EP3519322B1 - Device for dispensing a pressurised material - Google Patents

Description

Background of the invention

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a pressurized material.

It is known from the state of the art to use devices for dispensing a liquid material having two chambers separated by a piston. Examples of such devices are shown in documents WO 2009/056574 A1 , FR 2 936 715 A1 , DE 10 2006 032 504 A1 and WO 03/068320 A1 .

Such devices include a first chamber comprising a gas generator as well as a second chamber in which the liquid to be distributed is present, the first and second chambers being separated by the piston.

In these devices, the gas generator is first actuated in order to pressurize the first chamber. This excess pressure created in the first chamber is transmitted by the piston to the liquid thus making it possible to distribute it outside the device. During the delivery of the liquid, the piston moves in said device and the volume of the second chamber is gradually reduced. The piston moves until it stops against the bottom of the device when the material distribution is complete. In this type of device, the piston at the end of its stroke seals the system and the internal volume of the device thus remains pressurized. This residual pressurization can in certain cases be a drawback. In addition, with such systems when a pipe is connected to the outlet of the device, the pipe remains filled with liquid. The liquid present in the pipe does not participate in the desired function, this leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the device.

It is therefore desirable to provide a device whose internal volume can be depressurized at the end of the distribution of the material and which has improved efficiency by allowing residual liquid to be purged.

Solutions have been proposed in the state of the art for this purpose. However, these solutions can be relatively complex due to the integration of a significant number of additional elements. and the need to perform a number of additional steps to manufacture such devices or may present reliability problems by exhibiting an untimely loss of sealing between the two chambers when the device is subjected to external mechanical stresses or when the liquid expands under heat.

The invention aims to solve the problems of the devices of the state of the art mentioned above.

Purpose and summary of the invention

To this end, the invention proposes, according to a first aspect, a device for dispensing a pressurized material comprising a body defining a pressurization chamber comprising a gas generator and a reservoir containing the material to be delivered, said reservoir being delimited by a bottom provided with an outlet orifice, the device further comprising a piston configured to move inside the body, the piston separating the pressurization chamber from the reservoir, the gas generator being configured to trigger the distribution of the material outside the body through the outlet opening by passing the piston from a first material storage position to a second position for the end of material distribution in which the piston is facing the bottom,

the piston having, in the first position, a housing closed by a fragile portion on the side of the pressurization chamber and open on the side of the reservoir, the housing containing a rupture element held in said housing and which defines a channel opening into the reservoir , said rupture element having a length greater than the length of the housing and projecting from the piston so that the brittle portion is ruptured by the rupture element when the piston is in the second position.

The gas generator is configured to produce pressurizing gas exerting pressure on the piston, this pressure being communicated by the piston to the material present in the reservoir. The outlet orifice is, for its part, configured to allow delivery of the material outside the body following the pressurization of the reservoir by the gas generated in the pressurization chamber.

The invention advantageously makes it possible to provide a reliable device of simple design allowing at the end of distribution of the material, when the piston is in the second position, to automatically depressurize the interior of the body. Indeed, the design of the device according to the invention simply requires providing in the piston a blind housing closed on the side of the pressurization chamber and open on the side of the reservoir in which a rupture element is present. This rupture element extends, when the piston is in the first position, projecting relative to the piston in the reservoir. The rupture element has, moreover, a significant length, greater than that of the housing. These characteristics of the rupture element make it possible to ensure the rupture of the fragile portion closing off the housing when the piston passes from the first to the second position. Indeed, the gas generator is configured to, when triggered, set the piston in motion towards the bottom in order to move the rupture element in the housing following the impact of the projecting portion of the element. breaking with the background. This displacement of the rupture element in the housing allows the fragile portion to be broken by impact with the latter. When the fragile portion is ruptured, the pressurization chamber is in communication with the reservoir and the outlet orifice via the channel defined by the rupture element in order to effect depressurization of the interior of the body.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rupture element comprises, when the piston is in the first position, a first end facing the fragile portion and a second end projecting relative to the piston, the rupture element having a cavity extending between its first and second ends which defines said channel.

