Roll door curtain with emergency exit functionality

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roll door curtain (10), for a roll door system (1) and to a roll door system providing an emergency exit The roll door curtain (10) is adapted to be rolled up and unrolled for opening and closing a door opening (100) and comprises a first flexible wall portion and a second flexible wall portion. The first and second flexible wall portions form a cushion that is adapted to be pressurized when the roll-door curtain is at least partially unrolled, to form an inflated air cushion. Further, at least one manually openable pressure release opening (50) is provided in the first flexible wall portion and / or the second flexible wall portion. The pressure release opening (50) has a closed state and an open state, wherein in the closed state, the cushion can be pressurized to form the inflated air cushion for at least partially closing the door opening (100), and in the open state, the cushion (15) is depressurized, so that the roll door curtain (10) can be pushed aside to relieve the door opening (100) for emergency exit.

Description

[0001] ROLL DOOR CURTAIN WITH EMERGENCY EXIT FUNCTIONALITY

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a roll door system and to a roll door curtain for said system, the roll door curtain providing for an emergency exit functionality.

[0004] Background

[0005] Roll doors, also known as rolling doors or roller doors, are a type of door commonly used for industrial, commercial, and residential applications. Conventional roll doors close vertically (closing direction: up-down) or horizontally (closing direction: left-right).

[0006] Known roll doors comprise as a main component a curtain (e.g. connected slats or a flexible curtain). The slats are typically made of plastic or metal (such as steel or aluminum), wherein flexible curtains are oftentimes made of or include PVC. The slats are joined together by hinges, allowing the door to roll up and down as needed. Further a roll-up mechanism is provided, which allows the roll door to be rolled-up into a compact coil above / beneath a door opening, allowing for maximum use of the available space. The roll-up mechanism is typically powered by an electric motor, which can be controlled automatically, remotely and / or manually, e.g. by a wall-mounted switch.

[0007] Further, a roll door comprises lateral tracks or guides. Those are oftentimes extruded from a plastic material or aluminum or may be made of bent and cut sheet metal. For opening / closing, the roll door is guided along those tracks / guides that keep the slats / the curtain in place as they roll up and down. These tracks and guides are typically attached to the wall opening e.g. a door frame or another building structure. Further, roll doors can be equipped with weather seals to prevent drafts, moisture, and debris from entering the building. In order to withstand high wind loads, roll doors are oftentimes equipped with reinforcement straps or rods, which can be secured to a wall, if need be, leading to limited operationality.

[0008] Generally, roll doors have only limited insulation, compared to other types of doors. This is, as the slats / the curtain is typically chosen thin, to allow for a space-saving up-rolling. Further known roll doors are vulnerability to damage. The rolling mechanism and thin slats / curtains of roll doors can make them more vulnerable to damage from impacts or extreme weather conditions, particularly wind loads. Even further, roll doors require regular maintenance to keep them functioning properly, and any damage to the rolling mechanism, guides / tracks and curtain / slats can be costly to repair.

[0009] For improving insulation properties and for improving the ability to withstand forces (e.g. wind) if the door is closed, double walled flexible curtains can be used. A cushion formed by the walls of the double walled flexible curtain can be pressurized, thereby providing a rigidly inflated air cushion. The inflated air cushion is able to withstand higher (wind) forces and / or provides for an improved insulation.

[0010] However, while single walled flexible curtains can be pushed aside in a case of an emergency so as to provide for an emergency exit, even when the roll door is closed, this is not the case for double walled flexible curtains, particularly, when being pressurized. Hence, persons may not pass the roll door fast and easy in case of an emergency.

[0011] For providing emergency exit functionality, known roll doors with flexible curtains are configured to opening automatically or can be opened by counterweight or by power pack, if there is a need to pass the roll door fast and easy, e.g. in case of emergency. However, those systems are complex and prone to failure. Summary

[0012] It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an improved roll door curtain and a respective roll door system having an emergency exit functionality that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks at least partially. Further, the proposed solution shall be reliable and shall be simple to avoid costs.

[0013] The object is achieved by a roll door curtain according to claim 1 and by a roll door system according to claim 18. Further aspects of the invention are given in the dependent claims and throughout the following description.

[0014] In particular, the object is achieved by a roll door curtain for a roll door system. Said roll door curtain is adapted to be rolled up and unrolled for opening and closing a door opening. The roll door curtain comprises a first flexible wall portion and a second flexible wall portion. The first and second flexible wall portions form a cushion that is adapted to be pressurized when the roll-door curtain is at least partially unrolled. When pressurized, the cushion forms an inflated air cushion. Said inflated air cushion is more rigid compared to the flexible first and second wall portions, as such. Hence, the roll door curtain can withstand higher forces, particularly wind loads, when being closed. Further, the inflated air cushion provides for an improved insulation compared to the flexible first and second wall portions, as such.

