SECURED UNIT FOR DISPENSING A PRODUCT BY MEANS OF A HIGH-PRESSURE GAS STORED IN A CARTRIDGE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the use of a high pressure gas contained in a cartridge or refill.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to the use of high pressure gas after expansion to provide a low pressure gas capable of being used in a sealed utilization chamber in which a receiving sub-assembly is arranged, in particular a sub-assembly capable of using the low pressure gas as a propellant gas. Technical background

[0003] The invention finds application, for example, in the field of dispensing liquid or pasty products, particularly in the form of aerosols, by offering a solution allowing a user to replace the high-pressure gas cartridge and / or the refill of the subassembly with product to be dispensed under conditions guaranteeing the safety of the user with regard to the pressure levels prevailing in the different zones of the assembly during the various handling operations envisaged.

[0004] Document DE102020129857 illustrates an example of the design of an assembly, suitable for dispensing a product by means of a pressurized gas. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention proposes an assembly, suitable for dispensing a product by means of a pressurized gas, comprising: a) a high-pressure gas cartridge; b) a pressure-reducing block comprising: -- a high-pressure gas inlet to which the high-pressure gas cartridge is removably connected; -- a low-pressure gas outlet in which is arranged a supply valve which is normally closed, the opening of which is controlled by a supply control rod; -- a purge duct in which is arranged a purge valve which is normally closed, the opening of which is controlled by a purge control rod to allow the flow of gas from an upstream end to a downstream end of the purge duct; c) and a cap: -- which is removably fixed to the pressure-reducing block with which it delimits an internal usage chamber which is supplied with low-pressure gas by said outlet of the pressure-reducing block and which is connected to the upstream end of said purge duct;-- which is rotatable relative to the pressure reducing block between: i) a first extreme angular position for mounting or dismounting the cover on the pressure reducing block; ii) and a second extreme angular position for fixing the cover on the pressure reducing block; characterized in that the cap comprises a cam which cooperates with the supply control rod and / or with the purge control rod to cause in a sequential manner the opening and / or closing of the supply valve and / or the purge valve as a function of the angular position of the cap relative to the pressure reduction block between its first extreme angular position and its second extreme angular position. According to other characteristics of the invention: in the first extreme angular position of the cap relative to the pressure reducing block, under the action of the cam, the supply valve is closed and the purge valve is open; - during its rotation relative to the pressure reducing block from its first extreme angular position to its second extreme angular position, the cam successively causes the purge valve to close and then the supply valve to open; and - in the second extreme angular position of the cap relative to the pressure reducing block, under the action of the cam, the supply valve is open and the purge valve is closed; in the second extreme angular position of the cap relative to the pressure reducing block, under the action of the cam, the supply valve is open and the purge valve is closed;- during its rotation relative to the pressure reduction block from its second extreme angular position to its first extreme angular position, the cam successively causes the bleed valve to close and then the supply valve to open; and - in the first extreme angular position of the cover relative to the pressure reduction block, under the action of the cam, the supply valve is closed and the bleed valve is open; the assembly comprises means for locking the cover on the pressure reduction block in its second extreme angular position; the assembly comprises a manual control member for unlocking the locking means;the cap is removably fixed to the pressure reducing block by a bayonet fixing mechanism in which at least one fixing lug is able to move, in a complementary groove, according to an angular travel corresponding to the angular travel of rotation of the cap relative to the pressure reducing block between its first extreme angular position and its second extreme angular position; in said first extreme angular position of the cap relative to the pressure reducing block, the translation travel of the cap relative to the pressure reducing block, along its axis of rotation relative to the pressure reducing block, to position said at least one lug opposite the inlet of the complementary groove causes the normally closed purge valve to open;in the second extreme angular position of the cap relative to the pressure reduction block, in which the purge valve is closed, the purge valve provides a safety valve function which opens automatically when the pressure at said upstream end of the purge duct is greater than a determined threshold value; the free end of the supply rod and the free end of the purge control rod extend inside said closed internal chamber of the cap, and the cam is an internal radial shoulder of the cap, an axial annular face of which comprises a cam profile which is capable of cooperating with said free ends of the supply and purge control rods. ; Brief descriptions of the figures

