Closure assembly for covering open containers with liquid contained therein

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure arrangement for covering open containers with at least one liquid therein, in particular for covering bathing pools, swimming pools, pools and the like, which comprises at least two base elements, wherein the base element has at least one hollow chamber, wherein at least one base element is connected by one of its longitudinal sides to a longitudinal side of an adjacent base element opposite thereto in a moveable manner, at least in sections, via at least one connecting means and has at least one connecting device on the longitudinal side opposite the longitudinal side connected to the connecting means, wherein the hollow chamber of the base element at least partially comprises a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material in the hollow chamber of the base element has a density of approximately 0.2 g / cm3 to approximately 0.85 g / cm3, preferably 0.30 g / cm3 to 0.70 g / cm3 according to DIN EN ISO 1183-1: 2019-09,is characterized in that the base element has a heat transfer coefficient (U) of maximum 3.95 W / (m2K), preferably maximum 3.75 W / (m2K), particularly preferably maximum 3.50 W / (m2K), very particularly preferably maximum 3.15 W / (m2K) according to DIN EN ISO 6946:2018-03.,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a closure arrangement for covering open containers with a liquid therein, in particular for covering swimming pools, pools and the like, which closure arrangement comprises at least two base elements, wherein the at least one base element has a hollow chamber, wherein at least one base element is connected by one of its longitudinal sides to a longitudinal side of an adjacent base element opposite thereto in a movable manner, at least in sections, via at least one connecting means and has at least one connecting device on the longitudinal side opposite the longitudinal side connected to the connecting means, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such closure arrangements for covering open containers with a liquid therein have proven themselves and are disclosed in the prior art.

[0003] DE 19646117 C1 describes a solar roller shutter for swimming pool covers, in which each roller shutter slat has a number of closed chambers (hollow chambers), a coupling bar with a T-shaped cross-section and a receptacle for the coupling bar, which has a slot-like opening. Each roller shutter slat is made of transparent plastic on its upper side and has a dark-colored or solid-colored underside. These roller shutter slats are expensive to manufacture, particularly due to the different coatings or coloring of individual components. A further disadvantage of these roller shutter slats and the swimming pool covers made from them is that at least the two hollow chambers at the free ends of each roller shutter slat must be sealed liquid-tight before the swimming pool cover can fulfill its function.Another disadvantage of this swimming pool cover is that when inserting the coupling bar into the receiving chamber, which is necessary to produce a swimming pool cover, this connection must be additionally secured against longitudinal displacement of the individual roller shutter slats.

[0004] Another closure arrangement for covering open containers with a liquid therein is disclosed, for example, in DE 2756738 A1, which has a plurality of profile elements made of plastic, which are arranged side by side, are flexibly and movably connected to one another and each have a recess or filling which runs in the longitudinal direction and is open at the bottom, wherein a strip or a bar made of foamed plastic material with a low specific weight is introduced into the recesses / fillings of each profile element which run in the longitudinal direction, which ensures the buoyancy of the cover on the water and that closure plugs which can be inserted into the ends of the profile elements are provided which are intended to prevent axial adjustment movements of the profile elements.

[0005] The disadvantage here is that for each hollow chamber geometry of profile elements, a sealing device with a specific geometry must be provided.

[0006] In this embodiment, such a swimming pool cover is very cost-intensive in the production of the profile elements, the strips or the bar made of the foamed plastic material and in particular in the assembly or assembly of the individual profile elements, which are to be closed at their two free ends and joined together to form a swimming pool cover.

[0007] Another disadvantage of the solutions in the known state of the art is the fact that when the swimming pool covers are used as intended, it cannot be ruled out that the sealing end caps of individual roller shutter bars are not completely tight and so the hollow chambers of individual profile elements are filled with liquid and the swimming pool cover no longer floats on the surface.

[0008] This is where the invention comes in, which has set itself the task of overcoming the disadvantages of the known prior art and of demonstrating a closure arrangement for covering open containers with a liquid therein, in particular for covering swimming pools, which can be produced economically and cost-effectively and, when used as intended for covering swimming pools, does not have any leaks in the individual elements, which has a thermally insulating effect and a visually appealing appearance with full functionality, which absorbs almost no liquid and is able to transfer the heat / temperature applied to its upper surface into the liquid below.

