Durable Insect Screen With Improved Optical Properties

An insect screen comprising:

• a) a frame;
• and
• b) fibers comprising PVDF mounted in said frame, said fibers having a diameter equal to about 0.005 inches and disposed in a warp and fill construction defining openings having a warp and fill dimension, at least one of said warp and fill dimensions being less than about 0.06 inches and the other of said warp and fill dimensions being larger than about 0.01 inches,
• wherein the insect screen has a total light transmission of at least 80% and is free of macroscopic permanent deformation when subjected to a blunt instrument deformation test of about 5 lbs. or less.

An insect screen comprising:

• a) a frame;
• and
• b) fibers comprising PVDF mounted in said frame, said fibers having a diameter equal to about 0.005 inches and disposed in a warp and fill construction defining openings having a warp and fill dimension, at least one of said warp and fill dimensions being less than about 0.06 inches and the other of said warp and fill dimensions being larger than about 0.01 inches,
• wherein the insect screen has a visual clarity factor of at least about 75% and is free of macroscopic permanent deformation when subjected to a blunt instrument deformation test of about 5 lbs. or less.

A method of excluding insects from a space having an access comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a frame comprising a groove and spline construction;
• mounting fibers in said frame in a warp and fill construction defining openings having a warp and fill dimension, at least one of said warp and fill dimensions being less than about 0.06 inches and the other of said warp and fill dimensions being larger than about 0.01 inches, to form a screen, said fibers comprising PVDF and having a diameter equal to about 0.005 inches, whereby the screen has a total light transmission of at least about 65% and is free of macroscopic permanent deformation when subjected to a blunt instrument deformation test of about 5 lbs. or less;
• and
• b) covering the access with said screen,
• whereby the insects are prevented from entering the space.

A method of excluding insects from a space having an access comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a frame comprising a groove and spline construction;
• b) mounting fibers in said frame in a warp and fill construction defining openings having a warp and fill dimension, at least one of said warp and fill dimensions being less than about 0.06 inches and the other of said warp and fill dimensions being larger than about 0.01 inches, to form a screen, said fibers comprising PVDF and having a diameter equal to about 0.005 inches, whereby the screen has a visual clarity factor of at least about 75% and is free of macroscopic permanent deformation when subjected to a blunt instrument deformation test of about 5.0 lbs. or less;
• and
• c) covering the access with said screen, whereby the insects are prevented from entering the space.