Operating indicator device
The operating indicator device addresses the challenge of verifying the operational status of safety equipment by using a flag element and spring mechanism to indicate malfunction, ensuring reliable operation verification and preventing use when compromised.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023005564
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing safety equipment packaging does not provide a reliable method to verify the operational status of safety devices, such as protective hoods, ensuring they remain under vacuum and functional for use.
An operating indicator device with a flag element that moves between nominal and alert positions based on pressure from the inflating bag, featuring a spring and retaining mechanism to maintain the alert position, indicating malfunction through a visible indicator.
Ensures reliable verification of the operational status of safety equipment, preventing its use when compromised, and maintaining the alert indication even after pressure release.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Functioning indicator device
[0001] The present invention relates in particular to a functioning indicator device configured to equip a packaging box in which is placed a bag containing under vacuum a safety equipment, in particular a protective hood.
[0002] Patent application EP2979561 discloses a hood comprising a flexible, airtight envelope designed to be worn over the user's head. The flexible envelope is provided with a transparent window and includes, in its lower part, a rigid, generally annular base element designed to be placed around the user's neck. The base element includes a tubular oxygen reservoir with a calibrated outlet opening into the internal volume of the flexible envelope. This type of device is used on board aircraft when the cabin atmosphere is compromised (depressurization, smoke, chemical agents, etc.). This equipment must, in particular, enable flight crew to combat the malfunction, provide assistance to passengers, and manage a possible evacuation of the aircraft. This equipment can be packaged in a bag, which is itself placed in a packaging box.This packaging must comply with strict regulatory requirements.
[0003] The present invention aims in particular to improve the safety of such packaging.
[0004] The invention thus relates to an operating indicator device configured to equip a packaging box in which a bag containing a safety device, in particular a protective hood, is placed. This operating indicator device comprises: - a viewing window, - a flag element comprising a visual indicator of proper functioning and a visual indicator of malfunction, this flag element being movable between a nominal position in which the visual indicator of proper functioning is visible through the viewing window, and an alert position in which the visual indicator of malfunction becomes visible through the viewing window replacing the visual indicator of proper functioning. The flag element further comprises a support face against which the bag presses when the bag inflates while inside the packaging box.This pressure on the bearing surface causes the flag element to move from the nominal position to the alert position. - a spring attached to the flag element and configured to exert an elastic restoring force opposing the passage of the flag element from the position nominal position towards the alert position until sufficient force is exerted by the inflating bag on the bearing face of the flag element, causing the flag element to move from the nominal position to the alert position, - a retaining element for the flag element in the alert position when this alert position has been reached, so that the flag element remains in the alert position even if the force exerted on the support face of the flag element ceases or is reduced.
[0005] The operating indicator device according to the invention provides several advantages as explained below.
[0006] First, the invention allows for visual verification of whether the bag, for various reasons, has inflated abnormally, including to the point of perforation. Such swelling followed by perforation renders the equipment contained within it inoperable. The invention thus allows for reliable verification of whether safety equipment, particularly a protective hood, is operational or not. For example, flight crew must be able to verify, using the operating indicator device according to the invention, whether the equipment is still under vacuum in the bag. The bag remaining under vacuum means that the equipment can be used. Conversely, if the bag is no longer under vacuum, then the equipment must not be used. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to visualize the operating indicator device located on the packaging box.This operating indicator device makes visible through the viewing window either a visual indicator of proper operation or a visual indicator of malfunction.
[0007] When the pouch inflates, it exerts pressure on the flag element. If the pressure reaches a certain threshold, the flag tilts into the alert position and the visual malfunction indicator appears through the viewing window. The invention is particularly advantageous in that, after the pressure of the pouch on the flag element is released, the flag element is held in the alert position by the retaining element according to the invention. The operating indicator device according to the invention thus makes it possible to memorize a situation of excessive inflation followed by a perforation of the pouch, so that the user is informed that the equipment is inoperative and should not be used. This alert remains even if the pressure of the pouch on the flag element is released or has disappeared.In the absence of such a retaining element according to the invention, the flag element would return to its nominal position by the action of the spring, thus erasing the anomaly information regarding the bag's inflation. The invention therefore allows for reliable verification of the operating status of the safety equipment packaged in the vacuum-sealed bag.
