Device for assembling two tanks with one another

Abstract

A device is provided for assembling a first tank (1) to a second tank (2) by respective surfaces (11, 21) that face each other in substantially parallel planes, using a mechanism (3) for blocking the movement of an element (12), which forms a projection and is supported by a first of the two surfaces (11, 21), in a receiving recess in a second of the two surfaces (11, 21).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mechanisms for installing stacked tanks and more particularly mechanisms for assembling and locking said tanks with one another.

[0002] At present a number of consumption products are transported and stored in the liquid state, such as water or gas in appropriate tanks. In the context of marketing and use of these products their tanks come to be manipulated and moved for an installation liable to be carried out by stacking. Likewise, in the context of installation of heat pumps, different flasks and / or tanks formed by respective storage volumes are in particular liable to be stacked to address overall size constraints.

[0003] Stacking tanks imposes above all that the tanks are easy for an installer to manipulate, that is to say that they have holding surfaces accessible to a user in order to be lifted and moved without this preventing their assembly or impeding or increasing the overall size their installation.

[0004] Furthermore, to avoid accidental separation it is imperative that the assembly of the tanks be stabilized. Conventionally, this stabilization is obtained through cooperation by complementarity of shape between the surfaces of the tanks positioned facing one another and intended to be in contact with sufficient mass of the tanks to limit accidental tipping. However, if the connection between these tanks must be secured, in particular when they interact with transfers of fluid as in the case of a heat pump, the installation of the stacked tanks has to integrate a locking mechanism. However, apart from the constraints of positioning such a locking mechanism, because of the overall size of existing interconnections if any between the tanks, it is essential for the locking mechanism to be simpler for an installer and to remain of easy access for a manipulator.

[0005] The present invention has for object alleviating these drawbacks by proposing a device for assembling two tanks with one another that enables easy manipulation by a user in the context of its installation and simplified locking of the assembly without impact on the overall size imposed by the volume of each of the two tanks and any interconnections between the two tanks.

[0006] The invention therefore has for object a device for assembling a first tank with a second tank at the level of respective surfaces positioned facing one another in substantially parallel planes characterized in that the device includes:

[0007] on the surface of the first tank at least one element forming a projection relative to the surface of the first tank and carrying at least one shoulder oriented toward the periphery of the surface of the tank,

[0008] on the surface of the second tank a receiving arrangement incorporating at least one housing including an orifice the edge of which is disposed at the same level as the surface of the second tank, the at least one housing having at least one portion of sufficient width to enable insertion therein of the element forming a projection of the first tank along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the second tank,and in that the device includes, structurally associated with the second tank, at least one mechanism for locking the movement of the element forming a projection in the at least one housing of the receiving arrangement, this locking mechanism including at least one element interacting with the element forming a projection of the first tank inserted in the at least one housing, this interaction element including at least one shoulder arranged to cooperate with the shoulder of the at least one element forming a projection carried by the first tank, the two shoulders being mounted to be movable relative to one another in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface of the second tank between two positions:

[0009] a first position in which the interaction element cooperates with the element forming a projection of the first tank so as to block at least the movement in translation thereof in at least one direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the second tank,

[0010] a second position in which the interaction element is spaced from the element forming a projection to be free of any movement.

[0011] The invention will be better understood thanks to the following description referring to various preferred embodiments given by way of non-limiting example and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 represents a schematic depiction of one example of the surface of a tank carrying housings to receive a device according to the invention incorporating a locking mechanism.

[0013] FIG. 2 represents a schematic depiction in section in a plane perpendicular to the cooperating surfaces of the tanks of one example of a device according to the invention combining two surfaces of tanks positioned face to face and incorporating a locking mechanism.

[0014] FIG. 3 represents a schematic depiction in section in a plane parallel to the cooperating surfaces of the tanks of an example of the surface of a tank carrying housings to receive a device according to the invention incorporating a locking mechanism.

[0015] FIG. 4 represents a schematic depiction of another example of the surface of a tank carrying housings to receive a device according to the invention incorporating a locking mechanism.

[0016] FIG. 5 represents a schematic depiction of an example of a device according to the invention associating two surfaces of tanks positioned face to face and incorporating a locking mechanism, the tank associated with the projecting elements not being depicted.

[0017] FIG. 6 represents a schematic detailed depiction of the example of a device according to the invention depicted in the preceding figure.

[0018] It should be noted that in the present document the surfaces 11, 21 of the tanks 1, 2 are specifically the surfaces 11, 21 of those tanks positioned face to face and / or intended to be positioned face to face, that is to say surfaces 11, 21 of those tanks 1, 2 specifically adapted to be associated or to be connected together.

