EP1625265B1 - Method and device for tight juxtaposition of panels and panels provided with said device - Google Patents

Abstract

The panels have edge sections comprising a hollow body with a longitudinal lateral opening (8) above a channeling wall (10) delimiting, in the body lower part, a longitudinal recovery and drainage channel (11). The sections are arranged so that the sealing at the junction of two side by side panels (1A,1B) is automatically ensured during the bringing together and the juxtaposition of the panels. A deflector is positioned in the edge sections (6) of the juxtaposed panels and above their sealing means (14-14,15-15). The deflector comprises two opposite slopes either side a watershed so that the opposite slopes abut respectively above or in the recovery and drainage channels. An independent claim is included for a device for the juxtaposition of panels.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for the tight juxtaposition of panels exposed to runoff, for example rainwater runoff. The invention is advantageously, but not exclusively, applicable to the waterproof bonding of sandwich panels or composite panels used to make insulating blankets of verandas, terraces, roofs, balconies, loggias, galleries, gloriettes, kiosks, etc., or cladding, advertising boards, vehicle insulating bodies, insulating partitions, special floors, etc.

The invention also relates to panels and more particularly to sandwich panels / or composite panels provided with this device for sealing juxtaposition.

Insulating sandwich panels of this kind comprise a core of rigid plastic foam, or a composite core, disposed between two rigid facings, metal or other, assembled to said core by laminating.

He is known ( EP-0354149 ) to assemble such panels juxtaposed by means of a junction gutter that is embedded, through its longitudinal sides opposite, in a longitudinal groove made in the edges of two adjacent panels, so that the Longitudinal opening of the gutter is oriented outwards and can thus collect and drain the water that seeps between the panels. However, the seal obtained by means of this device is rather mediocre because it is hardly possible to maintain a perfectly tight contact between the outer surfaces of the gutter and the walls of the bleeding practiced in the core. rigid foam panels, over the entire length of said junction gutter that can be important (several meters).

We also know ( FR-2710374 ) a sandwich panel sealing device comprising, on the one hand, recessed edge profiles in longitudinal grooves in the sides for assembling the panels, these profiles are provided with a longitudinal groove, the bottom of which constitutes a drainage channel, and, on the other hand, a gutter-shaped junction profile fitting through its longitudinal sides. in the longitudinal grooves of the edge dressing profiles equipping the adjacent sides of two adjacent panels, so that its longitudinal side faces end, respectively, at the entrance to the upper longitudinal opening of the drainage channels. This device makes it possible to create an efficient double barrier to water infiltration at the junction of the panels.

• le remplacement d'un panneau endommagé nécessite, sauf s'il s'agit d'un élément de rive, le démontage d'un nombre plus ou moins important de panneaux permettant d'atteindre celui qui est à remplacer ; en outre, ce remplacement est rendu difficile si les panneaux assemblés ont quelque peu fléchis depuis leur installation ;
• lorsque les panneaux présentent une longueur relativement importante, par exemple de l'ordre de 7 mètres, trois personnes sont nécessaires pour procéder à leur assemblage, deux personnes étant placées aux extrémités des panneaux et la troisième à un emplacement intermédiaire ;
• il est nécessaire de stocker deux types d'éléments (panneaux et profilés de jonction).

The implementation of this method of sealing junction composite panels however has some disadvantages, including:

• the replacement of a damaged panel requires, except for a rim element, the dismantling of a greater or lesser number of panels making it possible to reach the one to be replaced; in addition, this replacement is made difficult if the panels assembled have somewhat bent since installation;
• when the panels have a relatively large length, for example of the order of 7 meters, three people are required to proceed with their assembly, two people being placed at the ends of the panels and the third at an intermediate location;
• it is necessary to store two types of elements (panels and junction profiles).

The invention is intended in particular to provide installers a waterproof junction device panels, without the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to a first characteristic arrangement of the invention, this objective is achieved by means of a device comprising two sections each comprising a hollow longitudinal body intended to allow it to be embedded in a groove formed in an edge of a panel, this body having a longitudinal lateral opening provided above a pipe wall delimiting, in the lower part of the body, a longitudinal channel for recovery and drainage, said profiles comprising at least one longitudinal sealing lip made of a flexible and elastic material, integral with the free upper edge of said wall, said flexible sealing lip being inclined towards the channel; in the body of the profiles and its upper portion oriented upward extends outwardly beyond the plane in which is the outer face or edge of said profiles.

