PROTECTIVE SHIELD AGAINST ARCHIVOCS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective screen intended to prevent the passage of arthropods, in particular insects and spiders, to isolate a structure such as a dwelling or building, a greenhouse to protect a crop, or a vehicle for the transport of at least one human being and / or an animal, while allowing sufficient ventilation.

[0002] It also aims to develop a manufacturing process for such a protective screen. Technological background

[0003] The use of mosquito nets to combat the intrusion of insects, particularly mosquitoes and / or flies, into a dwelling has been known for a long time.

[0004] These mosquito nets are used to seal openings and form a barrier to insects while allowing good air exchange.

[0005] The mosquito nets available to date are typically made by weaving with a simple perpendicular cross of warp and weft threads, which is perpendicular.

[0006] The mesh of these mosquito nets defines openings typically with dimensions between 1 and 2 mm, to prevent the passage of insects while ensuring good ventilation.

[0007] However, it has been observed that these mosquito nets do not hold up well over time, with at least some of their openings deteriorating more or less rapidly, for example due to slippage of the threads, snagging, repeated friction, stretching, or fraying due to cutting the mosquito net, ...

[0008] This structural degradation of the mosquito net reduces its effectiveness and can then give free rein to insects.

[0009] Furthermore, it is observed that the weaving processes generally used cannot guarantee a regular basic mesh, so that mosquito nets, even new ones, may have openings with variable dimensions.

[0010] However, a slight variation in the dimensions of an opening can allow the passage of an insect, particularly the... aedes albopictus , also known as the tiger mosquito, which is small in size.

[0011] However, it is well known to be a major vector of various viral diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, zika or yellow fever.

[0012] Another type of mosquito, the anophelesIt can be a primary carrier of the malaria parasite, which is particularly dangerous for newborns, children, or pregnant women with weakened immune systems. This disease, which mainly affects Asia, South America, and Africa, places a considerable burden on the resources of the affected countries and their populations.

[0013] To enhance the effectiveness of mosquito nets, it was proposed in the 1980s to pre-impregnate them with insecticide.

[0014] The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends widespread access to these pre-impregnated mosquito nets in areas where malaria is endemic.

[0015] The long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) currently recommended are treated with pyrethroids. However, their widespread use in recent years has resulted in increased selection of mosquitoes resistant to these insecticides.

[0016] In any case, it is observed that mosquito nets with or without chemical additives have low resistance to tearing, which in fact reduces their lifespan.

[0017] The WHO estimates that approximately half of the mosquito nets in place are torn, or more generally ineffective after a few days of use.

[0018] Furthermore, pre-impregnating mosquito nets does not solve all the problems observed: The use of chemical products is likely to cause irritation to some users, and there are waste problems at the end of the life of the products to be treated; the lifespan of the insecticide is estimated on average to be a few months, as it does not withstand repeated washings (WHO report 2008); resistance to the insecticides used has been developing for some years ("Impregnated mosquito nets and mosquito resistance to insecticides", by Frédéric Darriet, IRD editions, Collection: les didactiques, 2007, and Mark Roland 2007), which can have serious health consequences for the populations affected.

[0019] Furthermore, and more generally, it is observed that mosquito nets currently on the market have low transparency and therefore reduce the field of vision, or, at best, cause visual discomfort.

[0020] This is particularly true of metal mosquito nets, which have good mechanical resistance, but offer very poor transparency.

[0021] Document BE 461 820 A discloses a mosquito net consisting of a plate or sheet of translucent material, pierced with round or elongated openings.

[0022] There is therefore an urgent need for a protective screen against arthropods, the original design of which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art described above. Object of the invention

[0023] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a protective screen against arthropods, simple in its design and in its operating method, forming a true mechanical barrier to the passage of these arthropods, free of insecticide, having excellent durability, while ensuring adequate air exchange through it.

[0024] An object of the present invention is such a protective screen offering high transparency and, for example, capable of replacing clear glass in glazing.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is such a protective screen, the original shape of whose ventilation openings ensures maximized air exchange through this screen while preventing the passage of arthropods.

[0026] Yet another object of the present invention is such a protective screen having increased light transmission to ensure good viewing through it.

[0027] The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a protective screen against arthropods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] To this end, the invention relates to a protective screen against arthropods, such as insects, cockroaches, and spiders, comprising a sheet comprising a core of glass or plastic material, said sheet being at least partly transparent and comprising a plurality of ventilation holes, each of said ventilation holes being configured to prevent the passage of arthropods through it, said ventilation holes being intended to ensure the passage of a gaseous fluid through this screen, said sheet having two faces.

[0029] According to the invention, at least one of the portions opening onto said faces of at least some of said ventilation holes has a straight cross-section of elongated shape, said section comprising a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the dimension of each of said portions along the longitudinal axis being greater than the largest dimension of the arthropods against which this screen provides protection, the dimension of each portion along the transverse axis being less than or equal to the largest dimension of the main body of these arthropods against which this screen provides protection, this main body excluding the head and appendages of the corresponding arthropods.

[0030] Thus, this sheet forming the protective screen typically has two faces and a peripheral border, ventilation holes passing through the thickness of this sheet so that their free ends open onto these two faces, ensuring the passage of air through this sheet.

[0031] For at least some of the ventilation holes in this leaf, at least one free end of these ventilation holes has a straight cross-section, for example in the plane formed by the corresponding face, of an elongated shape such as oblong, elliptical, or oval. This elongated cross-section comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, its dimension along the longitudinal axis being greater than the largest dimension of the arthropods against which this screen provides protection, and its dimension along the transverse axis being less than or equal to the largest dimension of the main body of these arthropods against which this screen provides protection, this main body excluding the head and appendages of the corresponding arthropods.

