EP1278987B1 - Gas bottle with protective casing for use in the medical field - Google Patents

Abstract

Portable gas delivery system intended for medical use. The gas delivery system has a gas cylinder with a bottle body and a gas flow controlling device. The gas cylinder body is partially covered by a first protective casing and the gas flow controlling device and/or the first protective covering are Partially covered with a second protective casing. A protective cowling also provides protection. Such protective casings may be joined together and have a disk shaped bottom portion to protect the bottom of the gas cylinder.

Description

The present invention relates to a gas cylinder on which are fixed means for controlling the entry and exit of gas, in particular a valve block or a valve-regulator assembly, possibly fitted a flow meter, preferably inserted in a protective cover also mounted on the bottle, said bottle and said cover of protection and / or means for controlling the entry and exit of gas being covered by one or more external protective envelopes peripherals consisting of one or more thicknesses, pre-assembled or no, to guarantee a high level of external cleanliness and hygiene of the gas bottle thus equipped.

Currently, gas cylinders for medical use, gas laboratory and industrial gases are painted externally and generally sold as is, i.e. without any overpack or external protection.

Given the intangible nature of the content, i.e. gases colorless in the bottle, the product image is only carried by its container.

However, since the bottle is subjected during its cycle of many handling and transport operations, both in the manufacturer that in the user, the external appearance of the bottle suffers rapidly degrading giving this recyclable packaging a poor quality appearance, a demeaning image for the product, in especially when the bottle contains a medical gas, such as a gas drug.

In addition, the wear resulting from the use and recycling of a gas cylinder for a longer or shorter period, generates a surface condition likely to favor, in particular during its storage, the retention of dust, dirt and various microorganisms, and can pose hygiene issues. So the presence of microorganisms pathogens on the sides of gas cylinders used in the environment hospital can favor the appearance of nosocomial diseases.

The problem which then arises is to be able to improve the appearance, the cleanliness and external image of gas cylinders, especially when the bottle contains medical gas, laboratory gas for analysis use, high purity industrial gas for the electronics or gas industry usable for the manufacture of food products.

Some solutions to this problem have already been proposed but none of them is completely satisfactory.

For example, it is known to use a protective net of material plastic threading directly on the cylindrical barrel of the bottle to protect it locally from impact. However, it has been found in practical, that the net tends to deform if it is not changed regularly and therefore no longer plays its protective role. In addition, the net does not does not protect certain parts of the bottle, such as the protection which the team.

Furthermore, it has also been proposed to arrange a thermoformed film on the cylindrical barrel of the bottle. Although such a thermoformed film ensures good protection of the bottle, it does not give a guarantee sufficient in terms of hygiene, in particular because, on the one hand, this type of film usually stops under the protective cover and, on the other hand, below the barrel of the bottle, that is to say under its base, which leaves the bottom of the bottle and its means of control of the outlet gas without protection. Furthermore, its implementation, carried out manually, is industrially binding because it represents a long operation.

In addition, it is also known to place the bottle in an envelope rigid cardboard which essentially provides protection during the transport of said bottle because, once the bottle is delivered to its site of use, the cardboard is removed and discarded because often damaged or soiled. In other words, arriving at its place of use, the bottle is devoid of any protection and upon its return, after emptying, it will again be damaged during transport

In addition, it was also proposed to place the bottle on its place of use, in particular in risk areas such as blocks operating procedures for medical bottles, in a sachet of fabric or in a rigid metal container wrapping the barrel the bottle. However, again, the solution is not ideal because some parts of the bottle are unprotected or ineffective, in particular the protective cover and the members it contains, such as a valve block or a valve-regulator assembly.

Such solutions have been described in particular in the documents following US-A-5,422,152, FR-A-2703434, FR-A-1512098, US-A-3,787,993, EP-A-581665 or WO-A-98/16776.

We can also refer to documents US-A-5,253,760 on which the preamble of claim 1, US-A-3,921,872, US-A-4,967,923, JP-A-07269790 and FR-A-2706140 which describe different technical solutions applicable to transport and / or protect compressed gas cylinders.

From there, the object of the invention is to solve the above problem by providing a more effective solution in terms of protection and guarantee hygiene than those taught by the prior art, so as to guarantee a high level of external cleanliness and hygiene of gas cylinders.

