FR3056281A1 - DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for supplying fluid under pressure comprising a valve (3) connected to at least one tank (4) of gas under pressure and provided with a cap (2) for protecting the valve (3), the cap (2) comprising a rigid structure delimiting a protective volume around the valve (3), the cap (2) having a wall forming a central portion, extending between on the one hand a lower end (12) and, on the other hand, a upper end (22) opening defining an orifice (5) for access to an internal volume housing the valve (3), the device comprising a cover (1) for protecting the valve (3) removably disposed on the device, characterized in that the cover (1) comprises a cap (6) comprising a first face provided with a first relief (7) having a shape and dimensions that are conjugate with the access orifice (5) defined by the cap (2). ) to ensure the positioning of the cap (6) on the upper end of the por central arrangement with an interlocking of the first relief (7) in this opening (5) of access

Description

Holder (s): AIR LIQUIDE, ANONYMOUS COMPANY FOR THE STUDY AND EXPLOITATION OF GEORGES CLAUDE PROCESSES Société anonyme.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): AIR LIQUIDE.

104 / DEVICE FOR PROVIDING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE.

FR 3 056 281 - A1 (57) Device for supplying pressurized fluid comprising a tap (3) connected to at least one tank (4) of pressurized gas and provided with a cap (2) for protecting the tap (3) , the protective cap (2) comprising a rigid structure delimiting a protective volume around the tap (3), the cap (2) comprising a wall forming a central portion, extending between on the one hand a lower end (12 ) and, on the other hand, an open upper end (22) delimiting an orifice (5) for access to an internal volume housing the tap (3), the device comprising a cover (1) for protecting the tap (3) removably arranged on the device, characterized in that the cover (1) comprises a cap (6) comprising a first face provided with a first relief (7) having a shape and dimensions combined with the orifice (5) access delimited by the cap (2) to ensure the positioning of the cap (6) on the end é upper of the central portion with an interlocking of the first relief (7) in this orifice (5) of access

The invention relates to a device for supplying pressurized fluid.

The invention relates more particularly to a device for supplying pressurized fluid comprising a valve connected to at least one pressurized gas tank and provided with a valve protection cap, the protection cap comprising a rigid structure delimiting a volume of protection around the tap, the cap comprising a wall forming a central portion, extending between on the one hand a lower end and, on the other hand, an open upper end delimiting an orifice for access to an internal volume housing the tap, the device comprising a protective cover for the tap removably disposed on the device.

It is known to provide guarantee plugs or seals on taps of devices for supplying pressurized fluid (and, for example FR2991431A1 or FR3001280A1).

Such seals are intended to protect the tap against soiling and / or to guarantee that the device will not be used.

An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.

It is also desirable to protect the valve when it is housed in a protective cap.

To this end, the device according to the invention, furthermore in accordance with the generic definition given by the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the cover comprises a cap comprising a first face provided with a first relief having a combined shape and dimensions of the access opening delimited by the cap to ensure the positioning of the cap on the upper end of the central portion with an interlocking of the first relief in this access opening.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics:

- the cap comprises on its first face a second relief having a shape and dimensions combined with the upper end of the valve to ensure the positioning of the second relief of the cap on the upper end of the valve when the cap is fitted on the end hat open,

- the first and second reliefs are concentric,

the first and second reliefs have distinct heights with respect to the first face of the cap,

- the first relief is surrounded by the second relief on the first face of the cap,

- the second relief has the shape of a sleeve complementary to the upper end of the tap and intended to be threaded on an upper end of the tap,

- The second relief comprises at least one passage for gas fluidly connecting on the one hand the volume delimited by the sleeve located above the upper end of the tap covered by said sleeve and, on the other hand the outside of said sleeve ,

- the at least one passage for gas comprises a groove or cannula situated in the thickness of a wall of the sleeve formed by the second relief,

- the cap has at least one vent orifice for discharging gas located in the internal volume delimited by the cap towards the outside of the cap,

- the at least one passage puts in fluid relation the volume located above the upper end of the tap covered by the second relief and the internal volume delimited by the cap and communicating with the at least one vent orifice,

- the first relief has a circular shape which corresponds to the circular shape of the opening delimited by the open end of the hat,

- the cap is connected to a strap intended to secure it around at least part of the device,

- The wall forming the central portion of the cap is cylindrical.

The invention may also relate to any alternative device or process comprising any combination of the above or below characteristics.

Other particularities and advantages will appear on reading the description below, made with reference to the figures in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view, schematic and partial, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a protective cover according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents a side view in section, schematic and partial, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a fluid supply device comprising such a protective cover,

FIG. 3 represents a top view, schematic and partially in section, illustrating a detail of the structure of the cap of the protective cover of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The device for supplying pressurized fluid shown in FIG. 2 conventionally comprises a tap 3 connected to at least reservoir 4 of pressurized gas and provided with a cap 2 for protecting the tap 3.

The protective cap 2 comprises a rigid structure delimiting a protective volume around the tap 3. More specifically, the cap 2 comprises a wall forming a central tubular portion, said tubular portion extending between on the one hand a lower end 12 ( connected for example to the reservoir 4) and, on the other hand, an open upper end 22 delimiting an orifice 5 for access to an internal volume housing the tap 3.

The cap 2 can in particular be fixed at the neck of a bottle of generally cylindrical shape comprising an end in the shape of a warhead. Conventionally, the cap 2 can be screwed and / or tightened at the neck of a bottle 4.

The device comprises a cover 1 for protecting the tap 3 removably disposed on the device.

