EP0774550A1 - Wall or partition made by resilient mounting panels on a structural framework - Google Patents

Abstract

The partition is made from relatively thin panels (2) attached to a supporting structure made from uprights (3) and cross-members. The edges of two adjacent panels are joined to an upright or cross-member by a lengthwise spacer (4) and beads of mastic on each side of it. The panels are fixed independently to the supporting structure but remain supple after the joint has dried. The panels can be made e.g. from melamine. The supporting structure of metal, and the mastic can be a polyurethane or silicone-based material. Panels which meet at right angles to one another can be joined by extrusions which clip together.

Description

The present invention relates to a wall or a partition formed by assembling panels on a support structure, in particular for a room with a controlled atmosphere, known as a "clean room", and a method for producing this wall or partition.

It also relates to corner pieces that can be used with these walls or partitions.

Such rooms must present a perfect seal vis-à-vis the outside atmosphere, in order to avoid any particulate or microbiological contamination.

To this end, it is known to constitute the walls of a clean room by means of self-supporting panels with a "sandwich" structure. These panels include a core of cellular material, of the order of 50 millimeters thick, and facings covering the main faces of the core, of the order of 0.8 millimeters thick. The facings have returns extending over a relatively small part of the edge of the panels, so as to reveal the cellular material at this edge, for the arrangement of the assembly means, such as reservations, of two consecutive panels.

The panels are arranged end to end and an assembly element is engaged in two opposite reservations. A sealant is then generally applied in the gap separating the two panels.

The disadvantage of these panels is that they are hardly practical to use, since they require very restrictive cuts to be made when it is necessary to bypass an obstacle such as a pillar, a technical sheath, a pipe or other.

Such cuts must in particular be made at the angles formed by the panels. These cuts lead to the elimination of the aforementioned returns, so that the sealant does not adhere than at the edge of the facing. The adhesion surface is therefore very insufficient and does not ensure reliable sealing over time.

Furthermore and above all, the rigidity of these panels does not allow the watertight walls or partitions which they make up to adapt to the deformations that a building inevitably undergoes over time. The displacements of the panels which result from these deformations exert significant stresses on the assembly joints, leading to the deterioration of the latter, and therefore to a loss of tightness of the wall or partition. This deterioration occurs all the more the thickness of the joints is low and that their surface of adhesion to the facings is reduced.

The risk of emission of particles by the core of the panels requires the installation of applied joint covers at the junctions of the panels. The recesses thus created constitute zones of accumulation of dust, and make the cleaning of the panels ineffective.

Furthermore, the integration of electric cables, conduits and switches is problematic since it involves core drilling and core digging, which are relatively tedious to carry out and which are a source of subsequent diffusion of particles.

The joints between the vertical walls and the floor or the ceiling are also relatively problematic to make, and do not give any guarantee of tightness.

In addition, in such rooms, ventilation generally involves complex and expensive installations.

The present invention aims to remedy all of these drawbacks, by providing a wall or partition and corner pieces making it possible to constitute a smooth surface free from projections, which remains perfectly waterproof over time. The invention also aims to provide a method for obtaining, in a simple, easy and quick to implement, this wall or partition.

• des panneaux de relativement faible épaisseur, et une structure porteuse comprenant des montants et/ou des traverses, ces panneaux et cette structure porteuse étant prévus de telle sorte que les bords adjacents de deux panneaux coplanaires consécutifs viennent en regard d'un montant et/ou d'une traverse de la structure porteuse, les panneaux étant destinés à être fixés à ce montant et/ou à cette traverse ;
• ce montant et/ou cette traverse comprend une cale longitudinale ayant une épaisseur, fixée sur lui, constituée en un matériau étanche et résistant aux mastics cités ci-dessous, cette cale ayant une largeur inférieure à celle du montant et/ou de la traverse et étant fixée de manière à délimiter deux zones latérales du montant et/ou de la traverse, de part et d'autre d'elle-même ;
• les panneaux viennent chacun en appui contre la cale et sont fixés, indépendamment l'un de l'autre, au montant et/ou à la traverse au moyen d'un mastic de nature à assurer l'assemblage des panneaux et du montant et/ou de la traverse, mais restant souple après séchage, ce mastic venant remplir au moins partiellement l'espace existant entre le montant et/ou la traverse, la cale et chaque panneau, et
• les panneaux sont jointoyés l'un avec l'autre au niveau de la rainure délimitée par leurs bords adjacents et par la cale, au moyen d'un mastic de nature à adhérer aux panneaux mais du type restant souple après séchage.

