Valve for compressed gas cylinder with circumferential lateral gas outlet

Abstract

The invention is directed to a valve (2) for a compressed gas cylinder, comprising a body (4) with a longitudinal axis, a gas inlet (6), a lateral gas outlet (8) and a gas passage (14) interconnecting the gas inlet (6) and the lateral gas outlet (8); a shut-off device (16) in the gas passage (14); wherein the lateral gas outlet (8) extends circumferentially around the body (4) and is formed by a circumferential groove (20) on the body (4) surrounded by a ring of porous material (10).

Description

VALVE FOR COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER WITH CIRCUMFERENTIAL LATERAL GAS OUTLET

[0001] The invention is directed to the field of valves for compressed gas cylinder, more particular for compressed gas cartridges, notably compressed CO2cartridges used in beverage carbonation machines used as household appliances.Background

[0002] Water carbonation machines are widely used notably in homes since now many years. Their working principles consists essentially in pouring a volume of still water, usually tap water, into a sealed container, and to inject compressed CO2into the container by dissolving the CO2into water, resulting in sparking water. To that end, the container is fluidly connected to a source of compressed CO2, being for instance a cartridge of compressed CO2. Such cartridges can be easily fluidly and mechanically coupled to the carbonation machine for carbonating water or any other beverages and, once emptied, uncoupled, and replaced by a new filled one. The cartridges are therefore subject to a regular coupling and uncoupling operations, in particular by consumers being for instance not particularly trained for such operations. This means that the coupling and uncoupling of such compressed CO2cartridges must be as easy and safe as possible.

[0003] These CO2cartridges usually comprise a valve mounted on the neck thereof, normally closed for maintaining the compressed CO2in the cartridges and able to open once the cartridge is coupled to the carbonation machine. The gas outlet of these valves is classically on the top face thereof so that the gas tight coupling with the carbonation machine classically occurs axially with a bore formed in the top face of the valve. The mechanical coupling classically occurs by means of an outer thread on the valve, commonly named Acme® thread, that engages with a corresponding female thread on the carbonation machine. The engagement and rotation movements of the cartridge relative to the carbonation machine require also skills whereby the coupling can be felt cumbersome for some customers.

[0004] The patent application published WO 2020 / 230115 A1 proposes a new type of coupling between a CO2cartridge and a carbonation machine, whereby essentially the mechanical coupling is achieved by a lifting mechanism engaging with a collar on the cartridge and the gas coupling occurs not on the axial front face anymore but with a lateral surface of the valve. To that end, the valve shows an axial upper end portion with a cylindrical outer surface provided with a groove, the valve comprising several lateral or radial ports opening out on said groove on said cylindrical outer surface. The coupling part on the carbonation machine comprises a cavity or bore with two sealing rings that engage in a gas tight fashion with the cylindrical outer surface. While this solution facilitates the coupling and uncoupling operations, the compressed gas release when the groove passes the lower sealing ring during uncoupling can be loud and felt unpleasant.

[0005] The invention has for technical problem to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art. More specifically, the invention has for technical problem to provide a valve for a compressed gas cylinder, that facilitates its manual engagement with and disengagement from a corresponding coupling head, notably on a beverage carbonation machine.

[0006] The invention is directed to a valve for a compressed gas cylinder, comprising: a body with a longitudinal axis, a gas inlet, a lateral gas outlet and a gas passage interconnecting the gas inlet and the lateral gas outlet; a shut-off device the gas passage; wherein the lateral gas outlet extends circumferentially around the body and is formed by a circumferential groove on the body surrounded by a ring of porous material.

[0007] The body is advantageously made of metal like messing or stainless steel. The body is advantageously formed by forging and thereafter machined.

[0008] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring of porous material is made of a sintered metallic material.

[0009] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a main body and a cover attached to the main part and forming the lateral gas outlet.

[0010] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the circumferential groove is formed on the cover and the ring of porous material is held axially in position around the circumferential groove by abutment on one side against the cover and on an opposed side against the main body.

[0011] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises, at an axial end opposed to the gas inlet, a bore engaging with the cover.

[0012] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the bore comprises a female thread engaging with a male thread on the cover.

