EP0956481B1 - Device for dynamic separation of two zones - Google Patents

Device for dynamic separation of two zones Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0956481B1
EP0956481B1 EP97953952A EP97953952A EP0956481B1 EP 0956481 B1 EP0956481 B1 EP 0956481B1 EP 97953952 A EP97953952 A EP 97953952A EP 97953952 A EP97953952 A EP 97953952A EP 0956481 B1 EP0956481 B1 EP 0956481B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
jet
zones
buffer zone
jets
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP97953952A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0956481A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Claude Laborde
Victor Manuel Mocho
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UNIR Ultra Propre Nutrition Industrie Recherche
Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
Original Assignee
Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique CEA
UNIR Ultra Propre Nutrition Industrie Recherche
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F9/00—Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F9/00—Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains
    • F24F2009/007—Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains using more than one jet or band in the air curtain

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for ensure dynamic separation of at least two areas with different atmospheres, to allow transfer at high speed objects or products from one zone to another, without break the confinement.
  • the method according to the invention can be used in many industrial sectors.
  • Ventilation protection consists of artificially create a pressure difference between the two zones, so that the pressure prevailing in one area to be protected is greater than the prevailing pressure inside a contaminating area. So in the case where the area to be protected contains a product susceptible to be contaminated by the ambient air, we inject into the zone to protect a laminar flow which blows towards the exterior through the access opening to this zoned. In the opposite case where it is a question of protecting the personnel and the environment outside of a contaminated space, dynamic containment is ensured by implementing extraction ventilation in this contaminated space. In either case, a rule of thumb imposes a minimum air speed ventilated by 0.5 m / s, in the plane of the opening by which the two zones communicate, in order to avoid the transfer of contamination to the area to be protected.
  • this protection technique ventilation is however not perfect, especially in a so-called "break-in" situation, that is to say when objects are transferred between the two areas.
  • this type of protection requires treating and to control, as the case may be, the entire area suitable for protect against the contaminating external atmosphere or the entire contaminated area. When the area to to process and control is large, this entails a cost of equipment and operation particularly important.
  • this technique of ventilation protection only provides protection at one-way, that is, it only works when contamination transfers are only possible in one direction.
  • the air curtain protection technique consists of injecting simultaneously, in the area of separation by which the two zones communicate, a or more clean, adjacent air jets and similarly meaning, which form a fictitious gate between the area to protect and the contaminating area.
  • a plane air jet is breaks down into two distinct zones: a transition zone (or heart zone) and a development zone.
  • the transition zone corresponds to the part jet center, supported on the nozzle through which clean air is injected. In this area, in which no mixture between the injected air and the air present on either side of the jet does occur, the velocity vector is constant. In section according to a plan perpendicular to the plane of the separation zone, the width of the transition zone gradually decreases away from the nozzle. This transition zone will be called “dart" in the remainder of the text.
  • the jet development area is the part of the latter located outside the area of transition. In this jet development area, the outside air is entrained by the flow of the jet. This results in variations in the velocity vector and by air mixing. Air entrainment by the two faces of the jet, in this development zone, is called "induction". An induced air jet thus, on each of its faces, an air flow which depends in particular the injection rate of the jet in question.
  • the dart of the slow jet is long enough to cover any opening when the width of the injection nozzle of the slow jet is at least equal to 1 / 6th of the height of the opening to be protected.
  • the subject of the invention is precisely a dynamic separation device of at least two areas with different atmospheres, authorizing the high-speed transfer of objects or products between these areas, without breaking the containment, including where there is a risk of cross contamination between the two areas.
  • controlled atmosphere means that all the characteristics of the air present in the buffer zone, such as temperature, humidity, ventilation conditions, concentrations gaseous and particulate, etc. are controlled.
  • adjacent communicating areas denotes, in the set consisting of the zones to separate and by the buffer zone (s), each group of two zones which directly communicate one with the other. So, in case the device includes a single buffer zone placed between two zones to be separated, there are two pairs of communicating zones adjacent, each formed of the single buffer zone and of one of the zones to be separated. When multiple zones buffers are provided, there is at least one other pair of adjacent communicating zones formed by two buffer zones.
  • Each buffer zone thus plays the role a dynamic airlock between the areas to be separated.
  • the means of containment dynamics which are interposed between each pair of adjacent communicating areas, are such that, in each air curtain, the second (fast) jet is injected at a rate such as the air flow induced by the face of the second jet in contact with the first jet (slow) either lower or, preferably, substantially equal to half the injection rate of the first jet.
  • each air curtain includes a relatively small third jet slow, same direction as the first and second jets and adjacent to the second jet (fast), on the side of the buffer.
  • This third jet then includes a dart which completely blocks communication between zones and it is injected at a flow rate substantially equal to the flow rate injection of the first jet, so that the air flows induced by the faces of the second jet respectively in contact with the first and third jets be less than or preferably substantially equal to the half of their injection rates.
  • each of the means of dynamic containment includes at least two nozzles adjacent air supply and a resumption facing the supply nozzles and located in a plane parallel to them.
  • Nozzles feed and return outlets are advantageously located in the respective extension of upper and lower walls of the buffer zone.
  • the buffer zone includes preferably ventilation, such as a ceiling blowing, associated with injection means delivering clean air in this area.
  • the flow of these means injection is then at least equal to the sum of air flows induced by each of the faces of the jets of the air curtains in contact with the buffer zone.
  • the flow rate of the injection means is such that it ensures a minimum speed of 0.1 m / s, related to surfaces plans of the ends of the buffer zone.
  • the buffer zone can also include a suction mouth spread over the whole its bottom wall.
  • the flow of injection means is then at least equal to the sum of the air flow sucked in through the suction mouth and air flow induced by each side of the air curtain jets in contact with the buffer zone.
  • the flow of injection means must always ensure a speed minimum 0.1 m / s, relative to the surfaces of the planes of the ends of the buffer zone. This arrangement corresponds in particular to the case where the buffer zone is used to perform a basic operation (dosing, packaging, etc.) on objects or products transferred between the areas to be separated.
  • the curtains of air which are interposed between a buffer zone and one of the areas to be separated are delimited by walls width at least equal to the maximum thickness of these air curtains.
  • Zones 10a and 10b are delimited by watertight walls (not shown) and there reigns different atmospheres, that is to say that one at less of the characteristics that constitute in particular gas and particulate concentrations, conditions ventilation, temperature, humidity, etc. is different from one area to another.
  • the zones 10a and 10b by at least one separation device dynamic which includes, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a buffer zone 12 through from which zones 10a and 10b communicate.
  • the buffer zone 12 is a zone to controlled atmosphere, i.e. an area in which different parameters such as the concentrations gaseous and particulate, the aeraulic conditions, temperature, humidity, etc. are controlled.
  • the dynamic separation device further comprises containment means dynamic, generally designated by the references 14a and 14b in Figure 1, which are interposed respectively between zone 10a and buffer zone 12 and between buffer zone 12 and zone 10b, i.e. between each pair of adjacent communicating zones of the installation.
  • Dynamic containment means 14a create a first air curtain 16a between zone 10a and buffer zone 12.
  • the means of dynamic containment 14b create a second curtain of air 16b between buffer zone 12 and zone 10b to controlled atmosphere.
  • the buffer zone 12 is delimited by watertight walls, so as to form a horizontal corridor of rectangular section, which opens at its ends respectively in zone 10a and in zone 10b at through air curtains 16a and 16b created by the dynamic containment means 14a and 14b.
  • the horizontal upper wall of the area buffer 12 forms a blowing ceiling 18.
  • This ceiling blowing 18 is associated with injection means or ventilation (not shown) which deliver air clean in buffer zone 12, at a determined flow rate. As will be seen later, this flow depends on the characteristics of the air curtains 16a and 16b and the possible presence of a suction mouth in the buffer zone 12.
  • the horizontal bottom wall 20 of the buffer zone 12 forms a work plan.
  • a suction mouth can be distributed over this entire bottom wall 20, so as to resume part of the injected ventilation air flow in the buffer zone 12 by the blowing ceiling 18.
  • the buffer zone 12 is delimited by two side walls 22, oriented vertically, parallel to the plane of Figure 1.
  • the dynamic containment means 14a and 14b are placed in the extension of the watertight walls which delimit the buffer zone 12, so as to form the air curtains 16a and 16b when these means of containment are implemented.
  • the means of dynamic containment 14a and 14b are designed to create air curtains 16a and 16b each formed of two jets clean air in the same direction.
  • the dynamic confinement means 14a comprise two air supply nozzles 24a and 26a, which extend transversely across the width of the buffer zone 12, in line with the blowing ceiling 18, on the side of zone 10a.
  • the dynamic confinement means 14b include two air supply nozzles 24b and 26b, which extend transversely across the width of the buffer zone 12, in line with the blowing ceiling 18 on the side of zone 10b. All nozzles air supply 24a, 26a, 24b and 26b open out in the same horizontal plane, located in the extension from the underside of the blower ceiling 18.
  • Dynamic containment means 14a additionally include a horizontal return opening 28a, arranged opposite the air supply nozzles 24a and 26a and extending over the entire width of the buffer zone 12, in the extension of its lower wall 20.
  • the means of containment dynamics 14b include a return mouth horizontal 28b placed below the supply nozzles in air 24b and 26b and extending over the entire width of buffer zone 12, in line with its lower wall 20.
  • Each of the means of dynamic containment 14a and 14b further comprises means (not shown) allowing air to be injected at a speed and a controlled flow, respectively by the supply nozzles in air 24a and 26a and through the supply nozzles in air 24b and 26b, as well as means (not shown) allowing to aspirate, respectively to through return ports 28a and 28b the whole air flows injected by the nozzles and flows induced air.
  • the watertight side walls 22 which delimit the buffer zone 12 extend beyond the ends of this area over a length at least equal to the thickness maximum air curtains 16a and 16b, so that avoid any rupture of confinement on the lateral edges air curtains.
  • FIG. 1 corresponds to the case where each of air curtains 16a and 16b is formed by two air jets own adjacent and the same direction.
  • the two curtains 16a and 16b have identical characteristics which will now be described in more detail.
  • each of the supply nozzles in air 24a and 24b delivers a jet of clean air relatively slow, of which only the darts 30a and 30b are represented.
  • each of the supply nozzles in air 26a and 26b which are arranged on the side of the blown ceiling 18 relative to nozzles 24a and 24b delivers a relatively fast clean air stream through compared to the jets delivered by the nozzles 24a and 24b. Only the darts 32a and 32b of these jets relatively are shown in Figure 1. For simplicity, relatively slow and relatively fast jets are called respectively “slow jets" and “jets fast "in the rest of the text.
  • the air curtains 16a and 16b also extend over the entire width of the buffer zone, between the side walls 22 thereof.
  • each of the slow jets injected by the nozzles 24a and 24b is dimensioned so that its dart 30a, 30b covers the entire section of the buffer zone, ends thereof which respectively open out in zones 10a and 10b.
  • This result is obtained in ensuring that the range, or length, of the darts 30a and 30b is at least equal to the height of the zone buffer 12.
  • the injection slot of each nozzles 24a and 24b present, parallel to the plane of the figure, a width at least equal to 1 / 6th and, from preferably 1 / 5th of the height of buffer zone 12.
  • each of the slow jets emitted by the nozzles 24a and 24b is advantageously set at 0.5 m / s. Because the length of the darts 30a and 30b of the slow jets is at less equal to the height of buffer zone 12 and that these jets are relatively slow, the air streams follow the outline of objects or products that pass through air curtains 16a and 16b, without breach of containment.
  • each slow jets injected by nozzles 24 and 24b has the consequence that these jets, if they were alone, would risk being destabilized by air flow disturbances or mechanical that can occur near curtains air, thus causing the containment of the zones 10a and 10b.
  • the highest speed of these fast jets ensures the stability of slow jets and, by therefore, improve the efficiency of containment of zones 10a and 10b in situation of break-ins through dynamic barriers formed by each of the curtains air 16a and 16b.
  • the width of each of the nozzles air supply 26a and 26b of the fast jets can be approximately 1 / 40th that of the supply nozzles in air 24a and 24b slow jets.
  • the injection rate of each of the fast jets, by the nozzles 26a and 26b is adjusted so that the air flow induced by the faces of these fast jets which are in contact with slow jets, injected by nozzles 24a and 24b, either lower or, preferably, substantially equal to half the injection rate of these jets slow.
  • the mouths of recovery 28a and 28b ensure the recovery of everything the air blown by the supply nozzles under which they are placed, and all the air driven by each of the air curtains 16a and 16b.
  • the air recovered by the return grilles 28a and 28b can be purified by purification means specific (not shown) before being recycled to the air supply nozzles 24a, 26a; 24b, 26b. The excess air is then discharged outside after a second specific purification.
  • the horizontal orientation air supply nozzles which determines a vertical orientation of the air curtains, as well as the horizontal arrangement of the return outlets opposite air curtains, optimize the barrier effect obtained using each of the means of containment dynamics 14a and 14b.
  • the internal ventilation of the buffer zone 12 provided by the blowing ceiling 18 allows to obtain a purifying effect in this area.
  • This purifying effect contributes to the efficiency of separation dynamics of zones 10a and 10b, especially in case high-speed transfer of objects or products between these two areas.
  • the air injection rate clean ventilation in buffer zone 12, by the blowing ceiling 18, is at least equal to the air flow induced by the fast jets delivered by the nozzles 26a and 26b, on the faces of these fast jets which are in contact with buffer zone 12.
  • clean air ventilation is injected into buffer zone 12, at across the ceiling blowing 18, at such a speed that the air speed related to the surfaces of plans of the ends of the buffer zone 12 which open out in zones 10a and 10b, i.e. at least equal to 0.1 m / s.
  • Each of the return vents 28a and 28b has a width substantially equal to the width cumulative air supply nozzles 24a and 26a; 24b and 26b respectively.
  • This width can however be modulated, in particular to take into account certain ventilation conditions prevailing in zones 10a and 10b, tending to deflect the vertical jets forming the air curtains 16a and 16b. So, it is desirable to reduce the width of the corresponding return mouth, towards the interior of buffer zone 12, when the air curtain jets tend to be diverted out of this area. Conversely, the width of the return opening must be increased towards the interior of buffer zone 12 when the air curtain jets tend to be deviated towards the interior of this zone.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a second mode of realization of the invention, which essentially differs of the embodiment of FIG. 1 by the fact that each of the air curtains, designated by the references 16'a and 16'b, then has three clean air jets adjacent and in the same direction.
  • each of the means of containment dynamic includes respectively, in addition to the supply nozzles in air 24a, 26a and 24b, 26b, a third supply nozzle 34a and 34b, adjacent respectively to nozzles 26a and 26b on the side of the blowing ceiling 18. More specifically, the nozzles 34a and 34b extend over the entire width of buffer zone 12 and their outlet is arranged in the same horizontal plane as that of the other nozzles 24a, 26a; 24b, 26b, i.e. in a horizontal plane coincident with that of the face lower of the blower ceiling 18.
  • each of the nozzles supply air 34a, 34b delivers a third jet clean air, relatively slow compared to jets rapids emitted by nozzles 26a and 26b, between this jet rapid and buffer zone 12.
  • the darts of these third jets are illustrated in 36a and 36b in FIG. 2.
  • the dimensions of the nozzles 34a and 34b are chosen so that the darts 36a and 36b of the third jets from each of the air curtains 16'a and 16'b overlap the entire section of buffer zone 12.
  • the lower slot of each of the nozzles 34a and 34b presents, in section parallel to the plane of the Figure 2, a width at least equal to 1 / 6th and, from preferably 1 / 5th of the height of the buffer zone 12.
  • the widths of the nozzles 24a, 34a and 24b, and 34b are the same.
  • the injection rate slow jets delivered by nozzles 34a and 34b is set to be approximately equal to the flow injection of slow jets delivered by nozzles 24a and 24b.
  • the air flows induced by the faces fast jets emitted by nozzles 26a and 26b, respectively in contact with each of the slow jets of the corresponding air curtain are lower or, of preferably substantially equal to half the flow rates injection of these slow jets.
  • each of the return vents 28'a and 28'b is adapted to the width of the air curtains 16'a and 16'b, to be substantially equal to the width cumulative nozzles forming these air curtains.
  • this width can be adjusted as we have previously described with reference to FIG. 1, when the air conditions prevailing in at least one zones 10a and 10b tend to deflect the curtains of air relative to the vertical.
  • the second embodiment that comes to be briefly described with reference to Figure 2 provides dynamic containment in both direction between buffer zone 12 and each of zones 10a and 10b.
  • the injection rate of clean air ventilation through the ceiling blowing 18 can be considerably decreased.
  • the injection rate air through the blowing ceiling 18 is then at less equal to the air flows induced by slow jets emitted by the injection nozzles 34a and 34b, on the faces of these jets which are in contact with the area buffer 12 and it is such that it ensures a speed minimum 0.1 m / s, relative to the surfaces of the planes of the ends of the buffer zone.
  • the area buffer 12 is a passive area, in which none operation is not carried out on objects or products which are transferred between zones 10a and 10b.
  • buffer zone 12 is an active zone, that is, it is used to perform a basic operation (dosing, packaging, etc.) on objects or products transferred between zones 10a and 10b.
  • the architecture of the separation device dynamic is then identical to that which has been described previously with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
  • a suction mouth is distributed over the entire lower wall 20 of the buffer zone 12.
  • the speed of suction through this suction mouth varies for example between about 0.1 m / s and about 0.2 m / s.
  • the ventilation supply rate internal, through the blowing ceiling 18 is then greater and at least equal to the sum of the debits induced by each side of the air curtains in contact with buffer zone 12 and the suction flow through the suction mouth.
  • this Internal ventilation supply rate corresponds to a minimum speed of 0.1 m / s, reported to the surfaces of the planes at the ends of the zone buffer.
  • the device dynamic separation according to the invention comprises several buffer zones 12, arranged in series, through which the zones 10a and 10b communicate.
  • Each of the buffer zones 12 then has characteristics analogous to those which have been described previously, and in particular a ceiling 18 and a suction mouth 20 'facing it.
  • means of containment dynamics designated by the references 14a, 14b and 14c are interposed between each pair of communicating zones adjacent. More specifically, the means of dynamic containment 14a are interposed between the zone 10a and the buffer zone 12 which opens into the zone 10a, the dynamic containment means 14c are interposed between each pair of adjacent buffer zones 12 and the dynamic confinement means 14b are interposed between zone 10b and buffer zone 12 which opens in this buffer zone.
  • the dynamic confinement means 14a, 14b and 14c are identical to each other and they can be done as appropriate in the way previously described with reference to Figure 1 or the manner previously described with reference to the figure 2.
  • the air curtains formed by the dynamic confinement means 14c which separate two 12 consecutive buffer zones are delimited laterally by extensions of the side walls 22 of these buffer zones, over a width equal to the width supply nozzles forming these curtains air.
  • the same buffer zone can ensure dynamic separation of more than two zones 10a, 10b and 10c.
  • one or more openings are formed in at least one of the side walls 22 of the buffer zone considered and each of the openings is controlled by dynamic containment means 14d whose characteristics are similar to those of dynamic containment means 14a and 14b on the Figure 1 or dynamic containment means 14'a and 14'b in Figure 2.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ventilation (AREA)
  • Container, Conveyance, Adherence, Positioning, Of Wafer (AREA)
  • Amplifiers (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Or Mechanical Vibrators, Or Delay Or Filter Circuits (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles To Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

