Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
  • A01G9/14—Greenhouses
  • A01G9/1438—Covering materials therefor; Materials for protective coverings used for soil and plants, e.g. films, canopies, tunnels or cloches
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
  • Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
  • Y02A40/25—Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Definitions

• the invention relates to a flexible film comprising a support layer and a layer stack having at least a first layer.
• the invention further relates to a method for producing such a flexible film.
• the invention also relates to an assembly of a support structure and a flexible film.
• greenhouses Globally, many horticultural crops are grown in greenhouses. These greenhouses consist of a space which is delimited by a covering of translucent material, as a result of which it is possible to maintain a climate in this space which is optimal for growing crops. Such greenhouses have a relatively large translucent surface in order to be able to provide the crops with sunlight.
• Support films are known from the prior art that are provided with at least one active layer, with the active layer being configured to react to incident light, wherein the transmitted light is manipulated under the influence of the active layer.
• International patent application WO 2012/107701 describes a material for modulating the wavelength of sunlight, comprising a polymer matrix and at least two luminescent organic compounds.
• Patent NL 1017077 describes an application of polymer film provided with inorganic phosphors for use in agriculture and horticulture.
• Another application relates to the use of flexible solar cell films having an active layer for generating solar energy from incident light.
• one property of these films is that the light is largely absorbed, so that it is undesirable to use them in a translucent roof of, for example, a greenhouse.
• photovoltaic materials have been developed which absorb a relatively low amount of light (they allow approximately 70% of the light to pass through), but in many cases even this attenuation is enough to have a negative influence on the growth of some crops.
• a flexible transparent film comprising a support layer and a layer stack having one or more transparent layers, wherein at least one layer of the layer stack is divided into segments in the longitudinal direction, being the first direction, and
• adjacent segments of the at least one layer are separated from one another in the longitudinal direction by an intermediate space, which intermediate space is free of the at least one segmented layer.
• the layers are subdivided into active layers and passive layers.
• the transparent passive layers comprise conductive and insulating layers.
• the one or more transparent active layers demonstrate an interaction, either with light or with an electrical voltage or current.
• the active layer either functions as a filter which influences how much of the transmitted light can pass through as a function of wavelength or intensity, and diffusion, or it functions as a light source for illuminating the underlying surface.
• the intermediate space allows part of the incident light to pass through without interaction with the at least one segmented layer. Said part of the incident light can therefore reach the underlying surface through the intermediate space in this segmented layer (layers) in an unobstructed manner.
• the segmentation has the advantage that the electrical power which may be required to control the active layer (layers) is limited for each segment.
• the division provides segments having an intermediate space which is free of the at least one segmented layer, so that these intermediate spaces can be used as places where structural parts, such as frames, wires or cables of a support structure, can be arranged without damaging said layer or being able to make undesired electrical contact for discharge via the support structure.
• each of the one or more transparent layers is in each case selected from a group of layers comprising a photovoltaic layer, an electroluminescent layer, an electrochromic layer, a thermochromic layer, a diffuser layer, a fluorescent layer and a temperature-regulating layer.
• Each of these active layers has an interaction with light or electrical voltage or current, as described above.
• the photovoltaic layer, electroluminescent layer, electrochromic layer and temperature-regulating layer are active layers which are also electrically connected in this case.
• thermochromic, fluorescent and diffuser layers are layers which are able to function independently without electrical contact.
• thermochromic or diffuser layer or a fluorescent layer With the aid of a thermochromic or diffuser layer or a fluorescent layer, it is possible to adapt the translucency, the light distribution or the transmitted spectrum range of the support layer, respectively.
• the layer stack of the flexible film apart from the first layer, further comprises at least a second layer, and the first layer is covered by the at least one second layer, a number of electrical functions are available:
• An electrochromic layer in combination with one or more conducting layers makes it possible to adjust the translucency by controlling the electrical voltage and/or current on the conducting layers.
• An electrolurninescent layer in combination with one or more conducting layers makes it possible to use the support layer as a light source by controlling the electrical voltage and/or current on the conducting layers.
• a photovoltaic layer in combination with one or more conducting layers makes it possible to convert part of the incident light into electrical energy and thus to lower the net energy consumption within the greenhouse. This may have a very advantageous effect owing to the large surface area of greenhouse structures.
