EP3217840B1

EP3217840B1 - Assembly for containment, filing and storage

Info

Publication number: EP3217840B1
Application number: EP14815069.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Massimo Luise
Original assignee: Makros SRL
Current assignee: Makros SRL
Priority date: 2014-10-06
Filing date: 2014-10-06
Publication date: 2019-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-06
Also published as: WO2016056032A1; EP3217840A1; SI3217840T1; ES2741781T3

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly for containment, filing and storage.
Systems of fireproof cabinets and/or shelving units are known, which are used as document filing systems, for example in archives and libraries and/or for containing various materials, for example in stockrooms or in company departments.
Such systems are usually organized internally with shelves and ledges, on which to arrange the material to be stored.
For this reason, they are not particularly suitable if it is necessary to have a specific containment region available, which is particularly spacious, for materials of artistic and/or historic value, or of intrinsic value, or legal value, which necessarily need to be shelved in an ordered manner and/or hung, such as for example: pictures, items of clothing, and the like, kept in museum archives or in industrial sample collections.
EP 2 497 389 A1 discloses an assembly for containment, filing and storage according to the preamble of claim 1.
The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing an assembly for containment, filing and storage which is adapted to contain and file, in an orderly manner, a plurality of documents, pictures, items of clothing, products and the like.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an assembly for containment, filing and storage which is adapted to preserve its contents from the effects of a possible fire.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for containment, filing and storage which is adapted to withstand forced entry.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for containment, filing and storage which is low cost, easily and practically implemented, and safe in use.
This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an assembly for containment, filing and storage according to claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the assembly for containment, filing and storage according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container of the containment assembly, not being according to the invention;
Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of a container of the containment assembly, not being according to the invention, provided with containment elements and support;
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of different embodiments of a container of the containment assembly, according to the invention;
Figure 9 is a cutaway view from above of an element of the containment assembly, according to the invention;
Figure 10 is a cutaway perspective schematic view of an element of the containment assembly;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a container of the containment assembly, not being according to the invention;
Figure 12 is a perspective view, partially cutaway, of a detail of the container in Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the containment assembly, according to the invention, in the compacted configuration;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the assembly for containment, filing and storage according to the invention, provided with sensors and indicators, in the compacted configuration;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of the containment assembly, according to the invention, in the compacted configuration, provided with an anti-seismic device;
Figure 16 is a perspective view of the containment assembly, according to the invention, provided with sliding doors, in the compacted configuration;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the containment assembly, according to the invention, provided with leaf doors, in the compacted configuration.

With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an assembly for containment, filing and storage.
The assembly 1 comprises at least one container 2, of the type of a cabinet, defining inside it a compartment 3 for accommodating products of various nature.
The container 2 is slideable between a configuration of resting on a facing surface upon being opened in order to gain access to its inner compartment 3 and a configuration of separation from such surface, complying exactly with what occurs in conventional shelving units that are slideable and stackable.
The at least one container 2 comprises, along its walls, at least one respective paneling 4.
The possibility is not excluded of providing the paneling contiguous to an intermediate air chamber. Such air chamber would be defined between the walls of the container 2 and the paneling 4.
The paneling 4 is made of an insulating and fire-resistant material, preferably chosen from among fireproof polymers, polymers mixed with fireproof and/or flame-retardant substances, derivatives of wood mixed with fireproof and/or flame-retardant substances, metals, gypsum, microporous materials, nanoporous materials, ceramic materials, glass wool, rock wool, wood wool mixed with fireproof and/or flame-retardant substances, natural materials mixed with fireproof and/or flame-retardant substances, materials coated, painted, covered with fireproof and/or flame-retardant paints and/or stratified cores that comprise flame-retardant gases and/or liquids with a low heat transmission coefficient.
The term "insulating material" is used to mean a material provided with a high resistance (low thermal conductivity) to the passage of heat.
The term "fire-resistant material" is used to mean a material that does not undergo deformations even if subjected to extremely high temperatures.