The solution of the invention consists of a gas cylinder comprising a cylinder body of generally cylindrical shape comprising means for controlling the outlet of the gas and a protective covering arranged around the means for controlling the outlet of the gas, the body bottle being at least partially covered by at least one first protective cover, and the protective cover being at least partially covered by at least one second protective cover,
characterized in that the protective covering is covered at least 70% of its external surface by the second protective covering, said second protective covering covering the covering comprising at least one cut or precut coinciding with and / or placed opposite at least one opening of the protective cover allowing an operator to have access, through said cut to the pre-cut and from said opening, to the means for controlling the outlet of the gas located in the protective cover.

• on appelle "moyens de contrôle de la sortie du gaz", les organes permettant de contrôler la sortie du gaz contenu dans la bouteille, tels que vannes d'ouverture/fermeture, robinets de gaz, détendeurs de gaz, ensembles combinés robinets-détendeurs de gaz et ensembles combinés robinets-détendeurs-débitmètres.
• on appelle "capotage de protection" toute structure tridimensionnelle, en général rigide, apte à assurer une protection mécanique des organes ou moyens de contrôle de la sortie du gaz contre les chocs de toute nature, par exemple le capotage peut avoir une forme simple en "tulipe" ou une forme plus complexe, telle celle décrite par le document EP-A-747796.

In the context of the invention:

• "means for controlling the outlet of the gas" means the members making it possible to control the outlet of the gas contained in the bottle, such as opening / closing valves, gas taps, gas regulators, combined valve-regulator sets gas and combined valve-regulator-flowmeter assemblies.
• "protective cover" is any three-dimensional structure, in general rigid, capable of ensuring mechanical protection of the organs or means for controlling the exit of the gas against shocks of any kind, for example the cover may have a simple form in " tulip "or a more complex form, such as that described in document EP-A-747796.

• le corps de bouteille est recouvert à au moins 70 % de sa superficie externe par au moins la première enveloppe protectrice et/ou le capotage de protection et/ou les moyens de contrôle de la sortie de gaz sont recouverts à au moins 70 % de leur superficie externe par au moins la deuxième enveloppe protectrice, de préférence de 80 % à 98 % de la superficie.
• lesdites première enveloppe protectrice et deuxième enveloppe protectrice sont une enveloppe protectrice unique et/ou forment une structure de recouvrement en une seule pièce.
• lesdites première enveloppe protectrice et deuxième enveloppe protectrice sont dissociées et/ou non solidaires l'une de l'autre.
• la première enveloppe protectrice et/ou la deuxième enveloppe protectrice sont constituées d'une feuille ou structure en un matériau choisi parmi le carton, le carton verni, le carton plastifié ou en un polymère.
• le capotage de protection et/ou les moyens de contrôle de la sortie des gaz sont au moins partiellement et temporairement recouverts par au moins une troisième enveloppe protectrice et/ou une quatrième enveloppe protectrice, de préférence la troisième enveloppe protectrice et/ou la quatrième enveloppe protectrice sont constituées d'une feuille ou structure en un matériau choisi parmi les polymères, de préférence en PET (polyéthylène) ou en PVC (polychlorure de vinyle), de préférence du PET.
• la première enveloppe protectrice et/ou la deuxième enveloppe protectrice sont elles-mêmes recouverte d'une troisième enveloppe externe de protection temporaire servant durant le transport de la bouteille, de préférence ladite troisième enveloppe comporte une où plusieurs poignées de manipulation permettant à un opérateur de porter une bouteille de gaz au moyen d'au moins une poignée de manipulation.
• la première enveloppe protectrice comporte un fond en forme de disque, de préférence ledit fond est rigide et/ou constitué de polymère.
• la première enveloppe protectrice forme un manchon susceptible d'englober au moins 80% du corps de la bouteille.
• la première portion d'enveloppe comporte, en outre, un fond en forme de disque fixé solidairement à ladite première portion d'enveloppe permettant de protéger au moins une partie du fond de la bouteille de gaz.
• la première portion d'enveloppe protectrice et ladite deuxième portion d'enveloppe protectrice sont solidaires l'une de l'autre et formées d'une seule pièce au sein d'une feuille cartonnée, de préférence une feuille cartonnée recouverte de vernis ou d'une pellicule de polymère.
• la première portion d'enveloppe protectrice comporte deux bords longitudinaux, au moins l'un desdits bords portant au moins une bande adhésive, de préférence ladite bande adhésive portée par un desdits bords est susceptible de venir coopérer avec l'autre desdits bords, préférentiellement le bord portant ladite bande adhésive vient adhérer par collage sur l'autre bord.