• a temperature-regulating layer in combination with conducting layers makes it possible to achieve a cooling or heating effect.
• At least one of the at least first and second layers is divided in the longitudinal direction into segments having an intermediate space which is free of said at least one of the first and second layers.
• the invention provides that the other of the first and second layers is continuous.
• the other of the first or the second layer is likewise divided into segments having an intermediate space which is free of said other layer.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the segments of the second layer coincide with the segments of the first layer.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the first layer is a conducting layer and the second layer is chosen from a photovoltaic or electroluminescent or an electrochromic layer.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the second layer is also conductive. This ensures that the second layer also acts as an electrical conductor in addition to its active function, which dispenses with the need to apply an additional conducting layer.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, which further comprises a third layer which consists of a conducting layer, with the second layer between the first layer and the third layer.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the third layer is divided into segments.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the segments of the third layer coincide with the segments of the first layer and/or with the segments of the second layer.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the second layer is chosen from the first group in each case for each separate segment.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the segments of at least one of the layers from the layer stack on the support layer are ordered into two or more segment groups with, in the longitudinal direction, in each case an intermediate space of a first distance between the segments within one segment group and with an intermediate space of a second distance between the outer segments which face one another of adjacent segment groups.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the support layer further comprises at least a fourth layer, wherein the fourth layer is chosen from the first or second group of layers; the fourth layer is optionally divided into segments and, if it is divided into segments, the segments of the fourth layer optionally coincide with segments of at least one of the first, second and third layers.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the support layer is relatively thicker at the location of the intermediate space than in the segments. This ensures that such an intermediate space can be reinforced against wear at that location, which can be caused for example by contract with a support or structural part.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein a conductive layer of the layer stack is provided with one or more connecting parts for connecting an external conductor.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the one or more connecting parts of the conductive layer extend on the support layer, outside the surface which is covered by the one or more other layers of the layer stack.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the support layer comprises a plastic film.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the distance between the intermediate spaces in the at least one layer of the active layer stack on the support layer is substantially constant.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the segments of at least one of the first, second and third layers on the support layer are ordered into two or more groups with, in the longitudinal direction, in each case an intermediate space of a first distance between the segments within one group and with an intermediate space of a second distance between the outer segments of adjacent groups.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, further provided with at least a fourth layer, wherein the fourth layer is chosen from the group of layers; the fourth layer is optionally divided into segments and, if it is divided into segments, the segments of the fourth layer optionally coincide with segments of at least one of the first, second and third layers.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the support layer is relatively thicker at the location of the intermediate space than in the segments.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein a conductive layer of the active layer stack is provided with one or more connecting parts for connecting an external electrical conductor.
• the invention provides a flexible film as described above, wherein the one or more connecting parts of the conductive layer extend on the support layer outside the surface of the one or more layers of the active layer stack which are chosen from the other layers in the group of layers.
• the invention provides an assembly of a support structure and a flexible film as described above, wherein the support structure comprises a number of structural parts in the longitudinal direction substantially at right angles thereto; a support distance is provided between each pair of adjacent structural parts; the flexible film is stretched over the structural parts in the longitudinal direction in such a way that the longitudinal direction of the support layer coincides with the longitudinal direction of the support structure, and the position of an intermediate space on the support layer in each case coincides with a position of a support or structural part.
• the invention provides an assembly as described above, wherein the support layer is connected to the structural part or supported by the structural part at the location of the intermediate space.
• the invention provides an assembly as described above, applied to a structure of a horticultural greenhouse.
• the invention further relates to a horticultural greenhouse provided with an assembly as described above or provided with a flexible film as described above.
• the invention further relates to a method for producing a flexible film provided with a support layer and a layer stack of at least a first layer, comprising: applying the at least one layer to the support layer, wherein the method provides that the at least one layer is divided into segments in the longitudinal direction, being the first direction; segments of the at least one layer which are adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction are separated from one another by an intermediate space, and in each case the intermediate space is kept free of the at least one segmented layer.
• the invention provides a method as described above, wherein the application of the at least one layer involves conducting a printing process, and the printing process occurs on the basis of a pattern which segments the at least one layer.
• Figure 1 shows a top view of an assembly of a structure and a film according to the invention
• Figure 2 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 3 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 4 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 5 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 6 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 7 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 8 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 9 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 10 shows a top view of an embodiment of a film according to the invention.