[0006] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] - there figure 1 is a perspective view of a first example of embodiment of an assembly according to the invention; [ Fig.2 ] - there figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure reducing block and the shroud of the entire figure 1 ; [ Fig. 3A ] - there Figure 3A is a sectional view through a horizontal plane of the entire figure 1 which illustrates the angular position of the cap and its cam relative to the block, here in its first extreme angular position; [ Fig. 3B ] - there Figure 3B is a partial axial sectional view along line XX of the Figure 3A ; [ Fig. 3C ] - there Figure 3C is a partial axial sectional view along line YY of the Figure 3A ; [ Fig.4A ] - there Figure 4A is a view analogous to that of the Figure 3A which illustrates the angular position of the cap and its cam relative to the block after it has reached an intermediate angular position between its first extreme angular position and its second extreme angular position; [ Fig.4B ] - there Figure 4B is a partial axial sectional view along line XX of the Figure 4A ; [ Fig.4C ] - there Figure 4C is a partial axial sectional view along line YY of the Figure 4A ; [ Fig.5A ] - there Figure 5A is a view analogous to that of the Figure 4A which illustrates the angular position of the cap and its cam relative to the block after it has reached its second extreme angular position; [ Fig.5B ] - there Figure 5B is a partial axial sectional view along line XX of the Figure 5A ; [ Fig.5C ] - there Figure 5C is a partial axial sectional view along line YY of the Figure 5A ; [ Fig.6A ] - there Figure 6A is a view analogous to that of the Figure 5A which illustrates the angular position of the cap and its cam relative to the block after it has again reached its intermediate angular position between its second extreme angular position and its first extreme angular position; [ Fig.6B ] - there Figure 6B is a partial axial sectional view along line XX of the Figure 6A ; [ Fig.6C ] - there Figure 6C is a partial axial sectional view along line YY of the Figure 6A ; [ Fig.7A ] - there Figure 7A is a view analogous to that of the Figure 6A which illustrates the angular position of the cap and its cam relative to the block after it has again reached its first extreme angular position; [ Fig.7B ] - there Figure 7B is a partial axial sectional view along line XX of the Figure 7A ; [ Fig.7C ] - there Figure 7Cis a partial axial sectional view along line YY of the Figure 7A ; [ Fig.8 ] - there figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of a second exemplary embodiment of an assembly according to the invention; [ Fig.9 ] - there figure 9 is a side view of the block of the entire figure 8 on which the cap release button is in the active high position; [ Fig. 10 ] - there figure 10 is a partial perspective view of the headdress of the entire figure 8 ; [ Fig. 11 ] - there figure 11 is an axial sectional detail view illustrating the design of the release button; [ Fig. 12 ] - there figure 12 is a detail view illustrating the locking button in the retracted lower position; [ Fig. 13 ] - there figure 13is a detail view which illustrates the locking button in the active high position received in a first locking notch corresponding to the first extreme angular position of the cap relative to the block; [ Fig. 14 ] - there figure 14 is a view analogous to that of the figure 14 which illustrates the locking button in the active high position received in another locking notch corresponding to the intermediate angular position of the cap relative to the block; [ Fig. 15 ] - there figure 15 is an axial sectional view of the block through a passage through the axis of the supply valve. Detailed description of the invention

[0007] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical orientation along the axis V indicated in the figures, which by convention is oriented from bottom to top when considering the figures, will be adopted as a non-limiting example and without limiting reference to Earth's gravity.

[0008] In the following description, elements which are identical, similar, analogous or provide the same function will be designated by the same reference numbers. First example of realization

[0009] The set 20 represented in the figure 1 is generally cylindrical in shape with a vertical axis A.

[0010] The assembly 20 comprises, vertically from top to bottom, an upper cover 22, an intermediate pressure reduction block 24 and a lower housing 26.

[0011] Considering the pressure reducing block 24 as a fixed part, the upper cover 22 is fixed in a removable manner on the pressure reducing block 24, here on the upper part 36 of the body 33 of the pressure reducing block 24, by mounting by means of a bayonet type mechanism so as to access the interior of the upper part of the assembly 20 which here houses a sub-assembly for dispensing a product which is contained in a reservoir or a refill which it is necessary to be able to replace when its contents are exhausted.

[0012] As is known, the bayonet type mechanism is a mounting and locking mechanism which comprises a series of lugs which cooperate with complementary “L” shaped grooves which allow the combination of successive movements of engagement by axial translation then locking by rotation.

