FR2640353A1 - Safety packaging device, particularly for transporting, storing, and dispensing gas - Google Patents

Abstract

The device according to the invention includes a gas cylinder 1 housed in a sealed enclosure 9 produced by the assembly of at least two disconnectable parts 10, 14, as well as a dispensing circuit 8 passing through the enclosure 9 in a sealed fashion to become connected to the dispensing head 4 of the cylinder 1. This circuit includes, inside the enclosure 9, at least one stop cock 16, a pressure-reducing device 17 and, possibly, a flowrate limiter 18 and, on the outside, means 21 allowing it to be connected to a dispensing circuit. This device further comprises means 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 for actuating the tap 7 of the cylinder 1, the stop cock 16 and, possibly, the pressure-reducing device 17, which means can be actuated from outside the enclosure 9. The invention applies to the transportation, storage and dispensing of toxic, corrosive and/or inflammable gases.

Description

SAFETY CONDITIONING DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR THE
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF GAS.

The present invention relates to a safety packaging device, in particular for the transport, storage and distribution of limited quantities of toxic, corrosive and / or possibly flammable gases.

In general, it is known that when they cannot be conveyed by pipelines from the production units to the user stations, gases for domestic, industrial, medical, etc. use are commonly transported and stored under pressure inside bottles.

These bottles, usually made of steel, have a cylindrical shape, one end of which is shaped so as to produce a base and the other end of which, in the shape of a curved shape, carries a dispensing head at the base of which is provided a thread on which can come and screw on a protective hat.

The dispensing head comprises a coaxial needle valve, the outlet of which is provided with a threaded connection end piece serving both for filling the bottle and for connecting it to a distribution circuit located at the user's place.
In view of the fact that the pressure of the gas inside the bottle is generally much higher than the operating pressure, this distribution circuit comprises, in most cases, a regulator-limiter assembly.

A shut-off valve is also provided to prevent the gas contained in this circuit from escaping to the outside during a cylinder change.

These common provisions are sufficient, in most cases, when the gas does not present a significant danger to the user.

On the other hand, when the gas has significant toxicity, the cylinders must be housed, with the high pressure parts of the distribution circuits to which they are connected, inside an enclosure specially designed to avoid any possibility of pollution or environmental contamination.

These compartments are connected to processing units used to neutralize large quantities of gas escaping following a leak.

They are continuously swept by air (or an inert gas) to avoid any possibility of accumulation of toxic gas which could occur in the long run, for example due to micro-leaks.

Of course, they include means of access specially designed so that they can be entered without risk, in particular during bottle changes, as well as means of remote control of the various components which they contain, such as taps, shut-off valves, regulator, etc ...

It turns out that because of their complexity, these installations are very expensive and do not, however, offer absolute security.

In addition, the use of toxic gases poses another important problem, namely that of the transport and handling of cylinders.

Indeed, at present, the modes of transport and handling of toxic gas cylinders are the same as if they were neutral gas, the only protection existing in both cases being that conferred by the hat of protection screwed on the dispensing head.

In fact, this is a derisory protection which cannot mask the danger posed by transport, for example by truck or rail, bottles, and the lack of means to effectively curb a leakage of toxic gas which may occur during transport or due to the handling of cylinders, for example following a traffic accident.

The invention therefore more particularly aims to eliminate these drawbacks and considerably reduce these risks.

To this end, it proposes a conditioning device involving - a gas cylinder comprising, in a conventional manner, a
distribution head fitted with its tap and its
connection piece; - a sealed enclosure, integral with the bottle, and deli
mitant a volume containing at least the dispenser head
tion, this enclosure being produced by assembling
waterproof of at least two disconnectable parts - for
allow access to said volume, especially when filling
bottle wise - a distribution circuit passing through the enclosure, so
waterproof, to connect to the connector
ment, this distribution circuit comprising, inside
of said volume, at least one stop valve, a pressure reducer and
a flow limiter and, outside said volume,
connection means allowing its connection to a
operating circuit -; and - means for actuating said valve, the valve
stop and possibly regulator, actuable
from outside the enclosure.

 It follows from this structure that the high-risk areas of the bottle and of the distribution circuit (in particular the distribution head, the connection of this circuit to the bottle, and all the high pressure part of this circuit) are confined and protected inside the enclosure. On the other hand, only the low-pressure, limited-flow part of the distribution circuit emerges outside, for which the consequences of a leak are of less importance.

 It is clear that the gas coming from a high-risk area previously mentioned (which, in the previous systems, would have serious consequences, due to the high pressure of gas and the absence of means for limiting flow) inside the enclosure and no longer constitutes a danger to the environment. The packaging device subject to such a leak can then be transported to an appropriate installation for emptying and purging.

