EP3165807B1 - Protective cap for a gas cylinder - Google Patents

Protective cap for a gas cylinder Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3165807B1
EP3165807B1 EP16197142.9A EP16197142A EP3165807B1 EP 3165807 B1 EP3165807 B1 EP 3165807B1 EP 16197142 A EP16197142 A EP 16197142A EP 3165807 B1 EP3165807 B1 EP 3165807B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas cylinder
cap
ring
handle
cap according
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
EP16197142.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3165807A3 (en
EP3165807A2 (en
Inventor
Emmanuelle PERDRIX
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.)
Rovip SA
Original Assignee
Rovip SA
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP3165807A2 publication Critical patent/EP3165807A2/en
Publication of EP3165807A3 publication Critical patent/EP3165807A3/en
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Publication of EP3165807B1 publication Critical patent/EP3165807B1/en
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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
    • F17C13/005—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels for medium-size and small storage vessels not 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
    • 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0153—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
    • F17C2205/03—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
    • 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
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • 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
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • 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
    • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 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
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
    • F17C2260/012—Reducing weight
    • 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
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/035—Dealing with losses of fluid
    • F17C2260/037—Handling leaked fluid
    • 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
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use
    • F17C2270/0745—Gas bottles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of protection devices intended to protect a tap of a gas cylinder containing liquefied, dissolved or compressed gas. More specifically, the invention relates to a protective cap for a gas cylinder.
  • the cylinder valve When transporting or handling a gas cylinder, the cylinder valve may be subject to impacts that can damage it.
  • the gas cylinders are fitted with a safety device called a protective cap, intended to protect the valve during the handling and transport stages.
  • Protective caps must therefore comply with ISO standard 11117, according to which a protective cap mounted on a gas cylinder must protrude by a minimum height from the valve in the open position, in order to prevent any impact liable to damage it.
  • This ISO 11117 standard also imposes a resistance to shocks undergone by the cap and a resistance to tearing off of the cap when the latter is held on the gas cylinder.
  • the protective caps are screwed onto a screw thread present in the lower part of the valve of the gas cylinder.
  • a protective hat made of metal comprises a bell-shaped body intended to cover the tap of a gas bottle, a lower part of the body carrying a thread intended to cooperate with a thread of the gas bottle.
  • the metal structure of the body ensures impact resistance and the metal thread ensures resistance to tearing.
  • French patent application N ° 3,011,061 describes a partial solution to this problem by means of a cap formed by a ring made of plastic and a body made of two metal parts assembled on the ring.
  • the metal structure of the body provides impact resistance and the plastic ring provides resistance to tearing.
  • the document EP1041339 also describes a hat according to the prior art.
  • the metallic material of the cap body still heavily impacts the weight of the gas cylinder.
  • mounting and dismounting the two body parts on the ring is a complex process.
  • the technical problem of the invention consists in obtaining a gas bottle cap capable of guaranteeing impact resistance and resistance to tearing while limiting the weight of the cap.
  • the present invention aims to respond to this technical problem by means of a protective cap comprising a body and a ring made of two separate plastics, one being adapted to meet the constraints of impact resistance and the other being adapted to meet the tearing and wear resistance constraints.
  • the invention relates to a protective cap for a gas cylinder comprising a body configured to cover a tap of a gas cylinder, and a ring secured to the body and comprising a thread intended to cooperate with a thread d 'a gas bottle so as to hold the cap on a gas bottle.
  • the body and the ring are made of at least two separate plastic materials, the first plastic material of the body has an elongation at break greater than 200% capable of absorbing the shocks suffered by the body and the second plastic material of the ring has a elongation at break less than 100% able to guarantee cooperation of the thread with a thread of a gas cylinder.
  • the invention thus makes it possible to respond at the same time to the constraints of impact, wear and fixing.
  • the weight of the hat is also reduced compared to hats having at least one metal part.
  • the material of the body facilitates the design of structurally complex parts.
  • the invention also solves another problem of caps incorporating metallic bodies.
  • hats are conventionally painted for the sake of distinctiveness and handling the hats can damage the paint deposited on the body.
  • the plastic of the body makes it possible to integrate the color of the hat directly into the structure of the plastic thus limiting the delaminations of the paint.
  • first plastic material of the body and / or the second plastic material of the ring can be composed of an alloy of two materials without changing the invention.
  • the body is molded onto the ring. This embodiment guarantees the fixing between the body and the ring.
  • the hat also comprises a handle fixed with the body, the handle comprising two uprights fixed on the sides of the body and extending in the length of the body. , a gripping bar spaced from the uprights and extending perpendicular to the uprights, and two link arms each connecting a separate end of the gripping bar to an upright.
  • the cap comprises at least one vent configured to allow the escape of a gas between the internal volume of the body and the exterior of the body, the vent being disposed in a recess of the uprights.
  • the recess of the uprights makes it possible to limit the weight of the uprights and / or of the link arms. This embodiment protects the vent from rain when the cap is positioned on a straight bottle.
  • each upright has a substantially planar external wall configured to support clamping and / or loosening forces of a clamp.
  • the empty gas cylinders are again filled in a filling plant where the filling of the bottles and the encapsulation of their taps are done automatically.
  • the machines dedicated to this task include a U-shaped gripper with two arms extending downwards. The distance between the two arms is slightly greater than the external diameter of the body so that the arms of the clamp extend along the body and abut against the uprights during tightening or loosening operations of the cap. To do this, the gripper is rotated about a central axis substantially coaxial with the axis of the body.
  • This embodiment makes it possible to propose bearing surfaces which are particularly suitable for distributing the clamping and / or loosening forces of a clamp along the uprights.
  • the cap also includes a handle fixed with the body, the handle extending radially relative to the body. This feature improves the range of the bottle by the user by better distributing the forces.
  • the cap comprises drive means fixed with the body above the handle and extending radially relative to the body, the drive means being configured to withstand clamping forces and / or for loosening a clamp.
  • This embodiment makes it possible to propose bearing surfaces which are particularly suitable for distributing the clamping and / or loosening forces of a clamp along the uprights.
  • the cap comprises a reinforcing bar fixed to the body below the handle and extending parallel to the handle, one end of the reinforcing bar, opposite the body, being connected to one end of the handle, opposite the body, by an external upright.
  • This embodiment improves the resistance of the handle.
  • the reinforcement bar can conform to the shape of the gas bottle to improve the ergonomics of the cap when it is mounted on a gas bottle.
  • the ring has a stop at the bottom of the thread or a shoulder configured to form a support stop, the cap being intended to be screwed onto a gas bottle until the thread of the gas bottle butte against the stop at the bottom of the net or the shoulder.