[0019] Thus the invention has for object a device for assembling a first tank 1 with a second tank 2 at the level of respective surfaces 11, 21 positioned facing one another in substantially parallel planes characterized in that the device includes:

[0020] on the surface 11 of the first tank 1 at least one element 12 forming a projection relative to the surface 11 of the first tank 1 and carrying at least one shoulder 121 oriented toward the periphery of the surface 11 of the tank 1,

[0021] on the surface 21 of the second tank 2 a receiving arrangement incorporating at least one housing 22 including an orifice 221 the edge of which is disposed at the same level as the surface 21 of the second tank 2, the at least one housing 22 having at least one portion of sufficient width to enable insertion therein of the element 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the surface 21 of the second tank 2,and in that the device includes, structurally associated with the second tank 2, at least one mechanism 3 for locking the movement of the element 12 forming a projection in the at least one housing 22 of the receiving arrangement, this locking mechanism 3 including at least one element 31 interacting with the element 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 inserted in the at least one housing 22, this interaction element 31 including at least one shoulder 311 arranged to cooperate with the shoulder 121 of the at least one element 12 forming a projection carried by the first tank 1, the two shoulders 121, 311 being mounted to be movable relative to one another in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second tank 2 between two positions:

[0022] a first position in which the interaction element 31 cooperates with the element 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 so as to block at least the movement in translation thereof in at least one direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface 21 of the second tank 2,

[0023] a second position in which the interaction element 31 is spaced from the element 12 forming a projection to be free of any movement.

[0024] The invention therefore enables assembly of two tanks 1, 2 thanks in particular to at least partial cooperation of shapes between on the one hand an element 12 forming a projection carried by a first tank 1 and on the other hand a housing 22 carried by the second tank 2. This assembly is completed by a locking mechanism 3 employing an interaction element 31 to immobilize the projecting element 12 in position inside the housing 22. This interaction element 31 is configured to bring about cooperation between on the one hand the surface of a shoulder 311 that it carries and on the other hand that of the shoulder 121 carried by the element 12 forming a projection.

[0025] It should be noted that when the surface 11 of the first tank 1 carries a plurality of elements 12 forming projections each of those elements 12 can be inserted in a respective housing 22. The distribution of the elements 12 forming projections on the surface 11 of the first tank 1 is then adapted to correspond to the distribution of the housings 22 on the surface 21 of the second tank 2.

[0026] In the context of the mechanism according to the invention the stacking of the two tanks 1, 2 is effected conjointly with the installation of an element 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 inside a housing 22 carried by the second tank 2. This insertion is then completed by locking the assembly of the two tanks 1, 2 along at least one axis of movement perpendicular to the shoulders 121, 311. The locking mechanism 3 is equally able to lock the element 12 forming a projection in the housing 22 along at least one additional axis of movement.

[0027] It should be noted that depending on the variant of construction envisaged only the interaction element 31 or the element 12 forming a projection can be moved relative to the second tank 2. Thus in a first variant the interaction element 31 is mounted on and fixed to the tank 2 so that the element 12 forming a projection is mobile in the dedicated housing 22 so as to cooperate by means of the shoulders 121, 311 with that interaction element 31. In a second variant the interaction element 31 is mounted on and mobile relative to the tank 2 so as to cooperate with the element 12 forming a projection in its definitive position in its dedicated housing 22.

[0028] The respective surfaces 11, 22 of the tanks 1, 2 positioned face to face include substantially plane arrangements at the level of at least one portion of the arrangement and are substantially parallel to one another when they are brought together to assemble the tanks with one another.

[0029] In an example relating to a variant construction of the device according to the invention the at least one element 12 forming a projection is formed by a circular arrangement a distal edge of which relative to the surface 11 of the tank 1 includes a shoulder 121 adapted to cooperate with a shoulder 311 carried by the interaction element 31. In this variant the element 12 forming a projection has a substantially rectilinear arrangement along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface 11 of the first tank 1, that is to say along the axis of the junction of the two tanks 1, 2 with one another. The distal end of this arrangement includes a surface forming a shoulder 121 disposed in a plane substantially parallel to that of the surface 11 of the first tank 1. This shoulder 121 being configured to interact with a shoulder 311 of the interaction element 31, its positioning plane enables definition of a retaining plane, or even a locking plane, preventing movement of the assembly of the two tanks 1, 2 with one another along an axis perpendicular to the surfaces of the tanks 1, 2. The surfaces of the shoulders 121, 311 respectively carried by the element 12 forming a projection and the interaction element 31 are abutted against one another in the retaining or locking plane of the assembly of the two tanks 1, 2 with one another. In a more specific example of the construction of this variant the shoulder 121 has a peripheral arrangement on the perimeter of the distal end of the element 12 forming a projection. Such construction of the shoulder 121 enables cooperation of the element 12 forming a projection with the interaction element 31 all around the periphery of the element 12 forming a projection and therefore does not limit the positioning of the interaction element 31 to cooperate with the element 12 forming a projection at the level of a particular face.

