|
(11) | EP 4 279 793 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | GAS DELIVERY SYSTEM |
| (57) A gas delivery system comprising: - a gas cartridge (2); - a canister (3) comprising a case (31) that defines a housing (30) for containing the cartridge (2) and a locknut (32); said case (31) comprising an opening (310) for inserting and extracting the cartridge (2) from the housing (30); - a device (4) for drawing gas from the cartridge (2), removably applied to the locknut (32); - a means (5) for retaining the cartridge (2) inside said housing (30); said retaining means (5) being removably connected to the case (31) and obstructing the extraction of the cartridge (2) through the opening (310). The locknut (32) and the case (31) are made of two distinct materials, unremovably connected to each other. |
[0001] The present invention relates to a gas delivery system. For example, it is used for camping stoves or for welding pipes (in technical jargon also known as a welding lamp) supplied by a gas cartridge. For example, such a gas is butane or propane or LPG.
[0002] Solutions are known comprising:
- a gas cartridge;
- a casing for the gas cartridge and comprising a plastic case and a metal locknut.
[0003] The metal locknut is inserted in a through hole of the case and mechanically retained in position by means of a Seeger ring.
[0004] The case houses the cartridge and the locknut is located at a top to allow the connection with a gas drawing means. Depending on the type of such drawing means, the delivery system becomes a camping stove or a welding lamp.
[0006] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a gas delivery system which obviates the drawbacks in the known art as described above.
[0007] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gas delivery system which allows to optimise the components and therefore the assembly speed and costs.
[0008] The technical task set and the objects specified are substantially attained by a delivery system comprising the technical features as set out in one or more of the accompanying claims.
[0009] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a delivery system, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:
- figure 1 shows a gas delivery system according to the present invention;
- figure 2 shows a component of figure 1;
- figures 3 and 4 show details of figure 2;
- figure 5 shows a perspective view of a delivery system.
[0010] A gas delivery system has been indicated in the appended drawings with reference number 1. The delivery system 1 comprises a gas cartridge 2. Such a cartridge is of the pierceable type. Suitably it has a bottom, a cap opposite the bottom and a side wall. Advantageously, a piercing area is included on the cap.
[0011] The delivery system 1 comprises a canister 3. The canister 3 is typically bell-shaped. The canister 3 in turn comprises:
- a case 31 that defines a housing 30 for containing the cartridge 2; and
- a locknut 32.
[0012] In the preferred embodiment the case 31 is made of plastic material. Advantageously, the locknut 32 is made of metal material. For example, the locknut is made of Zama, in particular Zama 5.
[0013] The case 31 is also bell-shaped and comprises the locknut 32 at a top. The locknut 32 suitably comprises a first and a second end 321, 322 and an outer lateral side 323 which extends between the first and the second ends 321, 322. The locknut 32 suitably defines a through duct 328 which allows the case 31 to pass through. It thus allows to put the housing 30 in communication with the outside. The duct 328 connects the first and the second ends 321, 322.
[0014] The case 31 further comprises/defines an opening 310 for inserting and extracting the cartridge 2 from the housing 30. Such an opening 310 is opposite the locknut 32.
[0015] The delivery system 1 comprises a device 4 for drawing gas from the cartridge 2. The drawing device 4 is removably applied to the locknut 32. For example, the drawing device 4 and the locknut 32 are connected through a threaded or bayonet-type means.
[0016] Suitably, the locknut 32 has an inner surface 329 which defines the duct 328 which is at least in part threaded. This allows the connection with a connector which is part of the drawing device 4.
[0017] In an alternative solution, the locknut 32 comprises an inner surface defining the duct 328 which has a helical groove which allows the bayonet connection with a connector forming part of the drawing device 4.
[0018] The delivery system 1 further comprises a means 5 for retaining the cartridge 2 inside said housing 30. The retaining means 5 is removably connected to the case 31. The retaining means 5 (when correctly connected to the case 31) obstructs the transit of the cartridge through the opening 310. In particular, the retaining means 5 at least partially obstructs the opening 310. In an operating configuration, the cartridge 2 is interposed between the retaining means 5 and the locknut 32.
