U.S. patent application number 10/577503 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for barrier formation and building protected by barrier.
Invention is credited to Neil Barker, Henry David Langer.
Application Number | 20070130849 10/577503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29595880 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070130849 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Langer; Henry David ; et
al. |
June 14, 2007 |
Barrier formation and building protected by barrier
Abstract
A method of forming a barrier against entry of water into a
sub-floor ventilator of a building, which comprises adhesion of a
sealant material such as a self-adherent pad to an external surface
of said sub-floor ventilator. The invention also provides in
another aspect, a building having a wall structure provided with at
least one sub-floor ventilator, wherein a sealant material such as
a self-adherent pad is adhered to an external surface of said
ventilator, forming a barrier against entry of water into said
ventilator.
Inventors: |
Langer; Henry David;
(London, GB) ; Barker; Neil; (Essex, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOSZ AND PARTNERS, LLP
450 BEDFORD STREET
LEXINGTON
MA
02420
US
|
Family ID: |
29595880 |
Appl. No.: |
10/577503 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 26, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB04/04521 |
371 Date: |
January 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/169.14 ;
52/741.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 9/145 20130101;
Y02A 50/00 20180101; E04B 1/7076 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/169.14 ;
052/741.3 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/00 20060101
E04B001/00; E02D 19/00 20060101 E02D019/00; E04G 21/00 20060101
E04G021/00; E04G 23/00 20060101 E04G023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 27, 2003 |
GB |
0324999.2 |
Claims
1-33. (canceled)
34. A method of forming a barrier against entry of water into a
sub-floor ventilator of a building, which comprises adhesion of a
self-adherent sealant material, such as a self-adherent pad, to an
external surface of said sub-floor ventilator.
35. A method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the ventilator
comprises at least one airbrick within a wall of said building.
36. A method as claimed in claim 34, in which the sealant material
is adhered to said external surface including the periphery of the
ventilator.
37. A method as claimed in claim 34, in which the sealant material
is adhered to said external surface of the ventilator and to
building material immediately surrounding the periphery of the
ventilator.
38. A method as claimed in claim 37, in which the building material
comprises brickwork and/or mortar immediately adjacent the
periphery of the ventilator.
39. A method as claimed in claim 34, in which the sealant material
incorporates a removable layer.
40. A method as claimed in claim 34, in which the sealant material
is flexible or semi-flexible.
41. A method as claimed in claim 34, in which the sealant material
is formed as a self-adherent pad, or a portion from a roll of
material.
42. A method as claimed in claim 34, in which the pad is
resiliently pliable.
43. A method as claimed in claim 34, in which the sealant material
comprises a composite material.
44. A method as claimed in claim 43, in which the composite
material comprises a laminate of two or more layers.
45. A method as claimed in claim 44, in which one of the layers
comprises a release liner and is separable from the other layer or
layers.
46. A method as claimed in claim 44, in which the laminate
comprises a backing substrate and an adhesive substrate and
optionally a release liner.
47. A method as claimed in claim 46, in which the backing substrate
comprises waterproof plastics film and/or metal foil and/or
waterproof fabric material.
48. A method as claimed in claim 47, in which the waterproof
plastics film is selected from the group consisting of polyester
films, polyethylene films, polypropylene films, polyvinylchloride
films, and combinations thereof.
49. A method as claimed in claim 46, wherein the metal foil
comprises aluminum foil optionally laminated to polyethylene or
polypropylene film.
50. A method as claimed in claim 46, in which the waterproof fabric
material is selected from polyester non-woven fabric and
polypropylene non-woven fabric.
51. A method as claimed in claim 47, in which the adhesive is a
rubber based adhesive selected from the group consisting of
butylrubber, polyisobutylene rubber, EPR, SBR, natural rubber,
thermoplastic rubbers, SIS, SBS and SEBS.
52. A method as claimed in claim 46, in which the adhesive layer
comprises rubber and at least one component selected from the group
consisting of bitumen, organic filler, tackifying resin, rosin
esters, mineral filler, polybutene plasticiser, mineral oil
plasticiser, processing aids, anti-oxidant and pigment.
53. A method as claimed in claim 46, in which a release liner is
included in the laminate prior to application thereof to the
sub-floor ventilator, and which-liner is comprised of at least one
material selected from the group consisting of siliconized plastic
film, siliconized low density polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyester, high density polyethylene and siliconized paper.
