Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02871583 2014-10-24
PCDNZ2013/000074
-1 -
Received 10/07/2014
GROUND COVER MATERIAL
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to woven materials and. particularly but not exclusively
to woven
materials for use as ground covers or other agricultural applications.
BACKGROUND
Ground cover materials are used in agriculture for purposes including moisture
retention,
water conservation, weed or sward suppression, soil warmth retention, and for
light
reflecting.
Typically Where the material is used primarily as a reflective ground cover
for light
enhancement, the material is rolled out in lengths onto the ,ground between
rows of trees in
an orchard, rows of vines in a vineyard, or rows of berry fruit plants for
example, to
increase the amount of light to Which the plants and in particular fruit are
exposed, by
reflection. of light from the material towards the fruit above. Each length of
the material
needs to be suitably secured in place such that it will not be dislodged
during wind or
movement of traffic over the materials. A fastening system including a
multiple number of
prong Fastening components or "claws" may be fixed to thicker edges or side
margins of
the sheet material by pushing the prongs of the: fastening components into the
material so
that prongs pierce and pass through the material. In turn the prongs are fixed
to adjacent
trees, or alternatively stakes or pegs inserted for that purpose, typically
but not necessarily
by a length of elastic cord. The sheet material will typically remain in place
for some
months, before being removed and. reused in a subsequent growing season. or on
another
crop in the same growing season.
Referring to Figure 3a a roll, of woven fabric material wound around a
core/spool/cylinder
4 and ready for dispatch is shown. The fabric is made woven on a. loom from
warp and
weft tapes. If a circular loom is used, the fabric is first made into a tube,
then slit at one
side along the length of the tube to fimu a sheet, which is subsequently
folded.
longitudinally in half and wound into a roll about- the core 4. If a flat loom
is used, the
fabric is woven directly into a sheet, and subsequently folded longitudinally
in half and
wound into a roll on the core 4. The Sheet is lengthwise folded before rolling
onto the core
4 to reduce the size of the roll for shipping and dispatch.
AMENDED SHEET
1PEALAU
CA 028715832014-10-24
PCDNZ2013/000074
Received 10/07/2014
The warp tapes are the same thickness across the entire material, but are
narrower at the
side margins (which are both at region 3.1 after folding the material) than
the remaining
tapes in the warp direction. The roll thickness is hence even as there is no
variation in. the
tape thickness across the warp tapes. The evenness of the warp tapes allows
the warp
tension to be controlled across the width of the fabric to assist in. creating
an even fabric.
Referring now to Figure 3b, a roll of improved material is shown having side
margins- 3.2
of increased thickness. In particular the warp tapes are thicker in the side
margins, which
allows the point of fastening to have greater strength than the other portions
of the fabric.
The marinfactnring process for this material, is similar to that described
above. However
thicker warp tapes at the side margins (which lay adjacent one another once
the material is
folded) creates a roll as in Figure 3b that is difficult to stack. Also the
use, of thicker warp
tapes for the side margins during weaving creates uneven tension on the warp
tapes in the
weaving machine which in turn generates difficulty in maintaining the overall
evenness of
the weaving process. Finally, the thicker edges/side margins 3.2, when folded
onto each
other make it difficult to roll. up the length of material evenly (with a
constant axis of
roration) which places undesirable stress on the material at the fold line
after it has been
rolled up.
In Figure 3b the tapes at the opposite end. to the open end 3.2 are exposed to
additional
winding pressure as this is where the fold is. This pressure is experienced
especially by the
weft tapes which. are exposed to added winding tension as they are folded over
themselves
to change direction 180 degrees.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet material, that at
least partially
alleviates the. abovementioned difficulty, or to at least provide the public
with A useful
choice.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In a first aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist of a ground
cover sheet
material woven from warp and weft tapes, wherein the material comprises
regions of
relatively thicker (hereinafter thicker regions) warp tapes and regions of
relatively thinner
(hereinafter: thinner regions) warp tapes, the thicker regions being at or
adjacent one or
AMENDED SHEET
TEA/AU
CA 028715832014-10-24
PCT/NZ2013/000074
- 3 -
Received 10/07/2014
both longitudinally extending opposite side margins of the material, and at
two or more
longitudinally extending centre regions spaced apart on either side of a
notional centre or
fold line of the material and nearer to the notional centre or fold line of
the material than
to the longitudinally extending opposite side margins of the material, and.
the thinner
regions making up the balance of the sheet material.
