Fire Retardant Greenhouse Screen with Synergistic Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing greenhouse screens fail to meet the stringent fire test requirements of NTA 8825:2010, which are essential for ensuring safety and preventing destructive fires in greenhouse environments.

Innovation Solution

A screen design comprising a top fabric with halogen-containing polymeric strips laminated with a light-reflective film and a bottom fabric with polyolefin tapes incorporating a synergistic fire resistance composition of phosphonate, diphosphonate, or alkyl/arylphosphonic acid compounds and 1,3,5-triazine compounds, which together enhance fire retardancy and comply with the NTA 8825:2010 standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional screen materials are used, then the screen provides shade and controls radiation energy, but the screen fails to meet the NTA 8825:2010 fire test requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire test complianceVSAvoidfire spread risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining halogen-containing polymeric strips with light-reflective film in the top fabric, and polyolefin tapes with synergistic fire resistance composition (phosphonate/diphosphonate/alkyl- or arylphosphonic acid compounds combined with 1,3,5-triazine compounds) in the bottom fabric. This composite structure achieves both the required fire retardancy (meeting NTA 8825:2010) and functional performance for shade and radiation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If fire retardant materials are incorporated into the screen, then fire resistance is improved, but the screen loses flexibility and drapability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire retardancyVSAvoidflexibility and drapability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies fire retardant treatments locally to specific components rather than the entire screen structure. The bottom fabric uses polyolefin tapes incorporating fire resistance composition, while the top fabric uses halogen-containing polymeric strips with light-reflective film. This localized application maintains overall flexibility and drapability while providing necessary fire protection at critical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the polymeric materials to achieve fire retardancy without sacrificing mechanical properties. By selecting specific halogen-containing polymers and polyolefins with appropriate molecular structures and adding fire resistance compounds at optimized concentrations, the screen maintains its flexibility and drapability while meeting fire test requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the screen uses thin and flexible plastic strips for drapability, then ease of installation is improved, but fire spread speed increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidfire spread speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of thin, flexible plastic strips (rapid fire spread) into a benefit by incorporating halogen-containing polymers and polyolefin tapes with fire resistance composition. These materials inherently slow combustion and reduce fire spread speed while maintaining the thin, flexible structure necessary for ease of installation and proper screen drapability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The screen effectively meets the NTA 8825:2010 fire test requirements, providing improved fire retardancy and safety by reducing light transmission and maintaining flexibility for easy installation and operation, while preventing fire spread in greenhouse environments.

Implementation Method 1

a light-reflective film or foil laminated to at least a portion of the halogen-containing polymeric strips

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a synergistic fire resistance composition comprising a mixture of at least two chemical compounds, each chemical compound being selected from a phosphonate compound, a diphosphonate compound, or an alkyl- or arylphosphonic acid, and at least one 1,3,5-triazine compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFire retardancy through synergistic chemical compounds:

Data Source

PatentUS10492380B2Fire retardant darkening screen

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 IFG EXELTO NV

AI summary

A fire retardant darkening screen for use in greenhouses is provided, the screen including a top fabric and a bottom fabric. The top fabric includes halogen-containing polymeric strips laminated with a light-reflective film or foil. The bottom fabric includes polyolefin tapes, preferably high density polyethylene tapes, the polyolefin tapes including a synergistic fire resistance composition.