[0030] In accordance with an example relating to a particular construction variant of the element 12 forming a projection that can be combined with at least one of the variants described in detail above the element 12 forming a projection is formed by an annular arrangement of substantially similar shape and smaller size than the orifice 221 of the housing 22. The peripheral edge of the distal end of the element 12 forming a projection includes a lip over at least one length of its portion a surface of which forms the shoulder 121 of the element 12 forming a projection.

[0031] In accordance with an example relating to an alternative construction variant of the element 12 forming a projection that can be combined with at least one of the variants described in detail above at least one element 12 forming a projection is produced by a pin the end of which includes a flange adapted to cooperate with a shoulder 311 on the interaction element 31. Thus one of the surfaces of the flange and in particular the surface facing the surface 11 of the tank 1 forms the surface of the shoulder 121 intended to cooperate with the interaction element 31.

[0032] In accordance with another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention that can be combined with one of the variants described in detail above the shoulder 311 of the interaction element 31 is arranged so as to have a surface in a plane substantially parallel to that of the surface 21 of the second tank 2. This shoulder 311 is configured to interact with the surface of the shoulder 121 of the element 12 forming a projection relative to the surface 11 of the first tank 1 so that its positioning plane also defines a retaining plane or even a locking plane preventing movement of the assembly of the two tanks 1, 2 with one another along an axis perpendicular to the surfaces of the tanks 1, 2. The surfaces of the respective shoulders 121, 311 of the element 12 forming a projection and the interaction element 31 are abutted against one another in a retaining or locking plane of the assembly of the two tanks 1, 2 with one another.

[0033] In accordance with another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention that can be combined with one of the variants described in detail above the interaction element 31 is mounted so as to slide along an axial travel through the housing 22 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second tank 2. In this construction variant the interaction element 31 participates in retaining the element 12 forming a projection in position inside the housing 22 on the surface of the second tank 2, in particular when the element 12 forming a projection is positioned in the housing 22 by inserting it through the orifice 221 the edge of which is disposed at the same level as the surface 21 of the second tank 1. The housing 22 therefore includes at least one orifice 223 positioned at the level of one of its lateral walls and adapted to have passed through it at least a part of the interaction element 31 and in particular the shoulder 311 of the interaction element 31.

[0034] In accordance with an example relating to a specific feature of the variant described in detail above the interaction element 31 includes at least one arrangement carrying an immobilizing abutment 311, 312 adapted to be positioned through the housing 22 in the vicinity of and / or against the element 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 inserted in the housing 22. When it passes through a wall of the housing 22 the interaction element 31 positions the shoulder 311 inside the housing 22 between on the one hand the surface of the shoulder 121 of the element 12 forming a projection inserted in the housing 22 and on the other hand the orifice 221 for insertion of the element 12 forming a projection in that housing 22. Under these conditions the shoulder 311 of the interaction element 31 forms an abutment that forms a blocking interface inside the housing 22 preventing movement of the element 12 forming a projection out of the insertion orifice 221. In a preferred construction the interaction element 31 positions the abutment formed by the shoulder 311 inside the housing 22 so that the latter comes into contact with the surface of the shoulder 121 of the element 12 forming a projection when the latter is inserted to the maximum inside the housing 22. In this way the interaction element 31 on the one hand blocks the element 12 forming a projection against extraction from the housing 22 and on the other hand blocks any relative movement of the element 12 forming a projection inside the housing 22 along the axis along which it is inserted in that housing 22. In accordance with an example relating to a construction that is an alternative to or complementary to the construction described in detail above the interaction element 31 also carries an abutment 312 configured to limit or even to prevent movement of the element 12 forming a projection inserted in the housing 22 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second tank 2. In this example the interaction element 31 that is positioned through the housing 22 in particular by passing it through an orifice 223 at the level of one of the lateral walls of the housing 22 is arranged to be positioned laterally relative to the element 12 forming a projection inserted in the housing 22. The interaction element 31 disposed laterally relative to the element 12 forming a projection installed inside the housing 22 thus carries a surface forming an abutment 312 different from the surface of the shoulder 311 and against which a lateral surface of the element 12 forming a projection, that is to say a surface other than the shoulder 121, can bear. Also, bearing against this lateral abutment 312 carried by the interaction element 31, the element 12 forming a projection has a travel that is limited if not prevented in at least one direction in the plane incorporating the housing 22 and substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second tank.