Preferably- the two or more longitudinally extending centre regions spaced
apart on either
side of a notional centre or fold line of the material are between 20 to 100
mm away from
the notional centre or fold line.
Preferably the sheet material comprises two side margins on either side of the
material of
thicker warp tapes and two centre regions of thicker warp tapes spaced apart
on either side
of the notional centre or fold line of the material. Alternatively the sheet
material comprises
a single centre region of thicker warp tapes adjacent. the notional centre or
fold line.
Preferably th.e warp tapes have a uniform thickness in the thicker regions and
a uniform
thickness in the thinner regions.
Preferably the warp tapes in the thicker regions. are between about 5-300%
thicker or more
preferably between about 10 and about 200% thicker than the warp tapes in the
thinner
regions, and even more preferably between about 200 and about100% thicker.
Preferably the width of each of the thicker regions is up to about 500mm or
more
preferably up to about 300nutt. liven more preferably each of the thicker
regions is
between about .20 and about 300mm wide and most preferably between about 40
and
about 200mm wide. The width of the side margin. may be different from the
width of the
centre regions on each side. of the centre fold line. The centre. regions may
be between
about 20 and about 200mm, or more preferably between about 30 and about 100mm,
and
most preferably between about 40 and about 80nun in width. While the side
margins may
be between about 20 and about. 300mtn., more preferably between about 40 and
about
200mm, and most preferable between about 60 and about 180mm in width.
Preferably the width of warp tapes is also decreased in the thicker regions
relative to the
width of warp tapes in the thinner regions.
AMENDED SHEET
1PEALAU
CA 028715832014-10-24
PCT/NZ2013/000074
- 4 -
Received 10/07/2014
In some embodiments the warp tapes in the thicker regions have a width between
about 1
and about 4 mm, more preferably between about 2 and about 3mm and the warp
tapes in
the thinner regions have a width between about 2 and about omm, more
preferably
between about 3 and about 5Mt11.
In some embodiments the thicker regions have a lower porosity than the thinner
regions.
In some embodiments the transition between an inner edge or the inner portion
of each
side margin and a thinner region of the materill is marked by a line or other
marking of
contrasting colour.
In some embodiments the colour of at least some of the warp tapes in the
thicker regions
contrasts to that of the balance of the sheet material.
Preferably the warp and weft tapes are of a plastics material.
Preferably the ground cover material is woven from warp tapes and weft tapes
which are
substantially flat.
Preferably the tapes that. the material is woven from are not folded on
themselves, so they
are placed or inserted into the fabric so there is no placement density to
cause folding of
the tapes.
in some embodiments the material is made of coloured materials to give a
coloured fabric
including white, green, black and. other colours and even dear with no
apparent colour.
In some embodiments the material is reflective of at least about 50% of
visible light on at
least one We of the material.
In some embodiments some or ail tapes of a reflective material are formed from
a resin
comprising a white pigment, which resin has been formed by mixing a
masterbatch
consisting essentially of between about 5 and about 90% by weight of a White
pigment or
combination of pigments., and a first polymer, with a second polymer such that
the resin
AMENDED SHEET
TEA/AU
CA 02871583 2014-10-24
PCDNZ2013/000074
- 5 -
Received 10/07/2014
(inasterbatch) comprising the white pigment comprises between about 0.5 and
about 50%
by weight. of the total mixture:
Preferably the white pigment is selected from zirconium, dioxide, magnesium,
zirconate,
calcium zirconate, strontium zirconate, barium zirconate, zirconium silicate,
zinc oxide,
zinc sulphide, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate, magnesium oxide, titanium
dioxide,
strontium carbonate, barium carbonate, and potassium titantae.
In some embodiments the material incorporates a compound or compounds added to
cause or increase the extent to which the material reflects and/or absorption
of radiation
from the earth (terrestrial (long wave orinfrared) radiation).
