FR3102757A1 - FLEXIBLE TANK CONTAINING A FLUID FOR SPLASHING, ASSEMBLY OF TANKS AND ASSOCIATED PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTATION - Google Patents

Abstract

- Flexible tank containing a fluid for bursting, set of tanks and associated method of implementation. - The invention relates to a flexible reservoir (1) intended to contain a fluid (2), comprising at least: an internal membrane (3) sealed to said fluid (2), and intended to form a receptacle to contain said fluid (2) , and an outer casing (4) surrounding said receptacle, said reservoir being characterized in that said outer casing (4) comprises at least one rupture zone (5) designed to rupture at least along a predetermined rupture line (6) under the effect of an impact of said reservoir filled with fluid (2) against a target surface (7). - The invention is particularly suitable for extinguishing or preventing fire. - Figure for the abstract: Figure 1.

Description

FLEXIBLE TANK CONTAINING A FLUID FOR BURST, SET OF TANKS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTATION

The present invention relates to the general technical field of fluid storage, and in particular to flexible tanks intended to store and transport a fluid for subsequent use, for example to extinguish a fire.

The present invention relates more particularly to a flexible reservoir intended to contain a fluid, comprising at least:
- an internal membrane sealed to said fluid, and intended to form a receptacle to contain said fluid, and
- An outer envelope surrounding said receptacle.

In the context of firefighting, it is known to have recourse not only to land means but also to air means, in particular when it is a question of effectively fighting a forest fire. The aerial means in question are made up of water bomber aircraft, that is to say planes and helicopters capable of carrying a certain volume of water and dropping it on the fire. This dropping is carried out at low altitude, because the dropping at high altitude is far too imprecise to present any effectiveness, since the dropped water disperses and vaporizes before reaching its target. However, the low altitude jettisoning of water contained in the holds of an aircraft, for example of the Canadair ^® type, is not a completely satisfactory solution either, particularly from the point of view of the safety of goods and persons and of fire fighting efficiency. Indeed, even at low altitude, the accuracy of release remains difficult to control. In addition, the capacity of the water compartment is limited, and there is a high risk for the aircraft to crash when carrying out the various maneuvers required (scooping, dropping at low altitude through the smoke). Such low-altitude dropping operations also require very specific and rare piloting skills to control the aforementioned risk, and require numerous round trips to reach a body of water (lake, river, ocean) which can sometimes be very far away or impracticable, especially in arid or mountainous areas.

In order to overcome these drawbacks, it has been proposed to implement a flexible liquid reservoir comprising an internal impermeable pocket designed to contain water, and an external weft-knit tubular knit surrounding the internal pocket to ensure the mechanical resistance of the reservoir, preventing the inner bag from bursting inadvertently. This flexible tank is intended to store water which can then be used to extinguish a fire. More specifically, this known tank is intended to undergo a violent shock (impact on the ground after dropping) to cause it to burst and thus release the water it contains to extinguish a fire with precision and efficiency.

This known flexible tank nevertheless has certain drawbacks.

Indeed, this flexible tank does not allow the water it contains to be distributed in an optimized manner when it bursts. More particularly, this known reservoir is liable to generate on bursting a random distribution of the liquid, which does not escape out of the reservoir in an optimized manner and is therefore liable to excessively water certain areas neighboring the impact while leaving other areas insufficiently wetted by the liquid. In exceptional cases, the flexible tank may not even burst at all on impact, or may only rupture very partially and therefore be ineffective. As a result, it may be necessary to multiply the drops of flexible tanks on the same area to obtain a significant impact on the fire, which is a source of loss of time, efficiency and cost.

Finally, the manufacture of this known flexible reservoir requires special means and skills, in particular to produce the tubular knit which surrounds the internal pocket, which makes the manufacture relatively complex and relatively expensive except for very large-scale manufacture of products all at once. made identical. To produce, on a smaller scale, batches of products with various characteristics, the use of a weft-knit tubular knit is not an optimized solution.

The invention therefore proposes to remedy the various drawbacks set out above and to propose a new flexible reservoir intended to contain a fluid which, while being particularly light, safe, and quick and inexpensive to manufacture, is also particularly effective in its various intended uses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new flexible reservoir whose design allows, when the latter is filled with fluid, to be burst by impact against a surface to achieve an optimized distribution of fluid out of the reservoir.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new flexible reservoir that is particularly reliable, robust and easy to use.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new flexible tank whose design allows manufacture to be easily adaptable to different production scales.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new flexible reservoir capable of temporarily retaining a fluid under excellent safety conditions, without excessive degradation of the latter or leakage.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new flexible tank whose manufacture lends itself particularly well to industrialization with current machines and techniques.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new flexible tank whose production implements available, simple, proven and economical components.

Another object of the invention aims to propose a new flexible reservoir whose design allows manufacture to be easily adaptable to different capacities of fluid.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new flexible tank whose design guarantees very good resistance to the internal pressure of the fluid, even during stacking, storage, transport and handling operations.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new set of flexible reservoirs, the design of which guarantees it an optimized distribution of fluid when the latter is burst on a target surface, while allowing safe temporary storage of a significant quantity of fluid. .