[0008] It may be chosen to have a target for triggering the visual malfunction indicator after an aircraft cabin type depressurization threshold for an altitude of more than 50kft (“kilofeet”).
[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is part of the spring.
[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is formed by a spring-locking portion configured to engage with a locking element on a flag holder of the operating indicator device. This flag holder is, for example, made of plastic and is configured to be attached to the housing by clipping or other means.
[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the spring locking portion is formed by a locking window configured to engage with the locking element on the flag holder.
[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, this locking element on the flag holder is formed by a protrusion or boss on the flag holder.
[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the locking window on the spring is substantially rectangular.
[0014] Thus, when the flag element reaches the alert position, the spring sees the locking window engaged on the locking boss of the flag holder so that, even when the pressure exerted on the flag element ceases, the cooperation between the locking window of the spring and the locking boss on the flag holder prevents the return of the flag element to the nominal position.
[0015] Alternatively, the locking window on the spring can be replaced by a step formed on the spring leaf, the step being configured to engage under the locking relief or boss of the flag holder, so as to lock the spring leaf under this relief or boss of the flag holder. In this case, the spring leaf can be solid, without a locking window.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag element is configured to pivot around an axis of rotation passing through the flag holder.
[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag element includes a support tab which defines the support face against which the bag presses when the bag inflates.
[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag member comprises a central portion fixed with the spring.
[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, this fastening is achieved using one or more rivets which hold together the flag member and the spring.
[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag element comprises an information tab having a first zone corresponding to the indicator a visual indicator of proper functioning and a second zone corresponding to the visual indicator of malfunction.
[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, these first and second zones, in particular joined to each other, are formed on a flat face of the information tab.
[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, these first and second zones are different colors. These colors are chosen to allow the user to easily recognize proper functioning or malfunction. For example, these colored zones are painted areas.
[0023] In an example of an embodiment of the invention, the first area corresponding to the visual indicator of proper functioning is green, and the second area corresponding to the visual indicator of malfunction is red.
[0024] Other visual information, different from or in addition to colors, may be used. For example, a drawing or letters may be used as flags.
[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag element has a substantially U-shaped side profile, with the central portion and at the ends of this central portion, the support tab and the information tab.
[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the support tab has a greater length than the length of the information tab.
[0027] When the flag element pivots around the axis of rotation, the information tab pivots so that, in the nominal position, the first area corresponding to the visual indicator of proper operation is visible through the viewing window. When the flag element has pivoted into the warning position, the second area of the flag element's information tab becomes visible in the viewing window.
[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag element is made of a rigid material.
[0029] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag element can be made of metal or, alternatively, of a plastic material, in particular polycarbonate.
[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, the central portion of the flag element has two lateral pins serving as pivot joints around the axis of rotation.
[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, the spring includes a spring fixing plate on the flag member.
[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the rivet(s) pass through this fixing plate.
[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, the spring has a bend between a portion of spring forming a blade and this fixing plate.
[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, the elbow makes an angle of approximately 90°, i.e. a right angle, when the spring and the flag member are in the nominal position.
[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, the spring blade includes the locking window.
[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, the locking window is formed at one end of the blade opposite the elbow which connects the blade to the fixing plate.
[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, the locking window on the blade is made above the contact location between the blade and the locking relief on the flag holder so that when the flag member tilts from the nominal position, it is a solid part of the blade that comes to rest on the locking relief of the flag holder.
[0038] Thus, the spring bends around the elbow due to the force exerted by the tilting flag element. The spring's blade then rests against the locking relief or boss of the flag holder until the alert position is reached. When the flag is tilted to the alert position, the window engages in the locking relief or boss of the flag holder, and this retention prevents the spring from returning the flag element to its nominal position.
[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, the spring has a width between 8 and 14 mm, in particular 12 mm.
