour diminuer le débit de gaz délivré par le bloc robinet, c'est-à-dire les sens horaire ou antihoraire.Furthermore, the protruding flange 7 comprises one or more markings 21, for example arrows and / or symbols "+" and / or "-", representative of the direction in which the user must operate a rotation of the organ rotary control 5 to increase and / or decrease the gas flow delivered by the valve block, that is to say the clockwise or counterclockwise.

Plus précisément, comme illustré sur les Figures, le volant rotatif 5 comprend une région centrale avec l'axe de rotation AA et une région périphérique située à la périphérie de la région centrale. La région centrale comprend les moyens de préhension permettant à l'utilisateur d'agripper l'organe de commande rotatif 5 entre ses doigts et de lui conférer un mouvement de rotation autour de l'axe de rotation AA, et donc de faire défiler les repères 11 dans la fenêtre de lecture formée par la découpe 8.More specifically, as illustrated in the figures, the rotary wheel 5 comprises a central region with the axis of rotation AA and a peripheral region located at the periphery of the central region. The central region comprises the gripping means allowing the user to grip the rotary control member 5 between his fingers and to give it a rotational movement about the axis of rotation AA, and thus to scroll the pins 11 in the reading window formed by the cutout 8.

Les moyens de préhension portés par la région centrale de l'organe de commande rotatif comprennent un ou plusieurs éléments en reliefs et/ou logements, i.e. des creux ou évidements, aptes à et conçus, c'est-à-dire dimensionnés, pour être agrippés entre ses doigts par l'utilisateur. Ces éléments en reliefs et/ou logements sont par exemple formés de petites parois obtenues par moulage de la pièce formant le volant 5.The gripping means carried by the central region of the rotary control member comprise one or more elements in reliefs and / or housings, ie recesses or recesses, suitable for and designed, that is to say dimensioned, to be gripped between his fingers by the user. These relief elements and / or housings are for example formed of small walls obtained by molding the part forming the flywheel 5.

Avantageusement, ils sont aménagés sur la surface extérieure de la région centrale de l'organe de commande rotatif 5, typiquement un volant rotatif.Advantageously, they are arranged on the outer surface of the central region of the rotary control member 5, typically a rotary wheel.

Comme illustré sur les Figures, le volant rotatif 5 a une forme générale de révolution, par exemple une forme générale de disque ou similaire.As illustrated in the Figures, the rotating flywheel 5 has a general shape of revolution, for example a general shape of disc or the like.

Par ailleurs, la région centrale de l'organe de commande 5 comprend en outre un orifice central au sein duquel passe le raccord de sortie 15 portant l'orifice de sortie 6. L'organe de commande 5 est donc libre en rotation autour dudit raccord de sortie 15.Furthermore, the central region of the control member 5 further comprises a central orifice through which the outlet fitting 15 carries the outlet orifice 6. The control member 5 is free to rotate around said connection output 15.

Par ailleurs, la région périphérique 10 comporte quant à elle des repères 11 angulairement décalés les uns par rapport à l'axe AA, lesdits repères 11 correspondant chacun un débit donné de gaz. Ici, les repères 11 sont ordonnés en une couronne située sur toute la périphérie de la région centrale, et indiquent des valeurs de débit croissantes.Furthermore, the peripheral region 10 comprises meanwhile pins 11 angularly offset with respect to the axis AA, said pins 11 each corresponding to a given flow rate of gas. Here, the marks 11 are ordered in a ring located on the entire periphery of the central region, and indicate increasing flow values.