[0032] The term "appendix" refers, for example, to a locomotor appendage such as a leg of an arthropod.

[0033] It is thus observed that the protective screen of the invention ensures a maximization of air exchange through the sheet while preventing the passage of arthropods, or by forming an insurmountable mechanical barrier for the arthropods against which it is intended to provide protection.

[0034] Advantageously, the two free ends of at least some of the ventilation holes in this sheet have such a straight cross-section without necessarily being identical. The screen then does not have a specific mounting orientation.

[0035] In general, the part of these ventilation holes located between these two free ends, and therefore in the thickness of the sheet, can be any shape, for example of constant cross-section or on the contrary, of flared shape such as conical and / or even have a narrowing.

[0036] Each ventilation hole in this protective screen is at least partially delimited laterally by a side panel or a band of side panels, closed, open at its ends, and made of a single piece, which belongs to the sheet. Advantageously, this closed side panel or band of side panels, which laterally delimits at least part of the corresponding hole, is not made by assembling or binding threads such as those obtained by weaving or knitting with state-of-the-art mosquito nets, and therefore exhibits excellent mechanical strength over time. Each opening is thus not susceptible to deformation or variation in its dimensions over time, unless the corresponding opening is intentionally damaged.

[0037] For example, the sheet being made up solely of said glass or plastic core, the side wall or the belt of side walls laterally delimiting each of the ventilation holes forms with the rest of this sheet a monolithic structure.

[0038] In other words, and more generally, for each of said ventilation holes, the side wall or the belt of side walls laterally delimiting at least the corresponding part of the ventilation hole, at the level of said core, forms with the latter a single unit, or monolithic structure.

[0039] These ventilation holes may be identical or, at least some of them, may have different dimensions and / or shapes while being configured to prevent the passage of arthropods.

[0040] Variations in the dimensions of the ventilation holes of one protective screen to another may, for example, depend on the geographical area for which this protective screen is intended, taking into account the species of arthropods living there and for at least some of which it will be designed to form a mechanical barrier preventing passage through it.

[0041] More generally, depending on the needs and purpose of a given protective screen, a compromise can be sought in its definition, between the extent of its effectiveness against arthropod species, its transparency, its mechanical resistance for example to shocks and the exchanges of gas flows that it ensures through it.

[0042] This sheet may have one or more functional layers covering the glass or plastic core on at least one of its faces. This protective screen then consists of a multilayer sheet, at least partially transparent, which is perforated.

[0043] Of course, this protective screen may also have one or more fixing holes, which are then separate from the ventilation holes and not intended to ensure the passage of a gaseous fluid through this screen.

[0044] Preferably, apart from its holes, the sheet is solid and substantially continuous in its mechanical and chemical properties, within manufacturing tolerances.

[0045] When the core of this sheet is made of polymer, it is advantageously an extruded sheet, a molded sheet, or a sheet obtained by casting or made by three-dimensional (3D) printing.

[0046] Advantageously, such a protective screen forms a purely mechanical barrier, which eliminates all the problems currently encountered with the massive use of pre-impregnated or insecticide-coated mosquito nets.

[0047] In various specific embodiments of this protective screen, each has its own particular advantages and is susceptible to numerous possible technical combinations: at least a majority of these ventilation holes have a constant cross-section or have at least one restriction of cross-section in a direction extending between the two faces of said sheet.

[0048] Advantageously, each ventilation hole has a flared, conical shape.

[0049] Alternatively, each ventilation hole has a constriction. For example, this constriction can be located at a portion of the ventilation hole opening onto a face of the sheet, or within the thickness of the sheet, for example, by being positioned in a central, or nearly central, part of the corresponding ventilation hole. In the latter case, the ventilation hole may have a longitudinal cross-section—that is, a cross-section extending between the two faces of the sheet—resembling the general shape of a diabolo.

[0050] Recall that such a ventilation hole comprises an initial flared section, followed by a constriction, and then a third flared section. This design advantageously reduces the visual impact of one or more layers within the corresponding ventilation hole, thereby increasing the sheet's light transmission coefficient, regardless of the viewing angle. Indeed, the projected area, or footprint, of this ventilation hole for a given opening diameter is minimized at any angle.

[0051] Furthermore, this ventilation hole configuration significantly lowers the temperature of the air circulating through the protective screen, thus providing air cooling when outside temperatures are high. This cooling effect was observed to be even more pronounced when outside temperatures were high. This sheet is configured to ensure cooling of the air passing through it, or through its ventilation holes.

[0052] This sheet then has a thickness and longitudinal section configuration of at least a majority of its ventilation holes, preferably of all of its ventilation holes, ensuring cooling of the air passing through this sheet.

[0053] For example, the longitudinal section of each ventilation hole is flared such as conical or has a narrowing such as a constriction.

[0054] Such a cooling of the air passing through the screen is all the more marked when the airflow through the sheet is significant, when the air is hot, or when the narrowing of the cross-section of each ventilation hole is significant. the lateral displacement of an air hole during an elastic deformation of the sheet being Δx, 2 Δx is less than or equal to the largest dimension, or even better the smallest dimension, of the main body of those arthropods against which this screen provides protection, this main body excluding the head and appendages of the corresponding arthropods.