[0009] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0010] It has surprisingly been found that a closure arrangement for covering open containers with at least one liquid therein, in particular for covering bathing pools, swimming pools, pools and the like, which closure arrangement comprises at least two base elements, wherein the at least one base element has at least one hollow chamber, wherein at least one base element is connected with one of its longitudinal sides to a longitudinal side of an adjacent base element opposite thereto in a movable manner at least in sections via at least one connecting means and has at least one connecting device on the longitudinal side opposite the longitudinal side connected to the connecting means, wherein the hollow chamber of the at least one base element at least partially comprises a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material in the hollow chamber of the at least one base element has a density of approximately 0.2 g / cm 3< to approximately 0.85 g / cm 3<, preferably 0.30 g / cm 3 < to 0.70 g / cm 3 < according to DIN EN ISO 1183-1: 2019-09, characterized in that the at least one base element has a heat transfer coefficient (U) of a maximum of 3.95 W / (m 2 < K), preferably a maximum of 3.75 W / (m 2 < K), particularly preferably a maximum of 3.50 W / (m 2 < K), very particularly preferably a maximum of 3.15 W / (m 2 < K) according to DIN EN ISO 6946:2018-03. It was surprisingly found that a closure arrangement with base elements dimensioned in this way is capable of heating the liquid arranged underneath, for example, using its energy, and simultaneously developing a thermally insulating effect to the outside. Due to the geometric dimensions and the materials used in their combination, it is possible for the first time to manufacture such closure arrangements economically and cost-effectively.which, even when used as intended for covering swimming pools, exhibits no leaks in the individual base elements; which has a visually appealing appearance while remaining fully functional; which absorbs virtually no liquid; and which is capable of transferring the heat / temperature present on its surface to the underlying liquid. Thus, a buoyant closure assembly is available with which a demonstrable solar heat recovery effect can be achieved while simultaneously thermally insulating the liquid.

[0011] The thermal transmittance coefficient according to DIN EN ISO 6946:2018-03 is determined according to equation (1): U = 1 / R tot where U is the thermal transmittance in W / (m 2< * K) and R tot is the total thermal resistance in m 2< * K / W.

[0012] The thermal resistance is determined according to equation (2): R = d / ƛ Lambda where d is the thickness of the building material layer in m, where (Lambda) is the design thermal conductivity in W / (m * K).

[0013] The total thermal resistance is determined according to equation (3): R tot = R si + R 1 + R 2 + R n + R se , where R si is the internal thermal resistance in m 2< * K / W; R 1 , R 2 , RN are the design thermal resistance of each layer in m 2< * K / W, where R si is the external thermal resistance in m 2< * K / W.

[0014] The closure arrangement is further characterized in that the at least one base element has a thermal resistance RT of at least 0.25 m 2 < K / W, preferably at least 0.27 m 2 < K / W, particularly preferably at least 0.28 m 2 < K / W, very particularly preferably at least 0.31 m 2 < K / W according to DIN EN ISO 6946:2018-03. Here, too, it was surprisingly found that a closure arrangement with the base elements is capable of heating the liquid arranged beneath it, for example using energy introduced from the outside and / or from above, and at the same time also developing a thermally insulating effect towards the outside. The closure arrangement therefore surprisingly already has a positive effect on the heat balance when used as intended to cover open containers with at least one liquid inside.

[0015] Furthermore, the closure arrangement is characterized in that the at least one base element has a natural heat balance (NTB cover ) of at least 15 W / m 2< , preferably at least 20 W / m 2< , particularly preferably at least 25 W / m 2< according to DIN EN ISO 17645: 2022-11. The closure arrangement can thus make a decisive contribution to the insulation of the container containing the liquid by significantly reducing heat losses through evaporation and by optimally transferring the heat radiation or solar radiation to the liquid arranged beneath the closure arrangement.

[0016] This positive effect / efficiency of the environmental performance of the closure assembly is determined by determining the natural heat balance (NHB) of the closure assembly.

[0017] The natural heat balance (NTB) of a closure assembly consists of the determination / measurement of the following three factors: the solar heat gain index (S), the thermal insulation index (I), the evaporative heat loss index (E).

[0018] The natural heat balance (NTB) of the closure assembly is determined according to the following equation (4): NTB cover = S cover − I cover − E cover

[0019] The solar heat gain index S cover is calculated according to equation (5): S cover = 200 * g tot

[0020] The solar heat gain index is calculated based on the solar factor of the shutter arrangement (total solar energy transfer factor in %) g tot according to EN 14500, applied to the solar irradiation considered as standard, determined: PS average = 200 W / m 2 .

[0021] The parameter gtot includes the phenomena of direct transmission of solar radiation to the water (transparent shells) and the phenomena of indirect transmission by radiation from the shell heated by solar radiation to the water. To simplify the calculations, an average daily radiation of 4.8 W h / m 2< is considered, i.e. a power PS average of 0.20 W / m 2 over a 24-hour period (so that it is consistent with the other indices used). This value is widely used in Europe from April to September for horizontal and vertical shutter arrangements when the latitude is 45° North.

