Internal enclosure

Abstract

 An internal enclosure (9) in or for a building of the kind specified having wall panels (20) located at their upper ends relative to a ceiling structure (12) by means which prevent lateral movement of the panels relative to the ceiling structure (12) whilst permitting relative movement in the vertical direction and maintaining an effective seal (3) between the wall panels and the ceiling structure (12).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an internal enclosure in or for a building comprising a structurally autonomous outer shell (as herein defined) comprising side walls, a base and a roof structure, such internal enclosure being erected within the outer shell and comprising wall panels extending between a ceiling structure and a floor structure. Such a building will hereinafter be referred to as "of the kind specified".

[0002] One such building is described in our co-pending application published under No. G.B. 2,099,033.

[0003] Such an internal enclosure may be erected within a structurally autonomous outer shell where it is required to provide a controlled environment, for example a sterile or clean environment. The internal enclosure may be provided with air conditioning means to provide a constant temperature environment within the internal enclosure. The enclosure may constitute and be provided with means to maintain an air pressure therein greater than the ambient atmospheric pressure external to the internal enclosure. The internal enclosure may be sealed to the extent that there is only a minimal exchange of air from the inside to the outside of the internal enclosure and vice versa, other than via the air conditioning means where provided. The ingress or egress of particles of microscopic size, for example bacteria, into or from the internal enclosure is thus prevented or substantially prevented. Preferably the enclosure is airtight or substantially airtight. Any opening, such as a door, must therefore be capable of being sealed to maintain the required enviroment.

[0004] Thus the outer shell gives general weather protection, and may be insulated as required. The controlled environment within the internal enclosure generally needs to be free from building distribution services, such as pipes, wires, ventilation ducts etc., which can be provided externally of the controlled environment, for example, in a space between the outer shell and the ceiling and/or wall panels of the internal enclosure, and thus can be fully protected from the elements. In this way, the internal enclosure can be designed with the specific purpose of the controlled environment in mind, rather than needing to consider the structural integrity of the enclosure in relation to the outer shell, and its weather proofing.

[0005] By "structurally autonomous outer shell" we mean that the outer shell does not require any support from the internal enclosure but is entirely self-­supporting. However, where for example, components of the internal enclosure are secured to the outer shell, the internal enclosure may of course give some additional strength to the outer shell, although this is not essential to the outer shell.

[0006] An outer shell may be specially constructed for the internal enclosure, although the outer shell may comprise a suitable existing building.

[0007] It is desirable that the layout of the controlled environment within the internal enclosure can be easily changed. For example, where the controlled environment comprises a production unit for production of confectionery of drugs, and it is required to change the layout to provide a production unit for different confectionary or drugs. With known buildings of the kind specified, this is not easily accomplished, and an object of the present invention is to provide a building of the kind specified where the layout of the controlled environment may be easily changed.

[0008] It is also desirable that the wall panels which make up the internal enclosure and the components whereby such panels are connected to one another and to the ceiling of the internal enclosure are such as to minimise obstructions to laminar air flow and ledges or recesses in which dust may accumulate. It is further desirable that the manner in which the wall panels are connected to the ceiling is such as to allow for a degree of relative vertical movement which may arise as a result of variations in loading on the ceiling and/or the floor structure on which the wall panels are supported.

[0009] Additionally, the wall panels of the internal enclosure should desirably be capable of installation, dismounting and re-positioning with a minimum of disturbance to the floor and ceiling structures and with a minimum of disturbance of the clean conditions which it is desired to maintain within the enclosure.

[0010] The present invention seeks to provide an internal enclosure which meets some or all of these objectives and has other advantages as will hereinafter become apparent.

[0011] According to the invention, we provide an internal enclosure in or for a building of the kind specified having wall panels located at their upper ends relative to a ceiling structure by means which prevent lateral movement of the panels relative to the ceiling structure whilst permitting relative movement in the vertical direction and maintaining an effective seal between the wall panels and the ceiling structure.

[0012] The wall panels may be located at their upper ends relative to downwardly projecting members afforded by the ceiling structure by means of a locating member which affords a downwardly directed channel for the reception of the upper end portion of the wall panels and sealing means interposed between such wall panels and said locating member to allow for relative vertical movement of the wall panels and the locating member.

[0013] The downwardly projecting member may provide a reservoir for fluid into which portions of ceiling panels extend so that the fluid provides an air tight seal between ceiling panels or filter panels.

[0014] The locating member may be of generally H-shape in section so as to afford an upwardly directed channel adapted to engage over said downwardly projecting members.

[0015] The locating member may comprise a pair of longitudinal elements each including respective flanges which form the side wall at one side of the upwardly and downwardly directed channels whereby one element may be secured to the downwardly projecting members, the wall panels located against said one element, and then retained in position by assembly of the other element with said one element.

[0016] The one element of the locating member may be secured to said downwardly projecting members adhesively, preferably by the use of a strip of compressible material having adhesive on opposed faces thereof.

[0017] The upper end portion of the wall panels may be formed or provided with a top member which includes outwardly directed lips arranged in sliding engagement with the sides of the downwardly directed channel of the locating member.

[0018] The sealing means may comprise a flexible element interposed between the locating member and the upper end portion of the wall panel, preferably between a transverse part of the locating member and the top member of the wall panel.

[0019] The flexible element may comprise a hollow or tubular strip inserted in a state of compression, preferably a strip of material which is adhesively secured to the locating member and to the wall panel and is of sinuous configuration.

[0020] The wall panels may be arranged mutually transversely and interconnected at corners by means of posts which are carried by adjoining wall panels and are not connected to the ceiling structure.

[0021] The wall panels may each have a peripheral frame comprising a top member including outwardly directed lips to engage slidably within the channel section locating member, a bottom member including a locating recess to receive an upwardly projecting member, and upright members including releasable hooks and abutments whereby adjoining wall panels may be joined together.

[0022] The frame members are preferably adapted for connection to a floor and the ceiling structures of the inner enclosure without the use of fastening elements of the kind required to penetrate any part of such members.

[0023] The wall panels may be located at their lower ends relative to upwardly projecting members provided on a floor structure by means of a locating recess formed or provided at the lower edge of the wall panels to receive said upwardly projecting member.

[0024] The upwardly projecting member may comprise a vertical web of an inverted T-section locating member secured to the floor structure.

[0025] Trim strips may be secured between the outer faces of the wall panels and the floor structure.

[0026] These and other features of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

FIGURE 1 is a diagramatic cross-section through a building of the kind specified having erected therein an internal enclosure embodying the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a transverse section through the lower end of a wall panel of the enclosure of Figure 1showing the manner in which the panel is located relative to a floor structure;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section through the upper end of a wall panel of the enclosure of Figure 1 showing the manner in which the panel is located relative to a ceiling structure but with the ceiling panels omitted for clarity;

FIGURE 4 is a side view, partially in section, at a corner formed by the junction of two wall panels of the enclosure of Figure 1 at right angles again with the ceiling panels omitted;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 4;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse section on the line VI-VI of Figure 4 showing a corner post carried by the adjoining wall panels;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a T-junction between two aligned wall panels and a further wall panel at right angles thereto;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 7;

FIGURE 9 is a side view of a joint between two locating members at a joint between two adjacent wall panels arranged in alignment with one another, again with the ceiling panels omitted;

FIGURE 10 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 9;

FIGURE 11 is a section through a locking mechanism for holding adjacent wall panels together in alignment; and

FIGURE 12 is a side view corresponding to Figure 11.

[0027] In the accompanying drawings, a building comprises a structurally autonomous outer shell 5 comprising side walls 6 a base 7 and a roof structure 8 having erected in the shell 5 an internal enclosure 9. The outer shell 5 of the building is of any conventional construction.

[0028] The base 7 affords a floor structure 10 which may also be of any conventional construction and in particular may be either solid or hollow, or either at ground level or raised above the ground.

[0029] The invention has been developed particularly for use in conjunction with a known ceiling structure 12 which extends at least partially across the outer shell 5 of the building and is supported entirely independently of the wall structure of the internal enclosure 9 hereinafter described, for example by being supported entirely by the outer shell 5, or in some other independent manner.

[0030] More particularly, the ceiling structure 12 is of a modular kind which includes rectangular ceiling panels 1 have downwardly depending edge flanges 2 which are immersed in a suitable fluid contained in reservoirs provided by an intersecting grid of channel section members 14 which project downwardly from the underside of the ceiling structure. The members 14 are suspended from the roof structure 8 by means of hangers 4 depending downward from the roof structure 8 and connected to the channel section members 14 by bosses 4a at the intersections of the grid (see Figures 4, 7, and 9).

[0031] Preferably the fluid has non Newtonian flow characteristics so that the fluid may act, for example, like a gell so that the seal will not break as a result, for example, of short duration impacts. Such a ceiling structure ensures that the joints between ceiling pads 1 is air tight however, it will be appreciated that the invention as hereinafter described may also be applied to other types of ceiling structure by securing thereto channel section members similar to the members 14 which form part of the illustrated ceiling structure 12.

[0032] In accordance with the invention, the internal enclosure 9 is constructed within the outer shell 5 by means of wall panels 20 which extend between the floor structure 10 and the ceiling structure 12 and are located relative to such structures in such a manner that they can readily be installed, removed and re-positioned without substantial disturbance to such structures.

[0033] The wall panels 20 preferably comprise panels of a known kind which include a peripheral frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members 21, 22 and 23 respectively which may be made of a suitable plastics material, or of metal sections, or in some cases of wood or the like. Outer skins 24 are secured, preferably adhesively, on both sides of the frame, such skins preferably comprising sheets of metal with a suitable facing of a plastics material, although alternatively they may be made wholly of either metal or plastics materials. The interior of the panel 20 is filled with a rigid polymeric foam 25. It will be understood that, where necessary, such panels may be modified to incorporate suitable windows and doors.

[0034] Such panels are located relative to the floor structure 10 by means of a locating member 30 which comprises an inverted T-shape section including a horizontal base 31 which is preferably secured to the floor structure 10 by means of adhesive, although fastening elements such as screws could be employed in some cases. The member 30 includes a central, upstanding web 32 which enters a corresponding groove 29 formed at the underside of the bottom frame member 22.

[0035] The arrangement is such that even without any special sealing means, the joint between the wall panel 20 and the floor structure 10 is substantially air-tight because the whole weight of the panel is transmitted onto the end face of the web 32. However, a mastic seal 32a may be added in the groove if required. Additionally, trim strips 35 are provided to extend between the outer faces of the wall panel 20 and the floor structure 10 as shown in Figure 1. Such trim strips may be secured in position adhesively, or where the skins 24 of the wall panel 20 and the upper surface of the floor structure 10 include a coating of a suitable plastics material, the trim strips may be secured together by a solvent welding technique.

[0036] At its upper edge, the panel 20 is located relative to a corresponding channel section member 14 by means of a locating member 40 which comprises a hollow central section, an upwardly directed channel adapted to engage around the member 14 and a downwardly directed channel adapted to receive the upper end portion of the panel 20.

[0037] The member 40 is formed from two identical elements 41, each of which comprises a central web 42 with two spaced horizontal flanges 43 and 44 projecting to one side thereof and upper and lower flanges 45 and 46 which extend in alignment with the central web and form the side walls of the channels.

[0038] Between the horizontal flanges 43 and 44, the web 42 also affords a pair of closely spaced flanges 47 whereby the two elements 41 may be secured together by means of screws 48, one of the elements 41 having suitable countersunk holes formed therein at appropriate spacings to receive the heads of the screws.

[0039] In use, one of the elements 41 is firstly secured to the member 14, preferably using a compressible material 49 coated with adhesive on opposite faces. The upper end of the panel 20 is then located against the lower flange 46, and the other element 41 is then placed in position and secured by means of adhesive material to the member 14 and by means of the screws 48 to the first element 41 so that the upper end of the panel 20 is then held in position.

[0040] As can be seen from Figure 2, the upper end of the wall panel 20 is provided with a top member 50 comprising a horizontal web 51 and a pair of downwardly directed flanges 52 which in combination embrace the upper edge of the panel 20. The web 51 is formed with lateral lips 53 which are so dimensioned as to engage slidably with the inner faces of the flanges 46. The edges of the lips 53 are radiussed so as to minimise abrasion as they slide over the flanges 46.

[0041] The height of the wall panel 20, relative to the spacing between the floor structure 10 and ceiling structure 12, is such that there is a substantial spacing between the top member 50 and the inner face of the downwardly presented channel as defined by flanges 44 so that downward movement of the ceiling structure 12, or upward movement of the floor structure 10, can be accommodated. Movement of the structures in the opposite directions can also be accommodated by virtue of the length of the flanges 46. This arrangement also minimises the transmission of vibrations between the floor and ceiling structures through the wall panels. In addition variations in the levels of the ceiling and floor can be accommodated.

[0042] Normally it is envisaged that a sealing element will be provided between the locating member 40 and the top member 50 so as to form a positive seal which prevents flow of air across the top of the wall panel, although the relatively close fit between the lips 53 and the flanges 46 may afford sufficient obstruction to air flow for some purposes. Where provided, such seal may comprise a tubular member of flexible material having a natural diameter which is greater than the nominal spacing between the web 51 and flanges 44 so that it is compressed and forms a firm seal. However, preferably, where such a seal is required it is formed by a strip 55 of flexible material which is secured, for example adhesively, at one side to the flanges 44 and at the other side to the web 51. Conveniently, such a seal may be pre­formed to a Z-shape in section as illustrated. If desired a further seal 55a such as a compressible foam tape may be pressed between the top of the panel and the top of the member 50.

[0043] It will be seen that the wall panel can be installed in position with a minimum of disturbance to the floor and ceiling structures, and moreover can be de-mounted and re-positioned very easily, again with a minimum of disturbance to the floor and ceiling structures, and with minimum disruption of the clean conditions which may be established within the inner enclosure when in use.

[0044] As mentioned previously, the locating members 40 serve to locate the upper edges of the wall panels 20 relative to, i.e. in alignment with, the downwardly projecting channel section members 14 which form part of a known, modular ceiling structure 12, and accordingly the dimensions of the internal enclosure, and of any rooms or sub-divisions provided therein, would normally correspond to multiples of the spacing between adjacent channel section members 14 which may typically be on a nominal 1.2m x 0.6m grid, so that the wall panels may conveniently be made in corresponding widths. However, if in any specific construction it was essential to provide a wall panel at a position intermediate the channel section members 14, it would be possible to achieve this by securing a member of similar profile to the channel section members 14 to the underside of the ceiling at the required position.

[0045] Referring now to Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, at the corner of the enclosure, the mutually transverse locating members 40 and 40a associated with adjoining wall panels may be mitred and secured together at right angles by means of a connection piece 60 located within the central hollow section of the members 41. The connection piece may include one arm formed by two channel section members 61 secured together back-to-­back and a further arm formed by an two channel section member 62, the two arms being connected by means of an angle bracket 63.

[0046] The upper flanges 45 of each locating member 41, 41a are cut away adjacent to the mitred ends to provide clearance for the cruciform intersection of the ceiling members 14 and any gap between the cut-away ends of the flanges 45 and the members 14 may be sealed with an appropriate compound.

[0047] The junction between the panels themselves, as shown in Figure 5, is effected through a corner post 65 which is secured to the side member 23 of the panel 20 by means of suitable screws. Between the post 65 and each adjacent wall panel 20, a strip 66 of compressible sealing material may be interposed and faced at the edges by a suitable sealing compound 67. The corner post 65 serves only to secure the adjoining panels together and is not secured to the floor or ceiling structures.

[0048] The sealing strips 55 (shown in Figure 4) are preferably connected at their ends to a corner sealing member (not shown) of similar sectional shape which is pre-formed to extend around the corner at the junction of the two adjacent panels.

[0049] Figures 7 and 8 show a generally similar joint construction which is utilised at the junction of three wall panels. In this case, the respective locating members 40, 40a and 40b are joined by a T-shaped connection piece 70 having one arm formed by two channel section members 71 and 72 arranged back-to-back, and a transverse arm formed by a further, similar, channel section member 73 connected by means of an angle bracket 74. The transverse arm may include spacers 75 also of channel section secured at opposite ends. A correspondingly T-shaped sealing member may be provided.

[0050] Where two wall panels require to be joined in alignment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the adjoining ends of the locating members 40 and 40b may be notched to accommodate the transversely extending ceiling member 14 at the joint and the two aligned locating members may be joined by means of a straight connecting piece 80 comprising two channel section members 81, 82 joined back-to-back.

[0051] For the purpose of joining the aligned wall panels together, the edge members 23 thereof may be provided with suitable fastening devices and one suitable arrangement is illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. At one edge, each panel carries one or more coupling hooks 16, whilst at the opposite edge a correspondingly transversely extending pin assembly 17 is provided. The arrangement is of a known kind in which, by means of an appropriate key, the hook 16 can be rotated to engage over the pin, the profile of the hook being such as to draw the two panels together when the hook engages the pin. As can be seen, the hook 16 projects through a slot formed in the side member 23 of the panel and in mounted internally of the panel structure so that the integrity of the outer surface of the panel is maintained.

[0052] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompany­ing drawing, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. An internal enclosure in or for a building of the kind specified having wall panels located at their upper ends relative to a ceiling structure by means which prevent lateral movement of the panels relative to the ceiling structure whilst permitting relative movement in the vertical direction and maintaining an effective seal between the wall panels and the ceiling structure.

2. An enclosure according to Claim 1 wherein the wall panels are located at their upper ends relative to downwardly projecting members afforded by the ceiling structure by means of a locating member which affords a downwardly directed channel for the reception of the upper end portion of the wall panels and sealing means interposed between such wall panels and said locating member to allow for relative vertical movement of the wall panels and the locating member.

3. An enclosure according to Claim 2 wherein the downwardly projecting member may provide a reservoir for fluid into which portions of ceiling panels extend so that the fluid provides an air tight seal between ceiling panels.

4. An enclosure according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the locating member is of generally H-shape in section so as to afford an upwardly directed channel adapted to engage over said downwardly projecting members.

5. An enclosure according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the locating member comprises a pair of longitudinal elements each including respective flanges which form the side wall at one side of the upwardly and downwardly directed channels whereby one element may be secured to the downwardly projecting members, the wall panels located against said one element, and then retained in position by assembly of the other element with said one element.

6. An enclosure according to Claim 5 wherein the one element of the locating member is secured to said downwardly projecting members adhesively.

7. An enclosure according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the upper end portion of the wall panels are formed or provided with a top member which includes outwardly directed lips arranged in sliding engagement with the sides of the downwardly directed channel of the locating member.

8. An enclosure according to any one of Claims 2 to 7 wherein the sealing means comprises a flexible element interposed between the locating member and the upper end portion of the wall panel.

9. An enclosure according to Claim 8 wherein the flexible element comprises a hollow or tubular strip inserted in a state of compression.

10. An enclosure according to Claim 8 wherein the flexible element comprises a strip of material which is adhesively secured to the locating member and to the wall panel and is of sinuous configuration.

11. An enclosure according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the wall panels are arranged mutually transversely and interconnected at corners by means of posts which are carried by adjoining wall panels and are not connected to the ceiling structure.

12. An enclosure according to any one of Claims 2 to 10 or Claim 11 when dependent on any one of Claims 2 to 10 wherein the wall panels may each have a peripheral frame comprising a top member including outwardly directed lips to engage slidably within the channel section locating member, a bottom member including a locating recess to receive an upwardly projecting member, and upright members including releasable hooks and abutments whereby adjoining wall panels may be joined together.

13. An enclosure according to Claim 12 wherein the frame members are adapted for connection to a floor and the ceiling structures of the inner enclosure without the use of fastening elements of the kind required to penetrate any part of such members.

14. An enclosure according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the wall panels are located at their lower ends relative to upwardly projecting members provided on a floor structure by means of a locating recess formed or provided at the lower edge of the wall panels to receive said upwardly projecting member.

15. An enclosure according to Claim 14 wherein the upwardly projecting member comprises a vertical web of an inverted T-section locating member secured to the floor structure.

16. An enclosure according to any one of Claims 13 to 15 wherein trim strips are secured between the outer faces of the wall panels and the floor structure.

Drawing