[0055] This advantageously ensures that even in the event of elastic deformation of the sheet, for example under the effect of wind, the arthropods against which this protective screen provides protection remain effective by forming an impenetrable barrier against them.

[0056] This Δx value depends on the material(s) constituting the sheet, its thickness, its dimensions, and the applied stress. The value 2Δx is the maximum opening obtained when the upper and lower parts of a ventilation hole are displaced in opposite directions, without plastic deformation, when an external force is applied to the screen in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to it, while the screen is held in position, for example, by its peripheral edge. the surface area of ​​each ventilation hole is greater than 2000 µm 2< and even better than 3500 µm 2< in order to ensure sufficient gaseous fluid exchange through this protective screen.

[0057] This surface area is indeed the minimum surface area that each ventilation hole must have to ensure satisfactory ventilation. said screen has a light transmission coefficient which is greater than or equal to 70%, and even better greater than 80%, said ventilation holes have a straight cross-section of oval, elliptical or oblong shape, the cross-section of each hole has a Ga value between 0.1 and 8 mm in its largest dimension and a Pa value between 500 µm and 1.2 mm in its other dimension, the Ga value being greater than the largest dimension of the arthropods against which this screen provides protection, while its Pa value is less than or equal to the largest dimension of the main body of these arthropods against which this screen provides protection, this main body excluding the head and appendages of the corresponding arthropods.

[0058] Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous, purely as an illustration, for forming a protective screen against mosquitoes and especially the tiger mosquito.

[0059] Surprisingly, tests have shown that although oval, oblong, or elliptical ventilation holes have one dimension that is large, or even greater than the largest dimension of the arthropods against which this screen provides protection, in order to increase the exchange of gas flow through the screen, the latter constituted an insurmountable mechanical barrier to the arthropods against which it was designed. said sheet has a thickness of between 50µm and 10mm, and even better between 150µm and 6mm.

[0060] Thus, depending on its thickness, this sheet can be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid. the openness rate of said sheet, defined as the ratio of the area of ​​the ventilation holes to the total area of ​​said sheet is greater than 1%, preferably between [1% and 50%].

[0061] Even more preferentially, this open rate is between [2% and 25%]. said sheet comprises a core made of a material chosen from the group including polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene / propylene copolymer, polyurethane, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or an association of several thicknesses of the same material, of these plastics or of several plastics.

[0062] More generally, any polymer known for its optical transparency properties can be used. This protective screen is flat or essentially flat, or not flat.

[0063] In the latter case, it may, for example, be at least partly curved or convex. the outer face of the core of said sheet has one or more anti-scratch layers, and / or at least one anti-reflective layer covering at least part of it and / or a masking layer such as a colouring layer, preferably placed under at least one anti-scratch layer, the sheet may also be treated to be anti-UV.

[0064] As an example, it then includes in its mass a UV absorber or at least an anti-UV film, which covers at least one face of said core. The ventilation holes are arranged on the sheet to represent a design, pattern, symbol such as a number, letter, or pictogram, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, these ventilation holes may also be regularly spaced by being aligned. Each ventilation hole comprises a single, continuous side wall or band of side walls. For at least some of the ventilation holes, the portion of at least one face of the sheet delimiting the edge of each of these ventilation holes and / or the side wall or band of side walls delimiting each of the corresponding holes comprises at least one layer configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of the sheet relative to the light transmission coefficient of the same sheet whose ventilation holes lack said layer(s).The portion of the sheet face defining the edge of a ventilation hole is therefore the portion of that face immediately adjacent to the ventilation hole in question, and not the entire face.

[0065] Preferably, said at least one layer configured to increase the light transmission coefficient includes a layer of colored charges, preferably dark colored charges, for example black, gray, brown or yellow pigments.

[0066] The term "colored fillers" refers to solid, colored particles designed to improve the light transmission properties of the substrate on which they are placed by adsorbing light rays passing through them, thereby eliminating light interference. These particles can be added to a composition for deposition on a surface or formed by the interaction of a heat source with the substrate material.

[0067] Preferably, this side wall or belt of side walls radially delimiting the corresponding ventilation hole comprises a plurality of layers configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of said sheet.

[0068] Advantageously, said layer(s) are placed on the surface of said wall(s) and / or in the thickness of said sheet.

[0069] For example, the total thickness of said layer(s) is between 0.1 and 250 µm.

[0070] The optical treatment of the inner surface of each ventilation hole by the formation of one or more dark colour layers such as black or grey, makes it possible to absorb and / or block the light rays (reflected and diffracted) propagating in this or these layers thus formed.

[0071] Surprisingly, the formation of this layer (or these layers) significantly improves the light transmission of the sheet compared to a sheet with untreated ventilation holes, because it minimizes the diffraction and reflection phenomena caused by the presence of the ventilation holes. This results in noticeably improved visual comfort for the user.

[0072] The said layer or layers thus formed form absorption layers for stray light rays that pass through them. said sheet being made of a plastic material, its peripheral part has an extra thickness formed by the addition of an overmolded plastic material.

[0073] The present invention also relates to a glazing element consisting of a protective screen against arthropods, as described above.

[0074] Advantageously, this glazing element is transparent and has a light transmission coefficient that is greater than or equal to 70%, and even better greater than 80%.

[0075] Preferably, this glazing element can be treated with anti-UV protection.

[0076] The present invention also relates to a construction element comprising a protective screen against arthropods, as described above.