[0035] In accordance with another example relating to a variant construction of the device according to the invention that can be combined with at least one of the variants described in detail above the interaction element 31 includes at least one arrangement carrying two blocking abutments 312 respectively forming two faces positioned face to face and adapted to be positioned through the housing 22 on either side of the element 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 inserted in the housing in the vicinity of and / or against that element 12 forming a projection. In accordance with this construction example the interaction element 31 includes a pair of arms each carrying a respective abutment 312 and configured to be positioned facing two opposite lateral surfaces of the element 12 forming a projection. Also, the interaction element 31 includes two portions of its structure carrying respective abutments 312 positioned through the housing 22 on either side of the element 12 forming a projection inserted in the housing 22 so that the element 12 forming a projection is constrained to move between the two abutments 312 of the interaction element 31 in the plane incorporating the housing 22 substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second tank. Furthermore, it should be noted that when positioning the interaction element 31 through the housing 22 when the two abutments 312 of the interaction element 31 simultaneously bear against two opposite lateral surfaces of the element 12 forming a projection inserted in the housing 22 that element 12 forming a projection is immobilized in translation along at least one axis in the plane incorporating the housing 22 and substantially parallel to the plane of the surface 21 of the second tank.

[0036] In accordance with an example relating to a specific feature of the variant described above in a section plane substantially corresponding to the plane in which the interaction element 31 slides the arrangement of that interaction element 31 includes a notch flanked on either side by blocking abutments 312 so as to have a “U” or a “V” shape. This notch is therefore positioned between two arms of the structure of the interaction element 31 each of which carries a blocking abutment 312.

[0037] In accordance with another example relating to a variant construction of the device according to the invention that can be combined with at least one of the variants described in detail above the interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3 is mounted in and slides in a guide passage 32 carried by one end of the second tank 2, this passage 32 having a shape in section in a plane perpendicular to the sliding movement complementary to at least one portion of the interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3. Thus in accordance with this construction example the passage 32 and the part of the interaction element 31 include arrangements that are substantially identical so that the interaction element 31 is able to slide easily inside the guide passage 32. The passage 32 and the part of the interaction element 31 preferably have substantially rectilinear arrangements so as to enable perfectly guided rectilinear travel of the interaction element 31. This axial travel is in particular in an orientation that is substantially radial in a plane parallel to or coinciding with the surface 21 of the second tank 2.

[0038] In accordance with another example relating to a specific feature of the variant described in detail above the interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3 slides along an axis including at least one component that is radial relative to the barycenter of the surface 21 of the second tank 2 that carries the housing 22. The movement in translation of the interaction element 31 along a substantially rectilinear travel therefore corresponds to a movement between the periphery of the tanks 1, 2 and the central interior part of the surfaces 11, 21 of the tanks 1, 2. In accordance with an example relating to a preferred construction variant the interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3 slides along an axis oriented radially relative to the barycenter of the surface of the second tank 2 that carries the housing 22. Also, the travel of the interaction element 31 corresponds to a radial orientation that extends radially on the barycenter of the surface 21 of the second tank 2. It should be noted that this construction enables positioning of one end of the interaction element 31 at the periphery of the surface 21 of the tank 2 and allows actuation or manipulation thereof from the periphery of the tank 2 and notably from a portion of the peripheral surface of the second tank 2, in particular a portion of the peripheral surface positioned in the vicinity of the surface 21 of the second tank 2 intended to be positioned face to face with the corresponding surface 11 of the first tank 1. Accordingly, by intervening at the level of the peripheral surface of the second tank 2 a manipulator is able to act at the level of an end of the interaction element 31 disposed at the periphery of the tank 2 to actuate movement of that interaction element 31 in the direction of a central part of the surface 21 of the tank 2 or from that central part in the direction of the periphery of that surface 21. The radial movement of the interaction element 31 enables positioning of its end that carries a shoulder 311 through the dedicated orifice 223 of the housing 22 and possibly abutments 312 intended to be positioned laterally relative to the element 12 forming a projection so as to enable retention of the element 12 forming a projection inside the housing 22. Likewise, this radial movement of the interaction element 31 enables disengagement of the shoulder 311 and the abutments 312 as well as release of the element 12 forming a projection retained inside the housing 22.