54. A method of forming a barrier as claimed in claim 34, in which
the sealant material includes a removable liner, optionally as
defined in claim 53, and which method comprises the following
steps: a) providing a self-adherent pad and release liner composite
which is flexible or at least partly flexible, b) removing the
release liner from the composite so as to expose an adherent
surface of the pad, c) positioning the pad such that its exposed
adherent surface is brought into contact with the exposed external
surface of a sub-floor ventilator, d) applying the adherent surface
of the pad to the said exposed surface of the ventilator and
optionally into contact with the periphery of the ventilator and
optionally into contact with building material surrounding the
periphery of the said ventilator, e) applying a pressure to that
surface of the pad remote from the said adherent surface to cause
the pad to cover in a water-sealing manner the said external
surface of the ventilator, and optionally f) removing the adhered
pad from the ventilator after a flood condition or threatened flood
condition, and optionally g) removing from the ventilator and/or
the periphery of the ventilator and/or building material
surrounding the periphery of the ventilator at least some excess
adhesive material not removed in step f) above.
55. A building having a wall structure provided with at least one
sub-floor ventilator, wherein a sealant material such as a
self-adherent pad is adhered to an external surface of said
ventilator, forming a barrier against entry of water into said
ventilator.
56. A building as claimed in claim 55, wherein the ventilator
comprises at least one airbrick.
57. A building as claimed in claim 55, wherein the sealant material
is adhered to said external surface including the periphery of the
ventilator.
58. A building as claimed in claim 55, wherein the sealant material
is adhered to said external surface of the ventilator and to
building material immediately surrounding the periphery of the
ventilator.
59. A building as claimed in claim 58, wherein the building
material comprises brickwork and/or mortar immediately adjacent the
periphery of the ventilator.
60. A building as claimed in claim 55, wherein the sealant material
is as defined in claim 39.
Description
[0001] The present invention is concerned with the formation of
barriers against water entry and embraces buildings which have been
protected by application of a barrier means thereto, which will
prevent entry of water, such as flood water, into sub-floor area
ventilators which are most commonly in the form of inbuilt air
bricks. There is a need for a temporary flood protection means to
be placed over sub-floor ventilators, such as air bricks, so as to
prevent flood waters penetrating through the ventilator and into
the building sub-floor area. If flood water penetrates through
sub-floor area ventilators such as air bricks, there is likely to
be damage to the building structure or foundations coupled with the
difficulty of removing such flood water once it has penetrated into
the sub-floor area and potential risks of damp or similar defects
entering the internal parts of the building structure. Accordingly
there is a need for a suitable barrier material, such as a
water-proof or substantially water-resistant pad which can be
applied to the ventilators, such as air bricks in a threatened
flood condition and before flood water rises to a level where any
of the material will be in contact with such water. In such
threatened flood conditions it will be desirable for the material,
which is most conveniently provided in the form of a pad, to be
applied before flood water has reached the sub-floor ventilator
level since the material may not bond or become bonded effectively
to the brick work or mortar surrounding the ventilator with the
consequence that a water proof or water impenetrable seal may not
be created.
[0002] According to one aspect of this invention there is provided
a method of forming a barrier against entry of water into a
sub-floor ventilator of a building, which comprises adhesion of a
sealant material to an external surface of said sub-floor
ventilator. The ventilator preferably comprises at least one air
brick within a wall of the building. The sealant material is most
preferably a self-adhesive pad. This may be adhered to the external
surface of the ventilator including the periphery of the
ventilator. Preferably such self-adhesive pad can be adhered to the
external surface of the ventilator and to building material
immediately surrounding the periphery of the ventilator such as the
adjacent brick work and/or mortar normally immediately adjacent the
periphery of the ventilator.