Another object of the invention aims to propose a new method for implementing at least one flexible reservoir or a set of flexible reservoirs, the implementation of which is simple and quick, while allowing excellent distribution of the fluid. on a target surface.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved using a flexible reservoir intended to contain a fluid, comprising at least:
- an internal membrane sealed to said fluid, and intended to form a receptacle to contain said fluid, and
- an outer envelope surrounding said receptacle,
said reservoir being characterized in that said outer envelope comprises at least one rupture zone designed to rupture at least along a predetermined rupture line under the effect of an impact of said reservoir filled with fluid against a target surface.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using a set of flexible reservoirs as described above and below, characterized in that it comprises a set of flexible connections, each flexible connection connecting at least the one of said reservoirs to at least one other of said reservoirs.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved using a method of implementing at least one flexible reservoir as described above and below, or using a set of flexible reservoirs as described above and below, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:
- filling of said internal membrane with a fluid,
- closure of said inner membrane containing said fluid, and closure of said outer envelope containing the receptacle,
- projection of the reservoir or of the set of reservoirs against the target surface, so that on impact of the reservoir against the latter, the rupture zone breaks at least along the predetermined rupture line.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear and emerge in more detail on reading the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting examples, in which:

illustrates, in a schematic front view, a flexible tank according to the invention, only the outer casing being visible.

illustrates, according to a schematic side view, a section along the plane AA of the flexible reservoir of Figure 1.

illustrates the same type of section as Figure 2, but where the reservoir of Figure 1 is crashing into a target surface to burst and thus release the fluid contained in the reservoir.

illustrates, according to a schematic front view, a tank in accordance with the invention as well as an enlargement of a detail of this tank according to three different embodiments of the outer casing of the tank, where this outer casing is produced, respectively from top to bottom: in a warp-and-weft fabric, in a first knit and in a second knit.

illustrates, according to a schematic front view, a tank in accordance with the invention as well as an enlargement of a detail of this tank according to a particular embodiment of the outer envelope, where the latter is made of non-woven textile woven with a predetermined rupture zone formed by a row of pre-rips or perforations.

illustrates, according to a schematic perspective view, the reservoir of FIG. 1 with a longitudinal rupture line, on a generatrix of the cylindrical reservoir, optimal with regard to the dispersion of the fluid.

illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, an example of a reservoir with a radial, that is to say circumferential, rupture line that is not optimal with regard to the dispersion of the fluid.

illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, a method of making a tank according to the invention, and more specifically the making of its outer casing.

illustrates, in a schematic front view, the tank in accordance with the invention resulting from the process of FIG. 8.

illustrates, according to a schematic side view, a section along the plane AA of an embodiment of the outer casing of the tank of FIG. 9 with overlapping edges.

illustrates a detail of the means of joining by sewing the edges of the outer envelope of figure 10.

illustrates, according to a schematic side view, a detail of a section along the plane AA, representing yet another means of joining by sewing the edges of the outer envelope of Figure 9.

illustrates, according to a schematic side view, a detail of a section along the plane AA, representing yet another means of joining by sewing the edges of the outer casing of the tank of Figure 9.

illustrates, according to a schematic side view, a detail of a section along the plane AA, representing yet another means of joining by sewing with binding tape of the edges of the outer envelope of the tank of Figure 9.

illustrates, according to a schematic side view, a detail of a section along the plane AA, representing yet another means of joining by stitching with binding tape of the superimposed edges of the outer envelope of the tank of Figure 9.

illustrates, according to a schematic sectional view along plane A, another embodiment by gluing the superimposed edges of the outer envelope of the tank of Figure 9.

illustrates, according to a schematic side view, a detail of a section along the plane AA, representing yet another means of joining by gluing with connecting strips of the edges of the outer envelope of the tank of Figure 9.

illustrates, according to a schematic side view, a detail of a section along the plane AA, representing yet another means of joining by sewing with connecting strip of less resistance of the edges of the outer envelope of the tank of Figure 9, then the rupture on impact of the connecting strip which thus constitutes the rupture zone.

illustrates, according to a schematic side view, a detail of a section along the plane AA, representing yet another means of joining by sewing with connecting strip of less resistance of the edges of the outer envelope of the tank of Figure 9, then the rupture on impact of the connecting strip which thus constitutes the rupture zone.

illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, an alternative tank according to the invention.

illustrates, in a schematic top view, a first embodiment of a set of flexible reservoirs according to the invention.

illustrates, in a schematic top view, a second embodiment of a set of flexible reservoirs according to the invention.

illustrates, according to a schematic perspective view, a stack of flexible tanks of Figure 20.

As illustrated in the figures, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a flexible reservoir 1 intended to contain a fluid 2. Said fluid can be a gas or a liquid, or even a mixture of the two. Said fluid 2 can for example comprise water, a fire-fighting fluid (intended to delay or extinguish a fire), or any other fluid suitable for the intended function, or a mixture of these. In particular, in the context of the invention, the intended functions of the reservoir 1 filled with fluid may involve:
- the storage of the fluid 2;
- the transport of the fluid 2;
- A stack of several tanks 1 on top of each other;
- an impact against a target surface followed by a bursting of the tank 1, for example after manual projection or dropping from an aircraft of the latter to empty it of said fluid 2.

According to the invention, the flexible tank 1 comprises at least:
- an internal membrane 3 sealed to said fluid 2, and intended to form a receptacle to contain said fluid 2, and
- An outer envelope 4 surrounding said receptacle.

