U.S. patent application number 13/652442 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-18 for building insulation system.
The applicant listed for this patent is MARK A. ASPENSON, JOHN G. CONNELL. Invention is credited to MARK A. ASPENSON, JOHN G. CONNELL.
Application Number | 20130094791 13/652442 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48086046 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130094791 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ASPENSON; MARK A. ; et
al. |
April 18, 2013 |
BUILDING INSULATION SYSTEM
Abstract
The building insulation system includes a reflective, non-porous
bag filled with thermal insulation material. The covering of the
bag is made from reflective polymeric facer or plastic, which
facilitates reflection of thermal energy radiation. The reflective
non-porous bag provides a thermal barrier for conduction,
convection and radiation aspects of thermal energy transfer.
Inventors: |
ASPENSON; MARK A.;
(WATERLOO, IA) ; CONNELL; JOHN G.; (TALLAHASSEE,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ASPENSON; MARK A.
CONNELL; JOHN G. |
WATERLOO
TALLAHASSEE |
IA
FL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48086046 |
Appl. No.: |
13/652442 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61548099 |
Oct 17, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/211 ;
383/110; 383/42; 52/741.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 30/248 20180101;
E04B 2001/7691 20130101; E04B 1/78 20130101; E04B 1/7604 20130101;
E04B 2001/746 20130101; Y02A 30/244 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/211 ;
52/741.4; 383/110; 383/42 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38; B65D 33/16 20060101 B65D033/16; B65D 33/18 20060101
B65D033/18; E04B 2/00 20060101 E04B002/00 |
Claims
1. A building insulation system, comprising at least one
reflective, non-porous bag adapted to be installed between adjacent
studs in a building wall, the at least one bag having: a
reflective, non-porous outer covering disposed over the entire bag;
and insulation material disposed inside the at least one bag;
whereby, the bag provides a thermal barrier for conduction,
radiation and convection factors of thermal energy transfer.
2. The building insulation system according to claim 1, wherein
said non-porous outer covering comprises reflective polymeric
plastic material for reflecting thermal energy.
3. The building insulation system according to claim 2, wherein
said reflective polymeric plastic material comprises polymeric
sheet material with reflective metal mixed therein.
4. The building insulation system according to claim 1, wherein
said insulation material comprises at least one material selected
from a group consisting of fiberglass, cellulose, rockwool,
expanded polystyrene, and recycled materials.
5. The building insulation system according to claim 2, further
comprising a wrap for capping a cut end of said bag.
6. The building insulation system according to claim 5, further
comprising at least one adhesive strip for sealing said wrap around
said cut end of said bag.
7. The building insulation system according to claim 1, wherein
said non-porous outer covering comprises reflective polymeric
plastic material for reflecting thermal energy, the system further
comprising a cover flange surrounding a periphery of said bag, the
cover flange being adapted for covering adjacent studs, headers and
footers of a wall frame to thereby provide a moisture/vapor
barrier.
8. A method of forming an energy efficient thermal barrier within a
building, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least
one reflective, non-porous bag adapted to be installed between
adjacent studs in a building wall and insulation material disposed
inside the at least one bag, the at least one bag having a
reflective, non-porous outer covering disposed over the entire bag;
and installing the at least one reflective, non-porous bag in wall
frames in order to form a thermal barrier in the building
maintaining a desired comfort temperature level.
9. The method of forming an energy efficient thermal barrier
according to claim 8, wherein said non-porous outer covering
comprises reflective polymeric plastic for reflecting thermal
energy.
10. The method of forming an energy efficient thermal barrier
according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: cutting at
least one end of said reflective, non-porous bag to size the same
for a particular wall frame; providing a wrap to cover the cut end
of said bag; and sealing the wrap around the cut end with an
adhesive strip.
11. The method of forming an energy efficient thermal barrier
according to claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a
cover flange surrounding a periphery of said bag, the cover flange
being adapted for covering adjacent studs, headers and footers of
the wall frame to thereby provide a moisture/vapor barrier.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/548,099, filed Oct. 17, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to building construction
systems, and particularly to a building insulation system that
provides improved insulation for maintaining more moderate
temperatures and reducing energy costs.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Typical building insulation does not have the capacity to
provide the full range of thermal barriers against different
sources of thermal energy. For insulation to perform as well as
possible, the insulation should be able to cope with three forms of
thermal transfer, viz.; conduction, convection and radiation. The
national and worldwide R-values for insulation are generally based
upon only one form of heat transfer, viz., conduction. However,
conduction only represents about 10% of the total thermal forces
acting on a building, the remaining thermal forces being about 25%
for convection and about 65% for radiation. Percentages may vary
due to differences in climate zones. Thus, insulation with a high
R-value provides excellent thermal break or barrier for conduction,
but with no regard to convection and radiation. With about 90% of
the thermal energy contributors not being taken into account in
typical building insulation, this highlights the extent of thermal
inefficiencies existing in homes and other buildings. As a
consequence, these inefficiencies contribute to the high costs of
heating and cooling a building.
[0006] In light of the above, it would be a benefit in the building
arts to provide insulation having more efficient thermal protection
in order to reduce energy costs. Thus, a building insulation system
solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The building insulation system includes a reflective,
non-porous bag filled with thermal insulation material. The
covering of the bag is made from reflective polymeric facer or
plastic, which facilitates reflection of thermal energy radiation.
The reflective non-porous bag provides a thermal barrier for
conduction, convection and radiation aspects of thermal energy
transfer.
[0008] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a building
insulation system according to the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective of a reflective non-porous bag
forming a part of a building insulation system according to the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a section view drawn along lines 3-3 of FIG.