  • the height of a gas cylinder valve can vary. Thus, some valves protrude from the cap and are not protected at their upper ends. In addition, it is not possible to increase the height of the cap body because certain storage spaces are dimensioned in height to receive gas bottles fitted with a cap with a predetermined height. There is therefore a need to protect the upper end of a gas cylinder fitted with a tall valve.
  • This embodiment makes it possible to solve this problem using a multi-size cap, the body of which has a constant height and intended to come into abutment on the thread of the tap instead of abutting against the upper wall of the bottle. gas. As a result, there may be a space between the upper wall of the gas cylinder and the lower end of the cap, but the risk of damage to the valve on this space is less than the risk of damage to the upper end of the valve when the tap protrudes from the cap.
  • the second plastic material of the ring comprises a homo or polyamide copolymer, advantageously loaded with fibers.
  • This embodiment is particularly suitable for ensuring cooperation of the thread of the ring with a thread of a gas cylinder.
  • the Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a protective cap 10a according to a first embodiment intended to cover the valve 49 with a gas bottle.
  • the cap 10a comprises a body 11a, a ring 12a and a handle 22a made of plastic.
  • the body 11a has a substantially constant shape of cylindrical revolution with a shoulder 19 at the part of the body 11a covering the ring 12a.
  • the length of the body 11a extends between a lower end 20 intended to come opposite a gas cylinder and an upper end 21 opposite the lower end 20.
  • the upper end 21 is closed by a closure plate 35 in disc shape.
  • the body 11a can have the shape of a bell or any other shape capable of surrounding the tap with a gas bottle.
  • the material of the body 11a has an elongation at break greater than 200% to absorb the shocks undergone by the body 11a so as to meet the stress resistance constraints imposed by the ISO 11117 standard.
  • the material of the body 11a corresponds to a homo or copolymer based on ethylene monomer.
  • the material of the body 11a can be chosen from the range of PE-TBD, PE-BDL, PE-BD, PE-MD, PE-HD, ULMWPE, PE-WAX, HMWPE, or an alloy of several of these products.
  • the elongation at break is measured by pulling two ends of the part. An elongation at break greater than 200% indicates that the part can be deformed by traction until it reaches 200% of its initial length before rupture.
  • the ring 12a has an annular shape whose external diameter cooperates with an internal diameter of the body 11a at the shoulder 19.
  • the body 11a is molded onto the ring 12a.
  • the body 11a and the ring 12a can be glued to one another or joined together by any known means.
  • the internal face of the ring 12a has a thread 13 intended to cooperate with a thread 51 of a gas bottle so as to maintain the cap on the bottle.
  • the pitch of the thread 13 of the ring corresponds to the pitch of the thread 51 of the gas bottle and the internal diameter of the ring 12a is adapted to the external diameter of the thread 51 of the gas bottle.
  • the material of the ring 12a has an elongation at break of less than 100% to guarantee cooperation of the thread 13 with a thread of a gas bottle so as to meet the stresses of resistance to tearing imposed by the ISO 11117 standard.
  • An elongation at break of less than 100% indicates that the part breaks before reaching a tensile deformation equal to 100% of its initial length.
  • the material of the ring 12a corresponds to a homo or polyamide copolymer.
  • the material corresponds to a homo or copolymer of polyamide loaded with fibers.
  • the material of the ring 12a can be chosen from the range of PA6, PA12, PA 6.6 / 6, PA MPD.I, or an alloy of several of these products.
  • the handle 22a has two uprights 25 fixed on the sides of the body 11a , a gripping bar 23 and two connecting arms 24 each connecting a separate end of the gripping bar 23 to an upright 25.
  • the gripping bar 23 has a shape substantially constant tubular with a length a few millimeters greater than the diameter of the body 11a .
  • An internal recess 36 of the grip bar 23 makes it possible to limit the weight of the grip bar 23.
  • the connecting arms 24 have a triangular shape whose thickness of material increases between the grip bar 23 and the uprights 25.
  • Each upright 25 has a substantially rectangular shape extending between the upper end 21 of the body 11a and a few millimeters below the shoulder 19.
  • An outer wall 29 extending in the thickness of the uprights 25 is substantially planar so to allow the positioning of a clamp intended to tighten or loosen the cap 10a on a gas cylinder.
  • the uprights 25 and the link arms 24 have an internal recess limiting the material thickness of the uprights 25 and the link arms 24.
  • the surface of the internal recess is determined so that the wall 29 of the uprights 25 is sufficient to withstand the clamping or loosening forces of a clamp.
  • at least one vent 28 is formed through the wall of the body 11a so as to use the outer wall 29 to protect the vent 28 from the rain.
  • the material of the handle 22a corresponds to the material of the body 11a or to the material of the ring 12a or even to a third separate material.
  • these two elements are preferably made together in one piece.
  • the handle 22a can be glued to the body 11a or fixed by any other known means.
  • the handle 22a can have a different shape without changing the invention.
  • the Figures 5 to 8 illustrate a protective cap 10b which is not part of the invention but intended to cover the valve 49 with a gas cylinder.
  • the cap 10b comprises a body 11b , a ring 12b and a handle 22b made of plastic.
  • the handle 22b is directly fixed to the body 11b and extends radially relative to the body 11b .
  • the handle 22b is solidified by a reinforcing bar 41 fixed to the body 11b below the handle 22b which extends parallel to the handle 22b.
  • One end of the reinforcement bar 41, opposite the body 11b, is connected to one end of the handle 22b, opposite the body 11b , by an external upright 42.
  • a first part 40a of the drive means is disposed above the handle 22b. This first part 40a is fixed both on the body 11b and on the handle 22b and extends radially relative to the body 11b .
  • the first part 40b has a central lip 46a extending parallel to the axis of the body 11b and has three cells disposed on either side of this central lip 46a.
  • the first part 40a forms an isosceles triangular piece, the base of which is fixed to the width of the handle 22b and the upper end of which is directed towards the upper end 21 of the body 10b .
  • a second part 40b of the drive means is fixed to the body 11b .
  • the second part 40b is diametrically opposite the first part 40a with respect to the body 11b .
  • the second part 40b has a central lip 46b and two cells disposed on either side of this central lip 46b so as to form an isosceles triangular part.
  • the drive means 40a-40b thus make it possible to improve access to the clamp intended to tighten or loosen the cap 10b on a gas bottle.
  • the upper end 21 of the body 11b is not closed and has an upper rim 43 extending radially towards the inside of the body 11b to improve the solidity of the body 11b in the event of an impact at the level of the upper end 21.
  • the reinforcing bar 41 and the handle 22b have a profile adapted to follow the curvature of the upper surface 48 of a gas bottle thus improving the aesthetics and the ergonomics of the cap 10b.
  • a lower flange 44 made in one piece with the body 11b , extends axially at the level of the lower end 20 of the body 11b in order to come into contact with the upper surface 48 of the gas cylinder and guarantee that the reinforcing bar 41 do not touch the gas cylinder.
  • This lower flange 44 makes it possible to integrate a distinctive pattern on the cap 10b , for example a color associated with a mark or with a container of the gas bottle.
  • the Figures 9 to 12 illustrate a protective cap 10c which is not part of the invention, and intended to cover the valve 49 with a gas cylinder.
  • the cap 10c comprises a body 11c , a ring 12c and a handle 22c made of plastic.
  • the handle 22c does not have a reinforcement bar 41 but a cellular reinforcement structure 47 disposed under the handle 22c.
  • the drive means 40c opposite the handle 22c have three cells unlike the drive means 40b 2. of the previous example so as to strengthen the solidity of the drive means 40a, 40c.
  • the cap 10a-10b is targeted on the thread 51 of the valve 49 of a gas bottle until it comes into contact with the upper surface 48 of a gas bottle.
  • the ring 12c has a shoulder 45 configured to form a support stop so that the cap 10c is aimed at the gas bottle until the thread 51 of the gas bottle abuts against the shoulder 45.
  • This mode fixing form a space 50 between the upper wall 48 of the gas cylinder and the lower end 20 of the cap 10c but the risk of damage to the valve 49 on this space 50 is less than the risk of damage to the upper end of the valve 49 when the valve 49 protrudes from the cap 10c.
  • the invention thus makes it possible to reduce the weight of a cap 10 of a gas cylinder while effectively responding to the constraints of impact resistance and tearing.