When joining two panels provided with profiles thus formed, the upper part of the flexible sealing lip of one of the profiles is pressed against the sealing lip of the other, which allows to create a seal of sealing with two opposite slopes effectively opposing the passage of water which, in case of infiltration, is directed into the longitudinal channels of said profiles and conveyed to the lower end thereof.

The invention also relates to panels whose junction sides are provided with the profiles described above, arranged so that the flexible or flexible sealing tabs of said profiles extends (ent) beyond the plane in which is located the edge face of said panels.

More specifically, the invention relates to sandwich panels of the kind comprising a core of rigid plastic foam, or a composite core, disposed between two rigid facings, the assembly sides of these panels comprising a longitudinal groove formed by a groove made in said core and in which is embedded the body of the previously described section.

• les panneaux de grande longueur peuvent être installés facilement et rapidement par deux personnes seulement puisqu'il suffit de les juxtaposer et de fixer leurs extrémités, par vissage, sur des poutrelles métalliques transversales;
• il est possible de démonter n'importe lequel des panneaux d'une couverture ou autre surface analogue, par exemple pour remplacer un panneau endommagé, sans démonter préalablement l'ensemble des panneaux disposés sur l'un des côtés de ce dernier, de sorte que ce remplacement peut s'effectuer rapidement et à moindres frais;
• une simplification de la gestion des stocks ;
• une diminution du coût de la réalisation des couvertures isolantes de vérandas, terrasses, toitures, loggias, etc.

It will be understood that the tight juxtaposition of the panels thus arranged does not require the use of any intermediate joining profile intended to collect any infiltrations of water and to evacuate them to the outside, while making it possible to obtain a perfect seal between adjoining panels. This lack of intermediate junction profile generates several interesting advantages:

• panels of great length can be installed easily and quickly by only two people since it is sufficient to juxtapose and fix their ends, by screwing, on transverse metal beams;
• it is possible to disassemble any of the panels of a blanket or other similar surface, for example to replace a damaged panel, without first disassembling all the panels arranged on one side of the latter, so that this replacement can be done quickly and at low cost;
• simplification of inventory management;
• a reduction in the cost of making insulating blankets for verandas, terraces, roofs, loggias, etc.

Although this device for joining panels makes it possible to obtain a perfectly tight contact of the juxtaposed panels, it has appeared desirable to be able to guarantee that no water infiltration can occur at the junction of said panels, even in the case one or more faulty contact points between the upper and / or lower sealing lips of the contiguous edge profiles.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, this result is obtained by means of a method and a device according to which a deflector comprising two opposite slopes or inclined planes on either side of a median edge or of a ridge line is housed in the juxtaposed profiles of two adjacent panels, so that the sloping surfaces of this baffle end, respectively, above or in the recovery channel and drainage of said profiles.

With this method and arrangement, the water that could seep between the panels due to the absence or failure of the outer seal, is directed, by the deflector with opposite slopes, into the recovery channel and drainage of profiles, then routed to the lower end of the latter.

If, for any reason, this volume of water is abnormally large, the flexible sealing lips fitted to the profiles and which are located pressed against each other, effectively oppose any overflow of water out of the channel for recovery and drainage of said profiles.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un tronçon de profilé selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale de ce profilé.
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective de deux portions de panneaux sandwich selon l'invention.
• La figure 4A est une vue en coupe transversale de ces portions de panneaux, avant juxtaposition.
• La figure 4B est une vue analogue à la figure 4A et montrant une variante de réalisation des moyens d'étanchéité.
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale analogue à la figure 4 et montrant les panneaux juxtaposés de manière étanche.
• La figure 6 est une vue partielle, en perspective, d'un exemple de réalisation du profilé déflecteur selon l'invention, représenté avant mise en forme.
• La figure 7 est une vue de détail, en coupe transversale, de la figure 6.
• La figure 8 est une vue en coupe transversale de ce profilé déflecteur représenté dans sa conformation efficiente, après mise en forme.
• La figure 9 est une vue en coupe transversale analogue à la figure 5 et montrant les panneaux juxtaposés de manière étanche, conformément au procédé et au dispositif de l'invention.

The above and other objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a profile section according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of this section.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of two portions of sandwich panels according to the invention.
• Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of these panel portions, before juxtaposition.
• Figure 4B is a view similar to Figure 4A and showing an alternative embodiment of the sealing means.
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 4 and showing the panels juxtaposed in a sealed manner.
• Figure 6 is a partial view, in perspective, of an embodiment of the deflector section according to the invention, shown before shaping.
• Figure 7 is a detail view, in cross section, of Figure 6.
• Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the deflector section shown in its efficient conformation, after shaping.
• Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 5 and showing the panels juxtaposed in a sealed manner, according to the method and the device of the invention.