[0003] The preferred self-adhesive pads used in the present
invention are preferably removeable after use. Such pads may
incorporate at least one self adhesive layer or medium. It is
preferred for the sealant material (e.g. such self-adherent pads)
to be flexible or at least semi-flexible. The sealant material is
conveniently formed, supplied and used as a pad which is
conveniently rectangular and of a size generally to conform with or
be slightly larger than the external dimensions of an air brick
ventilator. Alternative embodiments of sealant material are
contemplated. For example, such material could be provided in roll
form, from which a user could cut suitable portions for
application. Conveniently self-adhesive pads are resiliently
pliable. The sealant material can be a composite of two or more
layers, such as a laminate. It is preferred that one of the layers
in a composite self-adherent pad is a removable release medium
separable from the remaining layer or layers but without affecting
the adhesiveness of the pad. The laminate may comprise a backing
substrate, an adhesive substrate and optionally a removeable
release liner medium. Such a backing substrate may conveniently
comprise water proof plastics film and/or metal foil and/or water
proof fabric material. Alternatively, a backing substrate could
comprise an adhesive layer, or the backing substrate could be
omitted in some embodiments. The adhesive substrate in some
embodiments may essentially consist of an adhesive layer.
[0004] In such waterproof plastics film, film may be selected from
one or more of the following materials, namely; polyester,
polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinylchloride.
[0005] The metal foil, where used as a component part of the
backing substrate can conveniently comprise aluminium foil
optionally laminated to PVC, polyethylene, polyester or
polypropylene film. The waterproof fabric material where used as a
component of the backing substrate is conveniently selected, for
example, from polyester spunbonded (non-woven) fabric and
polypropylene spunbonded (non-woven) fabric although other
materials of a similar nature could be deployed.
[0006] In relation to the aforesaid laminate the adhesive is
preferably a rubber based adhesive, more preferably comprising
butyl or polyisobutylene rubber, or alternatively comprising EPR
(ethylene propylene rubber), SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber),
natural rubber or thermoplastic rubbers such as SIS (styrene
isoprene styrene), SBS (styrene butadiene styrene) or SEBS (styrene
ethyl butylenes styrene). Other adhesive components useful in the
sealant material in the form of self-adherent pads may typically
include one or more of the following components, namely; bitumen,
organic filler, mineral filler, polybutene plasticiser, mineral oil
plasticiser, tackifying hydrocarbon resins; rosin esters,
processing aids, anti-oxidant and pigment. The laminate most
conveniently comprises a release liner preferably present as an
external layer prior to application of the material to a sub-floor
ventilator. Such a liner may conveniently be comprised of at least
one of the following materials, namely; siliconised plastic film
such as siliconised low density polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyester, high density polyethylene or silconised paper.
[0007] If release liner is not present as part of the sealant
material, then the sealant material could be supplied as a
self-wound roll, where the backing substrate is itself siliconised
on one side.
[0008] In accordance with a second aspect, the invention also
provides a method of forming a barrier in which the sealant
material is in the form of a composite laminate comprising a
release liner and which method includes the following steps: [0009]
a) providing a composite laminate including an adherent material
and a release liner such that the laminate is in the form of a
flexible or at least partly flexible pad, [0010] b) removing the
release liner from the composite to expose an adherent surface of
the material, [0011] c) positioning the adhesive layer of the pad
such that its exposed adherent surface is brought into contact with
the exposed external surface of a sub-floor ventilator, [0012] d)
applying the adherent surface to the said exposed surface of the
ventilator and optionally into contact with the periphery of the
ventilator and optionally into contact with building material
surrounding the periphery of the said ventilator, [0013] e)
applying pressure to that surface of the pad remote from the said
adherent surface to cause the pad to cover in a water-sealing
manner the said external surface of the ventilator, and optionally:
[0014] f) removing the adhered pad from the ventilator after a
flood condition or threatened flood condition, and optionally:
[0015] g) removing from the ventilator and/or the periphery of the
ventilator and/or building material surrounding the periphery of
the ventilator at least some excess adhesive material not removed
in step f) above,
[0016] In a third aspect the invention also provides a building
having a wall structure provided with at least one sub-floor
ventilator, wherein a sealant material is adhered to an external
surface of said ventilator, forming a barrier against entry of
water into said ventilator. Similarly, such sealant material can be
in the form of a self-adherent pad.
[0017] Such ventilator may typically comprise of one air brick. The
self-adherent pad is preferably adhered to the external surface
including the periphery of the ventilator. The pad can even more
conveniently be adhered to the external surface of the ventilator
and to building material immediately surrounding the periphery of
the ventilator, such as the brickwork and/or mortar material
immediately adjacent the periphery of the ventilator. It is
preferred that within the scope of the third aspect of the present
invention as defined above, the self-adherent pad is made or
otherwise formed as defined above in connection with the first
aspect of the present invention.