[0077] For illustrative purposes only, this structural element can be a window comprising a fixed frame and a movable frame that pivots relative to the fixed frame. The movable frame is equipped with at least one protective screen, as described above, which serves as glazing. Alternatively, this structural element can have a first transparent glazing unit mounted on the movable frame and such a protective screen housed in a recess in the fixed frame. This screen forms a second, fixed, transparent or opaque glazing unit. In this latter case, it is possible to move the movable frame from a first position, called the closed position, in which it is fully pressed against the fixed frame, ensuring the structural element is airtight, to a second position, called the open position, in which the movable frame no longer seals against the fixed frame but allows air to pass through.

[0078] This building element can also be a slab or a frame intended to close an opening in a building. These can be colored.

[0079] Thus, this construction element finds applications in particular for sealing an opening in a construction such as a building, a house or a building.

[0080] The present invention further relates to a shell for a child transport vehicle, such as a stroller or pram, or for a bed such as a cradle, comprising a protective screen against arthropods as described previously.

[0081] Advantageously, this shell, which is mounted on or connected to the chassis of the vehicle or bed, allows the latter to be closed to isolate the child or newborn from the arthropods for which this screen is intended, while ensuring sufficient ventilation.

[0082] The present invention further relates to the use of an arthropod screen, as described above, to isolate a space from mosquitoes, particularly the tiger mosquito, while still allowing adequate ventilation of that space, which is intended to be occupied by humans, animals, or food. More generally, this protective screen has applications in numerous technical fields, for example, in filter screens for mosquito traps, window-mosquito net combinations (when the window is opened, the mosquito net automatically replaces the window), ventilation panels or screens for homes or industrial buildings, and cable entry panels, particularly to prevent pests from passing through while ensuring good ventilation.

[0083] The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a protective screen against arthropods, as described above.

[0084] According to the invention, a sheet comprising a core of glass or plastic material is taken, said sheet being at least partly transparent, at least one removable protective layer covering at least one face of said sheet, and ventilation holes are made in the assembly comprising said sheet and said at least one removable protective layer, arranged to ensure the passage of air through said sheet, each of said ventilation holes also being configured to prevent the passage of arthropods through it.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the method of the present invention, said ventilation holes are arranged on said sheet to represent a design, a pattern, a sign such as a number, a letter or a pictogram or even a combination of these elements.

[0086] According to another embodiment of the process of the present invention, said ventilation holes are made in this assembly by pure water jet cutting, or by laser, or by milling.

[0087] With existing methods, vision through the perforated sheet is impaired, especially with the number of holes, which is particularly true for mosquito nets. The holes themselves create visual discomfort, and the surfaces surrounding the holes often have altered optical properties. This is further exacerbated by a greater sheet thickness.

[0088] The alterations created around the holes (edge ​​effect) are caused by the projection of additives (in a water jet), by a blade with an inadequate profile (core cutting, punching), by an unsuitable drill / mill blade geometry (drilling), by excessive heating of the material (laser), by a bead of material (perforation), by a weld line (injection).

[0089] Finally, there is currently no process capable of precisely creating small holes, for example on the order of a millimeter in the case of mosquito nets to block tiger mosquitoes, while ensuring very good ventilation, and largely preserving the optical properties of the sheet material in areas near the holes.

[0090] Consequently, ventilation holes are preferably made: Pure waterjet cutting avoids impacts around the holes caused by additives used to improve cutting. These impacts alter the optical properties of the material. For example, a Mecanumeric quickjet II® machine could be used. Laser cutting with short pulses, typically less than a few milliseconds, prevents excessive heating around the holes. A Trotec Speedy 100® CO2 laser machine could be used, for example. Milling, for example, with a single-thread cutter that ejects chips, at a speed of approximately 10,000 rpm, could be used. A CharlyRobot 2U® machine could be used, for example.

[0091] In all these examples, the cutting path can be started in the shape to be cut to avoid irregularities on the finished product.

[0092] According to yet another embodiment of the method of the present invention, having made said ventilation holes, and with at least one face of said sheet still covered with said at least one removable protective layer, at least one layer is formed, for at least some of said ventilation holes, on the portion of at least one face of said sheet delimiting the edge of each of these ventilation holes and / or the side wall, or the belt of side walls, delimiting each of the corresponding holes, configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of said sheet compared to the light transmission coefficient of the same sheet whose ventilation holes are devoid of said layer or layers.

[0093] Preferably, said at least one layer configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of this sheet shall be formed of at least one layer of colored charges, which shall be obtained by: by implementing a laser beam to perform a surface treatment such as the process called thermal foaming, by depositing an appropriate aerosol paint composition, by a sol-gel process or by depositing a solution comprising a solvent and colored fillers.

[0094] In the first case, the advantages of using a laser beam allowing "thermal foaming" are notably linked to obtaining particularly precise work and varying shades of foaming.

[0095] As a purely illustrative example, a laser source with a wavelength of 1.06 µm, a power of 10W, and a scanning speed of 35 m / min can be used on a sheet of polycarbonate. This produces a dark gray coloration that can be localized to the immediate vicinity of the holes and on the walls of the ventilation holes accessible to the laser beam.

[0096] For the two other treatment processes identified above, the solvent is chosen according to the polymer constituting the sheet in question in order to be able to dissolve its surface and embed the colored charges.

[0097] For illustrative purposes only, this solvent could be an organic solvent such as methanol, cyclohexanone, acetone, pyridine, or methylene chloride. This solvent can be used neat or in a mixture, for example, with water.