A device for dynamically separating two zones by a bufer zone and two clean air curtains. When transferring objects at high speed between two zones, a buffer zone which is connected to the two zones, forms a dynamic lock in order to separate them. a dynamic confinement system placed between each pair of adjacent communication zones forms an air curtain including two or three clean air jets. The buffer zone includes a blower ceiling and an intake grill facing it.

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

L'invention concerne un dispositif permettant d'assurer la séparation dynamique d'au moins deux zones dans lesquelles règnent des ambiances différentes, pour permettre le transfert à grande cadence d'objets ou de produits d'une zone à l'autre, sans en rompre le confinement.The invention relates to a device for ensure dynamic separation of at least two areas with different atmospheres, to allow transfer at high speed objects or products from one zone to another, without break the confinement.

Le procédé selon l'invention peut être utilisé dans de nombreux secteurs industriels.The method according to the invention can be used in many industrial sectors.

Ainsi, ce procédé s'applique à toutes les industries (agro-alimentaires, médicales, biotechnologies, hautes technologies, nucléaires, chimiques, etc.) dans lesquelles il est nécessaire de maintenir des ambiances différentes dans des zones communiquant entre elles pour permettre le passage fréquent d'objets ou de produits. Le terme "ambiance" désigne notamment les conditions aérauliques, les concentrations gazeuse et particulaire, la température, l'hygrométrie, etc..Thus, this process applies to all industries (food, medical, biotechnology, high technology, nuclear, chemical, etc.) in which it is necessary to maintain different atmospheres in areas communicating between them to allow frequent passage of objects or products. The term "ambiance" designates in particular the aeraulic conditions, gas concentrations and particulate, temperature, humidity, etc.