In this case, when the piston passes from the first to the second position, the impact of the second end with the bottom causes the displacement of the rupture element in the housing in order to break the fragile portion by impact of the latter with the first end. When the fragile portion is ruptured, the pressurization chamber is in communication with the reservoir and the outlet through the cavity defined by the rupture element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cavity is an internal cavity of the rupture element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rupture element further comprises at least a first opening located on the side of the first end and communicating with the internal cavity.

Such a characteristic advantageously makes it possible to achieve effective depressurization even in the case where, after rupture, the fragile portion closes part of the internal cavity at the level of the first end. Depressurization takes place in such a case at least through the first opening.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rupture element further comprises at least one second aperture located on the side of the second end and communicating with the internal cavity.

Such a characteristic further promotes the evacuation of the pressurizing gas, in particular through the second aperture.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rupture element is further provided with a through slot extending between its first and second ends and communicating with the internal cavity.

Such a characteristic is advantageous insofar as the slot gives the rupture element an elasticity facilitating its insertion into the housing during the manufacture of the device. In addition, like the first and second openings described above, the through slit which communicates with the internal cavity further promotes the depressurization of the interior of the body.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rupture element comprises a tubular wall surrounding the internal cavity, the first and second openings being, when they are present, through openings made in the tubular wall.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cavity is defined by a groove present on the external surface of the rupture element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rupture element comprises, when the piston is in the first position, a first end facing the fragile portion and a second end projecting relative to the piston, said channel being defined by a volume located between the rupture element and a wall of the housing and extending between the first and second ends of the rupture element.

In this case, when the piston passes from the first to the second position, the impact of the second end with the bottom causes the displacement of the rupture element in the housing in order to break the fragile portion by impact of the latter with the first end. When the fragile portion is ruptured, the pressurization chamber is in communication with the reservoir and the outlet orifice via a volume delimited by the rupture element and the wall of the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing comprises, when the piston is in the first position, a first part in which the rupture element is held and located on the side of the fragile portion and a second part, located on the side of the reservoir, enlarged compared to the first part.

The presence of the second widened part of the housing further promotes the evacuation of the pressurizing gas.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rupture element comprises a portion of bevelled shape located opposite the fragile portion when the piston is in the first position.

Such a characteristic is advantageous because it makes it possible to obtain a rupture with tilting of the fragile portion and thus to prevent the latter from obstructing the channel once ruptured.

In an exemplary embodiment, the material to be dispensed is in liquid form. Alternatively, the material to be dispensed may be in the form of a foam or in powder form.

In an exemplary embodiment, the gas generator is a pyrotechnic gas generator. Alternatively, the gas generator can be a pressurized gas tank.

The present invention also relates to a fire extinguisher formed by a device as described above in which the material to be delivered is an extinguishing agent. The invention is however not limited to the implementation of the device described above as an extinguisher. In particular, the device described above can, as a variant, form a lubricating device in which the material to be delivered is a lubricant, such as a lubricating oil.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente un premier exemple d'un dispositif selon l'invention lorsque le piston est dans la première position,
• la figure 2 représente une vue agrandie du dispositif de la figure 1 au niveau du logement et de l'élément de rupture,
• la figure 3 représente isolément l'élément de rupture mis en œuvre dans le dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 représente le dispositif selon l'exemple de la figure 1 en cours de distribution du matériau lorsque le piston passe de la première à la deuxième position,
• la figure 5 représente une vue agrandie du dispositif selon l'exemple de la figure 1 en fin de distribution du matériau, lorsque le piston est dans la deuxième position,
• les figures 6 à 11 représentent isolément des variantes d'éléments de rupture utilisables dans un dispositif selon l'invention,
• la figure 12 représente une vue agrandie d'une variante de dispositif selon l'invention mettant en œuvre l'élément de rupture de la figure 9, lorsque le piston est dans la deuxième position,
• la figure 13 représente une variante de piston utilisable dans un dispositif selon l'invention, et
• les figures 14 à 16 représentent une variante de dispositif selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 shows a first example of a device according to the invention when the piston is in the first position,
• the figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the device of the figure 1 at the housing and the rupture element,
• the figure 3 represents in isolation the breaking element implemented in the device of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 4 represents the device according to the example of figure 1 during material distribution when the piston moves from the first to the second position,
• the figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the device according to the example of figure 1 at the end of material distribution, when the piston is in the second position,
• the figures 6 to 11 separately represent variants of rupture elements that can be used in a device according to the invention,
• the figure 12 shows an enlarged view of a variant of the device according to the invention implementing the breaking element of the figure 9 , when the piston is in the second position,
• the figure 13 represents a variant of piston which can be used in a device according to the invention, and
• the figures 14 to 16 represent a variant of the device according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

