WO2013001190A1

WO2013001190A1 - Protective cap for the tap of a pressurized fluid tank

Info

Publication number: WO2013001190A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/050947
Authority: WO
Inventors: Damien GERMANI; Philippe Rudnianyn
Original assignee: Air Liquide Medical Systems
Priority date: 2011-06-01
Filing date: 2012-04-27
Publication date: 2013-01-03
Also published as: FR2976048A1; CN103562616A; EP2715209A1; FR2976048B1; CN103562616B; EP2715209B1; ES2571456T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective cap for the tap of a pressurized fluid tank, including two half-shells (1, 2) assembled together, the two half-shells (1, 2) defining a bottom base (11) to be mounted at a port of a tank, wherein the two half-shells (1, 2) are assembled along a plane perpendicular to the base (11), and define an inner protective space for a tap, the two half-shells (1, 2) being assembled by means of systems of attachment shafts (4) engaging with recesses (14) formed in the half-shells (1, 2), the two half shells (1, 2) defining, in the assembled position, at least one opening (3, 13) for accessing the inner protective space, characterized in that it also includes, at a top end of the cap, a part (5) for reinforcing and locking the two half-shells (1, 2), the reinforcing and locking part (5) including two ends coupled to the two half-shells (1, 2), respectively. The reinforcing and locking part (5) is generally beam-shaped and is mounted onto a frame (7) formed by the half-shells (1, 2), the frame (7) covered by the reinforcing part (5) consisting of a top handle for gripping the cap, both ends of the reinforcing and locking part (5) being snap-coupled to the half-shells (1, 2).

Description

Protective cap for pressurized fluid tank valve

The present invention relates to a protective cap for pressurized fluid reservoir valve and a corresponding reservoir.

The invention relates more particularly to a protective cap for a pressurized fluid tank valve comprising two half-shells assembled to each other, the two half-shells defining a lower base intended to be mounted at a orifice of a reservoir, the two half-shells being assembled in a plane perpendicular to the base and defining an internal protective volume for a valve, the two half-shells being assembled by means of fixing axes cooperating with housing formed in the half-shells, at least one of the half-shells comprising an opening for access to the inner protective volume.

A pressurized fluid cylinder valve protection cap must meet several technical constraints. The protective cap must provide effective mechanical protection of the faucet while having reduced mass, good ergonomics of access to the faucet as well as ease of handling and handling.

For example, EP939875A1 discloses such a protective cap. However, this type of hat offers a limited number of features. Moreover, this type of hat may have security problems if the hat was to be disassembled by unscrupulous users. In addition, some shocks can damage the behavior of this hat in two parts assembled.

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

For this purpose, the cap according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that it furthermore comprises, at an upper end of the cap, a reinforcement and locking part of the two half-shells, the reinforcement and locking part comprising two ends hooked respectively on the two half-shells.

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

the ends of the reinforcement and locking piece are hooked on the half-shells by snap-fastening,

the two ends of the reinforcement and locking piece are hooked on the half-shells in a non-removable manner, that is to say that the disassembly of the reinforcement and locking piece with respect to the half-shells is not possible without deterioration of the reinforcement and locking part and / or a half-shell,

each end of the reinforcement and locking piece is hooked on a half-shell via at least one hook integral with the reinforcement piece and cooperating with a conjugate housing situated on the half-shell,

at least one hook is located on a rail secured to the reinforcement and locking piece, said rail being housed in a complementary longitudinal groove situated on the half-shell,

the reinforcement and locking piece has the general shape of a U-shaped curved beam connected to a curved portion of conjugate shape formed by the half-shells,

the reinforcement and locking piece has the general shape of a U-shaped curved beam attached to an armature formed by a half-shell, the reinforcement coated with the reinforcement piece constituting an upper gripping handle of the cap,

at least a portion of the reinforcement and locking piece has, in cross-section, a non-planar and enveloping shape of the portion of the half-shells on which it is fixed,

at least a part of the reinforcement and locking piece has a generally U-shaped cross-section and wraps around the outer shape of an armature formed by the half-shells, to which it is fixed,

the central portion of the reinforcement and locking piece comprises at least one pin housed in a complementary housing formed in the half-shells, the at least one pin being situated on a flexible rib of the reinforcement and locking piece,

the reinforcement and locking part comprises at least one photo-luminescent surface,

the two assembled half-shells form an upper opening in the upper part of the cap and a lateral opening in the lateral part of the cap, the upper and lateral openings being separated by a longitudinal reinforcement formed by the half-shells and coated with the reinforcement,

at least part of the edge of the half-shells delimiting openings or one end of the cap has a rib or a fold towards the inside of the cap,

