Polymeric Interference Films For Horticultural Applications

• US 20070184274A1
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Jaster, Paul, Ouderkirk, Andrew, Wheatley, John, Hicks, Andrew, Schubert, Charlene
• Application Number:
  US11/561,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20070184274A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/411.100
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/08 flexible, e.g. films
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/914 cooling drums
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/9165 Electrostatic pinning
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/416 Reflective
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/023 Optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/14 Iridescent effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0841 comprising organic materials, e.g. polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/281 designed for the infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/287 comprising at least one layer of organic material
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3033 in the form of a thin sheet or foil, e.g. Polaroid
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/305 including organic materials, e.g. polymeric layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/916 Fraud or tamper detecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12229 Intermediate article [e.g., blank, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1225 Symmetrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12278 Same structure at both ends of plural taper
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12313 Arranged to avoid lateral displacement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24851 Intermediate layer is discontinuous or differential
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24868 Translucent outer layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24942 : including components having same physical characteristic in differing degree
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/28 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2848 : Three or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/29 : Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 : Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31786 : Of polyester [e.g., alkyd, etc.]

Abstract

Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided for use in horticultural applications. The optical bodies include a spectrally selective film comprising alternating polymeric layers configured to selectively reflect and transmit light at a design angle of incidence. The selective reflection and transmission is adapted to control plant growth or plant movement.

Claims

1. A reflective article suitable for use in horticultural applications, comprising:

a spectrally selective film comprising alternating polymeric layers configured to selectively reflect and transmit light at a design angle of incidence;

wherein the selective reflection and transmission is adapted to control plant growth or plant movement.

2. The article of claim 1 in combination with a panel for use in a roof and/or wall of a greenhouse.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein the film is laminated to the panel.

4. The article of claim 2, wherein the film is disposed inside the panel.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the film is formed into a rolling shade capable of being rolled up or unrolled.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein the film filters out infrared wavelengths.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the film also filters out green light.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the film filters out blue light.

9. The article of claim 6, wherein the film selectively reflects infrared wavelengths, and the article is oriented with respect to a plant of interest to direct reflected light away from the plant.

10. The article of claim 6, wherein the film selectively transmits infrared wavelengths, and the article is oriented with respect to a plant of interest to direct reflected light towards the plant.

11. The article of claim 1, wherein the film selectively transmits or reflects magenta light.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein the film is a magenta pass filter.

13. The article of claim 1, wherein the alternating polymer layers have a bimodal layer thickness distribution.

14. The article of claim 13, wherein the alternating polymer layers include a first set of layers reflecting green wavelengths and a second set of layers reflecting infrared wavelengths.

15. The article of claim 1, wherein the selective reflection and transmission controls a ratio of red light to far red light.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the red light extends from 660 to 680 nm, and the far red light extends from 700 to 740 nm.

17. The article of claim 1, further comprising a UV protective coating on the film.