[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag holder of the operating indicator device includes the viewing window provided with a transparent plate placed in front of the information tab of the flag element.
[0041] The invention further relates to a packaging box for a protective hood comprising an operating indicator device as described above.
[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, the operating indicator device is placed in an opening in a wall of the packaging box, for example an opening on an opening hatch of the packaging box.
[0043] In one embodiment of the invention, the packaging box is metallic and / or made of plastic.
[0044] In one embodiment of the invention, the packaging box is configured to be placed in a compartment on board an aircraft.
[0045] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:
[0046] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a schematic representation of a balaclava according to an example of implementation of the invention, in the folded state;
[0047] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a schematic representation of the hood of Fig.1, the unfolded state;
[0048] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of the hood of the [Fig.1], the user is in the process of moving the articulated device aside in order to put on the balaclava
[0049] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is an isolated schematic representation of the articulated device of the balaclava of [Fig.1];
[0050] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the hood of the [Fig.1], slipped onto the user's head;
[0051] [Fig. 6] [Fig. 6] is a schematic representation of a triggering element of the stopwatch of the balaclava of the [Fig.l];
[0052] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of the hood of the [Fig.1], packed in a bag;
[0053] [Fig.8] Fig.8 represents an alert sequence associated with the stopwatch of the balaclava of the [Fig.1];
[0054] [Fig.9] Fig.9 is a schematic representation of a packaging box according to an example of an embodiment of the invention, in which a bag containing a protective hood is placed under vacuum;
[0055] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a schematic representation of the operating indicator device configured to equip the conditioning box of the [Fig.9];
[0056] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] is a schematic, cross-sectional representation of the operating indicator device of the [Fig. 10], in the nominal position;
[0057] [Fig. 12] The [Fig. 12] is a schematic, cross-sectional representation of the operating indicator device of the [Fig.10], in the alert position;
[0058] [Fig. 13] The [Fig. 13] is a schematic representation of the packaging box according to the [Fig.1], with the bag which has swollen;
[0059] [Fig. 14] The [Fig. 14] is a schematic, cross-sectional representation of an operating indicator device according to another embodiment of the invention, in the nominal position;
[0060] [Fig. 15] The [Fig. 15] is a schematic, cross-sectional representation of the operating indicator device of the [Fig.14], in the alert position.
[0061] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, which will be described hereafter in isolation from the others. characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.
[0062] Figures 1 and 2 show a protective hood 1 comprising: - a flexible envelope 2 configured to be stored in a folded state (state shown in [Fig. 1]) and to be put on, in an unfolded state (state shown in [Fig. 2]), through an open base 3 of the flexible envelope 2, over the head of the user U, - an articulated device 5 (represented in isolation on [Fig.4]) attached to the open base 3 and configured to be placed around the neck of the user U when the flexible cover 2 is put on the user's head.
[0063] In the example described, the flexible envelope 2, which is airtight, mainly contains a Nomex® fabric and a flexible collar 6, in particular made of Neoprene®, forming the base 3.
[0064] The hood 1 further comprises a semi-rigid visor 7, in particular made of transparent polymer, and possibly a sound membrane (not shown).
[0065] The hood 1 further includes a handle 10 attached to the flexible envelope 2, this handle 10 being placed on a top 11 of the flexible envelope 2, in a way accessible to the user when the flexible envelope 2 is in the folded state, as can be seen in [Fig.1].
[0066] In the example described, the handle 10 is in the form of a flexible band 12, roughly rectangular in shape.
[0067] Other strip shapes can be provided, for example a trapezoidal shape or a shape with a rounded end.
[0068] The band-shaped handle 10 is solid, i.e., it has no opening. The handle 10 has no loop.
[0069] The band-shaped handle 10 is attached to the flexible casing 2 by an edge of the band, on an external face 14 of this flexible casing 2. For example, the handle 10 is heat-sealed to the flexible casing 2.
[0070] The handle 10 is made of self-extinguishing material, namely a material which can burn in a flame, but which extinguishes itself as soon as it is removed from it.
