FR2923576A1 - DETACHABLE PROTECTIVE HOUSING FOR PRESSURIZED FLUID CONTAINER, ADAPTIVE DISASSEMBLY TOOL AND USE OF SUCH A TOOL - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a removable protective casing (10) for a container of pressurized fluid, said casing (10) being formed of at least two parts interconnected by securing means so as to form a closed envelope provided with a orifice for the passage of a valve mounted on the container, a first portion forming a bottom (11) able to rest stably on a flat surface. The envelope according to the invention is designed so as to allow rapid separation of a portion of the envelope to extract the container or to change all or part of the envelope. The invention also relates to a disassembly tool of such an envelope, as well as the use of this tool.

Description

DETACHABLE PROTECTIVE HOUSING FOR PRESSURIZED FLUID CONTAINER, ADAPTIVE DISASSEMBLY TOOL AND USE OF SUCH A TOOL The invention relates to a removable protective envelope for a container of pressurized fluid, a suitable disassembly tool, and the use of such a tool. The invention particularly relates to containers for receiving gas under pressure. Pressurized fluid tanks are generally containers with a valve at their upper end. Some containers are provided with a protective envelope which partially or completely surrounds the container, this envelope being provided with an opening at the upper end to allow the passage of the valve of the container.

For example, the documents WO 01 59358 and FR 2 875 891 describe an envelope formed of several parts enclosing the container, these parts being permanently joined together by connecting elements, so that it is necessary to break these elements. link to open the envelope and inspect the metal container. A simple inspection of the container thus requires the change of the envelope. Other documents describe multi-part envelopes connected so that they can be separated. This is the case of the document FR 2 892 797 which describes an envelope formed of a sheath closed by a screwed bottom. This is also the case of the document FR 2 707 369, which describes an envelope formed of two parts connected by retractable connecting elements, which allows to separate them without destruction. These connecting elements are designed in such a way that separation can only be performed by professionals. However, they do not allow rapid separation of the parts of the envelope. Although the various parts forming these envelopes can be detached, the separation itself can not be performed quickly and simply, the envelope to be maintained during the unscrewing of the bottom or the separation of the parts connected by the retractable connecting elements. This results in a loss of time during the inspection of the containers or the change of the envelope.

The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a removable protective envelope, the latter being designed to allow rapid disengagement of a portion of the envelope to extract the container or to change all or part of the envelope . For this purpose, the invention also relates to a tool for rapid disassembly of such an envelope. A first object of the invention relates to a removable protective envelope for a container of pressurized fluid, said envelope being formed of at least two parts interconnected by securing means so as to form a closed envelope provided with an orifice for the passage of a valve mounted on the container, a first part forming a bottom able to rest stably on a flat surface, characterized in that the bottom is removable and is connected to an opening of the other part of the envelope by means of at least one retractable connecting element, said opening being sufficient to allow extraction of the container, and in that the bottom is provided with at least one orifice located under the retractable connecting element and opening on the bottom wall intended to rest on the ground, said orifice being adapted to allow the passage of a pin of a tool for disengagement of said retractable connecting member. In one embodiment, the connecting element is formed of a tongue, one end of which is connected to the edge of each orifice via an elastic pivot connection and the other end of which is folded in order to be suitable. to engage with a wall of the casing, the elastic pivot connection maintaining the tongue engaged with the casing, in an inclined position above the corresponding orifï.cece. Advantageously, the edges of said orifice project at least partly towards the container substantially perpendicular to the wall of the bottom, so as to form guides for the introduction of the pin.

Advantageously, the bottom is provided with side walls flaring towards the container, in which is formed at least one cutout adapted to receive a centering element of a tool. The upper edge of this cutout can serve in particular to support the centering element.

Advantageously, this cut forms a gripping zone of the envelope, thus allowing the user to easily grasp the envelope by its bottom.

Preferably, the envelope comprises at least two retractable connecting elements and two corresponding orifices, preferably at least four. In a particular embodiment, the casing is formed of the removable bottom, two half-shells adapted to cover the side walls of the container and a cover coming to cover the upper part of the container, the lid and the bottom being secured respectively at the upper and lower ends of the two assembled half-shells.

More particularly, the inner wall of the two half-shells may be provided with projecting ribs extending substantially parallel to the axis of the reservoir and forming air circulation channels between the casing and the container, these channels communicating with openings made in the bottom and the lid.

