Module with drainage characteristics and roof system incorporating such module

Abstract

The invention relates to a module (1) comprising a main body (2) in the form of a grid plate having a honeycomb structure, and a side face (3) made of a non-woven material attached to a surface of the plate (2) corresponding to its upper surface and completely covering the plate, preferably beyond at least two transverse sides (4, 4 ', 4' ') of the plate (2). The module (1) is characterized in that the non-woven material forming the side faces (3) has capillary action properties and the side faces (3) comprise at least one transverse portion (5), the sheet (3) has a transverse portion (5) extending along a side of at least one of the transverse sides (4, 4 ', 4' ', 4 ''') of the plate (2) and beyond an edge of the side to at least a plane in which the lower surface (2'' ') of the plate is located, at least one portion (5) of the nonwoven material constituting a core for lifting liquid by capillary action to a portion (3') of the sheet (3) resting on the upper surface of the plate (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of building systems and equipment, in particular building systems and equipment for flat roof structures, which are traffic-resistant or other forms (such as green roofs), and the present invention relates to modules with honeycomb structures with drainage properties and roof systems incorporating such modules. Background Art

[0002] Modules in the form of panels or sheets with ultra-lightweight cellular structures (ULCS) have been widely used in buildings, landscaping, traffic-resistant surfaces, etc.

[0003] In practice, these structured panels or sheets, whose cells have a polyhedral shape with a polygonal and preferably hexagonal (honeycomb) cross section, are used to form an intermediate layer to achieve a large hollow volume, high compressive strength (in a direction perpendicular to the relative surfaces of the sheet, i.e. in the direction of the axis of the cells) and low weight.

[0004] Applicant's The system (registered trademark) is an example of an application, and the case of a flat roof with temporary rainwater retention is schematically shown in cross section in FIG. 1 of document FR3080635, the system comprising a module with an ultra-light cellular structure (ULCS), called modules, which rest on a horizontal drainage layer formed by a geocomposite made of a nonwoven geotextile associated with an extruded grid, known as Drain When the system is covered, a geotextile (such as the applicant's SOPRAFILTRE geotextile) may be attached to the upper surface of the modules (a protective surface layer which may or may not be pedestrian or vehicle protective, green or planted).

[0005] In this case, honeycomb products are mainly used to form hollow volumes between waterproof layers and coverings, load-bearing or other layers (greening, cement screed, paving stones or slabs, etc.) in order to temporarily store rainwater on the roof or in underground storage.

[0006] In a variant embodiment, described in particular in document EP 3 564 459, the walls of the cells of the module comprise openings in the form of slots constituting cutouts opening on the lower surface of the respective module. These slotted walls form a meander structure allowing the liquid flow to be regulated on the underside of the module and, if desired, can be used instead of a specific drainage layer here, in particular if the cells comprise a liquid retaining / diffusing material.

[0007] Where there is a green or planted top layer, a regular supply of water may be desirable, or even necessary to ensure that the plants and vegetation there thrive or at least survive. Summary of the invention

[0008] Therefore, when implementing a module in the form of a panel or sheet having an ultra-light cellular structure, in particular as described above, the problem solved by the invention consists in proposing a simple solution to at least improve the hydration of the greened or planted top cover, if possible without using any additional elements and without significantly modifying the manufacture or on-site installation of such a module.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a module comprising a body in the form of a grid panel with a honeycomb structure and a substantially rectangular or square outline, the cells of which have a polyhedral shape with a polygonal cross section, and a sheet or piece of nonwoven material attached to the surface of the panel corresponding to its upper surface and completely covering the panel, preferably protruding beyond at least two lateral sides of said panel,

[0010] Characterized in that the nonwoven material forming the sheet or piece has water capillary properties, and the sheet or piece has at least one side portion (5), which extends along the side of at least one of the lateral sides of the plate and extends beyond the edge of the side to at least the plane of the lower surface of the plate, and the at least one part of the nonwoven material forms a core, which is used to lift liquid towards the part of the sheet resting on the upper surface of the plate by capillary action. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention may be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment provided as a non-limiting example and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1A is a perspective top view of a module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Bottom view of the module in;

[0014] Figure 1C yes Figure 1B A cross-sectional view of the module taken along AA;

[0015] Figure 2A and

[0016] Figure 2B is a perspective view of two components of the module in FIG. 1 , specifically a plate having a honeycomb structure ( Figure 3A ) and sheets of nonwoven materials ( Figure 3B );