[0022] The parameter g tot of the closure arrangement is 0.3.

[0023] The solar heat gain index S cover is 60 W / m 2< .

[0024] The thermal insulation index I cover is determined according to equation (6): I cover = 10 * U cover

[0025] The conductive heat loss index I Cover (expressed in W / m 2< for a temperature difference of 10 K) of the closure assembly is determined by multiplying the overall thermal transmittance of the closure assembly U cover (in W / m 2< ) by 10. In this case, the heat loss index I cover = 30.5 W / m 2< .

[0026] The index of heat loss by evaporation E cover is determined according to equation (7): E cover = E bare basin * 1 − RCI

[0027] E bare basin is the heat loss due to evaporation from an uncovered basin, expressed in W / m 2< .

[0028] Under standard conditions E bare basin during heating periods is assumed to be equal to 125 W / m 2<.

[0029] The RCI is the percentage of the water body that is no longer in direct contact with the ambient air when the cover is in place. RCI is the "Real Cover Index" in %. The index of heat loss through evaporation of the closure arrangement is, for example, E cover = 1.25 W / m 2< .

[0030] The natural heat balance of the closure arrangement is, for example, NCB cover = 28.25 W / m 2< .

[0031] Furthermore, the closure arrangement is advantageously designed such that the at least one base element has an energy reduction coefficient (ERC) of at least 110%, preferably at least 112%, particularly preferably at least 114% with a real cover index (RCI) > / = 95% according to DIN EN 17645: 2022-11.

[0032] The energy reduction coefficient ERC cover is calculated according to equation (8): ER C cover = 100 ⋅ N T B bare pool − N T B cover N T B bare pool

[0033] This is ERC cover the energy reduction coefficient of the shutter assembly, in %; NTB bare pool the natural heat balance of the pure pool = -193 W / m 2< ; NTB cover the natural heat balance of the closure arrangement, in W / m 2< .

[0034] The energy reduction coefficient of the shutter arrangement is, for example, ERC Ccover = 114.6%.

[0035] The closure arrangement is further designed such that the at least one surface of the at least one base element has a gloss level of approximately 10 to 40 GU (GU = gloss units), preferably 15 to 35 GU measured at a measuring angle of 60° according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02.

[0036] A further advantage of the closure arrangement is that the at least one surface of the at least one base element has a gloss level of G3 (matt) according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02

[0037] Due to this advantageous design of the base elements, the closure arrangement is able to transfer the heat / temperature / solar radiation applied to its surface more optimally into the liquid arranged below it.

[0038] The closure assembly is also designed such that the at least one surface of the at least one base element has an average roughness depth Ra of approximately 0.7 µm to 15 µm, preferably 1 µm to 10 µm, particularly preferably 1.5 to 7.5 µm, according to ISO 21920-3:2022-12. This advantageous design of the base elements also enables the closure assembly to transfer even more of the heat / temperature / solar radiation impinging on its surface into the liquid arranged beneath it.

[0039] In a further advantageous embodiment, the closure arrangement is designed such that the at least one base element has at least one coating on at least one surface.

[0040] Furthermore, the closure arrangement is designed such that the coating of the at least one surface of the at least one base element has a thickness of approximately 60 to 200 µm, preferably 80 to 160 µm.

[0041] The coating of the at least one surface of the at least one base element is advantageously formed as at least one lacquer layer, at least one film layer and the like.

[0042] This advantageously makes it possible, for example through optimal coloring, for at least one base element of the closure arrangement to be able to absorb a larger / higher amount of heat from its surroundings and transfer it into the liquid arranged beneath it.

[0043] Another advantage of the closure assembly is that the at least one base element of the closure assembly comprises at least one polymeric material whose thickness has a visible light transmittance of approximately 80% (transparent / translucent) as measured according to DIN EN ISO 13468-2:2022-04. In this embodiment, the base element of the closure assembly can be designed to be transparent, so that the heat, temperature, and solar radiation occurring on the surface are transferred directly into the material arranged in the hollow chamber and thus also more optimally to the liquid arranged beneath the closure assembly. The material arranged in the hollow chamber of the base element can have a dark color, in particular black.

[0044] The closure assembly is also designed such that at least one receiving opening for a cover element and / or a fixing element is arranged on at least one connecting device of the base element. The closure assembly can thus be manufactured economically and cost-effectively and, when used as intended for covering swimming pools, can be very easily assembled from the base elements and secured against axial displacement.

[0045] It has proven advantageous that the receiving opening of the connecting device is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal side of the base element. This enables economical and cost-effective production of the base elements forming the closure arrangement. It has also proven advantageous that the receiving opening of the connecting device is arranged opposite the hollow chamber of the base element. This makes it possible to provide a closure arrangement in which the base elements forming the closure arrangement are secured against possible longitudinal displacement relative to one another.

