Flexible Fire-Protection Collar Band for Variable Pipe Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire-protection collars for closing through-passages in walls, ceilings, and floors are inflexible, require many components, and cannot easily adapt to different openings or pipe cross-sections, making them cumbersome and costly to install.

Innovation Solution

A fire-protection-collar band made of a flexible, thin metal foil with an intumescent lining, allowing for easy cutting to length and adaptation to various openings, with an adhesive-free connection and bimetallic foil for stability, and holders for secure fastening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fire-protection collars use multiple individual components and rigid structures, then fire protection reliability is improved, but adaptability to different openings and installation ease deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different openings
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fire-protection collar is divided into two main segments: a flexible sheath made of thin metal foil and an intumescent lining. This segmentation allows the sheath to be cut to different lengths and shapes while maintaining the protective function, enabling adaptation to various opening sizes and pipe configurations without compromising fire protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath is constructed from flexible thin metal foil with a thickness of 10 to 100 μm, which can be bent, cut, and shaped to fit different openings and pipe cross-sections. This flexibility maintains fire protection integrity while allowing easy adaptation to various installation scenarios, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If traditional fire-protection collars use multiple components and complex configurations, then fire protection performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection performanceVSAvoidnumber of individual elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath and lining are combined into a single integrated fire-protection collar unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate components. The sheath is formed from a continuous piece of thin metal foil that is cut to length and shaped as needed, while the lining is applied directly to the inner surface, creating a unified structure that simplifies manufacturing and installation while maintaining fire protection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The thin metal foil sheath serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as a fire barrier, enables flexibility for cutting and shaping, and facilitates easy installation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective fire protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional fire-protection collars use thick rigid structures, then structural stability is improved, but ease of installation and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath is made from thin metal foil (10 to 100 μm thick) that is inherently flexible and can be easily cut, bent, and shaped to fit different openings and pipe configurations. This thin flexible structure maintains sufficient structural stability to serve as a fire barrier while enabling simple installation without requiring heavy tools or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The thickness of the sheath is optimized to a specific range (10 to 100 μm) that balances structural stability with flexibility. This parameter change allows the material to be thin enough for easy handling and installation while remaining stable enough to provide effective fire protection, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables a cost-effective, flexible, and robust fire-protection collar that can be easily installed and adapted to different openings, providing effective fire and smoke prevention with minimal components.

Implementation Method 1

at least one lining (12) which is made of or comprises an intumescent material, and is positioned or fitted on the inner surface of a fireproof metal sheath (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent material expansion: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 2

under the action of an elevated temperature, in particular in the event of a fire, volume-increasing material, preferably intumescent material, of the fire-protection-collar band (10) expands and closes the through-passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

A further advantageous configuration of the invention is characterized by an integral and preferably essentially adhesive-free connection between the sheath and lining

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBimetallic effect: Bi-Metallic Strip

Data Source

PatentEP4650008A1Fire-protection-collar element, fire-protection collar and method for forming it
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 ETEX BUILDING PERFORMANCE GMBH
  • EP4650008A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4650008A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4650008A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

Fire-protection-collar band (10) for forming a fire-protection collar (35) for closing through-passages in walls (38), ceilings and/or floors in the event of a fire, which fire-protection-collar band having a longitudinal extent and having: - a strip (12) which is made of or comprises an intumescent material, and provided with side peripheries and a width, said side peripheries running in a direction of the longitudinal extent of the fire-protection-collar band, and - a fireproof and essentially striplike foil (11), provided with side peripheries and a width, said side peripheries running in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the fire-protection-collar band, wherein the side peripheries of the strip (12) are spaced apart from the side peripheries of the foil (11) and wherein the width of the strip (12) is greater than the width of the foil (11).