FIXED STRUCTURE CLOSED BY A MOVABLE PANEL AND EQUIPPED WITH A SEALING SYSTEM PREVENTING THE ACCUMULATION OF WATER AND REINFORCED LOGISTICS CONTAINER COMPRISING SUCH A FIXED STRUCTURE

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixed structure comprising an access opening in which a movable panel (P) is mounted so as to be able to pivot, at an angle of 180 degrees, between two horizontal closing positions. The fixed structure is provided with a sealing system (1) comprising, on the one hand, a sealing device (2) which is interposed between the access opening and the panel (P) when the latter is in the closing position and is configured to collect water which would be brought to be on the panel (P), and, on the other hand, a drainage network (3) arranged along the fixed structure to evacuate the water to the outside and thus prevent an accumulation of water on the panel (P). The invention also relates to an armed logistics container comprising such a fixed structure. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 8a.

Description

Title of the invention: FIXED STRUCTURE CLOSED BY A MOVABLE PANEL AND EQUIPPED WITH A SEALING SYSTEM PREVENTING THE ACCUMULATION OF WATER AND REINFORCED LOGISTICS CONTAINER COMPRISING SUCH A FIXED STRUCTURE

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixed structure comprising an access opening to an interior volume of the fixed structure and which is closed by a movable panel, the fixed structure being provided with a sealing and protection system against the accumulation of water making it possible to prevent the penetration of water between the movable panel and the fixed structure, the panel being in particular movable in rotation at an angle of 180 degrees between two horizontal closing positions.

[0002] In the field of transport, the invention can be applied to protection against water accumulation for a movable panel of a logistics container.

[0003] Patent application FR3101863 proposes an armed logistics container, of the maritime container type, for the convenient and discreet transport and implementation of remotely operated weapons. This container comprises a movable panel equipped with at least one weapon system fixed to one of the two faces of the movable panel, called the armed face. The other face of the movable panel, called the non-displayed face, has a non-displayed appearance of a container wall. The movable panel is configured so as to be able to turn halfway between a position in which the weapon system is retracted inside the container and a position in which the weapon system protrudes from the container. In other words, the movable panel is able to pivot so as to expose the non-displayed face or the armed face to the outside of the container, depending on whether one wishes to present the appearance of a container or whether one wishes to use the weapon system.

[0004] However, with such a container, bad weather, showers or sea spray cause water to accumulate on the face of the movable panel exposed to the outside of the container, namely both on the reinforced face and on the unmarked face of the movable panel.

[0005] Consequently, each time the mobile panel is turned over, the accumulated water is emptied into the container, putting its contents at risk.

[0006] The present invention aims to prevent such a logistics container from being flooded with each rotation of the mobile panel of the container.

[0007] European patent application EPI 173646 discloses a solution for preventing water penetration between a movable panel and a fixed structure capable of being closed by the movable panel, which movable panel is an opening intended to be mounted in a sloping roof or a facade.

[0008] Thus, this solution does not apply to the sealing of a movable panel which turns 180 degrees, namely a movable panel capable of pivoting between a first closed position, in which a first face of the panel is exposed to the outside, and a second closed position, in which a second face of the panel, opposite the first face, is exposed to the outside.

[0009] Furthermore, this solution does not apply to the sealing of a movable panel which is horizontal in the closed position.

[0010] However, such a horizontal position, both in the first closed position and in the second closed position, is conducive to the accumulation of rainwater and runoff.

[0011] The aim of the invention is therefore to propose a solution making it possible to prevent the accumulation of water on a movable panel in a horizontal position and to evacuate the water outside the fixed structure closed by the movable panel.

[0012] The invention thus relates to a fixed structure defining an interior volume and comprising an access opening to said interior volume, in which access opening is mounted a movable panel capable of being placed in a position for closing the access opening by pivoting about a horizontal axis of rotation, the fixed structure being provided with a sealing system to ensure watertightness between the contour of the access opening and the contour of the movable panel in the closed position, the fixed structure being characterized by the fact that the movable panel is mounted to be capable of pivoting, through an angle of 180 degrees, between two horizontal closed positions, and by the fact that the system comprises, on the one hand, a sealing device which is interposed between the contour of the access opening and that of the movable panel when the latter is in either of the two horizontal closed positions,and is configured to collect water that would be brought to be on the movable panel, and, on the other hand, a drainage network arranged along the fixed structure so as to allow the water collected by the sealing device to be evacuated towards the outside of the fixed structure, the system thus making it possible to avoid an accumulation of water on the movable panel when the latter is in the horizontal closed position, the sealing device defining, in each of the two horizontal closed positions, at least one flow path open upwards, so as to allow the water that would be brought to be on the movable panel to flow out of the latter to be collected on the flow path, the or each flow path being sloping between a first point, called a high point, and a , second point, called low, the high point being located at a height greater than that of the low point, so as to guide the water towards the low point, the sealing device having, at the or each low point, an evacuation orifice opening into the evacuation network.

[0013] The sealing device according to the present invention prevents water from entering the fixed structure, in the closed position, by forming a sealed junction between the movable panel and the access opening. In addition, due to the presence of the at least one low point and the drainage network, the protection device prevents the accumulation of water at the movable panel in the closed position and therefore prevents flooding of the fixed structure when the movable panel is turned over.

[0014] According to a first particular embodiment, the movable panel is rectangular and has first and second opposite faces which are horizontal in the closed position, and the sealing device comprises, along each first side of the movable panel perpendicular to said axis of rotation, when the movable panel is in the closed position, at least one first sealing element, and, along each second side of the movable panel parallel to said axis of rotation, when the movable panel is in the closed position, at least one second sealing element, in each of the horizontal closed positions one or more of said flow paths being defined by a respective first sealing element, and each second sealing element defining, in each of the horizontal closed positions, a single flow path.

[0015] According to a first particular configuration of the first embodiment, the sealing device comprises two pairs of first sealing elements, each extending along a respective first side of the movable panel when the latter is in the closed position, for each pair a first of said first sealing elements being arranged closer to the first face than to the second face of the movable panel, while the second of said first sealing elements is arranged closer to the second face than to the first face.

[0016] A first particular arrangement of this first configuration may be as follows: the sealing device is fixed to the contour of the movable panel or to the contour of the access opening and, for each pair of first sealing elements, said first of said first sealing elements defines, in one of the horizontal closing positions, two sloping flow paths starting from a same high point in the central region, in the length direction, of the respective first side of the movable panel, each flow path ending at a respective low point in the respective end region of said first side, and said second of said first sealing elements defines, in the other of the horizontal closing positions, two sloping flow paths starting from a same high point in the region central, in the length direction, of the respective first side of the movable panel, each flow path terminating at a respective low point in the respective end region of said first side.

[0017] A second particular arrangement of this first configuration may be as follows: the sealing device is fixed to the contour of the movable panel, for each pair of first sealing elements, said first of said first sealing elements defines, in one of the horizontal closing positions, a single sloping flow path starting from a high point in a first end region of the respective first side of the movable panel and ending at a respective low point in the other, second, end region of said first side, and said second of said first sealing elements defines, in the other of the horizontal closing positions, a single sloping flow path starting from a high point at the second end region of the respective first side of the movable panel and ending at a respective low point at the first end region of said first side.

[0018] According to a second particular configuration of the first embodiment, the sealing device is fixed to the contour of the movable panel or to the contour of the access opening and it comprises two first sealing elements, each extending along a respective first side of the movable panel when the latter is in the closed position, and each first sealing element defines, in one of the horizontal closed positions, two sloping flow paths each starting from a high point in a respective end region of the respective first side of the movable panel and both ending at a same low point located in the central region, in the length direction, of said first side, and defines, in the other of the horizontal closed positions, two sloping flow paths starting from a same high point in the central region, in the length direction,of the respective first side of the movable panel and each terminating at a respective low point in the respective end region of said first side.

[0019] In the first embodiment, each first sealing element is preferably a scraper seal, which will make it possible to maintain, when the movable panel pivots, contact of the scraper seal against the contour of the movable panel or that of the access opening, depending on whether the scraper seal is fixed to the access opening or to the movable panel.

[0020] Preferably, each second sealing element is a gutter-shaped seal comprising two longitudinal flow channels, namely a first flow channel having a first longitudinal opening which is directed towards the first face of the movable panel and onto which a flow path defined by a corresponding first scraper seal opens, and a second flow channel having a second longitudinal opening which is directed towards the second face of the movable panel and on which a first corresponding scraper seal opens, each channel defining a single flow path leading to a lateral discharge orifice formed at one end of the channel, each channel preferably having two inclined walls substantially in the shape of a V.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment of the evacuation network, in each of the horizontal closed positions, the or each evacuation orifice of the at least one flow path defined by the sealing device opens into a water collecting orifice provided in a evacuation pipe of the evacuation network, which evacuation pipe is configured to carry the water to a water outlet orifice downstream of the water collecting orifice and opening at the foot and outside of the fixed structure.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a logistics container comprising a fixed structure having side walls and an upper wall in which an access opening is provided in which is mounted a movable panel capable of being placed in a position for closing the access opening by pivoting about a horizontal axis of rotation, the container being an armed container, the movable panel comprising at least one weapon system fixed on one of its two faces extending horizontally in the closed position, the movable panel exposing the at least one weapon system projecting from the container in one of the closed positions, called the service position, and positioning the at least one weapon system inside the container in the other of the closed positions, called the retracted position, characterized in that the fixed structure is as defined above,the evacuation network being installed along the side walls of the fixed structure, preferably along the interior surface of the side walls, and opening at the foot of the container.

[0023] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, a description made in light of the appended drawings, drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig.1a] represents a perspective view of a container incorporating a fixed structure according to the present invention, the movable panel being in a first closed position, one of the walls of the container being omitted;

[0025] [Fig.lb] represents a view similar to that of [Fig.la], the movable panel being in a second closed position;

[0026] [Fig.2] is a schematic top view of the sealing system according to the present invention, installed on the container of Figures 1a and 1b;

[0027] [Fig.3a] is a schematic side view of the sealing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the movable panel being in the first closed position;

[0028] [Fig.3b] is a schematic side view of the sealing device of [Fig.3a], the movable panel being in the second closed position;

[0029] [Fig.4a] is a schematic side view of a sealing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the movable panel being in the first closed position;

[0030] [Fig.4b] is a schematic side view of the sealing device of [Fig.4a], the movable panel being in the second closed position;

[0031] [Fig.5a] is a schematic side view of a sealing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the movable panel being in the first closed position;

[0032] [Fig.5b] is a schematic side view of the sealing device of [Fig.5a], the movable panel being in the second closed position;

[0033] [Fig.6] is a detailed perspective view of the connecting region between a first sealing element and a second sealing element according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the second sealing element of [Fig.6], which element is a gutter-shaped joint;

[0035] [Fig.8a] is a schematic perspective view of the connecting region between a low point of the sealing device of [Fig.6] and an evacuation network, the movable panel being in the first closing position; and

[0036] [Fig.8b] is a schematic perspective view similar to that of [Fig.8a], the movable panel being in the second closing position.

[0037] The present invention relates to a fixed structure S defining an interior volume and comprising an access opening O to this interior volume which can be closed by a movable panel P, the fixed structure S being provided with a sealing system 1 making it possible to prevent the accumulation of water, in particular rainwater, while ensuring sealing between the contour of the access opening O and that of the movable panel P in the closed position.

[0038] According to Figures 1a and 1b, the structure S is integrated into a logistics container C, in particular an armed container.

[0039] It should however be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to an application to such a container C.

[0040] As can be seen in Figures 1a and 1b, container C is of the maritime container type as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) under standards ISO 668 and ISO 1496. Thus, container C has six walls, including four side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall, which give it a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0041] The fixed structure S corresponds to the chassis of the container C, which chassis comprises the four side walls, the bottom wall and a fixed panel S0 of the top wall. The access opening O is defined between the side walls and an edge of the fixed panel SO. The surfaces of the frame facing the interior volume are called interior surfaces and the surfaces of the frame facing the exterior of the container C are called exterior surfaces. The bottom wall is the wall of the container C in contact with the ground, and therefore defines the foot of the container C.

[0042] The upper wall also comprises the movable panel P, the fixed panel SO and the movable panel P being joined, in the closed state of the container C, at the edge of the fixed panel SO.

[0043] The movable panel P is mounted to be able to rotate relative to the frame between two horizontal closing positions, called the service position and the retracted position.

[0044] The movable panel P comprises four lateral sides PI, P2, P3, P4 defining a rectangle, namely two small sides PI, P2, hereinafter referred to as second sides PI, P2, and two large sides P3, P4, hereinafter referred to as first sides P3, P4, and two opposite faces P5, P6, namely a first face P5 called the non-standard face and a second face P6 called the armed face. The non-standard face P5 is indistinguishable from the rest of the walls of the container C. The armed face P6 is integral with a weapon system A which is placed substantially in the center of said face P6. It should be emphasized that the four lateral sides PI, P2, P3, P4 could also define a square. Alternatively, the movable panel P could comprise more than four lateral sides.

[0045] The movable panel P has a horizontal rotation axis R allowing the passage from the retracted position ([Fig. 1a]) to the service position ([Fig. 1b]) by a 180 degree rotation of the movable panel P. In the preferred embodiment shown, the horizontal rotation axis R is transversely integral with the chassis of the container C. In this case, the two second sides P1, P2 of the movable panel P are parallel to the rotation axis R, and the two first sides P3, P4 are perpendicular to the rotation axis R. In this embodiment, the rotation axis R passes through the center of the two first sides P3, P4. Alternatively, the horizontal rotation axis R could be longitudinally integral with the chassis.

[0046] As can be seen in [Fig. 1a], in the retracted position, the first face P5 or unmarked face of the movable panel P is exposed towards the outside of the container C, thus contributing to the discretion of the container C.

[0047] As can be seen in [Fig. lb], in the service position, the second face P6 or armed face is exposed towards the outside of the container C, thus placing the weapon system A projecting towards the outside of the container C.

[0048] Referring to Figures 2 to 8b, the sealing system 1 according to the present invention comprises a sealing device 2 which is interposed between the contour of the access opening O and that of the movable panel P when the latter is in the closed position, and an evacuation network 3 arranged along the fixed structure S.

[0049] More particularly, the sealing device 2, in the closed position, extends over the entire contour of the movable panel P, namely over the four lateral sides PI, P2, P3, P4 of the movable panel P in this particular embodiment of the present invention. The sealing device 2 is dimensioned such that in the closed position, the gap between each side PI, P2, P3, P4 of the movable panel P and the inner surface of the frame opposite this side is closed by the sealing device 2. In other words, in each of the two horizontal closed positions, the sealing device 2 is configured to press against the contour of the access opening O if it is fixed to the movable panel P and against the contour of the movable panel P if it is fixed to the access opening O.

[0050] According to a particularly preferred arrangement, shown in Figures 2 to 8b, the sealing device 2 comprises first sealing elements 20; 20a, 20b and second sealing elements 21.

[0051] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the first sealing elements 20; 20a, 20b are intended to extend, in the closed position, along each lateral side P3, P4 of the movable panel P which is perpendicular to the horizontal axis of rotation R, here the first two sides P3, P4, over the entire length of these sides P3, P4, and to prevent water from entering the container C by forming a sealed junction with the side walls of the container C opposite these sides P3, P4.

[0052] Each first sealing element 20; 20a, 20b defines, in a closed position, one or more flow paths according to the present invention, in other words one or more flow paths which are sloping between a first point, called high, and a second point, called low, the high point being located at a height greater than that of the low point, so as to guide the water towards the low point.

[0053] It should be emphasized that the number of first sealing elements 20; 20a, 20b on each side P3, P4 of the panel P could be chosen, for example, between one or two first sealing elements 20; 20a, 20b. Similarly, the number of flow paths of each of the first sealing elements 20; 20a, 20b is not limited to a particular number.

[0054] For example, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the sealing device 2 comprises two first sealing elements 20a, 20b on each of the two large sides P3, P4 of the panel P. One of the two first sealing elements 20a is arranged in the vicinity of the first face P5 of the panel P and the other first sealing element 20b is arranged in the vicinity of the second face P6 of the panel P. Each first sealing element 20a, 20b has, in the respective closed position, two flow paths capable of conveying the water to two low points located at the junctions between the first side P3, P4 of the panel P and the two second sides P1, P2 of the panel P.

[0055] In the second embodiment shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the sealing device 2 also comprises two first sealing elements 20a, 20b on each of the two first sides P3, P4 of the panel P. Unlike the first embodiment, each first sealing element 20a, 20b has, in the respective closed position, a single flow path capable of conveying the water to a single low point located at the junction between the first side P3, P4 and one of the second sides P1 or P2.

[0056] In the third embodiment shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the sealing device 2 comprises a single first sealing element 20 along each first side P3, P4 of the movable panel P in the closed position. In this case, each first sealing element 20 defines, in each of the two closed positions, two flow paths. More precisely, when the panel P is in the retracted position (Figures 5a), the two flow paths will convey the water to a single low point located at the junction between them, namely at a given position along the respective first side P3, P4, here in the central region of the latter. When the panel P is in the service position (Figures 5b), the two flow paths will convey the water to two low points located at the junctions between the first side P3, P4 of the panel P and the two second sides P1, P2.It should be emphasized that this first sealing element 20 could, in each of the closing positions, have a single flow path.

[0057] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each first sealing element 20a, 20b is a scraper seal, the sealing assembly 2 preferably comprising two pairs of scraper seals 20a, 20b, namely one pair of scraper seals 20a, 20b on each first side P3, P4 of the panel P. Each scraper seal 20a, 20b has a sealing lip ([Fig.6]) intended to be inclined downwards from the side P3, P4 of the movable panel P to which the scraper seal 20a, 20b is fixed. The scraper seals 20a, 20b make it possible to ensure, when the movable panel P pivots, a scraping effect against the surface which remains fixed, making it possible to maintain sufficient contact to guarantee the seal between the movable panel P and the access opening O.

[0058] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the second sealing elements 21 extend, in the closed position, along each side PI, P2 of the movable panel P parallel to the axis of rotation R of the panel P, here the two second sides PI, P2, over the entire length of these sides PI, P2.

[0059] Thus, the first sealing elements 20; 20a, 20b and the second sealing elements 21 define flow paths which extend over the entire contour of the movable panel P.

[0060] In the preferred embodiment, and as can be seen in Figures 6 to 8b, the sealing device 2 comprises two second sealing elements 21, each second sealing element 21 extending, in the closed position, along a respective one of the two second sides P1, P2 of the panel P, in other words between the opposite ends of at least two first sealing elements 20; 20a, 20b fixed on two opposite sides P3, P4. Preferably, each second sealing element 21 is a gutter-shaped seal.

[0061] According to [Fig.7], each gutter-shaped joint 21 comprises two longitudinal flow channels 22a, 22b, namely a first flow channel 22a having a first longitudinal opening on the first face P5 side of the panel P and a second flow channel 22b having a second longitudinal opening on the second face P6 side of the panel P. Each longitudinal flow channel 22a, 22b has two inclined walls substantially in the shape of a V. In the closed position, each channel 22a, 22b has, at the junction between its two inclined walls, a slope opening into a lateral discharge orifice 23 formed at one end of the channel 22a, 22b. The lateral discharge orifice 23 is therefore located at the level of the low point of the channel 22a, 22b.

[0062] Considering the cross-section of the gutter-shaped seal 21, the gutter-shaped seal 21 has a portion 24 having a trapezoidal cross-section whose large base is intended to be fixed to the movable panel P, and a lip-shaped portion 25 which here will come into contact with the contour of the access opening O of the fixed structure S, in the closed position of the movable panel P. The dimensions of the lip-shaped portion 25 are such that, when the sealing device 2 is fixed to the panel P, the lip-shaped portion 25 projects above the scraper seals 20; 20a, 20b, both in the first closed position and in the second closed position.

[0063] Alternatively, the gutter-shaped seal 21 with two longitudinal flow channels 22a, 22b could be replaced by two gutter-shaped seals 21, spaced from each other, and each having a longitudinal flow channel whose longitudinal openings are directed opposite each other.

[0064] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each scraper seal 20a, 20b has at least one low point at its junctions with the gutter-shaped seals 21, and this low point opens onto the discharge orifice 23 of a gutter-shaped seal 21. Thus, in this preferred embodiment, each gutter-shaped seal 21 performs two functions, namely a sealing function between the contour of the panel P to which it is fixed and the nearest wall of the container C, and a function of collecting the runoff water from the scraper seals 20a, 20b which guide the water towards the discharge orifice 23 that the gutter-shaped seal 21 has.

[0065] Alternatively, as described above, each scraper seal 20a, 20b could have at least one low point at any position along the side P3, P4 on which extends the scraper seal 20a, 20b, and have its own discharge orifice (variant not shown) at this low point. In this case, fluid communication between the scraper seal 20a, 20b and the gutter-shaped seals 21 is not necessary.

[0066] It should be emphasized that instead of the first 20; 20a, 20b and second 21 sealing elements, the sealing device 2 could comprise a single sealing element defining several inclined flow paths so as to avoid water stagnation and guide the water towards the low evacuation points, both in the first horizontal closing position and in the second horizontal closing position of the movable panel P.

[0067] It is emphasized here that the sealing device 2 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 4a and 4b will be fixed to the contour of the movable panel P, while the sealing device 2 according to the embodiments shown in Figures 3a and 3b and Figures 5a and 5b may be fixed to the contour of the movable panel P or to that of the access opening O.

[0068] The evacuation network 3 is arranged along the fixed structure S, between the access opening O to the interior volume of the fixed structure S and the foot of the fixed structure S, so as to allow the evacuation of the water flowing along the sealing device 2 towards the outside of the fixed structure S.

[0069] If we consider the container C shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the evacuation network 3 is installed along the side walls of the chassis, in particular along the inner surface of the side walls, and opens out at the foot of the container C, in other words at the level of the lower wall of the container C.

[0070] The evacuation network 3 comprises one or more evacuation pipes 4 into which each of the low points of the flow paths defined by the sealing device 2 opens when the movable panel P is in the closed position.

[0071] Each discharge pipe 4 may comprise at least one water collecting orifice 5 and one outlet orifice 6. The or each water collecting orifice 5 is placed along the inner surface of the side walls of the chassis, and communicates with a respective discharge orifice 23 of the sealing device 2. The outlet orifice 6 is located downstream of the or each water collecting orifice 5, and opens out at the foot of the fixed structure S and outside thereof.

[0072] In the preferred embodiment, shown in Figures 8a and 8b, the drainage network 3 comprises two drainage pipes 4. Each of these two drainage pipes 4 comprises two water collecting orifices 5, namely first and second water collecting orifices 5, and an outlet orifice 6. The first water collecting orifice 5 is intended to be positioned such that, when the movable panel P is in the so-called retracted closing position ([Fig.8a]), the orifice23 of the first flow channel 22a of the corresponding gutter-shaped seal 21 opens into the first water collecting orifice 5. The second water collecting orifice 5 is intended to be positioned such that, when the movable panel P is in the so-called service closing position ([Fig.8b]), the discharge orifice 23 of the second flow channel 22b of the corresponding gutter-shaped seal 21 opens into the second water collecting orifice 5. The two water collecting orifices 5 are aligned with each other in a vertical direction, if we consider a container C installed on a horizontal floor. More precisely, the first and second water collecting orifices 5 are arranged one above the other so as to come opposite the first and second discharge orifices 23, respectively, in the closing position of the movable panel P.Indeed, due to the fact that the slopes of the first and second scraper seals 20a, 20b do not result in the same vertical position depending on the orientation of the first P5 and second P6 faces of the panel P, the two water collecting orifices 5 must be placed at different vertical levels depending on whether it is the first P5 or the second P6 face of the panel P which is oriented towards the outside.

[0073] The pipe section 4a comprising the first water collecting orifice 5 and the pipe section 4b comprising the second water collecting orifice 5 are connected to a common pipe section 4c by elbow sections 4d. This common pipe section 4c ends at the outlet orifice 6.

[0074] In this preferred embodiment, the discharge pipes 4 mainly have a rectangular section. However, it should be noted that the discharge pipes 4 could be of circular or trapezoidal section or have any other section capable of adapting to the section of the discharge orifice(s) 23.

[0075] Alternatively, each discharge pipe 4 could comprise a single water collecting orifice 5 and an outlet orifice 6. In other words, the discharge network 3 could comprise a discharge pipe 4 associated with each discharge orifice 23 of the sealing assembly 2. According to another alternative, the discharge network 3 could comprise a single discharge pipe 4 having a plurality of water collecting orifices 5, corresponding to the number of discharge orifices 23 of the sealing device 2, and a single outlet orifice 6.

[0076] In use, when the movable panel P occupies the first horizontal closing position, in particular the retracted position (Figures 1a and 8a), water from bad weather, showers or sea spray falls onto the face of the movable panel P exposed to the outside, namely the first face P5 or unmarked face, and flows along the sealing device 2. More precisely, in the preferred embodiment, the water flows along the first two scraper seals 20a to the two low points of each of these first scraper seals 20a (direction of the arrows in [Fig. 3a]). The water also flows along the first flow channels 22a of the two gutter-shaped seals 21 to the low point of each of these two gutter-shaped seals 21. The two low points of each first scraper seal 20a and the low point of each gutter-shaped seal 21 opening into the discharge orifice 23 of the corresponding gutter-shaped seal 21, the water is discharged from the sealing device 2 through the discharge orifice 23 of the first flow channel 22a of each gutter-shaped seal 21. Since each of these discharge orifices 23 communicates with the first water collecting orifice 5 of each of the two discharge pipes 4, the water collected by the sealing device 2 is caused to flow along the two discharge pipes 4 to the outlet orifice 6 of each pipe 4.Thus, the water which reaches the standardized face P5 in a horizontal position is collected and evacuated from the fixed structure S by the sealing system 1 according to the present invention.

[0077] Similarly, when the movable panel P occupies the second horizontal closing position, in particular the service position (Figures 1b and 8b), water from bad weather, showers or sea spray falls on the face of the movable panel P exposed to the outside, namely the second face P6 or reinforced face, and flows along the sealing device 2. More precisely, the water flows along the two second scraper seals 20b to the two low points of each of these second scraper seals 20b (direction of the arrows in [Fig.3b]). The water also flows along the two second flow channels 22b of the gutter-shaped seals 21 to the low point of each of these two gutter-shaped seals 21.The two low points of each second wiper seal 20b and the low point of each gutter seal 21 opening into the discharge orifice 23 of the corresponding gutter seal 21, the water is discharged from the sealing device 2 through the discharge orifice 23 of the second flow channel 22b of each gutter seal 21. Since each of these discharge orifices 23 communicates with the second water collecting orifice 5 of each of the two discharge pipes 4, the water collected by the sealing device 2 is caused to flow along the two discharge pipes 4 to the outlet orifice 6 of each pipe 4. Thus, the water which reaches the reinforced face P6 in the horizontal position is also collected and discharged from the fixed structure S by the sealing system 1 according to the present invention.

[0078] The sealing system 1 according to the present invention therefore allows the evacuation of water from the fixed structure S, whatever the horizontal closing position of the movable panel P closing this fixed structure S. Thus, when the movable panel P is turned over between the retracted and service positions, the water does not penetrate into the interior volume of the fixed structure S, thus preserving the contents of the fixed structure S.

[0079] It is understood that the particular embodiments which have just been described have been given for informational and non-limiting purposes, and that modifications may be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Fixed structure (S) defining an interior volume and comprising an access opening (0) to said interior volume, access opening (0) in which is mounted a movable panel (P) capable of being placed in a position for closing the access opening (0) by pivoting about a horizontal axis of rotation (R), the fixed structure (S) being provided with a sealing system (1) to ensure watertightness between the contour of the access opening (0) and the contour of the movable panel (P) in the closed position, the fixed structure (S) being characterized in that the movable panel (P) is mounted to be capable of pivoting, at an angle of 180 degrees, between two horizontal closed positions, and in that the system (1) comprises, on the one hand,a sealing device (2) which is interposed between the contour of the access opening (0) and that of the movable panel (P) when the latter is in either of the two horizontal closing positions, and is configured to collect water which would be brought to be on the movable panel (P), and, on the other hand, a drainage network (3) arranged along the fixed structure (S) so as to allow the evacuation of the water collected by the sealing device (2) towards the outside of the fixed structure (S), the system (1) thus making it possible to avoid an accumulation of water on the movable panel (P) when the latter is in the horizontal closing position, the sealing device (2) defining, in each of the two horizontal closing positions, at least one flow path open upwards,so as to allow the water which would be brought to be on the movable panel (P) to flow out of the latter to be collected on the flow path, the or each flow path being sloping between a first point, called high, and a second point, called low, the high point being situated at a height greater than that of the low point, so as to guide the water towards the low point, the sealing device (2) having, at the or each low point, an evacuation orifice (23) opening into the evacuation network (3).,

2. Fixed structure (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable panel (P) is rectangular and has first and second opposite faces (P5, P6) which are horizontal in the closed position, and that the sealing device (2) comprises,

3.

4. along each first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P) perpendicular to said axis of rotation (R), when the movable panel (P) is in the closed position, at least one first sealing element (20; 20a, 20b), and, along each second side (P1, P2) of the movable panel (P) parallel to said axis of rotation (R), when the movable panel (P) is in the closed position, at least one second sealing element (21), in each of the horizontal closed positions one or more of said flow paths being defined by a respective first sealing element (20; 20a, 20b), and each second sealing element (21) defining, in each of the horizontal closed positions, a single flow path. Fixed structure (S) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing device (2) comprises two pairs of first sealing elements (20a, 20b), each extending along a respective first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P) when the latter is in the closed position, for each pair a first (20a) of said first sealing elements (20a, 20b) being arranged closer to the first face (P5) than to the second face (P6) of the movable panel (P), while the second (20b) of said first sealing elements (20a, 20b) is arranged closer to the second face (P6) than to the first face (P5). Fixed structure (S) according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealing device (2) is fixed to the contour of the movable panel (P) or to the contour of the access opening (O) and that, for each pair of first sealing elements (20a, 20b), said first (20a) of said first sealing elements (20a, 20b) defines, in one of the horizontal closing positions, two sloping flow paths starting from a same high point in the central region, in the length direction, of the respective first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P), each flow path terminating at a respective low point in the respective end region of said first side (P3, P5), and said second (20b) of said first sealing elements (20a, 20b) defines, in the other of the horizontal closing positions, two sloping flow paths starting from a same high point in the central region, in the length direction, of the respective first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P), each flow path terminating at a respective low point in the respective end region of said first side (P3, P5), and the length direction, of the first side (P3,P4) respective of the movable panel (P), each flow path ending at a low point, respective in the respective end region of said first side (P3, P5).

5. A fixed structure (S) according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealing device (2) is fixed to the contour of the movable panel (P), for each pair of first sealing elements (20a, 20b), said first (20a) of said first sealing elements (20a, 20b) defines, in one of the horizontal closing positions, a single sloping flow path starting from a high point in a first end region of the respective first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P) and ending at a respective low point in the other, second, end region of said first side (P3, P5), and said second (20b) of said first sealing elements (20a, 20b) defines, in the other of the horizontal closing positions, a single sloping flow path starting from a high point at the second end region of the first side (P3,P4) respective of the movable panel (P) and ending at a respective low point at the first end region of said first side (P3, P5).,

6. Fixed structure (S) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing device (2) is fixed to the contour of the movable panel (P) or to the contour of the access opening (O) and that it comprises two first sealing elements (20), each extending along a respective first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P) when the latter is in the closed position, and each first sealing element (20) defines, in one of the horizontal closed positions, two sloping flow paths each starting from a high point in a respective end region of the respective first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P) and both ending at a same low point located in the central region, in the length direction, of said first side (P3, P5), and defines, in the other of the horizontal closed positions, two sloping flow paths starting from a same high point in the central region, in the length direction length,of the respective first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P) and each terminating at a respective low point in the respective end region of said first side (P3, P5).,

7. Fixed structure (S) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that each first sealing element (20; 20a, 20b) is a scraper seal.

8. Fixed structure (S) according to claim 7, characterized in that each second sealing element (21) is a gutter-shaped seal comprising two longitudinal flow channels (22a, 22b), namely a first flow channel (22a) having a first longitudinal opening which is directed towards the first face (P5) of the movable panel (P) and onto which opens a flow path defined by a corresponding first scraper seal (20, 20a), and a second flow channel (22b) having a second longitudinal opening which is directed towards the second face (P6) of the movable panel (P) and onto which opens a corresponding first second scraper seal (20, 20b), each channel (22a, 22b) defining a single flow path leading to a lateral discharge orifice (23) formed at one end of the channel (22a, 22b), each channel (22a, 22b) preferably having two inclined walls substantially in the shape of a V.

9. Fixed structure (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, in each of the horizontal closed positions, the or each discharge orifice (23) of the at least one flow path defined by the sealing device (2) opens into a water collecting orifice (5) provided in a discharge pipe (4) of the discharge network (3), which discharge pipe (4) is configured to carry the water to a water outlet orifice (6) downstream of the water collecting orifice (5) and opening at the foot and outside of the fixed structure (S).

10. Logistics container (C) comprising a fixed structure (S) having side walls and an upper wall in which an access opening (O) is provided in which is mounted a movable panel (P) capable of being placed in a position for closing the access opening (O) by pivoting about a horizontal axis of rotation (R), the container (C) being an armed container, the movable panel (P) comprising at least one weapon system (A) fixed on one (P6) of its two faces extending horizontally in the closed position, the movable panel (P) exposing the at least one weapon system (A) projecting outside the container (C) in one of the closed positions, called the service position, and positioning the at least one weapon system (A) inside the container (C) in the other of the closed positions, called the retracted position, characterized in that the fixed structure (S) is as defined in any of the claims 1 to 9, the evacuation network (3) being installed along the side walls of the fixed structure (S), preferably along the inner surface of the side walls, and opening at the foot of the container (C).

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