The presence of such paneling 4 thus provides a passive protection both to the assembly 1, in particular when it is in the compacted configuration, and also to the individual compartment 3 defined between two adjacent containers 2.
According to the invention, the inner compartment 3 of the container 2 comprises at least one frame 5 for the ordered arrangement of the products.
The structure of the frame 5 can be reticular, cellular and the like.
In particular, the frame 5 can comprise elements for the containment and support 6 of the products, and are preferably chosen from among shelves, hooks, straps, vessels, trays, drawer units and the like.
The reticular structure of the frame 5 thus acts as a support for the containment and support elements 6, and the various interspaces of the reticular structure make it possible to insert, in the most suitable position, the elements 6 such as for example hooks for hanging pictures, items of clothing and the like.
According to the invention and as it is illustrated in Figures 4 to 8, the frame 5 is provided with respective movement means 7 in order to allow their movement and facilitate the insertion and extraction of the products arranged in orderly fashion in the containers 2.
The movement means 7 comprises at least one rail 8 within which a tab 9 of the frame 5 is slideable.
The structural characteristics of the assembly 1 make it possible for the user to easily move each frame 5 manually or with an easy pushing movement even with a full load.
The possibility is not excluded of providing the tab 9 with respective wheels that are adapted to facilitate the movement of the frame 5.
According to the invention and as it is illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the frames 5 are a plurality, mutually side by side, each frame 5 being rotateable and translateable with respect to the rail 8 in order to allow the carrying out of activities of filing, checking, and withdrawal of products and the like by users.
According to the solution shown in the accompanying Figure 7, the frames 5 can be slideable, along a same direction on the rails 8, from a compacted configuration in which the frames 5 are arranged facing toward and proximate to each other, to an extended configuration in which an empty space is defined between two consecutive frames 5 for the carrying out of activities of filing, checking, and withdrawal of products and the like by users.
According to a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying Figure 8, each frame 5 being partially extractable from the container 2 on a telescopic guide 10, in order to allow the carrying out of activities of filing, checking, and withdrawal of products and the like by users.
The inner organization of the compartment 3, by way of the insertion of a plurality of frames 5, thus makes it possible to provide an intensified archive 2 of products with a much higher capacity than conventional fireproof cabinets, in that it is composed of mobile frames 5 that can slide, perform a translational motion and a swinging-sliding motion, thus making the products stored on them easily accessible, and thus making it possible to totally exploit the volumetric capacity of the compartment 3.
The assembly 1 thus enables a protection against fire for a substantial mass of products conserved in a single containment structure.
It should be noted that the edges of the container 2 which delimit the compartment 3 can comprise at least one gasket 11 that is subjected, when in the resting configuration, to compression between the edge of the container 2 and the respective surface that is coupled thereto.
The function of the gasket 11 is to constitute a union and/or a connection between the walls of the container 13, 14, 15 and 16 (side walls, rear walls, bottom walls and covering elements) with those of the adjacent container 2 in order to create a single hermetically tight compartment 3 in the event of fire.
The gasket 11 can be made of material that is preferably chosen from among intumescent material, fireproof material, fire-retardant material and the like.
According to a preferred solution, illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the edges of the container 2 which delimit the compartment 3 can comprise two laterally adjacent gaskets 11a and 11b.
The first gasket 11a can be made of intumescent material, while the second gasket 11b can be made of material that is preferably chosen from among silicone material, elastomeric material, and glass wool.
The two gaskets 11a and 11b thus have a different resistance to heat.
The first gasket 11a, which is made of intumescent material, reacts to heat, expanding only in the presence of high temperatures and not providing any protection or seal in the event of lower temperatures that might still damage the products stored inside the container 2, such as for example the canvases of pictures.
By contrast, the second gasket 11b is capable of ensuring a seal against the penetration of heat between the containers 2 for low temperatures as well, but it loses its effectiveness for temperatures that exceed 350°C.
Thus, in the event of fire, the second gasket 11b ensures a seal against the penetration of heat between the containers 2 up until the dilation of the first gasket 11a.