[0015] In an aspect, the cushion is pressurized (overpressure) with a pressure of at least 0.004 bars (400 Pa), or with a pressure of at least 0.007 bars (700 Pa), or with a pressure of at least 0.01 bars (1000 Pa). For pressurizing a pressure fluid, such as air is used.

[0016] Further, the roll door curtain comprises at least one manually openable pressure release opening. Said manually openable pressure release opening is provided at the first flexible wall portion and / or the second flexible wall portion. In other words, at least one manually openable pressure release opening may be provided at the first flexible wall portion, or at least one manually openable pressure release opening may be provided at the second flexible wall portion, or both - the fist and the second flexible wall portions - may be provided with at least one manually openable pressure release opening.

[0017] The pressure release opening has a closed state and an open state, wherein in the closed state, the cushion can be pressurized to form the inflated air cushion for at least partially closing the door opening. In the open state, the cushion is depressurized (the cushion is deflated), so that the roll door curtain can be set aside to relieve the door opening for emergency exit. Setting aside the roll door curtain is then possible by manually pushing the roll door curtain out of the way.

[0018] In particular, by depressurizing (deflating) the cushion, the roll door curtain becomes more flexible, compared to the pressurized state. In the depressurized state, the roll door curtain can be easily set aside by hand, i.e. the roll door curtain can be can be manually moved to a side (out of the way or opened) to provide clear access through the door opening. Due to the increased flexibility, the depressurized roll door curtain can then, for example, be pushed at least partially to the side like an ordinary curtain. Further, in case the unrolling and up rolling of the roll door curtain is laterally guided by first and second guiding means, which may be guide rails, pushing the roll door curtain aside, may lead to at least partially releasing the guiding provided be the first and / or second guiding means.

[0019] Thus, an emergency exit functionality is provided that allows for a fast and reliable opening of the roll door, as the pressurized cushion of the roll door curtain can be effectively deflated via the opened pressure release opening and after that, the flexible roll door curtain can be easily moved out of the way to clear the emergency exit (i.e. the door opening). Further, the roll door curtain may include at least one closing element for closing the pressure release opening. It is to be understood, that multiple closing elements may be provided, which may be provided side by side, or which may at least partially overlap.

[0020] When being closed the pressure release opening may be sealed or may allow a certain amount of pressure fluid (e.g. air) that is used for pressurizing the cushion to escape through the pressure release opening. However, the amount must be small enough to allow proper pressurization of the cushion.

[0021] The at least one closing element may be integrally formed with the first flexible wall portion or the second flexible wall portion. For example, the closing element may be a flexible portion (e.g. a film, such as a plastic film, a fabric, a non-woven, and / or the like) being part of a flexible wall portion.

[0022] In a further aspect, at least one closing element may be fixedly connected to the first flexible wall portion or the second flexible wall portion. For example, the closing element may be a flexible portion (e.g. a film, such as a plastic film, a fabric, a non-woven, and / or the like) being connected to a flexible wall portion e.g. by means of welding, sewing, adhesive bonding, riveting and / or the like. The connection may serve as a hinge-like element for moving the closing element form a closing position to an opening position (and vice versa).

[0023] In an even further aspect, at least one closing element may be removable from the first flexible wall portion or the second flexible wall portion. For example, the closing element may be a flexible portion (e.g. a film, such as a plastic film, a fabric, a non-woven, and / or the like), wherein in a closed state, the closing element may be connected to a flexible wall portion, e.g. by a connecting means and / or by means of welding, sewing, adhesive bonding, riveting and / or the like. For achieving the open state, the connection may be loosened, so as to remove the at least one closing element from the respective flexible wall portion partially or entirely. In an aspect, the pressure release opening is a slit opening, having a first closing edge and second closing edge. In this aspect and in case the pressure release opening is in its closed state, the first closing edge and second closing edge are arranged opposite to each other. In case the pressure release opening is in its open state, the first closing edge and second closing edge are spaced apart from each other. Thus, pressure fluid can escape through the opened pressure release opening, thereby deflating the cushion.

[0024] Further, first closing edge and second closing edge may be integrally formed in one of the first flexible wall portion or the second flexible wall portion. For example, the slit opening pressure release opening may be a cut portion provided in the first or second flexible wall element. The cut portion may have any shape or length. The resulting edges of the cut portion then from the first closing edge and second closing edge, respectively. By pushing against the cut portion or against the flexible wall portion in proximity to the cut portion, the pressure release opening can be opened. A slit opening is easy to install and provides for a reliable opening.