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUETECHNICAL AREA

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine des dispositifs de protection destinés à protéger un robinet d'une bouteille de gaz contenant du gaz liquéfié, dissous ou comprimé. Plus précisément, l'invention concerne un chapeau de protection d'une bouteille de gaz.The present invention relates to the field of protection devices intended to protect a tap of a gas cylinder containing liquefied, dissolved or compressed gas. More specifically, the invention relates to a protective cap for a gas cylinder.

ART ANTERIEURPRIOR ART

Lors du transport ou de la manipulation d'une bouteille de gaz, le robinet de la bouteille est susceptible de subir des chocs pouvant l'endommager. Afin d'éviter cela, les bouteilles de gaz sont munies d'un dispositif de sécurité nommé chapeau de protection, destiné à protéger le robinet lors des étapes de manutention et de transport.When transporting or handling a gas cylinder, the cylinder valve may be subject to impacts that can damage it. In order to avoid this, the gas cylinders are fitted with a safety device called a protective cap, intended to protect the valve during the handling and transport stages.

Les chapeaux de protection doivent ainsi respecter la norme ISO 11117, selon laquelle un chapeau de protection monté sur une bouteille de gaz doit dépasser d'une hauteur minimale le robinet en position ouverte, afin de prévenir de tout choc susceptible de l'endommager. Cette norme ISO 11117 impose également une résistance aux chocs subits par le chapeau et une résistance à l'arrachement du chapeau lorsque celui-ci est maintenu sur la bouteille de gaz. De manière classique, les chapeaux de protection sont vissés sur un pas de vis présent en partie inférieure du robinet de la bouteille de gaz.Protective caps must therefore comply with ISO standard 11117, according to which a protective cap mounted on a gas cylinder must protrude by a minimum height from the valve in the open position, in order to prevent any impact liable to damage it. This ISO 11117 standard also imposes a resistance to shocks undergone by the cap and a resistance to tearing off of the cap when the latter is held on the gas cylinder. Conventionally, the protective caps are screwed onto a screw thread present in the lower part of the valve of the gas cylinder.

Pour répondre à ces deux contraintes de résistance, il est connu de la demande de brevet européen N° 2 500 619 un chapeau de protection réalisé en métal. Le chapeau comporte un corps en forme de cloche destiné à recouvrir le robinet d'une bouteille de gaz, une partie inférieure du corps portant un filetage destiné à coopérer avec un filetage de la bouteille de gaz. La structure métallique du corps assure la résistance aux chocs et le filetage métallique assure la résistante à l'arrachement.To meet these two resistance constraints, it is known from European patent application N ° 2,500,619 a protective hat made of metal. The cap comprises a bell-shaped body intended to cover the tap of a gas bottle, a lower part of the body carrying a thread intended to cooperate with a thread of the gas bottle. The metal structure of the body ensures impact resistance and the metal thread ensures resistance to tearing.

Cependant, le poids du chapeau impact lourdement le poids de la bouteille de gaz lors du transport ce qui complique les opérations de transbordement et de stockage.However, the weight of the cap heavily impacts the weight of the gas cylinder during transport, which complicates transhipment and storage operations.

La demande de brevet français N° 3 011 061 décrit une solution partielle à ce problème au moyen d'un chapeau formé par une bague réalisée en matière plastique et un corps réalisé en deux parties métalliques assemblées sur la bague. La structure métallique du corps assure la résistance aux chocs et la bague plastique assure la résistance à l'arrachement. Le document EP1041339 décrit également un chapeau selon l'art antérieur.French patent application N ° 3,011,061 describes a partial solution to this problem by means of a cap formed by a ring made of plastic and a body made of two metal parts assembled on the ring. The metal structure of the body provides impact resistance and the plastic ring provides resistance to tearing. The document EP1041339 also describes a hat according to the prior art.

Cependant, la matière métallique du corps du chapeau impacte encore lourdement le poids de la bouteille de gaz. En outre, le montage et le démontage des deux parties du corps sur la bague est un processus complexe.However, the metallic material of the cap body still heavily impacts the weight of the gas cylinder. In addition, mounting and dismounting the two body parts on the ring is a complex process.

Ainsi, le problème technique de l'invention consiste à obtenir un chapeau de bouteille de gaz apte à garantir une résistance aux chocs et une résistance à l'arrachement tout en limitant le poids du chapeau.Thus, the technical problem of the invention consists in obtaining a gas bottle cap capable of guaranteeing impact resistance and resistance to tearing while limiting the weight of the cap.

EXPOSE DE L'INVENTIONSTATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

La présente invention vise à répondre à ce problème technique au moyen d'un chapeau de protection comportant un corps et une bague réalisés en deux matières plastiques distinctes, l'une étant adaptée pour répondre aux contraintes de résistance aux chocs et l'autre étant adaptée pour répondre aux contraintes d'arrachement et de résistance à l'usure.The present invention aims to respond to this technical problem by means of a protective cap comprising a body and a ring made of two separate plastics, one being adapted to meet the constraints of impact resistance and the other being adapted to meet the tearing and wear resistance constraints.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne un chapeau de protection d'une bouteille de gaz comportant un corps configuré pour recouvrir un robinet d'une bouteille de gaz, et une bague solidaire du corps et comportant un filetage destiné à coopérer avec un filetage d'une bouteille de gaz de sorte à maintenir le chapeau sur une bouteille de gaz. Le corps et la bague sont réalisés en au moins deux matières plastiques distinctes, la première matière plastique du corps présente un allongement à la rupture supérieur à 200% apte à absorber les chocs subits par le corps et la seconde matière plastique de la bague présente un allongement à la rupture inférieur à 100% apte à garantir une coopération du filetage avec un filetage d'une bouteille de gaz.To this end, the invention relates to a protective cap for a gas cylinder comprising a body configured to cover a tap of a gas cylinder, and a ring secured to the body and comprising a thread intended to cooperate with a thread d 'a gas bottle so as to hold the cap on a gas bottle. The body and the ring are made of at least two separate plastic materials, the first plastic material of the body has an elongation at break greater than 200% capable of absorbing the shocks suffered by the body and the second plastic material of the ring has a elongation at break less than 100% able to guarantee cooperation of the thread with a thread of a gas cylinder.