[0039] In accordance with one example relating to a specific feature of the variant described above the end of the interaction element 31 of the locking mechanism 3 positioned at the level of a lateral and / or peripheral surface of the second tank 2 includes a holding interface 34 for a manipulator. For example, this holding interface 34 is formed by a handle. In accordance with this construction variant the peripheral surface of the second tank 2 is used to position one or more holding interfaces 34 so that they enable manipulation of the tank 2 without the surface 21 of the second tank 2 being impacted by the overall size of the holding interface 34. Positioning a holding interface 34 projecting relative to the peripheral surface of the second tank 2 therefore enables manipulation of the tank 2 independently of any particular arrangement at the level of the surface 21 intended to interact with a first tank 1 that is stacked on it. The integration of the holding interface 34 at the level of a peripheral end of an interaction element 31 then enables positioning of such a holding interface 34 at the level of the peripheral surface of a tank 2 in the vicinity of an edge of the surface 21 of the tank 2 intended to cooperate with the surface 11 of another tank 1 positioned face to face to produce the assembly.

[0040] Likewise, such a holding interface 34 enables production of an actuating interface for manipulating the movement of the interaction element 31 at the level of the surface 21 of the tank 2 and therefore locking of the element 12 forming a projection in the housing 22 carried by the second tank 22. Accordingly, the holding interface 34 is preferably mounted to be mobile and moves with the interaction element 31 to actuate the latter. In accordance with an example relating to a specific variant of this construction variant the peripheral surface of the tank 2 includes a housing 33 with dimensions adapted to receive the holding interface 34 when the interaction element 31 moves in translation toward the central part that includes the barycenter of the surface 21 of the tank 2. In accordance with another specific variant the insertion of the holding interface 34 in this housing 33 enables elimination of the projection of the holding interface 34 relative to the peripheral surface of the tank 2 and therefore a reduced overall size of the holding interface 34 at the level of this peripheral surface of the tank 2. In accordance with one particular construction example the housing 33 has dimensions substantially complementary to those of the holding interface 34 and the peripheral surface of the holding interface 34 is likewise adapted to be at substantially the same level as the peripheral surface of the tank 2 when the holding interface 34 is inserted in the housing 33. Also, when the holding interface 34 is inserted in the housing 33 the peripheral surface of the tank 2 has a homogeneous surface. It should also be noted that the housing 33 and the passage 32 in which the interaction element 31 is mounted and slides are arranged to communicate with each other and disposed in line with each other so that the interaction element 31 passes through the housing 33 when the associated holding interface 34 is extracted from the housing 33.

[0041] In accordance with another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention that can be combined with at least one of the variants described in detail above the interaction element 31 mounted to be able to slide has a substantially plane structural arrangement disposed in a plane parallel to the surface 21 of the second tank 2 that carries the housing 22. Such a plane arrangement makes it possible to obtain an interaction element 31 the geometry of which is optimized for positioning at least a part of that element 31 through the depth of the housing 22 intended to receive an element 12 forming a projection carried by the first tank 1. The plane arrangement of the interaction element 31, particularly of its edge, therefore enables a construction that is able partly to block the housing 22 in section at a depth of the housing 22 so as to block removal of the element 12 forming a projection inserted inside the housing 22. Furthermore, the plane arrangement of the interaction element 31 enables production of the holding interface 34 of the tank 2 in the form of a handle disposed in a plane parallel to the surface 21 of the second tank 2. Furthermore, the production of the plane handle 32 at the peripheral edge of the interaction element 31 enables a construction to be obtained in which the shape complementary with a housing 33 carried by peripheral face of the tank 2 is easy to design.

[0042] In accordance with another example corresponding to a particular variant of the construction of the housing 22 of the receiving arrangement carried by the surface 21 of the second tank 2 this housing 22 corresponds to a grooved arrangement incorporating at least one groove 224 having an edge disposed at the same level as the surface 21 of the second tank 2. This edge disposed at the same level as the surface 21 of the tank 2 defines the perimeter of an orifice 221 through which the element 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 is intended to be positioned.

[0043] In accordance with another example corresponding to a particular variant of the construction of the housing 22 with a grooved arrangement that grooved arrangement includes an annular portion 2241 substantially centered at the barycenter of the surface 21 of the second tank 2. In accordance with one particular example the housing 22 therefore takes the form of an annular grooved arrangement 2241. This construction is advantageously adapted to be coupled to the surface 11 of a first tank 1 that includes a plurality of elements 12 forming a projection distributed on an annular line identical to the annular arrangement 2241 of the housing 22 to be inserted therein. The annular arrangement 2241 is preferably circular. Thanks to such an annular construction no orientation with respect to the stacking axis of these tanks 1, 2 is imposed for assembling those tanks 1, 2 with the result that the various elements 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 are liable to be positioned at any point in the circular housing 22. Also, insertion of the elements 12 forming a projection is facilitated compared to a construction in which each of the elements 12 forming a projection is inserted in a respective dedicated housing 22. Furthermore, once the various elements 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 have been inserted in the circular housing 22 the tank 1 can be pivoted about the stacking axis of the tanks 1, 2 to adopt a possible required orientation, the various elements 12 forming a projection sliding in the circular housing 22.