Ainsi, l'un des repères 11 correspond à une position du volant 5 dans laquelle le gaz est coupé, c'est-à-dire que le robinet 1 ne délivre pas de gaz (i.e. débit = 0 l/min), à savoir le repère « OFF ». Les autres repères 11 correspondent à des positions du volant 5 dans lesquelles le gaz est délivré à des débits différents, à savoir des débits de 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 et 25 l/min de gaz.Thus, one of the marks 11 corresponds to a position of the steering wheel 5 in which the gas is cut, that is to say that the valve 1 does not deliver gas (ie flow = 0 l / min), namely the "OFF" mark. The other marks 11 correspond to positions of the flywheel 5 in which the gas is delivered at different flow rates, namely flow rates of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 25. min of gas.

Les repères 11 peuvent être gravés, imprimés, collés ou appliqués par toute autre technique adéquate. De même, les repères 11 peuvent comprendre des chiffres, des lettres ou tout autre type de marquage.The markers 11 may be engraved, printed, glued or applied by any other suitable technique. Likewise, the markers 11 may comprise numbers, letters or any other type of marking.

De façon générale, le volant rotatif 5 est préférentiellement réalisé en matière plastique, tel que PVC, PE, PET, PP, PMMA, PU, PA...mais peut aussi être formé d'un alliage d'aluminium ou de tout autre matériau métallique, voire d'une combinaison de plusieurs matériaux, par exemple de matériaux plastiques et métalliques.In general, the rotary wheel 5 is preferably made of plastic, such as PVC, PE, PET, PP, PMMA, PU, PA ... but can also be formed of an aluminum alloy or any other material metal, or even a combination of several materials, for example plastic and metal materials.

De préférence, au moins une partie du volant rotatif 5 est en matériau rigide recouvert d'un matériau souple présentant une dureté Shore entre 0 et 95, par exemple un revêtement formé d'une peinture donnant un effet dit « soft touch » (i.e. effet doux et soyeux au toucher) afin d'accroître le confort d'utilisation pour l'utilisateur, ou encore un revêtement formé d'une couche surmoulée d'un matériau élastomère, silicone ou analogue.Preferably, at least a portion of the rotating flywheel 5 is made of a rigid material covered with a flexible material having a Shore hardness between 0 and 95, for example a coating formed of a paint giving an effect called " soft touch " (ie effect soft and silky to the touch) to increase user comfort for the user, or a coating formed of a layer overmolded with an elastomeric material, silicone or the like.

Un ensemble selon l'invention est particulièrement adapté à un usage en milieu médical, c'est-à-dire dans le domaine de la Santé, en particulier elle convient au stockage de tout gaz ou mélange gazeux médical, en particulier de type oxygène, air, N2O/O2, He/O2, NO/azote ou autre.An assembly according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a medical environment, that is to say in the field of health, in particular it is suitable for the storage of any medical gas or gas mixture, in particular of the oxygen type, air, N 2 O / O 2 , He / O 2 , NO / nitrogen or other.

Claims (12)