- Each half-shell comprises, on its inner surface facing the inner protective volume, at least one reinforcing rib extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base, one end of the month a rib being connected to one end of the armature constituting the upper gripping handle of the cap,

- Each half-shell comprises, on its inner surface facing the inner protective volume, at least one inclined plane for guiding and discharging liquid to the outside of the inner protective volume,

the lower base of the cap comprises at least one curved skirt forming a lower gripping handle,

the lower base of the cap comprises at least one opening forming a lower gripping handle,

- the hat includes a hook for attachment or suspension,

the cap comprises an attachment hook or suspension hook which is articulated between a raised position and a folded position,

the hook comprises a wire structure whose two ends are mounted articulated in or on respectively the two half-shells,

- The cap comprises at least one locking stop for selectively locking the hook attachment in the raised position or in the folded position,

the blocking abutment comprises two inclined planes forming bearing and holding surfaces of the hook hook respectively in the raised position or in the folded position, the passage from one position to the other being obtained by relative elastic deformation of the hook; compared to the stop,

the cap comprises an attachment or suspension hook which is slidably mounted in an extended position and a retracted position relative to the volume of the cap, the axis of sliding of the hook being inclined towards the upper part of the cap by an angle between twenty and eighty degrees and preferably between thirty and sixty degrees with respect to the plane of the lower base of the hat,

the two half-shells are assembled by screw / nut and / or screw / tapping systems,

the two ends of the reinforcement and locking piece hooked respectively on the two half-shells each comprise two hooks, the two hooks of the same end having different orientations and cooperating with respective housings conjugated on the half-shell, the two hooks of the same end being snapped into their housing in respective directions at least partly antagonistic to prevent disassembly of the reinforcement and locking part, - The cap comprises a plurality of reinforcing and locking parts of the two half-shells at least one of the reinforcing and locking parts form a gripping handle of the cap.

Independently of the reinforcement and locking part, the invention may relate to a protective cap for a pressurized fluid reservoir valve comprising two half-shells assembled to each other, the two half-shells defining a lower base. intended to be mounted at an orifice of a reservoir, the two half-shells being assembled in a plane perpendicular to the base and defining an internal protective volume for a valve, the two half-shells being assembled by systems fastening pins cooperating with housings formed in the half-shells, at least one of the half-shells comprising an opening for access to the protective inner volume, the cap comprising a fastening hook or suspension which is articulated or sliding on the half-shells.

Independently of the reinforcing and locking member and the hook attachment, the invention may relate to a protective cap for a pressurized fluid tank valve comprising two half-shells assembled to each other, the two half shells defining a lower base intended to be mounted at an orifice of a reservoir, the two half-shells being assembled in a plane perpendicular to the base and defining an internal protective volume for a faucet, the two half-shells being shells being assembled by fixing pin systems cooperating with housings formed in the half-shells, at least one of the half-shells comprising an opening for access to the inner protective volume, the cap comprising an upper handle that is to say located in the upper part of the cap and at least one lower handle and possibly one or two lower side handles.

The invention also relates to a pressurized fluid reservoir provided with a valve with or without a pressure reducer, the valve being protected by a cap mounted on the reservoir, the cap complies with any of the preceding characteristics.

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

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

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a protective cap according to a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of a protective cap according to a second embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a half-shell forming the cap of FIG. 2,

FIGS. 4 and 5 represent perspective views of two steps of mounting the cap of FIG. 2, respectively illustrating the fixing of a reinforcing and locking piece,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the reinforcement and locking part of FIGS. 4 and 5,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a detail of the reinforcing and locking part of FIG. 6,

FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively show two sectional views along distinct parallel planes at the base of the cap illustrating the attachment of the reinforcement and locking piece to the two half-shells constituting the cap, FIGS. 10 and 1 1 are side views of a third embodiment of a protective cap according to the invention provided with a suspension hook respectively in the "deployed" and "retracted" positions,

- Figures 12 and 13 show perspective views of a fourth embodiment of a protective cap according to the invention provided with a suspension hook respectively in the "raised" and "folded" positions,

FIG. 14 represents a perspective view of a protective cap according to a fifth embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 15 to 17 show perspective views respectively illustrating three distinct modes of manual handling of bottles provided with hats according to the invention.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the structure of a protective cap for pressurized fluid reservoir valve obtained by assembling two identical or substantially identical half-shells 1, 2. Figure 3 illustrates the inner face of one of the half-shells. The two half-shells 1, 2 are assembled to one another to form the protective cap by defining a lower base 1 1 to be mounted at an orifice of a reservoir. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the lower part of each half-shell comprises a threaded half-ring 24. The two assembled half-rings thus form a threaded ring intended to cooperate with a threaded neck of a fluid reservoir under pressure. Of course, this threaded portion of the half-shells 1, 2 can be fixed on a separate intermediate piece of the half-shells 1, 2 and disposed between the reservoir and the cap. Likewise, the fixing the base 1 1 of the cap on the tank can use any other system of attachment of a thread / tapping, for example a tightening, a nesting, ...