Such a configuration makes it possible to ensure air circulation around the container when the latter is enclosed in the envelope, this circulation of air favoring heat exchanges between the container and the outside air. These openings may correspond to the cuts described above intended to receive the centering elements of the tool and forming gripping areas. Another object of the invention relates to a disassembly tool for disassembling a protective envelope according to the invention, comprising a base able to rest on a flat surface and intended to receive the bottom of said envelope, the base being provided with at least one protruding pin perpendicularly adapted to be introduced into the corresponding orifice provided in the bottom of said envelope in order to disengage the connecting element from said envelope and to separate the bottom of the other part of the envelope .

Just put the envelope on the base to disengage the connecting element and disassemble the bottom of the rest of the envelope. Thus the operator does not need to maintain: the tool, it is sufficient to place the envelope on the tool and to remove the upper part of the envelope. Disassembly can be achieved very simply and quickly. The pressure to be performed to disengage the connecting element and disassemble the bottom of the rest of the envelope can be exerted manually or by means of a tool, such as a press.

Advantageously, the base is provided with at least one centering element adapted to cooperate with a cutout made in the side wall of the bottom of the envelope, in order to position the base relative to the base. Such a centering element facilitates the correct positioning of the envelope on the disassembly tool. More particularly, the centering element may be configured to bear against the upper edge of the bottom cutout to support said bottom. The disassembly tool may then comprise a damping element placed between the centering element and the base. This avoids a sudden shock to the envelope and the container it protects in case the set would be posed brutally on the base. In a particular embodiment, the centering element is mounted on two substantially vertical axes integral with the base so as to slide along the axes. Each axis can then be provided with a helical spring placed between the base and the centering element in order to damp the movements of the centering element towards the base, which makes it possible to avoid deterioration of the element or elements. retractable link, while protecting the envelope and its contents against shocks. Advantageously, the disassembly tool comprises at least two centering elements. The invention also relates to the use of a disassembly tool according to the invention to disassemble the bottom of a protective envelope of a pressure fluid container according to the invention, wherein the container is positioned on the base of the tool so that the centering element (s) engages (s) in the corresponding cutouts or made in the bottom of the casing thus causing the disengagement or the retractable connecting elements between the bottom and the other part of the envelope. It is then sufficient to remove the upper part of the envelope, for example formed of the two half-shells and a lid, these parts remaining assembled together, to clear the container containing the fluid under pressure and control.

The invention is now described with reference to the appended non-limiting drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an envelope according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disassembly tool according to the invention; - Figure 3 is a top view of the bottom of the casing of Figure 1 resting on the disassembly tool of Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line C-C of Figure 3; - Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 3; - Figure 6 is a side view of the bottom of the casing of Figure 1 and the disassembly tool of Figure 2, the casing is not yet resting on the tool.

Figure 1 shows a removable protective envelope 10 for a container 1 of pressurized fluid. Preferably, the fluid container used is made of metallic material, but any other suitable material can be envisaged. The demountable casing 10 is made of rigid material, preferably of plastic, for example polypropylene or polyethylene. In the example shown, the envelope 10 comprises a removable bottom 11 capable of stably resting on a flat surface, two half-shells 12 adapted to cover the side walls of the container and a cover 13 coming to cover the upper part of the container. The lid and the bottom are secured respectively to the upper and lower ends of the two half-shells 12 assembled. In the example, the two half-shells 12 are identical and joined in a median vertical plane. The lid is further provided with an orifice 14 for the passage 30 of the valve 15 of the container 1 and two handles 16 made in one piece with the lid. In a variant not shown, the handles and the cover can be made in several parts secured to one another. The bottom 11 is provided with rolling means 20. In the example shown, the rolling means comprise two rollers 20 mounted on a substantially horizontal axis. These rollers can be notched to promote the rolling of the tank. They 10

are located near an edge of the bottom wall forming the seat of the envelope, so as not to project from the plane of said bottom wall. The bottom 11, the two half-shells 1: 2 and the cover 13 are provided with securing means (not shown) so as to form the closed envelope 10. It is for example clipping means. For example, one of the parts may be provided with one or more flexible tongues whose end engages with a wall provided for this purpose of the other part to be assembled.