[0046] A similarly advantageous embodiment of the closure assembly is designed such that the receiving opening of the connecting device is arranged approximately opposite the receiving opening of the base element. This has the advantage that the connected base elements are at least partially covered and secured against displacement relative to one another.

[0047] A further advantage of the closure assembly is that at least one cover element and / or one fixing element is connected to the at least one base element in a force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. This makes it possible to provide a closure assembly that can be very quickly and easily adapted to the different geometries of swimming pools on site, and in which the assembly of the individual base elements into a closure assembly and their fixation, particularly against possible longitudinal displacement, is possible easily and without tools.

[0048] A further advantage is that with a force-locking connection, individual base elements can be easily replaced, especially in the event of damage.

[0049] However, it is also within the scope of the invention that, in the case of increased requirements for stability or due to certain national safety regulations, the closure arrangement is designed in such a way that the cover element is firmly connected to the base element by means of adhesive systems known per se.

[0050] Furthermore, the closure arrangement is designed such that the at least one base element is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyolefin, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE); a styrene-based polymer, such as polystyrene (PS) or styrene-butadiene copolymer with a predominantly styrene content (SB) or acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers (ASA) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS) or styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN); polybutylene terephthalate (PBT); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyoxymethylene (POM); polyamide (PA); polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA); polycarbonate (PC); polyphenylene oxide (PPO); polyetheretherketone (PEEK); polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); liquid crystal polymer (LCP); polyamideimide (PAI); polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF); polyphenylsulfone (PPSU); polyaryletherketone (PAEK); polyacrylonitrile (PAN); polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE); polyether ketone (PEK); polyimide (PI); polyisobutene (PIB); polyphthalamide (PPA); polypyrrole (PPY); polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); Polyurethane (PUR);Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); polyvinyl acetate (PVAC); polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), as well as mixtures of at least two of these materials or their copolymers. This also makes it possible to manufacture the closure assembly both economically and cost-effectively, as well as to adapt it to the necessary legal requirements in different countries. In addition to the economical and cost-effective production of the basic elements forming the closure assembly, this also ensures its buoyancy.

[0051] Another advantage of the closure arrangement is that, on the one hand, a certain insulating effect can be achieved for the liquids located under the closure arrangement, which are mostly heated, and, on the other hand, in the case of extreme weather conditions such as hail in particular, the closure arrangement is designed in such a way that no holes can be created in the individual base elements by hailstones breaking through.

[0052] It has further proven advantageous for the closure arrangement that the material in the hollow chamber of the at least one base element comprises approximately 0.5 to 50 wt. %, preferably approximately 1 to 45 wt. %, particularly preferably 2 to 35 wt. %, based on its total weight, of at least one filler, wherein the filler is selected from the group of thermally conductive materials such as carbon black, graphene, graphite, silicates, and the like. This makes it possible to provide closure arrangements that are capable of even more optimally absorbing the heat / temperature / solar radiation applied to their surface and transferring it to the liquid below.

[0053] The closure arrangement therefore has a higher buoyancy when used as intended compared to the previously known state of the art and can therefore be used, among other things, as a cost-effective and visually appealing closure arrangement for already installed, leaky swimming pool covers made of hollow chamber profiles with lateral sealing elements.

[0054] In a further advantageous embodiment, the closure assembly is designed such that the material arranged in the hollow chamber of the at least one base element is spaced from the wall surrounding the hollow chamber by at least one spacer layer. This makes it possible to firmly bond the closure assembly by combining the materials of the base element and the materials arranged in the hollow chamber, which leads to economical and cost-effective production and also enables the closure assembly to transfer the heat / temperature / solar radiation applied to its surface into the liquid below it.

[0055] The closure arrangement can thus be made available economically and cost-effectively in several different colors, due to the coloring of the spacer layer and / or the base element.

[0056] A further advantage of the closure arrangement is that the material arranged in the hollow chamber of the at least one base element is arranged in a materially bonded manner with the wall surrounding the hollow chamber via the spacer layer itself.

[0057] The spacer layer can be formed as a known adhesive system. The material of the spacer layer is selected from the group of polyamides (PA); polyurethanes (PUR); polyolefins, especially polyethylene (PE); amorphous polyalphaolefins (APAO); styrene or styrene-butylene copolymers; thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), especially urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE-U); thermoplastic copolyamides (TPE-A); and thermoplastic polyesters.

[0058] It has also proven advantageous for the closure assembly that the spacer layer of the at least one base element has a thickness of approximately 0.05 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.05 mm to approximately 1.5 mm. This variation in the thickness of the spacer layer readily allows for economical and cost-effective production of the closure assembly.