[0018] In application of embodiments of the invention it is most
convenient and therefore preferred that the ventilator, such as the
air brick, and the surrounding brickwork and/or mortar material to
which the self-adherent pad is to bond, is cleaned prior to its
application. In the absence of such cleaning procedures there is a
risk that such self-adherent pads will not bond adequately or
effectively to the ventilator and hence may not provide the
protection against entry of water into the sub-floor area of a
building as is intended.
[0019] On the external surface of the ventilator, and upon the
brickwork and/or mortar materials immediately surrounding the
periphery of the exposed surface of the ventilator, any algae, dirt
and dust should be removed, ideally by brushing with a stiff brush.
Any puddles of water remaining on the air brick or brickwork should
be wiped off before application of self-adherent pad e.g. with an
appropriate dry cloth. In application of embodiments of the
invention wherein the sealant is in the form of a pad or a cut
portion from a wound roll, the pad or portion should be applied at
a temperature greater than 0.degree. c. and more preferably greater
than 4.degree. c. The pads, if stored in cold conditions, may be
easier to apply if stored for e.g. thirty minutes in an ambient or
warm room e.g. at a temperature in the region of 15-25.degree. c.
and preferably 18-25.degree. c. Prior to application of a pad
incorporating a release liner, the release liner should be removed
from the pad to expose an adhesive surface of the adhesive layer
which is preferably pigmented or coloured so as to match the
surrounding brickwork e.g. red or brown or reddy-brown in colour.
Steps should be taken to prevent dirt or other contamination from
becoming attached to the exposed adhesive surface. As soon as the
surface of the adhesive component has been exposed for use, the
self-adherent pad should be applied gently to the ventilator, and
preferably so that the air brick will be located centrally with
respect to the applied pad.
[0020] In the event that an implement such as a small decorating
roller is available, working from the centre of the pad, it is
preferred to roll very firmly outward to the edges, covering the
whole pad area to ensure that the pad has bonded evenly across its
whole area. In the absence of such a roller implement, then it is
possible to use an item such as the back of a tablespoon. Again
working from the centre, the pad should be smoothed outwards to the
edges using good hand pressure upon the bowl of the spoon and
ensuring that the whole pad is smoothed to obtain adequate and good
adhesion to the air brick. For those embodiments of the invention
in the nature of a self-adherent pad, it is desirable to ensure
that the adhesive component is pressed well into the mortar courses
and/or any surrounding brick work around the periphery of the air
brick.
[0021] Once floodwater has been dispersed or the threat of a flood
condition is rescinded, the self-adherent pads should be removed
from the ventilators to allow air once again to circulate as normal
through the air brick.
[0022] In order to remove such a pad, it should normally only be
necessary to lift one edge and pull the adhesive surface component
of the pad away from the air brick. Some of the adhesive component
may remain on the brick work and/or mortar immediately surrounding
the periphery of the air brick, upon removal of the pad. Dabbing
the adhesive surface of the pad onto all such items of adhesive
residue is likely to assist and may effectively remove most of the
remaining adhesive. As indicated above, in preferred embodiments of
the invention, the adhesive component is itself coloured so as to
match the shade of the air brick and/or surrounding brickwork so
that if any small adhesive residue remains after removal, such
remnants are likely to blend in with the brickwork and so not
impair appearance of the building after complete removal of the
pad.
[0023] In order that the invention may be illustrated, more easily
appreciated and readily carried into effect by those skilled in the
art, non-limiting embodiments will now be described purely by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in
which FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a suitable self-adherent
laminated pad for use in the present methods and for use in the
building aspect of the present invention.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1 the laminated sealant material comprises
an optional layer (1) of siliconised high density polyethylene
release liner which may have a thickness of the order 40 to 100
microns, preferably 50 to 80 microns. Alternatively, this
optionally present layer (1) may consist of siliconised low density
polyethylene release liner layer with a thickness of the order 80
to 120 micron and preferably about 100 micron thick.
[0025] Adjacent the release liner (1) there is provided an adhesive
component which is preferably an adhesive layer (2) which is
butyl-rubber or polyisobutylene-rubber based. In this embodiment
the adhesive component is pre-coloured a reddy brown to blend in
with bricks of the building after removal should some adhesive
debris be left behind. The thickness of this adhesive layer is not
especially crucial, although in preferred embodiments the thickness
is conveniently of the order 1-2 mm, such as 1.5 mm thick.