[0013] At the upper end of the upper cover 22 there is a button 28 for controlling the distribution of the product.

[0014] By pressing button 28, the user causes the product to come out, for example in spray form, through a valve whose opening is controlled by the button.

[0015] The propellant of the product is a low-pressure gas - called low-pressure gas - which is permanently contained inside a sealed internal chamber 30 (See figure 2 ) of the upper cover 22 called the user chamber.

[0016] The internal chamber 30 is supplied with low pressure gas by an outlet 53 of the pressure reduction block 24.

[0017] The pressure reducing block 24 comprises an inlet 25 for high pressure gas - called high pressure gas - which is contained in a high pressure gas cartridge 32 whose outlet orifice 34 is connected to this inlet orifice 25 (See Figure 3A ).

[0018] The pressure reducing block 24 has the function of reducing the value of the pressure of the high pressure gas prevailing in the cartridge 32 to supply the utilization chamber 30 with low pressure gas.

[0019] By way of non-limiting example, the cartridge contains a gas at a pressure of approximately 60 bars which is expanded by the pressure reduction block 24 to a usage value of between 3 and 4 bars to supply the usage chamber 30.

[0020] The cartridge 32 is removably connected to the pressure reducing block 24 to allow the replacement of an empty cartridge with a new full cartridge.

[0021] To allow the cartridge 32 to be replaced, the lower housing 26 is removably fixed to the pressure reducing block 24, here by screwing, onto the lower part 38 of the body 33 of the pressure reducing block 24.

[0022] As can be seen in particular in the figure 2 , the body 33 of the pressure reduction block 24 is a cylindrical body whose lower part 38 is threaded and whose upper part 36 - for the assembly and fixing of the upper cover 22 - here comprises a set of three “L” shaped grooves 40 belonging to the bayonet fixing mechanism, each of which comprises an axial inlet section 42 which opens axially upwards into the horizontal upper face 37 of the upper part 36.

[0023] Each axial section 42 is extended by a circumferential section 44 which here extends in a horizontal plane.

[0024] The bayonet fixing mechanism advantageously allows it to absorb the forces induced by pressure.

[0025] The body 33 of the pressure reduction block 24 comprises three peripheral axial bores 46, 52 and 62 - with parallel axes A46, A54 and A64 - each of which opens into the upper face 37 and which are here distributed angularly in a regular manner.

[0026] A first bore 46 houses a ball plunger 48 belonging to a safety locking mechanism of the upper cover 22 on the pressure reduction block 24.

[0027] A second bore 52 houses a valve 54, called a supply valve, which is a normally closed type valve for closing the bore 52.

[0028] For example, this is a valve reference 37890-06 marketed by the applicant.

[0029] The supply valve 54 comprises a rod 56 for controlling its opening, the free end 58 of which projects axially beyond the upper face 37 and extends inside the internal chamber 30 of the upper cover 22.

[0030] The opening is caused by axially urging the supply control rod 56, here axially from top to bottom, towards the inside of the bore 52 to move the valve flap from its seat.

[0031] The bottom 60 of the bore 52 is supplied with low pressure gas by the pressure reducing block 24 and, when the valve 54 is open, the gas enters the internal chamber 30 through the upper emerging end 53 of the bore 52 which constitutes the low pressure gas outlet 53 of the pressure reducing block 24.

[0032] For this purpose, a channel - not visible in these figures - which can be made using a hole connects the outlet of the pressure reducing block to the chamber 30.

[0033] A third bore 62 constitutes a purge conduit for the internal chamber 30. A valve 64, called a purge valve, is housed in the bore 62.

[0034] The purge valve 64 is a normally closed type valve which closes the conduit to isolate the internal chamber 30.

[0035] For example, this is a valve reference 37890-6 marketed by the applicant.

[0036] The purge valve 64 comprises a rod 66 for controlling its opening, the free end 68 of which projects axially beyond the upper face 37 and extends inside the internal chamber 30 of the upper cover 22.

[0037] The opening is caused by axially urging the supply control rod 66, here axially from top to bottom, towards the inside of the bore 62 to move the valve flap from its seat.

[0038] The upper emerging end 63 of the bore 62 constitutes the upstream end of the purge conduit while its lower end 70 constitutes its downstream end considering the direction of circulation of the gas when the purge valve 64 is open.