[0098] For example, the mixture can then be dispersed by spraying with a standard paint gun with a small-diameter nozzle, or by screen printing, or even by a sol-gel dipping coating. Masked surfaces, for example those covered by the protective layer, will then be coated, as well as at least the edges of the ventilation holes left exposed by drilling.

[0099] The main advantage of using these techniques is the speed of implementation over large areas.

[0100] For illustrative purposes only, a mixture used with PMMA can consist of 95% by volume acetone with 5% carbon black, such as Cabot® Emperor 1200, or any other carbon with very fine particles, compatible with solvents and exhibiting good rheological behavior to ensure proper application. This mixture is, for example, sprayed using a Revell® airbrush with a 0.1 mm nozzle.

[0101] In all cases, photochromic elements based on silver chloride (such as Sigma Aldrich ®< AgCl having a purity greater than 99%) can be added to the solvent, alone or with the dye, particularly for a glass sheet, or spiro-oxazine (Tokyo Chemical Industries ®< ) particularly for the case of polymers.

[0102] The advantage of photochromic agents is that they darken as the light intensity increases, precisely when light scattering within the leaf, largely caused by the high number of pores, needs to be minimized. Compared to an untreated situation, the slight discomfort that might be caused by the presence of the colored particles is nonexistent when the light intensity is low.

[0103] Colored fillers can also be incorporated into a polymer (via a masterbatch) to ensure good mixing with the solvent.

[0104] According to yet another embodiment of this process, said layer or layers are formed on the surface of said wall or side walls and / or in the thickness of said sheet.

[0105] For illustrative purposes only, the total thickness of said layer(s) is between 0.1 and 250 µm.

[0106] The present invention further relates to a protective screen against arthropods comprising a sheet comprising a core of glass or plastic material, said sheet being at least partly transparent and comprising a plurality of ventilation holes, each of said ventilation holes being configured to prevent the passage of arthropods through it, said ventilation holes being intended to ensure the passage of a gaseous fluid through this screen and said screen has a light transmission coefficient which is greater than or equal to 70%, and even better greater than 80%.

[0107] According to one embodiment of this screen, the surface area of ​​each ventilation hole is greater than 2000 µm² and even better than 3500 µm² in order to ensure sufficient ventilation, or exchange of gaseous fluid through this protective screen.

[0108] According to yet another embodiment of this screen, the opening ratio of said sheet, defined as the ratio of the area of ​​the ventilation holes to the total area of ​​said sheet, is greater than 1%, preferably between [1% and 50%].

[0109] Even more preferentially, this open rate is between [2% and 25%].

[0110] The present invention also relates to a protective screen against arthropods such as insects, cockroaches, and spiders, comprising a sheet comprising a core of glass or plastic material, said sheet being at least partly transparent and comprising a plurality of ventilation holes, each of said ventilation holes being configured to prevent the passage of arthropods through it, said ventilation holes being intended to ensure the passage of a gaseous fluid through this screen.

[0111] According to the invention, each ventilation hole comprising a side wall, or a belt of side walls, in one piece, for at least some of said ventilation holes, the portion of at least one face of said sheet delimiting the edge of each of these ventilation holes and / or the side wall, or the belt of side walls, delimiting each of the corresponding holes comprises at least one layer configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of said sheet compared to the light transmission coefficient of the same sheet whose ventilation holes are devoid of said layer or layers.

[0112] According to one embodiment of this protective screen, said at least one layer comprises a layer of colored fillers, preferably dark colored fillers and even better black or grey.

[0113] According to another embodiment of this screen, the surface area of ​​each ventilation hole is greater than 2000 µm² and even better than 3500 µm² in order to ensure sufficient ventilation, or exchange of gaseous fluid through this protective screen.

[0114] According to yet another embodiment of this screen, the opening ratio of said sheet, defined as the ratio of the area of ​​the ventilation holes to the total area of ​​said sheet, is greater than 1%, preferably between [1% and 50%].

[0115] Even more preferentially, this open rate is between [2% and 25%].

[0116] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, the rest of said sheet being entirely transparent or translucent.

[0117] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, said side wall or said side wall belt comprises a plurality of layers configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of said sheet.

[0118] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, said layer(s) are placed on the surface of said wall or said side walls and / or in the thickness of said sheet.

[0119] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, the total thickness of said layer(s) is between 0.1 and 250 µm.

[0120] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, at least a majority of the ventilation holes have a constant cross-section or have a restriction of cross-section in a direction extending between the two faces of said sheet.

[0121] Preferably, each ventilation hole has a flared shape or a constriction. This constriction can be placed, for example, within the thickness of the sheet or at a portion of the corresponding ventilation hole opening onto a face of the sheet.

[0122] According to another embodiment of this protective screen, said sheet is configured to ensure cooling of the air passing through its ventilation holes.

[0123] The present invention also relates to a protective screen against arthropods, such as insects, cockroaches, and spiders, comprising a sheet comprising a core of glass or plastic material, said sheet being at least partly transparent and comprising a plurality of ventilation holes, each of said ventilation holes being configured to prevent the passage of arthropods through it, said ventilation holes being intended to ensure the passage of a gaseous fluid through this screen.

[0124] According to the invention, at least a majority of these ventilation holes have a section restriction in a direction extending between the two faces of said sheet.

[0125] According to one embodiment of this protective screen, each ventilation hole has a flared, frustoconical shape. Alternatively, each ventilation hole has a constriction.

