Rupture Device for Rapid Fluid Release System

Abstract

Rupture device for rapid fluid release system. The present invention relates to a rupture device (1) arranged to condition the release of a fluid contained in a rapid release system (2) comprising at least one reservoir (3) generally in the form of a tube containing said fluid to be released and closed at its ends by a first flange (4) and a second flange (5) having at least one outlet orifice, notable in that it is arranged to be sandwiched between the reservoir (3) and the second flange (5), and comprises at least: - a sealing plate (6) arranged to be positioned against the reservoir (3), and - a punched plate (7) arranged to be positioned between the sealing plate (6) and the second flange (5), and comprising at least one cutout defining a rupture zone of the sealing plate (6), when the pressure of the fluid inside the reservoir (3) reaches a predetermined value. [Fig 1]

Description

Title of the invention: RUPTURE DEVICE FOR RAPID FLUID RELEASE SYSTEM Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of protecting valuables such as, but not limited to, banknotes, checkbooks, official administrative documents, or one or more cash boxes containing banknotes and intended for ATMs. More specifically, it relates to a rupture device that triggers the release of a fluid contained in a rapid release system, as well as said rapid fluid release system comprising such a rupture device for staining said valuables during the breaking or attempted breaking of a container equipped with this system. Prior art

[0002] In the field of rapid fluid release, a number of systems are known which conventionally comprise at least: - a reservoir generally in the shape of a tube containing at least one fluid to be released and closed at its ends by a first flange and a second flange equipped with at least one outlet orifice and means for closing said outlet orifice conditioning the release of the fluid, - a piston sliding in a sealed manner inside and along the longitudinal axis of said reservoir, and - propulsion means attached to the first flange and capable of moving said piston in order to release the fluid through said outlet orifice.

[0003] Conventionally, the propulsion means are a gas generator chosen from the chemical, pyrotechnic, hybrid or cold gas type group, and the means for closing each outlet orifice are a rupture flap capable of tearing open in order to release the fluid when the pressure of the fluid inside the tank reaches a determined value.

[0004] This type of rapid fluid release system is certainly effective, but it has the major drawback of being complex and expensive to manufacture. Indeed, the first and second flanges are complex parts that must be securely fixed to the ends of the reservoir, the seal being achieved by means of an O-ring positioned in a groove machined into the first and second flanges. Furthermore, the rupture seal, typically made of aluminum, of each outlet port is held in position by washers in a support screwed into the second flange, and requires a significant fluid pressure (on the order of 25). bars) inside the reservoir to rupture and release the fluid through the outlet. It is therefore clear that the large number and implementation of all these elements increase the complexity and cost of this type of rapid fluid release system. Finally, the first and second flanges are relatively bulky parts that cannot be used symmetrically, which further complicates the implementation of this type of rapid fluid release system by requiring a greater number of different types of parts. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose a rupture device arranged to condition the release of a fluid contained in a rapid fluid release system, said device being compact, simple to implement and manufacture, and allowing to reduce the size and number of parts of said release system, while simplifying the manufacture and implementation of the latter and limiting the pressure inside the reservoir necessary for the release of the fluid.

[0006] The invention also aims to provide the corresponding release system and a container equipped with said release system.

[0007] According to the invention, a rupturing device is therefore proposed, arranged to condition the release of a fluid contained in a rapid release system comprising at least one generally tube-shaped reservoir containing said fluid to be released and closed at its ends by a first flange and a second flange having at least one outlet orifice, said rupturing device being notable in that it is arranged to be enclosed between the reservoir and the second flange, and comprises at least: - a sealing plate designed to be placed against the tank, and - a punch plate arranged to be placed between the sealing plate and the second flange, and having at least one cutout defining a rupture zone of the sealing plate, when the pressure of the fluid inside the tank reaches a determined value, in order to release the fluid through said outlet orifice, said sealing plates and punch being configured so as to guarantee the seal between the tank and the second flange.

[0008] Advantageously, the sealing plate is made of an elastic material.

[0009] The sealing plate is preferably made of a synthetic elastomer.

[0010] Each cutout of the die-cutting plate advantageously has sharp edges and / or a shape having areas with walls forming an acute angle with each other.

[0011] The invention also relates to a rapid fluid release system notable in that it comprises at least: - a reservoir generally shaped like a tube containing at least one fluid to be released and closed at its ends by a first flange and a second flange equipped with at least one outlet orifice, - propulsion means attached to the first flange and capable of releasing the fluid through said outlet orifice, and - a rupture device according to the invention conditioning the release of the fluid and guaranteeing the seal between the reservoir and the second flange.

[0012] Advantageously, the first flange comprises a block in the overall shape of a flattened parallelepiped bearing against the tank and a tube fixed on said block on the side opposite the tank and receiving the propulsion means.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the seal between the first flange and the reservoir is of the material / material type.

[0014] The means of propulsion is then advantageously a gas generator.