Depending on the case, the gas cylinder of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics:

• the bottle body is covered at least 70% of its external surface by at least the first protective envelope and / or the protective cover and / or the means for controlling the gas outlet are covered at least 70% of their external surface by at least the second protective envelope, preferably from 80% to 98% of the surface.
• said first protective envelope and second protective envelope are a single protective envelope and / or form a covering structure in one piece.
• said first protective envelope and second protective envelope are dissociated and / or not integral with one another.
• the first protective envelope and / or the second protective envelope consist of a sheet or structure of a material chosen from cardboard, varnished cardboard, plasticized cardboard or a polymer.
• the protective covering and / or the means for controlling the gas outlet are at least partially and temporarily covered by at least a third protective covering and / or a fourth protective covering, preferably the third protective covering and / or the fourth covering protective consist of a sheet or structure of a material chosen from polymers, preferably PET (polyethylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), preferably PET.
• the first protective casing and / or the second protective casing are themselves covered with a third external temporary protective casing serving during the transport of the bottle, preferably said third casing comprises one or more handling handles allowing an operator to carry a gas cylinder using at least one handle.
• the first protective envelope has a disk-shaped bottom, preferably said bottom is rigid and / or made of polymer.
• the first protective envelope forms a sleeve capable of encompassing at least 80% of the body of the bottle.
• the first envelope portion further comprises a disc-shaped bottom fixed integrally to said first envelope portion making it possible to protect at least part of the bottom of the gas bottle.
• the first portion of protective envelope and said second portion of protective envelope are integral with one another and formed in one piece within a cardboard sheet, preferably a cardboard sheet covered with varnish or a polymer film.
• the first protective envelope portion has two longitudinal edges, at least one of said edges carrying at least one adhesive strip, preferably said adhesive strip carried by one of said edges is capable of coming to cooperate with the other of said edges, preferably the edge carrying said adhesive strip adheres by gluing on the other edge.

• elle est de mise en place facile et rapide par le fabricant à l'issue du conditionnement de la bouteille,
• elle permet un maintien dans le temps du niveau de propreté extérieure et d'hygiène de la bouteille, y compris des organes d'exploitation, à savoir le robinet, le détendeur et les divers embouts de sortie de gaz, en particulier dans le cas de bouteille à robinet détendeur intégré,
• elle permet une apposition de graphismes spécifiques permettant une qualification des gaz, un code d'identification, des mentions légales, ou toute autre information utilise, ou de mentions et étiquettes en vue du respect de la traçabilité de la bouteille chez les divers utilisateurs successifs, sans risque d'altération de la surface de la bouteille par des marquages intempestifs et répétés,
• elle permet un contrôle rapide de l'aspect extérieur ou l'état d'utilisation de la bouteille,
• elle autorise la présence d'un dispositif de fermeture constituant un système de garantie d'utilisation, et
• elle conduit à une diminution dans le temps les opérations de remise en peinture et d'immobilisation pour entretien des bouteilles.

The solution of the invention, namely the fact of protecting not only the body of the gas cylinder but also its upper part (covering and / or means for controlling the gas outlet) has the following advantages:

• it is easy and quick to set up by the manufacturer after packaging the bottle,
• it allows the level of external cleanliness and hygiene of the bottle to be maintained over time, including operating elements, namely the valve, the pressure reducer and the various gas outlet nozzles, in particular in the case of bottle with integrated pressure regulator valve,
• it allows the affixing of specific graphics allowing a qualification of the gases, an identification code, legal notices, or any other information used, or of notices and labels in order to respect the traceability of the bottle among the various successive users, without risk of alteration of the surface of the bottle by untimely and repeated marking,
• it allows rapid control of the external appearance or the state of use of the bottle,
• it authorizes the presence of a closing device constituting a guarantee of use system, and
• it leads to a reduction over time in the repainting and immobilization operations for bottle maintenance.

The invention will now be better understood thanks to a detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the figures attached.