The figure 1 shows a device 100 for dispensing a pressurized material according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The piston 150 of the device 100 is shown in figure 1 as being in the first position, corresponding to a material storage position in device 100.

The device 100 comprises a body 110 of elongated shape. The body extends along an axis A. The body 110 has an axisymmetric shape around the axis A. The body 110 is, in the example illustrated, cylindrical in shape. The body 110 of the device is closed at a first end by a first bottom 120 on which is fixed a pyrotechnic gas generator 130, and at a second end by a second bottom 140. As a variant, a pressurized gas tank could be used. location of the pyrotechnic gas generator. The axis A connects the first base 120 to the second base 140 and generally corresponds to the direction of movement of the piston 150 in the body 110.

The piston 150 is present inside the body 110. When the piston 150 is in the first position, the latter defines inside the body 110 two chambers separated in a sealed manner by said piston 150, one forming a chamber pressurization 160 in which the gas generator 130 is present, and the other forming a reservoir 170 in which is stored the material intended to be delivered by the device 100. The material intended to be delivered may for example be a liquid, a foam or powdery material. The first bottom 120 defines the pressurization chamber 160. The second bottom 140, for its part, defines the reservoir 170.

In the example illustrated, the pyrotechnic gas generator 130 comprises a pyrotechnic charge 131 intended to generate gas by its combustion to pressurize the pressurization chamber 160. The gas generator 130 comprises an opening 132 centered on the axis A and comprising a flared part, through which the gases resulting from the combustion of the charge 131 can reach the pressurization chamber 160. Such a pyrotechnic gas generator 130 is known per se, and will not be detailed here further.

The second bottom 140 of the device 100 is provided with an outlet orifice 141, consisting in the example illustrated in a through bore made in the second bottom 140. When the piston 150 is in the first position as illustrated in figure 1 , the outlet orifice 141 is closed by a membrane 142 configured to rupture when a determined pressure threshold in the reservoir 170 is exceeded in order to distribute the material thus pressurized outside the device 100.

The piston 150 has an axisymmetric shape around the axis A and is, for example, as illustrated, of cylindrical shape. The piston 150 comprises a pressure application portion 151 extending transversely, for example perpendicularly, with respect to the axis A. In the example illustrated, the pressure application portion 151 has the shape of a disc. The piston 150 further comprises a skirt 152, here of cylindrical shape, extending from the portion 151 in the direction of the first base 120. As a variant, a piston could be used without such a skirt. The portion 151 is provided with a groove 153 in which is present a seal 154, for example of O-ring shape, which seals between the pressurization chamber 160 and the reservoir 170. The seal 154 is positioned between the portion 151 and the body 110.

A housing 155 is provided in the piston 150, in the pressure application portion 151. When the piston 150 is in the first position, the housing 155 is a blind housing which is closed by a fragile portion 157 on the side of the valve. pressurization chamber 160 and which opens into the reservoir 170. When the piston 150 is in the first position, there is no communication between the pressurization chamber 160 and the reservoir 170. In this first position, the chamber 160 and the reservoir 170 are separated in a sealed manner by the piston 150 and in particular by the fragile portion 157 of the piston 150. A rupture element 180 is held in the housing 155. The figure 2 shows more details of the housing 155 and the rupture member 180 when the piston 150 is in the first position.