Thus, advantageously, the internal membrane 3 provides a sealing function to the fluid 2 of the tank 1, that is to say that it makes it possible to retain said fluid 2 within said tank 1, and more precisely within said receptacle, as illustrated in Figure 2 in particular. Preferably, said outer casing 4 covers the entirety of said inner membrane 3. Said outer casing 4 thus advantageously performs a function of mechanical resistance of reservoir 1. In other words, said outer casing 4 is preferably much more physically resistant than said internal membrane 3 and prevents the latter from bursting not only when it is subjected to the internal pressure caused by the fluid 2 which it contains, but also when the reservoir 1 is subjected to external stresses, in particular when it is handled for movement, storage, or when stacked with other equivalent flexible tank 1 or placed under other stacking objects so as to bear their weight. In particular, the flexible tank 1 is clearly distinguished from objects not specifically designed for the temporary storage and transport of fluid 2 (as well as the use of said fluid 2 by spraying the tank 1, as will be seen below) such as such as balloons, bottles, cans, barrels, cans, inner tubes, bouncy castles, etc. Preferably, the dimensions of said inner membrane 3 are smaller than the dimensions of said outer casing 4, said dimensions being considered in the same respective directions. In summary, the flexible reservoir 1 advantageously comprises at least a first layer, formed by the internal membrane 3, which seals against the fluid 2, and a second layer formed by the said external casing 4, advantageously surrounding the said first layer. and preferably pressed against the latter (although the interposition of a third intermediate layer is possible), the outer casing 4 providing the main part of the mechanical strength of the flexible reservoir 1, in particular when it is filled with fluid 2 Of course, the reservoir 1 can optionally comprise other layers, and it is also possible for the internal membrane 3 and/or the external casing 4 to be (are) each formed by a plurality of respective layers. Preferably, said outer casing 4 and inner membrane 3 are substantially flexible, flaccid, advantageously devoid of their own mechanical strength (in particular in bending), and therefore not rigid, but said outer casing 4 is much more resistant to traction than the inner membrane 3. Said outer casing 4 is therefore advantageously intended to ensure the relative solidity of said flexible tank 1. The flexible tank 1 only takes on a determined shape (for example of a cylinder or a cushion) once it has been sufficiently filled with fluid 2, unlike the rigid fluid reservoirs 2 which themselves have a non flaccid outer shape, with their own mechanical strength, even when they are not filled or when they are empty. The vacuum storage of flexible tanks 1 of this invention is particularly space-saving.

Preferably, said internal membrane 3 is mainly made of a polymer. For example, said polymer is selected from the group comprising: polyethylene (preferably low density), polymers based on ethylene-propylene-diene monomer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, glucose polymers such as vegetable starch. Preferably, said outer envelope 4 is mainly made of a flexible textile material, such as a warp-and-weft fabric, a knit, or a non-woven fabric, or even an assembly of these. Said outer envelope 4 can be made from synthetic fibers (for example, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, etc.) and/or artificial (for example viscose, etc.) and/or of plant origin (for example, cotton, linen, etc.) and/or of animal origin (such as, for example, without limitation, wool, etc.). Said textile material preferably comes from a flexible flat surface of woven, knitted or non-woven textile.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reservoir 1 generally has the shape of a cylinder when it is filled with fluid 2, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 19, 21 and 22. However, other configurations are possible, and the reservoir 1 can also have another shape when it is filled with fluid 2, and can for example have the shape of a cushion, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 23. Advantageously, the reservoir 1 filled with fluid 2 has a substantially elongated shape. In a particularly advantageous manner, the outer casing 4 at least partly defines the shape of the reservoir 1, and has substantially the same cylinder shape as the reservoir 1 filled with fluid 2. More advantageously, the inner membrane 3 filled with fluid 2 has the same shape as the reservoir 1 and the outer casing 4. More specifically, the inner membrane 3 filled with fluid 2 perfectly matches the shape of the outer casing 4 (and more exactly the internal space thereof) and more generally the shape of the tank 1. Advantageously, and in particular in the case of cylindrical tank 1, the tank 1 filled with fluid has a substantially elongated shape, this shape being preferentially continuous over at least part of its length L (c′ that is to say with a substantially identical cross section over at least a portion of the length L of the tank 1), with the exception of the two longitudinal ends 8 of the tank 1. These two longitudinal ends 8 are not shown in Figures 6 , 7 and 8. So that the resistance to rupture of the tank 1 is based solely on the mechanical strength of the casing 4, it is particularly preferable that in a filling situation of the tank 1, said internal membrane 3 has a maximum internal volume which is greater by at least 5% than that of said outer envelope 4. Thus, each maximum internal volume, or useful volume, respectively, of the inner membrane 3 or of the outer envelope 4, is for example the maximum volume ( fluid 2 in particular) that may contain the inner membrane 3 or the outer envelope 4 before bursting. Thus, it is preferable that the respective dimensions (at rest and/or at maximum stretch) of said internal membrane 3 be greater by at least 5% than the corresponding respective dimensions of said external envelope 4. If the reverse were applied, the internal membrane 3 would risk bursting even before occupying the entire maximum internal volume of the external casing 4, and the latter could not ensure the mechanical strength of the reservoir 1. Advantageously, the internal volume (maximum or not) of said membrane internal 3 forms said receptacle and is intended to be occupied by said fluid 2, while the internal volume (maximum or not) of said external envelope 4 is intended to contain said internal membrane 3 filled with fluid 2.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, said outer casing 4 comprises at least one rupture zone 5 designed to rupture at least along a predetermined rupture line 6 under the effect of an impact of said reservoir 1 filled with fluid 2 against a target surface 7. In other words, preferentially, the rupture zone 5 is designed to provide a predictable, desired rupture line 6, the outer envelope 4 and more generally the reservoir 1 bursting first according to the rupture line 6 when the tank 1 violently strikes the target surface 7, advantageously so as to spread the fluid 2 over the latter in a desired, optimized manner, and in particular with the most uniform distribution possible. The target surface 7 is for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, formed by a zone of the ground. The target surface 7 can equally well be an area of a building or any other construction. The reservoir 1 of the invention is thus advantageously intended to be projected, thrown or dropped mechanically or manually against the target surface 7 in order to spread said fluid 2 against and close to the latter in a predetermined, optimized manner, thanks to the break line 6 predetermined. Said target surface 7 is preferably solid (and in particular more solid than reservoir 1 filled with fluid 2), with its own mechanical strength and in particular a certain rigidity, and is preferably neither flaccid nor fluid. Of course, advantageously, the rupture of the outer envelope 4 almost instantly leads to the rupture of the inner membrane 3 which thus allows said fluid 2 to escape.