The inner wall of the two half-shells is further provided with projecting ribs (not shown) extending substantially parallel to the axis of the container and forming air circulation channels between the shell and the reservoir, these channels communicating with openings 17, 18 made in the cover 13 and the bottom 11, respectively. The inner wall of the two half-shells may also comprise ribs extending substantially horizontally and projecting towards the container. According to the invention, the bottom 11 is connected to the two half-shells 12 by retractable fastening means, and the two half-shells 12 are designed to allow the introduction of the container through their lower opening, when the bottom is city. This avoids disassembling the entire envelope to access the container. Thus, only the securing means connecting the bottom to the shells can be designed retractable, the other securing means can be final. The bottom 11 is also provided with orifices 110 located under each of said retractable connecting elements and opening on the bottom wall intended to rest on the ground, said orifices 110 being able to allow the passage of pins of a tool for disengagement said retractable connecting elements. In the example shown, the retractable connecting elements are each formed of a tongue 112, one end of which is connected to the edge of each orifice 110 via an elastic pivot connection 114 and whose other end 116 is folded so as to be able to engage with a wall of the envelope, the elastic pivot connection

now the tongue engaged with the envelope, in an inclined position above the corresponding orifice. Each tongue 112 may be integral with the bottom 11, the pivot connection being formed by a pin 114 housed in the bottom of a U-shaped portion of the end of the tongue connected to the bottom, to force the tongue towards the side walls of the envelope. In the example, each tongue 112 engages with a return 19 of the wall forming a half-shell 12, this return protruding substantially horizontally towards the container 1 (see Figure 5).

The folded end 116 of each tongue thus extends towards the corresponding half-shell 12, while the pivot connection 114 forces the tongue in the direction of the half-shell. In addition, the edges of the orifices 110 project at least partly towards the container, substantially perpendicular to the wall of the bottom, so as to form guides for the introduction of the pins of the disassembly tool. In the example, the protective envelope 10 comprises four retractable connecting elements 112 and four corresponding orifices 110.

The bottom 11 is also provided with side walls flaring towards the container, in which are formed cuts adapted to receive a centering element of a tool. In the example, these cutouts form the orifices 18 described above, which allow the ventilation of the container.

These cuts may also be designed to form a gripping area of the envelope.

FIG. 2 represents a disassembly tool 30 according to the invention, intended for dismantling a protective envelope 10 according to the invention. This tool 30 comprises a base 31 adapted to rest on a flat surface and for receiving the bottom 11 of the envelope. The base 31 is provided with pins 32 projecting perpendicularly from the base, able to be introduced into the corresponding orifices 110 provided in the bottom 11 of the envelope in order to disengage the connecting elements 112 from said envelope and to allow the separation of the bottom 11 from the rest of the envelope.

In the example shown in the figures, the base 31 is provided with four pins 32. In addition, the base is provided with at least one centering element 33 adapted to cooperate with a cutout 18 made in the side wall of the bottom of the base. the envelope, in order to position the bottom relative to the base. In the example, these centering elements are three in number. In particular, each centering element 33 is configured to bear against the upper edge of the cutout 18 of the bottom to support said bottom.

In the example, the cutouts 18 have a shape of a symmetrical trapezium whose small base forms the upper edge of each cut. The centering elements 33 have a parallelepipedal shape which has a section in a vertical plane substantially of the same trapezoidal shape as the cut (see Figures 2 and 6). In order to damp the laying of the envelope on the tool, the latter comprises a damping element placed between each centering element 33 and the base 31. In the example shown, each centering element 33 is mounted on two axes. 34 substantially vertical solidarity of the base 31 so as to slide along these axes 34. Each axis 34 is provided with a helical spring 35 placed between the base 31 and the corresponding centering element 33 (see Figure 6), so to damp the movements of the centering element towards the base.

The disassembly of a protective envelope, comprising two half-shells, a lid and a bottom surrounding a container, as described above, is made in the following manner. The bottom of the casing is placed on the base of the tool, so that the centering elements 33 are positioned in the cutouts 18 of the bottom of the casing. The inclined walls of the centering elements and cutouts facilitate this implementation. The envelope is then in the position shown in Figure 6. The envelope can then be released, and descends slowly, under the effect of its own weight due to the damping sliding of the centering elements 33 on their axes 34. vertical pressure from top to bottom exerted manually or by a

tool allows to lower the envelope until it is in contact with the base. When the bottom of the envelope rests on the base, the pins 32 are then in a position where they enter the envelope through the orifices 110 of the bottom and maintain the tongues 112 spaced from their clipping position with the half-shells 12, as shown in Figure 5. It is sufficient to lift the two half-shells assembled to the cover to access the container 1 protected by the envelope. Of course, other embodiments of the connecting elements 112 and pins 32 may be envisaged. Similarly, the centering elements and damping elements of the tool can be made differently. In particular, the connecting elements and the pins may be arranged to ensure the centering of the tool. As for the damping elements, when they are present, they can be designed to be directly in contact with the envelope to be disassembled. They may for example consist of a shock-absorbing coating covering at least partially the base of the tool receiving the envelope.