[0126] For illustrative purposes only, this constriction can be placed at a portion of the corresponding ventilation hole opening onto a face of this sheet or in the thickness of the sheet, for example by being positioned in a central, or substantially central, part of the corresponding ventilation hole.

[0127] In the latter case, the ventilation hole may have a longitudinal section, that is to say in a direction extending between the two faces of the sheet, having a shape reminiscent of that of a diabolo.

[0128] According to another embodiment of this protective screen, said sheet is configured to ensure cooling of the air passing through its ventilation holes.

[0129] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, the lateral displacement of a ventilation hole during an elastic deformation of the sheet being Δx, 2 Δx is less than or equal to the largest dimension, or even better the smallest dimension, of the main body of these arthropods against which this screen provides protection, this main body excluding the head and appendages of the corresponding arthropods.

[0130] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, each ventilation hole comprising a side wall, or a belt of side walls, in one piece, for at least some of said ventilation holes, the portion of at least one face of said sheet delimiting the edge of each of these ventilation holes and / or the side wall, or the belt of side walls, radially delimiting each of the corresponding holes comprises at least one layer configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of said sheet compared to the light transmission coefficient of the same sheet, or identical sheet, whose ventilation holes are devoid of said layer or layers.

[0131] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, said side wall or said side wall belt comprises a plurality of layers configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of said sheet.

[0132] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, said layer(s) are placed on the surface of said wall or said side walls and / or in the thickness of said sheet.

[0133] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, said at least one layer is a layer of colored fillers, preferably dark colored fillers and even better black or grey.

[0134] According to yet another embodiment of this protective screen, the total thickness of said layer(s) is between 0.1 and 250 µm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0135] Other advantages, purposes, and special features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes only and not as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: there Figure 1 is a partial and perspective view of a protective screen against arthropods according to a first embodiment of the present invention, one edge of this screen being affixed against a wall delimiting an opening in a structure; the Figure 2 is a partial, enlarged top view of an arthropod protection screen according to a second embodiment of the present invention; the Figure 3 is a schematic representation of ventilation holes in a protective screen according to a third embodiment, these ventilation holes having an elliptical cross-section; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0136] Firstly, it should be noted that the figures are not to scale.

[0137] There Figure 1 schematically represents a protective screen 10 against arthropods, in particular insects and spiders, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0138] This screen 10, which here forms a glazing element, comprises a plastic plate 11, here poly(methyl methacrylate) - PMMA, obtained by casting. It has a thickness of two (2) mm.

[0139] This plate 11 is perforated with oblong ventilation holes 12, these ventilation holes 12 being aligned along two directions (x, y) in the plane of the plate and being regularly spaced from each other. Of course, the ventilation holes 12 could alternatively have been arranged in a staggered pattern.

[0140] The opening rate of this plate 11 is twenty-five (25) %, these ventilation holes 12 having been made by pure water jet cutting.

[0141] The cross-section of each of these identical oblong holes has a Ga value of approximately 3 mm in its largest dimension, i.e. in a direction substantially transverse to the plate, and a Pa value of approximately 800 µm in its other dimension, i.e. in a direction substantially the height of the plate.

[0142] Each ventilation hole 12 of this plate 11 has been treated with a composition comprising 95% by volume of acetone and 5% coloured fillers, here carbon black pigments, in order to form a layer of coloured fillers ensuring an increase in the light transmission of the screen 10.

[0143] This plate 11 advantageously presents a light transmission coefficient greater than 80%.

[0144] There Figure 2schematically represents a protective screen 20 against arthropods according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0145] This protective screen 20 is here formed of a sheet 21 of polycarbonate with a thickness of 250 µm so that it is flexible and can be rolled up / unrolled like a blind in order to open or close an opening.

[0146] This sheet 21 is perforated with oblong ventilation holes 22, the opening rate of this sheet being 2.5%.

[0147] These ventilation holes 22 were advantageously formed by laser cutting of the sheet 21, and more specifically using a 100W CO2 laser cutting machine, with a cutting speed of 0.6 m / min. The size of the laser beam spot on the surface of the sheet is approximately 70 µm.

[0148] Each ventilation hole 22 of this sheet was then treated with a composition comprising a solvent, here Pyridine and coloured fillers, here carbon black pigments, to form a layer 23 improving the light transmission of this sheet.

[0149] This sheet 21 has also received an anti-UV surface treatment.

[0150] There Figure 3 is a schematic representation of ventilation holes 30 of a protective screen according to a third embodiment, these ventilation holes 30 having an elliptical cross-section.

[0151] This protective screen comprises a sheet 31 with a thickness of approximately 300 µm.

[0152] The edges of this sheet 31 are not perforated, thus allowing better mechanical grip of the frame uprights on the sheet, and thus increasing mechanical resistance, for example to impact.

[0153] Sheet 31, which is transparent, is made of polycarbonate such as Makrolon® polycarbonate.

[0154] The 30 approximately elliptical ventilation holes measuring 1mm by 4mm were obtained by pure water jet cutting.

[0155] The holes are arranged in a staggered pattern and interlocked to obtain a void density of approximately 0.25 in the usable area of ​​the protective screen.

[0156] The inside of each ventilation hole received a layer of paint sprayed using an aerosol spray can containing a carbon pigment / solvent composition, in order to obtain a very thin, uniform coating thickness of a few microns.

[0157] In order to demonstrate the technical advantage provided by the protective screens of the invention, measurements of the light illumination through a state-of-the-art mosquito net of the protective screens described in Figures 1 and 2, before making the ventilation holes, then after making these ventilation holes but before their treatment to improve the light transmission coefficient of the corresponding screen, then after such treatment of each ventilation hole, are presented in Table I.

