MULTI-WALLED PLATE MATERIAL AND FILTER TAPE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter tape as defined in claim 1 and a multi-walled plate material comprising a set of in particular at least translucent plate bodies which are spatially separated from each other by successive separating bodies while enclosing a series of cavity channels which debouch at an end surface of the set of plate bodies, wherein a ventilating but substantially dust-tight filter tape as defined in claim 1 is arranged over the end surface and closes the cavity channels in dust-tight but ventilating manner, wherein the filter tape comprises a dust-tight but ventilating base and is provided with a discontinuous covering which closes the base locally in at least substantially airtight manner.

[0002] Such plate material normally constructed from transparent or at least translucent plate bodies is applied on large scale in canopies, conservatories and light corridors, wherein the entry of sunlight is desirable. The cavity channels provide here for a thermal insulation between opposite sides of the plate material. Because of the translucent nature of the plate material an accretion of dirt or growth of micro-organisms, such as algae and fungi, in the cavity channels is visually discernible from outside. In order to prevent this the entry of a breeding ground therefor in the form of airborne dust must be countered as far as possible, while a certain degree of ventilation of the cavity channels nevertheless has to be maintained in order to prevent condensation and to enable drainage from the cavity channels of condensation moisture which may be present. For this purpose the outer ends of the cavity channels are therefore closed in dust-tight but ventilating manner with the described filter tape.

[0003] Transparent and translucent plate material is relatively expensive and of a relatively vulnerable nature. Mechanical stresses can occur and be concentrated therein due to temperature fluctuations, whereby in the extreme case breakage occurs. The filter tape must also be arranged with care in order to ensure the filtering action thereof. If after a period of time there is found to be a hidden defect here, it is important to be able to hold to account the manufacturer of the plate material and/or the supplier of the plate bodies. This is found to be difficult in practice however because the origin of the plate material incorporated in a canopy or building, once it has been placed, can often not be determined with certainty. The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a filter tape, the origin of which can still be determined unambiguously even after processing and also after a period of time. A filter tape with a covering allowing adjustment of the permeability of the tape is known from WO 0129345 A1.

[0004] In order to achieve the stated objective the covering of the filter tape features a characteristic coding which is able and configured to identify the filter tape uniquely according to an origin. Although the origin of the plate material per se cannot be identified, or hardly so, the covering with which the base has been provided thus fulfils the dual function of regulating the final degree of ventilation of the filter tape and uniquely identifying the tape, and thereby the purchaser of the tape who incorporated it into the plate material. This manufacturer can hereby be found quickly and with certainty even after a period of time.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment the plate material according to the invention is characterized here in that the covering comprises a visually discernible imprint, in particular a digital imprint, with an at least partially curing liquid, in particular a printing ink or polymer resin. Although use can also be made of other techniques, such as for instance calendering and screen-printing, a digital printing technique has the advantage that in-line changeover from a one coding to another is hereby possible quickly and without interruption during production of the filter tape. A batch number can for instance be coded relatively easily as such in the covering, or a (trade mark) sign of the purchaser, after which a desired length of the filter tape is finally detached from a greater length.

[0006] A particular embodiment of the plate material has the feature according to the invention that the base comprises a non-woven sheet, in particular a non-woven sheet of polyester fibres. Through a suitable setting of process parameters such a sheet can be embodied in a suitable density so that it possesses the desired filtering but ventilating properties, while a biologically as well as mechanically stable carrier is thereby also provided. A practical embodiment of the plate material according to the invention has the feature here that the filter tape is wrapped round the end surface of the plate material and adhered with a back side to opposite sides of the plate material.

[0007] According to the present invention the filter tape comprises for this purpose a ventilating but substantially dust-tight base which is locally closed at least substantially airtightly by a covering which features a characteristic coding which is able and configured to identify the filter tape uniquely according to an origin and/or a destination.