Referring to said drawings to describe an advantageous example, although not limiting, of the embodiment of the profile and panels according to the invention, the latter being generally rectangular and may have a length of several meters.

In the description that follows, words such as "upper", "lower", "external", "forward", "posterior", etc. are used, considering the position of the profiles when they are integrated laterally into plates or panels intended to constitute veranda covers or other parts of buildings, such use being the most common application of this type of panels.

There is shown in the drawings a very interesting application of the invention to the sealed assembly of panels 1A, 1B of the "sandwich" type consisting mainly of a core 2 of rigid plastic foam such as polyurethane foam. , polyvinyl chloride foam, extruded polystyrene, etc., disposed between two skins or rigid facings 3, 4, for example formed by steel or aluminum plates lacquered or covered with any other suitable coating. The core 2 could also be constituted by a composite material, for example formed of several layers of insulating materials, while the facings 3, 4 could be made of any other suitable rigid material such as reinforced polyester or other.

In the edges of the assembly sides of the panels 1A, 1B, is formed a groove 5, preferably having a rectangular or square section. Given the most common use of the panels, the grooves 5 are generally formed in the opposite longitudinal edges of said panels. Advantageously, the grooves 5 are constituted by grooves made in the core 2 of the panels 1A, 1B.

It is emphasized however that the profiles according to the invention could be embedded and fixed in grooves in the sides of other types of composite panels or not, such as aluminum panels or wood panels.

In each groove 5 is embedded a profile of edge dressing 6 according to the invention, allowing the tight juxtaposition of the panels.

With the exception of the soft lips described below, this section can be made of any suitable rigid plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (P.V.C.), or aluminum or other unalterable metal.

The profiles 6 comprise a hollow longitudinal body 7, preferably of rectangular or square section, through which they are embedded in the lateral grooves of the panels 1A, 1B, ...

In its upper part, the hollow body 7 has a longitudinal opening 8 opening into a longitudinal groove 9 delimited by the upper wall 7a, the rear wall 7b and the bottom 7c of said body, and by a longitudinal wall of pipe 10 extending to below the opening 8. In this way, a channel 11 for recovery and drainage of any infiltration of water, is located in the lower part of the body 7.

In front of the hollow body or embedding part 7, the profile comprises an upper longitudinal support wall 12 oriented upwards and a lower longitudinal support wall 13 directed downwards, these walls 12 and 13 being arranged in the same plan.

When the profile 6 is embedded in the groove 5 of the core 2 of a panel, the walls 12 and 13 are pressed against the upper and lower edge surfaces, respectively, of said core. The facings 3 and 4 have edges 3a, 4a, folded and folded against the upper longitudinal walls 12 and lower 13, respectively, sections which are thus firmly held in place in the groove 5, without bonding.

According to the invention, the profile comprises at least one longitudinal sealing lip 14 made of a flexible material and integral with the upper edge of the pipe wall 10. This flexible sealing lip 14 is oriented upwards and extends outwardly beyond the plane PP in which is the outer face of said profile, constituted by the outer face 12a and 13a, respectively, the upper longitudinal walls 12 and lower 13; it is inclined towards the recovery and drainage channel 11.

The upper edge of the pipe wall 10 may advantageously be provided with a flange 10a located in the extension of the slope of the sealing lip 14 and flowing into the channel 11 (FIG. 4A).

According to an alternative embodiment, the flexible sealing lip 14 may consist of a front portion or upper portion 14a facing upwards and extending outside the plane PP and a rear portion or lower portion 14b directed downward and into channel 11.

Advantageously, the profile comprises at least a second longitudinal sealing lip 15 disposed below the lip 14. This second lip is also made of a flexible material, preferably identical to that used to form the lip 14.

The lip 15 is attached to the lower part of the pipe wall 10; it is oriented upwards and extends outwards also beyond the plane P-P. It defines, with the inner face of the pipe wall 10, a small complementary drainage channel 16 extending over the entire length of the profile.

At rest, the portion of the flexible lips 14 and 15 which extends outside the plane P-P forms an angle of the order of 50 ° with said plane P-P.

The lips 14 and 15 may be made of any flexible plastic material or suitable elastomer and attached to the rigid parts of the profile by any suitable method. For example, they can be obtained by a co-injection molding process or bimaterial injection, known per se, during the manufacture of the profiles.