[0039] The axes A54 and A64 of the supply valves 54 and purge valves 64 are here parallel to the main vertical axis of the body 33.

[0040] The internal chamber 30 is thus permanently connected to the low pressure gas outlet and the upstream end 63 of the purge conduit 62 of the pressure reduction block 24.

[0041] The lower end tubular section 80 of the upper cover 22 is the section for mounting and fixing the upper cover 22 on the upper part 36 of the pressure reduction block 24 which comprises for this purpose a set of three fixing lugs 84 complementary to the “L” shaped grooves 40 belonging to the bayonet fixing mechanism.

[0042] The three lugs 84 are arranged in a horizontal plane which is close to the lower end axial edge 82 of the upper cap 22.

[0043] An O-ring 86 provides a seal between the inner concave side wall 79 of the lower end tubular section 80 of the upper cap 22 and the outer convex side wall 35 of the upper part 36 of the body 33 of the pressure reducing block 24.

[0044] In addition to its function of fixing to the pressure reduction block 24, the lower end tubular section 80 of the upper cover 22 comprises a cam 88 for sequenced control of the opening and / or closing of the supply valves 54 and purge valves 64, and of locking.

[0045] For this purpose, in a horizontal plane offset upwards relative to the plane of the lugs 84, the lower end tubular section 80 comprises a cam produced in the form of an internal radial shoulder 88 which, without limitation, is here divided into two sections 90 and 92.

[0046] The lower axial face of each of the two sections 90, 92 is shaped into a cam profile 94, 96 which extends over a corresponding angular sector.

[0047] The first cam profile 94 belongs to the safety locking mechanism of the upper cover 22 on the pressure reducing block 24 and it cooperates with the ball 49 of the ball pusher 48.

[0048] For this purpose, it comprises a ramp profile which ends with a locking notch 98, in the form of a spherical cap, which is capable of partially housing the ball 49 when the latter is angularly aligned with the locking notch 98.

[0049] The second cam profile 96 constitutes the control cam profile with which the free end 58 of the supply control rod 56 and the free end 68 of the purge control rod 66 cooperate simultaneously. In addition to its circumferential control profile, the vertical position of the cam profile 96 relative to the plane of the lugs 84 is such that, when the lugs are axially opposite the circumferential sections 44 of the grooves 40, the free ends 58 and 68 are in contact with the cam profile 96 against which they bear under the action of the return springs of the corresponding valves 54 and 64.

[0050] A design with three lugs 84 regularly distributed at one hundred and twenty degrees of angle allows in principle three mounting positions.

[0051] For the purpose of correct mounting of the upper cover 22 on the pressure reducing block 24 for controlling the valves 54 and 64, it is necessary to ensure a determined angular positioning of the cam profiles 94 and 96 relative to the pressure reducing block 24 and the assembly 20 comprises keying means for this purpose.

[0052] Without limitation, the keying means are here produced by sizing one of the three lugs 84 smaller than the other two and a corresponding complementary vertical section 42 narrower than the other two.

[0053] After having identified the correct angular positioning of the lugs 84 opposite the axial sections 42, the assembly of the upper cover 22 on the pressure reduction block 24 is carried out by axially introducing the lugs 84 into the axial sections.

[0054] This relative angular position is the first extreme angular position - called assembly (or disassembly) - of the upper cover 22 relative to the pressure reduction block 24.

[0055] From this first extreme angular position, the user can rotate the upper cover 22 relative to the pressure reduction block 24 according to a maximum stroke corresponding to the extension of the circumferential sections 44 of the “L” grooves 40.

[0056] When the angular travel of the lugs 84 inside the circumferential sections 44 approaches the bottom 45 of these sections, the ball 49 arrives opposite the locking notch 98 into which it penetrates and is held there elastically.

[0057] This “locked” position corresponds to the second extreme angular position, called fixing, of the upper cover 22 on the pressure reduction block 24.

[0058] In top view and for example considering the Figures 3A , 4A , 5A , 6A And 7A , this relative rotation stroke of the upper cover 22 with respect to the pressure reduction block 24 is carried out in the clockwise direction according to the arrows F1.

[0059] Conversely, to dismantle the upper cover 22 from the pressure reducing block 24 from its second extreme angular position, the upper cover 22 must be rotated relative to the pressure reducing block 24 clockwise according to the arrows F2.

