GB2560723A

GB2560723A - Aircraft interior divider

Info

Publication number: GB2560723A
Application number: GB1704461.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: O'kell Sean; Hallett Andrew
Original assignee: Saf T Glo Ltd
Current assignee: Saf T Glo Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-21
Filing date: 2017-03-21
Publication date: 2018-09-26
Also published as: GB201704461D0

Abstract

Disclosed is a divider, suitable for use in an aircraft cabin. The divider 10 comprises at least one photoluminescent component. The divider may comprise two sections 20,22, each having a photoluminescent component 24,24ʹ. The photoluminescent component may be arranged to indicate an edge of a material divider. The photoluminescent component may be a coating applied to at least a part of the divider. Alternatively the divider may comprise a fabric material, and the photoluminescent component may be a thread or threads incorporated into at least part of the fabric of the divider. The photoluminescent thread may be embroidered in a decorative pattern on the material of the divider. Alternatively the photoluminescent component may be a decal applied to the divider, which may further comprise a protective layer. The decal may also comprise a pattern or logo applied to at least one of the photoluminescent layer or the protective layer. Alternatively the aircraft divider may comprise an at least partially photoluminescent layer and a fabric layer, and those layers may be located between an eyelet, grommet, stud or rivet. The photoluminescent component may be a plastic component having a photoluminescent pigment. Also disclosed is an aircraft comprising the disclosed divider.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Saf-T-Glo Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Ecotech Innovation Business Park, 21 Turbine Way, SWAFFHAM, Norfolk, PE37 7XD, United Kingdom (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2527314 A EP 2626850 A2 CN 103767521 A KR 101285366 B1 JP H0967764 KR 1020110119974

GB 2512498 A WO 2017/041912 A1 CN 002451331 Y US 20090224103 A1 (72) Inventor(s):

Sean O'Kell Andrew Hallett (58) Field of Search:

INT CL A47H, B64D, C09K Other: EPODOC & WPI (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Barker Brettell LLP

100 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, BIRMINGHAM, B16 8QQ, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Aircraft interior divider

Abstract Title: Divider comprising a photoluminescent component (57) Disclosed is a divider, suitable for use in an aircraft cabin. The divider 10 comprises at least one photoluminescent component. The divider may comprise two sections 20,22, each having a photoluminescent component 24,24'. The photoluminescent component may be arranged to indicate an edge of a material divider. The photoluminescent component may be a coating applied to at least a part of the divider. Alternatively the divider may comprise a fabric material, and the photoluminescent component may be a thread or threads incorporated into at least part of the fabric of the divider. The photoluminescent thread may be embroidered in a decorative pattern on the material of the divider. Alternatively the photoluminescent component may be a decal applied to the divider, which may further comprise a protective layer. The decal may also comprise a pattern or logo applied to at least one of the photoluminescent layer or the protective layer. Alternatively the aircraft divider may comprise an at least partially photoluminescent layer and a fabric layer, and those layers may be located between an eyelet, grommet, stud or rivet. The photoluminescent component may be a plastic component having a photoluminescent pigment. Also disclosed is an aircraft comprising the disclosed divider.

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Fig. 3

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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PRIOR ART

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AIRCRAFT INTERIOR DIVIDER

This invention relates to an aircraft interior divider and in particular to an aircraft having at least one interior divider.

In aircraft an interior may be provided with a divider arranged to divide one section of the aircraft interior from another section. In particular in an aircraft the cabin may be provided with one or more dividers which may be in the form of a curtain or pair of curtains arranged across an aisle or a part of the cabin. The curtain or curtains may be arranged to divide one part of the cabin from another part of the cabin. In other arrangements the curtain or curtains may be arranged to separate the passenger cabin from a staff area.

Currently curtains used in aircraft cabins have no visual indication that they have been drawn together other than their physical presence across a space or walkway. Particularly where the space is an aisle or walkway a person moving about in the aircraft may not recognise the presence of the curtain in low light conditions and may encounter the curtain unexpectedly.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an aircraft interior divider comprising a photoluminescent component.