Advantageously, when the reservoir 1 is filled with fluid, it has sufficient resistance not to burst when at least one other flexible reservoir also filled with fluid is placed on it. More generally, when the tank 1 is filled with fluid, it preferably has sufficient resistance not to burst during filling, storage, stacking, loading and (at the beginning) of the projection while presenting a relative fragility to burst systematically on impact on the target surface 7 (that is to say at the end of the projection). Thus, the outer casing 4 is strong enough to support, when the tank 1 is filled with fluid 2, one or more objects stacked on it, like other similar tanks 1, but sufficiently fragile, thanks to the rupture zone 5 provided , to burst properly and systematically when sufficient impact is applied against the outer casing 4 (and more generally against the reservoir 1 filled with fluid 2).

Preferably, said flexible reservoir 1 filled with fluid 2 has three different dimensions extending along three different directions, including at least one main dimension P extending along a main direction of extension E , for example a length L extending along a longitudinal direction H (horizontal in the figures), said main dimension P being at least greater than one of said other two dimensions (for example a width, a thickness or a first diameter D ₁ ), and preferably greater than said two other dimensions (for example a first diameter D ₁ and a second diameter D ₂ , or else a thickness and a width).

Said predetermined line of rupture 6 is advantageously parallel to or merged with said main direction of extension E . Preferably, said three different dimensions are perpendicular to each other, and formed, for example in the case where the reservoir 1 filled with fluid 2 has the overall shape of a cylinder, by a length L of the cylinder, a first diameter D ₁ of this last and possibly a second diameter D ₂ of the cylinder, said second diameter D ₂ being perpendicular to said first diameter D ₁ . According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 in particular, the reservoir 1 filled with fluid 2 generally has the shape of a cylinder with an elliptical base (natural deformation by the law of gravity of a flexible envelope, filled with liquid, placed on the ground or stacked). In the latter case, the first diameter D1 is the minor axis of the elliptical base, and the second diameter D ₂ is the major axis of the elliptical base. Reservoir 1 filled with fluid 2 can also have the shape of a cylinder with a circular base (straight cylinder).

According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in particular in FIGS. 3 to 6, said predetermined breaking line 6 is formed at least by one (line) generating said cylinder. Thus, the tank 1 of cylindrical shape preferably has a wall whose (outer) surface is generated by a generating line whose movement follows a closed guideline, said closed guideline therefore being preferably substantially elliptical, and alternatively substantially circular. Thus, the tank 1 of cylindrical shape has a preferably circular or elliptical cross-section. Said generating line, or more precisely generating line, can be a straight line (or more precisely a straight line segment, the tank 1 of cylindrical shape having a finished shape), or a slightly curved line falling within a sagittal plane of the cylindrical tank 1 . This last configuration is explained by the fact that, in practice, the reservoir 1 of cylindrical shape filled with fluid 2 is often slightly domed in its center. Thus, the tank 1 filled with fluid 2, being in particular cylindrical in shape, bursts against said target surface 7 so as to open first along a line extending longitudinally to said tank 1 and more precisely to said envelope external 4, and therefore preferably along a generatrix of the cylindrical tank 1 as shown in Figure 6, and not along a circumferential line of the cylindrical tank 1 as shown in Figure 7, and not either at one of the longitudinal ends of said tank 1. The bursting of the tank 1 at the level of said generatrix is particularly advantageous for obtaining a good distribution of fluid in and/or around the target surface 7. Preferably, the internal membrane 3 provides only the sealing function (without any solidity), and it burst almost instantly just after the outer envelope 4.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the outer casing 4 is, like the reservoir 1, of cylindrical shape, and more exactly forms the outer surface of the reservoir 1. When the cylindrical reservoir 1 is projected against the target surface 7 , it preferably comes into contact with the latter via the side wall of the cylinder (and not an end or a base of the cylinder), and thus the tank 1, and more precisely the outer envelope 4, deforms by crushing, flattening against said target surface 7, the eccentricity of a cross-section (therefore of elliptical shape) of the tank 1 being thereby increased, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the arrow indicating the direction of the fall or the projection of the cylindrical tank 1. In this configuration, it is advantageous for the outer casing 4, which is therefore cylindrical in shape, to be designed so that the rupture zone 5 is at the level of a longitudinal portion of the cylinder having a small radius of curvature (compared to the rest of the cylinder), to the right and/or to the left of the crushed cylinder as illustrated in FIG. 3, the rupture line 6 being formed by a generatrix of this portion with a small radius of curvature. Such a configuration allows optimal pouring of the fluid 2 onto said target surface 7. Thus, in this last configuration, the rupture zone 5 is advantageously predefined to be formed by a longitudinal portion of the cylindrical tank 1 (and more precisely of the casing external 4 cylindrical), that is to say a zone located on either side of a generatrix of the cylinder, but is nevertheless not necessarily visible as such as long as the tank 1 has not been burst against said target surface 7. In other words, this configuration provides that any generatrix of the cylinder formed by the outer envelope 4 (and more generally by the tank 1) can become said rupture line 6 as long as it is located in the rupture zone 5 defined by a small radius of curvature of the cylindrical tank 1 during the crushing of the latter against said target surface 7. Even in the case where the tank 1 comes into contact with the target surface 7 in a configuration other than that ideally described by FIG. 3, the impact creates an overpressure in the tank 1, which almost instantaneously causes a rupture of the outer casing 4, and this at the level of said rupture zone 5, c ie preferably on the generatrix 6. This reasoning is possibly applicable to other tanks 1 of the invention which are not cylindrical in shape. Several ways of obtaining this configuration (bursting at the level of a rupture zone 5, and optionally at the level of a generatrix in a zone of small radius of curvature), in particular with a flexible textile material of the knit or warp type fabric- et-frame, will be described later.