[0060] This angular stroke begins with unlocking which requires the user to initially apply a higher disassembly torque to remove the ball 49 from its locking notch 98.

[0061] The sequencing of the opening and / or closing of the supply valve 54 and / or the purge valve 64 will now be described as a function of the angular position of the upper cover 22 relative to the pressure reduction block 24, in particular between its first and second angular positions. First extreme angular position - Figures 3A to 3C:

[0062] A high pressure gas cartridge 32 is attached to the pressure reducing block 24 and its outlet orifice 34 is connected to the inlet 25.

[0063] The lower chamber 27 of the lower housing 26 is connected to ambient pressure, generally to atmospheric pressure.

[0064] The pressure reducing block 24 performs its function as a pressure regulator and supplies the bottom 60 of the bore 52 with low pressure gas.

[0065] For example, after having reloaded the distribution subassembly with product to be distributed, the upper cover 22 is put in place in its first extreme angular position, the lugs 84 being aligned with the circumferential sections 44.

[0066] In this so-called mounting position: the supply valve 54 is closed; the purge valve 64 is open; low pressure gas is present in the bottom 60 of the bore 52; the internal chamber 30 of the upper cap 22 is connected to ambient pressure, generally to atmospheric pressure; the ball 49 is in contact with a smooth portion of the cam profile 94.

[0067] From this initial position at zero degrees of angle, the user rotates the upper cover 22 according to the arrow F1 to - after a rotation of thirty-five degrees of angle - reach a so-called intermediate angular position. Intermediate Angular Position - Figures 4A to 4C

[0068] In this intermediate position, under the action of the cam profile: the supply valve 54 is always closed; the purge valve 64 is closed; low pressure gas is present in the bottom 60 of the bore 52; the internal chamber 30 of the upper cap 22 is connected to ambient pressure, generally to atmospheric pressure; the ball 49 is in contact with a smooth portion of the cam profile 94, but the spring 47 for locking the ball 49 is compressed and the top of the ball is brought back to the level of the plane of the upper face 37.

[0069] From this intermediate position, at a thirty-five degree angle, the user continues to rotate the upper cover 22 according to the arrow F1 to reach its second extreme angular position located here at a sixty-nine degree angle. Second extreme angular position - Figures 5A to 5C

[0070] In this angular position, under the action of the cam profile: the supply valve 54 is open and the low pressure gas flows according to the arrow F3; the purge valve 64 is closed; the internal chamber 30 of the upper cover 22 is supplied with low pressure gas; the ball 49 is housed in its locking notch 98 under the action of the return spring 47.

[0071] The user can perceive tactilely and / or audibly that the second extreme position of fixing of the upper cover 22 has been reached due to the “arrival” of the locking ball 49 in the locking notch 98.

[0072] The assembly 30 is thus in its state of use and this state is also secure without risk of accidental involuntary disassembly of the upper cover 22 due to the action of the locking mechanism 48-98.

[0073] From this second extreme angular position at sixty-nine degrees of angle, to disassemble the upper cover 22 from the pressure reduction block 24, the user must rotate the upper cover 22 in rotation according to the arrow F2, starting by unlocking the locking mechanism 48-98. Passing through the intermediate angular position again - Figures 6A to 6C

[0074] In this intermediate position, under the action of the cam profile: the supply valve 54 is again closed and the pressure reducing block 24 no longer supplies the internal chamber 30 of the upper cover 22 with pressurized gas; the purge valve 64 is still closed; low pressure gas may still be present in the internal chamber 30 of the upper cover 22; the ball 49 is again in contact with a smooth portion of the cam profile 94 and the top of the ball is brought back to the level of the plane of the upper face 37.

[0075] The supply valve 54 is thus closed again before the upcoming opening of the purge valve 64, thus avoiding any emptying or purging of the internal chamber 30 while it would still be supplied with low pressure gas.

[0076] From this intermediate position, at thirty-five degrees of angle, the user continues to drive the upper cover 22 in rotation according to the arrow F2 to again reach its first extreme angular position located at zero degrees of angle. Return to the first extreme angular position - Figures 7A to 7C

[0077] In this first extreme angular position of disassembly of the upper cover 22: the supply valve 54 has remained closed; the purge valve 64 is open; low pressure gas is present in the bottom 60 of the bore 52; the internal chamber 30 of the upper cap 22 is again connected to ambient pressure, generally to atmospheric pressure; the ball 49 is in contact with a smooth portion of the cam profile 94.