L'invention permet ainsi de répondre à la fois aux contraintes de chocs, d'usure et de fixation. Le poids du chapeau est également réduit par rapport aux chapeaux comportant au moins une partie en métal. En outre, la matière du corps permet de faciliter la conception de pièces structurellement complexes.The invention thus makes it possible to respond at the same time to the constraints of impact, wear and fixing. The weight of the hat is also reduced compared to hats having at least one metal part. In addition, the material of the body facilitates the design of structurally complex parts.

L'invention résout également un autre problème des chapeaux intégrant des corps métalliques. En effet, les chapeaux sont classiquement peints pour des besoins de distinctivité et la manipulation des chapeaux peut endommager la peinture déposée sur le corps. La matière plastique du corps permet d'intégrer la couleur du chapeau directement dans la structure de la matière plastique limitant ainsi les délaminations de la peinture.The invention also solves another problem of caps incorporating metallic bodies. In fact, hats are conventionally painted for the sake of distinctiveness and handling the hats can damage the paint deposited on the body. The plastic of the body makes it possible to integrate the color of the hat directly into the structure of the plastic thus limiting the delaminations of the paint.

En outre, la première matière plastique du corps et/ou la seconde matière plastique de la bague peuvent être composées d'un alliage de deux matières sans changer l'invention.In addition, the first plastic material of the body and / or the second plastic material of the ring can be composed of an alloy of two materials without changing the invention.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le corps est surmoulé sur la bague. Ce mode de réalisation permet de garantir la fixation entre le corps et la bague.According to one embodiment, the body is molded onto the ring. This embodiment guarantees the fixing between the body and the ring.

Selon un mode de réalisation, éventuellement indépendamment de la nature des matières plastiques telles que précédemment mentionnées, le chapeau comporte également une poignée fixée avec le corps, la poignée comportant deux montants fixés sur les côtés du corps et s'étendant dans la longueur du corps, une barre de préhension distante des montants et s'étendant perpendiculairement aux montants, et deux bras de liaison reliant chacun une extrémité distincte de la barre de préhension à un montant. Cette caractéristique permet d'améliorer le portée de la bouteille par l'utilisateur en répartissant mieux les forces.According to one embodiment, possibly independently of the nature of the plastics as previously mentioned, the hat also comprises a handle fixed with the body, the handle comprising two uprights fixed on the sides of the body and extending in the length of the body. , a gripping bar spaced from the uprights and extending perpendicular to the uprights, and two link arms each connecting a separate end of the gripping bar to an upright. This characteristic makes it possible to improve the range of the bottle by the user by better distributing the forces.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le chapeau comporte au moins un évent configuré pour permettre l'échappement d'un gaz entre le volume interne du corps et l'extérieur du corps, l'évent étant disposé dans un évidement des montants. L'évidement des montants permet de limiter le poids des montants et/ou des bras de liaison. Ce mode de réalisation permet de protéger l'évent de la pluie lorsque le chapeau est positionné sur une bouteille droite.According to one embodiment, the cap comprises at least one vent configured to allow the escape of a gas between the internal volume of the body and the exterior of the body, the vent being disposed in a recess of the uprights. The recess of the uprights makes it possible to limit the weight of the uprights and / or of the link arms. This embodiment protects the vent from rain when the cap is positioned on a straight bottle.

Selon un mode de réalisation, chaque montant présente une paroi externe sensiblement plane configurée pour supporter des efforts de serrage et/ou de desserrage d'une pince.According to one embodiment, each upright has a substantially planar external wall configured to support clamping and / or loosening forces of a clamp.

Une fois utilisées, les bouteilles à gaz vides sont de nouveau remplies dans une usine de remplissage où le remplissage des bouteilles et l'encapsulage de leurs robinets se font de façon automatisée. Les automates dédiés à cette tache comportent une pince de préhension en forme de U présentant deux bras s'étendant vers le bas. La distance entre les deux bras est légèrement supérieure au diamètre externe du corps de sorte que les bras de la pince s'étendent le long du corps et butent contre les montants lors des opérations de serrage ou desserrage du chapeau. Pour ce faire, la pince de préhension est entrainée en rotation autour d'un axe central sensiblement coaxial avec l'axe du corps. Ce mode de réalisation permet de proposer des surfaces d'appui particulièrement adaptées pour répartir les efforts de serrage et/ou de desserrage d'une pince le long des montants.Once used, the empty gas cylinders are again filled in a filling plant where the filling of the bottles and the encapsulation of their taps are done automatically. The machines dedicated to this task include a U-shaped gripper with two arms extending downwards. The distance between the two arms is slightly greater than the external diameter of the body so that the arms of the clamp extend along the body and abut against the uprights during tightening or loosening operations of the cap. To do this, the gripper is rotated about a central axis substantially coaxial with the axis of the body. This embodiment makes it possible to propose bearing surfaces which are particularly suitable for distributing the clamping and / or loosening forces of a clamp along the uprights.

Selon un mode de réalisation, éventuellement indépendamment de la nature des matières plastiques telles que précédemment mentionnées, le chapeau comporte également une poignée fixée avec le corps, la poignée s'étendant radialement par rapport au corps. Cette caractéristique permet d'améliorer le portée de la bouteille par l'utilisateur en répartissant mieux les forces.According to one embodiment, possibly independently of the nature of the plastics as previously mentioned, the cap also includes a handle fixed with the body, the handle extending radially relative to the body. This feature improves the range of the bottle by the user by better distributing the forces.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le chapeau comporte des moyens d'entrainement fixés avec le corps au-dessus de la poignée et s'étendant radialement par rapport au corps, les moyens d'entrainement étant configurés pour supporter des efforts de serrage et/ou de desserrage d'une pince. Ce mode de réalisation permet de proposer des surfaces d'appui particulièrement adaptées pour répartir les efforts de serrage et/ou de desserrage d'une pince le long des montants.According to one embodiment, the cap comprises drive means fixed with the body above the handle and extending radially relative to the body, the drive means being configured to withstand clamping forces and / or for loosening a clamp. This embodiment makes it possible to propose bearing surfaces which are particularly suitable for distributing the clamping and / or loosening forces of a clamp along the uprights.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le chapeau comporte une barre de renfort fixée sur le corps en-dessous de la poignée et s'étendant parallèlement à la poignée, une extrémité de la barre de renfort, opposée au corps, étant reliée à une extrémité de la poignée, opposée au corps, par un montant externe. Ce mode de réalisation permet d'améliorer la résistance de la poignée. En outre, la barre de renfort peut épouser la forme de la bouteille de gaz pour améliorer l'ergonomie du chapeau lorsqu'il est monté sur une bouteille de gaz.According to one embodiment, the cap comprises a reinforcing bar fixed to the body below the handle and extending parallel to the handle, one end of the reinforcing bar, opposite the body, being connected to one end of the handle, opposite the body, by an external upright. This embodiment improves the resistance of the handle. In addition, the reinforcement bar can conform to the shape of the gas bottle to improve the ergonomics of the cap when it is mounted on a gas bottle.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la bague comporte un arrêt en fond de filet ou un épaulement configuré pour former une butée de support, le chapeau étant destiné à être vissé sur une bouteille de gaz jusqu'à ce que le filetage de la bouteille de gaz butte contre l'arrêt en fond de filet ou l'épaulement.According to one embodiment, the ring has a stop at the bottom of the thread or a shoulder configured to form a support stop, the cap being intended to be screwed onto a gas bottle until the thread of the gas bottle butte against the stop at the bottom of the net or the shoulder.