[0059] The closure assembly is further characterized in that the base element has a cross-sectional shape approximately polygonal, prismatic, round, oval, elliptical, etc. In this advantageous embodiment of the closure assembly, a wide variety of economically and cost-effectively manufactured base elements forming the closure assembly are available.

[0060] The invention will now be described in more detail using these non-limiting embodiments.

[0061] They show: Fig. 1: Perspective view of a closure arrangement; Fig. 2: Perspective detailed view of another closure arrangement;

[0062] In Fig. 1 is a perspective detailed view of a closure arrangement 1 for covering open containers with a liquid therein, in particular for covering swimming pools.

[0063] The closure arrangement 1 comprises a plurality of base elements 2, each base element 2 having a hollow chamber 5, each base element 2 being connected by one of its longitudinal sides 21, 22 to a longitudinal side 21, 22 of an adjacent base element 2 opposite thereto in a movable manner at least in sections via at least one connecting means 3 and having at least one connecting device 4 on the longitudinal side 22 opposite the longitudinal side 21 connected to the connecting means 3.

[0064] Furthermore, the closure assembly 1 is designed such that the base elements 2 are made of a polymeric material having a visible light transmittance of at least 80% across its thickness, measured according to DIN EN ISO 13468-2:2022-04. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure assembly 1 is designed such that the base elements 2 are made of a polymeric material (polyvinyl chloride - PVC) having a visible light transmittance of approximately 95% across its thickness, measured according to DIN EN ISO 13468-2:2022-04.

[0065] In this exemplary embodiment, the polymeric material (PVC) of the base elements 2 has a density of approximately 1.39 g / cm 3 . Furthermore, the polymeric material (PVC) of the base elements 2 has a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.17 W / (m 2 K).

[0066] The base element 2 is configured to have a thickness of approximately 15 mm. Furthermore, the base element 2 is configured to have a width of approximately 82 mm.

[0067] The closure arrangement 1 is further designed such that the hollow chamber 5 of the base element 2 comprises a material whose density over the cross section is approximately in the range of 0.05 to 0.1 g / cm3.

[0068] The material arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the base element 2 can be produced in different colors and thus alone give the closure arrangement 1 according to the invention a visually appealing appearance.

[0069] In this embodiment, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 comprises a material (polyvinyl chloride - PVC) whose density across the cross section is approximately 0.55 g / cm 3<.

[0070] Furthermore, the closure arrangement 1 in this embodiment is designed such that the material arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 is black in color.

[0071] The polymeric material (PVC) arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the base element 2 has a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.08 W / (m 2< K).

[0072] A further advantage of the closure arrangement 1 is that the material in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 comprises approximately 0.5 to 50 wt.%, preferably approximately 1 to 45 wt.%, particularly preferably 2 to 35 wt.%, based on its total weight, of at least one filler, wherein the filler is selected from the group of thermally conductive materials such as carbon black, graphene, graphite, silicates and the like.

[0073] In this exemplary embodiment, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the material in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 comprises approximately 15% by weight, based on its total weight, of at least one filler, wherein the filler is selected from the group of heat-conducting materials such as carbon black.

[0074] The closure arrangement 1 is further designed such that the at least one base element 2 has a heat transfer coefficient (U), determined according to equations (1), (2) and (3), of a maximum of 3.95 W / (m 2 < K), preferably a maximum of 3.75 W / (m 2 < K), particularly preferably a maximum of 3.15 W / (m 2 < K) according to DIN EN ISO 6946:2018-03. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has a heat transfer coefficient (U) of approximately 3.05 W / (m 2 < K) according to DIN EN ISO 6946:2018-03.

[0075] Furthermore, the closure arrangement 1 is advantageously designed such that the at least one base element 2 has a natural heat balance (NTB cover ), determined according to equations (4), (5), (6) and (7), of at least 15 W / m 2< , preferably at least 20 W / m 2< , particularly preferably at least 25 W / m 2< according to DIN EN ISO 17645: 2022-11. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has a natural heat balance (NTB cover ), determined according to equations (4), (5), (6) and (7), of approximately 28 W / m 2< according to DIN EN ISO 17645: 2022-11.

[0076] Advantageously, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has an energy reduction coefficient (ERC), determined according to equation (8), of at least 110%, preferably at least 112%, particularly preferably at least 114% with a real cover index (RCI) > / =95% according to DIN EN 17645: 2022-11. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure arrangement is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has an energy reduction coefficient (ERC), determined according to equation (8), of approximately 114.6% with a real cover index (RCI) > / =95% according to DIN EN 17645: 2022-11.