[0158] These measurements were carried out at an ambient temperature of approximately 20°C, using a 45W tungsten reflector light source, a light detector such as an ISO-TECH ILM-1 ®< luxmeter and a lens to focus the light flux passing through the object interposed between the source and the light detector onto the sensor of the latter. Table 1: Results of optical measurements Material constituting the object being studied Measured value of luminous intensity measured in kLux No objects should be placed between the light source and the detector - For reference 8.16 Mosquito net with perpendicular crossbars, textile threads 4.82 Screenshot of the Figure 1 not pierced 7.38 Screen of the Figure 1 pierced with untreated oblong holes 6.90 Screen of the Figure 1 pierced with treated oblong holes 7.25 Screenshot of the Figure 2 not pierced 7.32 Screen of the Figure 2 pierced with untreated oblong holes 7.19 Screen of the Figure 2 pierced with treated oblong holes 7.29

[0159] These measures clearly show that: The luminous illumination through protective screens of the invention is much greater than that measured through state-of-the-art mosquito nets, and by treating the ventilation holes and / or the peripheral area of ​​each ventilation hole to form at least one layer increasing the coefficient of light transmission, a luminous illumination greater than the same products without treatment is obtained.

[0160] Tensile tests were also performed on samples of unperforated protective screens and those with ventilation holes using an MTS autotrac® machine. The test conditions were as follows: The test specimen is 160 mm in total length, 80 mm in usable length, 10 mm in usable width, and has a tensile speed of approximately 50 mm / min.

[0161] The following measurements were obtained: Test specimens without holes: 1162N breaking force for a 2 mm thick polycarbonate (PC) sheet without holes, and test specimens with holes: 1025N breaking force for a 2 mm thick polycarbonate (PC) sheet with oval holes and 1027N breaking force for the same sheet but with oblong holes.

[0162] These measurements show that the ventilation holes made in the sheets have a slight effect on their tensile performance.

[0163] Similarly, Charpy impact tests according to ISO 179, carried out with a Wolpert Werke GmbH machine no. PW5K-E, mobile 7.5 Joules, specimen 80 mm long and 10 mm wide, showed that there was no significant influence on the mechanical resistance of the sheets resulting from the presence of ventilation holes.

[0164] Further tests were carried out to demonstrate the advantageous effects provided by a protective screen of the invention in cooling an airflow passing through it.

[0165] Wind tunnel tests were thus carried out by positioning different protective screens in turn in the middle of a sealed tunnel 110 cm long and of approximately square cross-section with sides of 7.5 cm. This tunnel was placed in a closed and temperature-controlled chamber of sixty (60) m³.

[0166] A variable-speed wind tunnel with the option to heat the blown air, model KH2113 (manufactured by Kompernass GmbH, 44867 Bochum, Germany), was placed at the tunnel entrance. Air temperature was measured at various points within the tunnel using thermal sensors, including precision digital thermometers.

[0167] This tunnel was long enough to exhibit a stabilized flow, with measurements being taken when the temperature was stabilized.

[0168] These tests were carried out with the following protective screens: *Commercial type mesh mosquito net, woven and coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 0.26 mm thick, hole density (t) of 38,000 t / m². *M1 screen, PMMA sheet, 2 mm thick, hole density (t) of 5,000 t / m², longitudinal section shape, i.e., in a direction extending between the two faces of the sheet, straight ventilation holes (without draft) with an inlet and outlet diameter of 1.0 mm. * M2 screen Polycarbonate (PC) sheet having a thickness of 2 mm, hole density (t) 5,000 t / m 2< , longitudinal section shape of the ventilation holes in diabolo (hereafter called shape D) with inlet and outlet diameter of 1.0 mm, with a constriction approximately centered in the thickness of the sheet of minimum dimension 0.6 mm.* M3 screen Polycarbonate (PC) sheet having a thickness of 2 mm, hole density (t) 5,000 t / m², longitudinal section shape of each ventilation hole in a cone shape (hereafter referred to as shape C) with an inlet diameter of 1.5 mm, outlet dimensions of 0.5 mm.

[0169] The air flow rate is arbitrarily denoted Di with i = 1 to 3, this air flow rate being increasingly stronger as the index i increases.

[0170] In conclusion, these thermal tests have demonstrated that: Commercially available mesh mosquito nets have no thermal effect regardless of ventilation and / or temperature conditions. The protective screens of the invention, whether version M1, M2, or M3, induce a cooling of the air passing through them. The higher the airflow, the more noticeable the air cooling. The higher the temperature measured downstream of the tunnel, i.e., after the protective screen, the greater the temperature difference. The presence of a significant constriction, i.e., a narrowing of a small cross-section, in each ventilation hole increases the temperature difference measured between the upstream and downstream sides of the protective screen.

[0171] These tests also demonstrated that a longitudinal section, i.e. between the two faces of a sheet, having a diabolo shape not only optimizes the cooling of the air passing through the screen but also provides greater visual comfort for the user, the footprint of the hole, or its projected surface on one face, being smaller than a hole with a truncated cone shape, for example.

[0172] Additional tests were also conducted to study the variation in light transmission through various objects.

[0173] The operating conditions were as follows: a light source emitted a uniform beam onto a lens, which then focused the light onto a fluxmeter to measure the amount of transmitted light. The object to be studied was placed at the output of the light source.