With reference to the figure 2 , it can be seen that the housing 155 extends along an axis A1 parallel to the axis A. The fragile portion 157 is here in the form of a portion of reduced thickness. The fragile portion 157 is, in the example illustrated, formed monolithically with the pressure application portion 151. Thus, in the example illustrated, the pressure application portion 151 has a fragile portion 157 having a thickness less than the thickness of the portion 151 elsewhere than on said fragile portion 157. The pressure application portion 151 has, moreover, a first face 151a located on the side of the pressurization chamber 160 and a second face 151b located on the side of the reservoir 170. The housing 155 comprises a first part 155a in which the rupture element 180 is held located on the side of the fragile portion 157 and a second flared part 155b extending from the first part 155a and located on the side of the reservoir 170. The diameter of the first part 155a is less than the diameter of the second part 155b. By "diameter", we must understand here the largest dimension transverse measured perpendicularly to the axis A1 of the housing 155. In the example illustrated, the second part 155b extends progressively widening towards the reservoir 170. The second part 155b is here in the form of a conical countersink but it is not beyond the scope of the invention when it has a different shape.

The rupture element 180 extends along a longitudinal axis corresponding to the axis A1 of the housing 155. The rupture element 180 extends between a first end 180a facing the fragile portion 157 and a second end 180b in projection with respect to the piston 150 and located in the reservoir 170. The second end 180b projects from the piston 150 by a non-zero distance d measured between said second end 180b and the second face 151b. Unless otherwise stated, the distance d is measured along the axis A1 of the housing 155. The breaking element 180 is held by clamping in the first part 155a of the housing 155. The breaking element 180 exerts a clamping force resulting from its contact with the wall of the housing 155. The clamping force exerted by the breaking element 180 in the housing 155 ensures that it is held in position when the piston 150 is in the first position. The rupture element 180 can be inserted by force into the housing 155. Because of its retention, the rupture element 180 does not break the fragile portion 157 before actuation of the generator 130 when the material is tossed about due to vibrations. or shocks undergone by the device 100. Thus the seal between the reservoir 170 and the pressurization chamber 160 is preserved before use of the device 100.

In the configuration shown in figure 2 , the first end 180a is spaced by a non-zero distance from the fragile portion 157 but it would alternatively be possible for the first end 180a to be in contact with the fragile portion 157 when the piston 150 is in the first position. The rupture element 180 has a length l ₁ greater than the length l ₂ of the housing 155. This feature ensures that the rupture element can effectively, after impact with the second bottom 140, break the fragile portion 157. Unless stated otherwise, the lengths of the rupture element and the housing are measured along the axis A1 of the housing 155.

The implemented rupture element 180 has a split tube structure having the structure illustrated on figure 3 . The element of rupture 180 comprises a tubular wall 183 defining an internal cavity 182. The internal cavity 182 is a through cavity and extends between the first end 180a and the second end 180b. The internal cavity 182 extends over the entire length l ₁ of the rupture element 180. In the example illustrated, this internal cavity 182 defines a channel opening into the reservoir 170. As will be illustrated below, this channel allows, when the piston 150 is in the second position, to put the pressurization chamber 160 in communication with the outlet port 141 in order to depressurize the device 100. The rupture element 180 also has at least two first openings 184a located on the side of the first end 180a. The first openings 184a are through openings formed in the tubular wall 183 which communicate with the internal cavity 182. The first openings 184a are formed in a transverse direction, for example perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis of the rupture element 180. The first openings 184a are diametrically opposed in the example illustrated, but other relative configurations between these first openings can be envisaged within the framework of the present invention. The rupture element 180 also has at least two second openings 184b located on the side of the second end 180b. The second openings 184b are through openings formed in the tubular wall 183 which communicate with the internal cavity 182. The second openings 184b are formed in a transverse direction, for example perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis of the rupture element 180. As for the first openings 184a, the second openings 184b are diametrically opposed in the example illustrated but other relative configurations are possible. The first / second openings 184a / 184b here have a substantially circular shape but other shapes can be envisaged, such as polygonal shapes for example. In a variant not shown, the rupture element could have a single first / second aperture. The rupture element 180 is further provided with a through slot 187 (see figure 3 ) which extends between its first 180a and second 180b ends and communicating with the internal cavity 182. The through slot 187 extends over the entire length l ₁ of the rupture element 180. The through slot 187 is a longitudinal slot extending along the longitudinal axis of the rupture element 180. The through slot 187 has a rectilinear shape in the example illustrated. The presence of the slot 187 is advantageous in order to give a certain elasticity to the rupture element and thus facilitate its insertion into the housing 155. The clamping force holding the rupture element 180 in the housing 155 can be adapted by depending on the diameter of the slotted tube, the thickness of the tubular wall 183, the material used or the diameter of the housing 155.