[0077] The closure assembly 1 is also designed such that the at least one surface of the at least one base element 2 has a gloss level of approximately 10 to 40 GU (GU = gloss units), preferably 15 to 35 GU, measured at a measuring angle of 60° according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure assembly 1 is designed such that the at least one surface of the at least one base element 2 has a gloss level of approximately 32 GU, measured at a measuring angle of 60° according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02.

[0078] Furthermore, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one surface of the at least one base element 2 has a gloss level G3 (matt) according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02.

[0079] Another advantage of the closure arrangement 1 is that the at least one surface of the at least one base element 2 has an average roughness depth Ra of approximately 0.7 µm to 15 µm, preferably 1 µm to 10 µm, particularly preferably 1.5 to 7.5 µm, according to ISO 21920-3:2022-12. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure arrangement is designed such that the at least one surface of the at least one base element 2 has an average roughness depth Ra of approximately 4.5 µm, according to ISO 21920-3:2022-12.

[0080] The base elements 2 of the closure assembly 1 are designed and dimensioned such that, when used as intended, in particular for covering swimming pools, the closure assembly 1 has an immersion depth of approximately 73% over the entire surface of the closure assembly 1. Furthermore, the average profile weight per base element 2 is approximately 695 g / m.

[0081] Furthermore, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that at least one receiving opening accommodating at least one cover element 7 and / or one fixing element is arranged on at least one connecting device 4 of the base element 2, which opening is covered by the cover element 7 in this embodiment.

[0082] The cover element 7 arranged at the free ends of the base elements 2 of the closure assembly 1 is advantageously designed and dimensioned such that, when the closure assembly 1 is used as intended, in particular for covering swimming pools, it acts as a spacer to the edge of the swimming pool to be covered over the entire surface of the closure assembly 1. This advantageously prevents the free ends of the base elements 2 of the closure assembly 1 from coming into direct contact with the edge of, for example, the swimming pool, pool, or the like.

[0083] In the Fig. 2is a perspective detailed view of a further closure arrangement 1 for covering open containers with a liquid therein, in particular for covering swimming pools, pools and the like.

[0084] In this detailed illustration, the closure assembly 1 comprises two basic elements 2.

[0085] The base elements 2 are further designed such that at least one base element 2 is connected by one of its longitudinal sides 21, 22 to a longitudinal side 21, 22 of an adjacent base element 2 opposite thereto, at least in sections, in a movable manner via a connecting means 3, and has at least one connecting device 4 on the longitudinal side 22 opposite the longitudinal side 21 connected to the connecting means 3.

[0086] In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting means 3 arranged on the longitudinal side 21 of the base element 2 is designed as a hook arranged in one piece on the base element 2 and having two hook elements 31, 32 projecting away from one another.

[0087] In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting device 4 arranged on the longitudinal side 22 of the base element 2 is designed such that it has a receiving gap 40 which is delimited by two curved ends 41, 42 of the connecting device 4, which are arranged approximately parallel to one another.

[0088] In this embodiment, the base elements 2 of the closure arrangement 1 are designed such that they have a hollow chamber 5.

[0089] A material is arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 of the closure assembly 1, the density of which is between approximately 0.2 g / cm 3 and approximately 0.85 g / cm 3 , preferably between 0.30 g / cm 3 and 0.70 g / cm 3 according to DIN EN ISO 1183-1: 2019-09. The hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 of the closure assembly 1 is completely filled with this material.

[0090] In this exemplary embodiment, the material arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 is a foam based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a density of approximately 0.55 g / cm 3< measured according to DIN EN ISO 1183-1: 2019-09. This advantageously results in the closure arrangement 1 for covering open containers with a liquid therein, in particular for covering swimming pools, being designed in such a way that, on the one hand, a certain insulating effect can be achieved for the largely heated liquids located under the closure arrangement 1 and, on the other hand, that in the event of extreme weather conditions, such as hail in particular, the closure arrangement 1 is designed in such a way that no holes can be made in the individual base elements 2 by hailstones penetrating through.

[0091] It is also within the scope of the invention that the material arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 of the closure arrangement 1 is designed as a closed-cell foam and / or open-cell foam and / or mixed-cell foam and / or integral foam.

[0092] Furthermore, the material arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 of the closure arrangement 1 can be produced from thermoplastic and / or elastomeric and / or thermosetting foam.

[0093] The closure arrangement 1 is also designed such that the at least one base element 2 has a heat transfer coefficient (U), determined according to equations (1), (2) and (3), of a maximum of 3.95 W / (m 2 < K), preferably a maximum of 3.75 W / (m 2 < K), particularly preferably a maximum of 3.15 W / (m 2 < K) according to DIN EN ISO 6946:2018-03. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has a heat transfer coefficient (U), determined according to equations (1), (2) and (3), of approximately 3.05 W / (m 2 < K) according to DIN EN ISO 6946:2018-03.