Of course, the enclosure may advantageously include additional equipment such as, for example - means making it possible to detect the existence of a leak.
gas, for example by analyzing the gas composition
present inside the enclosure and / or by measuring
the pressure of this gas, and - means enabling the enclosure to be scanned -
te with an inert gas (inerting).

Likewise, the distribution circuit may include, at the outlet of the enclosure, a shut-off valve, a pressure gauge and a connection element.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a schematic axial section of a mode
preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention,
in which the gas cylinder is completely
housed inside the enclosure;
Figure 2 is an elevational view, partially in
section of the upper part of a
packaging of the type shown on the
figure 1 ;
Figures 3 and 4 are top views of the device.
tif illustrated in Figure 2, respectively without and
with cover;
Figure 5 is a schematic axial section of a
variant of the device according to the invention,
in which only the distribution head of the
bottle is contained in the enclosure.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the gas cylinder 1, of conventional type, has an elongated cylindrical body whose lower end 2 forms a base and whose curved upper end 3 carries a dispensing head 4 comprising a coaxial needle valve 5 actuable by means of a rotary button 6. The outlet of this valve 5 is provided with a transverse connection end piece 7 carrying a thread onto which a connection element of a distribution circuit 8 can be screwed.

This bottle 1 is housed inside an enclosure 9 having a tubular body 10, of section slightly greater than that of the bottle 1, and which comprises a bottom 11 on which this bottle 1 rests. This can be further secured to the body using means not shown. This body 10 is open in its upper part, over its entire cross section, and has, at its opening, an annular flange 12 on which is fixed by screwing (screw 13), with sealing, a cover 14 for closing the enclosure 9.

It will be noted that the enclosure 9 is produced so as to be able to withstand the maximum pressure to which the gas is brought into the bottle.

The distribution circuit 8 connected to the nozzle 7 passes, in leaktight manner, the cover 14 and comprises, inside the enclosure 9, successively, from the nozzle 7 - a coil 15 designed to absorb the effects of dilata
between the bottle 1 and the enclosure 9, - a pneumatically controlled stop valve 16, - a diaphragm regulator 17 and pneumatically controlled, and - a flow limiter 18.

The section of this distribution circuit emerging from the cover is, for its part, equipped with: - a pressure detector 19 (pressure gauge), - a stop valve 20, and - a fitting element 21 suitable to connect on a
operating circuit.

The valve 5 of the bottle 1 is controlled from outside the enclosure, is ensured by means of a drive shaft 22 rotatably mounted with sealing in a passage provided in the cover 14. This shaft 22, which s extends coaxially to the bottle 1 and to the enclosure 9, has an internal end 23 shaped so as to come into engagement with the button 6 of the tap 5 and an external end provided with means 24 allowing it to be driven in rotation, for example at the hand, using an operating key or using an actuator.

The control of the shut-off valve 16 and of the regulator 17 is effected by means of two respective pneumatic circuits 25, 26 passing through the cover 14 and connected to external connection means 27, 28 connectable to pneumatic control circuits .

The interior volume of the enclosure 9 can be connected to an inert gas sweeping circuit located outside by means of a socket 30 possibly equipped with a pressure gauge 31 and a valve 32 and with a detection circuit 33, for example a gas analyzer or simply to an external pressure sensor, this circuit 33 being closable by a valve 34.

 I1 emerges from the above that the gas cylinder 1 as well as the high pressure part of the distribution circuit 8 are mechanically protected and hermetically isolated from the external environment by the enclosure 9. As a result, the risk of leakage is considerably reduced, even in the event of an accident occurring during transport. In addition, in the event that, despite everything, a leak does occur, for example due to a defect in the connection between the dispensing nozzle and the dispensing circuit, the gas remains confined within the enclosure 9. In this case, the packaging device could be transported safely to an appropriate installation to recover the gas or neutralize it.

In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the general structure of the packaging device is similar to that of the device shown in FIG. 1.

However, in this case, the cover 14 is made integral with the bottle thanks to a threaded crown 35 screwed onto the thread 36 located at the base of the dispensing head 4 and to axial spacers 37 connecting this crown 35 to the cover 14.

This arrangement has the advantage of allowing the extraction of the assembly formed by the bottle 1, the cover 14, the distribution circuit 8, the actuation mechanism of the valve 5 and the pneumatic control circuits of the valve. stop 16 and regulator 17.

In this example, the drive shaft is produced in two sections 23 ′, 23 "connected by an Oldhan seal 40 to take account of manufacturing tolerances and differential expansions. Furthermore, the sockets 30, 33 are mounted on the cover 14 and not on the body of the enclosure 9, as before.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Thus, for example, the enclosure could have smaller dimensions and contain only the dispensing head 4 of the bottle 1 with, of course, the equipment previously mentioned, both with regard to the distribution circuit and the associated members. at the compound.