According to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, 18 and 19, if it is desired that a generatrix of the cylindrical tank 1 constitutes a line of rupture 6, it is advantageously necessary that the resistance to rupture of the outer envelope 4 in the circumferential direction (that is to say radial, or, in Figures 4 and 5, in the Y direction) is less than the breaking strength in the longitudinal direction H of the cylinder (that is to say, in Figures 4 and 5, in the direction X, same direction as the generatrices). Thus, more generally, in the main dimension of the tank 1 (for example the length L ), that is to say along said main direction of extension E , the outer casing 4 advantageously has a breaking strength greater than the respective breaking strengths defined in the two other dimensions of the reservoir 1 (for example the diameters D ₁ and D ₂ ), in the two other directions.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the outer casing 4 is, like the reservoir 1, cylindrical, and formed either of a fabric 13 (cf. first enlarged detail of FIG. 4), or of a knit 14, the latter being able to be produced in particular according to two different configurations (cf. two last enlarged details of FIG. 4) oriented in such a way as to obtain an orthotropic property (high mechanical resistance in one direction but not in another orthogonal direction) of the breaking strength of the outer shell 4.

According to the embodiment illustrated by the first enlarged detail of Figure 4, starting from top to bottom, said textile material is preferably a warp-and-weft fabric 13, advantageously having a yarn density of between 5 and 50 yarns. per centimeter, in the warp direction and in the weft direction. Said warp-and-weft fabric 13 is preferably formed of yarns having a linear density of between 3.3 and 90 grams per kilometer of yarn. Said warp-and-weft fabric 13 thus advantageously comprises warp threads and weft threads, the respective orientation of which may vary, but which is generally done, in the case of a cylindrical reservoir 1, for some according to the circumference of the cylinder, and for the others along the main direction of extension E (here the longitudinal direction H ). More generally, some of the warp threads and weft threads (for example the warp threads) are preferably generally oriented along said main extension direction E , and called main extension threads 15, while the others of said warp threads and weft threads (for example the weft threads) are generally oriented according to at least one other of said two other directions, and called support threads 16. Thus, when the warp threads form the main extension threads 15, the weft yarns form the support yarns 16 (preferred embodiment), and conversely, when the weft yarns form the main extension yarns 15, the warp yarns form the support yarns 16. In FIG. of main extension 15 are the longitudinal wires 15 of the cylinder, and are shown horizontally, while the supporting wires 16 are the circumferential wires 16 of the cylinder, and are shown vertically in the first enlarged detail.

Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, over a considered portion of the outer envelope 4, or over the whole thereof, the sum of the tensile strength of the main extension wires 15 is preferably greater than the sum of the tensile strength of the support wires 16. By " portion considered " of the outer casing 4 is preferably understood a square of the outer casing 4, taken from the side wall of the outer casing 4 in particular in the case of a cylindrical tank 1. For example, in the first enlarged detail of FIG. 4, the longitudinal threads 15 are thicker than the circumferential threads 16, and therefore more resistant here (for threads of the same nature). More generally, the main extension wires 15 preferably have a higher linear mass (and therefore generally, for wires of the same nature, a thickness and a greater resistance) than that of said support wires 16. This applies in particular to the case where, in the warp-and-weft fabric 13, the main extension yarns 15 have the same distance from each other as the support yarns 16. According to another example, the main extension yarns 15 have a spacing relative to each other less than that of the support son 16, this configuration being particularly advantageous when the main extension son 15 and the support son 16 have a similar linear mass (for son of the same nature at least). Of course, it is also possible to produce combinations of the two examples mentioned above. These last two examples and their combination make it possible to obtain an outer casing 4 whose bursting occurs along said main extension direction E , and in the case of a tank 1 in the form of a cylinder, along said longitudinal direction H and more precisely along a generatrix of the cylinder (which thus forms said rupture line 6).

According to the embodiment illustrated by the second and third enlarged details of FIG. 4, starting from the top downwards, said textile material is a knit 14, for example in warp stitches or in gathered stitches, advantageously having a density of 0 5 to 10 rows of stitches per centimeter in the direction of rows of stitches, and from 0.5 to 10 rows of stitches per centimeter in the direction of columns of stitches, preferably assessed according to standard NF EN 14971 (April 2006) . The knit 14 conventionally comprises columns 17 and rows 18. Said knit 14 is preferably either in warp stitches, with yarns having a linear density of between 3.30 and 90 grams per kilometer of yarn, or in picked stitches with yarns having a linear density of between 3.30 and 90 grams per kilometer of yarn.