[0071] The handle 10 may or may not be made of the same material as the flexible casing. The handle 10 could, if desired, be made as a single piece with the flexible casing 2, for example being an extension of the material of the flexible casing.
[0072] Advantageously the handle 10 has a distinct color from the color of the soft cover 2, being here in fluorescent yellow.
[0073] Thus, the handle 10 is easily and very quickly identifiable by the user when taking the folded hood 1 out of a bag. It may be necessary that the time to equipment setup should take less than 15 seconds.
[0074] As can be clearly seen in [Fig.4], the articulated device 5 comprises two rigid parts 20 and 21 connected by a joint 22 allowing these two rigid parts 20 and 21 to move from a folded position (state shown in [Fig.4]) preventing the passage of the user's head into the hood 1 to an unfolded position (state shown in [Fig.5]) allowing the passage of the user's head into the hood 1.
[0075] The articulated device 5 has a mass of at least 50%, in particular at least 60% or 70%, of the total mass of the hood 1.
[0076] Thus the articulated device 5, which is quite heavy compared to the rest of the hood, allows the hood 1 to be unfolded reliably by gravity.
[0077] The two parts 20 and 21 of the articulated device are formed by two tubular portions connected by the joint 22 to form an open ring in the unfolded position.
[0078] The articulated device 5 is configured to provide an autonomous breathing function for the user who has put on the hood 1. This is the case on hoods intended for actual use, unlike hoods intended for training which may be simpler.
[0079] Thus the articulated device 5 includes an oxygen reservoir 24 formed in the tubular part 21 and provided with an oxygen outlet orifice opening into the internal volume of the flexible envelope 2.
[0080] The tubular part 20 includes a CO2 capture cartridge 25, for example of lime, configured to adsorb CO2 from the user's breathing.
[0081] In the example described, the tubular portion 21 which includes the oxygen reservoir 24 is curved, and the tubular portion 20 which includes the CO2 capture cartridge 25 is straight.
[0082] In the case of a training hood, which does not need to have the functional equipment required for a real-use protective hood, it can be equipped with an articulated device without a breathing function, still allowing users to train to deploy the hood.
[0083] The tubular part 20 of the articulated device 5 has, at its opposite end 29 to the joint 22, a timer 30 configured to be triggered when the articulated device 5 moves from the folded position ([Fig.4]) to the unfolded position ([Fig.5]).
[0084] The stopwatch 30 is equipped with a triggering member 31 configured to trigger the stopwatch 30, this triggering member 31 being linked, on the one hand, to the stopwatch 30 and, on the other hand, to the tubular part 21 of the articulated device 5 so that the spacing between the two parts 20 and 21 of the articulated device 5 acts on the triggering member 31 in order to trigger the stopwatch 30.
[0085] The triggering element 31 is linked to the chronometer 30 in a removable manner. so that the separation of the two parts 20 and 21 of the articulated device 5 from its folded position to its unfolded position causes an extraction of the triggering member 31 of the chronometer 30, an extraction which results in a triggering of the chronometer which begins a countdown.
[0086] As can be clearly seen in figures 4 and 6, the triggering member 31 includes a triggering tab 33 configured to be inserted into a slot 34 of the chronometer 30.
[0087] The stopwatch 30 is configured to be in off mode as long as the tab 33 is held in place.
[0088] For example, removing the tab 33 allows the stopwatch 30 to be connected to an electrical power supply source, for example a battery.
[0089] Alternatively, the trigger tab 33 is made of electrically insulating material, and is configured to keep open a power supply circuit for the stopwatch 30.
[0090] Pulling out this trigger tab 33 causes the stopwatch's power supply circuit to close, and the stopwatch starts running.
[0091] The stopwatch 30 is part of an electronic card 35.
[0092] For example, the stopwatch 30, or the electronic card 35 which defines the stopwatch, is mounted in a cover 36 of the CO2 capture cartridge 25.
