Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of forming a laminated light transmitting fire screening panel comprising at least one inter-layer of intumescent material sandwiched between two plies of glazing material, which comprises the steps of assembling the inter-layer and any ply of glazing material which is to be brought into face-to-face contact therewith while there is present therebetween an atmosphere which immediately prior to such contact consists at least in part of one or more materials which is more soluble in the intumescent material than is air, and subjecting the sandwich assembly to heat and/or pressure to bond it together to form the laminate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of forming a laminated light transmitting fire screening panel comprising at least one inter-layer of intumescent material sandwiched between two plies of glazing material, which comprises the steps of assembling the inter-layer and any ply of glazing material which is to be brought into face-to-face contact therewith while there is present therebetween an atmosphere which immediately prior to such contact consists at least in part of one or more materials which is more soluble in the intumescent material than is air, and subjecting the sandwich assembly to heat and/or pressure to bond it together to form the laminate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein immediately prior to said contact, said atmosphere consists of, by volume, at most 10% air and at least 90% of one or more said soluble materials.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein substantially no air is present in said atmosphere immediately prior to said contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said more soluble material is the vapor phase of a solvent for the intumescent material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 4 wherein water vapor is present in said atmosphere as the solvent vapor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said pressure is exerted by calendering the sandwich assembly to cause it to bond together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said sandwich is assembled in a chamber in which said atmosphere is maintained at least during assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 7 wherein said atmosphere is maintained at elevated pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said intumescent material comprises one or more hydrated alkali metal salts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 9 wherein said intumescent material comprises an alakli metal silicate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said layer is first formed from a body of wet intumescent material by heating it for a period of time during which water is allowed to evaporate and wherein during at least a part of the heating period there is introduced into the atmosphere in contact with the intumescent material a gas which is the vapor phase of a solvent for the body, and/or a gas which is less soluble in the intumescent material than is oxygen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 11 wherein the same solvent vapor is present in the atmosphere in contact with the layer during drying and during assembly of the sandwich.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as defined in claim 11 wherein said solvent is water.