According to a first example, illustrated by the second enlarged detail of FIG. 4, the knit 14 has columns of stitches 17 oriented along the main direction of extension E , and more precisely in the case of the cylindrical flexible reservoir 1 in particular, along the longitudinal direction L. In this last configuration, so that the bursting of the reservoir 1 takes place along a rupture line 6 parallel to or coincident with said main direction of extension E , and in the case of the cylindrical flexible reservoir 1 along a generatrix, the number of columns 17 in the knit 14 is preferably greater than the number of rows 18, over a considered portion of the outer envelope 4 (or over the whole of it). Thus, in the particular embodiment of the second enlarged detail of FIG. 4, the Y axis represents the " rows of stitches " direction and the X axis represents the " columns of stitches " direction, the X axis being coincident or parallel with the main extension direction E , and the Y axis being perpendicular to the X axis. According to a second example, illustrated by the third and last enlarged detail of FIG. oriented in at least one direction other than the main direction of extension E , and more specifically in the case of the cylindrical flexible reservoir 1 in particular, in a circumferential orientation (that is to say that the columns of meshes advantageously go around of the cylinder). In this last configuration, so that the bursting of the reservoir 1 takes place along a rupture line 6 parallel to or coincident with said main direction of extension E , and in the case of the cylindrical flexible reservoir 1 along a generatrix, the number of rows 18 in the knit 14 is preferably greater than the number of columns 17, over a considered portion of the outer envelope 4 (or over the whole thereof). Thus, in the particular embodiment of the second enlarged detail of FIG. 4, the Y axis represents the “ rows of columns ” direction and the X axis represents the “ columns of stitches ” direction, the X axis being coincident or parallel with the main direction of extension E , and the Y axis perpendicular to the X axis. Columns of mesh 17 and rows of mesh 18 are indicated in the second and third enlarged details of Figure 4, purely for illustrative purposes and not limiting, the actual scales not necessarily being respected.

It is also possible to produce predetermined rupture zones 5 which are clearly visible even before the reservoir 1 bursts. breaking strength (for example the non-woven fabric described below).

Thus, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, said rupture zone 5 comprises a plurality of openings 19 aligned in order to produce said predetermined rupture line 6. This case is particularly advantageous when said textile material is a non-woven textile 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5, although it is also applicable in the other cases (isotropic textile material in warp-and-weft fabric with resistance to similar breaking strength in the warp direction and the weft direction, and/or in a knit having a similar breaking strength in the column direction and the row direction). Preferably, said openings 19 are aligned in a direction parallel to or coincident with said main direction of extension E .

Advantageously, the outer envelope 4 has a mass per square meter of between 20 g/m ² and 200 g/m ² , preferably evaluated according to the ISO 3801 standard (September 1977). Preferably, said outer casing 4 has a thickness of between 0.15 and 4 mm, preferably evaluated according to standard NF EN ISO 5084 (November 1996). Said textile material is in particular formed of threads having a linear density of between 3.3 and 90 grams per kilometer of thread. Of course, the choice of the various characteristics such as the linear mass of yarn, the surface mass of the textile material, and the thickness of the outer envelope 4, advantageously depends on the desired dimensioning of the reservoir 1 (and more precisely of the envelope external 4), whether cylindrical or not, as well as the nature of the fluid 2 that it is intended to contain. Advantageously, the flexible tank 1 is designed to contain between 3 and 3000 liters of fluid 2, preferably temporarily. Preferably, said internal membrane 3 has a thickness of between 0.15 and 4 mm, preferably evaluated according to standard NF EN 13206 (April 2017). Said outer casing 4 preferably has an overall tensile strength of between 100 and 5000 centinewtons per centimeter, advantageously evaluated according to standard NF EN ISO 13934 (13934-1, July 2013, and/or 13934-2, April 2014 ). The various parameters mentioned above make it possible to obtain an excellent compromise between the necessary resistance of the flexible reservoir 1 and its controlled bursting during an impact.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 8 to 19, said outer casing 4 has a first edge 9 and a second edge 10 joined together by a joining means 11 at a joining zone 12. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to manufacture the reservoir 1 simply, quickly and with controlled costs, in particular in the case of a cylindrical reservoir 1 and/or for small quantities. Said internal membrane 3 can be produced in the same way (and preferably by gluing, as illustrated in FIGS. 16, 17 and 19), or manufactured directly so as to form said receptacle in the form of a cylindrical sheath open at two opposite ends (including one is provided for the entry of fluid 2 inside said internal membrane 3 when the other opposite end is closed). In the case where the outer envelope 4 is a knit 14, it can also be made directly with a tubular knit shape (which is therefore generally cylindrical in shape) without edge junction other than the two longitudinal ends 8 of the cylinder. whose respective edges are closed on themselves. Alternatively, the outer envelope 4 can be made from a flat surface of knitting, by sewing or gluing for example (such a configuration being compatible with the examples illustrated in Figures 8 to 19 described in more detail below).

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10, 11, 13, 15 and 16, said junction zone 12 comprises a superposition of said first and second edges 9, 10. The superposition can for example be formed by a simple superposition of said first and second edges 9, 10 one above the other, as in Figures 10 and 11, or a winding of the two edges 9, 10 around each other, as shown in Figure 13.

In the alternative illustrated in Figures 11 to 15 and 18, said joining means 11 comprises at least one seam 21, which preferably comprises at least one seam line 21. Said seam 21 can in particular be made at the superposition. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12, the first and second edges 9, 10 do not overlap but are simply sewn together edge-to-edge, each edge 9, 10 having a free end pointing in or out. exterior of the outer casing 4.

In the alternative illustrated in FIGS. 16, 17 and 19, said joining means 11 comprises at least one bonding of said first and second edges 9, 10 to one another, with addition of sticky material 22 or without addition of material such as welding by ultrasound. In the latter case, the outer casing 4 or at least its first and second edges 9, 10 are formed from a thermofusible material. In the examples of Figures 16, 17 and 19, the bonding involves a supply of sticky material 22 making it possible to secure between them said first and second edges 9, 10, thus forming the junction zone 12. Said bonding can be carried out in particular at the level of the superposition, as is clearly visible in FIG. 17 in particular, said addition of material 22 therefore being advantageously between said first and second edges 9, 10. Of course, it is entirely possible, although this is not not illustrated here, that the joining means 11 comprises a combination of the means mentioned above and below (gluing, stitching 21, connecting strip 23, etc.). According to another alternative, when the joining means 11 includes at least one thermal or chemical bond, it does not include a seam 21.