Etat de la techniqueState of the art

Il existe actuellement deux types de solutions pour assurer la séparation dynamique de deux zones communiquant entre elles afin, par exemple, de permettre l'entrée et la sortie d'objets : la protection par ventilation et la protection par rideau d'air.There are currently two types of solutions to ensure the dynamic separation of two communicating areas in order to, for example, allow entry and exit of objects: protection by ventilation and protection by air curtain.

La protection par ventilation consiste à créer artificiellement une différence de pression entre les deux zones, pour que la pression régnant dans une zone à protéger soit supérieure à la pression qui règne à l'intérieur d'une zone contaminante. Ainsi, dans le cas où la zone à protéger contient un produit susceptible d'être contaminé par l'air ambiant, on injecte dans la zone à protéger un flux laminaire qui souffle vers l'extérieur au travers de l'ouverture d'accès à cette zone. Dans le cas inverse où il s'agit de protéger le personnel et l'environnement situé à l'extérieur d'un espace contaminé, le confinement dynamique est assuré en mettant en oeuvre une ventilation d'extraction dans cet espace contaminé. Dans l'un et l'autre cas, une règle empirique impose une vitesse minimale de l'air ventilé de 0,5 m/s, dans le plan de l'ouverture par laquelle les deux zones communiquent, afin d'éviter le transfert de la contamination dans la zone à protéger.Ventilation protection consists of artificially create a pressure difference between the two zones, so that the pressure prevailing in one area to be protected is greater than the prevailing pressure inside a contaminating area. So in the case where the area to be protected contains a product susceptible to be contaminated by the ambient air, we inject into the zone to protect a laminar flow which blows towards the exterior through the access opening to this zoned. In the opposite case where it is a question of protecting the personnel and the environment outside of a contaminated space, dynamic containment is ensured by implementing extraction ventilation in this contaminated space. In either case, a rule of thumb imposes a minimum air speed ventilated by 0.5 m / s, in the plane of the opening by which the two zones communicate, in order to avoid the transfer of contamination to the area to be protected.

L'efficacité de cette technique de protection par ventilation n'est cependant pas parfaite, surtout en situation dite "d'effractions", c'est-à-dire lorsque des objets sont transférés entre les deux zones. De plus, ce type de protection impose de traiter et de contrôler, selon le cas, toute la zone propre à protéger vis-à-vis de l'atmosphère extérieure contaminante ou toute la zone contaminée. Lorsque la zone à traiter et à contrôler est de grandes dimensions, cela entraíne un coût d'équipement et de fonctionnement particulièrement important. Enfin, cette technique de protection par ventilation n'assure qu'une protection à sens unique, c'est-à-dire qu'elle n'agit que lorsque les transferts de contamination ne sont possibles que dans un seul sens.The effectiveness of this protection technique ventilation is however not perfect, especially in a so-called "break-in" situation, that is to say when objects are transferred between the two areas. In addition, this type of protection requires treating and to control, as the case may be, the entire area suitable for protect against the contaminating external atmosphere or the entire contaminated area. When the area to to process and control is large, this entails a cost of equipment and operation particularly important. Finally, this technique of ventilation protection only provides protection at one-way, that is, it only works when contamination transfers are only possible in one direction.

La technique de protection par rideau d'air consiste à injecter simultanément, dans la zone de séparation par laquelle les deux zones communiquent, un ou plusieurs jets d'air propres, adjacents et de même sens, qui forment une porte fictive entre la zone à protéger et la zone contaminante.The air curtain protection technique consists of injecting simultaneously, in the area of separation by which the two zones communicate, a or more clean, adjacent air jets and similarly meaning, which form a fictitious gate between the area to protect and the contaminating area.

Conformément à la théorie des jets plans turbulents, il est rappelé qu'un jet d'air plan se décompose en deux zones distinctes : une zone de transition (ou zone de coeur) et une zone de développement.According to the theory of jet planes turbulent, it is recalled that a plane air jet is breaks down into two distinct zones: a transition zone (or heart zone) and a development zone.

La zone de transition correspond à la partie centrale du jet, appuyée sur la buse par laquelle l'air propre est injecté. Dans cette zone, dans laquelle aucun mélange entre l'air injecté et l'air présent de part et d'autre du jet ne se produit, le vecteur vitesse est constant. En section selon un plan perpendiculaire au plan de la zone de séparation, la largeur de la zone de transition diminue progressivement en s'éloignant de la buse. Cette zone de transition sera appelée "dard" dans la suite du texte.The transition zone corresponds to the part jet center, supported on the nozzle through which clean air is injected. In this area, in which no mixture between the injected air and the air present on either side of the jet does occur, the velocity vector is constant. In section according to a plan perpendicular to the plane of the separation zone, the width of the transition zone gradually decreases away from the nozzle. This transition zone will be called "dart" in the remainder of the text.

La zone de développement du jet est la partie de ce dernier située à l'extérieur de la zone de transition. Dans cette zone de développement du jet, l'air extérieur est entraíné par l'écoulement du jet. Cela se traduit par des variations du vecteur vitesse et par un brassage de l'air. L'entraínement de l'air par les deux faces du jet, dans cette zone de développement, est appelé "induction". Un jet d'air induit ainsi, sur chacune de ses faces, un débit d'air qui dépend notamment du débit d'injection du jet considéré.The jet development area is the part of the latter located outside the area of transition. In this jet development area, the outside air is entrained by the flow of the jet. This results in variations in the velocity vector and by air mixing. Air entrainment by the two faces of the jet, in this development zone, is called "induction". An induced air jet thus, on each of its faces, an air flow which depends in particular the injection rate of the jet in question.

Dans les documents FR-A-2 530 163 et FR-A-2 652 520, il est proposé d'utiliser un rideau d'air pour séparer une zone polluée et une zone propre. Dans les deux cas, le rideau d'air est formé de deux jets d'air propre adjacents et de même sens. De façon plus précise, la séparation dynamique est assurée par un premier jet relativement lent (appelé "jet lent"), dont le dard recouvre en totalité l'ouverture. Le deuxième jet (appelé "jet rapide"), relativement rapide par rapport au jet lent, est installé entre le jet lent et la zone propre. Il a pour fonction de stabiliser le jet lent, par un effet d'aspiration qui plaque ce dernier contre le jet rapide.In documents FR-A-2 530 163 and FR-A-2 652 520, it is proposed to use a curtain air to separate a polluted area from a clean area. In both cases, the air curtain is formed of two adjacent air jets of the same direction. In a way more precise, dynamic separation is ensured by a relatively slow first jet (called "slow jet"), whose sting completely covers the opening. The second jet (called "fast jet"), relatively fast relative to the slow jet, is installed between the slow jet and the clean area. Its function is to stabilize the slow jet, by a suction effect which presses the latter against the fast jet.

Dans ces documents, il est précisé que le dard du jet lent est suffisamment long pour recouvrir toute ouverture lorsque la largeur de la buse d'injection du jet lent est au moins égale à 1/6ème de la hauteur de l'ouverture à protéger.In these documents, it is specified that the dart of the slow jet is long enough to cover any opening when the width of the injection nozzle of the slow jet is at least equal to 1 / 6th of the height of the opening to be protected.

Dans le document FR-A-2 652 520, il est aussi proposé d'injecter simultanément de l'air propre de ventilation, à une température adaptée aux besoins, à l'intérieur de la zone propre à protéger. Il est précisé que cet air propre de ventilation doit être injecté à un débit sensiblement égal au débit induit par la face du jet rapide qui est en contact avec l'air propre de ventilation.In document FR-A-2 652 520, it is also proposed to simultaneously inject clean air ventilation, at a temperature adapted to the needs, inside the clean area to be protected. It is specified that this clean ventilation air should be injected at a flow rate substantially equal to the induced flow rate by the face of the rapid jet which is in contact with air clean ventilation.

Par ailleurs, dans le document FR-A-2 659 782, il est proposé d'adjoindre un troisième jet d'air propre relativement lent, aux deux jets d'air propre utilisés dans les documents FR-A-2 530 163 et FR-A-2 652 520, afin que le jet rapide se trouve situé entre deux jets lents adjacents et de même sens. Le débit d'injection de l'air propre de ventilation à l'intérieur de la zone à protéger est alors considérablement diminué, du fait que l'induction dans cette zone est produite par la zone de développement de l'un des jets lents et non plus par la zone de développement du jet rapide comme dans le cas d'un rideau d'air à deux jets. De plus, le confinement dynamique est assuré dans les deux sens, ce qui n'était pas le cas dans les documents précédents.Furthermore, in document FR-A-2 659 782, it is proposed to add a third jet relatively slow clean air at both air jets used in documents FR-A-2 530 163 and FR-A-2 652 520, so that the rapid jet is located between two adjacent slow jets of the same direction. The injection rate of clean ventilation air at the interior of the area to be protected is then considerably decreased, because the induction in this area is produced by the development area of one slow jets and no longer through the development zone fast jet as in the case of an air curtain two jets. In addition, dynamic containment is ensured in both directions, which was not the case in the previous documents.

On connaít aussi, du document WO-A-96 24011, une installation dans laquelle une chambre, où règne une atmosphère confinée, communique avec une même atmosphère extérieure par une ou deux ouvertures, auxquelles sont associés des rideaux de gaz. Chaque rideau de gaz est formé d'un jet lent soutenu par un jet rapide, comme dans les documents FR-A-2 530 163 et FR-A-2 652 520. La chambre permet le traitement de produits en continu, grâce à l'injection d'un réactif à l'intérieur. Les produits passent de l'atmosphère extérieure dans l'atmosphère confinée de la chambre, pour y être traités, avant de ressortir dans l'atmosphère extérieure.We also know from document WO-A-96 24011, an installation in which a room, where a confined atmosphere prevails, communicates with a same external atmosphere through one or two openings, which are associated with gas curtains. Each gas curtain is formed by a slow jet supported by a fast jet, as in documents FR-A-2 530 163 and FR-A-2 652 520. The chamber allows the treatment of continuously produced, thanks to the injection of a inside. Products pass from the atmosphere outside in the confined atmosphere of the room, to be treated there, before coming out in the outside atmosphere.