[0013] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the bore comprises a shoulder onto which a corresponding shoulder on the cover rests.

[0014] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, a gasket is provided between the bore and the cover, forming a gas tight barrier.

[0015] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the body comprises an axial upper end portion with a cylindrical outer surface comprising the lateral gas outlet.

[0016] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body forms a proximal portion of the cylindrical outer surface, the cover forms a distal portion of the cylindrical outer surface and the ring of porous material forms an intermediate portion of the cylindrical outer surface.

[0017] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the shut-off valve comprises a seat and a shutter resiliently urged against the seat in a flow direction from the gas inlet to the lateral gas outlet.

[0018] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the shutter comprises a shut-off portion configured for cooperating in a gas tight manner with the seat and a stem extending from the shut-off portion through the seat to the exterior of the valve.

[0019] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the shutter comprises on the shut-off portion a gasket that is configured for cooperating in a gas tight manner with the seat.

[0020] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the shutter comprises a sleeve forming the shut-off portion and a pin inserted into a blind hole of the sleeve and forming the stem, the gasket being fitted into a groove around the pin adjacent the sleeve.

[0021] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the stem is slidable in a gas tight manner in a longitudinal bore that open to the exterior of the valve.

[0022] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas passage comprises a radial portion interconnecting the circumferential groove and the longitudinal bore.

[0023] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the stem comprises a gasket fitted into a groove at a distal end of said stem, the longitudinal bore showing a diameter that increases past said gasket when the shut-off valve is closed, towards the seat, so that upon pushing said stem into the longitudinal bore for opening the shut-off device, the gasket loses contact with the longitudinal bore for allowing a gas refill flow through said longitudinal bore.

[0024] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the body comprises an axial lower end portion with the gas inlet and provided with an outer thread for engaging with an inner thread of a neck of the compressed gas cylinder.

[0025] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the body comprises an intermediate portion between the axial upper end portion and the axial lower end portion, said intermediate portion being wider than said axial upper end portion and axial lower end portion, and provided with a gas pressure relief device.

[0026] According to preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve further comprises a collar adjacent the intermediate portion of the body, integrally formed with or in axial abutment against said intermediate portion, said collar forming a radial engagement surface for a lifting mechanism designed for axially engaging the lateral gas outlet with a corresponding coupling head.

[0027] The above invention is advantageous in that it provides a smooth and continuous cylindrical outer surface for engaging by an axial sliding movement with a bore or cavity of a corresponding coupling head, where said bore or cavity is provided with at least two gaskets along which the cylindrical outer surface slides during engagement. This smooth and continuous cylindrical outer surface prevents damages to the gaskets and reduces the engagement force. The circumferential groove serves as distribution means of the gas along the whole circumference of the valve body. The ring of porous material surrounding the circumferential groove serves as diffuser for the gas. The valve is therefore intrinsically safe in generating no resulting jet force in case of accidental opening of the shut-off valve while the valve in not engaged with a corresponding coupling head.

[0028] The above invention is also advantageous in that the construction of valve is particularly simple. Notably, the great majority of the functional surfaces can be made by turning on a lathe, the only functional surfaces not being surfaces of revolution around the longitudinal axis are the radial portion of the gas passage, the bore in the intermediate portion of the body receiving the pressure relief device and the radial drill hole in the axial lower end portion of the body.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] is a perspective view of a valve for a compressed gas cylinder, according to the invention;

[0030] is a front view of the valve of;

[0031] is a section view of the valve of Figs. 1 and 2.Detailed Description

[0032] shows in perspective a valve for a compressed gas cylinder, such as a CO2cartridge for carbonation machines, according to the invention.

[0033] The valve 2 comprises a body 4, a gas inlet 6, a lateral gas outlet 8, a gas passage (not visible) interconnecting the gas inlet and the lateral gas outlet, and a shut-off device (not visible) for shut-off the gas passage.