[0094] Furthermore, the closure arrangement 1 is advantageously designed such that the at least one base element 2 has a natural heat balance (NTB cover ), determined according to equations (4), (5), (6) and (7), of at least 15 W / m 2< , preferably at least 20 W / m 2< , particularly preferably at least 25 W / m 2< according to DIN EN ISO 17645: 2022-11. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has a natural heat balance (NTB cover ), determined according to equations (4), (5), (6) and (7), of approximately 28 W / m 2< according to DIN EN ISO 17645: 2022-11.

[0095] Advantageously, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has an energy reduction coefficient (ERC), determined according to equation (8), of at least 110%, preferably at least 112%, particularly preferably at least 114% with a real cover index (RCI) > / =95% according to DIN EN 17645: 2022-11.

[0096] In this embodiment, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has an energy reduction coefficient (ERC), determined according to equation (8), of approximately 114.6% at a real cover index (RCI) > / =95% according to DIN EN 17645: 2022-11.

[0097] The closure assembly 1 is also designed such that the at least one surface 23, 24 of the at least one base element 2 has a gloss level of approximately 10 to 40 GU (GU = gloss units), preferably 15 to 35 GU, measured at a measuring angle of 60° according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure assembly 1 is designed such that the at least one surface 23 of the at least one base element 2 has a gloss level of approximately 28 GU, measured at a measuring angle of 60° according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02.

[0098] Furthermore, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one surface of the at least one base element 2 has a gloss level G3 (matt) according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02.

[0099] Another advantage of the closure assembly 1 is that the at least one surface of the at least one base element 2 has an average roughness depth Ra of approximately 0.7 µm to 15 µm, preferably 1 µm to 10 µm, particularly preferably 1.5 to 7.5 µm, according to ISO 21920-3:2022-12. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure assembly is designed such that the at least one surface of the at least one base element 2 has an average roughness depth Ra of approximately 3.5 µm, according to ISO 21920-3:2022-12.

[0100] Further advantageously, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has at least one coating 9 on at least one surface 23, 24.

[0101] In this embodiment, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one base element 2 has at least one coating 9 on at least one surface 23.

[0102] In this exemplary embodiment, the coating 9 of the surface 23 of the at least one base element 2 is a lacquer layer in the color black with a thickness of approximately 80 µm.

[0103] Furthermore, the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that the at least one surface 23 of the at least one base element 2 has a width of approximately 82 millimeters.

[0104] The at least one base element 2 of the closure assembly 1 is further configured to have a thickness of approximately 15 mm. The closure assembly 1 for covering open containers containing a liquid therein, in particular for covering swimming pools, generally comprises at least two base elements 2, wherein one base element 2 is connected by the connecting means 3 arranged on its longitudinal side 21 to the connecting device 4 arranged on the longitudinal side 22 of the adjacent base element 2.

[0105] The base elements 2 are not assembled into a closure arrangement 1 by longitudinally shifting and guiding the connecting means 3 into the connecting device 4.

[0106] The hook elements 31, 32 of the connecting means 3 are positioned relative to the connecting device 4 in such a way that the hook element 31 is hooked through the receiving gap 40 behind the curved end 41 of the connecting device 4 and the further hook element 32 of the connecting means 3 can be snapped behind the curved end 42 of the connecting device 4 with a small amount of force.

[0107] The connecting arrangement 1 is further configured such that at least one receiving opening 6, which accommodates at least one cover element 7 and / or one fixing element 10, is arranged on at least one connecting device 4 of the base element 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving opening 6 of the connecting device 4 of the base element 2 is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal side 22 of the base element 2.

[0108] Furthermore, the closure assembly 1 is designed such that the receiving opening 6 of the connecting device 4 is arranged opposite the hollow chamber 5 of the base element 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the receiving opening 6 of the base element 2 is approximately round in cross-section and is arranged over the entire longitudinal side 22 of the base element 2.

[0109] The closure arrangement 1 for covering open containers with a liquid therein, in particular for covering swimming pools, is now manufactured according to the dimensions of the container or the swimming pool in such a way that individual base elements 2 of a defined length are provided.

[0110] The base elements 2 are now inserted via the connecting device 3 arranged on the long side 21 of the respective adjacent base element 2 into the connecting device 4 arranged on the long side 22 until the free ends of the base elements 2 are arranged at an equal distance from one another.

