FR2841320A1 - Continuous plastic strip material for enclosing pipes or cables is made in three linked layers folded to form channels for two layers of pipes or cables - Google Patents

Abstract

The continuous strip material is made in three adjoining corrugated sections (1, 2, 3) that are folded together to make channels (17) that can receive pipes or cables (A). Two of the sections (1, 2) have open lengthwise channels, and the third (3) is made with a series of projections on both sides and forms covers for both sets of channels when folded between them and fastened by inserting its free edge in a groove (14). The three sections are connected by lengthwise hinges and have a closing strip (4) along one edge. The strip material can be marked with embossed numerals to indicate the channel numbers, and can be supplied in lengths of hundreds of meters on reels.

Description

The present invention relates to a continuous strip profile intended for

  receive elongated elements such as sheaths for cables, the cables themselves, or blen still pipes, tubes, sleeves, etc ... Such profiles are generally designed to be buried in a trench, but they can also be fixed in the air, along a wall for example. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing this profile as well

  quta an installation for the implementation of this process.

  In the profiles of this type known to date, as described for example in the French patent application No. 01 08326 of June 25, 2001, the elongated elements can only be inserted inside the profiles at the place of implantation, which increases the exposure time and requires

  besides specially adapted, complex and expensive equipment.

  The main object of the present invention is therefore to remedy this drawback and, to do this, it has for its object a profile which is essentially characterized in that it comprises at least three adjoining flaps articulated with respect to each other, two of these flaps, adjacent and asymmetrical, comprising on one side half-cells for accommodating the elongated elements, while the third flight, adjacent to one of the other two flaps and intended to be placed between them, is symmetrical and comprises on each side of the half-cells cooperating with the half-cells of the two asymmetrical flaps to form, lengthwise, sections of rectilinear cells apses a

  receive the elongated elements, when folding the profile.

  Thanks to this set of provisions and as will be seen more clearly below, the elongated elements can be put in place during the manufacture of the strip profile. We then have a profile already filled which can be very quickly and without any difficulty, or buried in a

sliced, or fixed in air.

  In a particular embodiment of the invention, the two asymmetrical flights are connected by a plane part in

  which is provided with a double hinge.

  In addition, the profile comprises a fourth flight, relic of articulated manner to the asymmetrical flight which is not related to the symmetrical flight, to close the opening which remains on the

dimension when folding the profile.

  Furthermore, the half-alveoli of the two asymmetrical wind flaps constituted by aligned protuberances made of

  discontinuously on one side, while the half

  alveoli of the wind symmetrical flights constituted by aligned protuberances carried out alternately on the two faces. Preferably, the profile is made of plastic and has weld points at the joined vertices of some of the half-cells, as well as at the fourth flight. Preferably also, the external faces devoid of cells of the two asymmetrical wind flaps provided with numeral markers making it possible to identify the elongated elements arranged at

inside the profile.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the external faces devoid of cells of the two asymmetrical wind flaps provided with retractable studs capable of protruding elastically from the outside in order to come into abutment against the

  lateral edges of a receiving trench.

  This automatically ensures the stabilization of the profile a

  the interior of the trench without the addition of fill material.

  Finally, the fourth flight is advantageously provided with a groove capable of receiving a metal detection wire allowing

to locate the buried profile.

  A process for the production of a strip profile in accordance with the invention is essentially characterized in that it consists in: extruding a flat sheet of thermoplastic material; - Continuously thermoforming the extruded sheet in order to form the various flaps therewith the protuberances constitute the half cells intended to receive the elongated elements; - Introduce a first series of elongated elements in the half-cells of the asymmetrical flight adjacent to the symmetrical flight; - Fold down the symmetrical flights on said asymmetrical flights; - introduce a second series of elongated elements in the free half-cells of the symmetrical flight; and

  - fold over the other asymmetrical flaps.

  Preferably, the numeral markers and the retractable studs are made by thermoforming at the same time as the

  protuberances constitute the half-alveoles.

  Preferably also, the detection wire is introduced into the corresponding groove of the fourth flight at the same time

  as the first series of elongated elements.