En dépit des améliorations apportées à la technique du rideau d'air par ces différents documents, le problème du transfert à grande cadence d'objets ou de produits entre deux zones dans lesquelles règnent des ambiances différentes, sans rupture du confinement, n'est résolu de façon satisfaisante par aucun dispositif connu, notamment dans le cas où il existe un risque de contamination croisée entre les deux zones.Despite improvements to the air curtain technique by these different documents, the problem of high-speed transfer of objects or of products between two areas in which reign different atmospheres, without breaking the confinement, is not satisfactorily resolved by any device known, especially if there is a risk of cross contamination between the two areas.

Exposé de l'inventionStatement of the invention

L'invention a précisément pour objet un dispositif de séparation dynamique d'au moins deux zones dans lesquelles règnent des ambiances différentes, autorisant le transfert à grande cadence d'objets ou de produits entre ces zones, sans en rompre le confinement, y compris dans le cas où il existe un risque de contamination croisée entre les deux zones. The subject of the invention is precisely a dynamic separation device of at least two areas with different atmospheres, authorizing the high-speed transfer of objects or products between these areas, without breaking the containment, including where there is a risk of cross contamination between the two areas.

Conformément à l'invention, ce résultat est obtenu au moyen d'un dispositif de séparation dynamique d'au moins deux zones dans lesquelles règnent des ambiances différentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend :

  • au moins une zone tampon, à atmosphère contrôlée, au travers de laquelle les zones à séparer communiquent ;
  • des moyens de confinement dynamique interposés entre chaque paire de zones communiquantes adjacentes, pour créer entre ces zones un rideau d'air comprenant un premier jet d'air propre relativement lent, qui comporte un dard obturant totalement la communication entre les zones, et un deuxième jet d'air propre relativement rapide, de même sens que le premier jet et adjacent à celui-ci, du côté de la zone tampon.
According to the invention, this result is obtained by means of a dynamic separation device of at least two zones in which different atmospheres prevail, characterized in that it comprises:
  • at least one buffer zone, with controlled atmosphere, through which the zones to be separated communicate;
  • dynamic confinement means interposed between each pair of adjacent communicating zones, to create between these zones an air curtain comprising a first relatively slow clean air jet, which comprises a sting completely blocking the communication between the zones, and a second relatively fast clean air jet, in the same direction as and adjacent to the first jet, on the side of the buffer zone.

L'expression "à atmosphère contrôlée" signifie que toutes les caractéristiques de l'air présent dans la zone tampon, telles que la température, l'hygrométrie, les conditions aérauliques, les concentrations gazeuse et particulaire, etc. sont contrôlées.The expression "controlled atmosphere" means that all the characteristics of the air present in the buffer zone, such as temperature, humidity, ventilation conditions, concentrations gaseous and particulate, etc. are controlled.

L'expression "zones communiquantes adjacentes" désigne, dans l'ensemble constitué par les zones à séparer et par la ou les zones tampons, chaque groupe de deux zones qui communiquent directement l'une avec l'autre. Ainsi, dans le cas où le dispositif comprend une seule zone tampon placée entre deux zones à séparer, il existe deux paires de zones communiquantes adjacentes, formées chacune de la zone tampon unique et de l'une des zones à séparer. Lorsque plusieurs zones tampons sont prévues, il existe au moins une autre paire de zones communiquantes adjacentes formée de deux zones tampons. The expression "adjacent communicating areas" denotes, in the set consisting of the zones to separate and by the buffer zone (s), each group of two zones which directly communicate one with the other. So, in case the device includes a single buffer zone placed between two zones to be separated, there are two pairs of communicating zones adjacent, each formed of the single buffer zone and of one of the zones to be separated. When multiple zones buffers are provided, there is at least one other pair of adjacent communicating zones formed by two buffer zones.

L'aménagement d'une ou plusieurs zones tampons entre les zones à séparer, ainsi que l'agencement de rideaux d'air formés d'au moins deux jets d'air propre entre les zones communiquantes adjacentes, autorisent le transfert d'objets ou de produits à grande cadence, tout en évitant que des contaminants présents dans l'une quelconque des zones à ambiance contrôlée ne parviennent jusqu'à l'autre zone à ambiance contrôlée, et inversement. Chaque zone tampon joue ainsi le rôle d'un sas dynamique entre les zones à séparer.The development of one or more zones buffers between the areas to be separated, as well as the arrangement air curtains formed from at least two air jets clean between adjacent communicating areas, allow the transfer of large objects or products rate, while avoiding that contaminants present in any of the atmosphere-controlled areas reach the other area with controlled atmosphere, and vice versa. Each buffer zone thus plays the role a dynamic airlock between the areas to be separated.

De préférence, les moyens de confinement dynamique, qui sont interposés entre chaque paire de zones communiquantes adjacentes, sont tels que, dans chaque rideau d'air, le deuxième jet (rapide) est injecté à un débit tel que le débit d'air induit par la face du deuxième jet en contact avec le premier jet (lent) soit inférieur ou, de préférence, sensiblement égal à la moitié du débit d'injection du premier jet.Preferably, the means of containment dynamics, which are interposed between each pair of adjacent communicating areas, are such that, in each air curtain, the second (fast) jet is injected at a rate such as the air flow induced by the face of the second jet in contact with the first jet (slow) either lower or, preferably, substantially equal to half the injection rate of the first jet.

Dans une forme de réalisation particulière, ces moyens de confinement dynamique sont tels que chaque rideau d'air comprend un troisième jet relativement lent, de même sens que le premier et le deuxième jets et adjacent au deuxième jet (rapide), du côté de la zone tampon. Ce troisième jet comporte alors un dard qui obture totalement la communication entre les zones et il est injecté à un débit sensiblement égal au débit d'injection du premier jet, afin que les débits d'air induits par les faces du deuxième jet respectivement en contact avec le premier et le troisième jets soient inférieurs ou, de préférence, sensiblement égaux à la moitié des débits d'injection de ceux-ci.In a particular embodiment, these means of dynamic containment are such that each air curtain includes a relatively small third jet slow, same direction as the first and second jets and adjacent to the second jet (fast), on the side of the buffer. This third jet then includes a dart which completely blocks communication between zones and it is injected at a flow rate substantially equal to the flow rate injection of the first jet, so that the air flows induced by the faces of the second jet respectively in contact with the first and third jets be less than or preferably substantially equal to the half of their injection rates.

Dans la pratique, chacun des moyens de confinement dynamique comprend au moins deux buses adjacentes d'alimentation en air et une bouche de reprise faisant face aux buses d'alimentation et situées dans un plan parallèle à celles-ci. Les buses d'alimentation et les bouches de reprise sont avantageusement situées dans le prolongement respectif des parois supérieure et inférieure de la zone tampon.In practice, each of the means of dynamic containment includes at least two nozzles adjacent air supply and a resumption facing the supply nozzles and located in a plane parallel to them. Nozzles feed and return outlets are advantageously located in the respective extension of upper and lower walls of the buffer zone.

Afin d'améliorer encore le comportement du dispositif, notamment en situation d'effractions au travers des rideaux d'air, la zone tampon comprend de préférence une ventilation, telle qu'un plafond soufflant, associée à des moyens d'injection délivrant de l'air propre dans cette zone. Le débit de ces moyens d'injection est alors au moins égal à la somme des débits d'air induits par chacune des faces des jets des rideaux d'air en contact avec la zone tampon. De plus, le débit des moyens d'injection est tel qu'il assure une vitesse minimale de 0,1 m/s, rapportée aux surfaces des plans des extrémités de la zone tampon.In order to further improve the behavior of the device, especially in case of break-ins through air curtains, the buffer zone includes preferably ventilation, such as a ceiling blowing, associated with injection means delivering clean air in this area. The flow of these means injection is then at least equal to the sum of air flows induced by each of the faces of the jets of the air curtains in contact with the buffer zone. Moreover, the flow rate of the injection means is such that it ensures a minimum speed of 0.1 m / s, related to surfaces plans of the ends of the buffer zone.

Dans ce cas, la zone tampon peut aussi comprendre une bouche d'aspiration répartie sur toute sa paroi inférieure. Le débit des moyens d'injection est alors au moins égal à la somme du débit d'air aspiré par la bouche d'aspiration et du débit d'air induit par chacune des faces des jets des rideaux d'air en contact avec la zone tampon. De plus, le débit des moyens d'injection doit toujours assurer une vitesse minimale de 0,1 m/s, rapportée aux surfaces des plans des extrémités de la zone tampon. Cet agencement correspond notamment au cas où la zone tampon est utilisée pour effectuer une opération élémentaire (dosage, conditionnement, etc.) sur les objets ou les produits transférés entre les zones à séparer. In this case, the buffer zone can also include a suction mouth spread over the whole its bottom wall. The flow of injection means is then at least equal to the sum of the air flow sucked in through the suction mouth and air flow induced by each side of the air curtain jets in contact with the buffer zone. In addition, the flow of injection means must always ensure a speed minimum 0.1 m / s, relative to the surfaces of the planes of the ends of the buffer zone. This arrangement corresponds in particular to the case where the buffer zone is used to perform a basic operation (dosing, packaging, etc.) on objects or products transferred between the areas to be separated.

Dans ce dernier cas, plusieurs zones tampons peuvent être placées en série entre les zones à séparer. Les rideaux d'air interposés entre deux zones tampons sont alors délimités par des parois latérales de largeur égale à la largeur des buses adjacentes d'alimentation en air.In the latter case, several buffer zones can be placed in series between the areas to to separate. Air curtains interposed between two zones buffers are then delimited by side walls of width equal to the width of the adjacent nozzles air supply.

Par ailleurs, quel que soit le nombre des zones tampons qui équipent le dispositif, les rideaux d'air qui sont interposés entre une zone tampon et l'une des zones à séparer sont délimités par des parois latérales de largeur au moins égale à l'épaisseur maximale de ces rideaux d'air.In addition, whatever the number of buffer zones which equip the device, the curtains of air which are interposed between a buffer zone and one of the areas to be separated are delimited by walls width at least equal to the maximum thickness of these air curtains.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

On décrira à présent, à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, différents modes de réalisation de l'invention, en se référant aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective, qui illustre de façon schématique l'utilisation d'une zone tampon unique pour assurer la communication entre deux zones à ambiances contrôlées, au travers de deux rideaux d'air formés chacun de deux jets d'air propre adjacents, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective comparable à la figure 1, qui illustre le cas où chacun des rideaux d'air est formé de trois jets d'air propre adjacents, selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention ; et
  • la figure 3 est une vue en perspective, qui illustre schématiquement l'utilisation de plusieurs zones tampons en série entre deux zones à ambiances contrôlées, avec interposition d'un rideau d'air entre chaque paire de zones communiquantes adjacentes.
Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view, which schematically illustrates the use of a single buffer zone to ensure communication between two zones with controlled atmospheres, through two air curtains each formed of two air jets own adjacent, according to a first embodiment of the invention;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view comparable to Figure 1, which illustrates the case where each of the air curtains is formed of three adjacent clean air jets, according to a second embodiment of the invention; and
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view, which schematically illustrates the use of several buffer zones in series between two zones with controlled atmospheres, with the interposition of an air curtain between each pair of adjacent communicating zones.

