WO2005108694A1

WO2005108694A1 - Panel assembly method

Info

Publication number: WO2005108694A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/051945
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Remy
Original assignee: Solvay (Société Anonyme)
Priority date: 2004-04-29
Filing date: 2005-04-28
Publication date: 2005-11-17

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of assembling at least two insulating panels (4, 4'), in which one side of each panel is equipped with a section (1, 1') and a flexible membrane (2) is fixed between said two sections (1, 1').

Description

Method of assembling panels

The present application relates to a method of assembling insulating panels, in particular for manufacturing temporary constructions. This system makes it easy to obtain an articulated and sealed connection between panels. In the context of humanitarian aid and recreation in particular, it is often necessary to have shelters, toilets, schools, housing ... and other constructions for a temporary use of varying length (of the order of weeks, months or even years). To this end, it is known to use kits or packages of spare parts comprising in particular insulating panels making it possible to quickly and easily erect such constructions by assembling said panels. However, a problem often encountered with the solutions of the prior art is that of the sealing of these constructions. A known solution to this problem consists in the use of seals, but this solution is often expensive and not always reliable, the seals being able to deteriorate during use, cleaning, etc. Another solution is that described in the request FR 03.13139. In this, a waterproof assembly system is proposed which consists in using membranes protruding or attached by welding or gluing on the panels, which makes it possible to fold the panels together and to make a sort of pre-tent. Assembly. However, the welding or bonding of these membranes is an operation of considerable duration and therefore costly in terms of labor. In addition, the folding angle of the joints obtained is often limited to 90 ° at most. The present application aims to solve this problem by proposing an assembly process leading to a result (a construction or at least: an assembly of at least 2 panels) just as waterproof, but being much faster and easier to implement. , and allowing to obtain a folding angle from o to 180 °. The present application therefore relates to a method for assembling at least two panels consisting in providing one side of each panel with a profile, and in fixing a flexible membrane between the two profiles. The panels used in the context of the invention are preferably insulating panels i.e. mainly (mainly by weight) based on insulating material (s) such as wood, plastic materials ... which does not exclude that part of these panels is based on a non-material insulating such as a metal for example. However, preferably, the panels are mainly based on plastic. In a very particularly preferred manner, the panels are multilayer panels having an expanded plastics core comprised between 2 layers of unexpanded material which may be a plastics material, wood and / or a metal. Preferably, the outer layers are either both based on unexpanded plastic, or one is based on unexpanded plastic and the other based on a metal such as steel, P-aluminum. .. Alternatively, the plastic layer can be replaced by a honeycomb structure or by any other hollow profile of suitable geometry. By "expanded" plastic material is meant a plastic material whose density has been reduced by the addition of additives known as "foaming agents". Such additives are well known in the plastics industry. They can be of various types often grouped into two families: chemical foaming agents and physical foaming agents. You can also mix them. Information can be found on this subject in numerous technical works. Density reductions vary greatly depending on the foaming agent and the amount used. A plastic whose density has been reduced by more than 5%, or even more than 10%, compared to its value without foaming agents, for identical pressure and temperature conditions, is very suitable. The term "unexpanded" plastic means a plastic whose density is close to its value without foaming agents, for identical pressure and temperature conditions. It may or may not contain foaming agents. If it does, it must be in small quantities or the action of the foaming agent must have been prevented, for example by applying pressure. A plastic material whose density has been reduced by less than 5%, possibly less than 10%, relative to its value without foaming agents and for identical pressure and temperature conditions, is very suitable. Many plastics are currently available to form foams: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyurethane. Polyurethane foam is preferred for its qualities of adhesion on many supports (plastic materials, metals, wood, ...), its ease of implementation and its moderate cost. The layers of unexpanded material can be made of polyethylene, polypropylene or PNC (polyvinyl chloride), to cite only so-called convenience polymers. The PNC is nevertheless preferred, given its widespread use, especially in the building sector, for which grades resistant to bad weather and solar radiation exist. Depending on the case, flexible or rigid PNC may be used. It is also very advantageous to combine these two materials, one non-expanded layer being made of flexible PNC, the other of rigid PNC. The use of flexible PNC in the outer layer (the layer which is subject to weathering) makes it possible to take advantage of the renovation possibilities offered by membranes in flexible PNC. During a renovation, the entire panel should not be replaced. It will suffice to cover it by techniques well known for these products with a new layer of membrane. The rigid PNC layer, placed on the inside of the panel, will ensure good rigidity of the panel. Finally, the fact of choosing as a non-expanded external layer a layer of flexible PNC makes it possible to use an extension thereof as a bonding membrane between adjacent panels to be assembled. Good results are obtained with insulating panels having an expanded plastic core based on polyurethane and two layers of unexpanded plastic material based on PNC. According to a preferred embodiment, the insulating panels are multilayer panels having an expanded plastic core based on polyurethane and two layers of unexpanded plastic material based on flexible PNC on the external face and rigid PNC on the face external, the flexible PNC layer projecting from the expanded plastic layer and the rigid PNC layer so as to provide the membrane and to be able to be mechanically fixed, by overflow, on an adjacent panel. This mechanical fixing can be done by gluing, welding, riveting, screwing, etc. According to another preferred embodiment, the panels have a cellular core comprising a honeycomb or cellular structure (perpendicular fabrics in PNC connecting the external walls) based on PNC filled or not with PUR foam and two external layers of PNC. A variant which gives good results in terms of adhesion of the outer layers on the foam, is that in which the two outer layers are integral with a PNC honeycomb filled with PUR foam and are separated by a layer of foam free from honeycomb. Such a structure is the subject of application FR 05.03197 in the name of the applicant, the content of which is incorporated by reference into the present application. Depending on the case, an adhesive may be necessary to ensure adhesion between the different layers of the panel and / or the membrane, if necessary. It may constitute a separate layer between the expanded and unexpanded layers or else be an integral part of the latter. The unexpanded layers of the panel according to this variant of the invention may or may not be reinforced by any well-known technique (for example fibers or fabrics of glass, polyester, etc.). They may include any type of additives well known in plastics to improve certain properties (such as impact resistance, fire resistance, etc.). They may also have undergone a surface treatment or even have been coated or covered with outer layers, for example protective thin layers, in particular protections against solar radiation. These thin layers can also have a decorative purpose (facing). The panels according to the invention generally have a thickness of the order of several mm, or even of the order of cm, depending on the strength / duration desired for the construction for which they are intended. The insulating panels used in the method according to the invention have a profile fixed on at least one of their sides. By “profile” is meant a part generally made of plastic or metal, the shape of which is suitable for being fixed on one side, on an insulating panel (and preferably on an entire side thereof) and on the other side, to a junction membrane. A hollow profile, into which the panel is inserted and then mechanically fixed (by gluing, welding, riveting, clipping ...) is very suitable. This profile is preferably made of PNC or aluminum. As for the junction membrane, it is preferably also made of plastic and very particularly preferably, of flexible PNC. By "membrane" is meant both a sheet, a plate or even, a profile, provided that it is a substantially thin and flexible object. This membrane may be smooth (in which case the profile will preferably be provided with lips capable of being clipped tightly onto this membrane). Preferably, however, it comprises at least one of its ends (edges side), a relief capable of cooperating with a complementary relief on the profile of the panels, to obtain a sealed connection. A form of relief which is well suited is that of a rod secured to one of the edges of the membrane, and cooperating with a groove secured to the profile. The term “rod” is intended to denote a kind of solid cable / wire, of elongated shape and generally cylindrical (which does not exclude the presence of growths or depressions, grooves, bumps, etc.). These rods can be molded in one piece with the membrane or constitute (or form part of) a separate part, secured to the membrane by welding. Preferably, the rods are either molded in one piece with the membrane, or secured to a profile (which can be a simple extruded strip) which is welded to the membrane. According to this variant, the membrane / profile junction can be made by clipping or sliding the rods in a groove provided for this purpose in the profiles. The method according to the invention can be used to produce any assemblies / constructions, but because of its speed of assembly and disassembly, is well suited in the context of the manufacture of temporary constructions. By "temporary construction" is meant a construction with a limited lifespan, less than that of masonry constructions (in bricks, concrete ...) but which can reach several years anyway. The present invention also relates to a kit for the manufacture of temporary constructions, and comprising: panels having a profile provided with a groove fixed on at least one of their sides; membranes having a rod integral with at least one of their sides, the rod of the membranes being able to be clipped or slid into the groove of the profile of the panels. By “clipped”, we mean in fact inserted with deformation of at least one of the parts (generally, the groove of the profile) while by “sliding”, we mean inserted without deformation as is the case for example when the groove is in fact a closed, hollow cylinder, into which the rod can only be inserted by being slid by one of the ends. The constituent materials of the elements of this kit (panels, profiles, membranes) are preferably as described above. The membranes preferably include a relief (rod) on two of their opposite sides. The invention is illustrated in a schematic and nonlimiting manner by FIG. 1. It shows two panels (4, 4 ') assembled in accordance with the invention and so as to ensure an angular folding of 0 to 180 ° between them. The assembly is carried out using a flexible membrane (2) comprising at its two ends, an extradited circular rod (3) allowing the connection to rigid profiles (1, l) integral with the panels (4, 4 ').

