Gutter fillers and packs with enhanced fluid flow

Abstract

A filler or pack material composed of homocomponent or multi-component fibers comprising various polymers with varying melting behavior. Most suitably, the filler fabric's volume fraction is between 10% and 70%. The filler can be cut, shaped, molded and fitted into the gutter. Additionally, single component or multi-component fibers can also be used together with other solids such as foam to form filler.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to materials composed of fibers, foam, sponges and other materials in a high loft, low density, porous, orientated structure that can be used as a filler in gutters. BACKGROUND ART Gutters are designed to channel fluids (rain, molten snow, etc.) away from the structure to a down chute that will lead away from the structure. A problem with gutters is that they are exposed to the environment and can be blocked and clogged by leaves, falling tree debris, dirt, etc. The blockage can lead to structural problems and the organic matter left in the gutters can decompose and create potential health problems. The current solutions include baffles, covers and similar structures that cover the gutter preventing leaves and other materials from getting into the gutter as well as a foam filler material. In most cases, these are not effective and annual cleaning is typically required to alleviate the problems with blockage. Many of these protection de...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

A porous, low density, resilient, filler material that can be cut to shape, molded and fitted into a gutter in place of typical gutter guards or shields that partially cover the gutter has been developed. The present embodiment comprises a high loft, sponge-like material made from fibers, foam, or other similar materials to create a material that can be packed into the gutter. The structure is high in porosity such that the pores and the capillaries are elongated in the direction of the flow to achieve the highest flow rates possible. Foreign objects such as leaves, pine straws and the like are not anchored to the filler and are washed away or blown away. The flow characteristics are high and allow continuous flow through the network. The elongated capillaries create sufficient capillary forces to draw the fluids through faster.

It is still another object to provide for a gutter filler or pack material consisting of fibers and materials having enhanced environmental resistance and mechanical properties so as to provide for durability without impairing the physical properties of the products from which they are manufactured.

Problems solved by technology

However, debris still enters the gutter and clogs it in time.

Most of the time, these wire meshes deform and gutters are still exposed to debris.

However, shingle debris can still pass through perforations and the gutters still must be cleaned.

Further, especially in heavy rainfalls, the force of the rain water off the roof can cause part of the water to skid off the gutter guard and fall directly on the lawn below causing pitting or trenching.

In time, the stress variation caused by normal use and raising-lowering of the gutter guard weakens or tears shingles, thus necessitating replacing or repair of the shingles.

These openings can trap smaller particles but in time the surface of the screen clogs thus needs to be cleaned out.

The cleaning process is time consuming and difficult for most of the time.

Metal wire screens are expensive to manufacture and install compared to nonmetal screens like plastic or NYLON® screens.

Metal screens can also be awkward to remove to do the cleaning of the gutter.

In addition to this, if the metal wire does not have a large enough gauge, the debris, the weight of water running off the roof onto the screen or the weight of the debris that lands on the screen well form valleys on the screen.

These valleys then collect debris and interfere with the water collection.

But, this system is precut and fits only to 5 inch K type of gutters while may home owners have other types of gutters.

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