[0034] The body 4 extends along a longitudinal axis which is for instance vertical in the normal or standard orientation of the valve 2 when mounted on a vertically standing gas cylinder. The body 4 comprises an axial upper end portion 4.1 provided with the lateral gas outlet 8 and intended to engage with a corresponding cavity or bore on a carbonation machine. The body 4 further comprises an axial lower end portion 4.2 with an outer thread intended to engage with a corresponding inner thread of a neck of the gas cylinder. The body 4 can further comprise an intermediate portion 4.3, between the axial upper end portion 4.1 and the axial lower end portion 4.2. The intermediate portion is advantageously wider than the axial upper and lower portions 4.1 and 4.2, for instance can have a non-circular outer surface e.g., hexagonal, for engaging in rotation with a tool for tightening the engagement of the axial lower portion 4.2 with the neck of the gas cylinder. As this is apparent, the intermediate portion 4.3 can also comprise a collar extending radially and circumferentially for serving as engagement surface for a lifting mechanism on a carbonation machine.

[0035] The lateral gas outlet 8 is formed by a ring of porous material 10 housed in a circumferential groove formed in the axial upper portion 4.1 of the body 4.

[0036] The valve 2 can be equipped with a pressure relief valve 12 which is for instance radially engaged in the intermediate portion 4.3 of the body 2.

[0037] is a plan view of the valve of, where the outer thread on the axial lower portion 4.2 of the body 4 is visible. As this is apparent, the optional collar 4.3.2 is integrally formed with the body 4, for instance with the intermediate portion 4.3 thereof. The non-circular outer surface 4.3.1 thereof is adjacent the collar 4.3.2. The collar can also be formed by a separate element, for instance a washer, engaged axially along and around the axial lower end portion 4.2 and resting axially on a lower radial surface of the intermediate portion 4.3 of the body 4.

[0038] is a section view of the valve of Figs. 1 and 2.

[0039] The valve 2 comprises a gas passage 14 formed in the body 4 and interconnecting the gas inlet 6 with the lateral gas outlet 8. The valve 2 further comprises a shut-off device 16 housed in the body 4 and more particularly in the gas passage 14. The shut-off device 16 comprises a seat 16.1 which surrounds the gas passage 14. The seat 16.1 is for instance directly formed in the body 4, whereas it would be formed by one or several parts attached or mounted to the body 4. The shut-off device 16 further comprises a shutter 16.2 which is movable, preferably longitudinally, in the gas passage 14 and configured for cooperating with the seat 16.1. The shutter 16.2 comprises a shut-off portion 16.2.1 which is located on an upstream side of the seat 16.1 (considering the normal gas flow direction from the gas inlet 6 to the lateral gas outlet 8), and urged by a spring 16.3 of the shut-off device 16 towards the seat 16.1. The shutter 16.2 further comprises a stem 16.2.2 extending from the shut-off portion 16.2.1 through the seat 16.1 and along a longitudinal bore 18 formed in the body 4 to an exterior of the valve 2, for instance an axial front face thereof. A portion of the longitudinal bore 18 forms a portion of the gas passage 14. The shutter 16.2 further comprises a gasket 16.2.3 which is fitted onto the stem 16.2.2 directly adjacent the shut-off portion 16.2.1.

[0040] The shut-off portion 16.2.1 is for instance formed by a sleeve with a blind hole, and the stem 16.2.2 is formed by a pin press fitted into the blind hole of the sleeve, being however understood that other constructions can be considered. For example, both the shut-off portion and the stem can be made of a single piece e.g., by machining and / or turning. Also, the engagement between the pin and the sleeve can be by means of threads. The hole in the sleeve also not necessarily be blind.

[0041] The lateral gas outlet 8 is formed by the ring of porous material 10 and by the circumferential groove 20 surrounded by the ring of porous material 8. The gas passage 14 comprises a radial or at least lateral portion 14.2 that interconnects the circumferential groove 20 and the longitudinal bore 18 receiving the stem 16.2.2 of the shutter 16.2 of the shut-off device 16.