Claims

R E V EN D I C A T I O N S

1 - Method for assembling at least two insulating panels (4, 4 ') consisting in providing one side of each panel with a profile (1, 1'), and in fixing a flexible membrane (2) between the two profiles (1, l '). 2 - Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the panels (4, 4 ') have an expanded plastic core based on polyurethane (PUR) and two layers of unexpanded plastic material based on polyvinyl chloride (PNC).

3 - Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the profile (1, l ') is a hollow profile in which the panel (4, 4') is inserted and then mechanically fixed.

4 - Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the profile (1, l ') is PNC or aluminum. 5 - Process according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the membrane (2) is made of flexible PNC. - <6 - A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane (2) comprises at least one of its edges, a relief (3) adapted to cooperate with a complementary relief on the profile (1, l ) panels (4, 4 ') to ensure a tight connection. 7 - Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the relief of the membrane (3) is a rod and the complementary relief of the profile (1, the) is a groove.

8 - Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the rod (3) is either molded in one piece with the membrane (2), or integral with a profile which is welded to the membrane.

9 - The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the rod (3) is clipped or slid into the groove.

10 - Kit for the manufacture of temporary constructions by a process according to any one of claims 6 to 9, and comprising: panels (4, 4 ') having a profile (1, l') provided with a groove fixed on at least one of their sides; membranes (2) having a rod (3) secured to at least one of their sides,

the rod (3) of the membranes being able to be clamped or slipped into the groove of the profile (1, l ') of the panels.