Acoustic surface element of a clean room and an acoustic surface arrangment of a clean room

Abstract

An acoustic surface element of a clean room, which element comprises a frame (10), a sound absorbing element (20) and a foil (30), wherein the frame comprises - a bottom panel (11) comprising at least one opening (12), and - side panels (13), which side panels are perpendicular to the bottom panel and the side panels are configured to form the perimeter of the acoustic surface element; wherein the foil (30) is tensioned to cover the bottom panel having the at least one opening and at least partly the side panels of the frame.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to acoustic surface elements and arrangements of a clean room.BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0002] Clean rooms are specialized environments designed to maintain extremely low levels of particulates, such as dust, airborne organisms, or vaporized particles. These rooms are essential in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, and semiconductor manufacturing, where even the smallest contaminants can compromise product quality and safety.

[0003] Critical components of clean rooms are the surfaces such as the ceiling and walls, which must meet stringent requirements for cleanness. Traditional ceiling systems often fall short in these areas. For instance, many acoustic ceilings, typically made of ceiling grids and acoustic ceiling elements, have gaps etc., which allow for microbial penetration and growth, making the ceiling difficult to clean and maintain. Attempts to improve tightness by using liquid seals between the elements and the grid result in maintenance challenges, as the seals must be broken to access the ceiling.OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The objective of the element and arrangement is to alleviate the disadvantages mentioned above.

[0005] In particular, it is an objective of the present element and arrangement to provide an acoustic surface element and arrangement of a clean room providing a rigid, low- leakage, and smooth surface. These elements and arrangement allow for manual cleaning with a continuous swipe movement over the parallel ceiling elements. The sealing between elements creates a niche-less surface, preventing microbial growth and ensuring easy maintenance. Additionally, the ceiling elements and technical components are designed to be easily detachable without breaking the seal, allowing for maintenance during normal production period.SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an acoustic surface element of a clean room, which element comprises a frame, a sound absorbing element and a foil, wherein the frame comprises a bottom panel comprising at least one opening, and side panels, which side panels are perpendicular to the bottom panel and the side panels are configured to form the perimeter of the acoustic surface element. The sound absorbing element is arranged on top of the bottom panel of the frame and between the side panels of the frame, and the sound absorbing element is exposed through the at least one opening in the bottom panel. The foil is tensioned to cover the bottom panel having the at least one opening and at least partly the side panels of the frame.

[0007] The advantage of the element is that the acoustic surface is more hygienic because it is easier to clean.

[0008] In an embodiment of the device, the sound absorbing element is arranged on top of the bottom panel so that an air gap is provided between the sound absorbing element and the bottom panel.

[0009] In an embodiment of the device, the air gap is at least 1 mm.

[0010] In an embodiment of the device, the air gap is enabled by spacers installed between the sound absorbing element and the bottom panel.

[0011] In an embodiment of the device, the foil is tensioned to enclose the frame and the sound absorbing element.

[0012] In an embodiment of the device, the sound absorbing element is enclosed by a separate foil.

[0013] In an embodiment of the device, the bottom panel comprises plurality of openings.

[0014] In an embodiment of the device, the opening or openings cover at least 150 of the bottom panel area.

[0015] In an embodiment of the device, the side panels of the frame comprise bent sections that are parallel to the bottom panel of the frame for fastening the element to a structure of the clean room or to another acoustic surface element.

[0016] In an embodiment of the device, the distance between the level of the bent sections and the sound absorbing element is at least 50 mm.

[0017] According to a second aspect, it is provided an acoustic surface arrangement of a clean room comprising several surface elements according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least some of the elements are fastened to a structure of the clean room by the frame or via fastening means. The adjacent surface elements are in connection to each other so that the foil, covering the side panels, provides sealing on and between the surface elements for forming smooth surface. By having such arrangement, the surface of the elements facing the clean room forms smooth surface without any gaps or uneven spots. Thus the surface is easy to clean by wiping. The structure is also self-supporting so there is no need for any supporting structure that supports the elements below, i.e. no supporting structures on the surface facing the clean room. So, when looked at below, only the foil is visible to the clean room.

[0018] In an embodiment of the arrangement, the adjacent surface elements are tightly attached with a connector to provide rigid structure and tight sealing.

[0019] In an embodiment of the arrangement, the distance between the sound absorbing element and the surface in which the surface element is fastened is at least 50 mm.

[0020] In an embodiment of the arrangement, the surface elements are fastened directly or via fastening means to the ceiling.

[0021] In an embodiment of the arrangement, the surface elements are fastened directly or via fastening means to the walls.

[0022] In an embodiment of the arrangement, the surface elements are suspended from the ceiling of the clean room for forming a ceiling sail.

[0023] In an embodiment of the arrangement, the surface elements are separated from the wall of the clean room for forming a gap between the arrangement and the wall.

[0024] In an embodiment of the arrangement, the arrangement comprises surface elements without sound absorbing element.

[0025] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the invention described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a side view of an acoustic surface element of a clean room, Fig. 2 shows a side view of an acoustic surface element with spacers, Fig. 3 shows a side view of an acoustic surface element with enclosing foil, Fig. 4 shows a side view of an acoustic surface element with sound absorbing element insulated by a separate foil, Fig. 5 shows a side view of an acoustic surface element having side panels with bent sections, Figs. 6a to 6d show embodiments of the openings in the bottom panel, Figs. 7a to 7d show examples of the frame structure, Figs. 8a to 8d show examples of the foil structure, Fig. 9a and 9b shows the acoustic surface arrangement fastened directly to a surface of the clean room and with fastening means, i.e. hanging arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The figures are not drawn in scale. For example, some components are drawn at a distance from the other component although in reality they are attached to each other. This has been done to show more clearly the placement of the components in relation to each other. For example, in figures the foil may be seen being at a distance from the bottom panel of the frame but in reality, the foil is attached to the bottom panel so that there is no gap between the foil and the bottom panel.

[0028] The surface element means that the element is configured to be installed so that it forms a surface in the clean room. For example, the surface elements may be installed to the ceiling for forming ceiling surface, of to a wall for forming a wall surface. They may also be used to form ceiling sails.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a side view of an acoustic surface element of a clean room. A clean room may be specialized environment designed to maintain extremely low levels of particulates, such as dust, airborne organisms, or vaporized particles, for protecting the target (patient, product etc.) in the clean room. The clean room may be for example in a hospital, or manufacturing, pharmaceutical or biotechnology facility. The acoustic surface element comprises a frame 10, a sound absorbing element 20 and a foil 30.

[0030] The frame comprises a bottom panel 11 having at least one opening 12, and side panels 13, which are perpendicular to the bottom panel. The side panels are configured to form the perimeter of the acoustic surface element.

[0031] The sound absorbing element 20 is arranged on top of the bottom panel 11 of the frame and between the side panels 13 of the frame, and the sound absorbing element is exposed through the at least one opening in the bottom panel.

[0032] The foil 30 is tensioned to cover the bottom panel having the at least one opening and at least partly the side panels of the frame. I.e. the foil covers the whole bottom panel of the frame so that only the foil is visible from below the element. The foil may be airtight material so that no air will go through the acoustic surface element for being more hygienic. The foil may be fastened to the frame with adhesive. Optionally, the thickness of the foil is 0,05, 0,07, 0,08, 0,12, 0,15, 0,17, or 0,2 mm. Optionally, the thickness of the foil is a range between some previously mentioned values.

[0033] Figure 2 shows similar acoustic surface element as in figure 1. In addition to figure 1, the sound absorbing element 20 is arranged on top of the bottom panel so that an air gap 14 is provided between the sound absorbing element and the bottom panel. The air gap 14 may be for example at least 1 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, or 10 mm. Optionally, the air gap 14 is max 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, or 50 mm. Optionally, the air gap 14, i.e. the distance between the bottom panel and the sound absorbing element, is a range of some of the min values and the max values, e.g. 1 to 10 mm, 2 to 10 mm, 5 to 10 mm, 1 to 50 mm, etc. Figure 2 shows spacers 16 which are installed between the sound absorbing element 20 and the bottom panel 11 for forming an air gap 14.

[0034] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the acoustic surface element which is similar to the embodiment of figure 1. In figure 3, the foil 30 is tensioned to enclose the frame 10 and the sound absorbing element 20.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the acoustic surface element which is similar to the embodiment of figure 1 (the openings in the bottom panel not shown). In addition to figure 1, the embodiment of figure 4 comprises a separate foil 31, which encloses the sound absorbing element 20 for insulating the element from the environment.

[0036] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the acoustic surface element which is similar to the embodiment of figure 1. In this embodiment, the side panels 13 of the frame comprise bent sections 16 that are parallel to the bottom panel of the frame. The bent sections may be used for fastening the element to a structure of the clean room or for fastening the element to fastening means, e.g. rail structure etc. for fastening the element at a distance from the surface of the clean room. Optionally, the distance between the level of the bent sections 15 and the sound absorbing element 20 is at least 50 mm.

[0037] Figures 6a to 6d are bottom views of the device showing some example configurations of the opening or openings in the bottom panel. Figure 6a shows an example, wherein the bottom panel 11 comprises one rectangular opening 12. The bottom panel 11 and the rectangular opening 12 are covered by the foil 30. Figure 6b shows an example, wherein the bottom panel 11 comprises one circular opening 12. The bottom panel 11 and the circular opening 12 are covered by the foil 30. Figure 6c shows an example, wherein the bottom panel 11 comprises plurality of smaller rectangular openings 12. The width of the rectangular openings may be for example 10 to 150 mm.

[0038] Optionally, the width of the openings is 30 to 150 mm, 30 to 100 mm, or 30 to 70 mm. The bottom panel 11 and the rectangular openings 12 are covered by the foil 30. Figure 6d shows an example, wherein the bottom panel 11 comprises plurality of smaller circular openings 12. The bottom panel 11 and the circular openings 12 are covered by the foil 30. The diameter of the circular openings may be for example 10 to 150 mm. Optionally, the diameter of the circular openings is 30 to 150 mm, 30 to 100 mm, or 30 to 70 mm.

[0039] For clean room purposes, it is important that the surface elements may be cleaned with physical means, e.g. wiping. Therefore, the surface elements must be rigid enough to withstand the forces of the wiping. On the other hand, the bottom panel must have an opening or openings for better sound absorbing. In an embodiment, the opening or openings cover at least 150 of the bottom panel area. Optionally, the opening or openings cover at least 25% or 40% of the bottom panel area. Optionally, the opening or openings cover 15 to 40% of the bottom panel area.

[0040] Figures 7a to 7d show some examples of the frame structure. In these figures, other components, such as the foil, of the acoustic surface elements have been removed, but it should be understood that they could be present. Figure 7a shows a frame 10 comprising a bottom panel 11, perpendicular side panels 13 and the sound absorbing element 20 between the side panels and on top of the bottom panel. In figure 7a, the length of the side panels is greater than the thickness of the sound absorbing element. However, the length of the side panels may be shorter than the thickness of the sound absorbing element. Figure 7b shows a frame 10 comprising a bottom panel 11, perpendicular side panels 13 and the sound absorbing element 20 between the side panels and on top of the bottom panel. The side panels comprise bent sections, which extend inwards, i.e. towards the center of the element. Figure 7c shows a frame 10 comprising a bottom panel 11, perpendicular side panels 13 and the sound absorbing element 20 between the side panels and on top of the bottom panel. The side panels comprise bent sections, which extend outwards. Figure 7d shows a frame 10 comprising a bottom panel 11, perpendicular side panels 13 and the sound absorbing element 20 between the side panels and on top of the bottom panel. The side panels comprise bent sections, and some of the bent sections extend inwards and some outwards.

[0041] Figures 8a to 8d show some examples of how the foil may be arranged to the acoustic surface element. Figures 8a to 8d show some different frame structures but it should be understood that each foil configuration shown in figures 8a to 8d can be implemented in any frame structure, e.g. the ones shown in figures 7a to 7d. Figure 8a shows an example, wherein the foil 30 tensioned to cover the bottom panel 11 and partly the side panels 13. Figure 8b shows an example, wherein the foil 30 tensioned to cover the bottom panel 11 and the side panels 13 completely. Figure 8c shows an example, wherein the foil 30 tensioned to cover the bottom panel 11 and the side panels 13, including the bent sections, completely. Figure 8d shows an example, wherein the foil 30 tensioned to enclose the frame 10 and the sound absorbing element 20.

[0042] In an embodiment, the acoustic surface elements are fastened to the ceiling.

[0043] In an embodiment, the acoustic surface elements are fastened to the walls.

[0044] In an embodiment, the acoustic surface elements are suspended from the ceiling of the clean room for forming a ceiling sail.

[0045] In an embodiment, the acoustic surface elements are suspended or separated from the rigid wall of the clean room.

[0046] Figure 9a shows an acoustic surface arrangement of a clean room comprising two acoustic surface elements each comprising a frame, sound absorbing element 20 and a foil 30. At least some of the elements are fastened to the structure of the clean room by the frame and / or via fastening means. The frame comprises a bottom panel 11 having at least one opening 12, and side panels 13. The sound absorbing element 20 is arranged between the side panels 13 and on top of the bottom panel 11 so that there is an air gap 14 between the bottom panel and the sound absorbing element 20. The adjacent surface elements are in connection to each other so that the foil 30, covering the side panels 13, provides sealing 40 on and between the surface elements for forming smooth surface. The formed smooth surface is hygienic and easy to clean by continuous movement, i.e. wiping, when needed. By adding more similar surface elements, it is possible to cover large areas such as ceilings or walls of the clean room with hygienic way and at the same time providing sound absorbing. The structure is also self-supporting so there is no need for any supporting structure that supports the elements below, i.e. no supporting structures on the surface facing the clean room. So, when looked at below, only the foil is visible to the clean room.

[0047] In an embodiment, two adjacent acoustic surface elements are fastened to each other by the frame, e.g. adjacent side walls and / or the bent sections.

[0048] In an embodiment of the arrangement, the adjacent surface elements are tightly attached with a connector or connectors to provide rigid structure and tight sealing. The connectors may be for example, screws, nails, pins etc. Optionally, the connectors comprise mechanical means to fasten adjacent surface elements to each other so that they do not move in relation to each other.

[0049] In an embodiment, the arrangement comprises additional surface elements which do not comprise sound absorbing elements. They may be for example hatches other surface elements.

[0050] In an embodiment, the distance between the sound absorbing element 20 and the surface in which the surface element is fastened is at least 50 mm.

[0051] In an embodiment of the arrangement as shown for example in figure 9b, the surface elements are separated from the wall of the clean room for forming a gap between the arrangement and the wall. This may be enabled for example by having separate fastening means 50, e.g. rail structure etc., which is fastened to the surface of the clean room and to which the frame of surface elements is fastened. It should be noted only some of the surface elements may be fastened to the fastening means, while some surface elements may be fastened only to the adjacent surface element. Optionally, some surface elements are fastened to the fastening means and to the adjacent surface element.

[0052] The arrangement may be fastened to the surface of the clean room so that the arrangement covers the whole surface, e.g. the ceiling or the wall, or the arrangement may cover the surface only partially, e.g. sail-like element.

[0053] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with a certain type of device, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any certain type of device. While the present inventions have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims.

Claims

1. An acoustic surface element of a clean room, which element comprises a frame (10), a sound absorbing element (20) and a foil (30), wherein the frame comprises - a bottom panel (11) comprising at least one opening (12), and - side panels (13), which side panels are perpendicular to the bottom panel and the side panels are configured to form the perimeter of the acoustic surface element; wherein the sound absorbing element (20) is arranged on top of the bottom panel (11) of the frame and between the side panels (13) of the frame, and the sound absorbing element is exposed through the at least one opening in the bottom panel; wherein the foil (30) is tensioned to cover the bottom panel having the at least one opening and at least partly the side panels of the frame.

2. The acoustic surface element according to claim 1, wherein the sound absorbing element (20) is arranged on top of the bottom panel so that an air gap (14) is provided between the sound absorbing element and the bottom panel.

3. The acoustic surface element according to claim 2, wherein the air gap (14) is at least 1 mm.

4. The acoustic surface element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the air gap (14) is enabled by spacers (16) installed between the sound absorbing element and the bottom panel.

5. The acoustic surface element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the foil (30) is tensioned to enclose the frame (10) and the sound absorbing element (20) .

6. The acoustic surface element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sound absorbing element (20) is enclosed by a separate foil (31).

7. The acoustic surface element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein bottom panel (11) comprises plurality of openings (12).

8. The acoustic surface element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the opening or openings cover at least 150 of the bottom panel area.

9. The acoustic surface element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the side panels (13) of the frame comprise bent sections (15) that are parallel to the bottom panel of the frame for fastening the element to a structure of the clean room or to another acoustic surface element.

10. Acoustic surface arrangement of a clean room comprising several surface elements according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the elements are fastened to a structure of the clean room by the frame or via fastening means, cha ract e r i zed in that the adjacent surface elements are in connection to each other so that the foil, covering the side panels, provides sealing on and between the surface elements for forming smooth surface.

11. Acoustic surface arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the adjacent surface elements are tightly attached to each other with a connector for providing rigid structure and tight sealing.

12. Acoustic surface arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the distance between the sound absorbing element (20) and the surface in which the surface element is fastened is at least 50 mm.

13. Acoustic surface arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the surface elements are fastened directly or via fastening means to the ceiling.

14. Acoustic surface arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the surface elements are fastened directly or via fastening means to the walls.

15. Acoustic surface arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the surface elements are suspended from the ceiling of the clean room for forming a ceiling sail.

16. Acoustic surface arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the arrangement comprises surface elements without sound absorbing element.

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