The two half-shells 1, 2 are assembled in a plane perpendicular to the base January 1. That is to say that the junction plane of the two half-shells 1, 2 is vertical when the cap is mounted on a bottle that is standing vertically.

As shown, the two half-shells 1, 2 can be assembled at least in their lower and central part via conventional systems with axes 4 and / or screws and / or studs or any other appropriate element. For example, and as can be seen in FIG. 3, each half-shell comprises a plurality of conjugate housings 14 provided for the fixing axle passages, the ends of which are connected respectively to the two half-shells 1, 2. two half-shells 1, 2 can be fixed to one another via other appropriate organs.

Classically, at least one of the half-shells 1, 2 comprises a suitable shape such as a cut or discontinuity or contour variation forming, in the assembled position of the two half-shells, one or more openings 3, 13 provided for access to the interior protective volume. Of course, at least one half-shell 1, 2 may comprise one or more openings.

For example, the two assembled half-shells 1, 2 form an upper opening in the upper part of the cap and an adjacent lateral opening 3 in the lateral part of the cap. The upper and lateral openings 3 are separated by a longitudinal rod-shaped reinforcement 7 parallel to the plane of the base 1 1 of the cap. This reinforcement 7 is formed by the local junction of the half-shells 1, 2 and is preferably an upper gripping handle of the cap.

According to a particularly advantageous feature, the cap comprises, preferably at one of its upper ends, an additional reinforcing and locking part 5 of the two half-shells 1, 2 assembled. The reinforcement and locking part 5 comprises two ends hooked respectively on the two half-shells 1, 2 to provide additional reinforcement of the assembly of the two half-shells 1, 2.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the reinforcing and locking part 5 is preferably attached to the armature 7 formed by the local junction of the half-shells 1, 2 and constituting an upper grip handle.

The reinforcing and locking part 5 has for example the general shape of a U-shaped curved beam which is fixed on a conjugate shaped curve portion 7 formed by the half-shells 1, 2. Each end of the reinforcing piece 5 and lock is hung on a half-shell 1, 2 for example via at least one and preferably two hooks 15 (see Figures 6 and 7). Each hook 15 integral with the reinforcing and locking part 5 cooperates in snap engagement with a respective conjugate housing 6 situated on the half-shell 1, 2 concerned (see FIGS. 2, 8 and 9).

The reinforcing and locking part 5 makes it possible to diffuse the forces (shocks, deformations) relatively uniformly between the two half-shells 1, 2.

This makes it possible to limit the harmful efforts at the level of the securing axes of the two half-shells 1, 2.

Preferably the reinforcing and locking part 5 is fixed on the half-shells 1, 2 non-releasably, that is to say that the dismantling of the part

5 reinforcement and locking relative to the half-shells 1, 2 is not possible without damaging the part 5 of reinforcement and locking and / or a half-shell. The reinforcing and locking part 5 thus provides a sealing function for the two half-shells 1, 2.

The hooks 15 of the reinforcing and locking part 5 are preferably snapped not accessible to disassembly to ensure inviolability of the integrity of the cap.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, at each end of the reinforcing and locking piece 5, the hook or hooks 15 may be located at the end of a rail secured to the reinforcing and locking piece 5. When mounting the room

5 of reinforcement and locking, the two rails 25 can be slidable into respective complementary longitudinal grooves formed on the half-shells 1, 2.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a part, for example a central part, of the reinforcing and locking part 5 can comprise one or more pins 7 which are placed in respective complementary housings formed in the half-shells 1, 2. Preferably, the pins 7 are located on a flexible rib of the reinforcing and locking part 5.

The counters 7 have for example the shape of domes. After locking the reinforcing and locking part 5 on the half-shells 1, 2, the opposing dia-mers on flexible ribs allow the absorption of the mounting clearances between the half-shells 1, 2 and the piece 5 of reinforcement and locking.

Preferably, the reinforcing and locking part 5 has, in cross section, a non-planar and enveloping shape which comes to envelop the reinforcement 7 formed by the half-shells 1, 2. For example, as can be seen in FIGS. and 7, the reinforcing and locking part 5 has a cross-sectional shape U-shaped general whose concavity comes to accommodate within it the frame 7 (see in particular the section cut illustrated in Figure 7).