[0093] Advantageously the stopwatch 30 is placed away from the oxygen capacity 24 (on the other rigid part of the articulated device) which may include metallic parts that could be at risk for electric arcs.
[0094] The triggering member 31 includes at least one wire 37 connecting the removable triggering tab 33 and the opposite part 21 of the articulated device 5.
[0095] The wire 37 is configured so that, when the articulated device 5 is moved from its folded position to its unfolded position, this wire 37 is taut and pulls the removable tab 33 to extract it from the slot 34 of the stopwatch.
[0096] The removable trigger tab 33 includes a double loop 38 for the passage of the wire 37.
[0097] This double loop 38 allows for the maximum amount of material to be in the extraction axis of the tongue 33.
[0098] The double loop 38 made of a sufficiently flexible material of the tongue 33, each with a notch entry 39, makes it easy to place the wire 37 in the notch 40.
[0099] A notch 40 and a counter-notch 41 are provided to prevent the lace from coming loose from the double loop 38.
[0100] The wire 37 is of sufficient length so that, when the hood 1 is folded, this wire 37 is slack (as can be seen in [Fig. 4]). Thus no tension is not exerted on the release tab by wire 37.
[0101] The removable trigger tab 33 includes an anti-return member 42 configured to oppose with a predetermined force the extraction of this tab 33 out of the slot 34 of the chronometer.
[0102] The anti-return element 42, in the form of an elastic tab, eliminates the risk of applying force to the tab 33 during assembly operations (e.g., folding, insertion into the bag, and vacuum sealing), which could unintentionally trigger the timer 30. The anti-return element 42 increases the force required to remove the tab 33 and thus prevents unintentional triggering.
[0103] The non-return member includes an outgrowth 43 which fits into the slot 34.
[0104] In the example described, the removable trigger tab 33 is made from a plate, for example a plate of plastic material, in particular cut with a water jet.
[0105] The hood 1 is configured to provide the user with at least one piece of information on the use of the hood based on data provided by the stopwatch 30, this usage information being an alert of the end of an oxygen reserve available in the articulated device 5 when the stopwatch has measured a predetermined duration, for example a duration of 15 minutes.
[0106] The hood 1 includes an indicator light 45, formed by one or more LEDs, configured to provide the user with information on how to use the hood. This indicator light 45 is located on the electronic board 35.
[0107] The indicator light 45 is controlled by the electronic board 35 to control the emission of light according to different modes.
[0108] For example, as illustrated in [Fig. 8], following the activation of the timer 30 at time T0 and after a period PS, for example, of 14 minutes, the electronic board 35 is configured to flash the indicator light 45 for a first period PI, which lasts, for example, one minute. The expiration of the first period PI corresponds to reaching time Ter, at which point the regulatory usage time of the hood expires, which is, for example, 15 minutes. This regulatory usage time is determined by the manufacturer based on the availability of oxygen in the reservoir.
[0109] Then the indicator light 45 is kept constantly illuminated for a second period P2, for example of 3 minutes, and then the electronic board 35 is configured to turn off the indicator light 45 at the end of the second period P2. The user must be able to remove the hood before the end of this period P2.
[0110] The invention thus provides an effective alert to the user, so that he can manage the intervention time and remove the hood in time, when the oxygen reserve of the hood 1 is exhausted.
[0111] Other warning sequences can of course be envisaged, for example using another light sequence and / or a sound sequence.
[0112] The 30-minute timer is configured to trigger independently of the oxygen reserve triggering.
[0113] We will now describe the steps of a packaging process for a protective hood 1 as described above, in a bag 50, under vacuum, the packaging process comprising the following steps: - fold the hood 1 so as to leave the handle 10 visible and accessible when the hood 1 is in the folded state. - place the hood 1 folded in this way into bag 50, - close bag 50.
[0114] During folding, the visor 7 is placed on the folded soft cover 2 (see [Fig. 1]) so that folds of the soft cover are behind the visor 7.
[0115] Preferably, the visor 7 is positioned as flat as possible or keeping its initial curvature against the articulated device to avoid the phenomenon of cracking in the material when it remains constrained by folding for a long period of storage which can be between 10 and 15 years.