[0017] Figure 3A and

[0018] Figure 3B A perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, of an assembly of four modules according to FIG. 1 forming part of a drainage and water retention layer;

[0019] Figure 3C is with Figure 4A The same view showing the overlap formed by the protruding side portions in strip form, but showing the adjoining modules by making the sheet of nonwoven material transparent;

[0020] Figure 4A is a perspective top view of a module according to a second embodiment of the present invention at different scales;

[0021] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A Top view of the module in;

[0022] Figure 4C yes Figure 1B A side view of the module in direction B;

[0023] Figure 5A is a perspective bottom view of a module according to a third embodiment of the present invention at different scales;

[0024] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A Bottom view of the module in;

[0025] Figure 5C yes Figure 5B The view of the module in is taken along BB;

[0026] Figure 6 is a bottom view of a module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which combines the features of the three previous embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 5 ;

[0027] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a green flat roof according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figures 1 and 3 to Figure 6 A module (1) is shown, comprising a body (2) in the form of a grid plate having a honeycomb structure and a substantially rectangular or square outline, the cells (2') of the body (2) having a polyhedral shape with a polygonal cross section, and a sheet or piece (3) of non-woven material attached to the surface of the plate (2) corresponding to its upper surface (2"). The sheet or piece (3) completely and continuously covers the entire upper surface (2") of the plate (2), preferably protruding beyond at least two lateral sides (4, 4', 4"') of the plate (2).

[0029] According to the invention, the module (1) is characterized in that the nonwoven material forming the sheet or piece (3) has water capillary properties and the sheet or piece (3) has at least one side portion (5), which extends along the side of at least one of the transverse sides (4, 4', 4", 4'") of the plate (2) and extends beyond the edge of the side to at least the plane of the lower surface (2'") of the plate, and at least one part (5) of the nonwoven material forms a core, which is used to lift liquid by capillary action towards the part (3') of the sheet (3) resting on the upper surface (2") of the plate (2).

[0030] Due to these arrangements, and in particular, due to the presence of a sheet or piece (3) having the above-mentioned characteristics, the present invention provides a simple and economical solution for wetting a green layer (13) or a planting substrate of a certain thickness on top of a module (1) using water present below the hollow perforated plate (2) (for example, a puddle or a layer of rainwater). In fact, the nature of the sheet or piece (3) and its arrangement on the plate and the presence of at least one capillary forming portion enable the sheet or piece to lift water from the lower surface (2"') by vertical capillary action and diffuse it horizontally into the portion (3') of the sheet (3) resting on the plate (2) and carrying the green layer, thereby wetting the green layer from below. It should be noted that the solution of the present invention only requires the provision of at least one additional strip of material of the sheet (3). Moreover, the present invention does not change the manufacture of the module (1) or its on-site installation.

[0031] Of course, a single core or a plurality of cores may be provided on one transverse side of the plate or on two or more transverse sides of the plate, and the extension length of the cores along the respective transverse sides may be variable.

[0032] According to a first advantageous feature, the or at least some of the core forming parts (5) have an extension length (L) at least equal to, preferably greater than, the height (H) of the side of the plate (2). "Extension length" here means the length of the core extending beyond the upper edge of the corresponding side (the dimension extending beyond the upper surface of the plate).

[0033] This arrangement ensures that the or each core (5) is in contact with the supporting surface of the board, and therefore with the water below, whatever the depth of the water, or provides a surface contact area between the core and the water, or even enables the end strips (5') of the respective core (5) to cover a larger area on the underside. Figure 4C and Figure 6 An example of a module (1) with a core forming part (5) is shown, where L>H, and having such a strip (5') at one end, which (before the module is mounted) lies in the plane of the corresponding core ( Figure 4C), or folded and thus lying in a plane perpendicular to the core ( Figure 6 ).

[0034] As a simple and effective alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown by way of example in FIG1 , the module ( 1 ) may comprise a single core forming portion ( 5 ) located on a single lateral side ( 4 ″) of the panel ( 2 ), the core forming portion ( 5 ) extending integrally along the entire length of the side ( 4 ″ ) or only along a portion thereof. If the panel ( 2 ) is rectangular, the portion ( 5 ) may extend along one side forming the length of the rectangle, or alternatively along one side forming the width, depending on the water requirements, the location of the water on the lower side, economic considerations and on-site installation conditions.

[0035] For example, in Figure 4, Figure 5B and Figure 6 In the optional structural variant shown, the module (1) may include at least two different core forming parts (5), at least two different core forming parts are located on the same lateral side (4") of the plate (2) or on at least two different lateral sides (4", 4"'), and the core forming parts (5) extend over the entire length of the corresponding side (4", 4"') or only over a part of the corresponding side, depending on the situation.