The wall or partition according to the invention comprises:

• relatively thin panels, and a supporting structure comprising uprights and / or crosspieces, these panels and this supporting structure being provided so that the adjacent edges of two consecutive coplanar panels come opposite an upright and / or of a cross member of the supporting structure, the panels being intended to be fixed to this upright and / or to this cross member;
• this upright and / or this crosspiece comprises a longitudinal shim having a thickness, fixed to it, made of a waterproof material resistant to the sealants mentioned below, this shim having a width less than that of the upright and / or the crosspiece and being fixed so as to delimit two lateral zones of the upright and / or of the cross-member, on either side of itself;
• the panels each come to bear against the wedge and are fixed, independently of one another, to the upright and / or to the crosspiece by means of a putty such as to ensure the assembly of the panels and the upright and / or of the cross member, but remaining flexible after drying, this putty coming at least partially to fill the space existing between the upright and / or the cross member, the shim and each panel, and
• the panels are grouted with each other at the level of the groove delimited by their adjacent edges and by the wedge, by means of a putty such as to adhere to the panels but of the type remaining flexible after drying.

• après fixation de la cale, à appliquer le mastic au niveau des zones latérales du montant et/ou de la traverse délimitées par la cale, en une épaisseur supérieure à celle de la cale ;
• à presser les panneaux contre la cale de manière à assurer, par fluage du mastic, une répartition du mastic entre le montant et/ou la traverse et chaque panneau ;
• à laisser sécher ou polymériser ce mastic, et
• à bourrer l'autre mastic dans la rainure délimitée par les bords adjacents des panneaux et la cale.

The method according to the invention consists:

• after fixing the wedge, applying the sealant to the lateral zones of the upright and / or the cross-member delimited by the wedge, in a thickness greater than that of the wedge;
• pressing the panels against the block so as to ensure, by creep of the putty, a distribution of the putty between the upright and / or the cross member and each panel;
• allow this sealant to dry or polymerize, and
• stuffing the other putty in the groove delimited by the adjacent edges of the panels and the shim.

Thus, the panels are fixed to a support structure by a flexible sealant, able to adapt, without breaking the assembly, to the movement of the support structure resulting from deformations of the building in which the wall or partition is arranged; this assembly is nevertheless solid due to the large contact surface of the putty with the panels and the upright and / or the crosspiece; the panels are connected to each other by joints in flexible mastic, also able to adapt, without rupture of the joints, to possible movements of bringing together or spacing of the panels due to the deformation of the building, these joints being insulated from the support structure by said shims, therefore not fixed to the support structure, and retaining their mechanical properties in the event of such movements, without risk of deterioration.

The invention therefore provides two independent means for absorbing deformations, between the supporting structure and the panels, on the one hand, and between the panels, on the other hand, with the possibility of distributing the deformations over a portion of the structure. carrier or on a large set of panels. This results in a guarantee of maintaining the seal vis-à-vis the external atmosphere of the walls thus formed, even in the event of significant deformations.

The joints have a thickness guaranteeing their solidity, which is determined by the thickness of the shim, chosen accordingly.

In addition, the wall or partition according to the invention has a perfectly continuous surface free from protrusions on the inside of the room, eliminating any nook in which dust could collect.

The relatively small thickness of the panels allows them to be cut easily and quickly when it is necessary to bypass an obstacle such as a pillar, a technical sheath, a pipe or the like. The electric cables and other conduits are easy to integrate into the vacuum delimited by the supporting structure and the panels, and the switches can be easily integrated into the panels, so as to be flush with the face of the latter facing the interior of the room. .

In addition, the vacuum existing behind the panels can be exploited for the recovery and evacuation of air from the room, which allows better control of particulate or micro-organic contamination. This recovery can be ensured by numerous outlets fitted in the appropriate places of the walls or partitions. The ventilation system can thus be much less complex and powerful than that normally used in such a case. In addition, the number and distribution of the outlets greatly reduce the risk of dust accumulation in certain places, as is the case with a reduced number of suction outlets.

The construction of the wall can be carried out on site or be prefabricated in the workshop, and is simple and quick to implement.

The method according to the invention can also comprise the step consisting in positioning the panels on the supporting structure so that the distance separating their adjacent edges corresponds substantially to their thickness. The joint connecting the adjacent edges of the panels thus has a substantially square cross section, which gives it good deformation capacities and optimal tear resistance.