[0044] In accordance with an example corresponding to a specific variant of the grooved housing 22 described in detail above at least a part of the edge of the grooved annular portion 2241 of the housing 22 includes a shoulder 311 arranged so that the width of the groove at the level of this part of the edge is less than the interior width of the groove. Such a construction enables incorporation of at least a part of the locking mechanism, in particular the shoulder 311 of the interaction mechanism 3, into a part of the housing 22. The edge of the orifice 221 of the housing 22 intended to have passed through it a part of an element 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 when that element 12 takes the form of a pin includes a shoulder 311 arranged to cooperate with the shoulder 121 carried by the element 12 forming a projection. Also, at the level of the interior of the groove of the housing 22 the width of the groove is sufficient to position therein the edge of the element 12 forming a projection that carries the shoulder 121. Likewise, at the level of the edge of the orifice 221 of the housing 22 positioned at the same level as the surface 21 of the tank 2 the width of the groove is restricted by the shoulder 311 of the interaction element 3 so that edge of the element 12 forming a projection that carries the shoulder 121 is retained in the groove. The cooperation between the two shoulders 121, 311 prevents or even limits movement along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the groove of the housing 22 or the surface 21 of the second tank. It should be noted that in the context of a grooved arrangement of the housing 22 a part of which has such a construction the positioning of the edge of the element 12 forming a projection that carries the shoulder 121 in the housing 22 so as to cooperate with the shoulder 311 of the interaction element 3 carried by the edge of the orifice 221 of the housing 22 is initially made by insertion of the element 12 forming a projection at the level of a part of the housing 22 where the edge of the orifice 221 does not include any interaction element 3, and in particular any shoulder 311, after which the element 12 forming a projection slides inside the housing 22 along a portion of the groove.

[0045] In accordance with an example corresponding to a specific variant of the grooved housing 22 described in detail above the grooved arrangement of the housing 22 includes at least one rectilinear portion 2242 a first edge of which is open to communicate with an annular portion 2241 of the arrangement and a second end of which opens onto the peripheral edge of the second tank 2. In accordance with this second construction variant the rectilinear portion 2242 makes the junction with the annular portion 2241 and the edge of the tank 2 includes an orifice 2243 at its edge at the periphery of the tank 2. This orifice 2243 has dimensions sufficient to enable insertion of the edge of the element 12 forming a projection that carries the shoulder 121 when that element 12 is in the form of a pin along an axis substantially coaxial with the axis of the rectilinear portion 2242 of the grooved arrangement of the housing 22. This orifice 2243 is therefore positioned on the peripheral surface of the tank 2 in the vicinity of or at the same level as the junction of the edge of the surface 21 of the second tank 2 that carries the grooved housing 22. Also, the first tank 1 can be positioned on the second tank 2 by sliding of their respective surfaces 11, 21 relative to one another conjointly with insertion of the edge of the element 12 forming a projection that carries the shoulder 121 in the groove of the housing 22 at the level of the orifice 2243 positioned at the periphery of the tank 2. The edge of the element 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 is then moved in translation inside the grooved arrangement by sliding of the surface 11 of the first tank 1 on the surface 21 of the second tank 2.

[0046] In accordance with an example corresponding to a specific variant of the grooved housing 22 incorporating a rectilinear portion 2242 as described in detail above the grooved arrangement of the housing 22 includes at least two parallel rectilinear portions 2242 a first edge of which is open to communicate with an annular portion 2241 of the arrangement and a second edge of which opens onto the peripheral edge of the second tank 2 so that the distance between these rectilinear portions 2242 substantially corresponds to the distance between the projections of each of the at least two elements 12 carried by the first tank 1 along at least one axial component parallel to the plane of the surface 11 of the first tank 1. In accordance with this construction variant the first tank 1 the surface 12 of which includes two elements 12 forming a projection in the form of pins can be positioned on the second tank 2 by sliding their respective surfaces 11, 21 relative to one another conjointly with insertion of the respective edges of each of the elements 12 forming a projection carrying a shoulder 121 inside respective rectilinear grooves 2242 of the housing 22. These insertions are effected at the level of orifices 2243 specific to each of these grooves 2242 positioned at the periphery of the tank 2. The elements 12 forming a projection of the first tank 1 are then moved in translation in the grooved arrangement along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of each of the rectilinear portions 2242 of the grooved arrangement. This movement in translation produced by the surface 11 of the first tank 1 sliding on the surface 21 of the second tank 2 ideally continues until the edges of the elements 12 forming a projection are positioned inside the annular portion 2241 of the grooved arrangement so that the first tank 1 can be oriented by pivoting it about the stacking axis, the pins corresponding to the elements 12 forming a projection then sliding in the circular portion 2241 of the grooved arrangement. In the context of a construction variant with three or more parallel rectilinear portions 2242 the principle of assembling and installing the first tank 1 on the second tank 2 is effected in a similar manner. It should be noted that the various parallel rectilinear portions 2242 have distances between them adapted to the respective positions of each of the pins forming the elements 12 forming a projection on the surface 11 of the first tank 2. For example the distances separating the rectilinear portions 2242 from each other are determined to correspond to the distances between the respective projections of each of the elements 22 forming a projection of the first tank 1 on an axial component parallel to the plane of the surface 11 of the first tank 1.