[0008] A particular embodiment of the filter tape is characterized here according to the invention in that the base comprises a non-woven sheet and the covering comprises an imprint with an at least partially cured liquid, in particular a printing ink or polymer resin. Such a covering can for instance be applied in a desired form by means of a digital printing technique, such as ink-jetting. This provides on the one hand for a local closing of the filter tape, and thus for regulation of the average degree of ventilation, and on the other for the characteristic coding by which the filter tape can later be identified and uniquely traced in the production chain.

[0009] It is possible to already allow for this later traceability during production of the filter tape.

[0010] According to the invention, the filter tape has for this purpose the feature that the covering features a first coding in a first longitudinally continuous segment of the filter tape and features at least one further coding in at least one further longitudinally continuous segment. The first coding and the further coding are each able and configured to identify the relevant segment part of the filter tape in unique manner according to a respective first and further origin and/or a respective first and further destination. Following production these parts are separated from each other and each packed separately and delivered to their destination.

[0011] A further particular embodiment of the filter tape is characterized here according to the invention in that the filter tape is provided at least locally on a back side with a glue track, in particular on opposite longitudinal sides, and that the filter tape is provided on a front side with a coating which prevents an adhesion to the glue track but maintains the ventilation of the filter tape, wherein the filter tape is wound into a roll. The coating thus avoids adhesion between successive windings of the roll.

[0012] For this purpose a separate layer can be arranged or be provided therein by the covering which according to the invention also carries the coding. Use can be made herefor in both cases of a suitable printing technique, such as digital printing in particular. The covering is preferably also applied according to the invention as such an anti-adhesive coating in order to thereby economize on a separate process step.

[0013] The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and an associated drawing. In the drawing:

Figure 1

is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of plate material according to the invention;

Figure 2

shows a visible side of an exemplary embodiment of filter tape according to the invention as applicable in the plate material of figure 1; and

Figure 3

shows a back side of the filter tape of figure 2.

[0014] It is otherwise noted that the figures are purely schematic and not always drawn to (the same) scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated in the figures with the same reference numeral.

[0015] The plate material shown in figure 1 comprises a first plate body 10 and a second plate body 20 held at a distance from each other by a set of separating bodies 15. Formed here between separating bodies 15 is a system of cavity channels 30 which debouches at an end surface 25 of the plate material. In this embodiment use is made of a translucent or transparent plastic such as polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for separating bodies 15 and the two plate bodies. These materials are also referred to under their commercial brand names, Lexan^® and Perspex^® respectively. The plate material is hereby transparent as such, and such plate material is therefore applied on a wide scale for light corridors, canopies, carports and the like, where entry of sunlight is desired.

[0016] In order to prevent fouling of cavity channels 30 a filter tape 40 is arranged over the end surface. This filter tape 40 is dust-tight but allows a controlled measure of ventilation. Dust particles and pollen, which could otherwise form a breeding ground for the growth of micro-organisms and result in staining in the cavity channels, are as a result excluded from the cavity channels. Moisture and water vapour can however pass through the filter tape so that drainage of condensation which may occur in the cavity channels remains possible.

[0017] Use is made in this embodiment of a filter tape 40 in the form of stable non-woven carrier sheet of polyester. Use is preferably made here of a hydrophilic sheet or mesh so as to further enhance expulsion of moisture from cavity channels 30. On a back side the tape 40 comprises a glue track 41 on opposite longitudinal sides, see also figure 3. The tape is folded over end surface 25 and adhered with these glue tracks 41 to opposite free surfaces of plate material 1. Arranged on a front side of the tape, see figure 2, so as to regulate the final degree of ventilation is a covering 51-53 which fully closes the pores, channels or other openings in filter tape 40 at this position. In this embodiment the covering is arranged for this purpose with a digital printing technique and the covering comprises a suitable ink or polymer resin which later cures at least partially in air or under the influence of radiation (UV) or heat.