[0025] In a further aspect, the pressure release opening may be an areal opening. The areal opening may have any shape or size and may be composed of one or multiple through openings going through either one of the first or second flexible wall portions. In the closed state the pressure release opening, being an areal opening is covered by at least one closing element. For opening this pressure release opening, the at least one closing element may be dented, lifted, or removed. An areal opening provides for a reliable opening and due to its areal extension for a fast depressurization of the cushion.

[0026] Further, the pressure release opening may extend in a closing direction of the roll door curtain, wherein the closing direction is a direction that is defined by the closing movement of the roll door curtain. E.g. a roll door curtain that moves up / down when being operated has a substantially vertical closing direction. The length of the pressure release opening in the closing direction of the roll door curtain may be in a range of 1 % to 100 % of a length of the roll door curtain, or in a range of 1% to 20 % the length of the roll door curtain, or in a range of 10 % to 20 % of the length of the roll door curtain. The pressure release opening may be positioned so as to be conveniently operable by a person. For example, the pressure release opening may extend at least from a position, where typically a door knob is placed (e.g. 1 m above ground, when the roll door curtain is completely closed) upwards, or the pressure release opening may extend at least from a position, that can be reached when crawling (e.g. 30 cm above ground, when the roll door curtain is completely closed). Further, the pressure release opening may extend at least to a position, that is within the visual field of a person, standing immediately in front of the closed roll door curtain (e.g. 1.7 m above ground, when the roll door curtain is closed).

[0027] The longer the length of the pressure release opening is, the easier it can be operated, thereby enhancing the reliability for opening the roll door curtain in case of an emergency. A shorter length prevents the pressure release opening from being unintentionally opened.

[0028] The roll door curtain may further comprise at least one connecting means. In the closed state the connecting means connects the at least one closing element with the first and / or second flexible wall portion and / or a first closing element with a second closing element. Due to the connection means, the closed state can be preserved and the risk of an unintentional opening of the pressure release opening can be minimized.

[0029] In an aspect, the connecting means may be a reversible connecting means and may be chosen from the group of a velcro fastener, a zipper, a push button, a magnetic closure, a cord closure, or the like.

[0030] The connecting means may be used for integrally formed closing element(s). Here, the at least one integrally formed closing element may be connected to a further closing element and / or to a flexible wall portion. For example, the connecting means may be a zipper connecting opposing closing edges in the closed state.

[0031] Further, the connecting means may be used for fixedly connected closing element(s). Here, the at least one fixedly connected closing element may be connected to a further closing element and / or to a flexible wall portion. For example, the connecting means may be a zipper or velcro fastener that is provided in addition to the fixed connection. Thus, when opening the connecting means, the fixedly connected closing element can be moved to open the pressure release opening.

[0032] Even further, the connecting means may be used for removable closing element(s). Here, the at least one removable closing element may be connected to a further closing element and / or to a flexible wall portion. For example, the connecting means may be a velcro fastener, a push button, a magnetic closure or a cord closure that can be opened by tearing away the removable closing element so as to open the pressure release opening.

[0033] In a further aspect, the connecting means may be a single-use connecting means, which may include a nominal breaking point, an adhesive closure, a welded closure or a sewed closure, or the like. In case of a nominal breaking point, the nominal breaking point-connecting means may connect the flexible wall portion with a closing element being integrally formed with said flexible wall. For opening the pressure release opening, the nominal breaking point gets broken, thereby removing or at least partially removing the closing element. Accordingly, the closing element may be connected to a further closing element and / or to a flexible wall portion by an adhesive, by welding, by sewing and or the like. By braking these connections, the closing element can be removed (at least partially) to open the pressure release opening. A single-use connecting means allows to easily detect when the emergency function was used. Further, the roll door curtain may comprise at least one flexible spacing element. The at least one flexible spacing element connects the first flexible wall portion and the second flexible wall portion so as to limit a distance (i.e. a maximum distance) between the first flexible wall portion and the second flexible wall portion when the cushion is pressurized. There may be multiple flexible spacing elements, that may be distributed over the cushion. Accordingly, a substantially flat surface of the pressurized roll curtain can be achieved. The flexible spacing element may be a chord, a flexible strip, such as a film strip, a sleeve and / or the like.