In some embodiments the material incorporates a compound or compounds added to
cause or increase the extent to which the material allows transmission and/or
absorption of
radiation from the earth (terrestrial (long wave or infrared) radiation).
In some embodiments the material. incorporates a compound or compounds added
to
cause or increase the extent to which the material reflects and/or absorbs
solar radiation.
In some embodiments the material incorporates a compound or compounds added to
cause or increase the extent to which the material allows transmission and/or
absorption of
solar radiation.
Preferably the warp and weft tapes are formed from polyolefin, or an. ethylene
alpha-olefin,
or a polyester, or a. biopolymer, or a blend. of any of the foregoing.
Typically sheet materials of the invention will be laid out in lengths on the
ground between
rows of the crop being grown, which may be trees, vines, bushes etc, to
increase the
amount of light to which the plants and in particular the fruit are exposed,.
by reflection of
the light from the material back up towards the crop above. At the end. of a
growing
season, each length of material is rolled up for storage. The thicker warp
tape regions as
defined above enable the length of material to roll evenly after use. The
particular weight
distribution achieved by employing the thicker regions allows the material to
maintain
alignment as it. is rolled-up for storage.
AMENDED SHEET
IP EA/AU
CA 02871583 2014-10-24
PCT/NZ2013/000074
- 6 -
Received 10/07/2014
At the time of manufacturing the combination of thicker side margin warp tapes
and the
thicker warp tapes at the centre region(s) in the even whxling up of the roll
by ensuring (or
supporting) the wind up tension to be more even across all warp tapes. In
addition the
thicker warp tapes at the centre region(s) reduce(s) the roll up tension on
the tapes around
the fold line. The latter being especially the case for the weft tapes that
are folded. at the
centre line during manufacture.
The terms "thicker" and "thinner" as used in this specification and claims are
relative terms
and not intended to be limited to an absolute value or range of thicknesses
unless
otherwise specified.
The term "comprising" as used in, this specification and claims means
"Consisting at least. in
part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification and claims
that includes
the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term
may also be
present. Related terms such as "comprise" and. "comprises" are to be
interpreted in the
same manner.
It is intended that reference to a rang of numbers disclosed herein. (for
example, .1 to 10)
also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for
example, 1, 1.1, 2,
3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers
within that range
(for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-
ranges of all ranges
expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only
examples of what
is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values
between the
lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be
expressly stated
in this application in a similar manner.
The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of
which the
following gives examples only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying
drawings in which:
AMENDED SHEET
1PEALAU
CA 02871583 2014-10-24
PCT/NZ2013/000074
Received 10/07/2014
Figure 1 Shows use of a ground cover material of the invention between two
rows
of orchard trees;
Figure 2 shows use of a ground cover material and fixing of the ground cover
material in place by the use of a claw and cord system, including a. fastening
component
that penetrates the side margins of the material;
Figure 3a shows a possible completed roll of fabric after being tolled but
with no
thicker side margin or warp tapes on either side of the fold or centre line.
Figure 3b shows a possible. completed roll of another. version of a woven
ground
cover material with thicker side margin tapes during manufacture;
Figure 3c shows a possible complete mll of a woven ground cover material
during
manufacture in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention with
thicker side
margin and centre region warp tapes;
Figure 4a is an enlarged view of a. warp tape at the thinner regions of the
preferred
form ground covet material;
Figure 4b is an enlarged view of a warp tape at the thicker regions of the
preferred
form ground cover material;
Figure 5 shows a dose. up view of a. section. of the woven material of Figure
1 at a
centre- region;
Figure 6 shows a close up view of two centre regions of the woven material of
Figure.] ; and
Figure 7 shows a dose up view at a side margin of the woven material of Figure
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, agricultural sheeting 1 is shown in use anchored
underneath
agricultural crops such as rows of orchard trees 12 as a ground cover, which
typically has
AMENDED SHEET
1PEALAU
CA 02871583 2014-10-24
PCT/NZ2013/000074
- 8 -
Received 10/07/2014
reflective properties to reflect solar -radiation onto the fruit trees and
fruit from below.