[0018] In order to enable later identification of origin of the plate material in the production chain, the filter tape carries according to the invention a characteristic coding (51..53). This coding is arranged in the covering here and comprises for instance a visually discernible mark of origin, such as for instance a brand logo or brand name (51) of the manufacturer of the plate material as unique identification of origin. A characteristic pattern (52), a batch number (53) or other unique identification can in addition or instead be featured in visually recognizable manner in or by the covering, see figure 2. The digital printing technique applied here, such as for instance ink jetting, allows the possibility during production of tape 40 of on-the-fly transition to different coding intended for a different customer, after which a respective portion intended for this customer is then separated from a greater length of filter tape while the remaining part of the filter tape is intended for one or more other customers or batches. Following this printing operation the covering will thus feature a first coding 51 in a first longitudinally continuous segment of the filter tape and feature at least one further coding 52,53 in at least one further longitudinally continuous segment, as for instance also shown in figure 2. The first coding and the further coding are each able and configured here to identify the filter tape uniquely according to a respective first and further origin and/or a respective first and further destination. The separate and/or successive longitudinal segments can subsequently be detached from the tape and be further processed individually subject to their destination.

[0019] Tape 40 can be wound into a roll. In order to avoid successive windings adhering to each other as a result of the presence of the two glue tracks, an imprint 42 can be provided on the front side which prevents adhesion to the glue track while maintaining the ventilation of the filter tape. This imprint can already be formed by the covering 51..52 or arranged separately thereover, for instance locally on the edge or over the full surface, for instance by spray-coating, ink-jetting or screen-printing. The coding imprint 51-53 is preferably also applied as such an anti-adhesion coating in order to thereby economize on a separate process step.

[0020] Although the invention has been further elucidated above on the basis of only a single exemplary embodiment, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art.

[0021] Use is thus made in the exemplary embodiment of a covering in the form of an imprint featuring the unique coding. The covering provided according to the invention in or on the filter tape can instead also be arranged therein thermally, by local melting, or mechanically by local compression, of the material of the filter tape.

Claims

1. Filter tape (40), comprising a ventilating but substantially dust-tight base which is locally closed in at least substantially airtight manner by a covering (51-53), wherein said base comprises at least a first longitudinally continuous segment and at least one further longitudinally continuous segment, characterized in that said covering features a characteristic coding which identifies the filter tape uniquely according to an origin and/or a destination, in that the covering features a first coding according to a first origin and/or a destination in said first longitudinally continuous segment of the filter tape and in that the covering features at least one further, different coding according to a further origin and/or a destination in said at least one further longitudinally continuous segment.

2. Filter tape as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the covering comprises a visually discernible imprint, in particular a digital imprint, with an at least partially curing liquid, in particular a printing ink or polymer resin.

3. Filter tape as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the base comprises a non-woven sheet, in particular a non-woven sheet of polyester fibres.

4. Filter tape as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the first coding and the further coding are each able and configured to identify the filter tape in unique manner according to a respective first and further origin and/or a respective first and further destination.

5. Filter tape as claimed in claim 1, 2 , 3 or 4, characterized in that the filter tape is provided at least locally on a back side with a glue track (41), in particular on opposite longitudinal sides, and that the filter tape is provided on a front side with an imprint which prevents adhesion to the glue track but maintains ventilation of the filter tape.

6. Filter tape as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the covering featuring a characteristic coding forms the covering which prevents adhesion to the glue track but maintains ventilation of the filter tape.

