Mortar and debris collection device and system

Abstract

A mortar and debris collection device for a cavity wall construction has a non-water absorbent body formed with circuitous paths therethrough making the body water-permeable. The collection device has a porosity sufficient to permit water to pass therethrough but insufficient to permit mortar and other debris to pass therethrough to weep holes or other water channels covered by the collection debris. The device may be freely placed on the wall base within the cavity to cover the opening of a weep hole, or may also be placed on existing wall ties within the cavity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention generally relates to mortar and debris collection devices, such as are used in association with cavity wall constructions. More particularly, in the course of construction of a masonry cavity wall, mortar and other debris falls into the cavity, and may then block weep holes or other water outlets necessary to prevent moisture build-up within the wall cavity. This invention more specifically relates to a device and system for collecting loose mortar and other debris in order to prevent the same from blocking the weep holes that ventilate such a cavity wall construction.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention found its origin in so-called masonry cavity wall constructions. Masonry cavity walls have inner and outer vertical walls. The inner wall is typically constructed from wood with an inner surface of drywall, structural clay tile, vertical stacks of mortared bricks, or a shear concrete surface. The stacks of bricks that are held togethe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Accordingly, it is a principal objective of this invention to provide a mortar and debris collection device that can rest on the base of the wall cavity to cover and protect one or more weep holes preventing mortar or debris of any significant size from reaching a weep hole and thereby blocking the holes. In addition, a related objective is to provide such a collection device which can be placed at different heights within the cavity without the use of any fixation device or special adaptation of the collection device.

Another objective is to provide a surface configuration for such a collection device which facilitates adequate dispersal of debris thereon to assure a water path remains to the collection device.

A preferred form of the collection device has upwardly extending protrusions, such as protrusions defining overhangs as well as steps, which serve to break up mortar and debris falling on top of the collection device. This prevents ponding of the material on the surface of the collection device.

Problems solved by technology

Water can migrate through the porous mass to a drain outlet, such as the weep holes, but mortar and debris cannot.

No special fixation means for emplacement of the collection device is therefore required, and the collection device need not be specifically adapted for the particular application.

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