Exposé détaillé de différents modes de réalisationDetailed presentation of different embodiments

Sur la figure 1, on a désigné respectivement par les références 10a et 10b deux zones dans lesquelles règnent des ambiances différentes et entre lesquelles on désire pouvoir transférer à grande vitesse des objets ou des produits, au moins dans un sens. Dans l'ensemble du texte, ces zones 10a et 10b sont appelées "zones à séparer" ou "zones à ambiances contrôlées". On supposera par exemple, de façon non limitative, que des objets ou des produits doivent être transférés à grande cadence de la zone 10a vers la zone 10b.In Figure 1, we have respectively designated by the references 10a and 10b two zones in which reign different atmospheres and between which we want to be able to transfer to large speed of objects or products, at least in one meaning. Throughout the text, these areas 10a and 10b are called "zones to be separated" or "zones with atmospheres controlled. "Suppose, for example, not limitative, that objects or products must be transferred at high speed from zone 10a to the zone 10b.

Les zones 10a et 10b sont délimitées par des parois étanches (non représentées) et il y règne des ambiances différentes, c'est-à-dire que l'une au moins des caractéristiques que constituent notamment les concentrations gazeuse et particulaire, les conditions aérauliques, la température, l'hygrométrie, etc. est différente d'une zone à l'autre.Zones 10a and 10b are delimited by watertight walls (not shown) and there reigns different atmospheres, that is to say that one at less of the characteristics that constitute in particular gas and particulate concentrations, conditions ventilation, temperature, humidity, etc. is different from one area to another.

Conformément à l'invention, on relie les zones 10a et 10b par au moins un dispositif de séparation dynamique qui comprend, dans le mode réalisation représenté sur la figure 1, une zone tampon 12 au travers de laquelle les zones 10a et 10b communiquent. Plus précisément, la zone tampon 12 est une zone à atmosphère contrôlée, c'est-à-dire une zone dans laquelle différents paramètres tels que la concentrations gazeuse et particulaire, les conditions aérauliques, la température, l'hygrométrie, etc. sont contrôlés. In accordance with the invention, the zones 10a and 10b by at least one separation device dynamic which includes, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a buffer zone 12 through from which zones 10a and 10b communicate. More specifically, the buffer zone 12 is a zone to controlled atmosphere, i.e. an area in which different parameters such as the concentrations gaseous and particulate, the aeraulic conditions, temperature, humidity, etc. are controlled.

Le dispositif de séparation dynamique selon l'invention comprend de plus des moyens de confinement dynamique, désignés de façon générale par les références 14a et 14b sur la figure 1, qui sont interposés respectivement entre la zone 10a et la zone tampon 12 et entre la zone tampon 12 et la zone 10b, c'est-à-dire entre chaque paire de zones communiquantes adjacentes de l'installation.The dynamic separation device according to the invention further comprises containment means dynamic, generally designated by the references 14a and 14b in Figure 1, which are interposed respectively between zone 10a and buffer zone 12 and between buffer zone 12 and zone 10b, i.e. between each pair of adjacent communicating zones of the installation.

Les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a créent un premier rideau d'air 16a entre la zone 10a et la zone tampon 12. De façon comparable, les moyens de confinement dynamique 14b créent un deuxième rideau d'air 16b entre la zone tampon 12 et la zone 10b à ambiance contrôlée.Dynamic containment means 14a create a first air curtain 16a between zone 10a and buffer zone 12. In a comparable way, the means of dynamic containment 14b create a second curtain of air 16b between buffer zone 12 and zone 10b to controlled atmosphere.

Comme l'illustre schématiquement la figure 1, la zone tampon 12 est délimitée par des parois étanches, de façon à former un couloir horizontal de section rectangulaire, qui débouche par ses extrémités respectivement dans la zone 10a et dans la zone 10b au travers des rideaux d'air 16a et 16b créés par les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a et 14b.As schematically illustrated in the figure 1, the buffer zone 12 is delimited by watertight walls, so as to form a horizontal corridor of rectangular section, which opens at its ends respectively in zone 10a and in zone 10b at through air curtains 16a and 16b created by the dynamic containment means 14a and 14b.

La paroi supérieure horizontale de la zone tampon 12 forme un plafond soufflant 18. Ce plafond soufflant 18 est associé à des moyens d'injection ou de ventilation (non représentés) qui délivrent de l'air propre dans la zone tampon 12, à un débit déterminé. Comme on le verra par la suite, ce débit dépend des caractéristiques des rideaux d'air 16a et 16b et de la présence éventuelle d'une bouche d'aspiration dans la zone tampon 12.The horizontal upper wall of the area buffer 12 forms a blowing ceiling 18. This ceiling blowing 18 is associated with injection means or ventilation (not shown) which deliver air clean in buffer zone 12, at a determined flow rate. As will be seen later, this flow depends on the characteristics of the air curtains 16a and 16b and the possible presence of a suction mouth in the buffer zone 12.

Dans la forme de réalisation représentée sur la figure 1, la paroi inférieure horizontale 20 de la zone tampon 12 forme un plan de travail. En variante, une bouche d'aspiration peut être répartie sur toute cette paroi inférieure 20, de façon à reprendre une partie du flux d'air de ventilation injecté dans la zone tampon 12 par le plafond soufflant 18.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal bottom wall 20 of the buffer zone 12 forms a work plan. In variant, a suction mouth can be distributed over this entire bottom wall 20, so as to resume part of the injected ventilation air flow in the buffer zone 12 by the blowing ceiling 18.

En plus de sa paroi supérieure horizontale formant le plafond soufflant 18 et de sa paroi inférieure horizontale 20, la zone tampon 12 est délimitée par deux parois latérales 22, orientées verticalement, parallèlement au plan de la figure 1.In addition to its horizontal upper wall forming the blowing ceiling 18 and its lower wall horizontal 20, the buffer zone 12 is delimited by two side walls 22, oriented vertically, parallel to the plane of Figure 1.

Les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a et 14b sont placés dans le prolongement des parois étanches qui délimitent la zone tampon 12, de façon à former les rideaux d'air 16a et 16b lorsque ces moyens de confinement sont mis en oeuvre.The dynamic containment means 14a and 14b are placed in the extension of the watertight walls which delimit the buffer zone 12, so as to form the air curtains 16a and 16b when these means of containment are implemented.

De façon plus précise, dans la forme de réalisation illustrée sur la figure 1, les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a et 14b sont conçus pour créer des rideaux d'air 16a et 16b formés chacun de deux jets d'air propre adjacents et de même sens. A cet effet, les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a comprennent deux buses d'alimentation en air 24a et 26a, qui s'étendent transversalement sur toute la largeur de la zone tampon 12, dans le prolongement du plafond soufflant 18, du côté de la zone 10a. De façon comparable, les moyens de confinement dynamique 14b comprennent deux buses d'alimentation en air 24b et 26b, qui s'étendent transversalement sur toute la largeur de la zone tampon 12, dans le prolongement du plafond soufflant 18 du côté de la zone 10b. Toutes les buses d'alimentation en air 24a, 26a, 24b et 26b débouchent dans un même plan horizontal, situé dans le prolongement de la face inférieure du plafond soufflant 18. More specifically, in the form of embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the means of dynamic containment 14a and 14b are designed to create air curtains 16a and 16b each formed of two jets clean air in the same direction. To this end, the dynamic confinement means 14a comprise two air supply nozzles 24a and 26a, which extend transversely across the width of the buffer zone 12, in line with the blowing ceiling 18, on the side of zone 10a. In a comparable way, the dynamic confinement means 14b include two air supply nozzles 24b and 26b, which extend transversely across the width of the buffer zone 12, in line with the blowing ceiling 18 on the side of zone 10b. All nozzles air supply 24a, 26a, 24b and 26b open out in the same horizontal plane, located in the extension from the underside of the blower ceiling 18.

Les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a comprennent de plus une bouche de reprise horizontale 28a, disposée en face des buses d'alimentation en air 24a et 26a et s'étendant sur toute la largeur de la zone tampon 12, dans le prolongement de sa paroi inférieure 20. De façon similaire, les moyens de confinement dynamique 14b comprennent une bouche de reprise horizontale 28b placée en dessous des buses d'alimentation en air 24b et 26b et s'étendant sur toute la largeur de la zone tampon 12, dans le prolongement de sa paroi inférieure 20.Dynamic containment means 14a additionally include a horizontal return opening 28a, arranged opposite the air supply nozzles 24a and 26a and extending over the entire width of the buffer zone 12, in the extension of its lower wall 20. Similarly, the means of containment dynamics 14b include a return mouth horizontal 28b placed below the supply nozzles in air 24b and 26b and extending over the entire width of buffer zone 12, in line with its lower wall 20.

Chacun des moyens de confinement dynamique 14a et 14b comprend de plus des moyens (non représentés) permettant d'injecter de l'air à une vitesse et à un débit contrôlés, respectivement par les buses d'alimentation en air 24a et 26a et par les buses d'alimentation en air 24b et 26b, ainsi que des moyens (non représentés) permettant d'aspirer, respectivement au travers des bouches de reprise 28a et 28b la totalité des débits d'air injectés par les buses et des débits d'air induits.Each of the means of dynamic containment 14a and 14b further comprises means (not shown) allowing air to be injected at a speed and a controlled flow, respectively by the supply nozzles in air 24a and 26a and through the supply nozzles in air 24b and 26b, as well as means (not shown) allowing to aspirate, respectively to through return ports 28a and 28b the whole air flows injected by the nozzles and flows induced air.

Comme l'illustre schématiquement la figure 1, les parois latérales étanches 22 qui délimitent la zone tampon 12 se prolongent au-delà des extrémités de cette zone sur une longueur au moins égale à l'épaisseur maximale des rideaux d'air 16a et 16b, de façon à éviter toute rupture de confinement sur les bords latéraux des rideaux d'air.As schematically illustrated in the figure 1, the watertight side walls 22 which delimit the buffer zone 12 extend beyond the ends of this area over a length at least equal to the thickness maximum air curtains 16a and 16b, so that avoid any rupture of confinement on the lateral edges air curtains.