The present invention is based on the positioning around the body 1 cylindrical of the bottle and of the casing 2 for protecting envelopes 11, 21, 30 protectors each consisting of one or more pre-assembled thicknesses or not.

One 21 of these envelopes, preferably rigid, protects the cowling 2 of protection and control means 3 of the gas outlet, that is to say the operating elements 3 of the bottle (tap, regulator, end fittings exit....). This rigid part 21 can also protect a part of the body 1 of the bottle, that is to say extend over the body 1 of the bottle.

The bottles concerned by the invention are of dimensions variable (typically up to about 50 liters of water capacity) but preferably small because small bottles (capacity about 5 liters of water) more likely to be transported and handled by different operators and therefore be subject to different more or less contaminating environments.

In the case of gas cylinders for medical use, such a system of protection is part of the pharmaceutical qualification of product contained in the bottle.

• agressions externes (rayures, éclats de peinture...),
• niveau de propreté extérieure non satisfaisant et variable dans le temps,
• niveau d'hygiène non satisfaisant et variable dans le temps,
• absence de qualification pharmaceutique du produit,
• absence de graphismes spécifiques sur les bouteilles permettant une qualification de l'image des gaz en fonction des attentes de leurs marchés respectifs,
• absence de fonctionnalités telles que stabilité de la bouteille, protection des organes d'exploitation (robinet, détendeur embouts de sortie), matérialisation visuelle évidente de l'état d'utilisation de la bouteille,
• absence de protection de la peinture du corps de la bouteille induisant des coûts d'entretien,
• absence de critères objectifs de contrôle de l'aspect extérieur des bouteilles au conditionnement.

Using one or more protective envelopes 11, 21, 30, 40 according to the present invention provides a solution to the following problems:

• external aggressions (scratches, paint chips ...),
• unsatisfactory external level of cleanliness which varies over time,
• level of hygiene unsatisfactory and variable over time,
• lack of pharmaceutical qualification of the product,
• absence of specific graphics on the bottles allowing a qualification of the image of the gases according to the expectations of their respective markets,
• absence of functionalities such as bottle stability, protection of operating devices (tap, regulator outlet tips), obvious visualization of the state of use of the bottle,
• lack of paint protection on the body of the bottle leading to maintenance costs,
• absence of objective criteria for controlling the external appearance of the bottles during packaging.

More specifically, according to the invention, the protection of the bottle is ensured by a first protective envelope 11 arranged around the body 1 of bottle, a second protective envelope 21 arranged around the protective cover 2 and possibly a third envelope 30 including said first envelope 11 and second envelope 21, for example during transport or handling of the bottle.

The first protective envelope 11 constitutes an external thickness covering the body 1 of the bottle of equal length or approximately equal to the total height of the bottle to be protected and slightly larger than the diameter of the bottle, the constituent material is either a polymer, preferably PET (polyethylene), transparent, i.e. a rigid cardboard envelope, optionally varnished or plasticized, as detailed below.

In addition, as shown in Figures 13 to 16, this first protective casing 11 surrounding the body 1 of the bottle comprises preferably a rigid and flat bottom 12 which, on the one hand, facilitates the place of said first envelope 11 around the bottle and, on the other hand, stabilizes the bottle when placed in an upright position. In addition, the presence of a bottom 12 integral with the first envelope 11 allows strengthen bottle hygiene by preventing dust or other dirt to interfere between the body 1 of the bottle and said envelope protective.

As detailed in FIG. 13, the protective packaging 11, 21, seen here on its internal side, i.e. on the side in contact with the body 1 of the bottle, is formed of a first portion of protective casing 11 of generally rectangular shape to cover the cylindrical body with a gas cylinder and a second portion of protective casing 21 for cover at least part of the protective cover 2 protecting the control members 3. The first protective envelope portion 11 and the second protective envelope portion 21 are integral with one another and formed in one piece within a covered cardboard sheet externally with varnish or a polymer film. The first portion envelope 11 carries the bottom 12 in the form of a disc fixed integrally to said first envelope portion 11 via a plastic band 21, itself fixed, for example by gluing to the sheet forming the first portion 11. When mounting the packaging around the bottle, the joining of the two ends of the strip 21, one with the other, can be done by clipping. In addition, an adhesive strip 22 is provided on one of the edges. longitudinal of the first envelope portion 11 to allow its arrangement and its fixing in position around the body 1 of the bottle, the edge 29 with adhesive strip 22 covering and sticking to edge 28 without adhesive strip, via said adhesive strip 22.