[0034] Further, at least one flexible spacing element may be attached with a first side to or in proximity to the first closing edge or the second closing edge and with an opposing second side to one of the first or second flexible wall portion so as to arrange the first closing edge and second closing edge opposite to each other for providing a closed state of the pressure release opening in case the cushion is pressurized. Particaurly for slit openings, the flexible spacing element(s) allow for a proper closing of the pressure release opening. As the flexible spacing element(s) are flexible, they do neither disturb opening of the pressure release opening nor setting aside the roll door curtain.

[0035] The pressure release opening may be adapted to be opened by pushing. For example, the pressure release opening may open in case a person (or vehicle) pushes against a closing element or against a flexible wall portion is proximity to the pressure release opening. Thereby, the closing edges and / or the at least one closing element is deflected and the pressure release opening is opened. This provides for a reliable emergency exit, as people / vehicles fleeing from danger can simply push with their hands or the entire body to activate the emergency exit functionality.

[0036] Further, the pressure release opening may be adapted to be opened by tearing a closing element. The closing element can be torn entirely or partially. For example, a fixedly connected closing element or a removable closing element may be tom (partially) apart for opening he pressure release opening and thereby activating the emergency exit functionality.

[0037] The roll door curtain may further comprise at least one protective guard. The protective guard being arranged on an inner wall portion of the cushion and / or on an outer wall portion of the cushion and prevents an operator from reaching into the pressure release opening. Thus, when using the emergency exit, the risk of getting trapped (e.g. by getting caught with a finger, hand, arm, foot, leg, or any other body part) by the pressure release opening is minimized.

[0038] The protective guard may be an air-permeable protective guard. For example, the protective guard may include a film portion covering or back lining the pressure release opening, wherein the film portion has though openings, for letting pressure medium (e.g. air) pass though while being small enough to prevent a finger from getting stuck. Further, the protective guard may include a mesh, a fabric or a non-woven having a high air permeability.

[0039] In a particular aspect, the first flexible wall element and the second flexible wall element are provided with at least one manually openable pressure release opening, so that the cushion can be manually deflated from both sides of the roll door curtain (e.g. from inside and outside of a room that is closed by the roll door curtain). Those pressure release openings may have all the same design or may have different designs.

[0040] Further, the time span for depressurized the cushion by means of opening the at least one manually openable pressure release opening may be below 8 s, or below 5 s, or even below 3 s. Hence, an almost instant depressurizing can be provided, allowing for a fast emergency exit.

[0041] Further, the roll door curtain may include at least one window section (e.g. in form of a transparent or semitransparent foil portion) and / or a flexible bottom profile, the flexible bottom profile being in ground contact in case the roll door curtain is closed. A bottom profile may be a horizontal bar that is adapted to provide for a sealing between the curtain and the bottom of the door.

[0042] The roll door curtain and particularly the first and / or second wall portions may include a plastic foil, a non-woven and / or a fabric, wherein the roll door curtain and particularly the first and / or second wall portions may be a PVC curtain / wall portion(s) or may be PVC based.

[0043] In a further aspect the roll door curtain may be formed by a seamless sleeve, the seamless sleeve including the first and second wall portions. Hence, the cushion can be formed by said seamless sleeve. Further, the cushion may be formed by the first and second flexible wall portions being attached to one another, e.g. by at least one of sewing, adhesion, riveting, welding, and / or the like.

[0044] The object is further achieved by a roll door system comprising a roll door curtain as described above and a top roll or a side roll for rolling up and unrolling the roll door curtain.

[0045] The top roll or a side roll may be attached with respective brackets on a wall or ceiling. Further, the top roll or a side roll may be actuated, e.g. by an electric drive. Said electric drive may be connected via a shaft and / or a gearing with a shaft of the roll. In a further aspect, the drive may be integrated in the shaft of the roll or may form the shaft of the roll e.g. as external rotor electric motor.

[0046] The roll door system may further comprise at least one sealing means, such as a brush strip or a sealing lip. The sealing means may at least partially surround the door opening (e.g. on the left and right side only, or on the left side, top and right side) and may seal a gap between a wall and the roll door curtain.

[0047] Further, the roll door system may comprise a pressurization device, such as a compressor, that is adapted to pressurize the cushion of the roll door curtain when the roll door curtain is closed and / or partially closed. By pressurizing the cushion of the roll door curtain, particularly when being closed (or partially closed), the roll door curtain can withstand higher wind loads and an undesired or unauthorized opening can be prevented.

[0048] Even further, pressurizing can be done with tempered air and / or filling gas. When being warmed, the tempered air and / or filling gas may prevent icing of the roll door curtain and / or loss of energy. When being cooled the tempered air and / or filling gas may prevent undesired heating of cooling chambers being closed with said roll door curtain.