This configuration makes it possible to further improve the locking of the two half-shells, the mechanical reinforcement of the cap and the diffusion of the forces in the cap in the event of impact. In particular, this structure makes it possible to avoid concentrating efforts at the fastening axes of the cap when the cap is subjected to violent shocks.

Advantageously, the material constituting or covering the reinforcing and locking part 5 forming the upper handle is photo-luminescent. This allows more identification of the faucet housed in the cap, for example in case of smoky, polluted ... In addition, an information display window relating to the bottle can be provided through the handle.

This reinforcement and locking piece 5 can also be provided in a specific color from one hat to the other, to identify, for example, the nature of the gas contained in the bottle provided with this cap.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, at least a portion of the edge 9 of the half-shells 1, 2 may comprise a rib or a reinforcing fold towards the inside of the cap. This configuration makes it possible to stiffen and diffuse the forces in the event of impact and / or deformation on the assembly.

Each half-shell 1, 2 may comprise internal walls 19, 39 defining an additional internal protective enclosure (see 3 or 14). This enclosure 9, 39 comprises, for example, inclined planes for guiding and discharging liquid towards the outside of the interior volume of the cap. These walls form for example an inner cap fairing having inclined planes on two levels to allow and promote the evacuation of liquid.

Preferably, each half-shell 1, 2 comprises, on its inner surface facing the inner protective volume, at least one reinforcing rib 8. For example, each half-shell 1, 2 comprises several (for example three) ribs 8 which extend in the lower-upper direction (from the base to the upper part, the upper end of these ribs 8 is connected preferably at one end of the frame 7 constituting the upper grip.

These ribs 8, preferably concentric with the lateral opening located under the upper handle 7, 5 also make it possible to absorb and diffuse shocks and / or deformations on the whole of the protective structure.

As shown in Figure 1, the lower end of each casing may comprise a downwardly extending portions laterally shaped curved skirt (or perforated) to form a lower lateral gripping handle 100. These two lower lateral handles 100 make it possible to vertically raise a bottle provided with such a cap with two hands, as illustrated in FIG.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 in particular, the two half-shells 1, 2 may comprise portions extending downwardly and rearwardly (in the opposite direction to that of the upper handle 5, 7). These portions of material of the two half-shells 1, 2 are preferably convex towards the outside of the cap to form a rear lower handle. This bottom rear handle 10 makes it possible to carry the bottle in an inclined manner with one hand as shown in FIG. 14. The upper handle 7, 5 makes it possible to raise the bottle vertically with one hand (see FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, and just like the lower side handles 100, this rear lower handle 10 may alternatively be in the form of an opening for the passage of fingers.

Thus, and independently of the reinforcing and locking member characteristics and independently of the hook characteristics, the cap may comprise, in addition to the upper handle 5, 7, one, two or three lower handles which may be lateral 100 and / or 10. This gives great ergonomics for the port of the bottle (from above, from below or from the side).

The handle or handles may have an anti-slip surface. For example, this anti-slip hooking surface cooperates with the first phalanx of the fingers of the user. The concave shape or the opening of each handle is sized to accommodate for example four fingers of the hand of a user.

Preferably, at least one of the handles forms a stop preventing rotation of a cylindrical bottle coated with such a cap. That is, at least one of the handles 10 forms a stable bearing surface protruding from the diameter of the bottle provided with the cap.

Figures 10 and 1 1 illustrate a cap provided with a hook 12 fastening or suspension of the cap. The hook 12 allows in particular to hang a bottle by his hat to a bar of a bed.

The hook 12 is slidably mounted in the cap between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the volume of the cap. Preferably, the axis of sliding of the hook 12 is inclined toward the upper part of the cap by an angle of between 20 and 80 degrees and preferably between 30 and 60 degrees with respect to the plane of the lower base 1 1 of the hat. The hook 2 has for example a wire structure with two lateral branches, the two ends of which form straight rods which slide in respectively the half-shells 1, 2. A locking member of the hook 12 in at least one of these positions extreme can be expected.

In the embodiment of Figures 4, 5, 12 and 13, the hook 12 is hinged to the cap between a raised position and a folded position. For example, the hook 2 comprises a wire structure whose two ends are hinged respectively on the two half-shells 1, 2.

As can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, each half-shell 1, 2 may include a stop 13 for blocking selectively locking one end of the hook 12 of attachment in the raised position or in the folded position. Each abutment 13 may comprise two inclined planes forming bearing and holding surfaces of the attachment hook 12 respectively in the raised position or in the folded position. For example, the passage from one stable position to the other is obtained by displacement and / or relative elastic deformation of the hook 12 with respect to the abutment 13.