  1. Assembly for the distribution of gas comprising a gas container (20), a valve unit fixed to the gas container (20) and a protective cowling (1, 2, 3, 4) arranged around said valve unit, the protective cowling (1, 2, 3, 4) comprising an opening (9) wherein is housed a rotating control member (5), the opening (9) being at least partially bordered by a protruding edge (7) projecting away with respect to the outer surface of the body (2) of the protective cowling (1, 2, 3, 4), the protruding edge (7) comprising a cut-out (8) forming a reading window, characterised in that the protruding edge (7) extends over at least one portion of the upper perimeter of the opening (9) and forms a visor projecting away beyond the rotating control member (5), the rotating control member (5) carrying several marks (11) corresponding to gas flow rates, the cut-out (8) forming a reading window being arranged in the protruding edge (7) so as to be positioned facing at least one mark (11) carried by the rotating control member (5) so as to allow a user to view said at least one mark (11) through said reading window, and the marks comprising the flow rate indications being readable only through the cut-out forming the reading window.
  2. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the rotating control member (5) comprises gripping means.
  3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the gripping means are arranged at the centre of the rotating control member (5).
  4. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotating control member (5) comprises gripping means and marks (11) corresponding to gas flow rates, said marks (11) being positioned around the gripping means.
  5. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the gripping means are positioned in the opening (9) of the cowling.
  6. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotating control member (5) is designed and arranged such that a rotating of the rotating control member (5), by manual/finger action of the user on the gripping means, generates a scrolling of the marks (11) in the cut-out (8) forming a reading window.
  7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotating control member (5) is a rotary wheel.
  8. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protruding edge (7) comprises one or more markings (21) that represent the direction wherein the user must perform a rotation of the rotating control member (5) to increase or decrease the flow rate of gas delivered by the valve unit.
  9. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the valve unit comprises a gas outlet orifice (6) carried by a gas outlet connector (15), the rotating control member (5) being movable in rotation around said gas outlet connector (15).
  10. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotating control member (5) engages with a gas passage control system arranged in the valve unit, when it is manoeuvred by the user, to control the flow rate of gas exiting through the gas outlet orifice (6) of the valve unit.
  11. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective cowling (1, 2, 3, 4) further comprises a carrying handle (10) and a hanging device (13), which preferably pivots.
  12. Use of an assembly for distribution according to one of the preceding claims to distribute a gas or gaseous mixture chosen from among oxygen, air, N2O/O2, He/O2 and NO/nitrogen, preferably the gas container (20) is a gas cylinder.
EP15305208.9A 2014-03-12 2015-02-12 Hood with protective flange for the rotary control member of a gas-cylinder valve block Active EP2918891B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1452033A FR3018581B1 (en) 2014-03-12 2014-03-12 COVERAGE WITH PROTECTIVE BAND OF THE ROTARY CONTROL MEMBER OF A BLOCK GAS CONTAINER TAP

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2918891A1 EP2918891A1 (en) 2015-09-16
EP2918891B1 true EP2918891B1 (en) 2019-04-03

Family

ID=50624821

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15305208.9A Active EP2918891B1 (en) 2014-03-12 2015-02-12 Hood with protective flange for the rotary control member of a gas-cylinder valve block

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US9874312B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2918891B1 (en)
CN (1) CN104913197B (en)
AR (1) AR099722A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2015201120A1 (en)
BR (1) BR102015005458A2 (en)
CA (1) CA2881886A1 (en)
DK (1) DK2918891T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2721644T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3018581B1 (en)
PT (1) PT2918891T (en)
ZA (1) ZA201501261B (en)

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USD829859S1 (en) * 2016-07-13 2018-10-02 Luxembourg Patent Company S.A. Protection cap for cylinder valve
WO2019046617A1 (en) 2017-08-30 2019-03-07 Wilkinson Michael Wayne Compressed gas cylinder quick release safety cap
USD1008410S1 (en) * 2021-07-29 2023-12-19 Grand Mate Co., Ltd. Gas tank
CN114151567B (en) * 2021-11-08 2023-12-01 成都凯天电子股份有限公司 Gas alternating generator
USD1000246S1 (en) * 2022-02-23 2023-10-03 Amtrol Licensing, Inc. Handle assembly for a gas cylinder
WO2024015052A1 (en) 2022-07-13 2024-01-18 Praxair Technology, Inc. Protective shroud for a valve integrated pressure regulator (vipr)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN104913197A (en) 2015-09-16
FR3018581A1 (en) 2015-09-18
ZA201501261B (en) 2016-10-26
AR099722A1 (en) 2016-08-10
PT2918891T (en) 2019-05-24
CN104913197B (en) 2019-06-14
ES2721644T3 (en) 2019-08-02
BR102015005458A2 (en) 2021-03-23
US9874312B2 (en) 2018-01-23
US20150260345A1 (en) 2015-09-17
FR3018581B1 (en) 2017-01-27
AU2015201120A1 (en) 2015-10-01
EP2918891A1 (en) 2015-09-16
DK2918891T3 (en) 2019-05-13
CA2881886A1 (en) 2015-09-12

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