7. Filter tape as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the filter tape is wound into a roll.

8. Multi-walled plate material that is provided with the filter tape (40) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a first set of in particular at least translucent plate bodies (10, 20) which are spatially separated from each other by successive separating bodies (15) while enclosing a series of cavity channels (30) which debouch at an end surface (25) of the set of plate bodies, wherein a ventilating but substantially dust-tight first filter tape is arranged over the end surface and closes the cavity channels in dust-tight but ventilating manner, and comprising a further set of in particular at least translucent plate bodies which are spatially separated from each other by successive separating bodies while enclosing a series of cavity channels which debouch at an end surface of the set of plate bodies, wherein a ventilating but substantially dust-tight further filter tape is arranged over the end surface and closes the cavity channels in dust-tight but ventilating manner, wherein said first filter tape is taken from said first longitudinally continuous segment and in that said further filter tape is taken from said further longitudinally continuous segment, according to a respective first and further origin and/or a respective first and further destination.

Ansprüche

1. Filterband (40), umfassend eine belüftbare aber im Wesentlichen staubdichte Basis, welche örtlich in einer zumindest im Wesentlichen luftdichten Art-und-Weise durch eine Abdeckung (51-53) abgeschlossen ist, wobei besagte Basis wenigstens ein erstes längs-kontinuierliches Segment und zumindest ein weiteres längs-kontinuierliches Segment umfasst, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

besagte Abdeckung eine charakteristische Kodierung aufweist, welche das Filterband eindeutig entsprechend eines Ursprungs und/oder eines Ziels identifiziert;

die Abdeckung eine erste Kodierung entsprechend eines ersten Ursprungs und/oder Ziels in besagtem ersten längs-kontinuierlichen Segment des Filterbands aufweist; und

die Abdeckung zumindest eine weitere unterschiedliche Kodierung entsprechend eines weiteren Ursprungs und/oder Ziels in besagtem zumindest einem weiteren längs-kontinuierlichen Segment aufweist.

2. Filterband nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Abdeckung einen visuell wahrnehmbaren Aufdruck aufweist, insbesondere einen digitalen Aufdruck, mit einer zumindest teilweise aushärtenden Flüssigkeit, insbesondere eine Druckertinte oder ein Polymerharz.

3. Filterband nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Basis eine Vlies-Schicht umfasst, insbesondere eine Polyesterfaser-Vlies-Schicht.

4. Filterband nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die erste Kodierung und die weitere Kodierung beide dazu fähig und dazu eingerichtet sind das Filterband in einer einzigartigen Art-und-Weise zu identifizieren, entsprechend eines respektiven ersten und weiteren Ursprungs und/oder eines respektiven ersten und weiteren Ziels.

5. Filterband nach Anspruch 1, 2, 3 oder 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
das Filterband zumindest örtlich auf einer Rückseite mit einer Klebspur (31) ausgestattet ist, insbesondere an gegenüberliegenden Längsseiten; und das Filterband an einer Vorderseite mit einem Aufdruck versehen ist, welcher ein Anhaften an der Klebspur verhindert, aber eine Belüftung des Filterbands erlaubt.

6. Filterband nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die eine charakteristische Kodierung aufweisende Abdeckung die Abdeckung, welche ein Anhaften an der Klebspur verhindert aber das Belüften des Filterbands erlaubt, ausbildet.

7. Filterband nach Anspruch 5 oder 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
das Filterband zu einer Rolle aufgewickelt ist.

8. Mehrwandiges plattenförmiges Material, welches mit dem Filterband (40) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche bereitgestellt ist, umfassend einen ersten Satz an, insbesondere zumindest durchsichtigen, Plattenkörpern (10, 20), welche örtlich voneinander durch aufeinanderfolgende Trennkörper (15) getrennt sind, während sie eine Reihe an Hohlraumkanälen (30) umschließen, die an einer Stirnseite (25) des Satzes an Plattenkörpern hervortreten, wobei ein belüftendes aber im Wesentlichen staubdichtes erstes Filterband über der Stirnseite angeordnet ist und die Hohlraumkanäle auf eine staubdichte aber belüftende Art-und-Weise verschließt; und