[0049] Even further, the pressurizing may be static or dynamic. If being static, the cushion is inflated once when and / or during the roll door curtain being unrolled. Refilling is possible if the pressure should drop. If being dynamic, the air and / or filling gas is permanently or periodically supplied, to achieve a desired pressurization level within the cushion.

[0050] Further, the pressurization device may be adapted to stopping pressurizing the roll door curtain and / or to depressurizing the roll door curtain in case an abrupt pressure loss is detected and / or in case a sensor detects operation of the manually openable pressure release opening. Thus a fast deflation of the cushion can be achieved.

[0051] Brief description of the figures

[0052] The present disclosure will be more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description when being considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0053] Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a roll door system, wherein the roll door curtain being opened;

[0054] Fig. 2 shows a schematic front view of a roll door system, wherein the roll door curtain being closed; Fig. 3A shows a schematic cut view of a roll door system, a pressure release opening being in a closed state;

[0055] Fig. 3B shows a schematic cut view of the roll door system of Fig. 3 A, the pressure release opening being in an opened state;

[0056] Fig. 3C shows a schematic cut view of a roll door system of Figs. 3 A and 3B, the roll door curtain being pushed aside;

[0057] Figs. 4A to Dshow roll door curtains with different types of pressure release openings, and

[0058] Fig. 5 shows a roll door curtain with a further type of pressure release opening.

[0059] Detailed description of the figures

[0060] Figs. 1 and 2 show a roll door system 1 in different opening states. While Fig. 1 shows the roll door system 1 in an open state, Fig. 2 shows a roll door system 1 having a closed roll door curtain.

[0061] The roll door system 1 comprises a roll door curtain 10 and a top roll 20 for rolling up and unrolling the roll door curtain 10. The top roll 20 is attached to a wall 110 with brackets (not shown) above a door opening 100. It has to be noted that the figures are only schematically. The size ratio of the top roll 20 to the door opening 100 should be understood as exemplary only and in no way limiting. It is possible, for example, that the top roll 20 has a significantly smaller and / or larger diameter in relation to the door opening 100 than shown in the figures.

[0062] The top roll 20 is an actuated top roll, i.e. the top roll 20 is driven by an actuator 30, such as electric drive. Said electric drive may be connected via a shaft 32 and / or a gearing with a shaft of the top roll 20. When being actuated, the top roll 20 rotates around axis A. Depending on the direction of rotation, the roll door curtain 10 is unrolled and the roll door curtain 10 closes the door opening 100 at least partially (cf. Fig. 2) In case the direction of rotation is reversed, the roll door curtain 10 is rolled up and the door opens (again), cf Fig. 1.

[0063] Further, the unrolling and up rolling can be guided by first and second guiding means 42, 44, which may be guide rails. When pushing the roll door curtain 10 aside, the first and second guiding means 42, 44 will release the guiding.

[0064] A flexible bottom profile 16 may be provided on a bottom edge of the roll door curtain 10, that serves for sealing the roll door curtain 10 against the bottom.

[0065] Further, the roll door system 1 comprises a pressurization device 70, such as a pump or compressor, that is adapted to pressurize the cushion of the roll door curtain 10 when the roll door curtain 10 is closed and / or partially closed.

[0066] As best shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the roll door curtain 10 comprises a first flexible wall portion 12 and a second flexible wall portion 14. The first flexible wall portion 12 faces away from the wall opening 100, while the second flexible wall portion 14 faces the wall opening 100.

[0067] The first and second flexible wall portions 12, 14 form a cushion 15 that is adapted to be pressurized (e.g. via pressurization device 70) when the roll-door curtain 10 is at least partially unrolled. By pressurizing, an inflated air cushion can be formed that is able to withstand higher forces, such as wind loads, compared to the uninflated roll door curtain.

[0068] Further, at the first flexible wall portion 12, a manually openable pressure release opening 50 is provided.

[0069] The pressure release opening 50 has a closed state (cf. Fig. 3A) and an open state (cf. Fig. 3B). In the closed state, the cushion 15 can be pressurized to form the inflated air cushion. In the open state, the cushion 15 is depressurized, so that the roll door curtain 10 can be set aside to relieve the door opening 100 for emergency exit, as shown in Fig. 3C.

[0070] The pressure release opening 50 is covered by a protective guard 60. The protective guard 60 may be a film portion. Further, the protective guard is arranged on an outer wall portion of the cushion 15, i.e. on the outside of the first flexible wall portion 12. This protective guard 60 prevents an operator from reaching into the pressure release opening 50 and from getting stuck. To provide air-permeability, the protective guard 60 includes multiple through openings 62.