[0036] like Figure 6 As shown, it is also possible to provide a module (1) combining the features of the two above-mentioned variants, namely comprising on a first side (4") a single core forming portion (5) extending integrally over the entire length of said side, and on a second side (4'') at least two different and separate core forming portions (5), each extending only over a portion of this side. In this case, the water supply by capillary action comes from two different sides, and the concentric diffusion of water from multiple locations ensures redundant wetting of the entire portion (3') of the sheet carrying the greening layer.

[0037] Figures 1 and 3 to Figure 6 The details given above enable a person skilled in the art to understand the multiple possible structural variations and illustrate the possibilities of the module (1) in terms of flexibility and adaptability to different situations and needs.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 4 to Figure 6 The or each core forming portion (5) is advantageously folded back onto the side or edge of the respective side (4", 4"') and is preferably fixed to at least some of the walls of the unit (2') forming this side, the free end strip (5') of the portion (5) preferably protruding from the lower edge of said side (Figures 4 and Figure 6 ).

[0039] Prepositioning one or more cores avoids complications during installation on site and, depending on the length (L), can ensure linear or surface contact on the underside. Fixing can be done in different ways: thermally, chemically (gluing), acoustically (vibration welding) or mechanically (stapling).

[0040] For example, as shown in the example of Figure 4, the or each side (5) may include a cutout (5") forming an opening, the opening enabling the corresponding lateral side of the module (1) to directly contact or partially interlock with the lateral side of another adjacent module (1), and / or defining a plurality of basic cores (5'") spaced apart and arranged along the corresponding sides (4", 4'").

[0041] These elementary cores ( 5 ′″) preferably extend along the walls of the peripheral cells defining the respective lateral sides of the plate and are for example glued to these walls.

[0042] This structural variant avoids any interference during the adjacent assembly of the panels of the module and allows the adjacent panels to interlock at their contact sides (flush with the cutouts). Furthermore, the discontinuous core or multiple spaced cores do not interfere with the flow of water on the lower side, in particular excess rainwater to be drained.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1 to Figure 6 As shown, the sheet or piece (3) of nonwoven material advantageously comprises two other side portions (6, 6') in the form of continuous strips, which extend along two adjacent transverse sides (4 and 4') of the plate (2) and extend beyond the edge of the plate (2) to form an L-shaped protrusion, and the core forming part (5) or each core forming part (5) is associated with one of the other two side portions (4', 4'") of the plate (2) (Figures 1 to 3, Figures 5 and Figure 6 ) or cut out from one of the two side parts ( 6 , 6 ′) ( FIG. 4 ).

[0044] Once the modules (1) have been mounted adjacent to one another, the two side portions (6 and 6') of the sheet (3) of a given module overlap laterally on the respective sides with the sheets (3) of the other two adjacent modules (1) and overlap these sheets (3) along strip edge regions, some of which the core (5, 5'") extends over. This provides a continuous layer of nonwoven material of the sheets of the different modules, the continuity being not only physical (e.g. a retaining barrier to a soil or substrate layer) but also hydraulic or capillary and enabling water absorbed by one or more cores (5, 5'") of a module to diffuse to adjacent adjacent modules.

[0045] This bridging between modules also ensures redundant horizontal diffusion of water between modules, thereby enabling water resources to be shared and supply to be assured due to multiple discharge points.

[0046] According to another additional feature of the present invention, in particular FIGS. 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the sheet or piece (3) of nonwoven material of the module (1) may include one or more parts or configurations (7) of attached, cut and / or deformed material on its part (3') resting on the upper surface (2") of the plate (2), and the one or more parts or configurations (7) extend in one or more units (2') preferably positioned relative to the sheet (3), at least to the plane where the lower surface (2'") of the plate (2) is located, and each part or configuration (7) constitutes a core for lifting liquid by capillary action.

[0047] This provides one or more additional cores (5, 7) located within the perimeter of the upper surface (2") of the plate (2), providing, in addition to the water supply from the one or more cores (5) located at the perimeter, a water supply directly into the surface of the corresponding module (1) (see Figure 5B and Figure 6 ). Such an embodiment may be beneficial for large modules. Moreover, and in combination with the various embodiments of the peripheral core (5, 5'') described above, this arrangement even further increases the options for adaptable variants of the module (1) according to the invention.

[0048] These additional cores (7) extending through the plate (2) can be made of the same material as the sheet (3) and can be in the form of strips or materials used to fill the corresponding cells (2') and are in contact with the sheet (3) and optionally fixed to it. The additional cores (7) can also be made of a different material, injected into the corresponding cell and having capillary properties.

[0049] With regard to the optimal application of the invention, in particular the effective ratio of resources to results, it is advantageous to determine the number, size and arrangement of one or more core forming parts (5), and optionally the number, size and arrangement of one or more core forming configurations (7), taking into account the shape and size of the board (2) and the conditions for implementing the module (8). To this end, the installer can be equipped with tools such as nomogram tools or digital simulation tools based on the results of tests and field experience.

[0050] Preferably, and with regard to a simple, economical and robust manufacturing method, the connection between the body (2) in the form of a grid plate having a honeycomb structure and a sheet or piece (3) of non-woven geotextile material made of synthetic fibers is a material connection, the plate (2) being overmolded on the sheet or piece (3), the melting temperature of the material forming the plate (2) being advantageously lower than the softening temperature of the fiber material of the non-woven material forming the sheet or piece (3).

[0051] "Capillary properties" here refers to the ability of the nonwoven material of the sheet or piece (3) to transfer water from the lower surface (2"') of the plate (2) along each core (5, 5"') against gravity to the upper surface (2") of the plate (2). Such materials usually also have water-spreading properties in a horizontal or slightly inclined plane, in this case, in the plane of the portion (3') of the sheet (3), the two properties being related. A person skilled in the art can use his knowledge in the field of materials to select a nonwoven material suitable for implementation within the scope of the present invention, in particular a material having sufficient capillary properties to ensure that water is lifted over a height (H), typically from a few centimeters to tens of centimeters.

[0052] As a non-limiting example, suitable types of nonwoven materials advantageously provide at least 300 ml / m 2 The water supply advantageously provides at least about 450 ml / m 2 The water supply is preferably about 600 ml / m 2 Furthermore, the rate at which water diffuses into the respective material will be such that diffusion over 5 cm will advantageously take less than 3 minutes, preferably less than 1.5 minutes, and diffusion over 10 cm will advantageously take less than 10 minutes, preferably less than 6 minutes.

[0053] According to a practical variant embodiment of the invention, the sheet or piece (3) can be made of a nonwoven material of synthetic fibers having water capillary and water diffusion properties, preferably a geotextile, for example comprising a mixture of polyamide and polyester microfibers bonded together. A typical but non-limiting example of such a geotextile is (registered trademark), in particular the 150PK TL model from Freudenberg.

[0054] The sheet (2) may be made of polypropylene or ABS, optionally the material is at least partially recycled. When the geotextile is overmoulded with the molten material used to form the sheet, the material does not penetrate the geotextile but remains on the surface and acts as a surface contact adhesive. Therefore, the capillary properties of the geotextile are not reduced.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, at least some of the walls of the unit (2') that are common to the two units or not common to the two units include a slot-shaped cutout (7') extending from the lower surface (2'") of the plate (2) to at least half of the corresponding wall.

[0056] An embodiment according to this arrangement is particularly described in document FR3080635 cited above. When the system is used in conjunction with module (1), the applicant may waive the use of Drain RETENTIO.

[0057] like Figure 7 As shown in the example in , the invention also relates to a greening or planting flat roof device (8) comprising a flat support (9) which is waterproof or covered with a waterproof membrane (10), optionally with an inserted insulating layer (11).

[0058] According to the invention, the device (8) is characterized in that it also comprises a layer (12) formed by adjacent components of modules (1) having a honeycomb structure in the form of a plate as described above, wherein the sheets or pieces (3) of nonwoven material of different modules (1) partially overlap by means of protruding side portions (6, 6'), the continuous layer (12) forming a temporary or non-temporary water-retaining layer and a controlled drainage layer and being covered with a green or planted protective layer (13).

[0059] In order to ensure that the water supply during the watering phase is minimized or even eliminated, the support (9) and / or the waterproof membrane (10) can be designed to promote the formation and retention of a water layer or puddle under the layer (12) formed by the adjacent modules (1). Alternatively or additionally, the inlet opening of one or more safety overflow devices can be raised to ensure sufficient water retention.