• Figure 1 shows a top view of an assembly of a structure and a film according to the invention.
• a flexible film is provided with a lighting function in relation to the incidence of light on a surface (not shown) arranged behind or underneath the film, in particular a surface provided with crops, such as a greenhouse structure.
• a greenhouse structure generally covers a large surface area over which a covering layer is stretched, which covering layer is supported by at least a plurality of structural parts 9 arranged next to one another at a mutual support distance 10.
• Such structural parts 9 comprise transverse frames, wires and cables.
• the covering layer is formed in a first direction or longitudinal direction L of the greenhouse structure by a film web F which extends over a relatively large length, preferably substantially the entire length of the greenhouse in said first direction L.
• the film web F is arranged on the structural parts 9 in order to thus form the covering layer.
• the flexible film F comprises a support layer 1 and a layer stack of one or more layers arranged thereon.
• the layer stack is constructed in such a way that at least one of the one or more layers in the layer stack is segmented in the first direction, with an intermediate space 4 between segments S, which intermediate space 4 is free of the material of the segmented layer.
• the support distance 10 can be equal to a segment distance 1 1 between successive intermediate spaces 4 or to an integer multiple thereof.
• a width of the intermediate space 4 is greater than a width of a bearing surface of the structural part 9 with the film F.
• the at least one layer is prevented from being able to come into contact with the structural part. It prevents damage to the segmented layer, which could affect the function of the layer. It also prevents a conductive connection from arising in cases where the at least one layer is a conductive layer and the structural part is made of metal.
• the segmentation also creates the possibility of spatially defining the function of the layer stack performed by the segmented layer.
• Figure 2 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the film comprises the support layer 1 and a first layer 2 which is segmented, with intermediate spaces 4 which are free of the layer.
• the segmented layer 2 may be chosen from a thermochromic layer, a fluorescent layer, a diffuser layer or a conductive layer.
• a property of the thermochromic layer is that colour and translucency can be changed as a function of the temperature.
• a property of the fluorescent layer is that a wavelength of incident light is converted into a different, longer wavelength.
• a property of the diffuser layer is that incident light is diffused by transmission through the diffuser layer.
• the conductive layer can be used to conduct a charge. For example, it is possible to discharge any static electricity which may occur from the support layer.
• Figure 3 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the layer stack comprises two layers 2, 3 stacked on top of one another, wherein a bottom layer 2 is segmented, with in each case an intermediate space between adjacent segments.
• a top layer 3 is continuous.
• the bottom layer 2 and top layer 3 can in each case be selected from a first group of layers comprising a photovoltaic layer, an electroluminescent layer, an electrochromic layer, a thermochromic layer, a fluorescent layer, a diffuser layer or from a second group comprising an insulating layer and a conducting layer.
• the bottom layer 2 could be a thermochromic layer while the top layer 3 could be a diffuser layer, but it is also possible to combine a conductive bottom layer 2 with a top layer 3 which exchanges charge with the conductive bottom layer.
• the top layer 3 can be one of a photovoltaic layer, an electroluminescent layer and an electrochromic layer.
• the top layer 3 could also be an insulating layer in order to insulate the conductive bottom layer 2.
• the bottom layer 2 is chosen from either the first or the second group and the top layer is chosen from the other of the first and the second group.
• An example of a film according to this embodiment relates to a solar cell film having a support layer on which a segmented conducting layer is arranged and which is covered by a continuous photovoltaic layer, at least the top layer of which is conductive.
• Figure 4 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the layer stack comprises two layers 2, 3 stacked on top of one another, wherein the bottom layer 2 is continuous and the top layer 3 is segmented with intermediate spaces 4.
• Figure 5 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the layer stack comprises two layers 2, 3 stacked on top of one another.
• the bottom layer 2 is segmented into segments 20, with in each case an intermediate space 4 between adjacent segments 20, and the top layer 3 is divided into segments 25, with in each case an intermediate space 4 between adjacent segments 25.
• the bottom layer and the top layer have the same segment distance and the position of the bottom segment 20 in each case coincides with the position of the top segment 25.
• segment distance of the bottom layer 2 may differ from (be larger or smaller than) the segment distance of the top layer 3.
• Figure 6 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the layer stack comprises three layers 2, 3, 5 stacked on top of one another on the support layer 1.