According to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19, said joining means 11 comprises at least one connecting strip 23. Of course, said joining means 11 may possibly comprise several connecting strips 23, such as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. Each connecting strip 23 is advantageously attached both to the first and to the second edge 9, 10 to secure them together, preferably via said seam 21 and/or said bonding.

In the embodiment of Figures 14, 15 and 17, the connecting strip 23 also forms a reinforcing strip, said junction zone 12 then not forming said rupture zone 5 since it is more resistant (in particular to traction) than the rest of said outer envelope 4. For example, in Figure 14, the joining means 11 comprises two connecting strips 23 sewn together using said seam 21, each connecting strip 23 being sewn to both edges 9, 10, one of the strips 23 being located outside of said outer envelope 4 and the other of the strips 23 being located inside of said outer envelope 4. In FIG. 15, the configuration of the joining means 11 is the same as in Figure 14, except that the joining means 11 here comprises a third connecting strip 23 interposed between said first and second edges 9, 10, and sewn to said two other connecting strips 23 using said seam 21. According to another example, illustrated in FIG. 17, the joining means 11 comprises two connecting strips 23 facing each other and two fillers of sticky material 22, each filler of material 22 joining together by gluing the first edge 9 to the second edge 10 via a respective connecting strip 23, on either side of the outer casing 4, the first and second edges 9, 10 not touching here.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, said junction zone 12 constitutes said predetermined break zone 5. This is preferably provided between the first and second edges 9, 10, or substantially at the level of the latter. In this last configuration, the connecting strip 23 makes it possible to secure (alone or in combination with other connecting strips 23) said first and second edges 9, 10, and is designed to present a determined resistance so as to tear when sufficient pressure is exerted on the outer casing 4, thus undoing said junction zone 12 and separating said first and second edges 9, 10 from each other. The connecting strip 23 then preferably forms a zone of less resistance (in particular to traction) than the rest of said outer casing 4. FIGS. 18 and 19 each have a respective junction zone 12, with a connecting strip 23 respectively sewn and glued, each connecting strip 23 then being, on the impact of the reservoir 1 on the target surface 7, torn into two pieces so as to separate the first and second edges 9, 10 from each other, thus allowing the almost instantaneous bursting of the internal membrane 3, which releases said fluid 2 out of said reservoir 1 in an optimized manner, ideally along a generatrix of the cylinder when reservoir 1 is cylindrical in shape. Thus, said junction zone 12 extends, in general, preferably longitudinally on either side of a generatrix of the cylinder when the tank 1 is cylindrical, such a configuration being illustrated at least in all the embodiments shown in figures 10 to 19.

Optionally, the junction zone 12 further comprises a retaining or protective strip 26 per connecting strip 23. Each retaining or protective strip 26 is preferably attached, by stitching 21 or by gluing in particular (with addition of material 22 by example) as illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, both to one of said edges 9, 10 and / or to the connecting strip 23. Thus, advantageously, at least part of said connecting strip 23 is clamped between said edge 9, 10 in question and said retaining or protective strip 26. Such a configuration makes it possible to avoid unwanted detachment of the retaining strip 23, especially in the case where the latter forms the rupture zone 5.

According to an alternative not illustrated, said rupture zone 5 is formed by a localized under-thickness of said outer envelope 4, for example at the time of weaving (in the case of a fabric 13) with a change in the number of threads per cm or by using a yarn with lower breaking strength. For example, said outer casing 4 has over most of its surface a thickness equal to or greater than 3 mm, while it has over a reduced portion of its surface a thickness equal to or less than 2 mm, the reduced portion of its surface with a thickness equal to or less than 2 mm forming said rupture zone 5, which preferably extends on either side of said rupture line 6.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a set 24 of flexible reservoirs 1 as described above. The assembly 24 comprises according to the invention a set of flexible connections 25, each flexible connection 25 connecting at least one of said reservoirs 1 to at least one other of said reservoirs 1, as illustrated in Figures 21 and 22. reservoir 1 is of course also valid for assembly 24, and vice versa.

According to a first example, the assembly 24 of tanks 1 comprises several rows of tanks 1 extending one behind the other, in their longitudinal directions when the tanks 1 are cylindrical, and several columns of tanks extending perpendicular to said rows, the flexible connections 25 making it possible to connect each reservoir 1 of the assembly 24 to the reservoirs 1 of the columns and rows immediately adjacent to said reservoir 1 considered, as illustrated in FIG. 21. The assembly 24 is then assimilated for example to a grid whose horizontal segments are formed by the tanks 1 while the flexible connections provide the vertical segments and the intersections of the grid to connect all the tanks 1 together.

According to another example, illustrated in FIG. 22, the assembly 24 of reservoirs 1 comprises reservoirs 1 attached to each other in the manner of links of a chain thanks to said flexible connections 25, each flexible connection 25 connecting only two tanks 1 set. When the tanks 1 are cylindrical, the flexible connections can be attached to their ends 8 (this being also true for other configurations including that illustrated in figure 21).

According to a third aspect, the invention further relates to a method for implementing at least one flexible tank 1 as described above, or a set 24 of flexible tanks 1 as described above. The previous description concerning the reservoir 1 and the assembly 24 of reservoirs 1 is of course also valid for the method of implementation, and vice versa.

The implementation method according to the invention comprises at least the following steps:
- filling of said internal membrane 3 with a fluid 2,
- closing of said internal membrane 3 containing said fluid 2, and closing of said outer envelope 4 containing the receptacle,
- projection of the reservoir 1 or of the assembly 24 of reservoirs 1 against the target surface 7, so that on the impact of the reservoir 1 against the latter, the rupture zone 5 breaks at least along the rupture line 6 predetermined.