Also with reference to such embodiment, it should be noted that the edges of the container 2 which delimit the compartment 3 can comprise a perimetric seat 12 for the partial accommodation of the first gasket 11a.
The intumescent gasket 11a, stimulated by the heat, expands.
The presence of the perimetric seat 12 thus makes it possible to laterally contain the expansion of the gasket 11a by directing it exclusively toward the walls of the adjacent container 2, thus increasing the hermetic seal and the resistance to fire of the assembly 1.
It should be noted that each container 2 can comprise a rear wall 13, at least two side walls 14, a bottom 15 and a covering element 16.
The rear wall 13, the side walls 14, the bottom 15 and the covering element 16 can comprise a covering 17, arranged externally with respect to the paneling 4, of high thickness, of a material preferably chosen from among metallic material, composite material, ceramic material and the like, so as to define an outer armor plating.
According to a solution of particular effectiveness and efficiency, shown in Figures 13 to 17, the containers 2 can be a plurality, mutually aligned, and slideable, along a same direction, on respective guides 18, from a compacted configuration in which the containers 2 are resting against each other, to an extended configuration in which an empty space is defined between two consecutive containers 2 for the carrying out of activities of filing, checking, and withdrawal and the like by users.
The containers 2 are placed at right angles to their direction of travel and are mutually united, by way of a compaction.
The assembly 1 thus makes it possible to intensively exploit the entire available area and offers an ample volume of space for the containment of products to be stored.
In order to access the series of containers 2, since these are mobile, it is necessary to create a single space, called a "corridor", in order to carry out the withdrawal or loading of materials inside them.
Again with reference to such embodiment, it should be noted that the end containers 2 can have have an opening to access the respective inner compartment 3 exclusively on one side, while the intermediate containers 2 can have an opening to access the at least one respective inner compartment 3 on both sides.
The possibility is not excluded of providing an assembly 1 that can comprise at least one sensor 19 for the detection of the configuration of the assembly 1 proper.
The sensor 19 can thus be controlled by an element that is preferably chosen from between a delayed-action movement system, for the automatic restoration, after a preset time interval, of the compacted configuration, and a timer.
The presence of the sensor 19 and of the delayed-action movement system thus makes it possible to automatically move the containers 2 that have accidentally been left in the non-compacted position, and bring them all to the compacted position with respect to the adjacent container 2.
More specifically, the assembly 1 can comprise at least one indicator system 19a that is adapted to indicate to users that the assembly 1 has been in the extended configuration for a period proximate to or longer than the permitted time.
The at least one indicator system 19a can be of the visual and/or acoustic type.
Furthermore, the indicator system 19a can for example be of the traffic light type, where, if the assembly 1 is provided with a delayed-action movement system, the green signal indicates that the assembly 1 is in the extended configuration, amber that the assembly 1 has been in the extended configuration for a time proximate to the preset time and activation of the delayed-action movement system is therefore imminent, and red that the automatic restoration of the compacted configuration of the assembly 1 is underway.
Alternatively, if the assembly 1 is provided with neither a delayed-action movement system nor an automatic electromechanical movement system, the green signal indicates that the assembly 1 is in the extended configuration, amber that the assembly 1 has been in the extended configuration for a time proximate to the preset time, and red that the operator must proceed to restore the compacted configuration of the assembly 1.
The possibility is not excluded of coupling the traffic light indicator system to an acoustic indicator system, where each different color of the traffic light indicator system corresponds to a different and preset acoustic signal.
Furthermore, the assembly 1, according to the invention, can comprise at least one component preferably chosen from between a manual button for resetting the timer in order to allow the user to prolong the remaining time the assembly 1 stays in the extended configuration for the carrying out of activities of filing, checking, and withdrawal of products, and a movement sensor facing the corridor defined between two extended and contiguous containers 2, or arranged in the installation environment of the assembly 1, adapted to automatically reset the timer when an operator is in such corridor or in such environment.
The assembly 1 according to the invention can also comprise a further sensor preferably chosen from among a sensor for detecting the temperature, a smoke sensor, a sensor for detecting the humidity and the like.