The corner pieces according to the invention are intended to be fixed at the angles formed by the walls between them and / or with the floor and the ceiling, these pieces having a part of rounded shape allowing them to soften said angles and avoid the accumulation of dust there.

These parts may in particular comprise longitudinal parts each consisting of two profiles to be joined together, namely a profile having two lateral wings at right angles, intended to be fixed to at least one of the panels delimiting the angle and forming a base for receiving and positioning the other profile, and a profile having a rounded wall whose lateral edges are applied against the panels, forming the softening surface of the angle.

These parts are thus easy and quick to set up.

Preferably, the profiles comprise reciprocal snap-on assembly means.

Advantageously, the profile forming the base in the case of a re-entrant angle has a rounded shape at the level of the central part of its face coming against the panels in the case of such a re-entrant angle, and is shaped to constitute the profile softening the angle in the case of an outgoing angle, this profile then being assembled with another profile forming a base, fixed to at least one of the panels.

Only three types of profiles are thus used for covering the angles of the walls or partitions, whether these angles are outgoing or re-entering.

Advantageously, the pieces making it possible to soften the angles of the room also include corner pieces intended to connect three abovementioned orthogonal profiles, each corner piece having a central part in the form of a quarter of a hemispherical wall and three rounded connecting wings. to these profiles.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un montant de la structure porteuse que comprend cette paroi ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de ce montant similaire à la figure 1, après fixation sur lui de deux panneaux consécutifs coplanaires de cette paroi ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en bout de deux profilés destinés à être fixés au niveau des angles sortants formés par deux parois entre elles ou formés par une paroi avec le sol ou le plafond de la salle incluant cette paroi, et d'une pièce intermédiaire permettant l'assemblage par encliquetage de ces deux profilés ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en bout d'un profilé permettant d'adoucir un angle rentrant, ce profilé étant destiné, dans le cas d'un tel angle rentrant, à être assemblé avec le profilé représenté à la partie inférieure de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un angle sortant formé par deux panneaux, cet angle recevant les profilés représentés à la figure 3 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un angle rentrant formé par deux panneaux, cet angle recevant le profilé représenté à la partie inférieure de la figure 3 et le profilé représenté à la figure 4 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective d'une pièce d'angle destinée à raccorder trois profilés orthogonaux tels que montrés à la figure 4 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe verticale et en élévation de la pièce d'angle et des profilés tels que représentés à la figure 7, dans le cas d'une liaison entre une paroi verticale et le plafond de la salle ; et
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe verticale et en élévation de la pièce d'angle et des profilés tels que représentés à la figure 7, dans le cas d'une liaison entre une paroi verticale de la salle et le sol.

For a good understanding, the invention is again described below with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting example, a portion of wall which it concerns, and pieces of covering of the angles of this wall.

• Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an amount of the supporting structure that includes this wall;
• Figure 2 is a view of this amount similar to Figure 1, after fixing on it two consecutive coplanar panels of this wall;
• Figure 3 is an end view of two profiles intended to be fixed at the outgoing angles formed by two walls between them or formed by a wall with the floor or the ceiling of the room including this wall, and an intermediate piece allowing the snap-on assembly of these two profiles;
• Figure 4 is an end view of a profile for softening a re-entrant angle, this profile being intended, in the case of such a re-entrant angle, to be assembled with the profile shown in the lower part of Figure 3 ;
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an outgoing angle formed by two panels, this angle receiving the profiles shown in Figure 3;
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a re-entrant angle formed by two panels, this angle receiving the profile shown in the lower part of Figure 3 and the profile shown in Figure 4;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of a corner piece for connecting three orthogonal profiles as shown in Figure 4;
• Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view in elevation of the corner piece and the profiles as shown in Figure 7, in the case of a connection between a vertical wall and the ceiling of the room; and
• Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view in elevation of the corner piece and the profiles as shown in Figure 7, in the case of a connection between a vertical wall of the room and the floor.

Figures 2.5 and 6 show portions of a wall especially for a room with a controlled atmosphere, known as a "clean room".

This wall is formed by assembling panels 2 on a support structure comprising uprights 3 and / or crosspieces.

The panels 2 can in particular be of the type known as "melamine in the mass", and the uprights 3 can be metallic and assembled by any appropriate mechanical means.

The panels 2 and the uprights 3 have dimensions such that the adjacent edges of two consecutive coplanar panels 2 come opposite an upright 3 of the supporting structure, the panels 2 being intended to be fixed to this upright 3.