[0078] During the angular travel from the intermediate position to this first extreme angular position, the cam profile 96 caused the opening of the purge valve 64 and therefore - during this angular travel - the progressive emptying (according to the arrow F4) of the internal chamber 30 whose internal pressure returns to ambient pressure, generally atmospheric, before the upper cover 22 can be removed. Additional security

[0079] The design of the purge valve 64 is such that it constitutes a safety valve in the event of overpressure in the internal chamber 30 of use, that is to say for example in a hypothesis in which the pressure reduction block 24 would be faulty and would cause the internal chamber to be supplied with gas at high pressure, or even with gas at the high pressure of the cartridge 32.

[0080] For example, as soon as the pressure prevailing in the internal chamber 30, and therefore at the upstream end 63 of the purge conduit 62, reaches a value greater than a threshold value equal to 8 bars, the purge valve 64 opens automatically and the internal chamber 30 empties and the pressure prevailing there is brought back to ambient pressure.

[0081] As a variant not shown, it is possible to arrange a locking mechanism in one of the circumferential sections 44 in the form of at least one ball pusher with which an associated lug cooperates. Second example of realization

[0082] The second embodiment of an assembly 20 according to the invention will now be described in addition to and by comparison with what has been described with reference to the first embodiment, using identical reference signs to designate identical or similar elements or having identical or similar or analogous functions, including those which are not shown in the figures 8 and following.

[0083] The structural and functional design of Block 24 is unchanged.

[0084] For reasons of compactness and space requirement, the axes A54 and A64 of the supply 54 and purge 64 valves are inclined relative to the main vertical axis of the body 33.

[0085] The locking mechanism of the upper cap 22 is of a different design.

[0086] The body 33 of the block 24 is provided in its convex side wall with a locking button 48 which is mounted to slide vertically in a complementary groove 100 which opens axially upwards into the axial annular face 102 of the central part of the body 33.

[0087] The upper part of the locking button 48 is shaped into a locking hook 49 in the form of an inclined face which provides the same function as the locking ball mentioned above.

[0088] The locking button 48 is elastically returned upwards into its active upper locking position by an elastic blade 47 (See figure 11 ) which performs the same function as the return spring 47 mentioned previously.

[0089] In this position, the active upper hook-forming locking portion 49 extends above the plane of the annular face 102.

[0090] By acting axially downwards on the locking button 48 (according to the arrow F5), against the force exerted by the return spring 47, a user can bring the locking button 48 into its retracted low position (See figure 12 ) in which the active upper part 49 is located below the plane of the annular face 102.

[0091] The locking button 48 is designed to cooperate with a complementary locking notch 98 which is formed in the lower end axial edge 82 of the upper cap 22 and which allows the locking of the upper cap 22 on the body 33 of the block 24 in its second extreme angular position.

[0092] By way of non-limiting example, the lower end axial edge 82 of the upper cap 22 comprises another intermediate complementary notch 99 which is associated with the intermediate angular position of the upper cap 22 relative to the body 24.

[0093] The presence of this other notch 99 allows the user to carry out the angular disassembly stroke necessarily in two stages.

[0094] It has been represented in detail at the figure 15 a portion of the main internal components of the pressure reducing block 24 which comprises a stepped internal piston 200 which is elastically biased downwards by a return and calibration spring 202.

[0095] An internal horizontal partition 204 divides the interior of the upper stage of the piston 200 into two lower chambers 206 and 208, each of which communicates with the peripheral chamber 209 in which the calibration spring 202 is housed and which communicates with the bottom 60 of the bore 52 via a channel 214.

[0096] A seal 210 in the form of a pellet made of elastomeric material is housed under the internal partition 204 and is capable of cooperating with the upper face of a fixed connection 212 which receives the upper end of the high-pressure gas cartridge.

[0097] The calibration value of the spring 202 combined with the various frictions and the action of the low pressure (for example equal to 3.5 or 4 bars) prevailing in the chamber 209 ensures a balance of the piston 200 which is stressed by the high pressure prevailing in the high pressure gas cartridge (for example equal to 60 bars). Variants

[0098] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described.