[0019] When the cartridge 2 is inserted into the canister 3 and the retaining means 5 is correctly connected to the canister 3, the drawing device 4 can be connected to the locknut 32. The drawing device 4 comprises a needle-like element which pierces the cartridge 2 and penetrates therein. The perforation of the cartridge 2 occurs following the thrust exerted on the cartridge 2 by the drawing device 4 and due to the fact that the cartridge 2 cannot move away from the locknut 32 because it is retained on the retaining means 5 (which in turn rests on one or more abutment elements 311 obtained in the case 31 and better defined hereinafter).
[0020] The retaining means 5 suitably comprises a split and deformable ring 50. Suitably, such a split ring 50 extends for about 320°-350°. The split ring 50 has an extension line parallel to a lying plane 53. The split ring 50 comprises a first abutment 51 which extends away from the lying plane towards the locknut 32. The split ring 50 also comprises a second abutment 52 which extends away from the lying plane 53 towards said opening 310. The first and the second abutments 51, 52 extend along opposite lines relative to the lying plane 53. Suitably the first and the second abutments 51, 52 are integrated in a peripheral edge 54 of the split ring 50.
[0021] The case 31 comprises one or more abutment elements 311 which extend towards the inside of the case 31. For example, it could be a single abutment element with circumferential extension or a plurality of abutment elements separated from each other and extending along an imaginary circumferential line (as exemplified in figure 1). In an operating position, the split ring 50 is interposed between the locknut 32 and said one or more abutment elements 311. They prevent the split ring 50 from being extracted from the operating position without a prior deformation of the split ring 50 inwards (i.e., towards a point around which the split ring 50 extends in an arc).
[0022] Suitably the first and the second abutments 51, 52 embrace the cartridge 2 in the operating configuration. Consequently, in the operating configuration, the split ring 50 is not allowed to deform inwards to allow the extraction through the opening 310.
[0023] To disengage the split ring 50 it is therefore necessary to move the cartridge 2 towards the locknut 32. Thereby, the cartridge 2 is no longer embraced by the first abutment 51 and therefore no longer blocks the deformation of the split ring 50 inwards. By being able to deform inwards, the split ring 50 is therefore able to reduce its transversal footprint and to be removed from the opening 310 through said one or more abutment elements 311. In order to move the cartridge 2 towards the locknut 32, however, it is necessary to first disconnect the gas drawing device 4 from the locknut 32. Such an expedient allows to avoid accidental extractions of the cartridge 2. In fact, the necessary operations involve a voluntary act on the part of the user. Furthermore, if the operator, starting to disconnect the device 4 from the locknut 32, notices a hiss related to gas leakage, he could promptly intervene to stop the operation and firmly reconnect the drawing device 4 and the locknut 32. For example, if the drawing device 4 is locked, the user could have the incorrect belief that the cartridge 2 is exhausted and could therefore be in the condition described above.
[0024] The split ring 50 is advantageously symmetrical relative to the lying plane 53. This allows to avoid assembly errors. Advantageously, the split ring 50 comprises two holes to allow the insertion of the corresponding fingers of an operator and to facilitate deformation.
[0025] The locknut 32 and the case 31 are made of two distinct materials, unremovably connected to each other.
[0026] The connection between the locknut 32 and the case 31 lacks additional interposed mechanical elements.
[0027] Advantageously, the locknut 32 and the case 31 are co-moulded with each other. The case 31 and the locknut 32 adhere along the outer lateral side 323; in particular they adhere continuously (there is suitably a chemical adhesion, typically obtained by co-moulding).
[0028] The locknut 32 comprises a tubular body 324 and a flange 325 that extends outwardly from the tubular body 324. As exemplified in figure 3, the flange 325 is embedded in the case 31.
[0029] Preferably the flange 325 has an annular extension. Preferably it extends continuously and surrounds the duct 328 defined by the locknut 32. In an alternative solution, the flange 325 is accompanied by at least another additional flange (but they could also be a plurality) and extends around the duct 328 (suitably they are aligned along an imaginary circumferential line surrounding the duct 328).
[0030] In the exemplary and non-limiting solution, the tubular body 324 comprises:
- a first portion 326 that extends between the first end 321 and said flange 325;
- a second portion 327 that extends between the second end 322 and said flange 325.