La hauteur du robinet d'une bouteille de gaz peut varier. Ainsi, certains robinets dépassent du chapeau et ne sont pas protégés à leurs extrémités supérieures. En outre, il n'est pas possible d'augmenter la hauteur du corps du chapeau car certains espaces de stockage sont dimensionnés en hauteur pour recevoir des bouteilles de gaz munies d'un chapeau avec une hauteur prédéterminée. Il existe donc un besoin de protection de l'extrémité supérieure d'une bouteille de gaz munie d'un robinet de grande hauteur. Ce mode de réalisation permet de résoudre ce problème à l'aide d'un chapeau multi-taille dont le corps présente une hauteur constante et destiné à venir en butée sur le filetage du robinet au lieu de buter contre la paroi supérieure de la bouteille de gaz. Il en résulte qu'il peut exister un espace entre la paroi supérieure de la bouteille de gaz et l'extrémité inférieure du chapeau mais le risque de dégradation du robinet sur cet espace est inférieur au risque de dégradation de l'extrémité supérieure du robinet lorsque le robinet dépasse du chapeau.The height of a gas cylinder valve can vary. Thus, some valves protrude from the cap and are not protected at their upper ends. In addition, it is not possible to increase the height of the cap body because certain storage spaces are dimensioned in height to receive gas bottles fitted with a cap with a predetermined height. There is therefore a need to protect the upper end of a gas cylinder fitted with a tall valve. This embodiment makes it possible to solve this problem using a multi-size cap, the body of which has a constant height and intended to come into abutment on the thread of the tap instead of abutting against the upper wall of the bottle. gas. As a result, there may be a space between the upper wall of the gas cylinder and the lower end of the cap, but the risk of damage to the valve on this space is less than the risk of damage to the upper end of the valve when the tap protrudes from the cap.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la seconde matière plastique de la bague comprend un homo ou copolymère de polyamide, avantageusement chargé de fibres. Ce mode de réalisation est particulièrement adapté pour garantir une coopération du filetage de la bague avec un filetage d'une bouteille de gaz.According to one embodiment, the second plastic material of the ring comprises a homo or polyamide copolymer, advantageously loaded with fibers. This embodiment is particularly suitable for ensuring cooperation of the thread of the ring with a thread of a gas cylinder.

DESCRIPTION SOMMAIRE DES FIGURESSUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

La manière de réaliser l'invention ainsi que les avantages qui en découlent, ressortiront bien du mode de réalisation qui suit, donné à titre indicatif mais non limitatif, à l'appui des figures annexées dans lesquelles les figures 1 à 4 représentent :

  • Figure 1 : une vue en perspective du côté gauche d'un chapeau de protection d'une bouteille de gaz selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • Figure 2 : une vue en perspective de devant du chapeau de la Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 : une vue de dessous du chapeau de la Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 : une vue en perspective du côté droit du chapeau de la Figure 1 ; Les figures suivantes numérotées 5-12 représentent des dispositifs ne faisant pas partie de l'invention:
  • Figure 5 : une vue en perspective du côté gauche d'un chapeau de protection d'une bouteille de gaz;
  • Figure 6 : une vue en coupe du chapeau de la Figure 5 ;
  • Figure 7 : une vue en perspective du côté gauche du chapeau de la Figure 5 monté sur une bouteille de gaz ;
  • Figure 8 : une vue en perspective de dessus du chapeau de la Figure 7 ;
  • Figure 9 : une vue en perspective du côté droit d'un chapeau de protection d'une bouteille de gaz;
  • Figure 10 : une vue en perspective de dessous du chapeau de la Figure 9 ;
  • Figure 11 : une vue en coupe de la zone d'assemblage du chapeau de la Figure 9 avec une bouteille de gaz comportant un robinet de faible hauteur ; et
  • Figure 12 : une vue en coupe de la zone d'assemblage du chapeau de la Figure 9 avec une bouteille de gaz comportant un robinet de forte hauteur.
The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge clearly from the embodiment which follows, given by way of indication but not limitation, in support of the appended figures in which the figures 1 to 4 represent:
  • Figure 1 : a perspective view on the left side of a protective cap for a gas cylinder according to a first embodiment of the invention;
  • Figure 2 : a perspective view from the front of the hat of the Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 : a bottom view of the hat of the Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 : a perspective view of the right side of the hat of the Figure 1 ; The following figures, numbered 5-12, represent devices which are not part of the invention:
  • Figure 5 : a perspective view of the left side of a protective cap for a gas cylinder;
  • Figure 6 : a sectional view of the hat of the Figure 5 ;
  • Figure 7 : a perspective view of the left side of the hat of the Figure 5 mounted on a gas cylinder;
  • Figure 8 : a perspective view from above of the hat of the Figure 7 ;
  • Figure 9 : a perspective view of the right side of a protective cap for a gas cylinder;
  • Figure 10 : a perspective view from below of the hat of the Figure 9 ;
  • Figure 11 : a sectional view of the assembly area of the bonnet of the Figure 9 with a gas cylinder comprising a tap of low height; and
  • Figure 12 : a sectional view of the assembly area of the bonnet of the Figure 9 with a gas cylinder comprising a very high tap.

DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE DE L'INVENTIONDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Les Figures 1 à 4 illustrent un chapeau de protection 10a selon un premier mode de réalisation destiné à recouvrir le robinet 49 d'une bouteille de gaz. Le chapeau 10a comporte un corps 11a, une bague 12a et une poignée 22a réalisés en matière plastique.The Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a protective cap 10a according to a first embodiment intended to cover the valve 49 with a gas bottle. The cap 10a comprises a body 11a, a ring 12a and a handle 22a made of plastic.

Le corps 11a présente une forme de révolution cylindrique sensiblement constante avec un épaulement 19 au niveau de la partie du corps 11a recouvrant la bague 12a. La longueur du corps 11a s'étend entre une extrémité inférieure 20 destinée à venir en regard d'une bouteille de gaz et une extrémité supérieure 21 opposée à l'extrémité inférieure 20. L'extrémité supérieure 21 est obturée par une plaque de fermeture 35 en forme de disque. En variante, le corps 11a peut présenter la forme d'une cloche ou toute autre forme apte à entourer le robinet d'une bouteille de gaz.The body 11a has a substantially constant shape of cylindrical revolution with a shoulder 19 at the part of the body 11a covering the ring 12a. The length of the body 11a extends between a lower end 20 intended to come opposite a gas cylinder and an upper end 21 opposite the lower end 20. The upper end 21 is closed by a closure plate 35 in disc shape. As a variant, the body 11a can have the shape of a bell or any other shape capable of surrounding the tap with a gas bottle.