The step of closing the inner membrane 3 and the step of closing the outer envelope 4 can be carried out, for example, by heat-sealing, sewing, knotting and/or tightening, in particular using an elastic ring. , at least one string and one knot, one or more clips in metal or plastic ring(s), or even a clamp (with screws in particular, in particular of Serflex ^® type), on one end respectively of the inner membrane 3 and of the outer envelope 4. Preferably, at the end of said step of closing said outer envelope 4, said inner membrane 3 is wrapped by said outer envelope 4.

Preferably the step of closing said inner membrane 3 comprises closing one end of said inner membrane 3, while the step of closing said outer envelope comprises closing one end of said inner membrane 3. The implementation method can advantageously include a step of introducing the inner membrane 3 within said outer envelope 4, the two closed ends being positioned on the same side. More preferably still, the method of implementation comprises a vacuum storage step of the assembly formed by the outer casing 4 and the inner membrane 3 introduced therein, each closed at a single respective end. The method of implementation then more advantageously still comprises a final step of closing the remaining respective open ends of said inner membrane 3 and of said outer envelope 4, one after the other or simultaneously. Naturally, the complete closing of said internal membrane 3 is preferably done after it has been filled, which is preferably done via the end that remains open of said internal membrane 3.

Of course, the implementation method can include a transport step to a place of use (close to the target surface 7 therefore).

The flexible tank 1 (and/or the assembly 24 of tanks 1) of the invention is particularly suitable for extinguishing fire by impact, following its projection towards the target site (and more precisely against the target surface 7) . The target surface 7 can for example be part of the ground or of a construction, such as a building. The flexible tank 1 of the invention, as well as the assembly 24 and the implementation method, are particularly suitable for extinguishing or preventing fires in arid areas or in areas that are difficult to access, in particular in making a temporary storage of water. This makes it possible to fight at a modest cost against possible, imminent or present fires.

Claims (20)

Flexible tank (1) intended to contain a fluid (2), comprising at least:

• an internal membrane (3) sealed to said fluid (2), and intended to form a receptacle to contain said fluid (2), and
• an outer casing (4) surrounding said receptacle,

said reservoir being characterized in that said outer casing (4) comprises at least one rupture zone (5) designed to rupture at least along a predetermined rupture line (6) under the effect of an impact of said reservoir filled with fluid (2) against a target surface (7). Flexible tank (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flexible tank (1) filled with fluid (2) has three different dimensions extending in three different directions, of which at least one main dimension (P) is extending along a main extension direction (E), for example a length (L) extending along a longitudinal direction (H), said main dimension (P) being at least greater than one of said other two dimensions, said predetermined line of rupture (6) being parallel or coincident with said main direction of extension (E). Flexible tank (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it generally has the shape of a cylinder when it is filled with fluid (2), and in that the said predetermined rupture line (6) is formed at the less by a generator of said cylinder. Flexible tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said outer casing (4) has a first edge (9) and a second edge (10) joined together by a joining means (11) at the level of a junction zone (12). Flexible tank (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the junction zone (12) constitutes the said predetermined rupture zone (5). Flexible tank (1) according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the said junction zone (12) comprises a superposition of the said first and second edges (9, 10). Flexible tank (1) according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the said joining means (11) comprises at least one seam (21). Flexible tank (1) according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the said joining means (11) comprises at least one bonding of the said first and second edges 9, 10 to one another, with addition of sticky material (22 ) or without addition of material such as ultrasonic welding. Flexible tank (1) according to any one of Claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the said joining means (11) comprises at least one connecting strip (23) attached both to the first and to the second edge (9, 10) to secure them together. Flexible tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said internal membrane (3) is mainly made of a polymer. Flexible tank (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said polymer is chosen from the group comprising: low density polyethylene, polymers based on ethylene-propylene-diene monomer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, glucose polymers such as vegetable starch for example. Flexible tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said outer casing (4) is mainly made of a flexible textile material. Flexible tank (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said textile material is a warp-and-weft fabric (13) having a thread density of between 5 and 50 threads per centimeter, in the warp direction and in the weft, said warp-and-weft fabric 13 preferably being formed of yarns having a linear density of between 3.3 and 90 grams per kilometer of yarn. Flexible tank (1) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the said textile material is a knit (14) having a density of 0.5 to 10 rows of stitches per centimeter in the direction of the rows of stitches, and of 0.5 with 10 rows of stitches per centimeter in the direction of columns of stitches, said knit (14) being either in warp stitches, with yarns having a linear density of between 3.30 and 90 grams per kilometer of yarn, or in picked stitches with yarns having a linear density of between 3.30 and 90 grams per kilometer of yarn. Flexible tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said rupture zone (5) comprises a plurality of perforations (19) aligned in order to produce the said predetermined rupture line (6). Flexible tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said outer casing (4) has a mass per square meter of between 20 g/m ² and 200 g/m ² . Flexible tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said outer casing (4) has a thickness of between 0.15 and 4 mm. Flexible reservoir (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the reservoir (1) is filled, the said internal membrane (3) has a maximum internal volume which is greater by at least 5% than that of said outer casing (4). Set (24) of flexible reservoirs (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a set of flexible connections (25), each flexible connection (25) connecting at least one of the said reservoirs ( 1) to at least one other of said tanks (1). Method of implementing at least one flexible tank (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 18, or a set (24) of flexible tanks (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it includes at least the following steps:

• filling of said internal membrane (3) with a fluid (2),
• closing of said internal membrane (3) containing said fluid (2), and closing of said external envelope (4) containing the receptacle,
• projection of the reservoir (1) or of the set (24) of reservoirs (1) against the target surface (7), so that on impact of the reservoir (1) against the latter, the rupture zone (5 ) breaks at least along the predetermined break line (6).