[0071] Further, as shown in Fig. 3A, the roll door curtain 10 includes two closing elements 52, 54. The closing element 52, 54 are adapted to close the pressure release opening 50. Here, the closing elements 52, 54 are integrally formed with the first flexible wall portion 12. In the closed state, a first closing edge 52a of the first closing element 52 and second closing edge 54a of the second closing element 54 are arranged opposite to each other. In this closed state, a certain amount of pressure fluid (e.g. air) that is used for pressurizing the cushion 15 can escape through the pressure release opening 50. However, the amount is small enough to allow proper pressurization of the cushion 15.

[0072] For opening the pressure release opening 50, an operator has to push at least one of the closing elements 52, 54 as shown in Fig. 3B. When being opened, pressure fluid can escape the cushion and the cushion becomes deflated. Accordingly, the roll door curtain can be set aside manually, as shown in Fig. 3C. Thereby, the door opening 100 is released and the emergency exit is free for use.

[0073] Further, the roll door curtain 10 shown in Figs. 3A and 3B comprises multiple flexible spacing elements 18. The flexible spacing elements 18 connect the first flexible wall portion 12 and the second flexible wall portion 14 and thereby limit a distance between the first flexible wall portion 12 and the second flexible wall portion 14 when the cushion 15 is pressurized. The thickness of the roll door curtain is defined by the length of the flexible spacing elements 18. Further, a respective one of the flexible spacing elements 18 is attached with a first side to (or in proximity to) the first closing edge 52a and with an opposing, second side to the second flexible wall portion 14. An even further one of the flexible spacing elements 18 is attached with a first side to (or in proximity to) the second closing edge 54a and with an opposing, second side to the second flexible wall portion 14. These flexible spacing elements 18 arrange the first closing edge 52a and second closing edge 54a opposite to each other for providing a closed state of the pressure release opening in case the cushion is pressurized.

[0074] Figs. 4A to D show roll door curtains with different types of pressure release openings, and different types of closing elements, respectively.

[0075] In Fig. 4A, a pressure release opening 50 is shown that is an areal opening. In the closed state, the pressure release opening 50 is covered by a closing element 52. The closing element 52 has a larger dimension than the pressure release opening 50. Accordingly, an overlapping area 55 is formed. In this overlapping area 55, the closing element 52 may be connected to the flexible wall portion of the roll door curtain 10 e.g. by means of welding, sewing, adhesive bonding, riveting and / or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, connecting means 56 may be used for connecting the closing element 52 to the flexible wall portion. The connecting means 56 may be a reversible connecting means such as a velcro fastener, a zipper, a push button, a magnetic closure, a cord (and e.g. respective eyelets), or the like. Thus, the closing element 52 may be fixedly connected to the flexible wall portion or may be removable from the first flexible wall portion. For opening the pressure release opening 50, the connecting means 56 is loosened and the closing element 52 is at least partially or entirely removed. In Fig. 4B, a further pressure release opening 50 is shown that is again an areal opening. In the closed state, the pressure release opening 50 is covered by a first closing element 52 and a second closing element 54, which partially overlap in an overlapping area 55. The first closing element 52 and the second closing element 54 may be arranged so that when the cushion is pressurized, the second closing element 54 is forced against the first closing element 52 so that the pressure release opening 50 is in its closed state. The first closing element 52 and the second closing element 54 may be integrally formed or fixedly attached to the flexible wall portion. A combination is also possible. For opening the pressure release opening 50 shown in Fig. 4B, the first closing element 52 can be lifted and / or the second closing element 54 can be pushed. Thus, pressure fluid can escape the pressure release opening 50 via the overlapping area 55. Additionally, a connecting means (not shown) may be provided that connects the first closing element 52 and the second closing element 54 in the overlapping area 55. Thus, the closed state can be secured.

[0076] In Fig. 4C, a further pressure release opening 50 is shown that is a slit opening. This pressure release opening 50 corresponds to the pressure release opening 50 shown in Fig. 3A and 3B.

[0077] Fig. 4D shows a further pressure release opening 50 that is a slit opening. The pressure release opening 50 is covered by a closing element 51 that may be integrally formed with the flexible wall portion or attached to the flexible wall portion, e.g. by sewing, welding, adhesive and / or the like. For closing the pressure release opening 50, a connecting means 56 being a zipper is provided. The zipper extends along the slit opening and can be opened for opening the pressure release opening 50. Alternatively, the connecting means 56 may include a velcro fastener, push buttons, a magnetic closure, a chord (and respective eyelets), and / or the like.