  Furthermore, the profile is kept in the folded position by welding points made twice, on the one hand after the installation of the first series of elongated members and on the other hand after the installation of the second series of elements extensions. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the strip profile is. after the thermoforming step, stores

  temporarily in vertical position.

  Finally, the elongated elements pass into a conditioning chamber before being introduced into the half-cells of the

profile flaps.

  An installation for implementing the method according to the invention is essentially characterized in that it successively comprises, from upstream to downstream: - an extruder equipped with a flat die for extruding a flat sheet of thermoplastic material; - a strip thermoforming device equipped with matrix effect tools for continuously thermoforming the extruded sheet in order to form therein in particular the different flaps with the protuberances constituting the half-cells intended to receive the elongated elements; - a multifunctional draw bar comprising in particular: A quality control device; Motorized rotary knobs to realize the profile folding hinges; and a cutting device for cutting the profile to the desired width; - a first unwinding station with elongated elements packaged in crowns; - A first conditioning chamber through which these elongated elements pass before introducing them into the half-cells of the asymmetrical flights adjacent to the symmetrical flights; - first guides for folding down the symmetrical flights on said asymmetrical flights; - a first welding position for carrying out welding points between these two flaps; - a second unwinding station with elongated elements packaged in crowns; - A second conditioning chamber through which these elongated elements pass before introducing them into the free half-cells of the symmetrical flight; - second guides for folding over the other asymmetrical flights; - a second welding position for carrying out welding points between these two components; and - a horizontal axis drum on which the profile ends

is packaged flat.

  In a particular embodiment of the invention, the installation further comprises an intermediate storage posse which is arranged after the multifunctional pulling bar, this intermediate storage posse being preceded by first reversing guides for passing the profile of the horizontal position to vertical position, in order to store it in this rear position on a first turntable with vertical axis, and followed by second reversing guides to return to the horizontal position the profile previously stored in vertical position on a second turntable with vertical axis. An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure l is a top view of a strip profile portion according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a bottom view of this profile portion i - Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of Figure l; - Figure 4 shows the profile deployed flat, seen from the outside; - Figure 5 shows the profile deployed flat, seen from the inside; - Figure 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of Figure 5; - Figure 7 is a schematic side view of an installation for thermoforming the profile according to the invention; - Figure 8 is a top view of this thermoforming installation .; - Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the profile assembly line; - Figure lO is a top view of this assembly line; and - Figures ll to 17 illustrate the different stages of the process of placing the elongated elements inside the

  profile and closing by welding of this profile.

  The profile represented in FIGS. 1 to 6 is a prefabricated element produced in continuous strip and which is conditioned in sections which can reach several hundred meters. It is made of thermoformable plastic material, for example polyethylene, and can be either buried in a trench, or fixed in air, along a wall for example. This profile is intended to receive elongated elements such as A, sixteen in this example and which are arranged in two rows of eight. It can be used, for example, for sheaths for cables,

  cables themselves, or even pipes, sheaths, etc ...

  In the particular example described here, it is in fact sheaths constituted by simple tubes made of thermoplastic material which can, thanks to appropriate known means, be filled as and when required by optical fibers for telecommunications. Referring now more particularly to Figures 4 to 6, it can be seen that the profile according to the invention is essentially constituted by trots contiguous flaps, respectively l, 2 and 3, as well as a fourth smaller flight 4 adjacent to the

first flights 1.

  The flaps l and 2, called asymmetrical, component, on one side and lengthwise, of the half-cells 5 intended to receive the elongated elements A. These half-cells are formed by aligned protuberances 6, produced discontinuously on one side of the flights. Wiles wind obtained by thermoforming of the polyethylene sheet constitute the flights, so that with each protuberance 6 corresponds on the other side a

recess 7 correspond.

  Similarly, the voles 3, said to be symmetrical, comprises half-cells 8 on each side, formed by protuberances

  aligned 9 alternately made on both sides of the flights.