In a preferred embodiment the divider comprises at least one curtain. In some embodiments the divider may comprise a pair of curtains. In other embodiments the divider may comprise a sheet of material. The material may be flat or may be concertinaed. The divider may comprise a plurality of strips of material.

The photoluminescent component absorbs energy when the cabin is normally lit. The photoluminescent component may also be arranged to be charged by UV light emitted by lighting units in the cabin. In some embodiments the photoluminescent component may be arranged to be charged by blue light in the visible light spectrum or electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet spectrum. It may be desirable in some cases to provide UV sources in the aircraft cabin to maintain a charge in the photoluminescent component over a longer period of time in a long night flight.

The photoluminescent component may comprise one photoluminescent material or a number of photoluminescent materials.

Photoluminescent materials discharge energy in the form of light after a period of charging. The photoluminescent material may emit visible light that appears to the human eye to be predominantly blue or green light depending on the photoluminescent pigment used in the photoluminescent material. Alternatively a combination of photoluminescent pigments may be used to alter the colour of emitted light of the photoluminescent material. The combination of photoluminescent pigments may be selected to emit a blue or blue-green light. Other coloured light may also be emitted depending on the photoluminescent pigments selected for use in the photoluminescent material. In some embodiments the photoluminescent pigment may be combined with fluorescent dyes, paints, pigments such that the perceived light is a different colour from the light emitted by the photoluminescent material.

In some embodiments the sheet comprises more than one photoluminescent component. Each photoluminescent component may emit light having the same colour or the photoluminescent materials of each photoluminescent component may be selected such that each photoluminescent material emits light having a different frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum. The photoluminescent components may therefore comprise at least two colours. More than two colours may be used in some embodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments the divider may be arranged as a single sheet of material that can for example be pulled across an aisle or the cabin or a staff area in the form of a curtain. The curtain may comprise acoustic or thermal insulation. The curtain may be flat or may be formed into a concertina shape for efficient fold back and storage when not required. In a preferred arrangement the aircraft cabin divider comprises two curtains each having a photoluminescent component. The two curtains may each have acoustic and/or thermal insulation. The curtains may be concertinaed for efficient storage when not required.

Advantageously the photoluminescent component of the divider identifies the presence and location of the divider so alerting a person in the cabin to the existence of the divider.

The aircraft cabin divider may be a curtain or pair of curtains arranged to divide one area of an aircraft cabin from another area. The curtain or curtains may be arranged to divide one longitudinal area of the aircraft from another. In other embodiments the curtain or curtains may be arranged to divide a service area from a passenger section of the aircraft.

Desirably at least an opening edge of the sheet of material is provided with the photoluminescent component arranged to indicate the opening edge of the sheet. In other embodiments at least the vertical edges of the sheet are indicated.

A particular advantage of the photoluminescent component indicating the edge of the sheet is that the person can readily identify the edge of a divider or a boundary between two curtains and facilitate parting of the curtain or curtains to allow passage therethrough.

The invention provides a particular advantage in aircraft cabins in low light conditions such as those found in an aircraft in overnight flights. In such low light conditions the light level may be from 0.001 to 3cd m² and the human eye uses mesopic vision in which both rods and cones in the retina function as light receptors. Mesopic vision has poor visual acuity and in addition chromaticity functions are at tritanopic levels such that the eye is unable to distinguish different colours, perceiving everything in shades of grey. As a consequence contrast and colour perception are significantly reduced compared to normal vision and it becomes much more difficult to distinguish the presence of a curtain. Typically in such low light conditions a person moving about the aircraft cabin may not be aware of a drawn curtain dividing one part of the cabin from another and may collide with the curtain fabric. Such a collision may damage the curtain, as well as causing distress to the person moving through the cabin. If the curtain is observed then the person may find it difficult to ascertain a location of the edge of the curtain and so parting of the curtain at an overlapping boundary is hindered.

As described above the use of photoluminescent material in the curtain allows the presence of the divider or curtain to be identified and when the photoluminescent material is optionally arranged to indicate the edge of the divider then a person moving in the aircraft cabin can readily identify an edge of the divider in order to move the divider out of the way.