Typically long sections of the sheet material are anchored along both edges
between rows
of orchard trees or vines. The material is woven from flat warp and. weft
tapes of a plastics
material. Referring also to Figure 2, in use fastening claws 13 connect to the
sheeting along
its edges, and in turn may connect to clips usually by Imps or lengths of
extensible or
optionally inextensible material. The dips may in turn attach to staples
hammered into the
spaced trees 12 as shown, or alternatively to stakes or pegs hammered into the
ground, or
to a wire extending along the row- of the trees or vines, or to twine tied
around the tree
trunk or vine, for example.
The sheet material comprises regions of relatively thicker warp tapes 11 and
regions of
relatively thinner warp tapes (balance of material). The regions. of thicker
warp rapes 11
(thicker regions) are at one or both side margins and at least one centre
region adjacent to a
notional centre or fold. line 30 of the material. The regions of thinner warp
tapes (thinner
regions) make up the balance of the sheet material. in. the preferred
embodiment, there are
thicker warp tapes at both side margins and there are two spaced centre
regions of thicker
warp tapes as shown in Figure 1, however, the invention, is not intended to be
limited to
this enibodiment. In alternative embodiments there may be more than two or
only one:
centre region of thicker warp tapes and/or only one or two side, margin(s)
with thicker
tapes. The line 30 is preferably along, the centre of the material but it,
will be appreciated
that in alternative embodiments, the fold line 30 may not necessarily- be
exactly at the
centre. of the material.
Referring to Figure 3c, during manufacture, a length of material 3 is woven,
then folded
and. rolled about a spc.x.)1 4 to form a sheet of material 1 ready for
dispatch. As discussed, a
flat sheet. of material may be first formed directly from a flat loom, or from
a circular loom
then slit on one side, before being flattened/folded and rolled about the
spool. 4. The
material 3 is woven with. thicker warp regions at at least one side margin 28
and at least one
centre region 29. The fabric or material in Figure 3c is folded. (Or
flattened/closed, in the
case of a slit tube made from a circular loom) in half prior to being rolled
so that the two
side margin.s are on one end of the roll 28 and the other end 29 has the
folded section with
the one or more centre regions of thicker warp rapes. Only half of the width
of the material
3 is visible in Figure 3c as the other is folded underneath the first. layer,
so region 29 is near
or adjacent the centre of the material 3. In the preferred embodiment, the
other half of the
AMENDED SHEET
IPEALAU
CA 02871583 2014-10-24
PCT/NZ2013/000074
- 9 -
Received 10/07/2014
material 3 (not visible as it is folded underneath) is a mirror image of the
half shown in
Figure 3c. Once woven (and cut on. one side of the tube into a folded sheet in
the case of a
circular loom), the sheet. can be folded longitudinally at its centre and then
rolled up about
a spool 4 for efficient dispatch of the material to an end. user. By employing
one or more
thicker warp tape regions 29 at the centre of the sheet 1, the material can he
rolled up more
evenly to maintain a more even tension across the entire warp during the
manufacturing
process than if the thicker warp tapes were only on the side margin(s). It
will be
appreciated, that during manufacture, the material 3 may be. rolled about the
core or spool.
4 any number of times depending on the desired length of the material, but in
the preferred
embodiment the material is woven around the spool 4 to form a cylinder or roll
and then
when unwound it can be cut along the length of the toll or cylinder to then
form one or
more sheets 1 (one of which is shown in Figure 1) as desired by the end user.
Referring to Figure 7, a side portion of a sheet of material 1 woven from warp
(25a-c) and
weft (25d) tapes is shown. The warp tapes 25a towards the side edge 2.7a. (the
cut and seal
edge on one side of the fabric) of the sheet material have an increased
thickness compared
to the warp tapes 25b at the thinner regions. Figure 7 shows one side margin
28a of
thicker warp .tapes 25a, The thickness of the warp tapes is mirrored in the
opposite side
margin (not shown) of the sheet material. The two opposing side margins make
up two of
the thicker regions of the sheet material that when folded and rolled are on
the same side
of the fabric in. the roll.