As shown in Figure 5, the enclosure 41 is made by a sealed assembly of three disconnectable elements, namely - a ring 42 whose inner cylindrical surface
extended by a socket 43 is provided with a thread44
and is screwed onto thread 45 located at the base of the
dispensing head 4 of the bottle 1; - A tubular body 46, of circular section, having
at its lower edge, a circular flange 47
oriented outwards, intended to secure it
waterproof and removable on the crown 42, coaxially with
this, and at its upper edge, a flange
circular 48 facing inwards which is used to ensure
its waterproof and removable attachment to a cover 49 - said cover 49, in the form of a disc, which is secured
to the crown 42 by means of spacers 50, through
from which drive shaft 22 of tap 5 of
the distribution head 4, the distribution circuit 8,
the control circuits of the organs of this circuit of
distribution housed in enclosure 41, and sockets
communicating with the interior volume of enclosure 41
(not shown).

In this example, the seal between the crown 42 and the.

bottle 1 is ensured by means of an O-ring mounted between the flat coronal face 51 situated at the base of the valve 5 and an annular return 52 formed on the sleeve 43. The seal between the crown 42 and the tubular body 46 is ensured by a compressed O-ring between the crown 42 and the flange 47, the tightening of these two parts being effected by screws 53. The sealing between the tubular body 46 and the cover 49 is, in turn, ensured by a compressed O-ring between the flange 48 and the cover 49, the tightening of these two parts being ensured by means of screws 54.

 I1 is clear that despite its reduced size, the enclosure plays substantially the same role as that previously described.

However, in this case, access to the elements contained in this enclosure 41, in particular when filling the bottle, is considerably simplified.

Indeed, it suffices simply to remove the tubular body 46 after having unscrewed the screws 53, 54.

Claims (8)

Claims  1. Safety packaging device, in particular for the transport, storage and distribution of gases which may be toxic, corrosive and / or flammable, this device using a gas cylinder (1) comprising, in a conventional manner, a dispensing head ( 4) equipped with a tap (5) and a connection end piece (7), characterized in that it further comprises: - a sealed enclosure (9) secured to the bottle (1) and  delimiting a volume containing at least the distri  bution (4), this enclosure (9) being produced by the assembly  waterproof connection of at least two parts (10, 14) disconnected  to allow access to said volume, especially during  filling the bottle (1); - a distribution circuit (8) passing through the enclosure (9)  tightly, to connect to the end piece  connection (7), this distribution circuit (8) comprises  nant, within said volume, at least one valve  stop (16), a regulator (17) and, optionally, a  flow limiter (18) and, outside said volume,  connection means (21) allowing its connection to a  operating circuit; and - actuation means (22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28) of said  stop valve (5) of the stop valve (16) and, optionally,  regulator (17), operable from outside  the enclosure (9).  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the enclosure (9) is equipped with means making it possible to detect the existence of a leak of gas flowing inside said volume, by analysis of the gas present at inside said volume and / or by detecting the pressure of this gas.  3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the enclosure (9) is further equipped with means for scanning said volume with a neutral gas.  4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one (14) of the above parts of the enclosure, through which pass the distribution circuit (8) and the above actuation means (22 , 24, 25, 26, 27, 28), is secured to the bottle (1), while another part (10) is mounted so that it can be removed, the first part (14) remaining integral with the bottle (1) during this extraction.  5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said enclosure (9) contains the entire bottle (1).  6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the enclosure (9) has a body (10) of tubular shape, one end of which is closed by a bottom (11) and the other end of which is closed by a cover removable (14) secured to the bottle (1) thanks to a threaded crown (35) screwed to the thread (36) located at the base of the dispensing head (4) of the bottle, this threaded crown (35) being connected to the cover (14) by means of bracing means (37), and in that the distribution circuit and said actuating means pass through said cover (14).  7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that only the dispensing head (4) is enclosed in the enclosure (9).  8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the enclosure is made in at least three parts, namely - a crown (42) whose inner cylindrical surface  is fitted with a thread intended to be screwed onto the  thread (45) located at the base of the dispensing head  (4) of the bottle (1), - a tubular body (46), a first edge of which includes  means (47) allowing its waterproof and removable fixing  on said crown (42) and the second edge of which comprises  means (48) allowing it to be sealed and dismantled  ble on a cover (49), and - means (50) for securing said cover (49) to  said crown (42), said fixing means (47, 48) being designed so as to allow the extraction of said tubular body (46) without having to separate the crown (42) and / or the cover (49) of said bottle (1).