In some embodiments the photoluminescent component may be arranged to incorporate the photoluminescent component across the divider. Desirably the edge of the divider is indicated by at least some of the photoluminescent component

The photoluminescent component may be provided along the edge of the divider in the form of a solid edging of photoluminescent material. In other embodiments the photoluminescent component may be provided in the form of embroidered thread along the edge of the divider. The photoluminescent component may comprise a number of threads woven into the divider material in a pattern along the edge of the divider.

The photoluminescent component may comprise a photoluminescent fabric stitched onto or into the divider. The photoluminescent fabric may be formed into a pattern or may provide photoluminescent markers on the divider.

In other embodiments the photoluminescent component may comprise a photoluminescent sheet material or a photoluminescent moulded part attached to the divider. In a preferred embodiment the photoluminescent component may comprise photoluminescent sheet material in the form of a vinyl comprising at least a layer of photoluminescent material, the vinyl sheet being fixed to the divider between male and female parts of an eyelet, grommet, stud or rivet. The photoluminescent sheet material may comprise a single strip or may comprise a number of pieces.

A filter may be applied over the photoluminescent component to change the colour of the perceived light emitted by the photoluminescent component. The filter may be incorporated in a vinyl material. In some arrangements the filter may block light emitted by the photoluminescent material over at least a portion of the component. The blocking may provide a pattern or logo in the emitted photoluminescent light. The filter may provide a different appearance in daylight.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the photoluminescent component may comprise a photoluminescent coating applied to the divider. Desirably the photoluminescent coating may comprise a photoluminescent paint applied to the divider. The photoluminescent paint may be applied in a pattern or in a logo or number of logos. In a preferred embodiment the photoluminescent coating may comprise a photoluminescent ink applied to the divider. The photoluminescent coating may be applied by means of printing or screen printing. The photoluminescent coating may be digitally printed on the divider.

In other embodiments the photoluminescent coating may comprise a combination of a photoluminescent material and a fluorescent material. The photoluminescent material and/or the fluorescent coating may comprise a fluorescent paint or dye. A combination of photoluminescent material and fluorescent material may be adjusted to provide light emission of a desired colour.

A filter may also be used to change the perceived colour of the emitted light.

In some embodiments the divider comprises a fabric. The fabric may be a natural fabric or a synthetic fabric or a mixture. The fabric may be woven in some embodiments. The fabric may be formed into a curtain.

The photoluminescent component may comprise one or more threads of photoluminescent material. Such photoluminescent threads may be woven through some or all of the fabric. The photoluminescent threads may be arranged to form a pattern or logo in the fabric.

In other embodiments the photoluminescent threads may be embroidered onto the fabric or fixed to the fabric. The photoluminescent threads may be embroidered into a pattern or logo on the divider

In some embodiments the photoluminescent component may comprise a photoluminescent coating applied to the sheet of material. The photoluminescent coating may be a photoluminescent paint or printing ink applied to a surface of the sheet. The photoluminescent coating may be applied as a marker along at least an opening edge of the sheet or at least along the vertical edges of the sheet. The photoluminescent coating may be applied across the sheet and may include patterns or logos. In some embodiments the photoluminescent component may be digitally printed onto the sheet.

In other embodiments the photoluminescent component may comprise a decal applied to at least a portion of the surface of the sheet. The decal may comprise a photoluminescent layer and optionally a protective layer over the photoluminescent layer. The photoluminescent layer may comprise a polyurethane having suspended photoluminescent pigment.

Desirably the or each decal is applied to the sheet to mark at least the opening edge of the divider. Preferably a number of decals are applied across the sheet. The decals may form a pattern and/or include logos.

In some embodiments the photoluminescent component may comprise photoluminescent component attachable to the divider. The photoluminescent component may be a plastics moulded material comprising photoluminescent pigment. The photoluminescent component may comprise snap rivets, eyelets, grommets or studs. The photoluminescent snap rivets, eyelets, grommets or studs may be applied along an opening edge of the sheet. The photoluminescent snap rivets, eyelets, grommets or studs may be applied across the sheet.

In some embodiments the photoluminescent components may be applied to the divider to provide a pattern or a series of photoluminescent markers. In other embodiments the photoluminescent component includes at least one logo. The logo may comprise at least in part an airline logo or branding.