Comme on l'a déjà indiqué, le mode de réalisation de la figure 1 correspond au cas où chacun des rideaux d'air 16a et 16b est formé de deux jets d'air propre adjacents et de même sens. Les deux rideaux d'air 16a et 16b présentent des caractéristiques identiques qui vont à présent être décrites plus en détail.As already indicated, the embodiment of figure 1 corresponds to the case where each of air curtains 16a and 16b is formed by two air jets own adjacent and the same direction. The two curtains 16a and 16b have identical characteristics which will now be described in more detail.

Lorsque les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a et 14b sont mis en oeuvre, chacune des buses d'alimentation en air 24a et 24b délivre un jet d'air propre relativement lent, dont seuls les dards 30a et 30b sont représentés. Par ailleurs, chacune des buses d'alimentation en air 26a et 26b, qui sont disposées du côté du plafond soufflant 18 par rapport aux buses 24a et 24b délivre un jet d'air propre relativement rapide par rapport aux jets délivrés par les buses 24a et 24b. Seuls les dards 32a et 32b de ces jets relativement rapides sont illustrés sur la figure 1. Pour simplifier, les jets relativement lents et relativement rapides sont appelés respectivement "jets lents" et "jets rapides" dans la suite du texte.When the means of dynamic containment 14a and 14b are used, each of the supply nozzles in air 24a and 24b delivers a jet of clean air relatively slow, of which only the darts 30a and 30b are represented. In addition, each of the supply nozzles in air 26a and 26b, which are arranged on the side of the blown ceiling 18 relative to nozzles 24a and 24b delivers a relatively fast clean air stream through compared to the jets delivered by the nozzles 24a and 24b. Only the darts 32a and 32b of these jets relatively are shown in Figure 1. For simplicity, relatively slow and relatively fast jets are called respectively "slow jets" and "jets fast "in the rest of the text.

Etant donné que les buses d'alimentation en air, 24a, 26a, 24b et 26b s'étendent sur toute la largeur de la zone tampon 12, les rideaux d'air 16a et 16b, s'étendent également sur toute la largeur de la zone tampon, entre les parois latérales 22 de celle-ci.Since the supply nozzles in air, 24a, 26a, 24b and 26b extend over the entire width of the buffer zone 12, the air curtains 16a and 16b, also extend over the entire width of the buffer zone, between the side walls 22 thereof.

Comme on l'a illustré schématiquement sur la figure 1, chacun des jets lents injectés par les buses 24a et 24b est dimensionné afin que son dard 30a, 30b couvre toute la section de la zone tampon, aux extrémités de celle-ci qui débouchent respectivement dans les zones 10a et 10b. Ce résultat est obtenu en faisant en sorte que la portée, ou longueur, des dards 30a et 30b soit au moins égale à la hauteur de la zone tampon 12. A cet effet, la fente d'injection de chacune des buses 24a et 24b présente, parallèlement au plan de la figure, une largeur au moins égale à 1/6ème et, de préférence à 1/5ème de la hauteur de la zone tampon 12. As schematically illustrated on Figure 1, each of the slow jets injected by the nozzles 24a and 24b is dimensioned so that its dart 30a, 30b covers the entire section of the buffer zone, ends thereof which respectively open out in zones 10a and 10b. This result is obtained in ensuring that the range, or length, of the darts 30a and 30b is at least equal to the height of the zone buffer 12. For this purpose, the injection slot of each nozzles 24a and 24b present, parallel to the plane of the figure, a width at least equal to 1 / 6th and, from preferably 1 / 5th of the height of buffer zone 12.

Par ailleurs, de façon à éviter au maximum les turbulences et pour des raisons économiques, la vitesse de chacun des jets lents émis par les buses 24a et 24b est fixée avantageusement à 0,5 m/s. Du fait que la longueur des dards 30a et 30b des jets lents est au moins égale à la hauteur de la zone tampon 12 et que ces jets sont relativement lents, les filets d'air suivent le contour des objets ou des produits qui passent au travers des rideaux d'air 16a et 16b, sans rupture du confinement.In addition, in order to avoid as much as possible turbulence and for economic reasons the speed of each of the slow jets emitted by the nozzles 24a and 24b is advantageously set at 0.5 m / s. Because the length of the darts 30a and 30b of the slow jets is at less equal to the height of buffer zone 12 and that these jets are relatively slow, the air streams follow the outline of objects or products that pass through air curtains 16a and 16b, without breach of containment.

La faible vitesse des jets lents injectés par les buses 24 et 24b a cependant pour conséquence que ces jets, s'ils étaient seuls, risqueraient d'être déstabilisés par les perturbations aérauliques ou mécaniques qui peuvent se produire près des rideaux d'air, entraínant ainsi la rupture du confinement des zones 10a et 10b. C'est pourquoi l'on adjoint à chacun des jets lents les jets rapides injectés par les buses 26a et 26b. La plus grande vitesse de ces jets rapides permet d'assurer la stabilité des jets lents et, par conséquent, d'améliorer l'efficacité du confinement des zones 10a et 10b en situation d'effractions au travers des barrières dynamiques formées par chacun des rideaux d'air 16a et 16b. A titre d'exemple nullement limitatif, la largeur de chacune des buses d'alimentation en air 26a et 26b des jets rapides peut être égale à environ 1/40ème de celle des buses d'alimentation en air 24a et 24b des jets lents.The low speed of the slow jets injected by nozzles 24 and 24b however has the consequence that these jets, if they were alone, would risk being destabilized by air flow disturbances or mechanical that can occur near curtains air, thus causing the containment of the zones 10a and 10b. This is why we add to each slow jets the fast jets injected by the nozzles 26a and 26b. The highest speed of these fast jets ensures the stability of slow jets and, by therefore, improve the efficiency of containment of zones 10a and 10b in situation of break-ins through dynamic barriers formed by each of the curtains air 16a and 16b. By way of example in no way limiting, the width of each of the nozzles air supply 26a and 26b of the fast jets can be approximately 1 / 40th that of the supply nozzles in air 24a and 24b slow jets.

De préférence, afin d'optimiser l'effet barrière assuré par les rideaux d'air 16a et 16b, le débit d'injection de chacun des jets rapides, par les buses 26a et 26b est réglé afin que le débit d'air induit par les faces de ces jets rapides qui sont en contact avec les jets lents, injectés par les buses 24a et 24b, soit inférieur ou, de préférence, sensiblement égal à la moitié du débit d'injection de ces jets lents.Preferably, in order to optimize the effect barrier provided by the air curtains 16a and 16b, the injection rate of each of the fast jets, by the nozzles 26a and 26b is adjusted so that the air flow induced by the faces of these fast jets which are in contact with slow jets, injected by nozzles 24a and 24b, either lower or, preferably, substantially equal to half the injection rate of these jets slow.

Comme on l'a déjà noté, les bouches de reprise 28a et 28b assurent la récupération de tout l'air soufflé par les buses d'alimentation sous lesquelles elles sont placées, et de tout l'air entraíné par chacun des rideaux d'air 16a et 16b. Dans la pratique, l'air récupéré par les grilles de reprise 28a et 28b peut être épuré par des moyens d'épuration spécifiques (non représentés) avant d'être recyclés vers les buses d'alimentation en air 24a, 26a; 24b, 26b. L'excédent d'air est alors rejeté à l'extérieur après une seconde épuration spécifique.As already noted, the mouths of recovery 28a and 28b ensure the recovery of everything the air blown by the supply nozzles under which they are placed, and all the air driven by each of the air curtains 16a and 16b. In the practice, the air recovered by the return grilles 28a and 28b can be purified by purification means specific (not shown) before being recycled to the air supply nozzles 24a, 26a; 24b, 26b. The excess air is then discharged outside after a second specific purification.

Il est à noter que l'orientation horizontale des buses d'alimentation en air, qui détermine une orientation verticale des rideaux d'air, ainsi que la disposition horizontale des bouches de reprise en face des rideaux d'air, permettent d'optimiser l'effet barrière obtenu à l'aide de chacun des moyens de confinement dynamique 14a et 14b.Note that the horizontal orientation air supply nozzles, which determines a vertical orientation of the air curtains, as well as the horizontal arrangement of the return outlets opposite air curtains, optimize the barrier effect obtained using each of the means of containment dynamics 14a and 14b.

Par ailleurs, la ventilation interne de la zone tampon 12 assurée par le plafond soufflant 18 permet d'obtenir un effet épurateur dans cette zone. Cet effet épurateur contribue à l'efficacité de la séparation dynamique des zones 10a et 10b, notamment en cas de transfert à grande cadence d'objets ou de produits entre ces deux zones.In addition, the internal ventilation of the buffer zone 12 provided by the blowing ceiling 18 allows to obtain a purifying effect in this area. This purifying effect contributes to the efficiency of separation dynamics of zones 10a and 10b, especially in case high-speed transfer of objects or products between these two areas.

De façon plus précise, dans la forme de réalisation de la figure 1 dans laquelle chacun des rideaux d'air 16a et 16b est formé de deux jets adjacents et de même sens, le débit d'injection d'air propre de ventilation dans la zone tampon 12, par le plafond soufflant 18, est au moins égal au débit d'air induit par les jets rapides délivrés par les buses 26a et 26b, sur les faces de ces jets rapides qui sont en contact avec la zone tampon 12. De plus, l'air propre de ventilation est injecté dans la zone tampon 12, au travers du plafond soufflant 18, à une vitesse telle que la vitesse de l'air rapportée aux surfaces des plans des extrémités de la zone tampon 12 qui débouchent dans les zones 10a et 10b, soit au moins égale à 0,1 m/s.More specifically, in the form of embodiment of FIG. 1 in which each of the air curtains 16a and 16b is formed by two adjacent jets and in the same direction, the air injection rate clean ventilation in buffer zone 12, by the blowing ceiling 18, is at least equal to the air flow induced by the fast jets delivered by the nozzles 26a and 26b, on the faces of these fast jets which are in contact with buffer zone 12. In addition, clean air ventilation is injected into buffer zone 12, at across the ceiling blowing 18, at such a speed that the air speed related to the surfaces of plans of the ends of the buffer zone 12 which open out in zones 10a and 10b, i.e. at least equal to 0.1 m / s.

Il est à noter par ailleurs que les caractéristiques physiques (température, humidité relative, concentrations gazeuse et particulaire, etc.) sont contrôlées par des moyens appropriés (non représentés), de façon à établir et à maintenir une atmosphère déterminée dans la zone tampon 12. Cette atmosphère peut être identique à celle qui règne dans l'une des deux zones 10a et 10b ou différente de celles-ci, selon l'application considérée.It should also be noted that the characteristics physical (temperature, relative humidity, gas and particulate concentrations, etc.) are controlled by appropriate means (not shown), so as to establish and maintain a determined atmosphere in buffer zone 12. This atmosphere can be identical to that which prevails in one of the two zones 10a and 10b or different from these, depending on the application in question.