According to another advantageous feature of the profile according to the invention, it comprises, at its upper part, an inclined longitudinal flap 17 penetrating into the groove 9 of said profile. It is, in this way, disposed above and at a distance from the upper lip 14 and it delimits therewith the opening 8 to access the groove 9 and the channel 11.

This deflector flap has an inclined flow face 17a connecting with the outer face 12a of the upper support wall 12 of the profile. It forms, with said wall, or with the plane P-P, an angle which can be of the order of 45 °.

The junction sides of the panels according to the invention are provided with a profile 6 as described above, embedded in a groove of appropriate section that have said sides. Said sections are positioned so that their lip 14 or their lips 14 and 15 extend outward beyond the plane P'-P 'in which are the edge surfaces of the panels, these surfaces being constituted, following the example illustrated, by the outer face 3a ', 4a' of the folded and folded edges 3a, 4a, respectively, of the facings 3 and 4 of the panels (Figures 4A and 4B).

According to the embodiment of interest shown, the panels comprising application of the previously described section, are sandwich panels 1A, 1B whose two opposite longitudinal sides are provided, over their entire length, profiles 6 embedded in a groove 5 made in the core 2 of said panels.

It will be understood that when the sides of two adjacent panels 1A, 1B are juxtaposed (FIG. 5), the flexible lip 14 or the flexible lips 14 and 15 of the joining profiles are pressed against each other, so that they deform and result in a significant increase in their contact surface, thereby creating a double-slope seal capable of effectively opposing the passage of water between adjoining panels.

When placing the panels 1A, 1B, ..., on the supporting structure (not shown) of a construction, a longitudinal gap 18 of the order of a few millimeters (for example 4 millimeters), allowing the expansion said panels, is located between the adjacent edges surfaces 3a ', 4a' thereof. The lower portion and, especially, the upper portion of the gap 18, can be closed by a seal, for example consisting of a bead of flexible mastic or a seal made of any elastomer appropriate to the conditions of use.

In the event of weak infiltration of water in the gap 18 despite the presence of a ridge seal or in the event of damage to such a seal, the droplets run off on the edge surface 3a 'or 4a', then on the surface of the deflector flap 17 and fall into the drainage channel 11 allowing their conveyance by gravity to the lower edge of the roof or other cover. If the infiltration is greater, the water falls on the double-slope seal 14-14 and flows towards the channels 11 where it is collected.

In the case where the 14-14 double-slope seal would not be fully effective throughout its length, the water passing through said seal would fall on the underlying double-slope seal 15-15 and flow through the lower channels 16 for conveying, by gravity, to the edge of the roof or other cover.

It is understood that the joining of two panels 1A, 1B according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a double water-tightness barrier or other liquid dripping on the external surface of the juxtaposed panel assemblies 1A, 1B, etc.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, a deflector 19 with opposite slopes 19a, 19b is housed longitudinally in the edge-dressing profiles juxtaposed 6 of two adjoining panels 1A, 1B, in a position according to which the sloped surfaces 19a, 19b of this baffle end, respectively, above or in the recovery and drainage channel 11 of said profiles.

The deflector 19 may have a back-of-a-line profile that is to say have two slopes or two inclined planes 19a, 19b on either side of a central edge 19c, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 It could also have two straight or curved surfaces on both sides of a convex or rounded ridge line.

The ridge line or central ridge 19c of the deflector 19 is placed below the gap 18, so as to share the possible water flows and allow them to flow into the two channels of recovery and drainage 11 of the profiles juxtaposed.

Preferably, the deflector 19 is constituted from a flexible flat strip capable of being easily folded in the longitudinal direction, to obtain a profile with two opposite slopes 19a, 19b on either side of a median or line ridge from top 19c.

Before use, the flat strips intended to constitute the deflectors 19 can thus be transported and stored flat in a reduced volume and without risk of deformation.

To facilitate the folding of these flat strips, during the installation of the panels, the lateral parts thereof corresponding to slopes or inclined planes 19a, 19b may be executed in a semi-rigid or rigid material, such as Poly (chloride of vinyl) semi-rigid, for example, while their central portion corresponding to the ridge or the ridge line 19c is made of a flexible material and, preferably, provided with an elastic deformation capacity, such as Poly ( vinyl chloride) soft or otherwise. These flexible composite strips can be made by any known method of extrusion bi-material or coextrusion, or other.