[0042] At rest, the spring 16.3 urges the shutter 16.2 against the seat 16.1, thereby shutting-off the gas passage 14. The gas pressure at the gas inlet 6 present on an upstream side of the shutter 16.2, for instance of the shut-off portion 16.2.1 of the shutter 16.2, urges also the shut-off portion 16.2.1 of the shutter 16.2 against the seat 16.1. Upon actuation of the shut-off valve by pushing on the distal end of the stem 16.2.2 of the shutter 16.2, the latter moves down (according to the normal orientation of the valve as illustrated in) against the forces of the spring 16.3 and of the gas pressure at the gas inlet 6, if any, and opens the gas passage 14, allowing the gas to flow through the seat 16.1 and the radial or lateral portion 14.2 of the gas passage 14 towards the circumferential groove 20 where the gas flows then circumferentially and thereafter radially through the ring of porous material 10 surrounding the circumferential groove 20. The latter plays the role of a gas distributor along the whole circumference of the axial upper portion 4.1 of the body 4.

[0043] The stem 16.2.2 of the shutter 16.2 comprises a gasket 16.2.4 fitted around a groove at a distal portion thereof, where that gasket 16.2.4 forms a gas tight barrier with the longitudinal bore 18 over a normal stroke of the shutter corresponding to an opening of the shut-off device for delivering gas to the lateral gas outlet 8, during normal gas delivery. As this is apparent, the longitudinal bore 18 shows a diameter that widens at distance from the gasket 16.2.4 towards the seat 16.1, so that when the shutter is moved over a refill stroke that is larger than the above mentioned normal stroke, the gasket 16.2.4 reaches the diametrically widened area of the longitudinal bore 18 and allows the refill gas fed from the axial front end face of the body 4, where the longitudinal bore 18 opens out to the exterior, to reach gas inlet 6, provided of course that the lateral gas outlet 8 is artificially closed. The refill process will be detailed further below.

[0044] It is to be mentioned that the longitudinal bore 18 with the diametrically-widened area can be machined using special cutting tools that have the capacity upon actuation to increase their outer diameter and reduce it thereafter for extraction of the tool.

[0045] As illustrated, the body 4 can comprise a main body 4.4 and a cover 4.5 engaged with an upper or distal end of the main body 4.4. The main body 4.4 comprises an engagement bore, that is preferably stepped with one or even for instance two shoulders, with a female thread engaging with a male thread of the cover 4.5. The cover can similarly to the engagement bore show a stepped front end configured for precisely engaging with the engagement bore. The latter can show a first shoulder receiving a gasket 22 forming a gas tight barrier, and can show a second shoulder forming an axial abutment with the cover 4.5. The abutment is advantageous in that it avoids deforming the ring of porous material 10 fitted around the cover 4.5 and in axial abutment between said cover 4.5 and the main body 4.4. As this is apparent, the axial upper end portion 4.1 forms an outer cylindrical surface 24 that is formed at its proximal portion by the main body 4.4, at its distal portion by the cover 4.5 and at its intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions, by the ring of porous material 10. In other words, these three elements have the same outer diameter for forming the outer cylindrical surface 24, being a nearly continuous and smooth surface, intended to engage with a corresponding cavity or bore of a machine to which the gas cylinder is intended to be coupled like a carbonation machine.

[0046] As this is apparent the circumferential groove 20 shows a width that is less than the width of the ring of porous material 10, so that said ring 10 rests on a corresponding shoulder of the cover 4.5 by axially covering said circumferential groove 20. That way, the ring of porous material 10 is stably held in position and the circumferential groove 20 allows a proper and even gas distribution along the whole periphery of the axial upper end portion 4.1 of the body 4.

[0047] The ring of porous material 10 is preferably made of sintered metallic material, whereas other porous material such as fibrous or mesh material, preferably metallic can be considered.

[0048] The above-described valve can be used as follows:

[0049] As previously mentioned, the axial lower end portion 4.2 of the body 4 of the valve 2 is intended to be engaged in a neck of a gas cylinder such as a CO2cartridge of a beverage carbonation machine, being however understood that the valve can be used on other types of gas cylinders and also on gas cylinders containing other gases than CO2.