[0111] The individual base elements 2 are now fixed to one another via the at least one cover element 7 and / or the fixing element 10, which is arranged at each free end of a base element 2.

[0112] The base elements 2 of the closure assembly 1 are designed and dimensioned such that, when used as intended, in particular for covering swimming pools, the closure assembly 1 has an immersion depth of approximately 73% across the entire surface of the closure assembly 1. The average profile weight per base element 2 is approximately 0.70 kg / m.

[0113] In this exemplary embodiment, the closure arrangement 1 is further designed such that the material arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 is arranged at a distance from the wall surrounding the hollow chamber 5 via a spacer layer 8.

[0114] This spacer layer 8 can be designed, for example, as an adhesive system and leads to an even better material-to-material connection of the material arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2.

[0115] The base elements 2 of the closure arrangement 1 are made of a polymeric material, in particular polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0116] The at least one base element 2 of the closure arrangement 1 is designed such that it has a wall thickness in the range of approximately 0.05 to 5.0 mm, preferably 0.1 to 2.5 mm.

[0117] In this embodiment, the wall thickness of the at least one base element 2 of the closure arrangement 1 is approximately 0.5 mm.

[0118] This advantageously allows for economical and cost-effective production of the base elements 2 forming the closure arrangement 1.

[0119] It is further within the scope of the invention that the at least one base element 2 is made of a polymeric material which has a transmittance of at least 80% for visible light across its thickness, measured according to DIN EN ISO 13468-2:2022-04.

[0120] The material arranged in the hollow chamber 5 of the at least one base element 2 and / or the spacer layer 8 can be produced in different colors, for example white or black, and thus alone give the closure arrangement 1 according to the invention a visually appealing appearance.

Claims

1. A closure arrangement (1) for covering open containers with at least one liquid therein, in particular for covering bathing pools, swimming pools, pools and the like, comprising at least two base elements (2), wherein the at least one base element (2) has at least one hollow chamber (5), wherein at least one base element (2) is connected by one of its longitudinal sides (21, 22) to a longitudinal side (21, 22) of an adjacent base element (2) opposite thereto in a movable manner, at least in sections, via at least one connecting means (3), and has at least one connecting device (4) on the longitudinal side (22) opposite the longitudinal side (21) connected to the connecting means (3), wherein the hollow chamber (5) of the at least one base element (2) at least partially comprises a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material in the hollow chamber (5) of the at least one base element (2) has a density of approximately 0.2 g / cm 3up to about 0.85 g / cm 3 , preferably 0.30 g / cm 3 up to 0.70 g / cm 3 according to DIN EN ISO 1183-1: 2019-09, characterized in that the at least one base element (2) has a heat transfer coefficient (U) of maximum 3.95 W / (m 2 K), preferably a maximum of 3.75 W / (m 2 K), particularly preferably a maximum of 3.15 W / (m 2 K) according to DIN EN ISO 6946:2018-03.

2. Closure arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one base element (2) has a natural heat balance (NTB cover ) of at least 15 W / m 2 , preferably at least 20 W / m 2 , particularly preferably at least 25 W / m 2 according to DIN EN ISO 17645: 2022-11.

3. Closure arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe at least one base element (2) has an energy reduction coefficient (ERC) of at least 110%, preferably at least 112%, particularly preferably at least 114% with a real cover index (RCI) > / =95% according to DIN EN 17645: 2022-11.

4. Closure arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one surface (23, 24) of the at least one base element (2) has a gloss level of approximately 10 to 40 GU (GU = gloss units), preferably 15 to 35 GU measured at a measuring angle of 60° according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02.

5. Closure arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one surface (23, 24) of the at least one base element (2) has a gloss level G3 (matt) according to DIN EN ISO 2813:2015-02.

6. Closure arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe at least one surface (23,24) of the at least one base element (2) has an average roughness depth R a from about 0.7 µm to 15 µm, preferably 1.0 µm to 10 µm, particularly preferably 1.5 to 7.5 µm, according to ISO 21920-3:2022-12.

7. Closure arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one base element (2) has at least one coating (9) on at least one surface (23, 24).

8. Closure arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating (9) of the at least one surface (23, 24) of the at least one base element (2) has a thickness of approximately 60 to 200 µm, preferably 80 to 160 µm.

9. Closure arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe material in the hollow chamber (5) of the at least one base element (2) comprises approximately 0.5 to 50 wt.%, preferably approximately 1 to 45 wt.%, particularly preferably 2 to 35 wt.%, based on its total weight, of at least one filler, wherein the filler is selected from the group of thermally conductive materials such as carbon black, graphene, graphite, silicates and the like.

10. Open container with at least one liquid therein, in particular a swimming pool, with at least one closure arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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