umfassend einen weiteren Satz an, insbesondere zumindest durchsichtigen Plattenkörpern, welche örtlich voneinander durch aufeinanderfolgende Trennkörper getrennt sind, während sie eine Reihe an Hohlraumkanälen umschließen, die an einer Stirnseite des Satzes an Plattenkörpern hervortreten, wobei ein belüftendes aber im Wesentlichen staubdichtes weiteres Filterband über der Stirnseite angeordnet ist und die Hohlraumkanäle auf eine staubdichte aber belüftende Art-und-Weise verschließt, wobei besagtes erstes Filterband von besagten erstem längs-kontinuierlichen Segment entnommen ist; und

besagtes weiteres Filterband von besagten weiteren längs-kontinuierlichen Segment entnommen ist, entsprechend eines respektiven ersten und weiteren Ursprungs und/oder eines respektiven ersten und weiteren Ziels.

Revendications

1. Bande filtrante (40), comprenant une base ventilée mais sensiblement étanche à la poussière qui est localement fermée de manière au moins sensiblement étanche à l'air par une couverture (51-53), dans laquelle ladite base comprend au moins un premier segment continu longitudinalement et au moins un autre segment continu longitudinalement, caractérisée en ce que ladite couverture présente un codage caractéristique qui identifie la bande filtrante de manière unique selon une origine et/ou une destination, en ce que le revêtement présente un premier codage selon une première origine et/ou une destination dans ledit premier segment continu longitudinalement de la bande filtrante et en ce que le revêtement présente au moins un autre codage différent selon une autre origine et/ou une destination dans ledit au moins un autre segment continu longitudinalement.

2. Bande filtrante selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le revêtement comprend une empreinte visuellement perceptible, en particulier une empreinte numérique, avec un liquide au moins partiellement durcissant, en particulier une encre d'impression ou une résine polymère.

3. Bande filtrante selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la base comprend une feuille non tissée, en particulier une feuille non tissée de fibres de polyester.

4. Bande filtrante selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisée en ce que le premier codage et l'autre codage sont chacun aptes et configurés pour identifier la bande filtrante de manière unique selon une première et une autre origine et/ou une première et une autre destination respectives.

5. Bande filtrante selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou 4, caractérisée en ce que la bande filtrante est pourvue au moins localement sur une face arrière d'une piste de collage (41), en particulier sur des côtés longitudinaux opposés, et en ce que la bande filtrante est pourvue sur une face avant d'une empreinte qui empêche l'adhésion à la piste de collage mais maintient la ventilation de la bande filtrante.

6. Bande filtrante selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que le revêtement présentant un codage caractéristique forme le revêtement qui empêche l'adhésion à la piste de collage mais maintient la ventilation de la bande filtrante.

7. Bande filtrante selon la revendication 5 ou 6, caractérisée en ce que la bande filtrante est enroulée en rouleau.

8. Matériau de plaque à parois multiples pourvu de la bande filtrante (40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant un premier ensemble de corps de plaque (10, 20), en particulier au moins translucides, qui sont séparés les uns des autres dans l'espace par des corps de séparation (15) successifs, tout en renfermant une série de canaux creux (30) qui débouchent sur une surface d'extrémité (25) de l'ensemble de corps de plaque, dans lequel une première bande filtrante ventilée mais sensiblement étanche à la poussière est disposée sur la surface d'extrémité et ferme les canaux creux de manière étanche à la poussière mais ventilée, et comprenant un autre ensemble de corps de plaque, en particulier au moins translucides, qui sont séparés spatialement les uns des autres par des corps de séparation successifs tout en renfermant une série de canaux creux qui débouchent sur une surface d'extrémité de l'ensemble de corps de plaque, dans lequel une autre bande filtrante ventilée mais sensiblement étanche à la poussière est disposée sur la surface d'extrémité et ferme les canaux creux de manière étanche à la poussière mais ventilée, dans lequel ledit premier segment continu longitudinalement et ladite autre bande filtrante sont pris dans ledit autre segment continu longitudinalement, selon une première et une autre origine et/ou une première et une autre destination respectives.

Drawing