FIXED STRUCTURE CLOSED BY A MOVABLE PANEL AND EQUIPPED WITH A SEALING SYSTEM PREVENTING WATER ACCUMULATION AND ARMORED LOGISTICS CONTAINER CONTAINING 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, through an angle of 180 degrees, between two horizontal closed positions. The fixed structure is equipped 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 closed position and is configured to collect any water that might accumulate 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 water from accumulating on the panel (P). The invention also relates to an armored 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 WATER ACCUMULATION 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 water accumulation allowing 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 the protection against water accumulation for a movable panel of a logistics container.

[0003] French patent application FR3101863 proposes an armed logistics container, of the shipping container type, for the convenient and discreet transport and deployment of remotely operated weapons. This container comprises a movable panel equipped with at least one weapon system attached to one of the two faces of the movable panel, referred to as the armed face. The other face of the movable panel, referred to as the unmarked face, has an ordinary container wall appearance. The movable panel is configured so as to be able to rotate a half turn 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 capable of pivoting so as to expose either the unmarked face or the armed face to the outside of the container, depending on whether it is desired to present the appearance of a container or to use the weapon system.

[0004] However, with such a container, inclement weather, downpours or sea spray cause water to accumulate on the side of the movable panel exposed to the outside of the container, namely on both the reinforced side and the plain side of the movable panel.

[0005] Consequently, with each turn of the movable panel, the accumulated water is emptied into the container, endangering its contents.

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

[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 to 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 object of the invention is therefore to propose a solution 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, an access opening in which is mounted a movable panel capable of being placed in a closed position of the access opening by pivoting around a horizontal axis of rotation, the fixed structure being provided with a sealing system to ensure water tightness 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, at 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 any one of the two horizontal closed positions,and is configured to collect water that would come into contact with 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 to the outside of the fixed structure, the system thus preventing 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 come into contact with the movable panel to flow off it to be collected on the flow path, the flow path or each flow path being sloped between a first point, called the top, 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 watertight seal between the movable panel and the access opening. Furthermore, due to the presence of at least one low point and the drainage system, the protective device prevents water from accumulating on the movable panel in the closed position and thus prevents flooding of the fixed structure when the movable panel is reversed.

[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 disposed closer to the first face than to the second face of the movable panel, while the second of said first sealing elements is disposed 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 originating from the same high point in the central region, in the longitudinal 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 originating from the same high point in the region central, in the length direction, of the respective first side of the movable panel, each flow path leading to 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 first respective 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 in the second end region of the first respective side of the movable panel and ending at a respective low point in 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 originating from a high point in a respective end region of the respective first side of the movable panel and both ending at the 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 originating from the same high point in the central region, in the length direction,from the first respective side of the movable panel and each ending 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 allow, when pivoting the movable panel, 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 having 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 opens a flow path defined by a corresponding first scraper seal, and a second flow channel having a second longitudinal opening which is directed towards the second face of the movable panel and on which opens a first corresponding scraper joint, 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 drainage network, in each of the horizontal closing positions, the drainage orifice or each drainage orifice of at least one flow path defined by the sealing device opens into a water collector orifice provided in a drainage pipe of the drainage network, which drainage pipe being configured to carry the water to a water outlet orifice downstream of the water collector orifice and opening at the base and outside of the fixed structure.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a logistics container comprising a fixed structure having side walls and a top wall in which an access opening is provided, in which is mounted a movable panel capable of being placed in a closed position of the access opening by pivoting around 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 at least one weapon system protruding from the container in one of the closed positions, referred to as the service position, and positioning at least one weapon system inside the container in the other of the closed positions, referred to as the retracted position, characterized in that the fixed structure is as defined above,The drainage network is installed along the side walls of the fixed structure, preferably along the inner surface of the side walls, and terminates at the base of the container.

[0023] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is made in light of the accompanying drawings, drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig.la] 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 analogous 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 in 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 connection region between a first a 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 connection region between a the lowest point of the sealing device [Fig. 6] and a drainage network, with the movable panel in the first closed position; and

[0036] [Fig.8b] is a schematic perspective view analogous to that of [Fig.8a], the mobile panel being in the second closed 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 allowing to prevent the accumulation of water, in particular rainwater, while ensuring the seal 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 be emphasized, however, 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 ISO 668 and ISO 1496 standards. 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 chassis surfaces facing the interior volume are called interior surfaces, and the chassis surfaces facing the exterior of container C are called exterior surfaces. The bottom wall is the wall of container C in contact with the ground, and therefore defines the base of container C.

[0042] The upper wall also includes 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 level of the edge of the fixed panel SO.

[0043] The movable panel P is mounted to rotate relative to the chassis 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 shorter sides PI, P2, hereinafter referred to as second sides PI, P2, and two longer sides P3, P4, hereinafter referred to as first sides P3, P4, and two opposite faces P5, P6, namely a first face P5, referred to as the unmarked face, and a second face P6, referred to as the armed face. The unmarked 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 positioned substantially at the center of said face P6. It should be noted 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 axis of rotation R allowing it to move from the retracted position ([Fig. 1a]) to the service position ([Fig. 1b]) by rotating the movable panel P 180 degrees. In the preferred embodiment shown, the horizontal axis of rotation R is transversely fixed to the chassis of the container C. In this case, the second two sides P1, P2 of the movable panel P are parallel to the axis of rotation R, and the first two sides P3, P4 are perpendicular to the axis of rotation R. In this embodiment, the axis of rotation R passes through the center of the first two sides P3, P4. Alternatively, the horizontal axis of rotation R could be longitudinally fixed to the chassis.

[0046] As can be seen in [Fig. aa], in the retracted position, the first face P5 or banal face of the movable panel P is exposed to 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 to the outside of the container C, thus placing the weapon system A protruding outwards from 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 disposed along the fixed structure S.

[0049] More specifically, the sealing device 2, in the closed position, extends over the entire perimeter 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 that side is sealed 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 perimeter of the access opening O if it is attached to the movable panel P and against the perimeter of the movable panel P if it is attached 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 watertight junction with the lateral 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 disposed near the first face P5 of the panel P and the other first sealing element 20b is disposed near the second face P6 of the panel P. Each first sealing element 20a, 20b has, in the respective closed position, two flow paths suitable for conveying 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 includes two first sealing elements 20a, 20b on each of the first two 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 water to a single low point located at the junction between the first side P3, P4 and one of the second sides PI 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 specifically, when the panel P is in the retracted position (Figures 5a), the two flow paths will carry 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 thereof. When the panel P is in the operating position (Figures 5b), the two flow paths will carry 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 noted that this first sealing element 20 could, in each of the closed positions, present 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]) designed to be inclined downwards from side P3, P4 of the movable panel P, to which the scraper seal 20a, 20b is fixed. The scraper seals 20a, 20b ensure, when the movable panel P pivots, a scraping effect against the surface that remains fixed, thus maintaining sufficient contact to guarantee a 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 perimeter 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 extends, in the closed position, along one of the respective second sides P1, P2 of the panel P, that is to say, 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 has two longitudinal drainage channels 22a, 22b, namely a first drainage channel 22a having a first longitudinal opening on the first face P5 of the panel P and a second drainage channel 22b having a second longitudinal opening on the second face P6 of the panel P. Each longitudinal drainage 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 leading into a lateral drainage orifice 23 formed at one end of the channel 22a, 22b. The lateral drainage orifice 23 is therefore located at the lowest point of the channel 22a, 22b.

[0062] Considering the cross-section of the gutter-shaped seal 21, the gutter-shaped seal 21 has a part 24 with a trapezoidal cross-section, the larger base of which is intended to be fixed to the movable panel P, and a lip-shaped part 25 which 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 part 25 are such that, when the sealing device 2 is fixed to the panel P, the lip-shaped part 25 protrudes above the scraper seals 20; 20a, 20b, in both the first and second closed positions.

[0063] Alternatively, the gutter-shaped joint 21 with two longitudinal flow channels 22a, 22b could be replaced by two gutter-shaped joints 21, spaced apart, and each having a longitudinal flow channel whose longitudinal openings are directed in opposite directions.

[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 drainage 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 runoff water from the scraper seals 20a, 20b which guide the water towards the drainage orifice 23 in the gutter-shaped seal 21.

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

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

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

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

[0071] Each drainage pipe 4 may include at least one water collection orifice 5 and one outlet orifice 6. The water collection orifice or orifice 5 is located along the inner surface of the side walls of the frame, and communicates with a respective drainage orifice 23 of the sealing device 2. The outlet orifice 6 is located downstream of the water collection orifice or orifice 5, and opens at the base of the fixed structure S and outside of it.

[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 has two water collection ports 5, namely first and second water collection ports 5, and an outlet port 6. The first water collection port 5 is intended to be positioned such that, when the movable panel P is in the so-called retracted closed position ([Fig. 8a]), the portThe discharge outlet 23 of the first drainage channel 22a of the corresponding gutter-shaped joint 21 opens into the first water collection orifice 5. The second water collection orifice 5 is positioned so that, when the movable panel P is in the closed, so-called service position ([Fig. 8b]), the discharge outlet 23 of the second drainage channel 22b of the corresponding gutter-shaped joint 21 opens into the second water collection orifice 5. The two water collection orifices 5 are aligned with each other in a vertical direction, considering a container C installed on a horizontal floor. More precisely, the first and second water collection orifices 5 are arranged one above the other so as to be opposite the first and second discharge outlets 23, respectively, in the closed position of the movable panel P.Indeed, because the slopes of the first and second scraper joints 20a, 20b do not lead to the same vertical position depending on the orientation of the first P5 and second P6 faces of panel P, the two water collection orifices 5 must be placed at different vertical levels depending on whether it is the first P5 or the second P6 face of panel P that is oriented outwards.

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

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

[0075] Alternatively, each drain pipe 4 could have a single water collection port 5 and an outlet port 6. In other words, the drainage network 3 could include a drain pipe 4 associated with each drain port 23 of the sealing assembly 2. According to another embodiment, the drainage network 3 could include a single drain pipe 4 having a plurality of water collection ports 5, corresponding to the number of drain ports 23 of the sealing device 2, and a single outlet port 6.

[0076] In use, when the movable panel P is in its first horizontal closed position, in particular the retracted position (Figures 1a and 8a), water from inclement weather, rain, or sea spray falls on the outward-facing side of the movable panel P, namely the first side P5 or non-removable side, and flows along the sealing device 2. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the water flows along the first two scraper seals 20a to the two lowest points of each of these first scraper seals 20a (direction of the arrows in [Fig. 3a]). The water Water also flows along the first drainage channels 22a of the two gutter-shaped joints 21 to the lowest point of each of these two gutter-shaped joints 21. Since the two lowest points of each first scraper joint 20a and the lowest point of each gutter-shaped joint 21 open into the drain orifice 23 of the corresponding gutter-shaped joint 21, water is discharged from the sealing device 2 through the drain orifice 23 of the first drainage channel 22a of each gutter-shaped joint 21. As each of these drain orifices 23 communicates with the first water collection orifice 5 of each of the two drainage pipes 4, the water collected by the sealing device 2 flows along the two drainage pipes 4 to the outlet orifice 6 of each pipe 4.Thus, the water that reaches the neutral 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 is in the second horizontal closed position, in particular the service position (Figures 1b and 8b), water from inclement weather, rain, or sea spray falls on the outward-facing side of the movable panel P, namely the second side P6 or reinforced side, and flows along the sealing device 2. More specifically, the water flows along the two second scraper seals 20b to the two lowest points of each of these second scraper seals 20b (direction of the arrows in [Fig. 3b]). The water also flows along the two second drainage channels 22b of the gutter-shaped seals 21 to the lowest point of each of these two gutter-shaped seals 21.The two lowest points of each second scraper joint 20b and the lowest point of each gutter-shaped joint 21 opening into the drainage orifice 23 of the corresponding gutter-shaped joint 21, the water is evacuated from the sealing device 2 through the drainage orifice 23 of the second flow channel 22b of each gutter-shaped joint 21. Since each of these drainage orifices 23 communicates with the second water collector orifice 5 of each of the two drainage pipes 4, the water collected by the sealing device 2 is made to flow along the two drainage 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 evacuated 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 water to be evacuated from the fixed structure S, regardless of the horizontal closing position of the movable panel P closing this fixed structure S. Thus, when the movable panel P is reversed between the retracted and service positions, water does not enter the internal 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 by way of indication and not limitation, and that modifications may be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A fixed structure (S) defining an interior volume and comprising an access opening (0) to said interior volume, the access opening (0) in which is mounted a movable panel (P) capable of being placed in a closed position of 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 water tightness 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, through 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 closed positions, and is configured to collect water which may come into contact with the movable panel (P), and, on the other hand, a drainage network (3) arranged along the fixed structure (S) so as to allow the water collected by the sealing device (2) to be evacuated to the outside of the fixed structure (S), the system (1) thus preventing an accumulation of water on the movable panel (P) when the latter is in the horizontal closed position, the sealing device (2) defining, in each of the two horizontal closed positions, at least one upward open drainage path,in order to allow any water that might come into contact with the movable panel (P) to flow off it and be collected on the drainage channel, the drainage channel(s) being sloped between a first point, called the high point, and a second point, called the low point, the high point being located at a higher height than the low point, so as to guide the water towards the low point, the sealing device (2) having, at each low point(s), a drainage orifice (23) opening into the drainage network (3).

2. Fixed structure (S) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable panel (P) is rectangular and has opposing first and second 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 (PI, 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 disposed 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 disposed 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 closed positions, two sloping flow paths originating from the same high point in the central region, in the longitudinal 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 closed positions, two sloping flow paths originating from the same high point in the central region, in the direction of length, of the first side (P3,P4) respective of the movable panel (P), each flow path leading to a low point, respective in the respective end region of said first side (P3, P5).

5. 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 originating 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 originating from a high point in the second end region of the first side (P3,P4) respective to the movable panel (P) and resulting in a low point respective to 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 originating from a high point in a respective end region of the respective first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P) and both terminating at the 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 originating from the same high point in the central region, in the length direction,from the respective first side (P3, P4) of the movable panel (P) and each ending 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 having 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) having, preferably, 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 closing positions, the or each drainage 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 drainage pipe (4) of the drainage network (3), which drainage pipe (4) being 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. A logistics container (C) comprising a fixed structure (S) having side walls and a top wall in which is provided an access opening (O) in which is mounted a movable panel (P) capable of being placed in a closed position of 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 out of the container (C) in one of the closed positions, referred to as the service position, and positioning the at least one weapon system (A) inside the container (C) in the other of the closed positions, referred to as the retracted position, characterized in that the fixed structure (S) is such as defined in one any of claims 1 to 9, the drainage 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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