In some embodiments the photoluminescent component may have a daylight colour. The daylight colour may be the same or different from the colour of the light emitted after charging, the glow colour.

In some embodiments the photoluminescent component further comprises a protective layer. In other embodiments a protective layer may be applied over at least a portion of the divider. Optionally the protective layer may be arranged to cover the photoluminescent component. The protective layer may comprise a printed pattern in or on the protective layer.

In preferred embodiments the photoluminescent material used is resistant to chemical attack. It is particularly desirable that the photoluminescent material is resistant to tetrachloroethylene or any other chemicals used in the dry cleaning process. Desirably any photoluminescent component used in the dividers such as a photoluminescent thread or any photoluminescent component attached to the divider such as a moulded part are resistant to dry cleaning chemicals such that the divider can be cleaned using conventional dry cleaning processes.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an aircraft comprising an aircraft cabin divider in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment the cabin divider comprises a curtain and preferably a pair of curtains. Desirably the photoluminescent component is provided at least along one dividing edge of the or each curtain. In other embodiments the photoluminescent component may be provided along adjacent dividing edges of a pair of curtains.

The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an illustration of a prior art cabin divider;

Figure 2 is schematic diagram of an aircraft cabin in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

Figure 3 is a cross section of the aircraft cabin of Figure 2

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a divider; and

Figure 5 is an illustration of an eyelet or grommet in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

Figure 1 is an illustration of a prior art aircraft cabin 1 with cabin dividers 2 extending across an aisle 4 in a closed positon.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an aircraft 6 having a cabin 8 having a number of cabin dividers 10 in accordance with the invention. The or each cabin divider 10 comprises a photoluminescent component. The cabin dividers are used in a number of locations. One cabin divider indicated at the location 12 divides the cabin into two sections. The cabin divider at location indicated at 14 and 16 separate staff areas from the cabin area. It may be desirable to include noise and heat insulation in dividers in these areas in particular.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the cabin 8 showing the divider 10 at location 12.

The aircraft cabin in this embodiment comprises a number of light emitting elements 18 arranged to illuminate the cabin and to charge the photoluminescent component.

In this embodiment the sheet of material comprises a curtain made of two sheets of a fabric material. The divider comprises a first curtain 20 and a second curtain 22. Each curtain has a photoluminescent component 24, 24’ provided along an opening edge 26 of the curtain.

The photoluminescent component is arranged to be charged by visible or UV light. The photoluminescent component is arranged to emit energy in the form of visible light. Typically the emitted light is blue or green. The frequency of the emitted light is dependent on one or more photoluminescent pigments used in the photoluminescent component. The photoluminescent component may comprise a mixture of photoluminescent pigments and the mixture of photoluminescent pigments may be selected to adjust a perceived colour of emitted light. It will be appreciated that fluorescent dyes or pigments may also be used to adjust a perceived colour of the emitted light.

Photoluminescent materials discharge energy in the form of light after a period of charging. The photoluminescent material may emit blue or green light. Alternatively a combination of photoluminescent pigments may be used to alter the colour of emitted light of a photoluminescent material. The combination of photoluminescent pigments may be selected to emit a blue or blue-green light. In other embodiments the photoluminescent pigments or combinations of photoluminescent pigments and fluorescent dyes or coatings may be selected such that the light emitted has a different colour. The combination of photoluminescent pigments and fluorescent dyes or coatings may be selected such that the photoluminescent material has a different perceived colour in daylight.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a divider in the form of a curtain arranged to separate one part of a cabin from another part of the cabin. The curtain has an opening edge 26 provided with the photoluminescent component 24 arranged to indicate the vertical edge of the curtain.

A particular advantage of the photoluminescent component 24 indicating the edge of the curtain is that a person moving about in the cabin can readily identify the edge/boundary of the curtain and facilitates parting of the curtain to allow passage along the aisle. An additional advantage is that the photoluminescent emission does not light up a surrounding area and disturb sleeping passengers in contrast to conventional lights which also light up an area around the curtains and consequently can prevent passengers from sleeping.