We will now describe, in connection with the figures 4 and 5 , the distribution of the material outside the device 100 and the structure obtained once the piston 150 is in the second position.

The figure 4 shows the device 100 described above, during distribution of the material, when the piston 150 passes from the first position to the second position. The gas generator 130 has just been triggered, the gases have pressurized the pressurization chamber 160 and exert a force on the piston 150. The force exerted by the gases on the piston 150 makes it possible to set the latter in motion towards the second bottom 140 and thus to distribute the material outside the device 100 through the outlet orifice 141. The fragile portion 157 is configured so as not to be broken under the effect of the pressure imposed by the gas generated in it. the pressurization chamber 160.

When the piston arrives in the second position at the end of distribution of the material, the second end 180b of the rupture element 180 which protrudes from the piston 150 will come into contact with the second bottom 140. Following this impact, the breaking element rupture 180 will slide into the housing and its first end 180a will thus break the fragile portion 157 by impact. The force exerted by the second bottom 140 on the rupture element 180 during impact is strictly greater than the force of clamping the rupture element 180 in the housing 155 so that the rupture element 180 is pressed into the housing.

We obtain, after impact, the structure illustrated in figure 5 where the rupture element 180 is driven into the housing and has ruptured the brittle portion. When it is in the second position, the piston 150 is opposite the second bottom 140. The second face 151b of the piston can be in abutment against the second bottom 140 when the piston 150 is in the second position. The second end 180b of the rupture element 180 may be in abutment against the second bottom 140 when the piston 150 is in the second position. In the illustrated embodiment, the rupture element 180 is not located in the extension of the outlet orifice 141 but is offset from the latter. On the other hand, it will be noted that the second widened part 155b of the housing opens, when the piston 150 is in the second position, facing the outlet orifice 141. In the illustrated configuration, the second openings 184b and the slot 187 open, when the piston 150 is in the second position, in the second enlarged part 155b of the housing 155. The figure 5 shows the path E for evacuating the pressurization gases to the outside of the device 100. These gases pass through the first openings 184a, the internal cavity 182, the through slot 187 and the second openings 184b to finally be evacuated through the outlet 141. As mentioned above, the presence of the first openings 184a makes it possible to achieve effective depressurization even in the case where, after rupture, the fragile portion 157 would block a part of the internal cavity 182 at the level of the first end 180a . The device thus enables automatic depressurization of the interior of the body 110 at the end of distribution of the material. Furthermore, when a distribution channel (not shown) is attached to the outside of the device 100 at the level of the outlet port 141, the contents of this channel filled with material are purged by the gas escaping from the outlet. outside of the device. In this way, a larger quantity of material effectively participates in the desired function and the efficiency of the device is thus improved.

The figures 6 to 11 show variant structures of rupture elements which can be used within the framework of the invention.

The breaking element 280 shown in figure 6 is in the form of a tube. It comprises a tubular wall 283 defining an internal cavity 282 extending between its first end 280a and its second end 280b. It has no longitudinal slit but has two first openings 284a located on the side of the first end 280a and two second openings 284b located on the side of the second end 280b.

The breaking element 380 shown in figure 7 is in the form of a tube. It comprises a tubular wall 383 defining an internal cavity 382 extending between its first end 380a and its second end 380b. It is also devoid of longitudinal slit but presents two first openings 384a located at the first end 380a and two second openings 384b located at the second end 380b. The first and second openings 384a and 384b are, in the example illustrated, in the form of notches.

The breaking element 480 shown in figure 8 is in the form of a tube. It comprises a tubular wall 483 defining an internal cavity 482 extending between its first end 480a and its second end 480b. It does not have first and second openings but has a longitudinal slot 487. When the piston is in the second position, the evacuation of the gases to the outlet orifice takes place at least through the longitudinal slot 487.