It is understood that the deflector according to the invention allows a juxtaposition with a guarantee of even more secure sealing, panels provided with profiles of edge dressing of the type just described, without complication of the manufacture of these profiles and / or placing the panels.

Claims (12)

1. A device for the sealing juxtaposition of panels, comprising two edge covering shaped members (6) each comprising a hollow longitudinal body (7) intended to permit it to be fitted into a groove provided in an edge portion of a panel, said hollow body (7) having a longitudinal lateral opening (8) provided above a conduit wall (10) which in the lower part of the body defines a recovery and drainage passage (11), characterised in that said shaped member (6) is provided with at least one longitudinal sealing lip (14) made of a flexible material and fixed with respect to the upper edge portion of said conduit wall (10), said flexible sealing lip being inclined in the direction of the passage (11) provided in the bottom of the body (7) of the shaped member and its upper portion (14a) oriented upwardly extends towards the exterior beyond the plane (P-P) in which the external face (12a-13a) or edge surface of said shaped member is disposed.
2. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the flexible sealing lip (14) comprises a lower portion (14b) directed downwardly and penetrating into the drainage passage (11).
3. A device according to one of claims 1 and 2 characterised in that it comprises at least one second longitudinal sealing lip (15) made of a flexible material and disposed below the lip (14) inclined in the direction of the drainage passage (11), said second flexible lip (15) being oriented upwardly and extending towards the exterior beyond the plane (P-P) in which the external face (12a-13a) or edge surface of the shaped member is disposed, said second sealing lip (15) defining a second drainage passage (16) extending over the entire length of said shaped member.
4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that it comprises a deflector flap (17) inclined downwardly in the direction of the groove (9) of the shaped member (1), said deflector flap (17) being disposed at a spacing from and above the sealing lip (14) which is inclined in the direction of the groove (9) and defining with said lip (14) the opening (8) for access to said groove (9).
5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that in front of the hollow body or fitting portion (7) it comprises an upper longitudinal support wall (12) oriented upwardly and a lower longitudinal support wall (13) directed downwardly, said walls (12, 13) being disposed in the same plane (P-P).
6. A device for the juxtaposition of panels (1A-1B) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that said device further comprises a deflector (19) with two opposite slopes (19a, 19b) on respective sides of a ridge line (19c), said deflector (19) being capable of being positioned above sealing contact means (14-14; 15-15) in such a way that its opposite slopes (19a, 19b) respectively terminate above the recovery and drainage passage (11) or in the recovery and drainage passages (11) of said shaped members.
7. A device for the sealing juxtaposition of panels according to claim 6 characterised in that the longitudinal deflector (19) has a ridge-shaped profile comprising two inclined surface portions (19a, 19b) on respective sides of a central crest (19c).
8. A device for the sealing juxtaposition of panels according to one of claims 6 and 7 characterised in that the longitudinal deflector (19) with two opposite slopes (19a, 19b) is obtained by bending a flat strip of flexible material.
9. A device for the sealing juxtaposition of panels according to claim 8 characterised in that the lateral portions of the flat strip corresponding to the slopes or inclined surface portions (19a, 19b) are made of a semi-rigid material while its central portion corresponding to the crest or the ridge line (19c) is made of a flexible material and preferably has a capacity for elastic deformation.
10. Panels which are destined to be exposed to running flow and which are juxtaposable in sealing relationship characterised in that the junction side or sides of said panels is/are provided with a shaped member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 which is fitted into a groove that said side or sides has or have, said shaped member being so positioned that its longitudinal lip (14) or its longitudinal lips (14, 15) extends or extend towards the exterior beyond the plane (P'-P') in which the edge surfaces (3a', 4a') of the panels are disposed.
11. Panels according to claim 10 comprising a core (2) of rigid plastic material foam or formed by a composite material disposed between two rigid facings (3, 4), characterised in that the shaped members (1) are fitted into a groove provided in the sides of the core (2) and that the edges (3a, 4a) of the facings (3, 4) are folded and bent over against the upper (12) and lower (13) longitudinal walls of said shaped members.
12. A process for the sealing juxtaposition of panels which are provided with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterised by positioning in said edge covering shaped members (6) of said juxtaposed panels and above the sealing means (14-14, 15-15) thereof a deflector (19) comprising two opposite slopes (19a, 19b) on respective sides of a ridge line (19c) in such a way that said opposite slopes (19a, 19b) of said deflector respectively terminate above the or in the recovery and drainage passage (11) of said shaped members.

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