In this embodiment the photoluminescent component is provided in a solid band 24 along the edge of the curtain. The photoluminescent band comprises photoluminescent vinyl attached to the edges of the curtains. The vinyl is secured to the curtain by being held between male and female parts of eyelets 28. The photoluminescent component further comprises embroidered logos 30 which may be related to the logo or branding of the aircraft.

In an alternative embodiment the curtains comprise photoluminescent snap rivets and studs arranged along an edge of each curtain. The curtain further comprises a photoluminescent pattern formed by screen printing a photoluminescent coating onto a surface of the curtain.

A decal applied to one side of the curtain. The decal comprises a photoluminescent layer and a protective layer over the photoluminescent layer. The photoluminescent layer comprises a polyurethane having photoluminescent pigment suspended in the polyurethane.

Figure 5 is an illustration of the two-piece eyelet or grommet 32 with having a first 5 piece 34 having a central column 36 commonly known as a shank, and a second piece in the form of a washer. The grommet is secured onto the divider by inserting the shank 36 into an aperture 40 the washer 38. In this embodiment both the shank 36 and the washer 38 are photoluminescent to provide illumination and identify the presence of the divider on both sides of the divider. It will be appreciated that in some circumstances it may be desirable to provide the photoluminescent component on one side only of the divider.

It will be appreciated that the photoluminescent component can be applied to the curtains in a number of arrangements. The form of photoluminescent material used may be selected according to the desired arrangement on the curtains. A number of forms of photoluminescent material can be incorporated into the curtains and may be used in any desired combination.

In desired embodiments the photoluminescent material is resistant to conventional dry cleaning chemicals such that the dividers comprising the photoluminescent component can be cleaned by conventional dry cleaning processes. The photoluminescent component may be a photoluminescent thread of a moulded part or decal applied to the divider.

It will be appreciated that the divider has been described in particular relation to an aircraft cabin divider used to divide a longitudinal section of the aircraft cabin from another section but may be equally be used as a divider to separate service areas of aircraft from passenger sections .

Claims

1. An aircraft divider comprising at least one photoluminescent component.

2. An aircraft divider according to claim 1 wherein the divider comprises two sections each having photoluminescent component.

3. An aircraft divider according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one divider comprises the photoluminescent component arranged to indicate an edge of the material divider.

4. An aircraft divider in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the photoluminescent component comprises a photoluminescent coating applied to at least a part of the divider.

5. An aircraft divider in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the photoluminescent component comprises a photoluminescent thread or threads incorporated into the divider.

6. An aircraft divider in accordance with claim 5 wherein the divider comprises a fabric and the photoluminescent thread is woven into at least a part of the fabric.

7. An aircraft divider in accordance with claim 6 wherein the photoluminescent thread is applied to the material of the divider.

8. An aircraft divider in accordance with claim 7 wherein the photoluminescent thread is embroidered in the form of a decorative pattern on the material and wherein optionally the material is a fabric.

9. An aircraft divider in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the photoluminescent component comprises a decal applied to the divider.

10. An aircraft divider in accordance with claim 9 wherein the decal comprises a photoluminescent layer and a protective layer applied over the photoluminescent layer.

11. An aircraft divider in accordance with claim 10 wherein the decal further comprises a pattern or logo applied to at least one of the photoluminescent layer and the protective layer and wherein optionally a filter is provided.

12. An aircraft divider in accordance with any one of claim 1 to 3 where in the material divider comprises at least partially of a photoluminescent layer and a fabric layer.

13. An aircraft divider in accordance with claim 12 wherein the material divider comprises a layer of photoluminescent material and a layer of fabric between at least male and female parts of an eyelet, grommet, stud or rivet.

14. An aircraft divider in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the photoluminescent component is provided along at least one edge of the divider.

15. An aircraft divider in accordance with claim 2 wherein each sheet comprises photoluminescent component provided along an opening edge boundary of each sheet.

16. An aircraft divider in accordance with claim 1 wherein the photoluminescent component comprises a plastic component comprising a photoluminescent pigment.

17. An aircraft comprising an aircraft cabin divider in accordance with any preceding claim.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB 1704461.1 1-17