• the bottom layer 2 is divided into segments 20, with intermediate spaces 4 between adjacent segments 20.
• the bottom layer 2 is covered by a middle layer 3.
• the middle layer 3 is continuous.
• the middle layer 3 is covered by a top layer 5.
• the top layer 5 is also continuous.
• the top layer 5 is also chosen from either the first or the second group of layers.
• the bottom layer 2 and the top layer 5 are both chosen from either the first or the second group and the middle layer is chosen from the other of the first and the second group.
• Figure 7 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the layer stack comprises three layers 2, 3, 5 stacked on top of one another on the support layer 1.
• the bottom layer 2 is divided into segments 20, with intermediate spaces 4 between adjacent segments 20.
• the bottom layer 2 is covered by a middle layer 3.
• the middle layer 3 is divided into segments 25, with intermediate spaces 4 between adjacent segments 25.
• the middle layer 3 is covered by a top layer 5.
• the top layer 5 is also divided into segments 30, with intermediate spaces 4 between adjacent segments 30.
• Figure 8 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the layer stack comprises three layers 2, 3, 5 stacked on top of one another on the support layer 1.
• the bottom layer 2 is divided into segments 20, with intermediate spaces 4 between adjacent segments 20.
• the bottom layer 2 is covered by a middle layer 3.
• the middle layer 3 is continuous.
• the middle layer 3 is covered by a top layer 5.
• the top layer 5 is also divided into segments 30, with intermediate spaces 4 between adjacent segments 30.
• layer stack illustrated in one of Figures 2-8 may contain additional layers which may also be segmented. In this way, it is possible to stack layer stacks having different functions on top of one another in a film.
• one side of a support layer may be provided with a first layer stack having a certain function and the other side may be provided with a second layer stack having the same function or a different function to the first layer stack.
• Figure 9 shows a cross section of a film according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the layer stack comprises at least two layers 2, 3 stacked on top of one another on the support layer 1.
• both the bottom layer 2 and the top layer 3 are segmented, with the bottom layer being segmented in a different way to the top layer 3.
• top layer segments S3 are arranged as bridging layers which in each case bridge the intermediate space between two adjacent segments S 1 , S2 of the bottom layer 2.
• the two segments SI, S2 in the bottom layer may serve as electrical connections for the bridging top layer segment S3.
• Figure 10 shows a top view of an embodiment of a film according to the invention.
• This figure illustrates a film with the support layer 1 on which a layer stack is arranged.
• the layer stack contains two conducting layers.
• the configuration of the layer stack is, for example, as illustrated in the cross section of Figure 7 or Figure 8, where the bottom layer 2 and top layer 5 may be a conducting layer.
• the bottom layer 2 and the top layer 5 may be provided with a connecting surface 2a; 5a which extends outside the surface occupied by the middle layer 3.
• An external electrical conductor may be connected to each of the connecting surfaces.
• a connecting surface 5 a may be unnecessary if the top layer 5 is free (i.e. is not covered by another layer).
• This figure further shows a possible arrangement of the segments in groups Gl , G2.
• the segments are arranged with a first intermediate space 4.
• a second intermediate space 8 is provided between two segments of adjacent groups Gl, G2.
• the second intermediate space 8 has a width which is different from a width of the first intermediate space 4.
• the width of the second intermediate space 8 is greater than that of the first intermediate space 4.
• Figure 10 shows the positioning of the film F with respect to a structural part 9.
• a structural part such as a transverse frame, a wire or a cable
• the support distance may also be chosen to be an integer multiple of the distance between successive intermediate spaces, so that in each case the plurality of intermediate spaces on the support layer is kept free.
• the support layer to optionally have a greater thickness at the location of an intermediate space than under a segmented layer, so that if the intermediate space coincides with a structural part, the support layer is more resistant to wear caused by contact with the structural part.
• the support layer may be connected to the structural part or supported by the structural part.
• the flexible film is provided with at least one layer of the layer stack which is divided into segments in a width direction of the film, wherein adjacent segments of the at least one layer are separated from one another in the width direction of the film by a further intermediate space, which further intermediate space is free of the at least one segmented layer.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Soil Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)

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Citations (5)

• 2013
  • 2013-07-31 NL NL2011242A patent/NL2011242C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2014
  • 2014-07-31 WO PCT/NL2014/050535 patent/WO2015016713A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (5)

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