The breaking element 580 shown in figure 9 is in the form of a tube. It comprises a tubular wall 583 defining an internal cavity 582 extending between its first end 580a and its second end 580b. It has no first and second openings as well as a longitudinal slot. When the piston is in the second position, the evacuation of the gases towards the outlet orifice takes place through the internal cavity 582. Such a rupture element 580 can be used in a device of the type described in figure 1 by providing the second bottom 140 with one or more reliefs forming abutments making it possible to provide a space between the second face 151b of the piston 150 and the outlet orifice 141 when the piston is in the second position. In this way, even when the internal cavity 182 is not opposite the outlet orifice 141 in the second position, an evacuation of the gas through this internal cavity 182 can be effected by virtue of the space thus provided. The breaking element 580 can also be used in other types of device according to the invention as will be detailed below.

The breaking element 680 shown in figure 10 is in the form of a tube comprising a portion of bevelled shape at its first end 680a. In other words, the plane P1 containing the first end 680a forms with the plane P2 perpendicular to the axis A1 of the rupture element a non-zero angle α. The rupture element 680 includes a tubular wall 683 defining an internal cavity 682 extending between its first end 680a and its second end 680b. The fact of breaking the fragile portion with the bevelled portion 680a makes it possible to obtain a rupture with tilting of the fragile portion and thus to prevent the latter from obstructing the internal cavity 682 once ruptured. The rupture element does not have a first opening but has a longitudinal slot 687 as well as second openings 684b. When the piston is in the second position, the evacuation of the gases towards the outlet orifice takes place through the internal cavity 682, the longitudinal slot 687 and the second openings 684b. As a variant, a breaking element could be used with a bevelled portion as illustrated but which does not have a second aperture or the longitudinal slot.

The figure 11 illustrates an alternative rupture element 780 which does not have a tubular shape. According to this variant, the rupture element 780 comprises a longitudinal groove 782 on its outer surface 783 which defines the channel. The groove 782 extends between the first end 780a and the second end 780b and defines a cavity of the rupture element. When the piston is in the second position, the gas is evacuated to the outlet orifice through groove 782.

The figure 12 illustrates a variant of the device according to the invention in which the housing does not have an enlarged second part, unlike the device illustrated on figure 1 . In the variant illustrated on figure 12 , the breaking element 580 is as shown in figure 9 . The rupture element 580 has an external diameter d2 which is greater than the diameter d1 of the outlet orifice 241. Furthermore, the rupture element 580 is located in the extension of the outlet orifice 241 when the piston 250 is in the second position. More precisely, the internal cavity 582 opens out opposite the outlet orifice 241 when the piston 250 is in the second position. In this configuration, when the piston 250 arrives in the second position, the second end 580b of the tubular wall 583 comes into contact with the part 240a of the second bottom 240 surrounding the outlet orifice 241 thus ensuring the rupture of the fragile portion and evacuation of the gases from the pressurization chamber 260 along path E through the outlet orifice 241.

The figure 13 illustrates a variant of piston 350 in the first position in which the fragile portion 357 is no longer formed monolithically with said piston 350 but is instead in the form of an added element. In the example illustrated, the rupture element 880 is held in a first housing 355 which is open on the side of the reservoir. The piston further comprises a second housing 352 open on the side of the pressurization chamber 360 in which is present a nut 357 screwed to the rupture element 880. The rupture element 880 has, on the side of its first end, a thread cooperating with an internal thread formed inside the nut 357. The nut 357 closes the first housing 355 on the side of the pressurization chamber. Upon impact of the rupture element 880 with the second bottom, the rupture element separates from the thread of the nut and passes through the latter in order to ensure the evacuation of the gases. The fragile portion could alternatively be attached to the piston by welding.