[0050] The gas cylinder equipped with the above valve can be filled with compressed gas by engaging the axial upper end portion 4.1 of the body 4 of the valve 2 with a corresponding refill head, whereby an upper portion of the cylindrical outer surface 24 and / or the front face of the axial upper end portion 4.1 of the body 4 is gas tightly sealed with the refill head, so that refill gas can flow axially via the refill head through the longitudinal bore 18 of the body 4 and through the shut-off device 16 for reaching the gas cylinder (not represented). More specifically, the refill head comprises a movable pin that cooperates with the stem 16.2.2 of the shutter 16.2 of the shut-off device 16, for moving down said stem 16.2.2 over the above briefly mentioned refill stroke whereby the gasket 16.2.4 reaches the widened area of the longitudinal bore 18 for forming a passage for the flow of refill gas towards the opened shut-off valve. The lateral or radial portion 14.2 of the gas passage 14 is closed by forming a gas tight barrier around the ring of porous material 10. Such a barrier can be formed by a cylindrical wall (not represented) provided with two gaskets on its inner surface, engaging with the cylindrical outer surface 24 on each axial side of the ring of porous material 10. When the gas cylinder is totally filled and the refill flow is terminated, the movable pin of the refill head is moved back so as to allow the shutter 16.2 to move to a closed position of the shut-off valve 16. The refill head can be provided with a venting means for releasing the refill pressure remaining between the front face of the axial upper end portion 4.1 of the body 4 and a corresponding wall of the refill head. This also releases the pressure on the sealing means of the refill head on the axial upper end portion 4.1 of the body 4, in particular on the cylindrical outer surface 24, and thereby facilitates a disengagement or uncoupling between the refill head and the axial upper end portion 4.1 of the body 4.

[0051] A filled gas cylinder with the above valve can be coupled to a carbonation machine by axially engaging the axial upper end portion 4.1 of the body 4 into a corresponding coupling head of the carbonation machine. Such a coupling head is provided with a bore into which the axial upper end portion 4.1 of the body 4 fits, said bore being provided with two gaskets engaging with the cylindrical outer surface 24 on each axial side of the ring of porous material 10. The coupling head is also provided with a movable axial pin that can cooperate with the distal end of the stem 16.2.2 of the shutter 16.2 of the shut-off valve 16, by moving down said shutter 16.2 over the above briefly mentioned normal stroke, being shorter than the refill stroke, so as to open the shut-off valve while keeping the gasket 16.2.4 distant from the widened area of the longitudinal bore 18. In that configuration, the gas under pressure located in the gas cylinder can flow through the gas passage 14 until the circumferential groove 20 and essentially radially through the ring of porous material 10 to a corresponding channel or passage in the coupling head and then to the carbonation machine.

[0052] The above detailed valve is particularly advantageous in that its engagement with a coupling head is axial and does not require rotating the gas cylinder as with classical valves provided with an Acme® thread. Also, the valve once in engagement with the coupling head is not subject to axial forces by the gas under pressure because the latter contacts solely the cylindrical outer surface 24. In other words, the radial forces resulting of the gas under pressure on the cylindrical outer surface 24 compensate, so that a forced or uncontrolled disengagement of the valve from the coupling head will not result in the valve being ejected from the coupling head.

[0053] The above detailed valve is particularly advantageous in that the cylindrical outer surface 24 is nearly continuous axially along the ring of porous material, thereby providing a smooth surface along which the gaskets or sealing means of the above-mentioned coupling head can nicely slide without any risk of getting damaged and / or causing forces resisting the axial engagement. The prior art valve provided with at least two exterior ports that open laterally to the longitudinal axis and equally spaced about the longitudinal axis, and more particularly the external circumferential groove to which these exterior ports open out, form irregularities in the generally cylindrical outer surface of the valve, which are not desirable.

[0054] The above detailed valve is further particularly advantageous in that the flow of gas is evenly distributed around the whole circumference of the valve, thanks to the circumferential groove and the ring of porous material. This means that in case of accidental opening, even partial, of the shut-off device of the valve while the valve is not engaged at least properly with a corresponding coupling head, the resulting jet forces of the flow will equilibrate and result in no lateral force which could otherwise lead to uncontrolled and potentially dangerous movements of the gas cylinder.