[0026] The third component of the illustrated laminated sealant
material is a backing substrate layer which as shown in FIG. 1
itself comprises a composite bi-layer (3) which preferably consists
of aluminium foil laminated to polyester film. The thickness of the
aluminium foil is not especially crucial although for convenience
this may have a thickness in the range of 10-30 microns or
preferably 15-25 microns such as 18 microns thick. Similarly the
thickness of the polyester film part of the composite bi-layer 3
does not appear especially crucial although for convenience it is
preferred to use a polyester film having a thickness of 10-40
microns, preferably 15-35 microns, more preferably 20-30 microns,
such as 23 microns thick.
[0027] With reference to the backing substrate of suitable
self-adherent laminated pads, preferred embodiments of the
invention are based on the use of a composite material which may
consist of aluminium foil and polyester film laminated
together.
[0028] In relation to the adhesive layer of suitable laminated
self-adherent pads, it is preferred to use a butyl-rubber or
polyisobutylene rubber based adhesive, filled with organic and
mineral fillers and with polybutene and mineral plasticisers. Some
processing aids, anti-oxidants and pigments are also preferably
included within the formulation of the adhesive layer. Release
liners, where present, serve to protect an exposeable adhesive
surface prior to application of the pad to a sub-floor ventilator.
As indicated in connection with FIG. 1 herein, it is preferred for
such release liner to comprise siliconised low density or high
density polyethylene.
[0029] It will be apparent that the self-adherent pad embodiments
are to be used as a sealant mainly for air bricks to protect them
from water seeping through into the sub-floor area of a building,
as a result of flooding. Application of the self-adherent pad is
also useful in the event of a threatened or forewarned flood
condition whether or not a flood subsequently takes place. To be
most effective, the self-adherent pad should be applied to the air
brick before the air brick has become in contact with water. The
pad can be fabricated as a generally rectangular pad and of a size
to cover standard size air bricks although a plurality of different
sizes are possible. In order to apply the preferred product to a
building structure, based on a three layered laminate, the consumer
simply removes the backing release liner and applies the exposed
adhesive surface across the air brick by applying pressure and
working in the edges into the material surrounding the air brick
using preferably an implement such as a small decorating roller or
the back of a spoon. After a flood, or withdrawal of any threatened
flood condition, the pad can be peeled away from all air bricks of
the building upon which it has been applied and then disposed of.
Any adhesive residue can be scrubbed off using a wire brush or
alternatively by repeated application such as `dabbing` of the
removed pad. Embodiments of pads have been tested and were
effective as a water sealant so as to prevent entry of water
through an air brick into the sub-floor area of a building before
the air brick has become submerged under water.
[0030] Reference will now be made to the following specific
examples and test results:
EXAMPLE 1
[0031] A self-adherent pad of sealant material was provided in the
form of product reference Scapa 0314 which is a
polyisobutylene-rubber based adhesive substrate laminated with an
aluminium/polypropylene laminated film and including a siliconised
release medium in the form of paper or film. The product Scapa 0314
is commercially available in the United Kingdom from Scapa UK
Limited. The pad was applied to an in-built air brick ventilator
which was subsequently exposed to water.
EXAMPLE 2
[0032] A self-adherent pad of sealant material was provided in the
form of product reference Scapa 0318 which is a
polyisobutylene-rubber based adhesive substrate laminated with a
spun-bonded polyester fabric and incorporating as part of the
laminate prior to application, a siliconised release medium in the
form of paper or film. The pad was applied to an in-built air brick
ventilator which was subsequently exposed to water.
Test Result 1
[0033] Specific sealant materials of examples 1 and 2, having been
applied in the form of pads to the external surfaces of air bricks
inbuilt as part of an existing building were demonstrated to be
effective in preventing passage of water through the air brick, and
capable of subsequent removal without impeding airflow after use.
In particular pads of these materials were constructed and applied
as indicated above to airbricks with up to two courses of bricks of
a building above covered with water at a height of the order six
inches above the upper most edge of the airbrick. It was found that
no detectable water had penetrated through the sealed airbricks,
and the pads could be removed after use without blocking or
impeding airflow through the airbrick after removal.
* * * * *