[0116] We will now describe steps of a process for deploying a hood 1 as described above, initially stored under vacuum in a folded state in a bag 50, the process comprising the following step: - open bag 50 by user U in order to be able to take out hood 1 in the folded state (see [Fig.7]), - lift the hood 1 initially in the folded state, using the handle 10 held by the user, into the raised position, so that the soft envelope 2 can unfold by the action of the weight of the base of the soft envelope 2 and the articulated device 5, to move from the folded state to the unfolded state (see [Fig.2]), - when the flexible envelope 2 is in the unfolded state, turn the hood 1 over and separate the two rigid parts 20 and 21 from each other to move the articulated device 5 into the unfolded position, so that the user can put on the hood 1.
[0117] Thanks to the invention, it is thus possible to deploy the hood 1 simply by holding it vertically using the handle 10, without having to shake the hood abruptly.
[0118] The timer 30 is triggered when the articulated device 5 moves from the folded position to the unfolded position during deployment.
[0119] For use in real-world situations, the hood 1 is stored in bag 50, which is itself placed in a packaging box 100. For use on board an aircraft, the packaging box 100 is placed in an airbag compartment transferable by the cabin crew. The packaging box 100, for example, is metallic and has an opening hatch 101 which can be opened by the cabin crew to remove the sachet 50.
[0120] We will now describe, with reference to figures 9 to 13, an operating indicator device 200 configured to equip such a packaging box 100.
[0121] The operating indicator device 200 is placed in an opening 102 on the opening hatch 101 of the packaging box 100.
[0122] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the operating indicator device 200 comprises a viewing window 201, and a flag member 202 comprising a visual indicator of proper operation 203 and a visual indicator of malfunction 204, this flag member 202 being movable between a nominal position (see [Fig.11]) in which the visual indicator of proper operation 203 is visible through the viewing window, and an alert position (see [Fig.12]) in which the visual indicator of malfunction 204 becomes visible through the viewing window 201 replacing the visual indicator of proper operation 203.
[0123] The flag element 202 further includes a support face 210 against which the bag 50 presses when this bag 50 inflates while in the packaging box 100, this pressure on the support face 210 causing the flag element 202 to move from the nominal position to the alert position, as illustrated in [Fig.13].
[0124] The operating indicator device 200 further includes a spring 211 attached to the flag member 202 and configured to exert an elastic restoring force opposing the passage of the flag member 202 from the nominal position to the alert position until sufficient force is exerted by the bag 50 which inflates on a bearing face 210 of the flag member 202 causing the flag member 202 to pass from the nominal position to the alert position.
[0125] The operating indicator device 200 further includes a holding element 212 of the flag member 202 in the alert position when this alert position has been reached, so that the flag member 202 remains in the alert position even if the force exerted on the bearing face 210 of the flag member 202 ceases or is reduced.
[0126] First, the invention makes it possible to visually verify whether bag 50 has, for various reasons, inflated abnormally, including to the point of perforation. Such inflation followed by perforation of bag 50 renders the equipment contained therein inoperative. The invention thus makes it possible to reliably verify whether the safety equipment, in particular the protective hood, is operational or not. For example, the cabin crew of an aircraft must be able to verify, using the operating indicator device according to the invention, whether The equipment is always kept under vacuum in bag 50. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to visualize the operating indicator device 200 placed on the packaging box. This operating indicator device 200 makes visible through the viewing window 201 either a visual indicator of proper operation 203 or a visual indicator of malfunction 204.
[0127] When the pouch 50 inflates, it exerts pressure on the flag element 202. If the pressure reaches a certain threshold, the flag flips into the alert position and the visual malfunction indicator 204 appears through the viewing window 201. The invention is particularly advantageous in that, after the pressure of the pouch 50 on the flag element 202 is released, the flag element 202 is held in the alert position by the retaining element 212 according to the invention. The operating indicator device 200 according to the invention thus makes it possible to memorize a situation of excessive inflation followed by a perforation of the pouch 50, so that the user is informed that the equipment is inoperative and should not be used. This alert remains even if the pressure of the pouch 50 on the flag element 202 is released or has disappeared.In the absence of such a retaining element 212 according to the invention, the flag element 202 would return to its nominal position by the action of the spring 211, which would erase the anomaly information of the swelling of the bag 50.