[0078] Fig. 5 shows a roll door curtain 10 with a further type of pressure release opening 50, which is a slit opening provided in the first flexible wall portion 12. Further, a closing element 53, being a flexible element (e.g. a PVC foil) is provided. The closing element 53 spanning the slit opening, thereby providing an overlapping area 55. The closing element 53 may be entirely arranged within the cushion (not shown), or may be inserted in the slit element, as shown in Fig. 5. The closing element 53 has a fixed edge 53a and a free edge 53b. The fixed egde is fixed to the first flexible wall portion 12 (e.g. by sewing, gluing, welding, and / or the like), while the free edge 53b is free (i.e. movable with respect to the first flexible wall portion 12) and is provide within the cushion 15 (illustrated by dotted lines). When the cushion 15 is pressurized, the at least the free edge 53b of the closing element 53 is forced against an inner wall portion of the first flexible wall portion 12 in the overlapping area 15, so that the pressure release opening 50 is in its closed state. For opening the pressure release opening 50 shown in Fig. 5, the slit opening 50 or the first flexible wall portion 12 in close proximity to the slit opening 50 can be pushed. Thereby, the free edge 53b is at least partially lifted from the inner wall portion of the first flexible wall portion 12 and pressure fluid can escape the pressure release opening 50.

[0079] In Fig. 5, the pressure release opening extends in a closing direction C of the roll door curtain 10 (e.g. vertically). The length L of the pressure release opening 50 in the closing direction C of the roll door curtain 10 is here about 20% of the length of the roll door curtain. In Fig. 4 A to 4D, the length L of the pressure release opening 50 in the closing direction C of the roll door curtain 10 is about 25% of the length of the roll door curtain. It is to be understood, that the length of the pressure release opening 50 may be in a range of 1 % to 100 % of a length of the roll door curtain, or in a range of 1 % to 20 % of the length of the roll door curtain, or in a range of 10 % to 20 % of the length of the roll door curtain.

[0080] Further, the pressure release opening may be positioned so as to be conveniently operable by a person. For example, the pressure release opening may extend at least from a position, where typically a door knob is placed upwards, or the pressure release opening may extend at least from a position, that can be reached when crawling upwards at least to a position, that is within the visual field of a person, standing immediately in front of the closed roll door curtain.

[0081] The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

[0082] List of reference signs

[0083] 1 roll door system

[0084] 10 roll door curtain

[0085] 12 first flexible wall portion (first curtain layer)

[0086] 14 second flexible wall portion (second curtain layer)

[0087] 15 cushion

[0088] 16 bottom profile

[0089] 18 flexible spacing element

[0090] 20 top roll

[0091] 30 actuator

[0092] 32 shaft

[0093] 42 first guiding means

[0094] 44 second guiding means

[0095] 50 pressure release opening

[0096] 51 closing element

[0097] 52 first closing element

[0098] 53 closing element

[0099] 53a fixed edge

[0100] 53b free edge 54 second closing element 52a first closing edge

[0101] 54a second closing edge

[0102] 55 overlapping area 56 connecting means

[0103] 60 protective guard

[0104] 62 through opening

[0105] 70 Pressurization device

[0106] 100 door opening 110 wall

[0107] A axis of rotation

[0108] C closing direction

[0109] L length of pressure release opening

Claims

Claims1. A roll door curtain (10), for a roll door system (1), the roll door curtain (10) being adapted to be rolled up and unrolled for opening and closing a door opening (100), the roll door curtain (10) comprising: a first flexible wall portion (12) and a second flexible wall portion (14), the first and second flexible wall portions (12, 14) forming a cushion (15) that is configured to be pressurized when the roll-door curtain (10) is at least partially unrolled to form an inflated air cushion; and at least one manually openable pressure release opening (50), being provided at the first flexible wall portion (12) and / or the second flexible wall portion (14), the pressure release opening (50) having a closed state and an open state, wherein in the closed state, the cushion (15) can be pressurized to form the inflated air cushion for at least partially closing the door opening (100), and in the open state, the cushion (15) is depressurized, so that the roll door curtain (10) can be manually set aside to relieve the door opening (100) for emergency exit.

2. The roll door curtain (10), according to claim 1, wherein the roll door curtain (10) includes at least one closing element (51, 52, 53, 54) for closing the pressure release opening (50), the at least one closing element (51, 52, 53, 54) may be integrally formed with the first flexible wall portion (12) or the second flexible wall portion (14), or may be fixedly connected to the first flexible wall portion (12) or the second flexible wall portion (14), or may be removable from the first flexible wall portion (12) or the second flexible wall portion (14).