However, in some cases, the presence of a flat bottom 12 is not necessary and we can either put nothing more, or add only one or several rings 12 'annular enclosing the base of the first envelope 11, near the bottom of the bottle.

The second protective envelope 21 constitutes a thickness guaranteeing a high level of hygiene of the organs or means of control 3 the outlet of the gases contained in the bottle, for example from a tap or a gas valve-regulator assembly. When said organs or gas outlet control means are protected by a cover 2 of protection, then this second protective envelope 21 covers all or part of the external surface of said protective cover 2, or even possibly also part of the body of the bottle. The second protective envelope 21 may include a rigid cardboard part, for example in plasticized or varnished cardboard. Notches or pre-cuts 23, 24, sealed before commissioning, are provided on this second envelope 21 rigid protector to allow the operator to access the organs operating system 3 of the cylinder (tap, regulator, outlet fittings). This thickness 21 disposable or not can carry specific graphics 25 including the quality is renewed with each packaging.

Furthermore, a third thickness 30 whose constituent material can be a polymer, preferably PET, varnished cardboard or cardboard plasticized, partially or completely protects the bottle during transport from the packaging center to its place of use (hospital, health center or SAMU for example) or on a place of storage before use. The other protective envelopes 11 and 21 can nevertheless be used without this latter thickness 30. This third thickness 30, disposable or not, can also carry specific graphics whose quality is renewed each time conditioning. This thickness 30 must ensure total protection of the bottle during transport and storage, so it must be strong enough. It could, if necessary, be used alone if the level of hygiene expected by the user is not high. This thickness has a side handle that allows easy horizontal carrying of the bottle.

Finally, a fourth thickness 40, which is added to the bottle after using the gas which was contained in said bottle, allows materialize in a very visible way the state of use of the bottle (empty / return to the manufacturer) thanks to information visible from afar, thus avoiding any mishandling of a previously used bottle. Preferably, such a fourth thickness 40 covers at least part of the second protective envelope 21, when the bottle is empty, to the filling site thereof. Advantageously, this fourth thickness 40 is brightly colored (for example orange or red) or includes a specific marking clearly indicating to the user the state of the bottle at a glance.

In general, the number of protective thicknesses is directly related to the level of hygiene sought and the life cycle of the bottle between two successive packages.

• chez le fabricant de gaz à usage médical : à l'issue du remplissage de la bouteille et des contrôles afférents, les enveloppes protectrices, de préférence jetables, sont mise en place sur la bouteille.
• pendant le transport : les dispositifs de rangement des bouteilles sur les camions seront adaptés si nécessaire de façon à ne pas dégrader les enveloppes protectrices durant le transport.
• chez l'utilisateur: la bouteille est livrée en l'état à l'utilisateur qui conserve la totalité des enveloppes protectrices pendant toute la durée du stockage. Au moment de l'utilisation du produit, l'utilisateur retire la troisième 30 épaisseur. La bouteille laisse alors apparaítre les première et deuxième enveloppes 11 et 21. Le produit conditionné présenté avec les garanties de propreté est ainsi protégé durant toute son utilisation. Une fois la bouteille vidée, l'utilisateur dispose une quatrième 40 épaisseur, préférentiellement colorée (orange ou rouge) pour indiquer l'état d'utilisation de la bouteille. La protection de la bouteille lors du retour au centre de conditionnement est donc aussi assurée.
• chez le fabricant de gaz à usage médical : l'utilisateur met la bouteille à la disposition du fabricant pour retour au centre de conditionnement La quatrième enveloppe protectrice 40 colorée est retirée avant conditionnement, lors du tri des bouteilles.