  Again, the wind protrusions obtained by thermoforming, so that each protuberance 9 corresponds to a recess

correspond lO.

  All the wind flaps articulated with respect to each other by means of hinges formed respectively at ll between the fourth flight 4 and the first flight l, at 12 and 13 on a flat part 14 connecting the first flight 1 to the second flight 2, forming thus a double hinge, and in 15 and 15 'between the second voles 2 and the third voles 3. Thanks to this set of hinges, the profile can be folded back on itself lengthwise, as shown in the figure 3, with the voles 3 arranged between the flaps 1 and 2. In doing so, the free end of the voles 3 comes to be placed in a groove 16 provided in the flat part 14, while the voles 4 comes to seal the free space which remains at the opposite end between voles 1 and voles 3,

  in order to build a completely firm profile.

  Furthermore, the half-cells 8 of the voles 3 cooperate with the half-cells 5 of the flaps 1 and 2 to form two rows of complete cells. Thus are housed rectilinear partition spaces 17, sixteen in this example, in which are housed the sixteen tubes A. The assembly is held in shape by welding points made from place to place at the joined vertices of

  some of the half-cells 5 and 8, as well as at the level of the voles 4.

  In order to be able to easily identify the different tubes A, once these have been placed inside the profile, the external faces of the flaps 1 and 2, that is to say those without protuberances 6, wind provided with numbers 18 ranging from 1 to 16 arranged from place to place opposite each of the partitioned spaces 17. These figures are obtained by thermoforming, so that they appear in negative on the opposite face, as

illustrated in 19 in FIG. 5.

  Furthermore, these same external faces of the flaps 1 and 2 are also provided with place in place of retractable studs 20 projecting from the outside. These studs 20 wind likely to retract under the action of a constraint, for example during the passage of the profile in the installation box and then redeploy automatically in the absence of constraint. Thus, when the profile is deposited at the bottom of a trench of small width, the studs 20 come to bear elastically on the lateral edges of the trench and ensure the lateral stabilization of the profile without the addition of fill material. Holes B are also provided on the profile at the level of the flat part 14 to ensure the gravitational evacuation of water which can infiltrate inside. This avoids the accumulation of water in the profile and, in the event of frost, any risk of deformation of the profile or

  deterioration of the roadway in which it is buried.

  Finally, the profile according to the invention is also equipped with a metal detection wire 21 making it possible, in a manner known per se, to locate the profile once it has been buried in the ground, for example by electromagnetic techniques. This metal wire 21 is inserted into a groove 22 provided for this purpose on the internal face of the flights 4. However, it can also be placed in place of one of the sixteen tubes A or else

  positioned inside one of these tubes.

  We will now describe the way of continuously producing such a profile, with more particular reference to FIGS. 7 to 17. If we refer first to FIGS. 7 and 8, we can see that the first step of the process consists in extruding a sheet of thermoplastic material 23, for example polyethylene, by means of an extruder 24 equipped with a flat die 25. This sheet is then continuously thermoformed in a strip thermoformer 26 equipped with specific tools for

  matrix effect to give a thermoform strip profile 27.

  It is at this stage that wind realized the protuberances 6 and 9 constitute the half-cells 5 and 8, the marks numbers 18 and

  the retractable studs 20, as well as the grooves 16 and 22.

  Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, we can see that the thermoform profile 27 from the thermoformer 26 passes

  then in a multifunctional draw bar 28.

  In this posse, first of all a quality control is carried out in order to detect possible defects in coloring and above all

any perforations.

  We then realize the hinges 11, 12, 13, 15 and 15 'which will later allow the folding of the profile, locally reducing the thickness of the sheet before cooling

  complete, by means of motorized rotary knobs with counter

  adjustable support. Finally, the left and right widths of the wind profile strip cut so as to obtain the desired width. Wind cuts made with cutting blades and scrap

  of product recovered to be crushed and then recycled.

  At the outlet of the draw bar 28, the thermoform profile 27, which is in a horizontal position, passes through reversing guides 29 to be stored in a vertical position on a turntable 30 equipping an intermediate storage position 31, this storage mode vertical avoiding any constraint

winding.