La matière du corps 11a présente un allongement à la rupture supérieur à 200% pour absorber les chocs subits par le corps 11a de sorte à répondre aux contraintes de résistance aux chocs imposées par la norme ISO 11117. Par exemple, la matière du corps 11a correspond à un homo ou copolymère à base de monomère éthylène. La matière du corps 11a peut être choisie dans la gamme des PE-TBD, PE-BDL, PE-BD, PE-MD, PE-HD, ULMWPE, PE-WAX, HMWPE, ou un alliage de plusieurs de ces produits.The material of the body 11a has an elongation at break greater than 200% to absorb the shocks undergone by the body 11a so as to meet the stress resistance constraints imposed by the ISO 11117 standard. For example, the material of the body 11a corresponds to a homo or copolymer based on ethylene monomer. The material of the body 11a can be chosen from the range of PE-TBD, PE-BDL, PE-BD, PE-MD, PE-HD, ULMWPE, PE-WAX, HMWPE, or an alloy of several of these products.

L'allongement à la rupture est mesuré par traction de deux extrémités de la pièce. Un allongement à la rupture supérieur à 200% indique que la pièce peut être déformée par traction jusqu'à atteindre 200% de sa longueur initiale avant rupture.The elongation at break is measured by pulling two ends of the part. An elongation at break greater than 200% indicates that the part can be deformed by traction until it reaches 200% of its initial length before rupture.

La bague 12a présente une forme annulaire dont le diamètre extérieur coopère avec un diamètre intérieur du corps 11a au niveau de l'épaulement 19. De préférence, le corps 11a est surmoulé sur la bague 12a. En variante, le corps 11a et la bague 12a peuvent être collés l'un avec l'autre ou solidarisé par tous moyens connus. La face interne de la bague 12a présente un filetage 13 destiné à coopérer avec un filetage 51 d'une bouteille de gaz de sorte à maintenir le chapeau sur la bouteille. Pour ce faire, le pas du filetage 13 de la bague correspond au pas du filetage 51 de la bouteille de gaz et le diamètre interne de la bague 12a est adapté au diamètre externe du filetage 51 de la bouteille de gaz.The ring 12a has an annular shape whose external diameter cooperates with an internal diameter of the body 11a at the shoulder 19. Preferably, the body 11a is molded onto the ring 12a. As a variant, the body 11a and the ring 12a can be glued to one another or joined together by any known means. The internal face of the ring 12a has a thread 13 intended to cooperate with a thread 51 of a gas bottle so as to maintain the cap on the bottle. To do this, the pitch of the thread 13 of the ring corresponds to the pitch of the thread 51 of the gas bottle and the internal diameter of the ring 12a is adapted to the external diameter of the thread 51 of the gas bottle.

La matière de la bague 12a présente un allongement à la rupture inférieur à 100% pour garantir une coopération du filetage 13 avec un filetage d'une bouteille de gaz de sorte à répondre aux contraintes de résistance à l'arrachement imposées par la norme ISO 11117. Un allongement à la rupture inférieur à 100% indique que la pièce rompt avant d'atteindre une déformation par traction égale à 100% de sa longueur initiale. Par exemple, la matière de la bague 12a correspond à un homo ou copolymère de polyamide. De préférence, la matière correspond à un homo ou copolymère de polyamide chargé de fibres. La matière de la bague 12a peut être choisie dans la gamme des PA6, PA12, PA 6.6/6, PA MPD.I, ou un alliage de plusieurs de ces produits.The material of the ring 12a has an elongation at break of less than 100% to guarantee cooperation of the thread 13 with a thread of a gas bottle so as to meet the stresses of resistance to tearing imposed by the ISO 11117 standard. An elongation at break of less than 100% indicates that the part breaks before reaching a tensile deformation equal to 100% of its initial length. For example, the material of the ring 12a corresponds to a homo or polyamide copolymer. Preferably, the material corresponds to a homo or copolymer of polyamide loaded with fibers. The material of the ring 12a can be chosen from the range of PA6, PA12, PA 6.6 / 6, PA MPD.I, or an alloy of several of these products.

La poignée 22a comporte deux montants 25 fixés sur les côtés du corps 11a, une barre de préhension 23 et deux bras de liaison 24 reliant chacun une extrémité distincte de la barre de préhension 23 à un montant 25. La barre de préhension 23 présente une forme tubulaire sensiblement constante avec une longueur supérieure de quelques millimètres au diamètre du corps 11a. Un évidement interne 36 de la barre de préhension 23 permet de limiter le poids de la barre de préhension 23. Les bras de liaison 24 présentent une forme triangulaire dont l'épaisseur de matière augmente entre la barre de préhension 23 et les montants 25. Chaque montant 25 présente une forme sensiblement rectangulaire s'étendant entre l'extrémité supérieure 21 du corps 11a et quelques millimètres au-dessous de l'épaulement 19. Une paroi externe 29 s'étendant dans l'épaisseur des montants 25 est sensiblement plane de sorte à permettre le positionnement d'une pince destinée à serrer ou desserrer le chapeau 10a sur une bouteille de gaz.The handle 22a has two uprights 25 fixed on the sides of the body 11a , a gripping bar 23 and two connecting arms 24 each connecting a separate end of the gripping bar 23 to an upright 25. The gripping bar 23 has a shape substantially constant tubular with a length a few millimeters greater than the diameter of the body 11a . An internal recess 36 of the grip bar 23 makes it possible to limit the weight of the grip bar 23. The connecting arms 24 have a triangular shape whose thickness of material increases between the grip bar 23 and the uprights 25. Each upright 25 has a substantially rectangular shape extending between the upper end 21 of the body 11a and a few millimeters below the shoulder 19. An outer wall 29 extending in the thickness of the uprights 25 is substantially planar so to allow the positioning of a clamp intended to tighten or loosen the cap 10a on a gas cylinder.

De préférence, tel qu'illustré sur les Figures 1 à 4, les montants 25 et les bras de liaison 24 présentent un évidement interne limitant l'épaisseur de matière des montants 25 et des bras de liaison 24. La surface de l'évidement interne est déterminée de sorte que la paroi 29 des montants 25 soit suffisante pour supporter les efforts de serrage ou de desserrage d'une pince. A l'intérieure de cet évidement, a moins un évent 28 est ménagé à travers la paroi du corps 11a de sorte à utiliser la paroi externe 29 pour protéger l'évent 28 de la pluie.Preferably, as illustrated on the Figures 1 to 4 , the uprights 25 and the link arms 24 have an internal recess limiting the material thickness of the uprights 25 and the link arms 24. The surface of the internal recess is determined so that the wall 29 of the uprights 25 is sufficient to withstand the clamping or loosening forces of a clamp. Inside this recess, at least one vent 28 is formed through the wall of the body 11a so as to use the outer wall 29 to protect the vent 28 from the rain.