[0060] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications may be made to the invention, particularly in the constitution of the different elements or by replacing technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A module (1) comprising a body (2) in the form of a grid panel with a honeycomb structure and a substantially rectangular or square outline, the cells (2') of the body having a polyhedral shape with a polygonal cross section, the module (1) further comprising a sheet or piece (3) of nonwoven material attached to the surface of the panel (2) corresponding to its upper surface (2") and completely covering the panel, preferably protruding beyond at least two lateral sides (4, 4', 4'') of the panel (2), The module (1) is characterized in that the nonwoven material forming the sheet or piece (3) has water capillary properties and the sheet or piece (3) has at least one side portion (5), which extends along the side of at least one of the lateral sides (4, 4', 4", 4'") of the plate (2) and extends beyond the edge of the side to at least the plane of the lower surface (2'") of the plate, and the at least one portion (5) of the nonwoven material forms a core, which is used to lift liquid towards the portion (3') of the sheet (3) resting on the upper surface (2") of the plate (2) by capillary action.

2. The module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The core forming portions (5) or at least some of the core forming portions have an extension (L) at least equal to and preferably greater than the height (H) of the side faces of the plate (2).

3. The module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The module comprises a single core forming portion (5) located on a single lateral side (4") of the panel (2), the core forming portion (5) extending integrally along the entire length of the side (4'") or along only a portion of the side (4'") .

4. The module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The module comprises at least two different core forming parts (5) located on the same transverse side (4") of the panel (2) or on at least two different transverse sides (4", 4"'), the core forming parts (5) extending over the entire length of the respective side (4", 4"') or only over a part of the respective side, depending on the case.

5. The module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The core forming part (5) or each core forming part (5) is folded back on the side of the corresponding side (4", 4"') and is preferably fixed to at least some of the walls of the unit (2') forming the side, and the free end strip (5') of the core forming part (5) is able to protrude from the lower edge of the side.

6. The module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The or each side (5) comprises a cutout (5") forming an opening enabling a respective lateral side of the module (1) to come into direct contact or partially interlock with a lateral side of another adjacent module (1), and / or defining a plurality of elementary cores spaced apart and arranged along the respective side (4", 4'').

7. The module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The sheet or piece (3) of nonwoven material comprises two other side portions (6, 6') in the form of continuous strips, extending along two continuous lateral sides (4 and 4') of the plate (2) and extending beyond the edge of the plate (2) to form an L-shaped protrusion, the core forming portion or each core forming portion (5) being associated with one of the other two sides (4'", 4'") of the plate (2) or cut out from one of the two side portions (6, 6').

8. The module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The sheet or piece (3) of nonwoven material comprises, on its portion (3') resting on the upper surface (2") of the plate (2), one or more portions or configurations (7) of attached, cut and / or deformed material, said one or more portions or configurations extending within one or more cells (2') preferably positioned relative to the sheet (3), at least to the plane of the lower surface (2'") of the plate (2), and each portion or configuration constituting a core for lifting liquid by capillary action.

9. The module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The number, size and arrangement of the one or more core forming parts (5) are determined taking into account the shape and size of the panel (2) and the conditions for implementing the module (8).

10. The module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The connection between the main body (2) in the form of a grid plate with a honeycomb structure and the sheet or piece (3) of non-woven geotextile material made of synthetic fibers is a material connection, the plate (2) being overmolded on the sheet or piece (3), the melting temperature of the material forming the plate (2) being advantageously lower than the softening temperature of the fiber material of the non-woven material forming the sheet or piece (3).

11. The module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The sheet or piece (3) comprises a nonwoven material of synthetic fibers having water capillary and water diffusion properties, preferably a geotextile, for example a mixture of polyamide and polyester microfibers bonded together, and the plate (2) is advantageously made of polypropylene or ABS, optionally the material being at least partially recycled.

12. The module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that At least some of the walls of the cells (2') common to both cells or not common to both cells comprise slot-shaped cutouts (7') extending from the lower surface (2'") of the plate (2) to at least halfway along the respective wall.

13. A greening or planting flat roof arrangement (8) comprising a flat support (9) which is waterproof or covered with a waterproof membrane (10), optionally with an interposed insulating layer (11), The device (8) is characterized in that it also includes a layer (12) formed by the adjacent assembly of modules (1) having a honeycomb structure in the form of a plate according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sheets or pieces (3) of non-woven material of different modules (1) partially overlap by means of protruding side parts (6, 6'), and the continuous layer (12) forms a temporary or non-temporary water retention layer and a controlled drainage layer, and is covered with a green or planted protective layer (13).

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that The support (9) and / or the waterproof membrane (10) are designed to promote the formation and preservation of a water layer or puddle beneath the layer (12) formed by the adjacent modules (1).

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