[0015] Advantageously, the second flange comprises a block in the overall shape of a flattened parallelepiped bearing against the rupture device.

[0016] Finally, the invention further relates to a secure storage and / or transport container for valuables comprising an enclosure defining an internal compartment receiving said valuables, a lid allowing or preventing access to said internal compartment, said container being remarkable in that it comprises a rapid fluid release system according to the invention to neutralize said valuables during the breaking or attempted breaking of said container, the fluid being a staining fluid. Brief description of the figures

[0017] Other advantages and features will become clearer from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0018] [Fig. 1] is an exploded perspective external view of a quick release system of fluid equipped with a rupture device according to the invention,

[0019] [Fig.2] is an enlarged perspective view, from another point of view, of the first flange of the rapid fluid release system of the [Fig.1],

[0020] [Fig.3] is an enlarged perspective view of the second flange of the system of rapid release of fluid from [Fig.1]. Description of the implementation methods

[0021] With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the invention relates to a rupture device 1 arranged to condition the release of a fluid contained in a rapid release system 2 comprising at least one reservoir 3 in the general form of a tube containing said fluid to be released and closed at its ends by a first flange 4 and a second flange 5 provided with at least one outlet orifice, not shown, and, conventionally, a piston sliding in a sealed manner inside and along the longitudinal axis of said reservoir 3 in order to release the fluid through said outlet orifice.

[0022] It is understood that, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the release system 2 may not include a piston.

[0023] Said rupture device 1 is arranged to be clamped between the reservoir 3 and the second flange 5 of the rapid release system 2, and comprises at least: - a sealing plate 6 arranged to be disposed against the reservoir 3, and - a punch plate 7 arranged to be disposed between the sealing plate 6 and the second flange 5, and comprising at least a cutout 8,8' determining a rupture zone of the sealing plate 6, when the pressure of the fluid inside the reservoir 3 reaches a determined value, in order to release the fluid through said outlet orifice, said sealing plates 6 and punch plate 7 being configured so as to guarantee the seal between the reservoir 3 and the second flange 5.

[0024] A person skilled in the art will have no difficulty in configuring said sealing plates 6 and punch 7, in particular by adapting their respective dimensions according to those of the release system 2, to guarantee the seal between the reservoir 3 and the second flange 5.

[0025] In the advantageous embodiment shown in figures 1 and 3, the cutting plate 7 has two cutouts 8 and 8'.

[0026] It is well understood that the rupture device 1, which is particularly simple and compact, ensures not only the function of closing said outlet orifice conditioning the release of the fluid, but also the sealing function between the reservoir 3 and the second flange 5.

[0027] For this purpose, the sealing plate 6 is advantageously made of an elastic material, preferably a synthetic elastomer such as, for example, butyl rubber. This latter material is advantageous because it offers high impermeability and good resistance to aging and many chemicals. Furthermore, the use of a sealing plate 6 made of synthetic elastomer significantly reduces the fluid pressure inside the tank required to rupture the sealing plate 6 and thus release the fluid.

[0028] To further facilitate the rupture of said sealing plate 6 at the cutout(s) 8, 8' and the release of the fluid contained in the reservoir 3 through said outlet orifice of the second flange 5, each cutout 8 or 8' of the punched plate 7 advantageously has sharp edges and / or a shape with areas whose walls form an acute angle with each other, so as to form a preferably pointed protruding area. Furthermore, each cutout 8 or 8' advantageously has any shape and its walls do not necessarily extend perpendicularly to the support plane between the punch plate 7 and the sealing plate 6. Finally, in the event that the punch plate 7 has two cutouts 8 and 8', these may be different or identical.

[0029] Furthermore, the sealing plates 6 and punch 7 have at least a plurality of holes 9, 10 passing through them to allow the passage of fixing screws 11 cooperating with threads 12 of the reservoir 3 to fix the second flange 5 on said reservoir 3 and ensure the sealing of this fixing by clamping the rupture device 1 between them.

[0030] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the present invention also relates to a rapid fluid release system 2 comprising at least: - a reservoir 3, generally in the shape of a tube, containing at least one fluid to be released and closed at its ends by a first flange 4 and a second flange 5, equipped with at least one outlet orifice, not shown, - a piston, not shown, sliding in a sealed manner inside and along the longitudinal axis of said reservoir 3, and - propulsion means, not shown, attached to the first flange 4 and capable of moving said piston in order to release the fluid through said outlet orifice, and - a rupture device 1, according to the invention, sandwiched between the reservoir 3 and the second flange 5 and conditioning the release of the fluid and guaranteeing the seal between the reservoir 3 and the second flange 5.

[0031] It is understood that, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the release system 2 may not include a piston. In this case, the release of the fluid through said outlet orifice is achieved solely by means of the propulsion system.

[0032] With reference to [Fig.2], the first flange 4 comprises a block 13 in the overall shape of a flattened parallelepiped bearing against the reservoir 3 and a tube 14 fixed on said block 13 on the side opposite the reservoir 3 and receiving the propulsion means.