The protective envelopes make it possible to maintain the level of external cleanliness and hygiene of the bottle over time. They are therefore associated with a global usage protocol which comprises different phases, namely:

• at the manufacturer of gases for medical use: after filling the bottle and the related controls, the protective envelopes, preferably disposable, are placed on the bottle.
• during transport: the bottle storage devices on the trucks will be adapted if necessary so as not to damage the protective envelopes during transport.
• to the user: the bottle is delivered as is to the user who keeps all of the protective envelopes for the duration of storage. When using the product, the user removes the third layer. The bottle then lets appear the first and second envelopes 11 and 21. The packaged product presented with the guarantees of cleanliness is thus protected throughout its use. Once the bottle has been emptied, the user has a fourth thickness, preferably colored (orange or red) to indicate the state of use of the bottle. The protection of the bottle upon return to the packaging center is therefore also ensured.
• at the manufacturer of gas for medical use: the user makes the bottle available to the manufacturer for return to the packaging center. The fourth colored protective envelope 40 is removed before packaging, when the bottles are sorted.

During the re-conditioning of the bottles, we proceed preferentially to a systematic replacement of the envelopes of the bottle which are replaced by new and clean envelopes.

Preferably, in the case of small bottles, provision is made for means for carrying the bottle using a side handle 35, 36 (or more) located on the outermost protective casing 30, which allows easy and quick removal after each operation packaging at the manufacturer.

Optionally, in order to improve the level of hygiene, it is possible, during the gas conditioning, or permeate the packaging of a product disinfectant, i.e. treat the packaging and the bottle (body and organs of control) with a disinfectant and / or cleaning solution.

The invention is particularly suitable for use within a hospital or care establishment, or an on-site intervention unit, especially a mobile unit of SAMU type (Autonomous Medical Service) emergency).

Claims (13)

1. Gas bottle comprising a bottle body (1) of cylindrical overall shape comprising means (3) of controlling the outlet of the gas and a protective cowling (2) arranged around the means (3) of controlling the outlet of the gas, the bottle body (1) being at least partially covered by at least first protective casing (11), and the protective cowling (2) being at least partially covered by at least a second protective casing (21),
   characterized in that the protective cowling (2) is covered over at least 70% of its external surface area by the second protective casing (21), the second protective casing (21) covering the cowling (2) comprising at least one cutout or precut (23, 24) that coincides with and/or is placed opposite at least one opening in the protective cowling (2) to allow an operator to have access, through said cutout or precut (23, 24) and said opening, to the means (3) of controlling the outlet of gas which means are situated inside the protective cowling (2).
2. Gas bottle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bottle body (1) is covered over at least 70% of its external surface area by at least the first protective casing (11) and is preferably covered over between 80 and 98% of its external surface area.
3. Gas bottle according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the protective cowling (2) is covered over between 80 and 98% of its external surface area.
4. Gas bottle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said first protective casing (11) and second protective casing (21) are a single protective casing and/or form a one-piece covering structure.
5. Gas bottle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said first protective casing (11) and second protective casing (21) are separate and/or not attached to one another.
6. Gas bottle according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second protective casing (21) covering the means (3) of controlling the outlet of gas comprises at least one cutout or precut (23, 24) allowing an operator to have access, through said cutout or precut (23, 24) to said means (3) of controlling the outlet of gas under said second protective casing (21).
7. Gas bottle according to one of Claims 1 and 3 to 5, characterized in that the means (3) of controlling the outlet of gas are chosen from on/off valves, gas valves, gas pressure reducers, combined gas pressure reducing valve assemblies and combined pressure reducing valve-flow meter assemblies.
8. Gas bottle according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first protective casing (11) and/or the second protective casing (21) are made of a sheet or structure of a material chosen from cardboard, varnished cardboard, plastic-coated cardboard, or a polymer.
9. Gas bottle according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first protective casing (11) forms a sleeve able to encompass at least 80% of the body (1) of the bottle.
10. Gas bottle according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the protective cowling (2) is at least partially and temporarily covered by at least a third protective casing (30) and/or a fourth protective casing (40); the third protective casing (30) and/or the fourth protective casing (40) are preferably made of a sheet or structure of a material chosen from polymers, preferably PET or PVC.
11. Gas bottle according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first protective casing (11) and/or the second protective casing (21) are themselves covered with a third external casing (30) for temporary protection used while the bottle is being transported; said third casing (30) preferably comprises one or more handles (35, 36) allowing an operator to carry a gas bottle using at least one handle (35, 36).
12. Gas bottle according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first protective casing (11) has a disc-shaped bottom (12); said bottom (12) is preferably rigid and/or made of polymer.
13. Use of a bottle according to one of Claims 1 to 12 within a hospital or care establishment, or an on-site response unit, particularly a mobile unit of the emergency medical services type.

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