[0128] The retaining element 212 is part of the spring 211.
[0129] The retaining element 212 is formed by a locking portion 215 of the spring 211 is configured to engage with a locking element 216 on a flag holder 220 of the operating indicator device. This flag holder 220 is made of plastic and is configured to be attached to the box by clipping or other means. The viewing window 201 is formed on one front face of this flag holder 220.
[0130] The locking portion 215 of the spring 211 is formed by a locking window 218 configured to engage with the locking element 216 on the flag holder 220.
[0131] This locking element 216 on the flag holder 220 is formed by a protrusion or boss on the flag holder 220.
[0132] The locking window 218 on the spring 211 is substantially rectangular.
[0133] Thus, when the flag element 202 reaches the alert position, the spring 211 sees the locking window 218 engaged on the locking boss of the flag holder 220 so that, even when the pressure exerted on the flag member 202 ceases, the cooperation between the locking window 218 of the spring 211 and the locking boss on the flag holder 220 prevents the return of the flag member 202 to the nominal position.
[0134] The flag element 202 is configured to pivot about an axis of rotation X passing through the flag holder 220.
[0135] The flag member 202 includes a support tab 230 which defines a support face 210 against which the bag 50 presses when the bag 50 inflates.
[0136] The flag element 202 has a central portion 231 fixed with the spring 211.
[0137] This fastening is achieved using one or more rivets which hold together the flag member 202 and the spring 211.
[0138] The flag element 202 includes an information tab 232 having a first zone 233 corresponding to the visual indicator of proper functioning 203 and a second zone 234 corresponding to the visual indicator of malfunction 204.
[0139] These first and second zones 233 and 234, adjacent to each other, are formed on a flat face of the information tab 232 and are different colors. These colors are chosen to allow the user to easily recognize proper functioning or malfunction. For example, these colored zones are painted areas.
[0140] The first zone 233 corresponding to the visual indicator of proper functioning 203 is green, and the second zone 234 corresponding to the visual indicator of malfunction 204 is red.
[0141] Other visual information, different from or in addition to colors, may be used. For example, a drawing or letters may be used as flags.
[0142] The flag element 202 has a substantially U-shaped side profile, with the central portion 231 and at the ends of this central portion, the support tab 230 and the information tab 232.
[0143] The support tab 230 has a greater length than the information tab 232.
[0144] When the flag element 202 tilts around the axis of rotation X, the information tab 232 pivots so that, in the nominal position, it is the first zone 233 corresponding to the visual indicator of proper operation 203 that is visible through the viewing window 201. When the flag element 202 has tilted into the warning position, it is the second zone 234 of the information tab 232 of the flag element 202 that becomes visible in the viewing window 201.
[0145] The flag element 202 is made of a rigid material, and can be made of metal or, alternatively, of a plastic material, in particular polycarbonate.
[0146] The central portion 231 of the flag member 202 has two lateral pins 238 serving as pivot joints around the axis of rotation X.
[0147] The spring 211 includes a fixing plate 239 for the spring 211 on the flag member 202.
[0148] The rivets 240 pass through this fixing plate 239.
[0149] The spring 211 has an elbow 245 between a portion of spring 211 forming a blade 246 and this fixing plate 239.
[0150] The elbow 245 makes an angle of approximately 90°, i.e. a right angle, when the spring 211 and the flag member 202 are in the nominal position.
[0151] The blade 246 of the spring 211 has the locking window 218.
[0152] The locking window 218 is formed at one end of the blade 246 opposite the elbow 245 which connects the blade 246 to the fixing plate 239.