[0174] The following points result from these measures: a) The light intensity through the commercially available mosquito net is much lower than that of all the screens, objects of the invention, regardless of the shape of the ventilation holes tested, the treatment process used, the density of holes, or the color of the layers formed in these ventilation holes to improve the light transmission coefficient of the corresponding sheet; b) Higher light intensity is obtained with the formation in each ventilation hole of one or more layers to improve the light transmission coefficient of the corresponding sheet, rather than without treatment of the ventilation holes of this sheet; c) A range of treatment colors appears optimal (dark colors and, in particular, blue-grey) to ensure optimum light transmission (high percentage).d) - a hole profile (within the thickness) with a "diabolo-centered" shape, optimizing the aesthetic appearance by reducing the impact of the treatment on vision regardless of the viewing angle, and maximizing light transmission. Indeed, the projected surface area of ​​the hole for a given passage diameter is minimized, regardless of the viewing angle.

Claims

1. A protector screen (10) for use against arthropods comprising: - a sheet (11, 21, 31) comprising a core made from glass or from plastic material, said sheet (11, 21, 31) being at least partially transparent, and comprising a plurality of ventilation holes (12, 22, 30), - each of said ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) being configured to prevent arthropods from passing therethrough, - said ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) being intended to allow a gaseous fluid to pass through this screen (10), said sheet (11, 21, 31) having two faces, characterized in that - at least one of the portions opening on said faces of at least some of said ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) has a straight, elongate cross section, said section comprising a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the dimension of each of said portions along the longitudinal axis being greater than the largest dimension of the arthropods against which the screen (10) provides protection, the dimension of each portion along the transverse axis being less than or equal to the largest dimension of the main body of the arthropods against which the screen (10) provides protection, this main body excluding the head and the appendages of the corresponding arthropods.

2. The screen as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least a majority of the ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) has a constant section or comprises a reduction in section in a direction extending between the two faces of said sheet (11, 21, 31).

3. The screen as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each ventilation hole has a flared shape or comprises a constriction.

4. The screen as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, at least a majority of said ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) comprising a reduction in section in a direction extending between the two faces of said sheet (11, 21, 31), this sheet (11, 21, 31) is configured to cool the air passing through its ventilation holes (12, 22, 30).

5. The screen as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that lateral movement of a ventilation hole during elastic deformation of the sheet (11, 21, 31) being Δx, 2 Δx is less than or equal to the largest dimension of the main body of these arthropods against which this screen (10) provides protection, this main body excluding the head and the appendages of the corresponding arthropods.

6. The screen as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section of each hole has a value Ga of between 0.1 and 8 mm in its largest dimension and a value Pa of between 500 µm and 1.2 mm in its other dimension, the value Ga being greater than the largest dimension of the arthropods against which this screen (10) provides protection, whereas its value Pa is less than or equal to the largest dimension of the main body of the arthropods against which the screen (10) provides protection, this main body excluding the head and the appendages of the corresponding arthropods.

7. The screen as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each ventilation hole comprising a lateral wall, or a ring of lateral walls, that is unitary, for at least some of said ventilation holes (12, 22, 30), the portion of at least one face of said sheet (11, 21, 31) delimiting the edge of each of these ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) and / or the lateral wall, or the ring of lateral walls, each delimiting corresponding holes (12, 22, 30), comprises at least one layer configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of said sheet (11, 21, 31) relative to the light transmission coefficient of a same sheet (11, 21, 31) whose ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) are not provided with said layer or layers.

8. The screen as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said lateral wall or said ring of lateral walls comprises a plurality of layers configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of said sheet (11, 21, 31).

9. The screen as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said layer or layers are placed at the surface of said lateral wall or walls and / or in the thickness of said sheet (11, 21, 31).

10. The screen as claimed in any one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said at least one layer is a layer of colored fillers, preferably dark-colored fillers and more advantageously black or grey fillers.

11. A glazing element comprising a protector screen for use against arthropods, as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 10.

12. A construction element comprising a protector screen for use against arthropods, as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 10.

13. The use of the protector screen for use against arthropods as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 10, for insulating a space from mosquitoes, in particular tiger mosquitoes, while allowing ventilation of the space, said space being intended to be occupied by humans, animals or food.

14. A method for producing a protector screen (10) for use against arthropods as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: - a sheet (11, 21, 31) comprising a core made from glass or from plastic material is provided, said sheet (11, 21, 31) being at least partially transparent, at least one removable protection layer covering at least one face of said sheet (11, 21, 31), - ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) are made in the assembly comprising said sheet (11, 21, 31) and said at least one removable protection layer, the latter being arranged so as to allow air to pass through said sheet (11, 21, 31), each of said ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) also being configured to prevent arthropods from passing therethrough, and in that - having made said ventilation holes (12, 22, 30), and at least one face of said sheet (11, 21, 31) still being covered with said at least one removable protection layer, there is formed, for at least some of said ventilation holes (12, 22, 30), on the portion of at least one face of said sheet (11, 21, 31) delimiting the edge of each of these ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) and / or the lateral wall, or the ring of lateral walls, each delimiting corresponding holes (12, 22, 30), at least one layer configured to increase the light transmission coefficient of said sheet (11, 21, 31) relative to the light transmission coefficient of an identical sheet (11, 21, 31) whose ventilation holes (12, 22, 30) are not provided with said layer or layers.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that at least one layer of colored fillers is formed by implementing a laser beam, by depositing an aerosol paint composition, by a sol-gel process or indeed by depositing a solution comprising a solvent and colored fillers.