2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a reflective non-porous bag
forming a part of a building insulation system according to the
present invention, shown with sealing material being applied when
the bag is cut to size during installation.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reflective non-porous bag
forming a part of a building insulation system according to the
present invention, shown with sealing material being applied to an
angled or beveled cut end of the bag.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a reflective non-porous bag forming a part of a building insulation
system according to the present invention, the bag having a cover
tab.
[0015] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The building insulation system, generally referred to by the
reference number 10, is configured to provide a thermal break for
all three forms of thermal energy in a domicile or building. As
shown in FIGS. 1-3, the building insulation system 10 includes a
reflective, non-porous bag 20 filled with insulation material
24.
[0017] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the covering 22 for
the non-porous bag 20 can be made from a reflective polymeric facer
or plastic, e.g., polyester or other polymeric sheet material with
reflective metal mixed therein, similar to Mylar (Mylar is a
registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of
Wilmington, Del.). The covering 22 completely encapsulates both
opposing faces, both opposing sides, and both opposing ends of the
bag 20 to provide a non-porous barrier that reflects thermal energy
from the surface facing the outer wall or siding, i.e., the surface
facing the environment, and also reflects thermal energy from the
interior of the domicile. As a consequence, the radiated thermal
energy from the interior remains substantially within the domicile,
while the radiated thermal energy from the outside is reflected
back. Thus, the covering 22 minimizes thermal energy loss within
the domicile, which is especially beneficial for heating and
reducing the costs thereof The covering 22 can be provided in
single-ply or in multiple-ply construction,
[0018] The insulation material 24 can be any one of, or a
combination of, thermal insulation materials selected from
fiberglass, cellulose, rockwool, expanded polystyrene, and others.
Some of the polystyrene products can be constructed from recycled
materials. The insulation material 24 forms a core within the bag
20 that minimizes the conduction aspect of thermal energy transfer.
Some insulation materials may produce potential health issues due
to fibers, dust, off gassing along with other concerns. However,
since the material is sealed within the covering 22, any potential
hazards from the insulation material are eliminated or potentially
are significantly reduced.
[0019] In use, the building insulation system 10 can be installed
in substantially the same manner as typical wall insulation. As
shown in FIG. 1, each reflective non-porous bag 20 can be provided
in standard sizes that fit between adjacent studs 12. The sizes may
range from 2 ft.(w).times.8 ft.(h).times.3.5 in.(t), to 2
ft.(w).times.12 ft. (h).times.5.5 in. (t), where "w" refers to the
width, "h" refers to the height and "t" refers to the thickness.
Other sizes may be provided as desired or needed by the user. Due
to the non-porous nature of the bag 20, a complete installation in
a domicile or building forms an envelope that helps to prevent
thermal energy transfer through convection.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, these figures show how to
maintain the non-porous characteristic of the bag 20 in the event
one or both of the ends have to be cut to size and/or shape. In
general, it is often necessary to cut insulation down to size
and/or shape the same during installation of the insulation.
However, this practice would compromise the non-porous integrity of
the bag 20. In order to insure that the bag 20 is sealed, a wrap 30
in the shape of a cap or sleeve can be provided to fit the cut end
of the bag 20, thereby capping the cut end of the bag 20. Then the
cap is sealed with adhesives or by tape 34. An alternative wrap 32
can be used for angled or beveled cut ends, such as for insulation
on the rafters, ceilings and gables. The wraps 30, 32 are
preferably of the same construction as the reflective, non-porous
bag 20.
[0021] An alternative embodiment of a reflective, non-porous bag
120 is shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the bag 120 is
configured to provide a continuous moisture/vapor barrier behind
the interior wall. This type of protection can be necessary in some
areas where building codes require a moisture/vapor barrier behind
the interior wall and not at the exterior wall, or in retrofit
installations where there is no moisture/vapor barrier in the wall
assembly. As shown, the bag 120 includes an outer covering 122
filled with insulation material 24 in substantially the same manner
as the previously described bag 20. In addition, the bag 120
includes a surrounding cover tab or flange 126. The cover tab 126
can be constructed from the same reflective and non-porous material
as the covering 22 or outer covering 122. In use, the cover tab 126
overlaps or covers the adjacent studs 12 and the headers and
footers of a wall assembly on the side of the interior wall to
thereby provide a moisture/vapor barrier. As with the bag 20, the
bag 120 can be cut to size, e.g., as at the cut line 125 shown in
FIG. 6, and resealed with a cap 30, 32 and tape 34.
[0022] The cover tab 126 can be provided in several ways. For
example, the cover tab 126 can be an integral face side of the
overall bag 120, i.e., the cover tab 126 can be constructed by
outwardly extending one of the face sides of the covering 122. In
another example, the cover tab 126 can extend from the sides, i.e.,
the top, bottom, and lateral sides of the bag 120. In a still
further example, the cover tab 126 can be a separate sheet adhered
to or attached to one of the faces of the bag 120.
[0023] Thus, it can be seen that the thermal insulation properties
of the building insulation system 10 counteracts conduction,
convection and radiation aspects of thermal energy transfer. The
non-porous insulated envelope in a domicile maintains moderate
interior temperatures at a comfortable level with minimal
heating/cooling energy expenditure and costs. Moreover, the
non-porous nature of the bag 20, 120 helps to prevent moisture from
developing.
[0024] It is to be understood that the building insulation system
10 encompasses a variety of alternatives. For example, the bag 20,
120 can be provided in a variety of different custom shapes to fit
various architectural designs, Moreover, select locations thereof
can be perforated as deemed necessary by the user to provide
limited breathability.
[0025] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the follow claims.
* * * * *