Referring now also to Figures 5 and 6, the warp tapes 25a in two centre
regions 29a/b are
also thicker than warp tapes 25b at the thinner regions making up the balance
of the sheet
material. The two longitudinally extending opposed centre regions 29a/b are
spaced apart
and located on either side of a notional longitudinal, centre or fold. line 30
of the sheet
material. The regions 29a and 29h are preferably .equally separated from
either side of the
centre line 30. They are placed between 20 to 100 ram away from the. centre or
fold line.
Weft tapes 25d are common/similar for the entire material or fabric.
Referring now also to Figures 4a and 4b, typically the warp tapes 25a in the
thicker regions
28/29 of the material have a thickness, T2, that is 5 to 300% or more
preferably 10 to
200% or most preferably 20 to 100% more than the thickness, 'II, of the warp
tapes 251 at
the thinner regions. Most preferably the thicker regions 28a, 28b and 29a, 29b
comprise
AMENDED SHEET
IPEALAU
CA 02871583 2014-10-24
PCDNZ2013/000074
- 10 -
Received 10/07/2014
warp tapes 25a that are 30 to 50% thicker than the warp tapes 25.b of the
thinner regions.
Preferably the -warp tapes have a uniform thickness, T2, in the thicker
regions and a
uniform thickness, Ti, in the thinner regions.
In one embodiment, the. width 'w' as in Figure 7 of each of the thicker
regions across the
longitudinal axis of the region may be anywhere up to 500inm wide or more
preferably
300mtn.The width 'w' may be anywhere between 20 to 300mm wide or more
preferably
between 40 to 200min wide.. The. width of the side margin may be different
from the width
of the centre regions on each side of the centre fold. line. The centre
regions may be 20 to
aMmm, or more preferably 30 to 100mm, and most preferably 40 to 80trim in
width.
While. the side margins may be 20 to 300mm, more preferably 40 to 200rnm, and
most
preferable 60 to 180mm in width. In the most preferred embodiment, each of the
thicker
regions is 160 trim wide for the side margins 28a/b and 50 mm wide- for the
centre regions
29a/b. The width V, in the preferred embodiment is larger at the side margins
28a/b than
at the centre regions 29a/b, however in alternative embodiments, the width 'V
may be
uniform across all thicker regions 28/29 or different for each region or even
wider at the
centre region than the side margins.
The thickness, T2, of the side margins 28a/b (28b is not shown but is the
other. side
margin of the fabric of Figure 7) strengthen the side margins of the material,
due to the
thicker side warp tapes, so that When the sheet is fixed in place using a
fixing system 13
(including fastening components in which prongs or similar pierce through the
side
margins of the material), the increased strength of the material provides more
a secure
coupling, with. reduced risk of tearing or enlargement of the holes formed.
from prongs
piercing through the: material. In the preferred embodiment, an indication
means is
provided to enable a user to easily identify the stronger region 28a/b of the
material. In the
preferred embodiment shown, each side margin 28a/b may be .marked with. a pair
of
contrasting coloured warp tapes 25c that identify a region for inserting a
fixing component.
In this case 25c is away from the.. very edge 27a of the material or fabric as
placement of the
fastening device so close to the edge is not recommended. In another
embodiment, a single.
contrasting coloured. warp tape is used at the junction, between a side margin
28a/b and an
adjacent thinner warp tape region to identify the strengthened area. In yet
Itnother
alternative, the colour of all thicker warp tapes in the side margins 28a/b
may contrast to
AMENDED SHEET
IPEALAU
CA 028715832014-10-24
PCT/NZ2013/000074
- 11 -
Received 10/07/2014
those in the adjacent thinner regions. This marker or coloured lines guide the
user the best
place to attach the filstening device.
Thicker regions 29a/b along the centre of the sheet are provided to allow the
material to
roll up evenly after it has been. sealed and cut on the edge, 27a, then
flattened or folded
during the manufacturing process. This adds convenience and also helps
alleviate the
stresses on the material at the fold line 30 by allowing the thicker raised
tapes to alleviate
the winding pressure on the folded centre line of the material or fabric. When
the material.
is fOkied along its longitudinal centre line 30, the centre region(s) 29a/b
become opposed
sides/edges to the thicker side margins 28a/b. By creating a balance between
the thickness
of the side margins and the thickness of the material at the fold (i.e. at the
centre region(s)),
the material is caused to maintain a more constant axis of rotation as it is
rolled up to form
the balanced roll, ready for efficient stacking and dispatch. The thicker warp
tapes at the
centre region(s) give a raised. area 29 as Shown in Figure 3c which helps
balance the tension
created by raised area 28. 'The thicker warp tapes at the centre therefore
assist in roll
evenness for stacking and transportation and also evens the. tension across
the warp tapes
during the weaving process:
it will be appreciated that the invention not intended to be limited to the
number of centre
regions described for the preferred embodiment, but rather is more concerned
with
providing a balanced thickness/density between the edges of a folded material.