La matière de la poignée 22a correspond à la matière du corps 11a ou à la matière de la bague 12a ou encore à une troisième matière distincte. Lorsque la matière de la poignée 22a correspond à la matière du corps 11a, ces deux éléments sont préférentiellement réalisés ensemble en une seule pièce. Lorsque la matière de la poignée 22a correspond à la matière de la bague 12a ou à une troisième matière distincte, la poignée 22a peut être collée sur le corps 11a ou fixé par tous autres moyens connus. En variante, la poignée 22a peut présenter une forme différente sans changer l'invention.The material of the handle 22a corresponds to the material of the body 11a or to the material of the ring 12a or even to a third separate material. When the material of the handle 22a corresponds to the material of the body 11a , these two elements are preferably made together in one piece. When the material of the handle 22a corresponds to the material of the ring 12a or to a third separate material, the handle 22a can be glued to the body 11a or fixed by any other known means. Alternatively, the handle 22a can have a different shape without changing the invention.

Les Figures 5 à 8 illustrent un chapeau de protection 10b qui ne fait pas partie de l'invention mais destiné à recouvrir le robinet 49 d'une bouteille de gaz. Le chapeau 10b comporte un corps 11b, une bague 12b et une poignée 22b réalisés en matière plastique.The Figures 5 to 8 illustrate a protective cap 10b which is not part of the invention but intended to cover the valve 49 with a gas cylinder. The cap 10b comprises a body 11b , a ring 12b and a handle 22b made of plastic.

Dans cet exemple, la poignée 22b est directement fixée sur le corps 11b et s'étend radialement par rapport au corps 11b. La poignée 22b est solidifiée par une barre de renfort 41 fixée sur le corps 11b en-dessous de la poignée 22b qui s'étend parallèlement à la poignée 22b. Une extrémité de la barre de renfort 41, opposée au corps 11b, est reliée à une extrémité de la poignée 22b, opposée au corps 11b, par un montant externe 42. In this example, the handle 22b is directly fixed to the body 11b and extends radially relative to the body 11b . The handle 22b is solidified by a reinforcing bar 41 fixed to the body 11b below the handle 22b which extends parallel to the handle 22b. One end of the reinforcement bar 41, opposite the body 11b, is connected to one end of the handle 22b, opposite the body 11b , by an external upright 42.

Le positionnement d'une pince destinée à serrer ou desserrer le chapeau 10b sur une bouteille de gaz est assuré par des moyens d'entraînement 40a-40b complémentaires. Une première partie 40a des moyens d'entraînement est disposée au-dessus de la poignée 22b. Cette première partie 40a est fixée à la fois sur le corps 11b et sur la poignée 22b et s'étend radialement par rapport au corps 11b. La première partie 40b comporte une lèvre centrale 46a s'étendant parallèlement à l'axe du corps 11b et présente trois alvéoles disposées de part et d'autre de cette lèvre centrale 46a. The positioning of a clamp intended to tighten or loosen the cap 10b on a gas bottle is ensured by complementary drive means 40a-40b . A first part 40a of the drive means is disposed above the handle 22b. This first part 40a is fixed both on the body 11b and on the handle 22b and extends radially relative to the body 11b . The first part 40b has a central lip 46a extending parallel to the axis of the body 11b and has three cells disposed on either side of this central lip 46a.

Ces alvéoles forment un plan incliné reliant une extrémité supérieure de la lèvre centrale 46a, opposée à la poignée 22b, avec les bords de la poignée 22b. Ainsi, la première partie 40a forme une pièce triangulaire isocèle dont la base est fixée sur la largeur de la poignée 22b et dont l'extrémité supérieure est dirigée vers l'extrémité supérieure 21 du corps 10b.These cells form an inclined plane connecting an upper end of the central lip 46a, opposite the handle 22b, with the edges of the handle 22b. Thus, the first part 40a forms an isosceles triangular piece, the base of which is fixed to the width of the handle 22b and the upper end of which is directed towards the upper end 21 of the body 10b .

Une seconde partie 40b des moyens d'entraînement est fixée sur le corps 11b. La seconde partie 40b est diamétralement opposée à la première partie 40a par rapport au corps 11b. La seconde partie 40b présente une lèvre centrale 46b et deux alvéoles disposées de part et d'autre de cette lèvre centrale 46b de sorte à former une pièce triangulaire isocèle. Les moyens d'entraînement 40a-40b permettent ainsi d'améliorer l'accès à la pince destinée à serrer ou desserrer le chapeau 10b sur une bouteille de gaz.A second part 40b of the drive means is fixed to the body 11b . The second part 40b is diametrically opposite the first part 40a with respect to the body 11b . The second part 40b has a central lip 46b and two cells disposed on either side of this central lip 46b so as to form an isosceles triangular part. The drive means 40a-40b thus make it possible to improve access to the clamp intended to tighten or loosen the cap 10b on a gas bottle.

L'extrémité supérieure 21 du corps 11b est non obturée et présente un rebord supérieur 43 s'étendant radialement vers l'intérieur du corps 11b pour améliorer la solidité du corps 11b en cas de cas de choc au niveau de l'extrémité supérieure 21. The upper end 21 of the body 11b is not closed and has an upper rim 43 extending radially towards the inside of the body 11b to improve the solidity of the body 11b in the event of an impact at the level of the upper end 21.

La barre de renfort 41 et la poignée 22b comportent un profil adapté pour suivre la courbure de la surface supérieure 48 d'une bouteille de gaz améliorant ainsi l'esthétisme et l'ergonomie du chapeau 10b. Une collerette inférieure 44, venant de matière avec le corps 11b, s'étend axialement au niveau de l'extrémité inférieur 20 du corps 11b pour entrer en contact avec la surface supérieure 48 de la bouteille de gaz et garantir que la barre de renfort 41 ne touche pas la bouteille de gaz. Cette collerette inférieure 44 permet d'intégrer un motif distinctif sur le chapeau 10b, par exemple une couleur associée à une marque ou à un contenant de la bouteille de gaz.The reinforcing bar 41 and the handle 22b have a profile adapted to follow the curvature of the upper surface 48 of a gas bottle thus improving the aesthetics and the ergonomics of the cap 10b. A lower flange 44, made in one piece with the body 11b , extends axially at the level of the lower end 20 of the body 11b in order to come into contact with the upper surface 48 of the gas cylinder and guarantee that the reinforcing bar 41 do not touch the gas cylinder. This lower flange 44 makes it possible to integrate a distinctive pattern on the cap 10b , for example a color associated with a mark or with a container of the gas bottle.

Les Figures 9 à 12 illustrent un chapeau de protection 10c qui ne fait pas partie de l'invention, et destiné à recouvrir le robinet 49 d'une bouteille de gaz. Le chapeau 10c comporte un corps 11c, une bague 12c et une poignée 22c réalisés en matière plastique.The Figures 9 to 12 illustrate a protective cap 10c which is not part of the invention, and intended to cover the valve 49 with a gas cylinder. The cap 10c comprises a body 11c , a ring 12c and a handle 22c made of plastic.