The half-shells 1, 2 may consist of at least one of: metal, a metal alloy, a plastic such as a polymer.

The reinforcing and locking part 5 may consist of at least one of: metal, a metal alloy, a plastic such as a polymer.

It is therefore understood that, while being simple and inexpensive structure, the hat according to the invention has a high resistance to shock and disassembly wild.

Claims

1. Protective cap for a pressurized fluid tank valve comprising two half-shells (1, 2) assembled to each other, the two half-shells (1, 2) defining a lower base (1 1) for to be mounted at an orifice of a reservoir, the two half-shells (1, 2) being assembled in a plane perpendicular to the base (1 1) and defining an internal protective volume for a tap, the two half shells (1, 2) being assembled by fixing axle systems (4) cooperating with housings (14) formed in the half-shells (1, 2), the two half-shells (1, 2) defining in assembled position at least one opening (3, 13) for access to the internal protective volume, characterized in that it further comprises, at an upper end of the cap, a reinforcement piece (5) and the two half-shells (1, 2), the reinforcement and locking part (5) comprising the ends respectively hooked on the two half-shells (1, 2), the reinforcement and locking piece (5) having the general shape of a beam attached to an armature (7) formed by the half-shells (1, 2), the armature (7) coated with the reinforcing piece (5) constituting an upper gripping handle of the cap, the two ends of the reinforcing and locking piece (5) being hooked on the half-shells (1, 2) snap-fastening.

2. Hat according to claim 1, characterized in that the two ends of the part (5) of reinforcement and locking are attached to the half-shells (1, 2) via a non-removable coupling member, it is that is to say that the disassembly of the part (5) of reinforcement and locking with respect to the half-shells (1, 2) is not possible without deterioration of the part (5) of reinforcement and locking and / or a half-shell (1, 2) and / or a fastening member.

3. Hat according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each end of the part (5) of reinforcement and locking is hooked on a half-shell (1, 2) via at least one hook (15). ) integral with the piece (5) of reinforcement and cooperating with a housing (6) conjugate located on the half-shell (1, 2).

4. Hat according to claim 3, characterized in that, at least one hook (15) is located on a rail secured to the part (5) of reinforcement and locking and, when the piece (5) reinforcement is in the mounted position with its two ends hooked respectively to the two halves shells (1, 2), said rail (25) being housed in a complementary longitudinal groove (35) located on the half-shell (1, 2).

5. Hat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the piece (5) of reinforcement and locking has the general shape of a curved beam U-shaped on a portion (7) curved shape conjugate formed by the half-shells (1, 2).

6. Hat according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least a portion of the part (5) of reinforcement and locking has, in cross section, a non-planar and enveloping shape of the portion ( 7) half-shells (1, 2) on which it is fixed.

7. Hat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least a portion of the part (5) of reinforcement and locking has a generally U-shaped cross section and enveloping the outer form of an armature (7) formed by the half-shells (1, 2) on which it is fixed.

8. Hat according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the central portion of the part (5) for reinforcement and locking comprises at least one pin (7) housed in a complementary housing formed in half shells (1, 2), the at least one pin (7) being located on a flexible rib of the part (5) of reinforcement and locking.

9. Hat according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the part (5) for reinforcing and locking comprises at least one photoluminescent surface.

10. Hat according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the two ends of the part (5) of reinforcement and locking respectively hooked on the two half-shells each comprise two hooks (15), both hooks (15) of the same end having different orientations and cooperating with respective housings conjugate on the half-shell (1, 2), the two hooks (15) of the same end being snapped into their housing in directions respective at least partly antagonistic to prevent disassembly of the part (5) of reinforcement and locking.

1 1. Hat according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises several parts (5) for reinforcing and locking the two half-shells (1, 2), at least one of the parts (5) Reinforcement and locking forms a handle gripping the hat.

12. Hat according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the two half-shells (1, 2) assembled form a upper opening in the upper part of the cap and a lateral opening in the lateral part of the cap, the upper and lateral openings being separated by a longitudinal reinforcement formed by the half-shells and coated the part (5) of reinforcement and locking.

13. Hat according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower base of the cap defined by the half-shells (1, 2) assembled comprises at least one curved skirt forming a lower gripping handle and / or an opening forming a lower grip handle.

14. Pressurized fluid tank provided with a tap with or without a pressure reducer, the valve being protected by a cap mounted on the tank, characterized in that the cap is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13.