The figure 14 represents a variant of the device according to the invention. In the configuration shown in figure 14 , the piston 450 is in the first position. The example of figure 14 is a case where the rupture element 980 is solid and does not have a groove on its outer surface. When in the first position, the piston 450 separates the pressurization chamber 360 from the reservoir 370. The pressure applying portion 451 of the piston 450 has a blind housing 455 in which the rupture element 980 is present. The housing 455 is, in the example illustrated, closed on the side of the pressurization chamber 360 by a fragile portion 457 welded to the piston 450. The housing 455 also has an opening opening into the reservoir 370. The first end 980a of the The rupture element 980 is located on the side of the fragile portion 457 and the second end 980b of the rupture element 980b protrudes from the piston 450 in the reservoir 370.

In the example illustrated, the piston 450 defines clamping portions 452 intended to exert a clamping force on the breaking element 980 in order to hold it in position in the housing 455 when the piston 450 is in the first position. As shown in figure 15 , the clamping portions 452 are in the form of protruding reliefs. The reliefs 452 are distributed around the axis of the housing. The reliefs 452 may or may not be uniformly distributed around the axis of the housing. Channels 453 are located between the reliefs 452. A pair of two adjacent reliefs 452 defines a channel 453 which extends along the axis. of the housing 455. Each channel 453 is located between the rupture element 980 and a wall 456 of the housing 455.

When the piston is in the second position and the first end 980a of the rupture element 980 has broken the fragile portion 457, the gas escapes along the path E through the channels 453 to be evacuated outside the device through the outlet 341 of the second bottom 340 ( figure 16 ).

Claims (12)

1. A device (100) for dispensing a pressurized material, the device comprising a body (110) defining a pressurizing chamber (160; 260; 360) containing a gas generator (130), and a tank (170; 370) containing the material to be dispensed, said tank being defined by an end wall (140; 240; 340) having an outlet orifice (141; 241; 341), the device further comprising a piston (150; 250; 350; 450) configured to move inside the body (110), the piston separating the pressurizing chamber from the tank, the gas generator (130) being configured to trigger the dispensing of the material to the outside of the body (110) through the outlet orifice (141; 241; 341) by causing the piston to pass from a material-storage, first position to an end-of-material-dispensing, second position in which the piston faces the end wall (140; 240; 340);
   the piston (150; 250; 350; 450), when in the first position, presenting a housing (155; 355; 455) that is closed by a fragile portion (157; 357; 457) beside the pressurizing chamber (160; 260; 360) and that is open beside the tank (170; 370), the housing containing a striker element (180-980) that is held in said housing and that defines a channel opening out into the tank, said striker element presenting a length ℓ₁ greater than the length ℓ₂ of the housing and projecting from the piston so that the fragile portion (157; 357; 457) is broken by the striker element when the piston is in the second position.
2. A device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, when the piston is in the first position, the striker element (180-880) has a first end (180a-780a) facing the fragile portion and a second end (180b-780b) projecting from the piston, the striker element presenting a cavity (182-782) extending between its first and second ends and defining said channel.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the cavity (182-682) is an inside cavity of the striker element.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the striker element further comprises at least one first opening (184a-384a) situated beside the first end and in communication with the inside cavity.
5. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the striker element further comprises at least one second opening (184b-384b, 684b) situated beside the second end and in communication with the inside cavity.
6. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the striker element is also provided with a through slot (187; 487; 687) extending between its first and second ends and in communication with the inside cavity.
7. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the striker element comprises a tubular wall (183-683) surrounding the inside cavity (182-682), the first and second openings, when present, being through openings formed in the tubular wall.
8. A device according to claim 2, wherein the cavity (782) is defined by an internal spline present in the outer surface of the striker element (780).
9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the striker element (980), when the piston (450) is in the first position, comprises a first end (980a) facing the fragile portion (457) and a second end (980b) projecting from the piston, said channel being defined by a volume (453) situated between the striker element (980) and a wall (456) of the housing and extending between the first and second ends of the striker element.
10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, when the piston (150) is in the first position, the housing (155) comprises a first portion (155a) in which the striker element (180) is held and situated beside the fragile portion (157), and a second portion (155b) situated beside the tank, which second portion is larger than the first portion (155a).
11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the striker element (680) has a portion (680a) of chamfered shape situated facing the fragile portion when the piston is in the first position.
12. A fire extinguisher formed by a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the material for dispensing is an extinguishing agent.

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