[0047] In accordance with another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention that can be combined with at least one of the variants described in detail above the surface 11 of the first tank 1 is associated with at least two elements 12 forming a projection in the form of pins positioned at substantially equal distances from the barycenter of the surface 11 of the tank 1. This construction enables distribution of a plurality of elements 12 forming a projection along a circular line that can be adapted to an assembly with the annular arrangement 2241 of the housing 22 carried by the surface 21 of the second tank 2. Furthermore, this annular or circular arrangement enables limitation or even prevention of any increase in the overall size of the central part of the surfaces 11, 22 of each of the two tanks 1, 2 so as to render a space of the surfaces 11, 22 available for a junction device or a communication device between the assembled two tanks 1, 2. Positioning the elements 12 forming a projection around the barycenter of the surface 11 of the first tank 1 enables a circular distribution of the elements 12 forming a projection centered on the surface 11 of the tank 1 independently of the shape of that tank 1 and / or of the surface 11 of the tank 1.

[0048] In accordance with an example corresponding to a specific construction of the variant described in detail above the surface of the first tank 1 comprises three elements 12 forming a projection in the form of pins disposed at equal distances from the barycenter of the surface 11 of the first tank 1 and at equal distances from one another, the surface 21 of the second tank 2 including a receiving arrangement associated with a similar distribution of the locking mechanism 3. This example of the distribution of the elements 12 forming a projection in a geometric distribution in the form of an equilateral triangle enables balanced locking of the assembly of the two joint tanks 1, 2, that is to say homogeneous locking around a widened zone at a restricted number of locking points.

[0049] In accordance with another example relating to a construction variant of the device according to the invention that can be combined with at least one of the variants described in detail above at least one element 12 forming a projection relative to the surface 11 of the first tank 1 and / or the housing 22 of the receiving arrangement and / or the locking mechanism 3 at the level of the surface 21 of the second tank 2 is or are incorporated into a structural interface 4 forming a support mounted on / fixed to the respective tank 1, 2. In accordance with this construction example the various elements stated are not mounted individually and directly on the surface 11, 21 of a tank 1, 2 but to the contrary are fixed to the surface 11, 21 of a tank 1, 2 by means of a structural interface 4 on which one or more of the elements stated are mounted / fixed. This structural interface 4 that forms a support structure for one or more of the elements stated is mounted / fixed on one of the tanks 1, 2 at the level of the surface 11, 21 of the tank 1, 2 for assembling and locking these tanks 1, 2. It should be noted that the various elements stated can be mounted / fixed by means of a plurality of structural interfaces 4 forming respective support structures for one or more of the stated elements.

[0050] It should also be noted that in accordance with an example relating to a first variant a structural interface 4 is mounted on and / or fixed to the tank 1, 2 so that the surface 11, 21 of the tank 1, 2 that carries the stated elements is formed by the surface of the structural interface 4 that the thickness of the structural interface 4 spaces from the surface specific to the tank 1, 2 and on which the structural interface 4 is mounted and fixed. In accordance with another example relating to a second variant the structural interface 4 is mounted on and / or fixed to the tank 1, 2 at the level of a housing adapted to receive the structural interface 4 and positioned on the surface specific to the tank 1, 2. The structural interface 4 is then mounted and fixed inside this housing so that the surface of the structural interface 4 is ideally positioned at the same level as the surface 11, 21 of the tank 1, 2.

[0051] In accordance with an example corresponding to a specific variant of the structural interface 4 as described in detail in one or more of the foregoing examples at least one structural interface 4 forming a support mounted on and incorporated in the surface 11, 21 of a tank 1, 2 has a substantially circular arrangement.