In other
words, any number of centre regions, of thicker warp tapes can be employed
adjacent or
proximate to (but preferably not at) the centre/fold lines to substantially
balance out the
thickness of the side margins and. allow the material to roll up substanfially
evenly after it
has been folded at the centre/fold line during manufacture.: In the preferred
embodiment,
the thickness of the warp tapes at the centre region(s) and side margins are
substantially
similar or equal to create this balance. It will be appreciated, that the
width. of the thicker
regions, the relative thicknesses of the warp tapes at the thicker regions, as
well as the
spacing/distribution of the centre regions are dependent on particular desired
properties of
the material and can be altered accordingly to provide the above described
benefits .without
departing from the scope of the invention. Preferably the centre regions are
closer to the
centre or fold line than the side margins of the material.
AMENDED SHEET
TEA/AU
CA 028715832014-10-24
PCT/NZ2013/000074
- 12 -
Received 10/07/2014
In the preferred embodiment shown, the warp tapes 25a in the thicker regions
28/29 of
the sheet material respectively have a reduced width, w2, and a higher number
of warp
tapes per unit. area than the thinner regions making up the balance of the
sheet material.
This allows the advantage of the narrower tapes 25a to hemn the side margins
28a and 28b
and centre regions 29a/b and the advantages of wider tapes 251) to be captured
in the.
remaining parts of the material. 'The side margins and centre region, warp
tapes do not have
to be narrower than -the tapes in 25b but would be thicker to capture the
benefits as already
discussed. Typically the width of the warp tapes 25a in the thicker regions,
w2,, will be 20-
80% of the width, wl, of the warp tapes 25b of the thinner regions in the
balance (if the
material.
In a particularly preferred form the warp tapes 25a in thicker regions of the
material will be
between 1mtri and 4mm or more preferably between -2mm and 3mm in width, while
the
other warp tapes 25b will be between 2mm and omm or more preferably between
3mm to
5m.in in width. Th.e weft eves 25d which extend transversely across the woven.
material
are woven. through.- both. the wider warp tapes 25b and the reduced width warp
tapes 25a at
either side margin and at the centre regions of the material. In an.
alternative embodiment,
only the warp tapes 25a at the side margins 28alb may have the reduced width
and higher
number of warp tapes per unit. area but. are thicker.
Alternatively the centre region 29a/b warp tapes 25a are narrower and the side
margin
28a/b warp tapes 25a. are of the same width as the warp tapes 25b making up
the balance
of the material. In another embodiment the tapes are all the same width and
difference is
only in the tape thickness.
Preferably-the ground covet .materialis woven from warp tapes and weft- tapes.
and wherein
the warp and weft tapes are substantially flat. If the tapes are folded then
this would
generate thicker tapes where they occur but also areas of extra pressure and
possible
weaknesses of the tapes at the folded areas.
In an alternative embodiment, the thicker warp tape regions are only at the.
one or more
centre regions, and preferably at. two centre regions on either side of the
fold line 30. In
this embodiment, the resulting roll would not be balanced from a winding
perspective but
the fold line 30 would be protected from high levels of winding pressure or
tension.