  The actual assembly of the profile is carried out in parallel from a second turntable 32 on which the required length has been previously conditioned. The first operation consists in putting the profile strip horizontally by means of reversing guides 33. We are then in the

  position shown at the beginning of Figure 11 and in Figure 12.

  At the next posse, a first series of eight A tubes is put

  in place in the half-cells 5 of the voles 2 of the profile.

  These tubes are packaged in the form of crowns in a first unwinding station 34. They first wind unwinds then pass successively through a draft tank and into a packaging chamber 35 where they are, for example, heated in order to

  position more easily in the profile half-cells.

  Simultaneously, the detection wire 21, stored on a reel 36, is placed in the groove 22 of the flights 4 after being

  goes through a three-point rectifier system.

  The tubes A and the wire 21 are held in place by appropriate means and we are then in the position shown in the middle of FIG. 11 and in FIG. 13. It will be noted in particular that the metal wire 21, when it is coated with plastic, can be held in place in the

  groove 22 by welding points.

  The voles 3 of the profile is then folded over the voles 2 S thanks to guides 37 in the form of a helical serration and we are then in the position represented in FIG. 14. This position is guaranteed by spot welds made in place between the flaps 3 and 2, at the level of the adjoining tops of the protuberances 6 and 9 constitute the half-cells 5 and 8. For this purpose, the profile passes into a welding posse 38 carrying out welding by polyfusion during the scrolling, thanks to a

set follower step by step.

  A second series of eight tubes A, packaged in crowns in a second unwinding station 39, is then placed in the half-cells 8 of the voles 3. As previously, these tubes first pass through a draw bar and into a chamber packaging 40. We are then in the position

  represented on the left in FIG. 15, and in FIG. 16.

  The voles 1 of the profile is then folded down on the voles 3 thanks to guides 41 in the form of a helical funnel, while the voles 4 is folded down on the side against the voles 2. We are then in the position represented on the right on Figure 15, and in Figure 17. This position is maintained by welding points made from place to place between the flaps 1 and 3 and also between the flaps 4 and 2. The number and arrangement of these welding points wind chosen so as to obtain the best compromise between the dimensional stabilization of the profile and its flexibility which is necessary to allow its winding. For this purpose and as before, the profile passes into a welding posse 42 carrying out a welding by polyfusion during the

  scrolling, thanks to a step-by-step follower assembly.

  The profile according to the invention is thus entirely ermine. If necessary, an identification marking is carried out on the voles 4 of the profile which then passes through a traction device 43 to be wound flat on a reel 44 a horizontal axis The packaging length can reach 600 m or more.

Claims (16)