Contrairement à l'exemple précédent, la poignée 22c ne présente pas de barre de renfort 41 mais une structure alvéolaire de renfort 47 disposée sous la poignée 22c. En outre, les moyens d'entraînement 40c opposés à la poignée 22c comportent trois alvéoles contrairement aux moyens d'entraînement 40b 2. de l'exemple précédent de sorte à renforcer la solidité des moyens d'entraînement 40a, 40c. Unlike the previous example, the handle 22c does not have a reinforcement bar 41 but a cellular reinforcement structure 47 disposed under the handle 22c. In addition, the drive means 40c opposite the handle 22c have three cells unlike the drive means 40b 2. of the previous example so as to strengthen the solidity of the drive means 40a, 40c.

Une autre différence de cet exemple avec les modes précédents intervient dans la coopération entre le chapeau 10c et une bouteille de gaz. Dans les modes précédents, le chapeau 10a-10b est visé sur le filetage 51 du robinet 49 d'une bouteille de gaz jusqu'à venir au contact de la surface supérieure 48 d'une bouteille de gaz. Dans cet exemple, tel qu'illustré sur les Figures 11 et 12, la bague 12c comporte un épaulement 45 configuré pour former une butée de support de sorte que le chapeau 10c soit visé sur la bouteille de gaz jusqu'à ce que le filetage 51 de la bouteille de gaz butte contre l'épaulement 45. Ce mode de fixation forme un espace 50 entre la paroi supérieure 48 de la bouteille de gaz et l'extrémité inférieure 20 du chapeau 10c mais le risque de dégradation du robinet 49 sur cet espace 50 est inférieur au risque de dégradation de l'extrémité supérieure du robinet 49 lorsque le robinet 49 dépasse du chapeau 10c. Another difference of this example with the previous modes intervenes in the cooperation between the cap 10c and a gas bottle. In the previous embodiments, the cap 10a-10b is targeted on the thread 51 of the valve 49 of a gas bottle until it comes into contact with the upper surface 48 of a gas bottle. In this example, as shown in the Figures 11 and 12 , the ring 12c has a shoulder 45 configured to form a support stop so that the cap 10c is aimed at the gas bottle until the thread 51 of the gas bottle abuts against the shoulder 45. This mode fixing form a space 50 between the upper wall 48 of the gas cylinder and the lower end 20 of the cap 10c but the risk of damage to the valve 49 on this space 50 is less than the risk of damage to the upper end of the valve 49 when the valve 49 protrudes from the cap 10c.

L'invention permet ainsi de réduire le poids d'un chapeau 10 d'une bouteille de gaz en répondant efficacement aux contraintes de résistance aux chocs et à l'arrachement.The invention thus makes it possible to reduce the weight of a cap 10 of a gas cylinder while effectively responding to the constraints of impact resistance and tearing.

Claims (8)

  1. Protective cap (10a-10c) for a gas cylinder comprising:
    - a body (11a-11c) configured to cover a valve with a gas cylinder, and
    - a ring (12a-12c) integral with the body (11a-11c) and comprising a threading (13) intended to cooperate with a threading of a gas cylinder to hold the cap (10a-10c) on a gas cylinder,
    - a handle (22a-22c) attached with the body (11a-11c), the handle (22a-22c) being characterized in that it comprises
    - two posts (25) attached to the sides of body (11a-11c) and extending along the length of the body (11a-11c),
    - a gripping bar (23) spaced from the posts (25) and extending perpendicular to the posts (25), and
    - two connecting arms (24) each connecting a separate end of the gripping bar (23) to a post (25).
  2. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one vent (28) configured to allow a gas to escape between the internal volume of the body (11a-11c) and the exterior of the body (11a-11c), the vent (28) being arranged in a recess of the posts (25).
  3. Cap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each post (25) has a substantially flat outer wall (29) configured to withstand clamping and/or loosening forces of a clamp.
  4. Cap according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the body (11a-11c) and the ring (12a-12c) are made of at least two separate plastic materials, the first plastic material of the body (11a-11c) has an elongation at break of more than 200% capable of absorbing the shocks affecting the body (11a-11c) and the second plastic material of the ring (12a-12c) has an elongation at break of less than 100%, capable of guaranteeing cooperation of the threading (13) with a threading of a gas cylinder.
  5. Cap according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the body (11a-11c) is potted on the ring (12a-12c).
  6. Cap according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ring (12a-12c) has a stop at the root of the thread or a shoulder (19) configured to form a support stop, it being intended to screw the cap on a gas cylinder until the threading of the gas cylinder abuts against the stop at the root of the thread or the shoulder (19).
  7. Cap according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second plastic material of the ring (12a-12c) contains a polyamide homopolymer or copolymer.
  8. Cap according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first plastic material corresponds to a homopolymer or copolymer based on ethylene monomer.
EP16197142.9A 2015-11-06 2016-11-03 Protective cap for a gas cylinder Active EP3165807B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1560671A FR3043443B1 (en) 2015-11-06 2015-11-06 CAP FOR PROTECTING A BOTTLE OF GAS

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3165807A2 EP3165807A2 (en) 2017-05-10
EP3165807A3 EP3165807A3 (en) 2017-06-07
EP3165807B1 true EP3165807B1 (en) 2020-01-01

Family

ID=55300539

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16197142.9A Active EP3165807B1 (en) 2015-11-06 2016-11-03 Protective cap for a gas cylinder

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3165807B1 (en)
FR (1) FR3043443B1 (en)

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2725187B1 (en) * 1994-09-30 1996-12-13 Totalgaz Cie Fse HANDLING DEVICE FOR AN OBJECT, ESPECIALLY A LIQUEFIED GAS BOTTLE
FR2791757B1 (en) * 1999-04-01 2001-06-15 Air Liquide COMPOSITE OPEN HAT FROM LARGE INDUSTRIAL AND MEDICAL GAS BOTTLES
GB0522048D0 (en) * 2005-10-28 2005-12-07 Boc Group Plc Valve guard assembly
FR2897920B1 (en) * 2006-02-24 2008-06-20 Codecom Sarl HAT FOR THE PROTECTION AND HANDLING OF A METAL BOTTLE FORMING A CONTAINER UNDER PRESSURE, IN PARTICULAR A BOTTLE OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A HAT
DE102011014064A1 (en) 2011-03-16 2012-09-20 Messer Gaspack Gmbh Tamper evident for compressed gas cylinders
FR3011061B1 (en) 2013-09-26 2015-09-11 Air Liquide Medical Systems FLUID STORAGE DEVICE AND METHOD OF MOUNTING A HAT ON SUCH A DEVICE
FR3018581B1 (en) * 2014-03-12 2017-01-27 Air Liquide COVERAGE WITH PROTECTIVE BAND OF THE ROTARY CONTROL MEMBER OF A BLOCK GAS CONTAINER TAP
FR3019623B1 (en) * 2014-04-02 2021-01-22 Cie Des Gaz De Petrole Primagaz HANDLE FOR A MOBILE TANK, INCLUDING A COMMUNICATION DEVICE

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3165807A3 (en) 2017-06-07
EP3165807A2 (en) 2017-05-10
FR3043443A1 (en) 2017-05-12
FR3043443B1 (en) 2018-04-13

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