[0153] The locking window 218 on the blade is made above the contact location between the blade 246 and the locking relief 216 on the flag holder 220 so that when the flag member 202 tilts from the nominal position, it is a solid part of the blade 246 that comes to rest on the locking relief 216 of the flag holder 220.
[0154] Thus, the spring 211 bends around the elbow 245 due to the force exerted by the tilting flag member 202. The spring 211 then rests, by its blade 246, on the locking relief or boss 216 of the flag holder 220 until the alert position is reached. When the tilting occurs to the alert position, the window 218 engages in the locking relief or boss 216 of the flag holder 220, and this retention prevents the spring 211 from returning the flag member 202 to the nominal position.
[0155] The spring 211 has a width between 8 and 14 mm, in particular being 12 mm.
[0156] The flag holder 220 of the operating indicator device 200 includes the viewing window 201 provided with a transparent plate placed in front of the information tab 232 of the flag element 202.
[0157] In a variant illustrated in figures 14 and 15, the locking window 218 on the spring 211 can be replaced by a step 300 formed on the leaf 246 of the spring, the step 300 being configured to engage under the locking relief or boss 216 of the flag holder 220, so as to lock the spring leaf under this relief or boss 216 of the flag holder 220. In this case, the spring leaf 246 can be solid, without a locking window 218.
Claims
Demands
1. Functional indicator device (200) configured to equip a packaging box (100) in which is placed a bag (50) containing under vacuum safety equipment, in particular a protective hood, this functional indicator device comprising: - a viewing window (201), - a flag element (202) comprising a visual indicator of proper functioning (203) and a visual indicator of malfunction (204), this flag element being movable between a nominal position in which the visual indicator of proper functioning is visible through the viewing window, and an alert position in which the visual indicator of malfunction (204) becomes visible through the viewing window replacing the visual indicator of proper functioning,the flag element (202) further comprising a support face (210) against which the bag presses when the bag inflates while inside the packaging box, this pressure on the support face causing the flag element to move from the nominal position to the alert position, - a spring (211) integral with the flag element (202) and configured to exert an elastic restoring force opposing the movement of the flag element from the nominal position to the alert position until sufficient force is exerted by the inflating bag on the support face (210) of the flag element, causing the flag element to move from the nominal position to the alert position, - a retaining element (212) for the flag element in the alert position when this alert position has been reached, so that the flag element (202) remains in the alert position even if the force exerted on the support face of the flag element ceases or decreases.
2. A functional indicator device (200) according to the preceding claim, wherein the retaining element (212) is formed by a locking portion (215) of the spring configured to engage with a locking element (216) on a flag holder (220) of the operating indicator device.
3. Operating indicator device (200) according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking portion (215) of the spring is formed by a locking window (218) configured to engage with the locking element (216) on the flag holder.
4. Functioning indicator device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flag member (202) has an information tab (232) having a first zone (233) corresponding to the visual indicator of proper functioning (203) and a second zone (234) corresponding to the visual indicator of malfunction (204).
5. Functioning indicator device (200) according to the preceding claim, wherein these first and second zones (233, 234) have different colors, in particular the first zone corresponding to the visual indicator of proper functioning being green, and the second zone corresponding to the visual indicator of malfunction being red.
6. Operating indicator device (200) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the flag member (202) has a substantially U-shaped side profile, with the central portion (231) and at the ends of this central portion, the support tab and the information tab (232).
7. Operating indicator device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring (211) has an elbow (245) between a portion of the spring forming a blade (246) and a fixing plate.
8. Operating indicator device (200) according to the preceding claim, wherein a locking window (218) on the blade is made above the contact location between the blade (246) and the locking relief on the flag holder such that when the flag member (202) tilts from the nominal position, a solid part of the blade (246) comes to rest on the locking relief of the flag holder.
9. Operating indicator device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring (211) has a width between 8 and 14 mm, in particular being 12 mm.
10. Function indicator device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flag holder of the function indicator device includes the viewing window (201) provided with a transparent plate positioned in front of the information tab of the flag member.
11. Packaging box (100) of a protective hood comprising an operating indicator device (200) according to any one of the preceding claims.