Chacune des bouches de reprise 28a et 28b présente une largeur sensiblement égale à la largeur cumulée des buses d'alimentation en air 24a et 26a ; 24b et 26b respectivement. Cette largeur peut toutefois être modulée, notamment pour tenir compte de certaines conditions aérauliques régnant dans les zones 10a et 10b, tendant à dévier de la verticale les jets formant les rideaux d'air 16a et 16b. Ainsi, il est souhaitable de diminuer la largeur de la bouche de reprise correspondante, vers l'intérieur de la zone tampon 12, lorsque les jets formant le rideau d'air ont tendance à être déviés vers l'extérieur de cette zone. A l'inverse, la largeur de la bouche de reprise doit être augmentée vers l'intérieur de la zone tampon 12 lorsque les jets formant le rideau d'air ont tendance à être déviés vers l'intérieur de cette zone.Each of the return vents 28a and 28b has a width substantially equal to the width cumulative air supply nozzles 24a and 26a; 24b and 26b respectively. This width can however be modulated, in particular to take into account certain ventilation conditions prevailing in zones 10a and 10b, tending to deflect the vertical jets forming the air curtains 16a and 16b. So, it is desirable to reduce the width of the corresponding return mouth, towards the interior of buffer zone 12, when the air curtain jets tend to be diverted out of this area. Conversely, the width of the return opening must be increased towards the interior of buffer zone 12 when the air curtain jets tend to be deviated towards the interior of this zone.

La figure 2 illustre un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, qui diffère essentiellement du mode de réalisation de la figure 1 par le fait que chacun des rideaux d'air, désignés par les références 16'a et 16'b, comporte alors trois jets d'air propre adjacents et de même sens.Figure 2 illustrates a second mode of realization of the invention, which essentially differs of the embodiment of FIG. 1 by the fact that each of the air curtains, designated by the references 16'a and 16'b, then has three clean air jets adjacent and in the same direction.

A cet effet, chacun des moyens de confinement dynamique, désignés par les références 14'a et 14'b, comprend respectivement, en plus des buses d'alimentation en air 24a, 26a et 24b, 26b, une troisième buse d'alimentation 34a et 34b, adjacente respectivement aux buses 26a et 26b du côté du plafond soufflant 18. De façon plus précise, les buses 34a et 34b s'étendent sur toute la largeur de la zone tampon 12 et leur sortie est disposée dans le même plan horizontal que celle des autres buses 24a, 26a; 24b, 26b, c'est-à-dire dans un plan horizontal confondu avec celui de la face inférieure du plafond soufflant 18.To this end, each of the means of containment dynamic, designated by the references 14'a and 14'b, includes respectively, in addition to the supply nozzles in air 24a, 26a and 24b, 26b, a third supply nozzle 34a and 34b, adjacent respectively to nozzles 26a and 26b on the side of the blowing ceiling 18. More specifically, the nozzles 34a and 34b extend over the entire width of buffer zone 12 and their outlet is arranged in the same horizontal plane as that of the other nozzles 24a, 26a; 24b, 26b, i.e. in a horizontal plane coincident with that of the face lower of the blower ceiling 18.

Lorsque les moyens de confinement dynamique 14'a et 14'b sont mis en oeuvre, chacune des buses d'alimentation en air 34a, 34b délivre un troisième jet d'air propre, relativement lent par rapport aux jets rapides émis par les buses 26a et 26b, entre ce jet rapide et la zone tampon 12. Les dards de ces troisièmes jets sont illustrés en 36a et 36b sur la figure 2.When the means of dynamic containment 14'a and 14'b are used, each of the nozzles supply air 34a, 34b delivers a third jet clean air, relatively slow compared to jets rapids emitted by nozzles 26a and 26b, between this jet rapid and buffer zone 12. The darts of these third jets are illustrated in 36a and 36b in FIG. 2.

Les dimensions des buses 34a et 34b sont choisies afin que les dards 36a et 36b des troisièmes jets de chacun des rideaux d'air 16'a et 16'b recouvrent toute la section de la zone tampon 12. A cet effet, la fente inférieure de chacune des buses 34a et 34b présente, en section parallèlement au plan de la figure 2, une largeur au moins égale à 1/6ème et, de préférence, à 1/5ème de la hauteur de la zone tampon 12. Dans la pratique, les largeurs des buses 24a, 34a et 24b, et 34b sont les mêmes.The dimensions of the nozzles 34a and 34b are chosen so that the darts 36a and 36b of the third jets from each of the air curtains 16'a and 16'b overlap the entire section of buffer zone 12. At this in effect, the lower slot of each of the nozzles 34a and 34b presents, in section parallel to the plane of the Figure 2, a width at least equal to 1 / 6th and, from preferably 1 / 5th of the height of the buffer zone 12. In practice, the widths of the nozzles 24a, 34a and 24b, and 34b are the same.

Dans le deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention illustré sur la figure 2, le débit d'injection des jets lents délivrés par les buses 34a et 34b est réglé de façon à être sensiblement égal au débit d'injection des jets lents délivrés par les buses 24a et 24b. Ainsi, les débits d'air induits par les faces des jets rapides émis par les buses 26a et 26b, respectivement en contact avec chacun des jets lents du rideau d'air correspondant, sont inférieurs ou, de préférence sensiblement égaux à la moitié des débits d'injection de ces jets lents.In the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the injection rate slow jets delivered by nozzles 34a and 34b is set to be approximately equal to the flow injection of slow jets delivered by nozzles 24a and 24b. Thus, the air flows induced by the faces fast jets emitted by nozzles 26a and 26b, respectively in contact with each of the slow jets of the corresponding air curtain, are lower or, of preferably substantially equal to half the flow rates injection of these slow jets.

Comme on l'a également illustré sur la figure 2, la largeur de chacune des bouches de reprise 28'a et 28'b est adaptée à la largeur des rideaux d'air 16'a et 16'b, afin d'être sensiblement égale à la largeur cumulée des buses formant ces rideaux d'air. Bien entendu, cette largeur peut être modulée comme on l'a décrit précédemment en référence à la figure 1, lorsque les conditions aérauliques régnant dans au moins l'une des zones 10a et 10b tendent à faire dévier les rideaux d'air par rapport à la verticale.As also illustrated on the Figure 2, the width of each of the return vents 28'a and 28'b is adapted to the width of the air curtains 16'a and 16'b, to be substantially equal to the width cumulative nozzles forming these air curtains. Well of course, this width can be adjusted as we have previously described with reference to FIG. 1, when the air conditions prevailing in at least one zones 10a and 10b tend to deflect the curtains of air relative to the vertical.

La deuxième forme de réalisation qui vient d'être décrite brièvement en se référant à la figure 2 permet d'assurer un confinement dynamique dans les deux sens entre la zone tampon 12 et chacune des zones 10a et 10b. De plus, le débit d'injection de l'air propre de ventilation par le plafond soufflant 18 peut être considérablement diminué. En effet, le débit d'injection de l'air par le plafond soufflant 18 est alors au moins égal aux débits d'air induits par les jets lents émis par les buses d'injection 34a et 34b, sur les faces de ces jets qui sont en contact avec la zone tampon 12 et il est tel qu'il assure une vitesse minimale de 0,1 m/s, rapportée aux surfaces des plans des extrémités de la zone tampon.The second embodiment that comes to be briefly described with reference to Figure 2 provides dynamic containment in both direction between buffer zone 12 and each of zones 10a and 10b. In addition, the injection rate of clean air ventilation through the ceiling blowing 18 can be considerably decreased. In fact, the injection rate air through the blowing ceiling 18 is then at less equal to the air flows induced by slow jets emitted by the injection nozzles 34a and 34b, on the faces of these jets which are in contact with the area buffer 12 and it is such that it ensures a speed minimum 0.1 m / s, relative to the surfaces of the planes of the ends of the buffer zone.

Dans les modes de réalisation décrits précédemment en se référant aux figures 1 et 2, la zone tampon 12 est une zone passive, dans laquelle aucune opération n'est effectuée sur les objets ou les produits qui sont transférés entre les zones 10a et 10b.In the embodiments described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the area buffer 12 is a passive area, in which none operation is not carried out on objects or products which are transferred between zones 10a and 10b.

Dans d'autres modes de réalisation de l'invention, la zone tampon 12 est une zone active, c'est-à-dire qu'elle est utilisée pour effectuer une opération élémentaire (dosage, conditionnement, etc.) sur les objets ou les produits transférés entre les zones 10a et 10b.In other embodiments of the invention, buffer zone 12 is an active zone, that is, it is used to perform a basic operation (dosing, packaging, etc.) on objects or products transferred between zones 10a and 10b.

L'architecture du dispositif de séparation dynamique est alors identique à celui qui a été décrit précédemment en se référant aux figures 1 et 2. Toutefois, une bouche d'aspiration est répartie sur toute la paroi inférieure 20 de la zone tampon 12. La vitesse d'aspiration au travers de cette bouche d'aspiration varie par exemple entre environ 0,1 m/s et environ 0,2 m/s. Le débit d'alimentation de la ventilation interne, au travers du plafond soufflant 18 est alors plus important et, au moins égal à la somme des débits d'air induits par chacune des faces des rideaux d'air en contact avec la zone tampon 12 et du débit d'aspiration au travers de la bouche d'aspiration.The architecture of the separation device dynamic is then identical to that which has been described previously with reference to Figures 1 and 2. However, a suction mouth is distributed over the entire lower wall 20 of the buffer zone 12. The speed of suction through this suction mouth varies for example between about 0.1 m / s and about 0.2 m / s. The ventilation supply rate internal, through the blowing ceiling 18 is then greater and at least equal to the sum of the debits induced by each side of the air curtains in contact with buffer zone 12 and the suction flow through the suction mouth.

De plus, il convient de s'assurer que ce débit d'alimentation de la ventilation interne correspond à une vitesse minimale de 0,1 m/s, rapportée aux surfaces des plans des extrémités de la zone tampon.In addition, it should be ensured that this Internal ventilation supply rate corresponds to a minimum speed of 0.1 m / s, reported to the surfaces of the planes at the ends of the zone buffer.