Claims

A valve (2) for a compressed gas cylinder, comprising:a body (4) with a longitudinal axis, a gas inlet (6), a lateral gas outlet (8) and a gas passage (14) interconnecting the gas inlet (6) and the lateral gas outlet (8);a shut-off device (16) in the gas passage (14);characterized in thatthe lateral gas outlet (8) extends circumferentially around the body (4) and is formed by a circumferential groove (20) on the body (4) surrounded by a ring of porous material (10).The valve (2) of claim 1, wherein the ring of porous material (10) is made of a sintered metallic material.The valve (2) of one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the body (4) comprises a main body (4.4) and a cover (4.5) attached to the main body (4.4) and forming the lateral gas outlet (8).The valve (2) of claim 3, wherein the circumferential groove (20) is formed on the cover (4.5) and the ring of porous material (10) is held axially in position around the circumferential groove (20) by abutment on one side against the cover (4.5) and on an opposed side against the main body (4.4).The valve (2) of one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the main body (4.4) comprises, at an axial end opposed to the gas inlet (6), a bore engaging with the cover (4.5).The valve (2) of claim 5, wherein the bore comprises a female thread engaging with a male thread on the cover (4.5).The valve (2) of one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the bore comprises a shoulder onto which a corresponding shoulder on the cover (4.5) rests.The valve (2) of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a gasket (22) is provided between the bore and the cover (4.5), forming a gas tight barrier.The valve (2) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body (4) comprises an axial upper end portion (4.1) with a cylindrical outer surface (24) comprising the lateral gas outlet (8).The valve (2) of claim 9 and of any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the main body (4.4) forms a proximal portion of the cylindrical outer surface (24), the cover (4.5) forms a distal portion of the cylindrical outer surface (24) and the ring of porous material (10) forms an intermediate portion of the cylindrical outer surface (24).The valve (2) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the shut-off valve (16) comprises a seat (16.1) and a shutter (16.2) resiliently urged against the seat (16.1) in a flow direction from the gas inlet (6) to the lateral gas outlet (8).The valve (2) of claim 11, wherein the shutter (16.2) comprises a shut-off portion (16.2.1) configured for cooperating in a gas tight manner with the seat (16.1) and a stem (16.2.2) extending from the shut-off portion (16.2.1) through the seat (16.1) to the exterior of the valve (2).The valve (2) of claim 12, wherein the shutter (16.2) comprises on the shut-off portion (16.2.1) a gasket (16.2.3) that is configured for cooperating in a gas tight manner with the seat (16.1).The valve (2) of claim 13, wherein the shutter (16.2) comprises a sleeve forming the shut-off portion (16.2.1) and a pin inserted into a blind hole of the sleeve and forming the stem (16.2.2), the gasket (16.2.3) being fitted into a groove around the pin adjacent the sleeve.The valve (2) of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the stem (16.2.2) is slidable in a gas tight manner in a longitudinal bore (18) that opens to the exterior of the valve (2).The valve (2) of claim 15, wherein the gas passage (14) comprises a radial portion (14.2) interconnecting the circumferential groove (20) and the longitudinal bore (18).The valve (2) of one of claims 15 and 16, wherein the stem (16.2.2) comprises a gasket (16.2.4) fitted into a groove at a distal end of said stem, the longitudinal bore (18) showing a diameter that increases past said gasket (16.2.4) when the shut-off valve (16) is closed, towards the seat (16.1), so that upon pushing said stem (16.2.2) into the longitudinal bore (18) for opening the shut-off device (16), the gasket (16.2.4) loses contact with the longitudinal bore (18) for allowing a gas refill flow through said longitudinal bore (18).The valve (2) of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the body (4) comprises an axial lower end portion (4.2) with the gas inlet (6) and provided with an outer thread for engaging with an inner thread of a neck of the compressed gas cylinder.The valve (2) of one of claims 9 and 10, and according to claim 18, where the body (4) comprises an intermediate portion (4.3) between the axial upper end portion (4.1) and the axial lower end portion (4.2), said intermediate portion (4.3) being wider than said axial upper end portion (4.1) and axial lower end portion (4.2), and preferably provided with a gas pressure relief device (12).The valve (2) of claim 19, further comprising a collar (4.3.2) adjacent the intermediate portion (4.3) of the body (4), integrally formed with or in axial abutment against said intermediate portion (4.3), said collar (4.3.2) forming a radial engagement surface for a lifting mechanism designed for axially engaging the lateral gas outlet (8) with a corresponding coupling head.

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