AMENDED SHEET
IPEALAU
CA 02871583 2014-10-24
PCDNZ2013/000074
- 13 -
Received 10/07/2014
Preferably the material is reflective of at least 50% or alternatively at
least 55(!ii; or
alternatively at least 60% of visible light on at least one side of the
material. In one
embodiment of a reflective material the material may reflect at least 40%
solar radiation on
average across the LTV (wavelength about 280-400 run), Nisible (wavelength
about 400-700
11:11) and very near infrared (wavelength about 700-800 urn) ranges, and
which transmits at
least 10% or 5% on average of solar radiation across the wavelength range
about 800-
2500nm. The material may reflect more solar radiation than it transmits and
absorbs in the
UV, visible, and very near infrared ranges. The material may transmit at Least
15% or at
least 20% of solar radiation on average in the wavelength range about 800-
2500nm. In
another embodiment. the material may reflect no UV in the 280 to 300 lam or
less than 40%
or only 5% of the LTV. Some or all tapes of a reflective material may be
formed from a
resin comprising a white pigment, which resin has been formed by mixing a
masterbatch
consisting essentially of 5 to 90% by weight of a white pigment or combination
of
pigments chosen from zirconium, strontium, barium, magnesium, zinc, calcium
and
titanium pigments, and a first polymer, with a second polymer such that the
resin
(masterbatch) comprising the white pigment comprises between about 03 to 5.0%
by
weight of the total mixture-. The material could also be made from a premixed
formula or
compound so there is no polymer to be added and the mixture is then extruded
as a
compound without a masterbatch. In certain embodiments the white pigment may
be
selected from zirconium, dioxide, magnesium, zirconate, calcium zirconate,
strontium
zirconate, barium. zirconate, zirconium silicate, zinc sulphide, zinc oxide,
calcium carbonate,
barium sulphate, magnesium oxide, strontium carbonate, barium carbonate,
titanium
dioxide and potassium titantae.
In some embodiments the material. may incorporate a compound or compounds
added to
cause or increase. the extent to which the material reflects and/or absorption
of radiation
from the earth (terrestrial (long wave or infrared) radiation). Thus when the
material is
placed over or adjunct to plants it will assist in retaining heat beneath the
material, which
may be desirable for some plants or applications.
In some embodiments the material may incorporate a compound or compounds added
to
cause or. increase the extent to which the material allows transmission and/or
absorption of
radiation from the earth (terrestrial (long wave or infrared) radiation). Thus
when the
AMENDED SHEET
1PEALAU
CA 028715832014-10-24
PCDNZ2013/000074
- 14 -
Received 10/07/2014
material is placed over or adjacent to plants it will assist in releasing the
heat beneath the
material, which may be desirable for some plants or applications:
In other embodiments the material may incorporate a compound. or compounds
added. to
cause or increase the extent to which the material reflects and/or absorbs
solar radiation.
Thus when the material is placed over or adjunct to plants it will assist in
cooling beneath
the material, which. may be desirable for some plants or applications.
In other embodiments the material may incorporate a compound or compounds
added to
cause or increase the extent to which the material allows transmission and/or
absorption of
solar radiation. Thus when the material is placed over or adjunct to plants it
will assist in
increasing the heat beneath the material, which may be desirable for some
plants or
applications,
The tapes may be formed from any suitable polyolefin such as polyethylene or
polypropylene, for example, or a mixture thereof, or an ethylene alpha-olefin,
or a
polyester, or a biopolymer, or a blend of any of the foregoing: Certain
plastics are
particularly useful when present as minor or major components. Ethylene vinyl
acetate
(EVA), ethylene butyl acrylate (EBA) and ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA) are
useful for
imparting elasticity and other properties. Polyesters and polystyrene, styrene-
butdienie
(SB), acrylonittile-butadienie-styrene (ABS), styrene-aciylonitrile (SAN),
polyethylenie
tffephithialate (PET), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate are
useful as
dye carriers and also for influencing radiation (reflecting, absorbing and
transmission)
properties and also other properties on the materials. Starch and other plant
polymers ate
useful to increase biodegradability. Alternatively the tapes may comprise in
part or Whole
of paper, wood or cellulose fibre, starch based polymers, casein, latex or in
any
combination of the above and/or with petroleum derived plastic polymers. The
polymer
or polymer blend may incorporate agents such as one or more pigments, UV
stabilisers., or
processing aids.
The foregoing, describes the invention including a preferred form thereof,
alterations and
modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to
be incorporated
in the scope hereof as defined in the accompanying claims.
AMENDED SHEET
1PEALAU