[0033] Furthermore, said block 13 has at least a plurality of orifices passing through it to allow the passage of fixing screws 15 cooperating with threads 16 of the reservoir 3 to fix the first flange 4 on said reservoir 3 and ensure the sealing of this fixing.

[0034] Furthermore, assuming a rupture device 1 with a synthetic elastomer sealing plate 6, the seal between the first flange 4 and the reservoir 3 is achieved without an additional sealing element, for example, a flat gasket or O-ring, but solely through contact of the first flange 4 with the reservoir 3. This type of seal is referred to here as a "material-to-material seal." Indeed, the use of a synthetic elastomer sealing plate 6 significantly reduces the fluid pressure required inside the reservoir. Upon release of the fluid, a material-to-material seal is sufficient. This particular configuration further simplifies the components of the release system 2 and reduces their number.

[0035] Similarly, with the previous configuration where a lower fluid pressure inside the tank is required, the propulsion means advantageously constitutes a gas generator selected from the chemical, pyrotechnical, hybrid, or hot or cold gas type. It is understood that the propulsion means applies pressure, either directly or via a piston, to the fluid to compress it inside the tank 3, in order to rupture the sealing plate 6 at the cutout(s) 8, 8', when the fluid pressure reaches a predetermined value, and release it through the outlet orifice of the second flange 5.

[0036] With reference to [Fig.3], the second flange 5 comprises a block 17 in the overall shape of a flattened parallelepiped bearing against the rupture device 1.

[0037] Furthermore, said block 17 has at least a plurality of holes through it to allow the passage of fixing screws 11 cooperating with threads 12 of the reservoir 3 to fix the second flange 5 on said reservoir 3.

[0038] It is clear that, thus configured, the first and second flanges 4, 5 are of particularly simple design, can be implemented symmetrically, and allow a significant reduction in the size of the release system 2.

[0039] Finally, the invention relates to a container for the secure storage and / or transport of valuables such as, but not limited to, fiduciary securities, checkbooks, official administrative documents, or one or more packages or cassettes containing fiduciary securities and intended for ATMs.

[0040] Said container comprises an enclosure defining an internal compartment receiving said valuables, a lid allowing or preventing access to said internal compartment, and a rapid fluid release system according to the invention to neutralize said valuables during the breaking or attempted breaking of said container, the fluid then being a smearing fluid.

[0041] The rupture device 1, the rapid fluid release system 2 and the container according to the invention are particularly applicable to the storage and / or transport of valuables such as, for example, fiduciary securities, but they can also be used for the storage and / or transport of valuables such as, for example, identity cards, driving licenses, vehicle registration cards, or checkbooks.

[0042] Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of rupture device 1, rapid fluid release system 2 and container according to the invention which follow The examples described are merely specific illustrations and in no way limit the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A rapid fluid release system (2) comprising at least one reservoir (3) generally in the form of a tube containing at least one fluid to be released and closed at its ends by a first flange (4) and a second flange (5) having at least one outlet orifice, propulsion means attached to the first flange (4) and capable of releasing the fluid through said outlet orifice, and a rupture device (1) for conditioning the release of the fluid contained in the reservoir (3), characterized in that said rupture device (1) is sandwiched between the reservoir (3) and the second flange (5), and comprises at least: - a sealing plate (6) disposed against the reservoir (3), and - a punched plate (7) disposed between the sealing plate (6) and the second flange (5), and having at least one cutout (8,8') defining a rupture zone of the sealing plate (6),when the fluid pressure inside the reservoir (3) reaches a predetermined value, in order to release the fluid through said outlet orifice, said sealing plates (6) and punch (7) being configured so as to ensure a seal between the reservoir (3) and the second flange (5).

2. Release system (2) according to claim 1 characterized in that the sealing plate (6) is made of elastic material.

3. Release system (2) according to claim 2 characterized in that the sealing plate (6) is made of synthetic elastomer.

4. Release system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that each cut (8,8') of the die-cut plate (7) has sharp edges and / or a shape having areas with walls forming an acute angle with each other.

5. Release system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the first flange (4) comprises a block (13) in the overall shape of a flattened parallelepiped bearing against the reservoir (3) and a tube (14) fixed on said block (13) on the side opposite the reservoir (3) and receiving the propulsion means.

6. Release system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the seal between the first flange (4) and the reservoir (3) is of the material / material type.

7.

8.

9. Release system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the propulsion means are a gas generator. Release system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the second flange (5) comprises a block (17) in the overall shape of a flattened parallelepiped bearing against the rupture device (1). A container for the secure storage and / or transport of valuables comprising an enclosure defining an internal compartment receiving said valuables, a lid allowing or preventing access to said internal compartment, said container (1) being characterized in that it comprises a rapid release system (2) of fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for neutralizing said values ​​during the breaking or attempted breaking of said container, the fluid being a smearing fluid.

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