Claims (16)

1. Removable protective envelope (10) for a container (1) of pressurized fluid, said envelope (10) being formed of at least two parts interconnected by securing means so as to form a closed envelope provided with a orifice for the passage of a valve mounted on the container, a first portion forming a bottom (11) able to rest stably on a flat surface, characterized in that the bottom (11) is removable and connected to an opening of the other part of the envelope by means of at least one retractable connecting element (112), said opening being sufficient to allow the extraction of the container, and in that the bottom (11) is provided with at least one an orifice (110) located under the connecting element (112) retractable and opening on the bottom wall intended to rest on the ground, said orifice (110) being able to allow the passage of a pin (32) of a tool for disengaging said connecting element (112) e scamotable. Protective shell according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (112) is formed of a tongue, one end of which is connected to the edge of each orifice via an elastic pivot connection (114). and whose other end (116) is folded so as to be able to engage a wall (19) of the casing, the elastic pivot connection holding the tongue (112) in engagement with the casing, in a inclined position above the corresponding orifice (110). 3. protective envelope according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the edges of said orifice (110) project at least partly towards the container, substantially perpendicularly to the wall of the bottom, so as to form guides for the introduction of the pawn. 4. Protective envelope according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bottom (11) is provided with side walls flaring towards the container, wherein is formed at least one cutout (18) adapted to receive a centering element of a tool. 5. protective envelope according to claim 4, characterized in that said cutout (18) forms a gripping area of the envelope. 6. Protective envelope according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least two retractable connecting elements (112) and two orifices (110) corresponding, preferably at least four. 7. protective envelope according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the casing is formed of the removable bottom (11), two half-shells (12) adapted to cover the side walls of the container (1) and a cover (13) covering the upper part of the container, the cover and the bottom being secured respectively to the upper and lower ends of the two assembled half-shells. 8. protective envelope according to claim 7, characterized in that the inner wall of the two half-shells is provided with projecting ribs extending substantially parallel to the axis of the reservoir and forming air flow channels between the envelope and the reservoir, these channels communicating with openings (18, 17) formed in the bottom (11) and the cover (13). 9. disassembly tool (30) for disassembling a protective casing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a base (31) adapted to rest on a flat surface and intended to receive the bottom (11) of said envelope, the base (31) being provided with at least one pin (32) protruding perpendicularly from the base, adapted to be introduced into the corresponding hole (110) provided in the bottom of said envelope to disengage the connecting element (112) of said casing and separating the bottom (11) from the other part of the casing. 10. Disassembly tool according to claim 9, characterized in that the base (31) is provided with at least one centering element (33) adapted to cooperate with a cutout (18) formed in the side wall of the bottom of the envelope, in order to position the bottom relative to the base. 11. Disassembly tool according to claim 10, characterized in that the centering element (33) is configured to bear against the upper edge of the cutout (18) of the bottom to support said bottom. 12. Disassembly tool according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a damping element placed between the centering element (33) and the base (31). 13. Disassembly tool according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the centering element (33) is mounted on two axes (34) substantially vertical solidarity of the base so as to slide along the axes. 14. disassembly tool according to claim 13, characterized in that each axis (34) is provided with a coil spring (35) placed between the base (31) and the centering element (33) to dampen displacements from the centering element towards the base. 15. Disassembly tool according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that it comprises at least two centering elements (33). 16. Use of a disassembly tool according to one of claims 9 to 15 to disassemble the bottom (11) of a protective envelope of a pressure fluid container according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the container is positioned on the base of the tool so that the centering element (s) (33) engages (s) in the corresponding cutouts (18) made in the bottom of the envelope thus causing the disengagement one or more connecting elements (112) retractable between the bottom and the other part of the envelope.