It appears in FIG. 1 that the upright 3 receives a longitudinal shim 4, fixed on it, having a thickness of the order of a few millimeters and a width less than that of the upright 3. The shim 4 is fixed so as to delimit two lateral zones 3a of the upright 3, on either side of it.

The wedge 4 is made of a waterproof material resistant to sealants described below, for example wood or synthetic material which may be cellular.

FIG. 1 also shows that after fixing the shim 4, two beads of mastic 5 are applied at the aforementioned zones 3a, in a thickness greater than that of the shim 4. This mastic is capable of ensuring the assembly of the panels 2 and upright 3 but is of the type remaining flexible after drying. It can in particular be a polyurethane sealant, such as putty "SCOTCH-SEAL ^TM 5300" from the company MINNESOTA MINING & MANUFACTURING.

Figure 2 shows that the panels 2 are pressed against the wedge 4 so as to ensure, by creep of the beads of mastic 5, a distribution of this mastic 5 between the upright 4 and each panel 2, so that this mastic 5 comes fill, in the aforementioned zones 3a, the space existing between the upright 4 and each panel 2.

After polymerization of the putty 5, the panels 2 are jointed with each other at the level of the groove delimited by their adjacent edges and by the shim 4, by means of a putty 6 such as to adhere to the panels 2 but of the type remaining flexible after drying, such as a silicone sealant such as "RHODORSIL® MASTIC 7 S" from the company RHONE-POULENC.

It appears in Figure 2 that the panels 2 are positioned on the support structure so that the distance between their adjacent edges corresponds substantially to their thickness, so that the joint 6 has a substantially square cross section.

The assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2 applies to two consecutive coplanar panels.

Figures 5 and 6 show the mounting of panels 2 on two uprights 3 at the angles that form between them two vertical walls.

In these cases, the uprights 3 include shims 4 and receive beads of mastic 5 as mentioned above.

It appears in FIG. 5 that the outgoing angle formed by the two panels 2 receives the sections 10 and 11 shown in FIG. 3, which make it possible to soften this angle and avoid the accumulation of dust at this location.

The profile 10 has two lateral wings 10a at right angles, a central portion 10b and a longitudinal rib 10c having a section substantially in the form of a diamond, that is to say having a width higher at the level of its middle part compared to its base.

The profile 11 has two lateral wings 11a at right angles, a central wall 11b rounded on one of its faces and hollowed out by a recess 12 on its other face, and two ribs 11c bordering the recess 12.

It appears in FIG. 5 that the sections 10 and 11 are intended to be assembled to one another by snap-fastening, by means of intermediate clipping pieces 13 shaped to be engaged by clipping on the rib 10c on the one hand and in the recess 12 on the other hand.

The profile 10 is intended to be fixed to at least one of the panels 2 delimiting the angle, during the constitution of the walls, and forms a base for receiving and positioning the profile 11, put in place later, during the finishing of the room ; the rounded wall 11b of this profile 11 forms the softening surface of the angle.

Sealing of the panels relative to the net 10,11 can be achieved by any suitable means, in particular by placing sealing mastic in the spaces delimited by the lateral wings of the profiles 10 and 11.

FIG. 6 shows that, in the case of a re-entrant angle, the profile 15 shown in FIG. 4 is assembled to the profile 11 shown in FIG. 3, by a snap-fastening also produced by means of clipping pieces 13.

This profile 15 comprises a rounded wall 15a, the ends of which include ribs 15b intended to come into abutment against the panels 2, and a central part 15c provided with a rib 15d similar to the rib 10c of the profile 10.

It appears that in this case, the profile 11 forms the receiving and positioning base for the profile 15. Sealing is ensured at this angle by filling the spaces 15e delimited by the ends of the wall 15a, the ribs 15b and the panels 2 by means of a sealant 16 such as a silicone sealant.

Only three types of profiles 10, 11, 15 are thus used for covering the angles of the walls or partitions, whether these angles are outgoing or re-entering, and these profiles are easy and quick to set up thanks to their reciprocal snap-on assembly. .

The clip parts 13 have a shape and are made of a material (stainless steel) allowing a certain play of the profiles 11 or 15 to soften the angle relative to the profiles 10 or 11 forming a base. This clearance allows the profiles 11 or 15 to follow any deformations and displacements of the walls generated by the deformations of the building, the seal being maintained thanks to the flexibility of the putty 16 used.