Such temperature sensor and/or such smoke sensor can thus be controlled by a movement system, in order to automatically restore the compacted configuration, upon the detection of a temperature value that exceeds the preset value and/or the detection of the presence of smoke.
Such sensors can be preferably chosen from the optical, laser, mechanical, electronic, and photocell types and the like and they are arranged at a surface of each container 2, on respective guides 18, or on a wall of the installation environment facing the containment assembly 1.
Furthermore, the sensor 19 can be controlled by a control and management unit for commanding at least one indicator apparatus, preferably of the type comprising at least one component of the type of a light source, a siren, a display screen of alarm messages and the like.
The assembly 1, in addition, can comprise locking and anti-forced entry devices 20 which are adapted to prevent the involuntary or non-permitted opening of the containment assembly 1.
The devices 20 prevent sliding by holding the assembly 1 locked in the compacted configuration i.e. the configuration of mutual contact between the adjacent containers 2.
Each container 2 can comprise a coupled ledge 21, in partial protrusion therefrom, which is adapted, in the compacted configuration of the assembly 1, to be accommodated inside the compartment 3 of the adjacent container 2.
The adjacent container 2 is provided with at least one latch that can be engaged detachably with the ledge 21 in order to lock the assembly 1 in the compacted configuration.
It should be noted that the end container 2 can be provided with at least one shank 22 that can move from a retracted configuration, in which the shank 22 is completely inserted inside the container 2, to an extracted configuration, in which the shank 22 is partially accommodated within a respective hole 23 that is defined in the floor of the installation environment of the assembly 1.
The container 2 is thus provided with a mechanism 24 for locking the shank 22 in the extracted configuration.
The assembly 1 can also comprise an anti-seismic device 25 in order to prevent the accidental tipping of the containers 2 of the assembly 1.
The anti-seismic device 25 can comprise at least two pillars 26, which are stably anchored to the floor, and arranged proximate to the end containers 2.
The pillars 26 are surmounted by a crossmember 27 that is provided with a rail for vertical sliding bars 28, the lower end 29 of each one of which is stably coupled to the covering element 16 of the containers 2.
In particular, the pillars 26 can be provided with respective removable shoulders in order to lock the assembly 1 in the compacted configuration.
Each individual container 2 can comprise an aeration duct 30 that is lined internally with intumescent material.
The duct 30 directly connects the inner compartment 3 with the outside environment.
The presence of the duct 30 is particularly useful if the products contained inside the container 2 require continuous aeration.
In the event of fire, the increased heat will ensure that the intumescent material, which internally lines the duct 30, expands to completely obstruct the passage of air, thus making isolating the inner compartment 3 from the outside environment.
According to a particular embodiment, the end container 2 can comprise at least one door 31 for access to the its inner compartment 3.
The at least one door 31 can be a sliding door or a leaf door and of the fire stop type or in any case lined with thermally insulating material that ensures a high degree of resistance to heat and to fire.
Furthermore, the door 31 can be provided with at least one gasket 11.
The at least one gasket 11 will have the same characteristics as described previously.
In the assembly 1, although the containers 2 are disjoint, can be opened, and can be consulted in order to favor both maximum capacity and limitation of the space reserved for access corridor, these succeed in being a set of compartmentalized spaces 3 that are sealed and protected i.e. the containers 2 can be moved and can be opened for the function of intensive containment, and compactable when the function of protection against fire and forced entry is activated.
Effectively, the assembly for containment, filing and storage 1, according to the invention, is adapted to contain and archive, in an orderly manner, a plurality of documents, pictures, items of clothing, products and the like.
Conveniently, the assembly 1, according to the invention, is adapted to preserve its contents from the effects of a possible fire.
Conveniently, the assembly for containment, filing and storage 1 is adapted to withstand forced entry.