[0052] In accordance with another example corresponding to another specific variant of the structural interface 4 as described in detail in one or the other of the foregoing examples that can be combined with at least one of the variants described above the structural interfaces 4 forming supports have substantially circular and / or annular arrangements and are mounted on and incorporated in the respective surfaces 11, 21 of the tanks 1, 2 so as to produce a concentric arrangement of those structural interfaces 4 when positioning the surfaces 11, 21 of the tanks 1, 2 facing one another. This concentric annular arrangement participates in limiting or even preventing any increase in the overall size of the central part of the surfaces 11, 22 of the two tanks 1, 2. Furthermore, given the overall size linked to the respective thicknesses of the structural interfaces 4 this concentric arrangement of two annular structural interfaces 4 with similar shapes but different dimensions allows closer spacing of the surfaces 11, 21 of the tanks 1, 2 facing one another.

[0053] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented in the appended drawings. Modifications are possible, in particular from the point of view how the various elements are constituted or by the substitution of technical equivalents, without this departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for assembling a first tank with a second tank at the level of respective surfaces positioned facing one another in substantially parallel planes, said device comprising:on the surface of the first tank at least one element forming a projection relative to the surface of the first tank and carrying at least one shoulder oriented toward the periphery of the surface of the tank,on the surface of the second tank a receiving arrangement incorporating at least one housing including an orifice the edge of which is disposed at the same level as the surface of the second tank, the at least one housing having at least one portion of sufficient width to enable insertion therein of the element forming a projection of the first tank along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the second tank,and in that the device includes, structurally associated with the second tank, at least one mechanism for locking the movement of the element forming a projection in the at least one housing of the receiving arrangement, this locking mechanism including at least one element interacting with the element forming a projection of the first tank inserted in the at least one housing, this interaction element including at least one shoulder arranged to cooperate with the shoulder of the at least one element forming a projection carried by the first tank, the two shoulders being mounted to be movable relative to one another in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface of the second tank between two positions:a first position in which the interaction element cooperates with the element forming a projection of the first tank so as to block at least the movement in translation thereof in at least one direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the second tank,a second position in which the interaction element is spaced from the element forming a projection to be free of any movement.

2. The assembly device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one element forming a projection is a circular arrangement of which an edge of the distal end relative to the surface of the tank includes a shoulder adapted to cooperate with a shoulder carried by the interaction element.

3. The assembly device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one element forming a projection is a pin the end of which includes a flange adapted to cooperate with a shoulder carried by the interaction element.

4. The assembly device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the interaction element is mounted to slide along an axial travel through the housing in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the surface of the second tank.

5. The assembly device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the interaction element includes at least one arrangement carrying a blocking abutment adapted to be positioned through the housing in the vicinity of and / or against the element forming a projection of the first tank inserted in the housing.

6. The assembly device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the interaction element includes at least one arrangement carrying two blocking abutments forming respective faces facing one another and adapted to be positioned through the housing on either side of the element forming a projection of the first tank inserted in the housing in the vicinity of and / or against that element forming a projection.

7. The assembly device as claimed in claim 6, wherein in a section plane substantially corresponding to the plane in which the interaction element slides the arrangement of that interaction element includes a notch flanked on either side by blocking abutments in order to have a “U”shape or a “V”shape.

8. The assembly device as claimed in claim, wherein the interaction element of the locking mechanism is mounted to slide in a guide passage carried by an edge of the second tank, this passage having a shape in section in a plane perpendicular to the sliding movement complementary with at least one portion of the interaction element of the locking mechanism.

9. The assembly device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interaction element of the locking mechanism is mounted to slide along an axis including at least one component that is radial relative to the barycenter of the surface of the second tank which carries the housing.

10. The assembly device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the interaction element of the locking mechanism positioned at the level of a lateral surface of the second tank includes a holding interface for a manipulator.

11. The assembly device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the housing of the receiving arrangement carried by the surface of the second tank corresponds to a grooved arrangement incorporating at least one groove including an edge disposed at the same level as the surface of the second tank.

12. The assembly device as claimed in claim 11, wherein wherein the grooved arrangement includes an annular portion substantially centered at the barycenter of the surface of the second tank.

13. The assembly device as claimed in claim 12, wherein in that at least a part of the edge of the grooved annular portion of the housing includes a shoulder arranged so that the width of the groove at the level of its edge is less than the interior width of the groove.

14. The assembly device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the grooved arrangement of the housing includes at least one rectilinear portion a first end of which is open to communicate with an annular portion of the arrangement and a second end of which is open on the peripheral edge of the second tank.

15. The assembly device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the surface of the first tank is associated with at least two elements forming a projection in the form of pins at substantially equal distances from the barycenter of the surface of the first tank and the surface of the second tank includes an associated receiving arrangement with a distribution similar to the locking mechanisms.

16. The assembly device as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one element forming a projection relative to the surface of the first tank and / or the housing of the receiving arrangement and / or the locking mechanism at the level of the surface of the second tank is / are incorporated in a structural interface forming a support mounted on and fixed to the respective tank.

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