[0031] Preferably, the second portion 327 has a greater thickness than the first portion 326 and extends to a greater depth in said housing 30 than the first portion 326.
[0034] In the solution exemplified in figure 3 the flange 325 is located at a minimum distance from the first end 321 comprised between 1.5 and 3 millimetres.
[0035] The first end 321 of the locknut 32 is flush with a dome defined by the case 31. The first end 321 is thus flush with a top of the bell defined by the case 31. The case 31 laterally wraps around the locknut 32. The case 31 thus defines a sleeve which wraps around the locknut 32. In particular, the case 31 at the flange 325 has an enlargement and tapers at the second portion 327 of the locknut 32. The sleeve of the case 31 ends flush with the second end 322 of the locknut 32.
[0036] Suitably the flange 325 has a lower surface 335 and an upper surface 345; the upper surface 345 is closer to the first end 321 of the locknut 32 relative to the lower surface 335. Suitably the lower surface 335 is orthogonal to the axis of the duct 328. The upper surface 345 is instead inclined towards the first end 321. Suitably the case 31 adheres to the flange 325 (typically by co-moulding) both along the lower surface 335 and along the upper surface 345.
[0037] The object of the present invention is a method for producing a delivery system having one or more of the features described hereinabove. Suitably the method comprises the following steps:
- producing said canister 3 defining said housing 30 for containing the gas cartridge 2; said canister 3 is obtained by co-moulding the case 31 and the locknut 32;
- introducing the cartridge 2 into said housing 30;
- retaining said cartridge 2 in said housing through a removable retaining means 5;
- connecting a device 4 for drawing gas from the cartridge to the locknut. The present invention achieves important advantages.
[0038] Firstly, it allows to optimise the components of the delivery system. Furthermore, it allows to speed up the assembly thereof. The solution thus obtained is also robust and reliable.
[0039] The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterised thereby. Further, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any whatsoever, according to need.
1. 1. A gas delivery system comprising:
- a gas cartridge (2);
- a canister (3) comprising a case (31) that defines a housing (30) for containing the cartridge (2) and a locknut (32); said case (31) comprising an opening (310) for inserting and extracting the cartridge (2) from the housing (30);
- a device (4) for drawing gas from the cartridge (2), removably applied to the locknut (32);
- a means (5) for retaining the cartridge (2) inside said housing (30); said retaining means (5) being removably connected to the case (31) and obstructing the extraction of the cartridge (2) through the opening (310); characterised in that said locknut (32) and said case (31) are made of two distinct materials, unremovably connected to each other.
2. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that the locknut (32) and the case (31) are co-moulded together.
3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the locknut (32) comprises a first and a second end (321, 322) and an outer lateral
side (323) that extends between the first and second ends (321, 322); said case (31)
and said locknut (32) adhering with continuity along the outer lateral side (323).
4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said case (31) is made of plastic material and said locknut (32) is made of metal
material.
5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said locknut (32) comprises a tubular body (324) and a flange (325) that extends
outwardly from the tubular body (324); said flange (325) being embedded in the case
(31).
6. The system according to claim 5, characterised in that said flange (325) extends annularly.
7. The system according to claim 5 or 6, when dependent directly or indirectly on claim
3, characterised in that said tubular body (324) comprises:
- a first portion (326) that extends between the first end (321) and said flange (325);
- a second portion (327) that extends between the second end (322) and said flange (325); said second portion (327) having a greater thickness than the first portion (326) and extending to a greater depth in said housing (30) than the first portion (326).
8. The system according to claim 7, characterised in that:
- said first portion (326) has a thickness comprised between 1 and 2 millimetres;
- said second portion (327) has a thickness comprised between 1.5 and 3.5 millimetres;
- said flange (325) being at a minimum distance from the first end (321) comprised between 1.5 and 3 millimetres.
9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drawing device (4) and said locknut (32) are connected through a threaded or
bayonet-type means.
10. A method for producing a delivery system according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises the following steps:
- producing said canister (3) defining said housing (30) for containing the gas cartridge (2); said canister (3) being obtained by co-moulding of the case (31) and locknut (32);
- introducing the cartridge (2) into said housing (30);
- retaining said cartridge (2) in said housing through a removable retaining means (5);
- connecting a device (4) for drawing gas from the cartridge to the locknut.