The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Claims

An assembly for containment, filing and storage, comprising at least one cabinet (2) defining inside it at least one compartment (3) for accommodating products of various nature, which is slideable between a configuration of resting on a facing surface upon being opened in order to gain access to its inner compartment (3) and a configuration of separation from said surface, the at least one cabinet (2) comprising, along its walls, at least one respective paneling (4) made of thermally insulating and fire-resistant material, wherein said compartment (3) comprises at least one frame (5) for the orderly arrangement of said products, wherein said frame (5) is provided with respective movement means (7) in order to allow their movement and to facilitate the insertion and extraction of said products, arranged in an orderly fashion, within said cabinet (2), characterized in that said movement means (7) comprise at least one rail (8) within which a tab (9) of said frame (5) is slideable, and in that said frames (5) are a plurality, mutually side by side, each frame (5) being rotatable and translatable with respect to said rail (8) in order to allow the carrying out of activities of filing, checking, and withdrawal of said products and the like by users.
The assembly for containment according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure of said frame (5) is reticular, cellular and the like.
The assembly for containment according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (5) comprises elements (6) for the containment and support of said products which are preferably chosen from among shelves, hooks, straps, vessels, trays, drawer units and the like.
The assembly for containment according to claim 1, characterized in that said frames (5) can slide, along a same direction on said rails (8), from a compacted configuration in which said frames (5) are arranged facing toward and proximate to each other, to an extended configuration in which an empty space is defined between two consecutive frames (5) for the carrying out of activities of filing, checking, and withdrawal of said products and the like by users.
The assembly for containment according to claim 1, characterized in that each frame (5) is partially extractable from said cabinet (2) on a telescopic guide (10), in order to allow the carrying out of activities of filing, checking, and withdrawal of said products and the like by users.
The assembly for containment according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edges of said cabinet (2) which delimit said compartment (3) comprise at least one gasket (11) that is subjected, when in the said resting configuration, to compression between the edge of the cabinet (2) and the respective surface that is coupled thereto.
The assembly for containment according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one gasket (11) is made of material preferably chosen from among intumescent material, fireproof material, fire-retardant material and the like.
The assembly for containment according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edges of said cabinet (2) which delimit said compartment (3) comprise two laterally adjacent gaskets (11a and 11b), a first gasket (11a) made of intumescent material, and a second gasket (11b) made of material chosen from among silicone material, elastomeric material and glass wool, the materials thus having a different resistance to heat.
The assembly for containment according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cabinet (2) comprises a coupled ledge, in partial protrusion therefrom, which is adapted, in the compacted configuration of said assembly (1), to be accommodated inside the compartment (3) of the adjacent cabinet (2), said adjacent cabinet (2) being provided with at least one latch that can be engaged detachably with said ledge (21) in order to lock said assembly (1) in the compacted configuration.
The assembly for containment according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cabinets (2) are a plurality, are mutually aligned and can slide, along a same direction, on respective guides (18), from a compacted configuration in which said cabinets (2) are resting against each other, to an extended configuration in which an empty space is defined between two consecutive cabinets (2) and in that an end cabinet (2) is provided with at least one shank (22) that can move from a retracted configuration, in which said shank (22) is completely inserted in the cabinet (2), to an extracted configuration, in which said shank (22) is partially accommodated in a respective hole (23) that is defined in the floor of the installation environment of said assembly (1), said cabinet (2) being provided with a mechanism (24) for locking said shank (22) in the extracted configuration.
The assembly for containment according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises an anti-seismic device (25) for preventing the accidental tipping of said cabinets (2) of said assembly (1).
The assembly for containment according to claim 11, characterized in that said anti-seismic device (25) comprises at least two pillars (26) that are stably anchored to the floor, are arranged proximate to the end cabinets (2), are surmounted by a crossmember (27) that is provided with a rail for respective vertical sliding bars (28), the lower end (29) of each one of which is stably coupled to the covering element (16) of said cabinets (2).
The assembly for containment according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cabinet (2) comprises an aeration duct (30) that is lined internally with intumescent material, said duct (30) directly connecting the inner compartment (3) with the outside environment.
The assembly for containment according to one of claims 10-12, characterized in that said end cabinet (2) comprises at least one door (31) for access to its inner compartment (3), said door (31) being lined with thermally insulating material and resistant to fire, and provided with at least one gasket (11).