RESELL I CAT I ONS   1. Continuous strip profile intended to receive elongated elements (A) such as sheaths for cables, characterized in that it comprises at least three adjoining shutters (1, 2, 3) articulated with respect to each other, two of these components (1,   2), adjacent and asymmetrical, comprising on one side half   cells (5) to accommodate the elongated elements (A), while the third flights (3), adjacent to one (2) of the other two flaps (1, 2) and intended to be placed between them, is symmetrical and comprises on each side of the half-cells (8) cooperating with the half-cells (5) of the two asymmetrical flaps (1, 2) to form, in the direction of the length, of the sections of rectilinear cells (17 ) able to receive the elongated elements (A), when profile bending.   2. Profile according to claim 1, characterized in that the two asymmetrical flaps (1, 2) wind connected by a flat part (14) in which is formed a double hinge (12, 13). 3. Profile according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a fourth voles (4), relic in an articulated manner to the asymmetrical flights (1) which is not connected to the symmetrical flights (3), to close the opening which remains on the coast during the profile folding.   4. Profile according to any one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the half-cells (5) of the two asymmetrical flaps (1, 2) are formed by aligned protuberances (6) produced discontinuously on one of the faces, while the half-cells (8) of the symmetrical flights (3) wind constituted by aligned protuberances (9) alternately on both sides.   5. Profile according to any one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that it is made of plastic and has weld points at the level of the adjoining tops of some of the half-cells (5, 8), as well as at the level of the fourth flights (4).   6. Profile according to any one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the external faces devoid of cells of the two asymmetrical flaps (1, 2) are provided with number marks (18) making it possible to identify the elongated elements (A) arranged at inside the profile.   7. Profile according to any one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the external faces devoid of cells of the two asymmetrical flaps (1, 2) are provided with retractable studs (20) capable of projecting elastically from the outside in order to come to bear against the lateral edges of a tranche of receipt.   8. Profile according to any one of claims 3 to 7,   characterized in that the fourth part (4) is provided with a   groove (22) adapted to receive a metal detection wire (21).   9. Method for manufacturing a strip profile according to one   or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it   consists in: - extruding a flat sheet of thermoplastic material (23) continuously thermoforming the extruded sheet in order to form the different flaps (1, 2, 3, 4) with the protuberances (6, 9) constituting the half-cells (5 , 8) intended to receive the elongated elements (A); introducing a first series of elongated elements (A) into the half-chambers (5) of the asymmetrical flight (2) adjacent to the symmetrical flight (3); fold the symmetrical flights (3) on said asymmetrical flights (2); introduce a second series of elongated elements (A) in the free half-cells (8) of the symmetrical flight (3); and   - fold over the other asymmetrical flaps (1).   10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the numeral markers (18) and the retractable studs (20) are produced by thermoforming at the same time as the protuberances (6,   9) constitute the half-cells (5, 8).   11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the detection wire (21) is introduced into the corresponding groove (22) of the fourth flight (4) at the same time as the   first series of elongated elements (A).   12. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 11,   characterized in that the profile is kept in the folded position by welding points produced in two steps, on the one hand after the first series of elongated elements (A) has been put in place and on the other hand after the setting in place place of the second series delements extensions (A).   13. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 12,   characterized in that the strip profile is. after the stage of   thermoforming, temporarily stores in vertical position.   14. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 13,   characterized in that the long elements (A) pass through a conditioning chamber before being introduced into the   half-cells (5, 8) of the flaps (2, 3) of the profile.   15. Installation for implementing the method according to a   or more of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that it   successively comprises, from upstream to downstream: - an extruder 24) equipped with a flat die (25) for extruding a flat sheet of thermoplastic material (23); - a strip thermoforming machine (26) equipped with matrix effect tools for continuously thermoforming the extruded sheet (23) in order to form therein in particular the different flaps (1, 2, 3, 4) with the protuberances (6,9 ) constitute the half-cells (5, 8) intended to receive the elongated elements (A); - a multifunctional draw bar (28) comprising in particular: A quality control device; With motorized rotary knobs to realize the folding hinges (11, 12, 13, 15, 15) of the profile; and a cutting device for cutting the profile to the desired width; S - a first unwinding station (34) with elongated elements (A) packaged in crowns; - A first conditioning chamber (35) through which these elongated elements (A) pass before introducing them into the half-cells (5) of the asymmetrical flights (2) adjacent to the symmetrical flights (3); - first guides (37) for folding the symmetrical flights (3) onto said asymmetrical flights (2); - a first welding position (38) for carrying out welding points between these two flaps (3, 2); - a second unwinding station (39) with elongated elements (A) packaged in crowns; - A second conditioning chamber (40) through which these elongated elements (A) pass before introducing them into the free half-cells (8) of the symmetrical flight (3); - second guides (41) for folding over the other asymmetrical flights (1); - a second welding position (42) for carrying out welding points between these two flaps (3, 1); and - a reel (44) with a horizontal axis on which the profile finished is packaged flat.   16. Installation according to claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises an intermediate storage posse (31) arranged after the multi-function pulling bay (28), this intermediate storage posse being preceded by first reversing guides ( 29) to move the profile from the horizontal position to the vertical position, in order to store it in this latter position on a first turntable (31) with a vertical axis, and followed by second reversing guides (33) for ironing the horizontal position the profile previously stored in a vertical position on a second turntable (32) with axis