Il est à noter que les débits de ventilation par le plafond soufflant 18 et de reprise par la bouche d'aspiration peuvent être plus importants. Toutefois, le coût de fonctionnement de l'installation est alors plus élevé.It should be noted that the ventilation rates by the ceiling blowing 18 and recovery by the suction mouth may be more important. However, the operating cost of the installation is then higher.

Comme on l'a représenté schématiquement sur la figure 3, plusieurs opérations élémentaires successives (dosage, conditionnement, etc.) peuvent être effectuées entre les zones 10a et 10b, lors du transfert des objets ou des produits. Dans ce cas, le dispositif de séparation dynamique selon l'invention comprend plusieurs zones tampons 12, agencées en série, au travers desquelles les zones 10a et 10b communiquent. Chacune des zones tampons 12 présente alors des caractéristiques analogues à celles qui ont été décrites précédemment, et notamment un plafond soufflant 18 et une bouche d'aspiration 20' lui faisant face.As shown schematically on FIG. 3, several successive elementary operations (dosage, packaging, etc.) can be made between zones 10a and 10b, during the transfer objects or products. In this case, the device dynamic separation according to the invention comprises several buffer zones 12, arranged in series, through which the zones 10a and 10b communicate. Each of the buffer zones 12 then has characteristics analogous to those which have been described previously, and in particular a ceiling 18 and a suction mouth 20 'facing it.

Dans ce cas, des moyens de confinement dynamique désignés par les références 14a, 14b et 14c sont interposés entre chaque paire de zones communiquantes adjacentes. Plus précisément, les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a sont interposés entre la zone 10a et la zone tampon 12 qui débouche dans la zone 10a, les moyens de confinement dynamique 14c sont interposés entre chaque paire de zones tampons 12 adjacentes et les moyens de confinement dynamique 14b sont interposés entre la zone 10b et la zone tampon 12 qui débouche dans cette zone tampon.In this case, means of containment dynamics designated by the references 14a, 14b and 14c are interposed between each pair of communicating zones adjacent. More specifically, the means of dynamic containment 14a are interposed between the zone 10a and the buffer zone 12 which opens into the zone 10a, the dynamic containment means 14c are interposed between each pair of adjacent buffer zones 12 and the dynamic confinement means 14b are interposed between zone 10b and buffer zone 12 which opens in this buffer zone.

Les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a, 14b et 14c sont identiques les uns aux autres et ils peuvent être réalisés selon le cas de la manière décrite précédemment en se référant à la figure 1 ou de la manière décrite précédemment en se référant à la figure 2.The dynamic confinement means 14a, 14b and 14c are identical to each other and they can be done as appropriate in the way previously described with reference to Figure 1 or the manner previously described with reference to the figure 2.

Comme on l'a décrit précédemment, les rideaux d'air formés par les moyens de confinement dynamique 14a et 14b, qui séparent les zones 10a et 10b sont délimités latéralement par les parois latérales 22 des zones tampons considérés, qui se prolongent dans les zones 10a et 10b, de façon à présenter une largeur au moins égale à l'épaisseur maximale des rideaux d'air considérés.As previously described, the air curtains formed by the means of containment dynamics 14a and 14b, which separate zones 10a and 10b are delimited laterally by the side walls 22 buffer zones considered, which extend into zones 10a and 10b, so as to have a width at least equal to the maximum thickness of the air curtains considered.

En revanche, les rideaux d'air formés par les moyens de confinement dynamique 14c qui séparent deux zones tampons 12 consécutives sont délimités latéralement par des prolongements des parois latérales 22 de ces zones tampons, sur une largeur égale à la largeur des buses d'alimentation formant ces rideaux d'air.On the other hand, the air curtains formed by the dynamic confinement means 14c which separate two 12 consecutive buffer zones are delimited laterally by extensions of the side walls 22 of these buffer zones, over a width equal to the width supply nozzles forming these curtains air.

Comme on l'a illustré à titre d'exemple dans le cas de la zone tampon 12 centrale sur la figure 3, il est à noter qu'une même zone tampon peut assurer la séparation dynamique de plus de deux zones 10a, 10b et 10c. Dans ce cas, une ou plusieurs ouvertures sont formées dans au moins l'une des parois latérales 22 de la zone tampon considérée et chacune des ouvertures est contrôlée par des moyens de confinement dynamique 14d dont les caractéristiques sont analogues à celles des moyens de confinement dynamique 14a et 14b sur la figure 1 ou des moyens de confinement dynamique 14'a et 14'b sur la figure 2.As illustrated by way of example in the case of the central buffer zone 12 in the figure 3, it should be noted that the same buffer zone can ensure dynamic separation of more than two zones 10a, 10b and 10c. In this case, one or more openings are formed in at least one of the side walls 22 of the buffer zone considered and each of the openings is controlled by dynamic containment means 14d whose characteristics are similar to those of dynamic containment means 14a and 14b on the Figure 1 or dynamic containment means 14'a and 14'b in Figure 2.

Claims (13)

  1. Dynamic device separating at least two zones (10a, 10b) in which there are different environments, characterized by the fact that it comprises:
    at least one buffer zone (12) with controlled atmosphere used for communication between the zones to be separated;
    dynamic confinement means (14a, 14b, 14'a, 14'b) inserted between each pair of adjacent communicating zones to create an air curtain (16a, 16b, 16'a, 16'b) between these zones comprising a first relatively slow clean air jet which comprises a tongue (30a, 30b) which completely closes off communication between the zones, and a second relatively fast clean air jet in the same direction as the first jet and adjacent to it, on the side of the buffer zone (12).
  2. Device according to claim 1, in which the said dynamic confinement means (14a, 14b, 14'a, 14'b) are such that the second jet is injected into each air curtain (16a, 16b, 16'a, 16'b) at a flow such that the air flow induced by the surface of the second jet in contact with the first jet is not more than approximately half of the first jet injection flow.
  3. Device according to claim 2, in which the dynamic confinement means (14a, 14b, 14'a, 14'b) are such that the second jet is injected into each air curtain at a flow such that the air flow induced by the surface of the second jet in contact with the first jet is approximately equal to half of the first jet injection flow.
  4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the said dynamic confinement means (14'a, 14'b) are such that each air curtain (16'a, 16'b) comprises a relatively slow third jet in the same direction as the first and second jets and adjacent to the second jet on the same side as the buffer zone (12), the third jet comprising a tongue (36a, 36b) that completely closes off communication between the zones and being injected at a flow significantly equal to the injection flow of the first jet, so that the air flows induced by the surfaces of the second jet in contact with the first and third jets respectively are less than, or preferably approximately equal to half of the injection flows of the jets.
  5. Device according to claim 4, in which the dynamic confinement means (14'a, 14'b) are such that the air flows induced in each air curtain by the surfaces of the second jet in contact with the first jet and with the third jet respectively, are approximately equal to half the injection flows of the first and the third jets.
  6. Device according to any one of the previous claims, in which the said dynamic confinement means comprise at least two adjacent air supply nozzles (24a, 26a, 34a, 24b, 26b, 34b) and an air intake grille (28a, 28b, 28'a, 28'b) facing each other and located in two parallel planes.
  7. Device according to claim 6, in which the supply nozzles (24a, 26a, 34a, 24b, 26b, 34b) and the intake grilles (28a, 28b, 28'a, 28'b) are located in line with an upper surface and a lower surface (20) of the buffer zone (12).
  8. Device according to any one of the previous claims, in which the buffer zone (12) comprises ventilation (18) associated with injection means, outputting clean air into the buffer zone at a flow equal to at least half the sum of the air flows induced by each of the surfaces of the air curtain jets (16a, 16b, 16'a, 16'b) in contact with the buffer zone (12), the injection flows being such that it creates a minimum speed of 0.1 m/s across the areas of the planes at the ends of the buffer zone.
  9. Device according to claim 8, in which the ventilation comprises a blower ceiling (18).
  10. Device according to any one of claims 8 and 9, in which the buffer zone (12) comprises an intake grille (20') distributed over its entire lower surface (20), the flow of the injection means being equal to at least the sum of the air flow at the intake grille (20') and the air flow induced by each surface of the air curtain jets in contact with the buffer zone (12).
  11. Device according to any one of the previous claims, in which several buffer zones (12) consisting of side walls (22), are placed in series between the zones to be separated (10a, 10b), the air curtains inserted between two buffer zones (12) being delimited by the continuity of the side walls (22) and the air curtains inserted between a buffer zone (12) and one of the zones (10a, 10b) to be separated are extended by the side walls with a width equal to at least the maximum thickness of these air curtains.
  12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which a single buffer zone (12) composed of side walls (22) is inserted between the zones to be separated (10a, 10b), the air curtains being extended by a part of the side walls (22) with a width equal to at least the maximum thickness of these air curtains.
  13. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, in which two openings are formed in at least one of the buffer zones.
EP97953952A 1996-12-27 1997-12-24 Device for dynamic separation of two zones Expired - Lifetime EP0956481B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9616100A FR2757933B1 (en) 1996-12-27 1996-12-27 DEVICE FOR DYNAMICALLY SEPARATING TWO ZONES BY AT LEAST ONE BUFFER ZONE AND TWO CURTAINS OF CLEAN AIR
FR9616100 1996-12-27
PCT/FR1997/002428 WO1998029696A1 (en) 1996-12-27 1997-12-24 Device for dynamic separation of two zones

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0956481A1 EP0956481A1 (en) 1999-11-17
EP0956481B1 true EP0956481B1 (en) 2002-03-13

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EP97953952A Expired - Lifetime EP0956481B1 (en) 1996-12-27 1997-12-24 Device for dynamic separation of two zones

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US (1) US6251006B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0956481B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3796267B2 (en)
CN (1) CN1135333C (en)
AT (1) ATE214471T1 (en)
AU (1) AU724418B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2275950C (en)
DE (1) DE69711087T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2174333T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2757933B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998029696A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1242071A (en) 2000-01-19
AU724418B2 (en) 2000-09-21
FR2757933A1 (en) 1998-07-03
FR2757933B1 (en) 1999-01-22
CA2275950C (en) 2007-02-06
US6251006B1 (en) 2001-06-26
DE69711087T2 (en) 2002-10-02
ATE214471T1 (en) 2002-03-15
CN1135333C (en) 2004-01-21
AU5768498A (en) 1998-07-31
EP0956481A1 (en) 1999-11-17
DE69711087D1 (en) 2002-04-18
ES2174333T3 (en) 2002-11-01
JP2001513185A (en) 2001-08-28
WO1998029696A1 (en) 1998-07-09
JP3796267B2 (en) 2006-07-12
CA2275950A1 (en) 1998-07-09

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