3. The roll door curtain (10), according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure release opening (50) is a slit opening, having a first closing edge (52a) and second closing edge (54a), the first closing edge (52a) and second closing edge (54a) being arranged opposite to each other, in case the pressure release opening (50) is in its closed state and at least partially spaced apart from each other in case the pressure release opening (50) is in its open state.

4. The roll door curtain (10), according to claim 3, wherein the first closing edge (52a) and second closing edge (54a) are integrally formed in one of the first flexible wall portion (12) or the second flexible wall portion (14).

5. The roll door curtain (10), according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure release opening (50) is an areal opening, wherein in the closed state the pressure release opening (50) is covered by at least one closing element (51, 52, 54).

6. The roll door curtain (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressure release opening (50) extends in a closing direction (C) of the roll door curtain, and wherein a length (L) of the pressure release opening (50) in the closing direction (C) of the roll door curtain is in a range of 1 % to 100 % of a length of the roll door curtain (10), or wherein the length of the pressure release opening (50) is in a range of 1 % to 20 % of the length of the roll door curtain (10), or wherein the length of the pressure release opening (50) is in a range of 10 % to 20 % of the length of the roll door curtain (10).

7. The roll door curtain (10), according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the roll door curtain (10) further comprises at least one connecting means (56), wherein in the closed state the connecting means (56) connectsthe at least one closing element (51, 52, 54) with the first and / or second flexible wall portion (12, 14) and / or a first closing element (52) with a second closing element (54).

8. The roll door curtain (10) according to claim 7, wherein the connecting means is a reversible connecting means and may be chosen from the group of a velcro fastener, a zipper, a push button, a magnetic closure, a cord, or wherein the connecting means is a single-use connecting means, which may include a nominal breaking point, an adhesive closure, a welded closure or a sewed closure.

9. The roll door curtain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein roll door curtain (10) further comprises at least one flexible spacing element (18), the at least one flexible spacing element (18) connecting the first flexible wall portion (12) and the second flexible wall portion (14) so as to limit a distance between the first flexible wall portion (12) and the second flexible wall portion (14) when the cushion (15) is pressurized and / or wherein at least one flexible spacing element (18) is attached with a first side to or in proximity to the first closing edge (52a) or the second closing edge (54a) and with an opposing, second side to one of the first or second flexible wall portion (12, 14) so as to arrange the first closing edge (52a) and second closing edge (54a) opposite to each other for providing a closed state of the pressure release opening in case the cushion is pressurized.

10. The roll door curtain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pressure release opening (50) is adapted to be opened by pushing, and / or wherein the pressure release opening (50) is adapted to be opened by tearing a closing element (51).

11. The roll door curtain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising at least one protective guard (60), the protective guard being arranged on an inner wall portion of the cushion (15) and / or on an outer wall portion of the cushion (15), wherein the protective guard (60) prevents an operator from reaching into the pressure release opening (50).

12. The roll door curtain (10) according to claim 11, wherein the protective guard (60) is an air-permeable protective guard.

13. The roll door curtain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first flexible wall element (12) and the second flexible wall element (14) are provided with at least one manually openable pressure release opening (50), so that the cushion (15) can be manually deflated from both sides of the roll door curtain.

14. The roll door curtain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the time span for depressurized the cushion (15) by means of opening the at least one manually openable pressure release opening (50) is below 8 s, or below 5 s, or even below 3 s.

15. The roll door curtain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising at least one window section and / or a flexible bottomprofile, the flexible bottom profile being in ground contact in case the roll door curtain is closed.

16. The roll door curtain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the roll door curtain (10) includes a plastic foil, a non-woven and / or a fabric, wherein the roll door curtain may be a PVC curtain or may be PVC based curtain.

17. The roll door curtain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the roll door curtain (10) may be formed by a seamless sleeve, the seamless sleeve including the first and second wall portions (12, 14).

18. A roll door system (1) comprising a roll door curtain (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, and a top or side roll (20) for rolling up and unrolling the roll door curtain (10).

19. The roll door system (1) according to claim 18, further comprising a pressurization device (70) that is adapted to pressurize the cushion of the roll door curtain when the roll door curtain is closed and / or partially closed.

20. The roll door system (1) according to claim 19, wherein the pressurization device (70) is adapted to stopping pressurizing the roll door curtain and / or to depressurizing the roll door curtain in case an abrupt pressure loss is detected and / or in case a sensor detects operation of the manually openable pressure release opening (50).

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