ES2988446T3 - Fluid container comprising an electronic measuring device with an improved digital display - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas container (20) comprising a gas distribution valve (21) and an electronic measuring device (3) arranged on said gas distribution valve (21), said electronic measuring device (3) comprising a digital display (4). The digital display (4) comprises at least two juxtaposed information display zones (40, 42) comprising a first zone (40) in the form of a disk portion with an arcuate edge (41) and an arcuate bar graph (43) located along the arcuate edge (41), and a second zone (42) of rectangular shape. The electronic measuring device (3) further comprises a digitally activated button (5) and a signal light (6) arranged on the front panel (33), the digital display (4) being arranged in the centre of the front panel (33) and the button (5) and the signal light (6) being arranged above the digital display (4). Use of a gas container (20) of this type, in particular a gas cylinder, for storing or supplying a gas under pressure. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Fluid container comprising an electronic measuring device with an improved digital display

The invention relates to a pressurized gas container, in particular a pressurized gas cylinder, equipped with a gas distribution valve carrying an electronic measuring device comprising a digital display configured to display various information useful to the user, including a bar graph and icons or pictograms, and preferably comprising a protective cover serving to protect the gas distribution valve.

Pressurized fluid containers, such as pressurized gas cylinders or bottles, are usually equipped with a fluid distribution valve, with or without an integrated expansion system, and with a protective cover, also called a "cap", which is used to protect the gas distribution valve against shocks, falls, dirt, etc.

Thus, EP-A-2918893 proposes a gas cylinder equipped with an integrated decompressor or RDI valve protected by a rigid cover comprising openings giving access to the valve organs or elements which are located in the internal volume of the cover, for example to the gas inlet or outlet fittings or connectors used when filling the cylinder when it is empty or, conversely, when extracting gas. A pressure gauge is arranged on the upper half, also called the top, of the cover to provide an indication of the gas pressure to the user.

Furthermore, EP-A-2918892 proposes a cover similar to the above, but in which the pressure gauge has been replaced by an electronic display screen. According to EP-A-3002498, the screen may be touch-sensitive. In both cases, the screen is powered electrically by one or more batteries.

US-A-10,151,405 shows a gas container, in particular a gas cylinder, comprising a fluid distribution valve equipped with an electronic measuring device with a digital display with a first region in the form of a disk portion comprising a semicircular edge and an arcuate bar graph positioned along the semicircular edge, and a second region of rectangular shape.

Document FR-A-3033385 and document US-A-9,285,078 propose other gas containers equipped with an electronic measuring device with a rectangular digital display.

One problem that arises is that the size of these electronic displays, in order to be able to display all the information useful to the user, is often large, leading to very high electrical consumption requiring frequent maintenance operations to recharge or change one or more batteries, but also the general ergonomics of the display in relation to the cover in which it is integrated.

However, the reduction in the size of the displays leads to other problems, in particular a lack of clarity of display and/or readability for the user, and insufficient space available to simultaneously display the various information useful to the user. In addition, in the event that an acoustic and/or visual alert is activated, the user must be able to distinguish from a distance whether such an alert, in particular a visual one, has been activated, and must then be able to easily recognise an alert that has been activated, even when the container is fitted with a protective cover.

Finally, the user must also be able to easily access the means to scroll through information or menus on the digital display, for example flow/range pairs or a quantity of gas expressed in units of pressure or volume, even when the vessel is fitted with a protective cover.

The problem is therefore to propose a gas container, in particular a gas cylinder, comprising a fluid distribution valve equipped with an electronic measuring device with an improved digital display, which allows various useful information to be displayed to the user and does not pose the problems mentioned above, and allows the objectives mentioned to be achieved, even when equipped with a protective cover serving to protect the gas distribution valve, in particular an RDI.

The solution of the invention then relates to a gas container, in particular a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising a gas distribution valve and an electronic measuring device arranged on said gas distribution valve, said electronic measuring device comprising a housing comprising a front panel comprising a digital display, i.e. a screen for displaying information or other, the digital display comprising at least two juxtaposed information display regions comprising a first region in the form of a portion of a disk comprising a semicircular edge and an arched bar graph placed along the semicircular edge, and a second region of rectangular shape, characterized in that the electronic measuring device also comprises a digital activation button and a warning light arranged on said front panel, the digital display being arranged in the center of the front panel of the electronic measuring device, and the button and the warning light being arranged above the digital display.