[0099] For example, in isolation or in combination: the supply and purge valves may be arranged in a horizontal plane orthogonal to the general vertical axis A of the assembly with their control rods which cooperate with a concave cylindrical cam profile formed in the inner concave side wall 79 of the lower end tubular section 80 of the upper cover 22; the high pressure gas cartridge may be arranged inside the internal chamber 30 of the upper cover 22, coaxially inside the distribution sub-assembly.

Claims

1. Assembly (20), suitable for dispensing a product by means of a pressurized gas, comprising: - a) a high-pressure gas cartridge (32); - b) a pressure-reducing unit (24) comprising: -- a high-pressure gas inlet (25) to which the high-pressure gas cartridge (32) is detachably connected; -- a low-pressure gas outlet (53) in which is arranged a supply valve (54) which is normally closed and which comprises a supply control rod (56) which controls the opening of the supply valve (54); -- a bleed duct (62) in which is arranged a bleed valve (64) which is normally closed and which comprises a bleed control rod (66) which controls the opening of the bleed valve (64) to allow the gas to flow from an upstream end (63) to a downstream end (70) of the bleed duct (62); - c) and a cap (22): -- which is removably secured to the pressure-reducing unit (24) with which it delimits an internal utilization chamber (30) which is supplied with low-pressure gas via said outlet (53) of the pressure-reducing unit (24) and which is connected to the upstream end (63) of said bleed duct (62); -- which is rotatable relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24) between: i) a first angular end position for installing the cap (22) on or removing it from the pressure-reducing unit (24); ii) and a second angular end position for securing the cap (22) to the pressure-reducing unit (24), characterized in that the cap which comprises a cam (96) which engages with the supply control rod (56) and / or with the bleed control rod (66) to sequentially causes opening and / or closing of the supply valve (54) and / or the bleed valve (64) on the basis of the angular position of the cap (22) relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24) between its first angular end position and its second angular end position.

2. Assembly (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - in the first angular end position of the cap (22) relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24), under the action of the cam (96), the supply valve (54) is closed and the bleed valve (64) is open; - as it rotates relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24) from its first angular end position to its second angular end position, the cam (96) successively causes closing of the bleed valve (64) and then opening of the supply valve (54); - in the second angular end position of the cap (22) relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24), under the action of the cam (96), the supply valve (54) is open and the bleed valve (64) is closed.

3. Assembly (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - in the second angular end position of the cap (22) relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24), under the action of the cam (96), the supply valve (54) is open and the bleed valve (64) is closed; - as it rotates relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24) from its second angular end position to its first angular end position, the cam (96) successively causes closing of the supply valve (54) and then opening of the bleed valve (64); - in the first angular end position of the cap (22) relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24), under the action of the cam (96), the supply valve (54) is closed and the bleed valve (64) is open.

4. Assembly (20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (48, 98) for locking the cap (22) on the pressure-reducing unit (24) in its second angular end position.

5. Assembly (20) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a member (48) for manually controlling the unlocking of the locking means.

6. Assembly (20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a bayonet mechanism for releasably securing the cap (22) to the pressure-reducing unit (24), in which bayonet securing mechanism at least one securing lug (84) is able to move, in a complementary groove (40, 42, 44), along an angular stroke corresponding to the angular stroke of rotation of the cap (22) relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24) between its first angular end position and its second angular end position.

7. Assembly (20) according to claim 6, characterized in that, in said first angular end position of the cap (22) relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24), the translational stroke of the cap (22) relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24), along its axis of rotation relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24), in order to position said at least one lug (84) opposite the inlet (42) of the complementary groove (40, 42, 44) causes the normally closed bleed valve (64) to open.

8. Assembly (20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the second end angular position of the cap (22) relative to the pressure-reducing unit (24), in which the bleed valve (64) is closed, the bleed valve (64) performs a safety valve function which opens automatically when the pressure at said upstream end (63) of the bleed duct (62) is greater than a given threshold value.

9. Assembly (20) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free end (58) of the supply rod (56) and the free end (68) of the bleed control rod (66) extend inside said closed internal chamber (30) of the cap (22), and in that the cam (96) is an internal radial shoulder of the cap (22), one axial annular face (102) of which comprises a cam profile which is able to engage with said free ends (58, 68) of the supply and bleed control rods (56, 66).