Glazing unit comprising perforated devices and having improved acoustic insulation performance, device and method for manufacturing the glazing unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a glazing unit (10) comprising glazed walls (7) forming a cavity between them, which cavity comprises a device comprising at least one panel (3) comprising a plurality of perforations (6) arranged periodically and delimiting a chamber (2) arranged in the cavity, the chamber (2) containing a compressible porous absorbent material (8) arranged so that, when it is in a first insertion state, it is compressed in order to be inserted into the chamber (2), and, when it is in a second deployed state, it is expanded to fit the walls of said chamber (2). The invention also relates to such a device and to a method for producing the glazing unit.

Description

Glazing incorporating perforated features and exhibiting improved acoustic insulation performance; glazing device and manufacturing process

[0001] The present invention relates to glazing comprising perforated devices, in particular spacing devices.

[0002] The invention also relates to such a perforated device for this glazing.

[0003] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such glazing.

[0004] It is known from earlier art that double glazing consists of two panes of glass separated by a cavity filled with gas, typically air, classically used in windows and building facades for their thermal and acoustic insulation performance.

[0005] However, the sound transmission loss caused by such double glazing decreases for frequencies surrounding the so-called "mass / spring / mass" frequency, which corresponds to the resonance frequency of the double glazing and is located in the low frequencies. This phenomenon, called the mass / spring / mass effect, is due to significant pressure variations in the air cavity at the mass / spring / mass frequency.

[0006] In order to improve the acoustic insulation performance of glazing, various solutions have been developed.

[0007] US document 2010 / 0300800 describes acoustic glazing, particularly aircraft cockpit glazing, comprising a first pane of glass separated from a second intermediate pane of glass by a layer of acoustic PVB (poly(vinyl butyral)), the second pane of glass being separated from a third pane of glass by a layer of standard PVB or polyurethane.

[0008] However, this solution does not improve low-frequency sound insulation. To improve low-frequency sound insulation, an existing passive solution is to increase the thickness of the glass panes or the thickness of the glazing cavity. However, this results in bulky and very heavy structures.

[0009] International patent application No. WO 2024 / 003199 states that a porous absorbent material may or may not completely fill a chamber, that it may be chosen from a list including foams, and that this list may include polyurethane foam. However, this document does not specify the criteria, other than "acoustic," for choosing the porous absorbent material. In particular, this document does not indicate any specific steps or procedures for equipping the chamber with the porous absorbent material.

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a system to improve the acoustic insulation properties of glazing, particularly in the low frequencies, while facilitating the manufacture of glazing and enabling the production of relatively light and compact glazing.

[0011] To achieve this objective, the invention first proposes a glazing comprising at least two glazed walls forming a cavity between them, in which the cavity comprises at least one device comprising at least one plate, said plate being a perforated plate comprising a plurality of perforations arranged periodically and delimiting at least one chamber disposed in the cavity, an absorbing material being present inside the chamber.

[0012] Advantageously, the absorbent material comprises at least one porous absorbent material.

[0013] Thus, the invention relates to a glazing comprising at least two glazed walls, forming between them a cavity, in which the cavity comprises at least one device comprising at least one plate, said plate being a perforated plate comprising a plurality of perforations arranged periodically and delimiting at least one chamber, disposed in the cavity, an absorbing material being present inside the chamber.

[0014] According to the invention, at least one said absorbent material present inside the chamber is a compressible porous absorbent material arranged to be, in a first state of introduction, compressed for its introduction into said chamber, and, in a second state of service, relaxed by conforming to the walls of said chamber.

[0015] In the first state of introduction, the porous absorbent material is compressed in such a way that it is not in contact with all the walls of said chamber.

[0016] In the second state of service, the porous absorbent material is relaxed so that it is in contact with all the walls of said chamber (or pressed against the internal contours of the cavity), while also possibly being in contact with any secondary porous absorbent material if such a second material is present, so that the entire cavity is filled.

[0017] If the compressible porous sound-absorbing material is too relaxed in its second operating state (or too "loose"), it may not properly conform to the walls of the chamber and will not provide optimal sound attenuation. In this second operating state, the compressible porous sound-absorbing material is relaxed to the point of conforming to, that is, being in contact with, all the walls of the chamber.

[0018] In this second state of service, the compressible porous absorbing material is thus "partially" relaxed; it is not completely relaxed so that if it is taken out of said chamber, it relaxes a little more (by volumetric expansion).

[0019] In this second state of service, the compressible porous absorbing material preferably exhibits optimal acoustic performance.

[0020] The said compressible porous absorbent material is "pre-existing" or "prefabricated": it exists before the first state of introduction. The introduction of the compressible porous absorbent material into the said chamber is thus accomplished by sliding.

[0021] More specifically, said compressible porous absorbent material comprises a polyurethane structure impregnated with an acrylic-based resin. This resin can facilitate the introduction of the compressible porous absorbent material into said chamber by sliding, reducing friction.

[0022] More specifically, said compressible porous absorbent material has a lower elastic modulus of compression than fiber-reinforced glass wool, and lower than that of closed-structure polyurethane foam. This compressibility can facilitate the introduction of the compressible porous absorbent material into said chamber by sliding.

[0023] More specifically, this compressible porous absorbent material has a compressive elastic modulus between 50 kPa and 200 kPa, inclusive. This range allows for easy compression and decompression.

[0024] More specifically, the device plate has at least three perforations, preferably at least four perforations.

[0025] More specifically, the perforations have a maximum diameter or dimension of 0.2 mm to 8 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 8 mm.

[0026] More specifically, the centers of the perforations are spaced at a distance of 5 mm to 200 mm, preferably 10 mm to 110 mm.

[0027] More specifically, the thickness of the plate is between 0.1 mm and 15.0 mm, preferably from 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm.

[0028] More specifically, the plate and the chamber it delimits are configured to resonate at a low frequency, less than or equal to 400 Hz, or even to resonate at a frequency less than or equal to 600 Hz.

[0029] More particularly, said glazing comprises at least two plates, preferably at least three plates, each comprising a plurality of perforations, arranged periodically and delimiting a chamber disposed in the cavity, preferably the periodicities of the perforations of at least two of the plates, more preferably of at least three plates, are different from each other.

[0030] More specifically, on the one hand at least one plate of the device having a plurality of perforations arranged periodically, and on the other hand the chamber that it delimits, are configured to resonate at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing.

[0031] More specifically, the device further comprises at least one second plate, having a plurality of perforations arranged periodically and delimiting a second chamber disposed in the cavity, said second plate and chamber being configured to resonate at a frequency one-third of an octave lower than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, and at least one third plate having a plurality of perforations arranged periodically and delimiting a third chamber disposed in the cavity, said third plate and chamber being configured to resonate at a frequency one-third of an octave higher than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing.

[0032] More specifically, the device is a spacing device fixed to each of the two glazed walls and comprises at least one straight tubular profile having an upper wall forming said at least one perforated wall, or at least one straight bar, in which the bar forms said at least one perforated plate.

[0033] More specifically, the device is a spacing device fixed to each of the two glazed walls and comprises at least one straight tubular profile having at least one upper wall, one lower wall and two side walls defining the chamber, in which the upper wall constitutes the plate having a plurality of perforations arranged periodically, and in which the chamber preferably has a thickness, between the upper wall and the lower wall of the profile, of 2 mm to 200 mm, preferably of 5 mm to 50 mm.

[0034] More particularly, the device is a spacing device fixed to each of the two glazed walls and comprises at least one straight bar, in which the bar constitutes the plate having a plurality of perforations arranged periodically, said bar defining the chamber with the two glazed walls, said chamber extending between the two glazed walls, from the bar to an edge of the glazing, and in which the chamber preferably has a thickness, between the bar and the edge of the glazing, of 2 mm to 200 mm, preferably of 5 mm to 50 mm.

[0035] More particularly, the device comprises a straight box having at least one upper wall, one lower wall, two longitudinal side walls and two transverse side walls defining the chamber, in which the upper wall or one of the longitudinal side walls constitutes the plate having a plurality of perforations arranged periodically, the width of said box being less than the thickness of the cavity between the two glazed walls in the same direction and, preferably, the length of said box being less than the length of the cavity in the same direction, and in which the chamber of the box preferably has a thickness, between the wall of the box having the perforations arranged periodically and the wall opposite it, of 2 mm to 200 mm, preferably of 5 mm to 50 mm.

[0036] More specifically, the device is positioned in a peripheral area of ​​the glazing cavity.

[0037] More specifically, the device also includes desiccant means configured to absorb moisture present in said at least one chamber.

[0038] More specifically, the desiccating means comprise internal desiccating means arranged inside said at least one chamber, and / or external desiccating means fixedly arranged outside said at least one chamber, in contact with the perforated plate of said at least one chamber and arranged so as to leave said perforations free.

[0039] More particularly, the desiccating means comprise internal desiccating means which comprise granules gathered in at least one envelope, wherein at least one envelope is held in a fixed position by contact with an internal wall of said at least one chamber and a secondary porous absorbent material present inside said at least one chamber, preferably selected from the group consisting of mineral wools, textile fibers, polymer foams and combinations thereof.

[0040] More in particular, said at least one envelope comprises two envelopes respectively arranged at opposite ends of said at least one chamber, or three envelopes, of which two first envelopes respectively arranged at opposite ends of said at least one chamber and a third envelope arranged substantially centrally between said two first envelopes arranged at the ends.

[0041] More particularly, in addition to said compressible porous absorbing material, another secondary acoustic porous absorbing material is present inside said at least one chamber, preferably chosen from the group consisting of mineral wools, textile fibers, polymer foams and combinations thereof, said internal desiccant means arranged fixedly comprising granules integrated into said secondary porous absorbing material and / or a bar arranged in a cavity of said secondary porous absorbing material.

[0042] More specifically, internal desiccant products consist of granules gathered in at least one casing.

[0043]

[0034] More particularly, at least one envelope is held in a fixed position by contact with an internal wall of said at least one chamber and a secondary porous absorbing material present inside said at least one chamber, preferably chosen from the group consisting of mineral wools, textile fibers, polymer foams and combinations thereof.

[0044] More particularly, said at least one envelope comprises two envelopes, respectively arranged at opposite ends of said at least one chamber, or three envelopes, of which two first envelopes are respectively arranged at opposite ends of said at least one chamber and a third envelope is arranged substantially centrally between said two first envelopes arranged at the ends.

[0045] More specifically, internal desiccant means include at least one plate which is an absorbent plate made of a solid material.

[0046] More particularly, said internal desiccating means comprise an absorbent stack of a first layer and a second layer, said first and second layers being preferably parallel to the perforated plate, the first layer being said absorbent plate and the second layer being a secondary porous absorbent material present inside said at least one chamber, preferably selected from the group consisting of mineral wools, textile fibers, polymer foams and combinations thereof.

[0047] More specifically, internal desiccant methods involve a plurality of absorbent stacks.

[0048] More specifically, all or part of the internal desiccating means are kept in a fixed position in said at least one chamber.

[0049] More specifically, the desiccating means comprise external desiccating means, fixedly arranged outside said at least one chamber, in contact with the perforated plate of said at least one chamber and arranged so as to leave said perforations free.

[0050] More specifically, the chamber delimited by at least one perforated plate is in fluidic communication with the glazing cavity formed between the glazed walls via the perforations of the perforated plate.

[0051] More specifically, the ratio between the area of ​​all the perforations of at least one periodically arranged perforated plate and the total area of ​​the plate is from 0.001% to 8%.

[0052] More specifically, the said glazing is building glazing, such as facade glazing, window or door glazing of a building or interior glazing.

[0053] The invention further relates to a glazing device comprising at least one plate, said plate having a plurality of perforations arranged periodically, said device being adapted for the manufacture of such glazing.

[0054]

[0055] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such glazing, comprising a first step of supplying at least two glazed walls, a second step of supplying such a device, a third step of arranging the two glazed walls so as to form a cavity between them, and a fourth step of introducing the device into the cavity.

[0056] More specifically, the second stage of supplying a device involves the selection of a compressible porous absorbing acoustic material arranged to be, in a first state of introduction, compressed for its introduction into said chamber, and in a second state of service, relaxed by conforming to the walls of said chamber.

[0057] More specifically, the fourth step of introducing the device into the cavity includes a compression phase of said compressible porous absorbing material for its introduction into the cavity, followed by a relaxation phase of said compressible porous absorbing material to conform to the internal contours of the cavity.

[0058] More specifically, during the fourth step of introducing the device into the cavity, said compressible porous absorbing material is inserted into the cavity and pressed against the internal contours of the cavity before the introduction of any other thermal or sound insulation or desiccant into the cavity.

[0059] More specifically, said fourth step of introducing said device into said cavity includes placing said device in said glazing cavity, so that the chamber delimited by the perforated plate of the device is in fluidic communication with the glazing cavity via the perforations in the plate of the device.

[0060] More specifically, said second step of supplying a device provides a device which is a spacing device, and said third step of arranging the two glazed walls includes a phase of fixing the two glazed walls onto the spacing device.

[0061] More specifically, said spacing device includes at least one perforated profile, and the two glazed walls are fixed to the spacing device so that the upper wall of the profile(s) of said spacing device having the periodically arranged perforations faces the cavity formed between the glazed walls of the glazing.

[0062] In some embodiments, the plate is made of metallic material, preferably aluminum and / or stainless steel, and / or polymer material, preferably polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyester, polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylate, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile, butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, or a combination thereof, the polymer material being optionally reinforced with glass fibers.

[0063] In some embodiments, the device is a spacing device fixed to each of the two glazed walls and comprises at least one straight tubular profile having at least one upper wall, one lower wall and two side walls defining the chamber, in which the upper wall constitutes the plate having a plurality of perforations arranged periodically.

[0064] In some embodiments, the chamber of the profile has a thickness, between the upper wall and the lower wall of the profile, of 2 mm to 200 mm, preferably of 5 mm to 50 mm.

[0065] The present invention addresses the need expressed above. More specifically, it provides a glazing device that enables glazing with improved acoustic insulation, particularly in the low and medium frequencies, but also in the high frequencies, while remaining relatively lightweight and compact.

[0066] This is achieved through the presence, within the device, of a plate on which a plurality of perforations are periodically arranged, this plate forming a chamber. The combination of this chamber with the periodic perforations on the plate creates resonators that absorb at least some of the sound energy within the glazing cavity formed by the two glass panes, thus reducing sound transmission through the glazing. In particular, the resonators absorb sound energy significantly at frequencies close to their resonant frequency(ies).Furthermore, the absorption of energy also for the harmonic frequencies of the resonators as well as physical phenomena related to the modification of the properties of the gas cavity of the glazing, due to the presence of the resonators, also improves the acoustic insulation at frequencies higher than the resonance frequencies of the resonators.

[0067] According to certain particular embodiments, the plate and its perforations, and the chamber, can be dimensioned so that the system formed by the plate and the chamber resonates at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing or at a frequency close to it, making it possible to reduce the mass / spring / mass effect.

[0068] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the annexed figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: represents on its left part an example of glazing according to the invention and, on its right part, an enlarged schematic and perspective view of the profile of an example of a device according to the invention present in this example of glazing; represents on its left part another example of glazing according to the invention and, on its right part, an enlarged schematic and perspective view of the box of an example of a device according to the invention present in this example of glazing; represents on its left part another example of glazing according to the invention and, on its right part, an enlarged schematic and perspective view of the bar of an example of a device according to the invention present in this example of glazing;represents the acoustic energy absorption coefficient (on the y-axis) of device no. 1 (curve A), device no. 2 (curve B), and device no. 3 (curve C) as described in Example 1 below, as a function of the sound frequency (on the x-axis, in Hz); represents the sound reduction index R (on the y-axis, in dB) of glazing no. 1 (solid light gray curve), glazing no. 2 (solid dark gray curve), and glazing no. 3 (dashed black curve) as described in Example 2 below, as a function of the sound frequency (on the x-axis, in Hz); schematically represents, in a longitudinal cross-section, a particular embodiment of the device; schematically represents, in a longitudinal cross-section, another particular embodiment of the device; schematically represents, in a longitudinal cross-section, another particular embodiment of the device of;schematically represents, in longitudinal section, another particular embodiment of the device; schematically represents, in longitudinal section, another particular embodiment of the device; schematically represents, in longitudinal section, another particular embodiment of the device; schematically represents, in longitudinal section, another particular embodiment of the device; illustrates, in block diagram form, the steps of a manufacturing process for glazing according to the invention; and illustrates the insertion of a compressible porous absorbing material into a cavity of a profile, by compressing it.

[0069] The invention is now described in more detail and in a non-limiting manner in the following description.

[0070] The invention relates to a glazing unit 10, 20, 30, comprising at least two glazed walls 7, 17, 27, forming a cavity between them. This cavity comprises at least one device including at least one plate 3, 11, 23. This at least one plate 3, 11, 23 is a perforated plate having a plurality of perforations 6, 16, 26, which are arranged periodically and delimit at least one chamber 2, 12, disposed within the cavity.

[0071] An absorbent material is present inside chamber 2, 12.

[0072] Advantageously, the absorbent material comprises at least one porous absorbent material.

[0073] Improved glazing is described in documents WO2022 / 234237 and WO2024 / 003199, incorporated herein by reference.

[0074] According to the invention, at least one such absorbing material present inside chamber 2, 12, is a compressible porous absorbing material 8, which is arranged to be, in a first state of introduction, compressed for its introduction into chamber 6, 12, and, in a second state of service, relaxed by conforming to the walls of chamber 2, 12.

[0075] In embodiments, at least one porous absorbent material is present inside the chamber, preferably selected from a group comprising a polyurethane structure, impregnated with at least one acrylic-based resin.

[0076] In particular, this at least one compressible porous absorbent material 8 has a lower elastic compression modulus than fiber-containing glass wool, and lower than that of closed-structure polyurethane foam.

[0077] More specifically, this at least one compressible porous absorbent material 8 has a compressive elastic modulus between 50 kPa and 200 kPa inclusive.

[0078] The glazing can be any type of glazing comprising at least two glazed panes defining a cavity between them. For the purposes of the present invention, the cavity of a glazing unit is defined as the volume enclosed between two glazed panes of said glazing unit.

[0079] The invention further relates to such a device, comprising at least one plate 3, 11, 23, this plate 3, 11, 23, comprising a plurality of perforations 6, 16, 26, arranged periodically, this device being adapted for the manufacture of such glazing.

[0080] The device according to the invention can be a glazing spacer. By "spacer," we mean any device for fixing the length of the gap between the glass panes of the glazing unit in which it is intended to be placed.

[0081] Alternatively, the device according to the invention may not be used as a spacing device.

[0082] The device according to the invention comprises at least one plate having a plurality of perforations arranged periodically (also called "perforated plate" hereafter).

[0083] Preferably, the device plate comprises, or is made of, a metallic material, such as aluminum and / or stainless steel, and / or a polymer material, such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyester, polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylate, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile, butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, or a combination thereof, optionally reinforced with glass fibers.

[0084] The plate has two main faces opposite each other and bearing the perforations, called in this text "external face" (corresponding to the face intended to be closest to the edge of the glass walls of the glazing) and "internal face" (corresponding to the face intended to face the center of the cavity formed between the glass walls of the glazing).

[0085] We can define for the perforated plate a length, corresponding to the largest dimension of the plate in the plane of its principal faces (also called "principal plane of the plate"), a width, corresponding to the dimension of the plate along a direction perpendicular to the direction of the length of the plate, in the principal plane of the plate, and a thickness, corresponding to the dimension of the plate along a direction perpendicular to the principal plane of the plate (and therefore corresponding to the dimension of the plate between its two principal faces).

[0086] The perforated plate is preferably rectangular parallelepiped (that is to say, it has a constant length, width and thickness).

[0087] When the device according to the invention is a spacer, the width of the perforated plate preferably determines the length of the gap between the panes of glass (i.e., the thickness of the cavity between the panes) of the glazing in which the spacer is intended to be used. The width of the plate can be from 6 to 30 mm, preferably from 10 to 20 mm, for example 16 mm or 20 mm, particularly in embodiments where the device is a spacer.

[0088] The thickness of the perforated plate is advantageously from 0.1 to 15 mm, more preferably from 0.2 to 1 mm. In particular, the perforated plate can have a thickness of 0.1 to 0.2 mm, or from 0.2 to 0.4 mm, or from 0.4 to 0.6 mm, or from 0.6 to 0.8 mm, or from 0.8 to 1 mm, or from 1 to 1 to 1.2 mm, or from 1.2 to 1.5 mm, or from 1.5 to 2 mm, or from 2 to 3 mm, or from 3 to 4 mm, or from 4 to 5 mm, or from 5 to 10 mm, or from 10 to 15 mm.

[0089] The plate has a plurality of perforations arranged periodically. "Plurality of perforations" means at least two perforations. More specifically, the plate may have two, three, or at least three, four, or at least four, five, or at least five, six, or at least six, seven, or at least seven, eight, or at least eight, nine, or at least nine, or ten, or at least ten, perforations arranged periodically. The more perforations the plate has arranged periodically, the better the sound insulation of the glazing in which the device is located. Preferably, the plate has at least three perforations, and more preferably at least four, arranged periodically.

[0090] By "periodically arranged perforations," it is understood that these perforations are identical and are present at regular intervals within the plate (i.e., the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations is constant). The perforations are made across the entire thickness of the plate (extending from the inner to the outer face of the plate) and establish fluidic communication between the spaces located on either side of the plate (i.e., they allow the flow of a fluid, and more particularly a gas, from one space to another). Advantageously, the periodic perforations are all aligned, most preferably along a longitudinal axis of the plate (i.e., along its length). Even more advantageously, the perforations are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the plate located at the midpoint of the plate's width.

[0091] The perforations can have any suitable shape. In some embodiments, they have a cross-section (i.e., in the principal plane of the plate) that is circular or substantially circular.

[0092] Advantageously, the perforations in the plate are micro-perforations. "Micro-perforations" are defined as holes whose diameter or maximum dimension (in the principal plane of the plate) is less than or equal to 8 mm. Preferably, the perforations have a diameter or maximum dimension (in the principal plane of the plate) of 0.2 to 8 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 8 mm. In some embodiments, the diameter or maximum dimension of the perforations may be 0.2 to 0.5 mm, or 0.5 to 1 mm, or 1 to 2 mm, or 2 to 3 mm, or 3 to 4 mm, or 4 to 5 mm, or 5 to 6 mm, or 6 to 7 mm, or 7 to 8 mm.

[0093] Preferably, the periodic perforations are distributed along the entire length of the plate. Alternatively, the perforations may be arranged periodically over only a portion of the plate's length, for example, over a portion of the plate with a length less than or equal to 90%, or less than or equal to 80%, or less than or equal to 70%, or less than or equal to 60%, or less than or equal to 50%, or less than or equal to 40%, or less than or equal to 30%, or less than or equal to 20%, or less than or equal to 10% of the plate's length.

[0094] For each perforation, a geometric center of said perforation can be defined (hereafter simply called the "center"). The distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations is preferably 5 to 200 mm, more preferably 10 to 110 mm. The distance between the centers of two adjacent periodic perforations may be 5 to 10 mm, or 10 to 20 mm, or 20 to 30 mm, or 30 to 40 mm, or 40 to 50 mm, or 50 to 60 mm, or 60 to 70 mm, or 70 to 80 mm, or 80 to 90 mm, or 90 to 100 mm, or 100 to 110 mm, or 110 to 120 mm, or 120 to 140 mm, or 140 to 160 mm, or 160 to 180 mm, or 180 to 200 mm.

[0095] Advantageously, the open area ratio (i.e., the ratio of the area of ​​all the periodically arranged perforations to the total area of ​​the plate (including the area of ​​the perforations)) is from 0.01 to 8%, preferably from 0.05 to 0.8%. The open area ratio can be from 0.01 to 0.05%, or from 0.05 to 0.1%, or from 0.1 to 0.2%, or from 0.2 to 0.3%, or from 0.3 to 0.4%, or from 0.4 to 0.5%, or from 0.5 to 0.6%, or from 0.6 to 0.7%, or from 0.7 to 0.8%, or from 0.8 to 0.9%, or from 0.9 to 1%, or from 1 to 2%, or from 2 to 3%, or from 3 to 4%, or from 4 to 5%, or from 5 to 6%, or from 6 to 7%, or from 7 to 8%.

[0096] The perforated plate defines a chamber, either within the device itself or within the glazing in which it is placed. The chamber is located inside the glazing cavity.

[0097] The chamber thickness is preferably from 2 to 200 mm, more preferably from 5 to 50 mm. The chamber thickness corresponds to the dimension of the chamber in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the plate. In some embodiments, the chamber has a thickness of 2 to 5 mm, or 5 to 10 mm, or 10 to 20 mm, or 20 to 30 mm, or 30 to 40 mm, or 40 to 50 mm, or 50 to 60 mm, or 60 to 70 mm, or 70 to 80 mm, or 80 to 90 mm, or 90 to 100 mm, or 100 to 120 mm, or 120 to 140 mm, or 140 to 160 mm, or 160 to 180 mm, or 180 to 200 mm.

[0098] The dimensions and configuration of the plate, its perforations, and the chamber can be chosen according to the desired resonant frequency of the plate and chamber assembly. Indeed, the relationship between the resonant frequency f of the perforated plate and the plate thickness, chamber thickness, perforation spacing, and perforation size and distribution can be estimated by the formula: [Math. 1] f = 54000.√(σ / (L+0.8D)d) where σ is the open area ratio (dependent on the size of the perforations and their distribution), L is the thickness of the plate in m, D is the thickness of the chamber in m and d is the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations in m.

[0099] Advantageously, the plate and chamber system is configured to resonate at low frequencies. "Low frequencies" refers to sound waves with frequencies below 400 Hz, or more specifically, below 300 Hz. For example, the plate and chamber system can be configured to resonate at frequencies less than or equal to 250 Hz, or less than or equal to 225 Hz, or less than or equal to 200 Hz, or less than or equal to 175 Hz, or less than or equal to 150 Hz. In other embodiments, the plate and chamber system can be configured to resonate at frequencies less than or equal to 400 Hz, or less than or equal to 350 Hz.

[0100] The plate preferably has a single series of perforations arranged periodically. Alternatively, it may have several series of perforations arranged periodically within the plate, such as at least two or three series, each series being different from the others (for example, the size of the perforations and / or the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations may be different in each series). When the plate has several series of periodic perforations, each series is located in a different portion of the plate (depending on its length). The presence of several different series of periodic perforations allows the plate-chamber system to resonate at multiple frequencies, with each portion of the plate-chamber system containing a different series of periodic perforations having a different resonant frequency.

[0101] More specifically, on the one hand at least one plate 3, 11, 23, of the device comprising a plurality of perforations 6, 16, 26, arranged periodically, and on the other hand the chamber 2, 12, which it delimits, are configured to resonate at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing.

[0102] More particularly, the device further comprises at least one second plate 3, 11, 23, having a plurality of perforations 6, 16, 26, arranged periodically and delimiting a second chamber 2, 12, disposed in the cavity, said second plate 3, 11, 23, and chamber 2, 12, being configured to resonate at a frequency one-third of an octave lower than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, and at least one third plate 3, 11, 23, having a plurality of perforations 6, 16, 26, arranged periodically and delimiting a third chamber 2, 12, disposed in the cavity, these third plates 3, 11, 23, and chamber 2, 12, being configured to resonate at a frequency one-third of an octave higher than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing.

[0103] The chamber contains at least one sound-absorbing material on its interior. "Sound-absorbing" refers to a material that is acoustically absorbent. This allows for a wider range of wavelengths absorbed by the glazing compared to the range of wavelengths absorbed by the same glazing without the sound-absorbing material. Preferably, the sound-absorbing material is designed to absorb wavelengths longer than those absorbed by the chamber without it.

[0104] Preferably, the absorbing material is a porous material. This allows an acoustic wave entering the chamber to be dissipated by a visco-thermal effect as it penetrates the porous material. The presence of such a porous material in the chamber can increase the acoustic performance of the device and thus further improve the sound insulation of the glazing in which it is placed. Preferably, a "porous absorbing material" is defined as a material characterized by a porosity greater than or equal to 0.7 and / or an air resistance of 5,000 to 150,000 N·m. The porosity of the material can be measured using a porosimeter according to the fluid saturation method, by mercury intrusion. The air resistance can be measured according to standard NF EN ISO 9053-1. Preferably, the porous absorbing material has open pores.Thus, the acoustic wave incident on the porous absorbing material can propagate through the porous absorbing material and be dissipated.

[0105] The porous absorbent material may have a porosity greater than or equal to 0.75, or greater than or equal to 0.8, or greater than or equal to 0.85, or greater than or equal to 0.9, or greater than or equal to 0.95, for example a porosity of 0.7 to 0.75, or of 0.75 to 0.8, or of 0.8 to 0.85, or of 0.85 to 0.90, or of 0.90 to 0.95, or of 0.95 to 0.99. Particularly preferred, the porous absorbent material has a porosity of 0.7 to 0.99, and more preferably greater than or equal to 0.9. The air resistance of the porous absorbing material can be from 5,000 to 10,000 Nsm⁴, or from 10,000 to 20,000 Nsm⁴, or from 20,000 to 40,000 Nsm⁴, or from 40,000 to 60,000 Nsm⁴, or from 60,000 to 80,000 Nsm⁴, or from 80,000 to 100,000 Nsm⁴, or from 100,000 to 120,000 Nsm⁴, or from 120,000 to 140,000 Nsm⁴, or from 140,000 to 150,000 Nsm⁴. Preferably, the porous absorbing material has an air resistance of air which is worth 20,000 to 100,000 Nsm 4.

[0106] According to the invention, this porous absorbent material is a compressible porous absorbent material 8, which is arranged to be, in a first state of introduction, compressed for its introduction into the chamber 6, 12, and, in a second state of service, relaxed by conforming to the walls of the chamber 2, 12.

[0107] More specifically, this compressible porous absorbent material 8 has a polyurethane structure, impregnated with an acrylic-based resin.

[0108] In particular, this compressible porous absorbent material 8 has a lower elastic compression modulus than fiber-containing glass wool, and lower than that of closed-structure polyurethane foam.

[0109] More specifically, this compressible porous absorbent material 8 has a compressive elastic modulus between 50 kPa and 200 kPa inclusive.

[0110] In a particular embodiment, this compressible porous absorbent material 8 is a “Compriband” material.

[0111] In a preferred embodiment, this compressible porous absorbent material 8 is unique, and the chamber does not contain any other porous absorbent material.

[0112] In other variations, the chamber may also contain at least one other secondary porous absorbent material, which is advantageously a textile fiber, mineral wool, polymer foam, or a combination thereof. The textile fiber may be a textile made of cotton fibers, flax fibers, hemp fibers, coconut fibers, polyester fibers, cellulose fibers, or a combination thereof. The mineral wool may be selected from the group consisting of glass wool, rock wool, and combinations thereof. The polymer foam may be selected from the group consisting of melamine foams, polyurethane foams, polyethylene foams, and combinations thereof.

[0113] In yet another variation, the chamber contains, in addition to at least this compressible porous absorbing material, a granular absorbing material. The granular absorbing material can be sand or a pile of polymer particles. Thus, an acoustic wave incident in the chamber can be dissipated by friction between particles of the granular absorbing material as it penetrates it. This granular absorbing material can be present in only a portion of the chamber; for example, the volume of the granular absorbing material can be 2 to 20%, 20 to 40%, 40 to 60%, or 60 to 80% of the total chamber volume.

[0114] In a preferred embodiment, the chamber contains no absorbent material other than the compressible porous absorbent material, and, consequently, no granular absorbent material.

[0115] Alternatively, or in addition, the chamber may contain a gas. The gas may in particular be air and / or argon, and / or krypton and / or xenon.

[0116] The perforations can be covered with fabric, either partially or, preferably, entirely. For example, the fabric can be glued to the plate by any suitable means, such as to the inner surface of the plate. Alternatively, or additionally, the fabric can be placed on a porous absorbent material as described above, for example, glued to said porous absorbent material, the porous absorbent material being placed inside the chamber so that the fabric is against all or part, preferably all, of the perforations. The fabric thus forms a screen against the perforations exhibiting a certain resistivity. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, the inventors believe that when the sound wave passes through the fabric to enter the chamber, it encounters a resistivity due to the presence of the fabric, which improves the absorption of sound energy and therefore the acoustic insulation of the glazing containing the device at low, medium, and high frequencies.When the fabric is fixed to a porous absorbent material positioned within the chamber, the acoustic insulation of the glazing is further improved. The fabric advantageously has a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 3 mm, preferably from 0.2 to 1 mm. The fabric can be made of any woven natural or synthetic fibers, such as, for example, cotton and / or linen fibers. The fabric preferably has a porosity of 0.07 to 0.99, and more preferably from 0.5 to 0.99, and / or an air resistance of 90,000 to 3,500,000 Nsm⁴, more preferably from 300,000 to 3,000,000 Nsm⁴. The air resistance and porosity can be measured as described above. The fabric can have a porosity of 0.07 to 0.2, or 0.2 to 0.4, or 0.4 to 0.6, or 0.6 to 0.8, or 0.8 to 0.99. The air resistance of the fabric can be from 90,000 to 300,000 Nsm⁴, or from 300,000 to 500,000 Nsm⁴, or from 500,000 to 1,000,000 Nsm⁴.m 4, or from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 Nsm 4, or from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 Nsm 4, or from 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 Nsm 4, or from 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 Nsm 4, or from 3,000,000 to 3,500,000 Nsm 4.

[0117] In a particular variant, the device further includes desiccating means configured to absorb moisture present in said at least one chamber 2, 12.

[0118] More specifically, these desiccating means include internal desiccating means arranged within at least one chamber 2, 12.

[0119] schematically represents, according to a longitudinal cross-sectional view, a particular embodiment of device 1.

[0120] As illustrated by the figure, the device 1 comprises, in this embodiment, a porous absorbent material 50 held in a fixed position inside the chamber 2. This porous absorbent material 50 conforms to the characteristics already mentioned previously.

[0121] In particular, the porous absorbent material 50 occupies the entire remaining volume of chamber 2. It is therefore understood that the maintenance in a fixed position of the porous absorbent material 50 results from this configuration within chamber 2.

[0122] Furthermore, in the embodiment of, the desiccating means of device 1 include so-called "internal" desiccating means which are arranged inside chamber 2. More particularly, said internal desiccating means include granules 60 integrated, preferably in a non-agglomerated manner (i.e. individually), in the porous absorbent material 50.

[0123] These granules 60 are, for example, made of molecular sieve, silica gel, calcium chloride (CaCl2), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), activated carbon, or zeolites with the chemical formulation M2 / nO.Al2O3.xSiO2.yH2O; M being able to be replaced by Ca, Mg, K, or Na. In general, any material known to those skilled in the art for making desiccants can be used as granules.

[0124] It is understood that in this embodiment, because the porous absorbent material 50 is held fixed in chamber 2, the internal desiccant in the form of granules 60 is also held in a fixed position therein. This advantageously prevents any release of the granules 60 through the perforations 6 in the upper wall 3.

[0125] Furthermore, it is important to note that considering a porous absorbent material 50 occupying the entire volume of chamber 2 is only one implementation variant of the invention. Thus, nothing precludes considering other configurations, such as a configuration in which the porous absorbent material 50 occupies only a portion of the volume of chamber 2 and is held fixed within it by any method known to those skilled in the art, for example, by using suitable adhesives.

[0126] schematically represents, following a longitudinal cross-sectional view, yet another particular embodiment of device 1.

[0127] As illustrated by, device 1 comprises a porous absorbent material 50 meeting the same characteristics (in terms of materials from which it can be made) as those described in reference to the, and occupying the entire volume of chamber 2.

[0128] Unlike the embodiment in which granules 60 were used, the internal desiccating means here comprise a bar 65 arranged in a cavity 55 of said absorbent material 50.

[0129] There are no limitations on the shape of bar 65. For example, bar 65 can be parallelepiped or cylindrical. In other examples, bar 65 can have a cross-sectional profile in the shape of a rhombus, a star, or other shapes.

[0130] The said bar 65 is made of a solid material, such as for example a material such as those mentioned above in reference to granules, and occupies the entire space delimited by the cavity 55. The placement of the bar 65 in the cavity 55 can be carried out by insertion, or by injection of desiccant material.

[0131] Of course, similarly to what has been described in reference to [reference to previous section], there is nothing to preclude the possibility that the porous absorbent material 50 occupies only a portion of the volume of chamber 2 and is held fixed within it by any method known to those skilled in the art, for example, by using suitable adhesives. Nor is there anything to preclude the possibility that the bar 65 occupies only a portion of the space delimited by cavity 55.

[0132] Furthermore, the invention also covers embodiments in which the porous material 50 comprises not only granules 60 but also a cavity 55 within which a bar 65 is housed.

[0133] schematically represents, following a longitudinal cross-sectional view, yet another particular embodiment of device 1.

[0134] As illustrated by the, device 1 comprises a porous absorbent material 50 meeting the same characteristics (in terms of materials from which it can be made) as those described in reference to.

[0135] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device 1 includes internal desiccating means maintained in a fixed position in the chamber 2 and which comprise two envelopes 70, 80 respectively arranged at opposite ends of the chamber 2, each of said envelopes 70, 80 comprising granules meeting the same characteristics as those described in reference to.

[0136] Each envelope 70, 80 can be made of a flexible or rigid material, such as paper, plastic, polymer or plant fibers, or woven materials. Naturally, since each envelope 70, 80, and the granules it contains, are part of the desiccating means of device 1, said envelope 70, 80 is provided with perforations allowing the granules to absorb moisture. These perforations are typically smaller in diameter than the granules so that they cannot escape from the envelope 70, 80 that contains them.

[0137] Furthermore, in the embodiment described herein with reference to, the fixed position of said envelopes 70, 80 is maintained by (direct) contact of each of them with the inner wall of chamber 2 and the porous absorbing material 50. To do this, said porous absorbing material 50 occupies all the remaining volume of chamber 2, that is to say the total volume of chamber 2 less the respective volumes of the two envelopes 70, 80.

[0138] The embodiment can be implemented in multiple variations. For example, the following variations are possible, possibly combined where technically feasible:

[0139] - the porous absorbent material 50 comprises granules, as already described with reference to the, and / or a bar 65, as already described with reference to the,

[0140] - The porous absorbent material 50 is not in contact with at least one of the two envelopes 70, 80, possibly with both envelopes 70, 80, so as to occupy a volume less than the volume left free by the two envelopes 70, 80 within chamber 2. Therefore, each envelope 70, 80 that is not in contact with the porous absorbent material 50 is held fixed inside chamber 2 by any method known to those skilled in the art, for example, by using suitable adhesives. The fixed positioning of the porous absorbent material 50 is achieved using similar methods.

[0141] - no porous absorbent material is present in the volume left free by the two envelopes 70, 80 within chamber 2.

[0142] Furthermore, the method has been described so far considering the presence of two envelopes 70, 80. It should be noted, however, that the number of envelopes does not constitute a limitation of the invention. Thus, nothing precludes considering a single envelope or even more than two envelopes, for example three envelopes 70, 80, 90, of which two envelopes 70, 80 respectively are arranged at opposite ends of chamber 2, and an envelope 90 is arranged substantially centrally between said two envelopes 70, 80, as illustrated, without limitation, in [the relevant figure].

[0143] Finally, regardless of the number of envelopes envisaged, their positioning within chamber 2 does not constitute a limitation of the invention.

[0144] schematically represents, following a longitudinal cross-sectional view, yet another particular embodiment of device 1 of the.

[0145] As illustrated by, device 1 comprises a porous absorbent material 50 meeting the same characteristics (in terms of materials from which it can be made) as those described in reference to.

[0146] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device 1 includes internal desiccating means maintained in a fixed position in the chamber 2 and which comprise a plate 100, referred to as the "absorbent" plate, made of a solid material, such as, for example, a material like those mentioned above with reference to granules. By "plate," reference is made here to a rigid element with a (substantially) flat surface.

[0147] More specifically, in the embodiment of, the plate 100 extends horizontally over the entire internal surface of the lower wall 4 of the device 1, without occupying the entire volume of the chamber 2. The remaining volume of the chamber 2 is entirely occupied by the porous absorbing material 50. In this way, a stack of a first layer and a second layer, called the "absorbent stack" EMP, is obtained, said two layers being parallel to the perforated plate 3 of the device 1.

[0148] The fact that said EMP absorbing stack occupies the entire internal volume of chamber 2 ensures that it remains in a fixed position.

[0149] The embodiment can be implemented in multiple variations. For example, the following variations are possible, possibly combined where technically feasible:

[0150] - only absorbent plate 100 is present in chamber 2, no porous absorbent material 50 is used,

[0151] - the absorbent plate 100 extends horizontally over only a part of the internal surface of the lower wall 4 of the device 1,

[0152] - the absorbent material porous 50 occupies a smaller volume than the volume left free by the absorbent plate 100,

[0153] - the porous absorbent material 50 comprises granules, as already described in reference to, and / or a bar 65, as already described in reference to.

[0154] Furthermore, the method has been described so far considering the presence of a single absorbent stack EMP. It should be noted, however, that the number of such absorbent stacks does not constitute a limitation of the invention. Thus, nothing precludes considering more than one absorbent stack, for example, two absorbent stacks EMP_1 and EMP_2 superimposed so as to fill the internal volume of chamber 2, as illustrated, without limitation, in Figure 1. In this example, stack EMP_1 (respectively stack EMP_2) comprises a plate 101 (respectively a plate 102) and a layer of porous absorbent material 51 (respectively a layer of porous absorbent material 52).

[0155] The internal desiccating means have been described so far assuming they are held in a fixed position within chamber 2 of device 1. However, these considerations are not limiting to the invention, as the invention also covers other embodiments in which only a part, or even none, of said internal desiccating means is fixed. These other embodiments are preferably implemented when device 1 is positioned in the lower part of the glazing, so that the internal desiccating means not held in a fixed position cannot escape through the perforations 6 due to gravity.

[0156] Furthermore, it has also been considered until now that device 1 comprised only internal desiccating means. However, nothing precludes considering other embodiments in which the desiccating means of device 1 comprise, solely or in combination with internal desiccating means, desiccating means fixedly arranged outside said chamber 2, referred to as "external desiccating means", in contact with the perforated plate 3 and arranged so as to leave said perforations 6 free.

[0157] As an example, a configuration of this type is schematically illustrated in. More particularly, in this example, the desiccating means comprise only external desiccating means formed by six bars 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 made of a solid material meeting, for example, the same characteristics as those described with reference to plate 100 of.

[0158] The said bars 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 are positioned in contact with the perforated plate 3, each bar being separated from a neighboring bar by a perforation 6. Moreover, each bar is held in a fixed position by any method known to a person skilled in the art, for example by using appropriate adhesive means.

[0159] Of course, considering six bars as external desiccating means is only one possible implementation of the invention. There is nothing to preclude considering a different number of bars, as there are no limitations attached to this aspect.

[0160] Furthermore, the fact that external drying means are in the form of bars does not constitute a limitation of the invention. As such, the external drying means may take any form described above with reference to embodiments in which device 1 includes internal drying means.

[0161] More particularly, in addition to the compressible porous absorbent material 8, proper to the invention, another secondary porous absorbent material 50 is present inside at least one chamber 2, 12, preferably chosen from the group consisting of mineral wools, textile fibers, polymer foams and combinations thereof, these internally arranged desiccating means comprising granules 60 integrated into this other secondary porous absorbent material 50 and / or a bar 65 arranged in a cavity of this other secondary porous absorbent material 50.

[0162] More specifically, internal desiccant means include granules gathered in at least one envelope 70, 80, 90.

[0163] More specifically, at least one envelope 70, 80, is held in a fixed position by contact with an internal wall of at least one chamber 2, 12, and another secondary porous absorbing material 50 present inside at least one chamber 2, 12, preferably chosen from the group consisting of mineral wools, textile fibers, polymer foams and combinations thereof.

[0164] More particularly, said at least one envelope comprises two envelopes 70, 80, respectively arranged at opposite ends of the at least one chamber 2, 12, or three envelopes, of which two first envelopes 70, 80, respectively arranged at opposite ends of the at least one chamber and a third envelope 90 arranged substantially centrally between said two first envelopes arranged at the ends.

[0165] More specifically, the internal desiccant means include at least one plate 160 which is an absorbent plate made of a solid material.

[0166] More particularly, said internal desiccating means comprise an EMP stack of a first layer and a second layer, called "absorbent stack", said two layers being preferably parallel to the perforated plate, the first layer being such absorbent plate 160 and the second layer being another secondary porous absorbent material 50 present inside at least one chamber 2, 12, preferably chosen from the group consisting of mineral wools, textile fibers, polymer foams and combinations thereof.

[0167] More specifically, the internal desiccating means comprise a plurality of absorbent stacks (EMP_1, EMP_2).

[0168] More specifically, all or part of the internal desiccating means are kept in a fixed position in said at least one chamber 2, 12.

[0169] More particularly, the desiccating means comprise external desiccating means 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, fixedly arranged outside at least one chamber 2, 12, in contact with the perforated plate of at least one chamber 2, 12, and arranged so as to leave said perforations free.

[0170] Advantageously, the interior of the chamber consists of gas and / or one or more porous absorbent materials as described above, possibly covered with a fabric as described above.

[0171] According to a first embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises at least one straight tubular profile 1. "Tubular profile" means a hollow profile, i.e., one having a cavity or chamber 2. "Straight profile" means that the profile is straight along its length (a longitudinal axis of the profile can therefore be defined). According to this embodiment, the device is advantageously a spacing device.

[0172] The tubular profile 1 comprises at least one upper wall 3, one lower wall 4, and two side walls 5 defining the chamber 2 of the profile. In this text, the terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the orientation of the profile 1 shown on the right-hand side of the figure. However, the profile 1 can, of course, have any possible orientation, such as, for example, an orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the profile is vertical or an orientation in which the upper wall is below the lower wall (as shown on the left-hand side of the figure).

[0173] The upper wall 3 has a plurality of perforations 6 arranged periodically. Thus, the profile 1 according to the invention is also referred to as the "perforated (tubular) (straight) profile" in this text. The perforations 6 are made through the entire thickness of the upper wall and establish fluid communication between the chamber 2 of the profile and the environment outside the profile (i.e., they allow the circulation of a fluid, and more particularly a gas, from the chamber 2 of the profile to the external environment and vice versa).

[0174] In this first variant, the upper wall 3 of the profile corresponds to the plate having a plurality of periodically arranged perforations of the device described above, and the chamber 2 of the profile corresponds to the chamber delimited by the plate described above. Thus, everything described in this text with respect to the perforated plate and with respect to the chamber delimited by the perforated plate applies to the upper wall 3 of the profile 1 and to the chamber 2 of the profile, respectively.

[0175] In this variant, the thickness of the chamber inside the profile 1 is the distance between the upper wall 3 and the lower wall 4 of the profile 1.

[0176] The upper wall 3 and the lower wall 4 of the profile can be connected by two side walls 5 (each of the two side walls 5 connecting a longitudinal edge of the upper wall 3 to a longitudinal edge of the lower wall 4). In other embodiments, the upper wall 3 and the lower wall 4 can be connected to each other by any number of walls.

[0177] Advantageously, the main plane of the upper wall 3 and the main plane of the lower wall 4 are parallel to each other and, even more advantageously, they are perpendicular to the main planes of the two side walls 5.

[0178] Preferably, the straight profile 1 comprises, or is made of, a material such as mentioned above in relation to the perforated plate.

[0179] Preferably, the lower wall 4 and / or each of the two side walls 5 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0180] Advantageously, the length of the upper wall 3 of the profile 1 is equal to the length of the cavity between the glazed walls 7 of the glazing 10 in which the device is intended to be placed, in the same direction.

[0181] According to a second embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises at least one straight bar 11. The term "bar" refers to a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped solid. The bar has a plurality of perforations 16 arranged periodically. Thus, the bar 11 according to the invention is also referred to as a "perforated (straight) bar" in this text. According to this second embodiment, the device is advantageously a spacing device.

[0182] In this second variant, the bar 11 corresponds to the plate with a plurality of periodically arranged perforations in the device. Thus, everything described in this text in relation to the perforated plate applies to the perforated bar.

[0183] When placed in a glazing 20 (between two glazed walls 17 of the glazing), the perforated strip according to the invention defines a chamber 12 between the glazed walls. This chamber 12 extends from the perforated strip 11 to one of the edges of the glazed walls 17. This edge is advantageously the edge of the glazed walls 17, preferably parallel to the perforated straight strip 11, closest to the perforated straight strip 11.

[0184] In this second variant, the chamber 12 formed between the glazed walls, extending from the perforated strip to the edge of the glazed walls, corresponds to the chamber delimited by the plate described above. Therefore, everything described in this text relating to the chamber delimited by the perforated plate applies to the chamber 12 formed between the glazed walls, extending from the perforated strip to the edge of the glazed walls.

[0185] In this variant, the thickness of chamber 12 corresponds to the dimension of the chamber between the perforated strip 11 and the edge of the glazed walls 17.

[0186] Advantageously, the length of the bar 11 is equal to the length of the cavity between the glazed walls 17 of the glazing 20 in which it is intended to be placed, in the same direction.

[0187] With reference to [ , according to a third variant, the device according to the invention comprises at least one rectilinear box 21. By "box" is meant a closed hollow structure, that is to say comprising a cavity or chamber.

[0188] The enclosure comprises at least one upper wall 23, one lower wall 24, two longitudinal side walls 25 (preferably opposite each other), and two transverse side walls 28 (preferably opposite each other) defining the chamber of the enclosure. A "longitudinal side wall" is understood to be a side wall parallel to the longitudinal axis of the straight enclosure, and a "transverse side wall" is understood to be a side wall perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the straight enclosure. In this text, the terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the orientation of the enclosure 21 shown on the right-hand side of the figure. Of course, the enclosure can have any other possible orientation, as shown, for example, on the left-hand side of the figure.The upper wall 23 of the box corresponds to the wall intended to face the center of the cavity formed between the glazed walls 27 of the glazing 30, the lower wall 24 corresponds to the wall of the box 11 intended to be closest to the edge of the glazed walls 27 of the glazing 30, the longitudinal side walls 25 are intended to be parallel to the glazed walls 27 and the transverse side walls 28 are intended to be perpendicular to the glazed walls 27.

[0189] The upper wall 23 and the lower wall 24 of the enclosure can be connected by two longitudinal side walls 25 (each of the two longitudinal side walls 25 connecting a longitudinal edge of the upper wall 23 to a longitudinal edge of the lower wall 24). In other, less preferred embodiments, the upper wall 23 and the lower wall 24 can be connected to each other by any number of longitudinal walls 25. The upper wall 23 and the lower wall 24 of the enclosure are preferably connected to each other by two transverse side walls 28 (each of the two transverse side walls 28 connecting a transverse edge of the upper wall 23 to a transverse edge of the lower wall 24).

[0190] Advantageously, the principal plane of the upper wall 23 and the principal plane of the lower wall 24 are parallel to each other. Preferably, the principal planes of the longitudinal side walls 25 are parallel to each other. Preferably, the principal planes of the transverse side walls 28 are parallel to each other. Even more advantageously, the principal planes of the upper wall 23 and the lower wall 34 are perpendicular to the principal planes of the two longitudinal side walls 25 and to the principal planes of the two transverse side walls 28. Particularly preferred, the enclosure 21 according to the invention has the shape of a parallelepiped, even more preferably a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0191] Each of the walls of the box 21 can independently have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, preferably each of the walls of the box 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0192] In this third variant, the length of the box 21 can be defined as corresponding to its dimension along the longitudinal axis of the straight box, and its width as corresponding to its dimension along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the straight box, in the principal plane of the upper wall 23 of the box. Preferably, the width of the box 21 is less than the thickness of the cavity between the glazed walls 27 (along the same direction) of the glazing unit 30 in which it is intended to be placed. Thus, in this variant, the device is preferably not a spacer. Preferably, at least one of the longitudinal side walls 25 (one or both) is not in contact with a glazed wall 27 when the box is placed in a glazing unit 30.

[0193] The width of the box 21 can be from 1 to 99% of the thickness of the cavity between the glazed walls of the glazing, for example from 1 to 10%, or from 10 to 20%, or from 20 to 30%, or from 30 to 40%, or from 40 to 50%, or from 50 to 60%, or from 60 to 70%, or from 70 to 80%, or from 80 to 90%, or from 90 to 99% of the thickness of the cavity between the glazed walls 27. The width of the box 21 can be from 5 mm to less than the thickness of the cavity between the glazed walls 27, for example the width of the box 21 can be from 5 mm to 29 mm, or from 5 mm to 19 mm, or from 5 mm to 15 mm.

[0194] The length of the box 21 may be less than or equal to the length of the cavity between the glazed walls 27 of the glazing unit 30 in which it is intended to be placed, in the same direction. Preferably, it is less than the length of the cavity in the same direction. The length of the box 21 can be from 1 to 100% of the length of the cavity, for example from 1 to 10%, or from 10 to 20%, or from 20 to 30%, or from 30 to 40%, or from 40 to 50%, or from 50 to 60%, or from 60 to 70%, or from 70 to 80%, or from 80 to 90%, or from 90 to 95%, or from 95 to 100% of the length of the cavity between the glazed walls 27. In some embodiments, the length of the box 21 can be from 5 cm to the length of the cavity between the glazed walls 27 (in the same direction as the length of the box 21).

[0195] The upper wall 23 or one of the longitudinal side walls 25 (designed not to be in contact with a glazed surface 27 of the glazing unit 30 when the enclosure is placed within a glazing unit) has a plurality of perforations 26 arranged periodically. Thus, the enclosure 21 according to the invention is also referred to as a "perforated (straight) enclosure" in this text. The perforations 26 are made through the entire thickness of the wall and establish fluidic communication between the chamber of the enclosure 21 and the environment outside the enclosure 21.

[0196] In this third variant, the wall of the enclosure 21, which has periodic perforations 26, corresponds to the plate with a plurality of periodically arranged perforations of the device described above, and the chamber of the enclosure 21 corresponds to the chamber delimited by the plate described above. Thus, everything described in this text with respect to the perforated plate and with respect to the chamber delimited by the perforated plate applies to the perforated wall of the enclosure 21 and to the chamber of the enclosure, respectively.

[0197] In this variant, the thickness of the chamber inside the box 21 is the distance between the wall of the box having the periodic perforations (the upper wall 23 or one of the longitudinal side walls 25) and the wall opposite this wall.

[0198] Preferably, the box 21 comprises, or is made of, a material such as mentioned above in relation to the perforated plate.

[0199] The device according to the invention can be in several of the variants described above at once. Thus, the device according to the invention can comprise both one or more perforated profiles 1 and one or more perforated bars 11; both one or more perforated profiles 1 and one or more perforated boxes 21; both one or more perforated bars 11 and one or more perforated boxes 21; or both one or more perforated profiles 1, one or more perforated bars 11 and one or more perforated boxes 21.

[0200] The device according to the invention may comprise a single perforated plate. In particular, the device according to the invention may comprise a single straight tubular profile 1 having perforations 6 in its upper wall 3, or a single perforated straight strip 11, or a single perforated straight box 21. However, preferably, the device comprises several perforated plates. More particularly, it advantageously comprises several straight tubular profiles 1, each having an upper wall 3 having perforations 6 arranged periodically, and / or several straight strips 11 having perforations 16 arranged periodically, and / or several straight boxes 21 having perforations 26 arranged periodically in one of their walls.When the device comprises several perforated plates, for example several perforated straight tubular profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated boxes 21, said perforated plates, perforated straight tubular profiles, perforated straight bars and perforated straight boxes can each independently be as described above.

[0201] Preferably, when the device comprises several perforated plates, at least some of them are different from each other, and they may all be different from each other, and / or at least some of the chambers delimited by said perforated plates are different from each other, and they may all be different from each other. In particular, when the device comprises several perforated straight tubular profiles 1, preferably at least some of them are different from each other, and they may all be different from each other. More specifically, they may have perforations 6 with a different periodicity, that is to say, perforations 6 of different dimensions and / or perforations 6 arranged differently in the upper wall 3 (for example, the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations 6 may be different).Alternatively, or additionally, they may have a top wall 3 of different thickness and / or a chamber 2 of different thickness.

[0202] When the device comprises several perforated strips 11, preferably at least some of them are different from each other, and they may all be different from each other. In particular, they may have perforations 16 with a different periodicity, that is, perforations 16 of different dimensions and / or perforations 16 arranged differently (for example, the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations 16 may be different), and / or have a different thickness. Alternatively, or additionally, at least some chambers 12 defined between said perforated strips and the edges of the glazed walls may be different from each other, and they may all be different from each other; in particular, the chambers 12 may have a different thickness.

[0203] When the device comprises several perforated rectilinear chambers 21, preferably at least some of them are different from each other, and they may all be different from each other. More specifically, they may have perforations 26 with a different periodicity, that is, perforations 26 of different dimensions and / or perforations 26 arranged differently in the wall (for example, the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations 26 may be different). Alternatively, or additionally, they may have a wall with perforations of different thicknesses and / or a chamber 12 of different thicknesses.Thus, preferably, the perforated plates (in particular the perforated straight tubular profiles 1 and / or the perforated straight bars 11 and / or the perforated straight boxes 21) and the chambers they delimit are such that at least some, or all, of the perforated plates resonate with the chambers they delimit at different frequencies.

[0204] More particularly, the glazing 10, 20, 30 comprises at least two plates 3, 11, 23, preferably at least three plates 3, 11, 23, each comprising a plurality of perforations 6, 16, 26, arranged periodically and delimiting a chamber 2, 12, arranged in the cavity, preferably the periodicities of the perforations 6, 16, 26, of at least two of the plates 3, 11, 23, more preferably of at least three plates 3, 11, 23, are different from each other.

[0205] The device may thus comprise two or at least two perforated plates (for example, two or at least two perforated straight tubular profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21) (as described above), or three or at least three perforated plates (for example, three or at least three perforated straight tubular profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21), or four or at least four perforated plates (for example, four or at least four perforated straight tubular profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21), or five or at least five perforated plates (for example, five or at least five perforated straight tubular profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21 perforated).Preferably, at least two of the perforated plates (for example, at least two of the perforated profiles 1 and / or perforated bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21) have perforations with a different periodicity (i.e., the periodicity of the perforations of one plate (for example, of a profile or bar or box) is different from the periodicity of the perforations of another plate (for example, of another profile or bar or box)), more preferably, at least three of the perforated plates (for example, at least three of the perforated profiles 1 and / or perforated bars 11 and / or perforated boxes 21) have perforations with a different periodicity.

[0206] In a particularly preferred manner, the device according to the invention comprises three perforated plates, and more particularly three perforated straight tubular profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21, or at least three perforated plates, more particularly at least three perforated straight tubular profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21, and more preferably four (or at least four) perforated plates, and more particularly four (or at least four) perforated straight tubular profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21. More preferably three or at least three of these plates (in particular three or at least three of these profiles 1 and / or bars 11 and / or boxes 21), with the chambers they delimit, are configured to resonate at different frequencies.

[0207] Even more preferably, the device includes at least:

[0208] a first perforated plate delimiting a first chamber (in particular a first perforated profile 1 or a first strip 11 or a first box 21), the system constituted by the first perforated plate and the first chamber being configured to resonate at a first frequency,

[0209] a second perforated plate delimiting a second chamber (in particular a second perforated profile 1 or a second strip 11 or a second box 21), the system consisting of the second perforated plate and the second chamber being configured to resonate at a second frequency corresponding to one-third of an octave below the first frequency, and

[0210] a third perforated plate delimiting a third chamber (in particular a third perforated profile 1 or a third bar 11 or a third box 21), the system consisting of the third perforated plate and the third chamber being configured to resonate at a third frequency corresponding to one-third of an octave above the first frequency

[0211] The device may further include one or more plates (for example one or more profiles, preferably tubular and preferably straight, and / or bars, preferably straight, and / or boxes, preferably straight) without perforations and / or one or more plates (for example one or more profiles, preferably tubular and preferably straight, and / or bars, preferably straight and / or boxes, preferably straight) having non-periodic perforations.

[0212] Preferably, the device comprises as many plates (more particularly profiles and / or bars and / or boxes) as the glazed walls of the glazing in which it is intended to be placed have sides, for example it comprises four plates (and more particularly four profiles and / or bars and / or boxes).

[0213] The plates of the device may be separate (all or some of them) or may be joined to one another (all or some of them), preferably at their ends. Preferably, when the device according to the invention is a spacer device, all the plates of the spacer device are joined to form a frame. When the plates are joined, they may form a single piece (the plates originating, for example, from a single plate folded in one or more places, for example, to form the corners of the frame) or may be assembled together by any suitable means, for example, by means of staples, glue, clips, and / or interlocking. In particular, when the device includes profiles, these may be separate (all or some of them) or may be joined to one another (all or some of them), preferably at their ends.Preferably, all the profiles of the device are joined to form a frame. When the profiles are joined, they can form a single piece (for example, straight profiles made from a single profile bent in one or more places, such as to form the corners of the frame) or can be joined together by any suitable means, for example, by the means indicated above. Similarly, when the device includes straight bars, these can be separated (all or some of them) or joined to each other (all or some of them), preferably at their ends. Preferably, all the bars of the device are joined to form a frame. When the bars are joined, they can form a single piece or can be joined together by any suitable means, for example, by the means indicated above.In embodiments where the device comprises profiles and bars, the upper walls of the profiles and bars may be joined or separated. When the device comprises straight boxes, they are advantageously separated.

[0214] When the device comprises several plates, the chambers they delimit (for example, the chambers 2 in the profiles 1 of the device and / or the chambers 12 formed between the glazed walls of the glazing extending from the straight bars to the edges of the glazing) may be closed off from each other (i.e., they are not directly in fluidic communication with each other), for example, by the presence of a partition between the chambers, or they may be communicative with each other, or some may be closed off from each other and others communicative with each other. However, when the plates of the device belong to perforated straight boxes 21, the chambers they delimit, i.e., the chambers inside said boxes, are closed off from each other (i.e., they are not directly in fluidic communication with each other).

[0215] The glazing according to the invention comprises at least two glazed panels. Advantageously, the glazed panels are parallel or essentially parallel to each other.

[0216] In some embodiments, the glazing according to the invention may comprise exactly two glazed panels (it is then called "double glazing"), or exactly three glazed panels (it is then called "triple glazing"), or at least three glazed panels.

[0217] For the purposes of this invention, a "glazed wall" means any structure comprising (or consisting of) at least one sheet of glass or a glazed assembly. A "glazed assembly" means a multi-layered glazed element, at least one layer of which is a sheet of glass. Thus, glazed walls may, for example, independently comprise a single sheet of glass or a glazed assembly, for example, made of laminated glass (as described in more detail below).

[0218] The glass sheet can be made of organic or mineral glass. It can be made of tempered glass.

[0219] The glazed walls (or one of the glazed walls) may comprise (or consist of) a glazed assembly including at least one pane of glass, which may be as described above. The glazed assembly is preferably laminated glass. "Laminated glass" means at least two panes of glass with at least one interlayer film, generally made of viscoelastic plastic, inserted between them. The viscoelastic plastic interlayer film may consist of one or more layers of a viscoelastic polymer such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, more preferably PVB. The interlayer film may be standard PVB or acoustic PVB (such as single-layer or triple-layer acoustic PVB).Acoustic PVB typically consists of three layers: two outer layers of standard PVB and an inner layer of PVB with added plasticizer to make it less rigid than the outer layers. Using laminated glass panels improves the acoustic insulation of the glazing, with the acoustic insulation being further enhanced when the interlayer is made of acoustic PVB.

[0220] Each glazed panel has two principal faces opposite each other, corresponding to the faces of the glazed panel with the largest surface areas. Advantageously, the glazed panels independently have a thickness (between their two principal faces) greater than or equal to 1.6 mm, for example, a thickness of 1.6 to 24 mm, preferably 2 to 12 mm, and more preferably 4 to 10 mm, for example, 4 or 6 mm. The glazed panels of the glazing according to the invention may all have the same thickness or different thicknesses. The greater the thickness and / or density of the glazed panels, the greater the sound insulation. Furthermore, the thicker the glazed panels, the lower the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing.

[0221] Preferably, all the glazed surfaces of the glazing have the same height and width. The glazing according to the invention can have any possible shape, and preferably has a quadrilateral shape, in particular a rectangular or essentially rectangular shape. Alternatively, the glazing can have a circular or essentially circular shape, or an elliptical or essentially elliptical shape, or a trapezoidal or essentially trapezoidal shape.

[0222] The glass walls define a cavity between them. Each of the glass walls defining the cavity has an inner face corresponding to the main face of the glass wall facing the cavity in question and an outer face corresponding to the second main face of the glass wall, that is to say corresponding to the main face of the glass wall opposite the face facing the cavity.

[0223] Advantageously, the device according to the invention is positioned in the glazing cavity, more particularly in a peripheral zone of the glazing cavity. By "peripheral zone of the cavity", we mean a zone of the cavity adjacent to the edges of the glazed walls and preferably of width (i.e. in a direction orthogonal to the edge of the glazed walls, in the plane of the glazed walls) less than or equal to 20 cm, preferably less than or equal to 10 cm, preferably less than or equal to 5 cm.

[0224] Preferably, when the device is a spacer (in particular, when it comprises one or more perforated profiles and / or perforated strips), the perforated plate(s) of the spacer are each parallel to an edge of the glazed surfaces (for example, the perforated straight profile(s) and / or perforated straight strip(s) are each parallel to an edge of the glazed surfaces). When the device comprises one or more perforated boxes, the perforated box(es) are preferably each parallel to an edge of the glazed surfaces.

[0225] Preferably, the device is placed within the glazing cavity such that the chamber defined by the perforated plate is in fluidic communication with the glazing cavity formed between the glass panes via the perforations in the plate. Thus, preferably, when the device includes at least one perforated profile 1, it is placed within the glazing cavity so that the upper wall 3 of the profile(s) 1 faces the interior of the glazing cavity, while the lower wall 4 of the profile(s) 1 faces outwards towards the edges of the glazing. In this way, the chamber 2 of the perforated profile(s) 1 is in fluidic communication with the glazing cavity via the perforations 6 in the upper wall 3 of said profile(s) 1 (i.e., a fluid, preferably a gas, can flow from the glazing cavity to the interior of the chamber 2 of the profile(s) 1, and vice versa).When the device includes at least one perforated box 21, it is placed in the glazing cavity so that the wall with the periodic perforations 26 either faces the center of the glazing cavity or faces a glazed wall without being in contact with it.

[0226] When the device is a spacing device, the two glass panels are fixed to the spacing device.

[0227] More preferably, when the spacing device includes at least one perforated profile 1, they are fixed to the side walls 5 of the profile(s) 1 of the spacing device, even more preferably their inner face is fixed each to a side wall 5 of the profile(s) 1 of the spacing device.

[0228] When the spacing device includes at least one perforated bar 11, the two glazed walls are preferably fixed to opposite lateral faces of the bar 11.

[0229] Advantageously, the glass panels are attached to the spacing device by bonding, for example by an adhesive, such as a polyisobutylene (PIB) based adhesive, by silicone sealant or by double-sided adhesive tape.

[0230] A sealing gasket may also be present, preferably located on the outer face of the spacer (i.e., the face of the spacer closest to the edge of the glazing), which is preferably the outer face of the lower wall 4 of the profile(s) 1 of the spacer (when the spacer has at least one perforated profile 1). More preferably, the sealing gasket extends from this outer face to the edge of the glazing. This sealing gasket may be made with a sealant (called a "sealing compound") based on polyurethane, polysulfide, and / or silicone. However, when the spacer has a perforated strip 11, preferably no sealing gasket is present on said strip.

[0231] The spacing device allows the length of the gap between the glass panes to be fixed. The length of this gap (i.e., the thickness of the cavity between the glass panes) can be from 6 to 30 mm, preferably from 10 to 20 mm, for example 16 mm.

[0232] When the device according to the invention is not a spacer, for example when it comprises one or more perforated boxes 21, said device, and in particular the perforated boxes 21, can be placed on a spacer. More preferably, the lower wall 24 of the box can rest on the spacer. When the length of the box is less than the length of the cavity between the glazed walls, the box 21 can be located anywhere within the peripheral area of ​​the glazing cavity.

[0233] Preferably, the glazing cavity (between the panes of glass) contains a gas. The gas can be air and / or argon, and / or krypton, and / or xenon. The use of argon, krypton, or xenon, in addition to or instead of air, improves the thermal insulation of the glazing.

[0234] The glazing according to the invention can be totally opaque, totally transparent, or partly opaque and partly transparent. Preferably, the glazing is at least partly transparent.

[0235] One (or more) of the glazed panes may be tinted throughout their thickness over all or part of their surface. One (or more) of the glazed panes may be covered, in whole or in part, with an opaque coating, for example, paint and / or enamel. The opaque coating may be present on the inner face of the glazed pane, or on its outer face, or on both faces; preferably, it covers the inner face of the glazed pane. In some embodiments, only one of the glazed panes of the glazing unit is covered with an opaque coating. This glazed pane is advantageously the outermost pane of the glazing unit when the latter is used in a building facade or exterior window.

[0236] In some embodiments, the glazing surfaces, or at least one of them, may have undergone a treatment to improve the thermal insulation of the glazing. In particular, the glazing surface(s) may have one or more insulating layers, such as a metal and / or metal oxide-based insulating layer, on one or more of their principal faces, preferably on the inner face. When the glazing surface is also coated with an opaque coating (such as enamel and / or paint), an insulating layer compatible with the opaque coating is preferably used. Alternatively, the insulating layer and the opaque coating may be arranged on different faces of the glazing surface (for example, the insulating layer may be on the inner face and the opaque coating on the outer face).Alternatively, when at least one of the glazed walls is a glazed assembly, the insulating layer can be inserted within the glazed assembly, for example between a layer of PVB and a sheet of glass.

[0237] Advantageously, at least one of the perforated plates of the device and the chamber it delimits are such that the assembly consisting of said perforated plate and said chamber resonates at the so-called "mass / spring / mass" frequency of the glazing (for example, at least one of the profiles 1 of the device having on its upper wall 3 periodically arranged perforations 6 is such that it resonates at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing. And / or at least one of the bars 11 having periodically arranged perforations 16 and the chamber 12 it delimits are such that they resonate at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing and / or at least one of the boxes 21 having periodically arranged perforations 26 is such that it resonates at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing).The presence in the glazing according to the invention of plates (and more particularly of profiles and / or bars and / or boxes) and chambers configured to resonate at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing or at a frequency close to it makes it possible to increase the loss of transmission of sound at frequencies close to the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing but also at frequencies higher than the mass / spring / mass frequency.

[0238] The mass / spring / mass frequency fmsm of the glazing can be determined by the following formula:

[0239]

[0240] where ρ0 is the air density in kg / m3, c0 is the speed of sound in the air cavity in m / s, d is the thickness of the air cavity between the two glass walls in m and ms1 and ms2 are respectively the masses per unit area of ​​the first and second glass walls in kg / m2.

[0241] Preferably, at least one of the perforated plates of the device and the chamber it delimits (more specifically, at least one of the profiles 1 of the device having periodically arranged perforations 6 on its upper wall 3 and / or at least one of the bars 11 of the device having periodically arranged perforations 16 and the chamber 12 it delimits and / or at least one of the boxes 21 of the device having periodically arranged perforations 26) are configured to resonate at a frequency corresponding to one-third of an octave below the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, or at a frequency close to it. This increases the loss of sound transmission at frequencies close to this frequency.

[0242] Preferably, at least one of the perforated plates of the device and the chamber it delimits (more specifically, at least one of the profiles 1 of the device having periodically arranged perforations 6 on its upper wall 3 and / or at least one of the bars 11 of the device having periodically arranged perforations 16 and the chamber 12 it delimits and / or at least one of the boxes 21 of the device having periodically arranged perforations 26) are configured to resonate at a frequency corresponding to one-third of an octave above the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, or at a frequency close to it. This increases the loss of sound transmission at frequencies close to this frequency.

[0243] The presence, in the glazing, of a device comprising at least two perforated plates delimiting a chamber (in particular at least two perforated profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21) of which at least one plate forms with the chamber it delimits a system configured to resonate at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing and at least one other plate forms with the chamber it delimits a system configured to resonate at one-third of an octave higher or lower than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, and preferably at least three perforated plates delimiting a chamber (in particular at least three perforated profiles 1 and / or perforated straight bars 11 and / or perforated straight boxes 21) of which at least one plate forms with the chamber it delimits a system configured to resonate at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing,at least one other plate, forming with the chamber it delimits a system configured to resonate at one-third of an octave higher than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, and at least one other plate, forming with the chamber it delimits a system configured to resonate at one-third of an octave lower than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, allows for smoothing the loss of sound transmission around the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing and improving the acoustic insulation of the glazing over a wider frequency band around the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing.

[0244] In advantageous embodiments, the glazing according to the invention can exhibit higher sound insulation (determined for example by a measurement of the sound reduction index, in particular according to ISO 10140) than identical glazing but without perforations arranged periodically in the plates of the device, over a frequency range from 200 to 2000 Hz, preferably from 100 Hz to 5000 Hz, preferably still from 50 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

[0245] The glazing according to the invention can be used in any application using glazing. In particular, the glazing according to the invention can be building glazing. The glazing can be intended to interface between the exterior and interior of the building, and can, for example, be facade glazing, window glazing, or door glazing. Alternatively, the glazing can be intended to be placed inside the building.

[0246] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing glazing as described above comprising a succession of steps as seen in, with a first step 100 of supplying at least two glazed walls, a second step 200 of supplying a device as described above, a third step 300 of arranging the two glazed walls so as to form a cavity between them, and a fourth step 400 of introducing the device into the cavity.

[0247] More specifically, the second step 200 of supplying a device involves the selection of a compressible porous absorbing material 8 arranged to be, in a first state of introduction, compressed for its introduction into the chamber 6, 12, and in a second state of service, relaxed by conforming to the walls of the chamber 2, 12, the compressible porous absorbing material 8.

[0248] More specifically, the fourth step 400 of introducing the device into the cavity includes a compression phase of the compressible porous absorbing material for its introduction into the cavity, followed by a relaxation phase of the compressible porous absorbing material to conform to the internal contours of the cavity.

[0249] In particular, during the fourth step 400 of introducing the device into the cavity, the compressible porous absorbing material 8 is inserted into the cavity by compressing it, as seen in (the double arrow represents a compression force), and then is pressed against the internal contours of the cavity before the introduction of any other thermal insulation, sound insulation, or desiccant into the cavity.

[0250] In a particularly preferred manner, the fourth step 400 of introducing the device into the cavity involves placing the device in the glazing cavity so that the chamber delimited by the perforated plate of the device is in fluidic communication with the glazing cavity via the perforations in the plate of the device.

[0251] Preferably, the second step 200 of supplying a device provides a device that is a spacer, and the manufacturing process includes, in the third step 300 of arranging the two glass panes, a phase of fixing the two glass panes to the spacer. More preferably, when the spacer has at least one perforated profile 1, the two glass panes are fixed to the spacer so that the upper surface 3 of the profile(s) 1 of the spacer having the periodically arranged perforations 6 faces the cavity formed between the glass panes of the glazing.

[0252] The following examples illustrate the invention without limiting it.

[0253] Example 1 - Measurement of sound absorption

[0254] The sound absorption of various metallic devices was measured using an impedance tube (Kundt tube) with a diameter of 100 mm.

[0255] Three devices, each comprising five aluminum profiles with a chamber 5.65 mm thick (between their top and bottom walls) and a top wall 0.35 mm thick, were fabricated. In each device, the five profiles were fixed side by side by their lateral faces, with all five profiles arranged in the same orientation (the top walls of the profiles are all in the same principal plane).

[0256] In two of the three devices, perforations were periodically drilled into the upper wall of each profile (along a longitudinal axis of the profile passing through the midpoint of its width); the third device was left without perforations. Apart from the perforations, the three devices are identical.

[0257] The characteristics of the perforations in the three devices are as follows:

[0258] Device No. 1: perforations of 0.8 mm diameter, the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations being 15 mm;

[0259] Device No. 2: perforations of 1 mm diameter, the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations being 30 mm;

[0260] Device #3: no perforation.

[0261] The sound absorption of each of the three devices tested as a function of frequency was measured according to ISO 10534-2.

[0262] The results are shown in.

[0263] We observe that devices #1 and #2 have a higher sound absorption coefficient above a certain frequency. Better absorption of sound energy translates, in glazing, into better sound insulation.

[0264] An absorption peak is observed for device #1 at approximately 1200 Hz and an absorption peak for device #2 at approximately 1000 Hz. In order to obtain the absorption peaks of the profiles at lower frequencies, the thickness of the chamber can be increased.

[0265] Example 2 - Measuring the sound insulation of glazing

[0266] A first glazing unit according to the invention (glazing unit no. 1) was manufactured. This glazing unit comprises two rectangular panes of monolithic, untempered, unlaminated glass, each with the following dimensions: 1480 mm in length, 1230 mm in width, and 4 mm in thickness. The two panes are fixed to a spacer positioned in a peripheral area of ​​the panes, so as to form a 16 mm thick cavity between them. The cavity of the glazing unit contains air. The spacer consists of four profiles forming a frame. Each profile consists of a tube with a rectangular cross-section comprising an upper wall, a lower wall opposite the upper wall, and two side walls connecting the upper and lower walls, to which the panes are fixed. Each profile has a chamber 15 mm thick (between its upper and lower walls) and 16 mm wide.Two of the profiles are 1440 mm long, and the other two are 1165 mm long. The profiles are made of a composite material containing fiberglass and have 1.2 mm thick walls. The top wall of each profile has perforations aligned and periodically distributed along a longitudinal axis of the profile, passing through the midpoint of its width. The perforations have a diameter of 4 mm, and the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations is 80 mm.

[0267] A second glazing according to the invention (glazing no. 2) was manufactured. This glazing is identical to glazing no. 1 except that the distance between the centers of two adjacent perforations is 110 mm and that the chambers of the profiles include a strip of glass wool, sold by Isover under the trade name Domisol LV, of the same length as the profile in which it is located (i.e. 1440 mm or 1165 mm depending on the profile), of width 15 mm and of thickness 15 mm.

[0268] A comparative double glazing unit (glazing unit no. 3) of type 4(16)4 was also manufactured. This double glazing unit differs from glazing unit no. 1 only in that the profiles do not include any perforations.

[0269] The sound reduction index spectrum (R) of the three glazings was measured as a function of frequency, according to the measurement protocol defined by the ISO 10140 standard.

[0270] The results are shown in the table below. [Table 1] Acoustic Index Glazing No. 1 Glazing No. 2 Glazing No. 3 RA (dB) 29.7 31.2 28.9 RA,tr (dB) 27.2 28.8 26.2 Rw(C;Ctr) (dB) 31(-1;-4) 33(-2;-4) 30(-1;-4)

[0271] Acoustic indices are determined according to ISO 717 1.

[0272] It has been observed that the presence of periodic perforations in the profiles of the spacer device improves the acoustic performance of the glazing, particularly for frequencies around the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, but also for frequencies above the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, notably for frequencies between 200 and 2000 Hz. An increase in the acoustic indices Rw, RA, and RA,tr is thus observed for glazing units #1 and #2 compared to the comparative glazing unit #3. Furthermore, the presence of mineral wool in the profiles of the spacer device provides a further improvement in the acoustic insulation of the glazing.

[0273] In short, the technical effect of choosing a compressible porous sound-absorbing material, beyond its acoustic characteristics—particularly a compressible foam as described above—is linked to the foam's processability, that is, its ability to be inserted into the spacer cavity. A foam is chosen that can be compressed to fit the spacer cavity, conforming to its shape while maintaining the same acoustic performance. It should be noted that if a rigid polyurethane foam were used, compressing it would cause it to lose its acoustic properties due to the destruction of its microstructure, because once compressed, it will never regain its original shape.

[0274] The compressibility of the acoustic cavity material is necessary to introduce the foam into such a small space.

[0275] It is important to respect a rigidity threshold, therefore a specific elastic modulus allowing a compressible foam, but which regains its acoustic properties once it returns to its initial shape.

Claims

Glazing (10, 20, 30) comprising at least two glazed walls (7, 17, 27) forming a cavity between them, in which the cavity comprises at least one device comprising at least one plate (3, 11, 23), said plate (3, 11, 23) being a perforated plate comprising a plurality of perforations (6, 16, 26) arranged periodically and delimiting at least one chamber (2, 12) disposed in the cavity, an absorbing material being present inside the chamber (2, 12), characterized in that at least one said absorbing material present inside the chamber (2, 12) is a compressible porous absorbing material (8), arranged to be, in a first state of introduction, compressed for its introduction into said chamber (2, 12), and, in a second state of service, relaxed by conforming to the walls of said chamber (2, 12). Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to claim 1, characterized in that said compressible porous absorbing material (8) comprises a polyurethane structure, impregnated with an acrylic-based resin. Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said compressible porous absorbing material (8) has a lower elastic compression modulus than glass wool comprising fibers, and lower than that of closed-structure polyurethane foam. Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to claim 3, characterized in that said compressible porous absorbing material (8) has a compressive elastic modulus between 50 kPa and 200 kPa inclusive. Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plate (3, 11, 23) and the chamber (2, 12) which it delimits are configured to resonate at a low frequency less than or equal to 400 Hz. Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, on the one hand, at least one plate (3, 11, 23) of the device comprising a plurality of perforations (6, 16, 26) arranged periodically, and on the other hand, the chamber (2, 12) which it delimits, are configured to resonate at the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing. Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to claim 6, characterized in that the device further comprises at least one second plate (3, 11, 23) having a plurality of perforations (6, 16, 26) arranged periodically and delimiting a second chamber (2, 12) disposed within the cavity, said second plate (3, 11, 23) and chamber (2, 12) being configured to resonate at a frequency one-third of an octave lower than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing, and at least one third plate (3, 11, 23) having a plurality of perforations (6, 16, 26) arranged periodically and delimiting a third chamber (2, 12) disposed within the cavity, said third plate (3, 11, 23) and chamber (2, 12) being configured to resonate at a frequency one-third of an octave lower than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing an octave higher than the mass / spring / mass frequency of the glazing. Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device further comprises desiccating means configured to absorb moisture present in said at least one chamber (2, 12). Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to claim 8, characterized in that the desiccating means comprise internal desiccating means arranged inside said at least one chamber (2, 12), and / or external desiccating means (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116) arranged fixedly outside said at least one chamber (2, 12), in contact with the perforated plate of said at least one chamber (2, 12) and arranged so as to leave said perforations free. Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to claim 9, characterized in that the desiccating means comprise internal desiccating means which comprise granules gathered in at least one envelope (70, 80, 90), wherein at least one envelope (70, 80) is held in a fixed position by contact with an internal wall of said at least one chamber and a secondary porous absorbent material (50) present inside said at least one chamber (2, 12), preferably selected from the group consisting of mineral wools, textile fibers, polymer foams and combinations thereof. Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to claim 10, characterized in that said at least one envelope comprises two envelopes (70, 80) respectively arranged at opposite ends of said at least one chamber, or three envelopes, of which two first envelopes (70, 80) respectively arranged at opposite ends of said at least one chamber and a third envelope (90) arranged substantially centrally between said two first envelopes arranged at the ends. Glazing (10, 20, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said glazing (10, 20, 30) is building glazing, such as facade, window or door glazing or interior glazing. Glazing device comprising at least one plate (3, 11, 23), said plate (3, 11, 23) comprising a plurality of perforations (6, 16, 26) arranged periodically, said device being adapted for manufacturing glazing according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A method for manufacturing glazing according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a first step (100) of supplying at least two glazed walls, a second step (200) of supplying a device according to claim 13, a third step (300) of arranging the two glazed walls so as to form a cavity between them, and a fourth step (400) of introducing the device into the cavity. Method of manufacturing a glazing according to claim 14, characterized in that the second step (200) of supplying a device comprises the selection of a compressible porous absorbing material (8) arranged to be, in a first state of introduction, compressed for its introduction into said chamber (6, 12), and in a second state of service, relaxed by conforming to the walls of said chamber (2, 12). Method of manufacturing a glazing according to claim 15, characterized in that the fourth step (400) of introducing the device into the cavity comprises a compression phase of said compressible porous absorbing material (8) for its introduction into the cavity, followed by a relaxation phase of said compressible porous absorbing material (8) to conform to the internal contours of the cavity. Method of manufacturing a glazing according to claim 16, characterized in that, during the fourth step (400) of introducing the device into the cavity, said compressible porous absorbing material (8) is inserted into the cavity and pressed against the internal contours of the cavity before the introduction of any other thermal or sound insulator or desiccant into the cavity. Method of manufacturing a glazing according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that said fourth step (400) of introducing said device into said cavity comprises placing said device in said cavity of the glazing, so that the chamber delimited by the perforated plate of the device is in fluidic communication with the cavity of the glazing via the perforations of the plate of the device. Method of manufacturing glazing according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that said second step (200) of supplying a device provides a device which is a spacing device, and in that said third step (300) of arranging the two glazed walls comprises a phase of fixing the two glazed walls onto the spacing device. A method for manufacturing glazing according to claim 19, characterized in that said spacing device comprises at least one perforated profile (1), and in that the two glazed walls are fixed on the spacing device so that the upper wall (3) of the profile(s) (1) of said spacing device comprising the perforations (6) arranged periodically faces the cavity formed between the glazed walls of the glazing.

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