Space Containment Method and Containment Structures Comprising the Application of Said Method

Abstract

The invention relates to a space containment method including the following steps: applying a flexible envelope, which is made from a material that can shrink in an essentially uniform manner, around a support frame, the frame being an assembly of frame elements; and subjecting the envelope to the effects of a suitable physical phenomenon in order to generate the shrinkage thereof. Following contraction, the envelope tightly hugs the support frame, thereby stiffening the containment structure thus obtained.

1 . Space containment method comprising the steps of:
 wrapping a flexible cover, being comprised of a shrinkable material, the material shrinking in a generally homogeneous manner, around a framing support, said framing support being comprised of an assembly of framing elements; and   subjecting said flexible cover to effects of an appropriate physical phenomenon resulting in shrinkage, after contraction said flexible cover tightly enveloping said framing elements.   
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 , said framing support being comprised of tubular elements, said tubular elements being assembled together. 
   
   
       3 . Method according to  claim 2 , said tubular elements being assembly by connector pieces. 
   
   
       4 . Method according to  claim 1 , said framing elements being comprised of cables. 
   
   
       5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein said appropriate physical phenomenon is contact with hot air, said step of subjecting said flexible cover to contact with hot air being after said step of wrapping, said contraction by cooling and shutting off said hot air. 
   
   
       6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover is comprised of a thermoplastic film. 
   
   
       7 . Method according to  claim 6 , wherein said flexible cover is comprised of one or several layers of thermoplastic film featuring a minimal cumulate thickness of 250 μm and a minimum contraction capacity of 1.0 Mpa. 
   
   
       8 . Space containment structure, resulting from the method in accordance with  claim 1 . 
   
   
       9 . Space containment structure, comprising:
 a framing support being comprised of an assembly of framing elements and a flexible cover, said flexible cover being an integral part of said framing support by contraction around said framing elements.   
   
   
       10 . Space containment structure according to  claim 9 , wherein said framing support is comprised of tubular elements fitted together and maintained in an assembled position by said flexible cover tightly stretched over said tubular elements. 
   
   
       11 . Space containment structure, according to  claim 9 , said framing elements are cables, said flexible cover being attached by contraction around said framing support formed by said cables.