FIG. 7 shows a corner piece 20 intended to connect three orthogonal profiles 15. This piece 20 has a central part 20a in the form of a quarter of a hemispherical wall and three rounded side wings 20b, having the same curvature as the walls 15a of the profiles 15. These wings 20b have notches 21 allowing their engagement on the base of the wing of the sections 15 connecting the central part 15c to the rounded wall 15a.

Figure 8 shows that these sections 15 and parts 20 come in the extension of each other after assembly and remove any gap, so that they ensure a perfect seal of the room.

In addition, it appears in FIG. 9 that the sections 15 make it possible to make a reading of the edges of the covering 25 covering the ground, in order to ensure a perfect seal in the event of the spillage of a liquid.

The invention thus provides a wall and corner pieces, in particular for a room with a controlled atmosphere known as a "clean room", having the numerous advantages mentioned above, in particular that of remaining perfectly waterproof over time and of being simple, easy and quick to assemble.

Claims (9)

Wall or partition formed by assembling panels on a support structure, in particular for a room with a controlled atmosphere, known as a "clean room", characterized in that it comprises: - relatively thin panels (2), and a supporting structure comprising uprights (3) and / or sleepers, these panels (2) and uprights (3) and / or sleepers being provided so that the adjacent edges two consecutive coplanar panels (2) come opposite an upright (3) and / or a cross member of the supporting structure, the panels (2) being intended to be fixed to this upright (3) and / or to this cross; - This upright (3) and / or this crosspiece comprises a longitudinal wedge (4) having a thickness, fixed on it, made of a waterproof material and resistant to sealants (5,6) mentioned below, this wedge (4) having a width less than that of the upright (3) and / or of the cross-member and being fixed so as to delimit two lateral zones (3a) of the upright (3) or of the cross-member, on either side of it- even ; - the panels (2) each come to bear against the wedge (4) and are fixed, independently of one another, to the upright (3) and / or to the crosspiece by means of a sealant (5) of capable of ensuring the assembly of the panels (2) and the upright (3) or of the cross-member, but remaining flexible after drying, this sealant (5) filling at least partially, in the two zones (3a) mentioned above, the space existing between the upright (3) and / or the cross member, the shim (4) and each panel (2), and - The panels (2) are jointed with each other at the level of the groove delimited by their adjacent edges and by the wedge (4), by means of a sealant (6) such as to adhere to the panels but type remaining flexible after drying. Wall or partition according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint connecting the adjacent edges of the panels (2) has a substantially square cross section. Method for producing the wall or partition according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists: - after fixing the wedge (4), apply the sealant (5) at the lateral zones (3a) of the upright (3) and / or the cross member delimited by the wedge (4), in a thickness greater than that wedge (4); - pressing the panels (2) against the wedge (4) so as to ensure, by creep of the sealant (5), a distribution of the sealant (5) between the upright (3) and / or the cross member and each panel (2 ); - allow this putty (5) to dry or polymerize, and - stuffing the other sealant (6) in the groove defined by the adjacent edges of the panels (2) and the shim (4). A method according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises the step of positioning the panels (2) on the supporting structure so that the distance separating their adjacent edges corresponds substantially to their thickness. Corner pieces for wall or partition according to claim 1 or claim 2, intended to be fixed at the angles formed by two walls or partitions between themselves and / or with the floor and the ceiling, characterized in that they have a part of rounded shape allowing them to soften said angles and avoid the accumulation of dust there. Piece according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises two sections (10,11; 11, 15) to be joined to each other, namely a section (10; 11) having two side wings (10a, 11a) at right angles, intended to be fixed to at least one of the panels (2) delimiting the angle and forming a base for receiving and positioning the other profile (11; 15), and a profile (11; 15) having a rounded wall ( 11b; 15a) whose lateral edges are applied against the panels (2), forming the softening surface of the angle. Corner piece according to claim 6, characterized in that the profiles (10,11,15) comprise means (10c, 11c, 15d, 12,13) for reciprocal snap-on assembly. Corner piece according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the profile (11) forming the base in the case of a re-entrant angle has a rounded shape at the level of the central part (11b) of its face coming against the panels (2) in the case of such a re-entrant angle, and is shaped to constitute the profile for softening the angle in the case of an outgoing angle, this profile (11) then being assembled with a another profile (10) forming a base, fixed to at least one of the panels (2). Corner piece according to one of claims 6 to 8, intended to connect three abovementioned orthogonal profiles (15), characterized in that it has a central part (20a) in the form of a quarter of a hemispherical wall and three wings (20b ) rounded connection to these profiles (15).

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