Depending on the embodiment in question, the gas container of the invention may comprise one or more of the following features:

- the digital display comprises a screen with a height (H) between 2.9 and 3.7 cm and a length (D) between 3.9 and 4.3 cm.

- It also comprises a protective cover arranged around the fluid distribution valve, the electronic measuring device being housed in a first opening arranged in the body of said protective cover.

- It also comprises at least one source of electrical power that supplies electricity to at least the digital display.

- the first region of the digital display exceeds the second region, that is, the first region is placed above the second region.

- the digital display, i.e. a display screen, comprises a window, preferably made of glass or transparent polymer.

- the first region of the digital display includes an arched bar graph placed along the semi-circular edge.

- the bar graph is in the shape of an elongated band.

- the bar graph is in color.

- the bar graph has the form of an elongated band comprising successive zones of different colours. - the bar graph represents the quantities of gas expressed in the form of pressure ranges.

- the bar graph comprises several successive zones of different colours or shades of colours, preferably at least 3 zones.

- the bar graph comprises several successive zones, each subdivided into several segments, preferably each segment represents a gas quantity/a pressure range.

- The bar chart comprises three successive zones comprising:

■ a first zone indicating a gas container containing less than approximately 10% of the maximum amount of gas the container can hold,

■ a second zone indicating a vessel containing approximately 10 to 50% of the maximum amount of gas the vessel can hold, and

■ a third zone indicating a container that contains approximately 50 to 100% of the maximum amount of gas the container can hold.

- The arched bar graph is mainly located in the first region of the viewfinder.

- The arched bar chart includes the start and end ends located in the second rectangular region, that is, the bar chart extends into the second region.

- the arcuate bar graph is designed to represent the gas pressure. Each segment corresponds to a portion, usually a percentage (%), of the total pressure. From there, it is possible to directly correlate a segment with a quantity of gas (decompressed equivalent); this quantity then depends on the size of the gas container containing this gas and on which the cover of the invention is arranged.

- the first region is configured to display at least one fluid flow rate information, for example expressed in L/min.

- the second region is configured to display at least one of icons, i.e. pictograms, for example an alert bell icon, a wireless communication icon, a battery charge level icon, a gas expiry icon, an icon representing a gas supply problem, one or more icons relating to temperature (e.g. of the device and/or its surroundings), an icon meaning that the alert(s) are inhibited, an icon representing a gas flow rate, an icon representing an hourglass meaning that a task is in the process of being processed, an icon meaning that gas is being drawn off through the outlet intended for the fans, one or more icons corresponding to the different units of measurement of the quantities displayed by the device or any other icon.

- the second region is configured to include an alphanumeric zone that allows numbers and/or letters to be displayed. - the first region and/or the second region are configured to display a fluid autonomy, for example, expressed in hours and minutes.

- the second region is set to display the autonomy units, i.e. the symbols for hours (H) and minutes (Min), for example, below the numbers corresponding to the hours and minutes.

- the first region and the second region are configured to display fluid range "straddling" said first and second regions of the display, i.e. a portion of the range information is displayed in the first region and the remainder of the range information is displayed in the second region of the digital display. - the first region is approximately half-disc shaped.

- The digital display is configured to display the range information substantially in the center of the digital display, i.e. the display screen.

- the digital display is configured to display range information substantially at the top of the digital display.

- the first region is configured to display at least one fluid flow rate information and at least one part of the autonomy information separated from each other by a separating line, i.e. the display shows in the first region a separating line, for example black, between the flow rate and autonomy information.

- the digital display is configured to show the autonomy information (in H and Min) in numerical characters of a larger size than the numerical characters used to display the fluid flow rate information (L/min) so that the autonomy information (in H and Min) is more legible and better visible from a distance for the user.

- the digital display comprises a lower portion constituting the second rectangular-shaped region surmounted by an upper portion constituting the first region in the form of a disk portion.

- the electronic measuring device comprises a rigid housing, for example made of polymer, i.e. plastic.

- the housing of the electronic measuring device is housed in a housing in the protective cover. - the front panel of the housing of the electronic measuring device also includes a digitally activated button and an indicator light.

- the power source also supplies electricity to at least the warning light.

- the front panel of the electronic measuring device housing forms a human-machine interface or HMI. - the housing body defines an internal volume sized to accommodate a gas distribution valve. - the electrical power source comprises one or more batteries or electric cells, rechargeable or not.

- the indicator light comprises one or more light diodes, in particular one or more LEDs.

- the warning light can be coloured, for example, emitting a red or green light, for example

- the digital display is arranged substantially in the centre of the front panel.

- comprises a vertical axis (AA) and the plane of the front panel forms an angle between 30 and 80° with said vertical axis (AA).

- the front panel of the housing of the electronic measuring device generally has a substantially rectangular or square shape.

- the front panel of the housing of the electronic measuring device has a substantially rectangular or square general shape with straight or slightly curved peripheral edges.

- the front panel of the electronic measuring device housing comprises an upper edge, a lower edge and two peripheral edges joining the upper and lower edges.

- the button and the indicator light are arranged on the front panel above the digital display, when the cover is in a vertical position (i.e. when its AA axis is vertical), i.e. they are arranged in the upper region of the front panel located between the digital display and the upper edge of the front panel of the electronic measuring device housing.

- the button is arranged on the top right of the front panel of the electronic measuring device housing in relation to the digital display and the indicator light is arranged on the top left of the front panel in relation to the digital display, or vice versa, when the cover is in the vertical position.

- the button has a generally rounded shape, for example circular, oval, teardrop-shaped or similar.

- the indicator light has a substantially triangular general shape.

- the front panel is flat.

- the digital display, the digitally activated button and the indicator light are housed in cut-outs or openings arranged in the front panel of the electronic measuring device housing.

- the digital display, the digitally activated button and the indicator light of the electronic measuring device housing have upper surfaces that are substantially coplanar with the plane of the front panel. - it also includes control means that cooperate with the digital display, the digitally activated button and the indicator light.

- the control means are configured to control the warning light so that it lights up permanently or intermittently, when the control means activate/activate an alarm.

- the control means are configured to control the activation of an acoustic alert signal by acoustic alarm means, when an alarm is activated by the control means.

- the control means are configured to simultaneously control the activation of an acoustic warning signal and the illumination of the warning light in the event of activation of an alarm, i.e. the acoustic warning signal and the warning light are synchronous, i.e. they are activated at the same time.

- the button is configured to control the extinguishing of the warning light and/or the interruption of the acoustic alert signal, in particular the warning light, when a user exerts digital pressure on said button, i.e. to confirm the luminous alarm constituted by the warning light and/or the acoustic alarm. In other words, the button is configured to confirm one or more alerts/alarms, in particular a luminous alert. - preferably, the button is configured to control the simultaneous extinguishing of the warning light and the acoustic alert signal when a user exerts digital pressure on said button.

- the button is configured to cooperate with an electronic switch arranged on an electronic card, in particular to control the extinction of the warning light and/or the stopping of the acoustic warning signal.

- the button is configured to rest directly or by means of at least one intermediate part, i.e. an element for transmitting mechanical force, on an electronic switch arranged on the electronic card, when the user exerts digital pressure (i.e. presses with his finger) on said button.

- the button is also configured to cooperate with the control means to scroll through the information or menus displayed on the digital display, when the user exerts digital pressure (i.e. taps with his finger) on said button.

- according to one embodiment, the button is also configured to control the display of one or more flow rate/autonomy pairs on the digital display. This display operates after digital activation of the button by the user, when gas is not being extracted and the device is in passive mode.

- according to another embodiment, the button is also configured to control a display on the digital display of a quantity of gas expressed in units of pressure or volume. This display operates after digital activation of the button by the user, when the gas is drawn and the device is in active mode.

- the control means comprise a microprocessor, in particular a microcontroller.

- the microprocessor implements one or more algorithms.

- the control means comprise an electronic card on which the microprocessor is located.

- the control means also include means for storing data or other information, in particular a data storage memory.

- the data storage memory is arranged on the electronic card.

- the electrical power source supplies electrical power to the electronic card, in particular the microprocessor and/or the data storage memory.

- the control means are configured to activate a visual and/or acoustic alert when:

■ the residual amount of gas (expressed in units of pressure or volume) in the vessel on which the cover is mounted becomes less than the threshold value for the residual amount of gas stored by the data storage means; or

■ the remaining autonomy (for a given/selected flow rate) in the vessel on which the cover is mounted becomes less than a threshold autonomy value (for the given/selected flow rate) stored by the data storage means.

- the data storage means are configured to record/store threshold values for triggering visual and/or acoustic alerts, in particular threshold values for the residual gas quantity and autonomy. - the housing body is made of rigid material, in particular polymer, metal or combinations thereof.

- the cover body comprises one (or more) carrying handles, preferably the carrying handle is arranged so as to extend beyond the cover, i.e. to be located substantially above the cover. - the internal volume of the cover body is dimensioned to receive the gas distribution valve, in particular an integrated decompressor valve or RDI.

- the body of the cover also comprises a hooking system designed to allow it to be hooked to a support, in particular to a hospital bed rail or to a patient transport stretcher or the like. - the body of the cover forms a globally closed three-dimensional structure comprising one or more openings.

- also includes telecommunication means, i.e. remote communication, which allow data or other information to be transmitted or received, or both, for example, to a remote server.

- the telecommunication media are configured to communicate in Bluetooth, WiFi or other mode.

- the telecommunications means comprise one (or more) modems and one (or more) transmitting antennas. - the telecommunications means are powered electrically, directly or indirectly, by the electrical power source, for example, through the electronic card.

- the electronic device includes fixing means that allow it to be fixed to a fluid distribution valve, for example, a thread or other fixing system using screws or similar.

- the electronic device is mainly located under the protective cover, i.e. in the body of the cover.

- the digital viewfinder glass is flush with the front panel surface, preferably the digital viewfinder glass and the front panel surface of the cover are (approximately) coplanar.

- the control means, including the data storage means, are arranged in the housing of the electronic device.

- the housing of the electronic device also comprises at least one pressure and/or temperature sensor. - the housing of the electronic device is electrically powered by the source(s) of electrical energy, normally one or more electric cells or batteries.

- the housing of the electronic device is airtight, preferably including sealing gaskets.

- the casing body comprises or is formed by two half-shells which are connected to each other. - the housing of the electronic device is arranged between the two half-shells.

- the electronic device housing is fixed to the gas distribution valve.

- the container is a pressurized gas cylinder.

- the fluid container contains a pressurized gas, in particular a medicinal gas, such as oxygen.

- the fluid vessel contains a gas at a pressure of at least 140 to 200 bar abs, or even at least 300 bar abs.

- the fluid container has a generally cylindrical shape, in particular a warhead shape.

- the protective cover is arranged coaxially to the fluid container.

- the fluid distribution valve is an RDI or a valve with an integrated expansion system.

- the fluid distribution valve is screwed onto the container, in particular at the level of a neck carrying the gas outlet orifice of said container.

- the fluid vessel contains a gas or gaseous mixture, such as oxygen, a mixture of NO/N<2>, O<2>/N<2>O or He/O<2>, air or other.

The invention will now be better understood thanks to the following detailed description, given for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the attached figures, among which:

Figure 1 represents an embodiment of the front panel with an information display of an electronic device equipping the valve of a gas tank according to the invention,

Figure 2 schematizes an embodiment of the information display of an electronic device that equips a gas container according to the invention.

Figure 3 schematically shows a gas cylinder equipped with the electronic device of Figure 1. Figure 4 schematically shows an embodiment of the bar graph of the information display of the electronic device in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is an exploded view showing the valve equipped with the electronic device and the protective cover of a gas container according to the invention, and

Figure 6 shows the valve equipped with the electronic device of a gas container according to the invention. Figure 1 represents an embodiment of the front panel 33 of the electronic device 3 housed in the protective cover 1 of a gas container 20 according to the invention, as schematically shown in Figure 3, comprising an information display 4 used to display information, data, quantities... useful to the user, in particular pressure, flow rate, autonomy, etc., as well as icons, alarms...

More precisely, as illustrated in Figure 3, the fluid container 20 according to the invention is here a pressurized gas cylinder, with a vertical axis AA, comprising a cylindrical body 29 defining an internal volume for storing gas at high pressure, typically up to 140 to 300 bar abs, or even more than 300 bar abs, and a neck (not visible) comprising an orifice communicating with the internal volume and allowing gas to be drawn from the internal volume or, on the contrary, to fill it when empty.

A fluid distribution valve 21, preferably an RDI, illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, is mounted, usually screwed through its threaded connection end 28, at the level of the neck hole of the gas container 20. It includes a gas distribution connector or end 27 to which a medical device or a flexible tube using or transporting the gas supplied by the RDI 21 can be connected. A flow rate control member, in this case a rotary handwheel 22 arranged coaxially around the gas distribution connector or end 27 allows the user to set the desired gas flow rate value.

The electronic device 3 is fixed to the fluid distribution valve 21, as illustrated in Figure 5 and Figure A protective cover 1, also called a "cap", is arranged around the gas distribution valve 21 to protect it against shocks, falls, dirt or other. The protective cover 1 comprises a rigid body 2 which rests on and/or is integral with the gas distribution valve 21 and/or with the gas container 20.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the protective cover 1 is formed by a rigid body 2 formed by two sub-shells 2a, 2b which are connected and secured to each other by placing the casing 34 of the electronic device 3 between the two, so that the latter is housed in a first opening 25 of the body 2 of the cover 1. Furthermore, the two sub-shells 2a, 2b place the fluid distribution valve 21 between the two. The two sub-shells 2a, 2b can be fixed to each other by means of screws or the like.

The gas distribution end piece 27 and the rotating flywheel 22 arranged around the end piece 27 are housed in a second opening 23 also made in the rigid protective cover 1 so as to emerge at the level of the external surface of said cover 1. The gas distribution end piece 21 protrudes in the centre of the rotating flywheel 22 and projects away towards the outside of the cover 1.

In the embodiment of Figure 5 and Figure 6, the first opening 25 and the second opening 23 are formed "astride" between the two sub-shells 2a, 2b. The body 2 of the protective cover 1, i.e. its two sub-shells 2a, 2b, may be made of polymer or metal or metal alloy, or both. The protective cover 1 is coaxial (axis AA) to the gas cylinder 20.

The protective cover 1 is provided with a carrying handle 7 connected to the cover body 2 by support uprights 8. The carrying handle 7 extends beyond the cover body 2 and faces the front panel 33 of the electronic device 3, as seen in Figure 3. The carrying handle 7 is sized so that it can be manually grasped by the user and thus easily manipulated and/or transported with the gas cylinder/RDI/cover assembly.

A movable attachment device or system 9 (partially visible in Figure 3), preferably pivoting, is also provided, which allows the gas cylinder/RDI/cover assembly to be attached to a support, such as a hospital bed rail, a stretcher or a rod or the like. Such a fixing device or system 9 is known per se.

As already stated, an electronic device 3 is provided comprising a rigid casing 34 provided with a front panel 33 equipped with a digital display 4, such as a digital screen, for example a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other, comprising a glass and supplied electrically by means of an electrical power source (not visible) arranged in the cover 1, for example one or more batteries arranged in a battery housing arranged in the wall of the body 2 of the cover and closed by means of a removable hatch or the like.

According to the invention, the digital display 4 is configured in a particular manner, namely comprising two information display regions 40, 42 comprising a first region 40 in the form of a disk portion, for example in the form of a half disk, comprising a semicircular edge 41, and a second region 42 of rectangular shape, as schematized in Figure 2. Such ergonomics or architecture of the digital display 4 is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to provide the user with a maximum of useful information on a reduced surface and therefore to reduce the electrical consumption of the display 4 without negatively affecting the readability and/or the number of useful information displayed.

The first region 40 and the second region 42 are juxtaposed. More precisely, the first region 40 overhangs the second region 42, i.e. the first region 40 is located at the top of the visor 4, while the second region 42 is located at the bottom of the visor 4, when the visor 4 is considered in its usual operating position, i.e. positioned as illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 3 or Figure 6.

The first region 40 includes an arcuate bar graph 43, of elongated shape, for example in the form of an arcuate band (i.e., semicircle), positioned along the semicircle edge 41, i.e., parallel to the semicircle edge 41 of the first region 40.

Preferably, the bar graph 43 is in color. More precisely, it includes several successive zones of different colors (i.e. colors or shades of colors), for example, white, green, red, orange..., light or dark.

Figure 4 therefore schematises an embodiment of the bar graph 43 of the information display 4 of the invention, which has the shape of an elongated arched band comprising several successive zones 140-142 of different colours, namely, in this case, 3 successive zones 140-142 comprising:

- a first brightly coloured area 140, for example red or orange, to indicate to the user a nearly empty gas container 20, containing, for example, less than 15% of the maximum amount or pressure of gas that the container can contain,

- a second light green or yellow zone 141 to indicate to the user that less than half of the gas remains in the container 20, for example 15 to 50% of the maximum gas quantity or pressure, and - a third dark green zone 142 to indicate to the user that the container 20 still contains mainly gas, i.e. 50 to 100% of its load (i.e. quantity) or maximum gas pressure.

Of course, the bar graph 43 may comprise only a single zone or two zones or, conversely, more than 3 successive zones, depending on the embodiment chosen.

Similarly, depending on the chosen embodiment, other colours or shades of colours can be chosen, or even a single colour (for example, black or grey), although it is less preferred to use a single colour because it is less easy to interpret from a distance by a user located a few metres away, forcing him to come closer.

Advantageously, one or more successive zones 140-142 may be formed and/or divided into segments 144, i.e. subdivisions, allowing the user to be provided with more precise information on the amount of gas or residual pressure represented by each zone 140-142. Each segment 144 represents a given amount of gas, preferably some % of gas, for example in the order of 5%.

Advantageously, the majority of the bar graph 43 is located in the first region 40. However, it preferably extends towards the second region 42, that is, the arched bar graph 43 comprises initial ends 43a and final ends 43b located in the second rectangular region 42.

As already mentioned, such configuration of the digital display 4 makes it possible to improve the overall ergonomics of the display 4 while allowing its size to be limited without, however, preventing the correct reading of the information that draws the user's attention, even when the display 4 is integrated into a protective cover 1 equipping a fluid container 20, such as a gas cylinder.

Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 1, the first region 40 is configured to display (at least) one fluid flow rate information 44, expressed here in L/min and the second region 42 is configured to display icons or pictograms 46, for example, an alert bell icon, a wireless communication icon, a battery charge level icon, a gas expiry icon, an icon representing a gas supply problem, one or more icons relating to temperature (for example of the device and/or its environment), an icon meaning that the alert(s) are inhibited, an icon representing a gas flow rate, an icon representing an hourglass meaning that a task is in progress of treatment, an icon meaning that gas is being drawn through the intake intended for the fans, one or more icons corresponding to the different units of measurement of the quantities displayed by the device or any other icon.

Preferably, the second region also includes an alphanumeric zone that allows numbers and/or letters to be displayed.

Furthermore, the first region 40 and the second region 42 are configured to display a fluid range 45, expressed in hours (H) and minutes (Min), as illustrated in Figure 1. This fluid range information 45 is shown here "straddling" the first and second regions 40, 42.

Preferably, the digital display 4 is configured to display the autonomy information 45 (in H and Min) in numerical characters of a larger size than the numerical characters used to display the fluid flow rate information (L/min) 44 in order to make it more legible and better visible from a distance for the user.

Advantageously, the digital display 4 comprises a screen with a height H between 2.9 and 3.7 cm, and a width L between 3.9 and 4.3 cm, as shown schematically in Figure 2.

Furthermore, the first region 40 has a diameter D of between about 3 and 5 cm and the second region 42 has a width L1 of between about 3 and 5 cm and a height L2 of between about 0.5 and 2 cm, preferably of the order of 1 cm. The width L of the digital display 4 is equal to the diameter D of the first region 40 and the width L1 of the second region 42.

Furthermore, the front panel 33 of the housing 34 of the electronic measuring device 3 also includes a digitally activated button 5, i.e. activated when a user presses it with a finger, such as his index finger, and a warning light 6, such as an LED diode, also electrically powered by the electrical power source.

This assembly, comprising the digital display 4, the button 5 and the indicator light 6, forms a HMI of the electronic measuring device which is housed in the upper part of the cover 1, i.e. below the carrying handle 7 which exceeds the cover body 2, for better visibility for the user using the gas cylinder 20.

The external surface of the front panel 33, the digital display 4, usually its glass, the button 5 and the indicator light 6 are preferably arranged on the same plane, i.e. substantially coplanar, in order to be completely integrated into the body 2 of the cover 1, i.e. without a protruding shape, and also to facilitate not only visibility but also to increase the user's comfort of use of the HMI. For the same reasons, the plane of the front panel 33 preferably forms an angle between 30 and 80° with the vertical axis (AA) of the cover body 2 and the cylinder 20.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the digital display 4 is arranged substantially in the center of the front panel 33 of the housing 34 of the electronic measuring device 3 and has a substantially rectangular general shape with slightly curved peripheral edges, namely, an upper edge, a lower edge and two peripheral edges joining the upper and lower edges.

The button 5 and the indicator light 6, i.e. the LEDs, are arranged on the front panel 33 above the digital display 4, i.e. in the upper region of the front panel 33 located between the digital display 4 and the upper edge 3a of the front panel 33. Preferably, the button 5 is arranged at the top right of the front panel 33 relative to the digital display 4 and the indicator light 6 is arranged at the top left of the front panel 33 relative to the digital display 4, or vice versa, when the cover 1 is considered to be in a vertical position, as illustrated in Figure 3.

For example, button 5 may have a general water drop shape, i.e. rounded. However, other shapes, e.g. circular, oval or other, including non-rounded shapes, are possible. Button 5 may include a marking, such as an icon, for example, such as in this case a crossed-out bell to indicate to the user that it is an alarm confirmation button.

Similarly, the indicator light 6 here has a substantially triangular general shape, but other shapes, including non-triangular shapes, are possible.

In general, the digital display 4 makes it possible to display all the information useful to the user, in particular an autonomy 45 (in hours and minutes), a gas flow rate value 44 (in L/min), as well as the curved bar graph 43 representing the quantity of residual gas, the pictograms 46, for example the alarm, the level of the electric batteries, the wireless communication active or not..., or others.

Furthermore, the digital display 4, the digitally activated button 5 and the indicator light 6 are housed in cuts or openings arranged in the front panel 33 of the housing 34, which in turn is fixed to the RDI, and also housed in the first opening 25 of the body 2 of the cover 1.

Control means (not shown) are also provided, such as an electronic card on which a microprocessor is arranged, in particular a microcontroller, implementing one or more calculation or other algorithms and, preferably, a data storage memory, which are electrically powered by the electrical power source.

The control means are arranged in the housing 34 of the electronic measuring device 3. As a result, the housing 34 is preferably sealed.

The control means cooperate with the digital display 4, the digitally activated button 5 and the indicator light 6. More precisely, the control means are configured to control the indicator light, i.e. to turn it on permanently or intermittently, when the control means activate an alarm in response to the detection of a quantity of gas in the container 20 that is less than or equal to a preset threshold value, for example stored in the data storage memory or the like.

In fact, the control means calculate, permanently or upon request by the user, in particular the quantity of residual gas or the pressure remaining in the container 20 or the autonomy (i.e. the duration for which the device can continue to supply gas before consuming the entire quantity of stored gas), starting from measurements or determination of the pressure and/or ambient temperature and/or gas or others, obtained for example by means of sensors arranged on or in the RDI (not shown) and/or the extraction flow rate 44 set by the user by means of the rotary handwheel 22.

The measurements taken can be compared, in particular, with threshold values, i.e. alert values, used to trigger alarms, in particular an alarm for a nearly empty or empty container.

When said alarm is activated by the control means, these control the ignition of the LED(s) 6, preferably in an intermittent manner, i.e. flashing LED, to indicate an almost empty cylinder 20, or in a fixed manner, i.e. the LED is on all the time to indicate that a cylinder is completely empty and therefore unusable. It is also possible to provide several LEDs of different colours which are activated or not according to the alert level, for example red, green, orange or other colours.

Likewise, the control means may also simultaneously activate one or more audible alarms, such as a “beep” to attract the user’s attention. Preferably, the control means simultaneously control the activation of an acoustic warning signal and the switching on of the warning light, i.e. the LED 6, in the event of activation of an alarm, i.e. the acoustic warning signal and the warning light are synchronous and are activated (or deactivated) at the same time.

Preferably, the button 5 is configured, for its part, to control the extinction of the warning light 6 and/or the acoustic signal, when a user exerts digital pressure on the same 5, in particular to confirm the light alarm emitted by the warning light 6 and/or the acoustic alarm, for example an audible "beep".

Depending on the embodiment, the button 5 may also be configured to cooperate with the control means for scrolling through the data/information or menus displayed on the digital display 4, in particular the data/information or menus memorized by the storage memory.

In particular, button 5 allows to control a display on the digital display 4, after digital activation of button 5 by a user:

- one or more flow/autonomy pairs, when gas is not being extracted and the device is in passive mode.

- of a quantity of gas expressed in units of pressure or volume, when gas is extracted is when the device is in active mode.

In general, the configuration of the display 4 of the housing 34 of the electronic measuring device 3 equipping a container 1 according to the invention allows the user to know easily and from a distance, i.e. 1 to 2 meters, whether or not the container 20 still contains sufficient fluid under pressure because, on the one hand, the information available on the display 4 is easily readable and, on the other hand, an empty or almost empty container 20 is immediately indicated to him by the activation of a specific alarm which is materialized, in particular, by a lighting up of the LED 6, for example a flashing of the LED 6, and possibly an acoustic signal as explained above. The user therefore does not need to "wake up" the display 4 if it is in standby mode, in order to have this information related to the filling of the container 20.

In other words, confirmation of an acoustic and/or visual alarm indicating an almost empty or empty cylinder is extremely easy and quick for the user, as they only have to press button 5.

Finally, by choosing a reduced size of the electronic display 4, so that it only occupies the central part of the front panel 3 of the electronic measuring device 3, i.e. approximately 50% (or less) of the surface of the panel 3, the electrical consumption is reduced and therefore consequently delays maintenance operations intended to recharge or change batteries or the like, and also improves the overall ergonomics while allowing the user to easily read the information.

Furthermore, having the button 5 arranged on the top of the display 4, on the front panel 3 of the electronic measuring device 3, allows the user to have easy access to this digitally activated button 5 and thus to be able to easily recognize, for example, an alarm, scroll through menus or information on the display screen 4 or display specific information there.

This is made possible by the particular architecture of the front panel 33 according to the invention, i.e. having the digital display 4 arranged in the centre of the front panel 33 and the button 5 and the indicator light 6 arranged, for their part, above the digital display 4.

In general, a fluid container 20, in particular a gas cylinder, equipped with a valve, such as an RDI, protected by a cover 1 according to the invention is suitable for the storage and supply of pressurized gas, in particular a medical gas or gas mixture, such as oxygen, a mixture of NO/N<2>, O<2>/N<2>O or He/O<2>, air or other.

Claims (12)

1. A gas container (20) comprising a gas distribution valve (21) and an electronic measuring device (3) arranged in said gas distribution valve (21), said electronic measuring device (3) comprising a housing (34) comprising a front panel (33) comprising a digital display (4), the digital display (4) comprising at least two juxtaposed information display regions (40, 42) comprising: - a first region (40) in the form of a disk portion comprising a semicircular edge (41) and an arcuate bar graph (43) positioned along the semicircular edge (41), and - a second region (42) of rectangular shape, characterized in that the electronic measuring device (3) also comprises a digitally activated button (5) and a warning light (6) arranged on said front panel (33), the digital display (4) being arranged in the center of the front panel (33) of the electronic measuring device (3), and the button (5) and the warning light (6) being arranged above the digital display (4). 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first region (40) of the digital display (4) comprises an arcuate bar graph (43) placed along the semicircular edge (41), preferably a coloured bar graph (43). 3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the arched bar graph (43) comprises initial and final ends (43a, 43b) located in the second rectangular region (42). 4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the first region (40) is configured to display at least one fluid flow rate information (expressed in L/min) and/or - the second region (42) is configured to display at least some icons. 5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first region (40) and/or the second region (42) are configured to show a fluid autonomy (expressed in h and min). 6. Container according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the bar graph (43) comprises several successive zones (140-142), each subdivided into several segments (144). 7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the digital display (4) comprises a screen with a height (H) between 2.9 and 3.7 cm and a length (D) between 3.9 and 4.3 cm. 8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a protective cover (1) arranged around the fluid distribution valve (21), the electronic measuring device (3) being housed in a first opening (25) arranged in the body (2) of said protective cover (1). 9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is selected from gas cylinders. 10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid distribution valve (21) is an RDI. 11. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises at least one source of electrical energy that supplies electricity to at least the digital display (4). 12. Use of a gas container (20), in particular a gas cylinder, according to one of the preceding claims, for storing or supplying gas under pressure.