Modular structure for containing articles, fluids or persons in a state of rest or movement

Abstract

A modular structure ( 10, 20 ) for containing articles, fluids or persons includes a plurality of elements ( 1, 13, 15 ) of plastic or composite material, coupled together along their end edges ( 26 ), mechanical fixing elements ( 23 ) and fluid seal members ( 43 ) being provided along those edges ( 26 ). The coupled elements ( 1, 13, 15 ) include at least one element ( 1 ) having a curved surface, the fluid seal members ( 43 ) being positioned on the inside of the modular structure ( 10, 20 ) in receiving seats ( 40 ) provided within an inner wall of the structure.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A modular structure ( 10 ,  20 ) for containing articles, fluids or persons, said structure comprising a plurality of elements ( 1 ,  13 ,  15 ) of plastic or composite material, coupled together along their end edges ( 26 ), mechanical fixing means ( 23 ) and fluid seal means ( 43 ) being provided along those edges ( 26 ), the coupled elements ( 1 ,  13 ,  15 ) comprising at least one element ( 1 ) having a curved surface of single curvature, the fluid seal means ( 43 ) being positioned on the inside of the modular structure ( 10 ,  20 ) in receiving seats ( 40 ) provided within an inner wall of said structure, characterised in that the fluid seal means ( 43 ) are deformable bodies positioned within the respective seats provided in the inner wall of the modular structure defining the interior compartment ( 28 ) of this latter.  
   
   
       28 . A structure as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised in that the receiving seats ( 40 ) for the fluid seal means ( 43 ) are defined in correspondence with the fixing regions between the coupled elements ( 1 ,  13 ,  15 ).  
   
   
       29 . A structure as claimed in claims  28 , characterised in that the fluid seal means ( 43 ) positioned between two coupled elements ( 1 ,  13 ,  15 ) are associated with fixing means ( 46 ) positioned in the regions ( 51 ) in which several coupled elements converge.  
   
   
       30 . A structure as claimed in  claim 29 , characterised in that the fixing means ( 46 ) are cross-shaped bodies with arms ( 47 ) at least partly hollow (at  48 ) to receive ends ( 45 ) of the fluid seal means.  
   
   
       31 . A structure as claimed in  claim 30 , characterised in that said arms ( 47 ) have a flat side ( 50 ).  
   
   
       32 . A structure as claimed in  claim 30 , characterised in that the hollow arms communicate with a hole ( 460 ) into which a sealing and securing element can be inserted and which by penetrating into the cavities ( 48 ) of said arms ( 47 ) secures the ends ( 45 ) of the seal means for the arms ( 47 ).  
   
   
       33 . A structure as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised in that the receiving seats ( 40 ) for the fluid seal means ( 43 )  
   
   
       34 . A structure as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised by comprising a plurality of elements ( 1 ) having a curved surface of single curvature.  
   
   
       35 . A structure as claimed in  claim 34 , characterised in that those elements ( 1 ) having a curved surface are coupled together in succession ( FIG. 9 ) in correspondence with their end free edges ( 26 ), said structure being open.  
   
   
       36 . A structure as claimed in  claim 34 , characterised in that those elements ( 1 ) having a curved surface are coupled together in such a manner as to define a tubular structure ( FIG. 4 ).  
   
   
       37 . A structure as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised in that the elements to be coupled together comprise flat elements ( 13 ) and elements ( 15 ) comprising two connected-together adjacent curved surfaces with different centres of curvature, said elements with two curved surfaces ( 13 ) defining corner elements of the modular structure.  
   
   
       38 . A structure as claimed in  claim 37 , characterised in that at least one of the flat elements ( 13 ) presents an aperture able to be intercepted by a closure element ( 65 ).  
   
   
       39 . A structure as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised in that each coupled element ( 1 ,  13 ,  15 ) is covered by a panel ( 1 A,  13 A,  15 A) positioned on the outside of the modular structure, said outer panel having a shape identical to that of the corresponding coupled element ( 1 ,  13 ,  15 ).  
   
   
       40 . A structure as claimed in  claim 39 , characterised in that insulation elements ( 60 ) are present between the coupled elements ( 1 ,  13 ,  15 ) and the corresponding outer panels ( 1 A,  13 A,  15 A).  
   
   
       41 . A structure as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised in that the coupled elements ( 1 ,  13 ,  15 ) comprise flanges ( 25 ) projecting from their end free edges ( 26 ), the flanges ( 25 ) of two of these adjacent elements being coupled to each other and being fixed together by the mechanical fixing means ( 23 ).  
   
   
       42 . A structure as claimed in  claim 41 , characterised in that the flanges ( 25 ) are external to the interior compartment ( 28 ) of the modular structure.  
   
   
       43 . A structure as claimed in  claim 41 , characterised in that each flange ( 25 ) comprises distributed recesses ( 55 ).  
   
   
       44 . A structure as claimed in  claim 41 , characterised in that the fixing means are U-pieces ( 24 ) positioned along the projecting flanges ( 25 ) of the coupled elements ( 1 ,  13 ,  15 ), said U-pieces being fixed by mechanical fixing members ( 34 ) passing through holes ( 35 ) provided in said flanges ( 25 ) and said U-pieces ( 24 ).  
   
   
       45 . A structure as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised by being a dwelling unit.  
   
   
       46 . A structure as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised by being a conduit for fluids, articles in movement or persons.