According to an advantageous feature, the cover 1 comprises a cap 6, for example made of flexible material (plastic or other) comprising a first face provided with a first relief 7 having a shape and dimensions combined with the orifice 5 of delimited access by the cap 2. This first relief 7 is configured to ensure the positioning of the cap 6 on the upper end of the tubular portion with an interlocking of the first relief 7 in this orifice 5 of access. This first relief comprises for example a disc (or a circular rib) projecting from the first face of the cap 6. This makes it possible to releasably plug the open circular end of the cap 2 and thus protect the tap 3 against intrusion of dirt. Likewise, this cap 6 can be associated with a seal (retractable plastic paper to guarantee that a tap is not used after packaging, for example).

The cap 6 also preferably comprises on the first face a second relief 8 having a shape and dimensions combined from the upper end of the valve 3 to ensure the positioning of the second relief 8 of the cap 6 on the upper end of the valve 3 when the cap 6 is fitted on the open end of the cap 2. That is to say that the cap 6 is positioned / fitted both on the cap 2 and on the tap 3. This configuration ensures a double hold on the device and double protection of the tap 3.

As illustrated, the first 7 and second reliefs 8 are for example concentric. The first relief 7 is for example surrounded by the second relief 8 on the first face of the cap 6.

In addition, the first 7 and second reliefs 8 can have different heights with respect to the first face of the cap 6 (the second relief can indeed protrude beyond the first relief 7).

As illustrated, the second relief 8 may have the shape of a cylindrical sleeve complementary to the cylindrical upper end of the valve 3 (cf. FIG. 2).

The cap 6 is preferably connected to (integral or integral) a flexible strap 9 intended to ensure are attached around at least part of the device. For example, the retaining strap 9 is attached around the cap 2.

The device and in particular the valve 3 is thus effectively protected against the intrusion of dirt or foreign bodies via a cap 6 which is easily placed and ensures sufficient tightness. This reusable cap 6 can be covered if necessary with a thermoplastic shrink film to seal it.

To avoid the concentration of gas (flammable or other) under the cap 6 (leak or other), the cap 6 can comprise at least one and for example several (three in particular) orifices 10 of vent to evacuate gas located in the volume internal delimited by the cap 2 towards the outside of the cap 2. The orifice (s) 10 may have an area of a few square millimeters.

Likewise, to avoid the concentration or accumulation of gas between the tap and the sleeve formed by the second relief 8, the second relief 8 may include at least one passage 11 for gas fluidly connecting on the one hand the volume delimited by the sleeve located above the upper end of the valve 3 covered by said sleeve and, on the other hand, the outside of said sleeve.

This at least one passage 11 can be formed for example by a groove or cannula 11 situated in the thickness of a wall of the sleeve formed by the second relief 8.

In this way, this passage 11 puts in fluid relation the volume located above the upper end of the tap 3 covered by the second relief 8 and the internal volume delimited by the cap 2 which communicates with the at least one orifice 10 d '' vent. Thus, a possible leak at the end of the tap can take the passage 11 and then escape via the orifice (s) 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an edge of the cap 6 may include a gripping tab 13 projecting to facilitate its handling (removal of the cap).

Of course, preferably the cap 6 is repositionable / reusable after its removal from the cap.

Claims (13)

1. Device for supplying pressurized fluid comprising a tap (3) connected to at least reservoir (4) of pressurized gas and provided with a cap (2) for protecting the tap (3), the cap (2) of protection comprising a rigid structure delimiting a volume of protection around the tap (3), the cap (2) comprising a wall forming a central portion, extending between on the one hand a lower end (12) and, on the other hand , an open upper end (22) delimiting an orifice (5) for access to an internal volume housing the tap (3), the device comprising a cover (1) for protecting the tap (3) removably disposed on the device , characterized in that the cover (1) comprises a cap (6) comprising a first face provided with a first relief (7) having a shape and dimensions combined with the orifice (5) of access delimited by the cap (2) to ensure the positioning of the cap (6) on the end upper portion of the central portion with an interlocking of the first relief (7) in this orifice (5) for access. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (6) comprises on its first face a second relief (8) having a shape and dimensions combined with the upper end of the tap (3) to ensure the positioning of the second relief (8) of the cap (6) on the upper end of the tap (3) when the cap (6) is fitted on the open end of the cap (2). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first (7) and second reliefs (8) are concentric. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first (7) and second reliefs (8) have distinct heights with respect to the first face of the cap (6). 5. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first (7) relief is surrounded by the second relief (8) on the first face of the cap (6). 6. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second relief (8) has the shape of a sleeve complementary to the upper end of the valve (3) and intended to be threaded on one end top of the tap (3). 7. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the second relief (8) comprises at least one passage (11) for gas fluidly connecting on the one hand the volume delimited by the sleeve located above the upper end of the tap (3) covered by said sleeve and, on the other hand, the outside of said sleeve. 8. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that the at least one passage (11) for gas comprises a groove or cannula (11) located in the thickness of a wall of the sleeve formed by the second relief (8). 9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cap (6) comprises at least one orifice (10) of vent for discharging gas located in the internal volume delimited by the cap (2) towards the outside of the hat (2). 10. Device according to claim 9 combined with any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one passage (11) puts in fluid relation the volume located above the upper end of the valve (3) covered by the second relief (8) and the internal volume delimited by the cap (2) and communicating with the at least one orifice (10) of vent. 11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first (7) relief has a circular shape which corresponds to the circular shape of the opening delimited by the open end of the cap (3). 12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cap (6) is connected to a strap (9) intended to secure its attachment around at least part of the device. 13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the wall forming the central portion of the cap is cylindrical. 1/2 FI6.1 National registration number FRENCH REPUBLIC will I institute r NATIONAL INSTITUTE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY