Filler and space filling structure using filler

Abstract

To hold stable and reliable filling in a preferable filler filling state to a filling object space while securing preferable workability when filling the filler into the filling object space.SOLUTION: A filler to be filled into a filling object space 3 is configured such that a number of granules 12 comprising a polyhedron is stored in a storage bag 11 having flexibility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filler material that is filled into various spaces to be filled, such as the space inside a through hole formed in a partition such as a wall or floor of an architectural structure after an inserting member such as a pipe or cable has been passed through the through hole, or the space inside the through hole after the inserting member has been removed, and to a space-filling structure using a filler material. [Background technology]

[0002] The background art of the present invention includes, for example, a filler (bagged fire-retardant filler) made by packing a large number of granules (fire-retardant filler) granulated into a spherical shape into a non-flammable fiber bag, which is filled into a through-hole in a wall after an inserting member such as a cable has been passed through, thereby completing a fire-retardant measure for a through-hole (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 02-140289 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The filler described in Patent Document 1 is constructed by packing a large number of granular bodies in a bag, and when this filler is filled into the space to be filled, each of the granular bodies is forced into the space to be filled while rotating or moving relative to the space to be filled according to the shape and state of the space to be filled. As a result, the filler as a whole is filled into the space to be filled with an appropriate holding pressure while deforming to match the shape of the space to be filled. As a result, the space to be filled can be filled with the filler while reducing the gaps formed therein.

[0005] However, the filler described in Patent Document 1 has a spherical shape that allows the granular bodies in the bag to rotate and move relative to each other, so that even if an unexpected external impact is applied to the filler or its vicinity after the filler is filled into the space to be filled, the impact can easily cause the granular bodies in the bag to rotate and move relative to each other, which can cause the retention pressure secured between adjacent granular bodies or between the granular bodies and the inner surface of the through-hole to be released. This can easily cause the problem of the filler not being able to be held in a suitable filling state for the space to be filled, and if the bag of the filler is slightly torn, the granular bodies in the bag can spill out from the torn area.

[0006] In view of this situation, the main object of the present invention is to ensure good workability when filling the filler into the space to be filled, while being able to stably and reliably fill and hold the filler in a suitable filling state for the space to be filled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first characteristic configuration of the present invention is a filler to be filled into a filling target space, The container is constructed by storing a large number of polyhedral granular bodies in a stretchable storage bag.

[0008] According to this configuration, the filler is configured such that a large number of granules are stored in a storage bag, and when the filler is inserted into the space to be filled, the large number of granules are inserted into the space to be filled while rotating or moving relative to each other according to the shape and state of the space to be filled. This allows the filler to be easily and appropriately deformed according to the shape and state of the space to be filled. Furthermore, since the storage bag has elasticity and each granule is a polyhedron that is less prone to relative rotation or relative movement than a sphere, when the filler inserted into the space to be filled is pressed relatively strongly, the storage bag expands and contracts to fit the shape of the space to be filled, and the large number of granules appropriately enter the space to be filled in a well-fitting relative posture with moderate pressure that makes it difficult to rotate or move relative to each other. As a result, the filler can be filled into the space to be filled in a suitable filling state in which gaps in the space to be filled are minimized, and in a stable state in which high shape retention is ensured.

[0009] This prevents the relative rotation or relative movement of the granular bodies caused by an unexpected external impact on the filler or its vicinity after the filler is filled. This prevents the occurrence of a problem in which the filler cannot be kept in a suitable filling state for the space to be filled due to the relative rotation or relative movement of the granular bodies. In addition, this prevents the occurrence of a problem in which the granular bodies in the storage bag fall out from the torn part even if the storage bag is slightly torn.

[0010] As a result, good workability can be ensured when filling the space to be filled with the filler, while the filler can be stably and reliably filled and held in a suitable filling state for the space to be filled.

[0011] A second characteristic feature of the present invention is that the granular material has a surface hardness of 50 or more in Durometer A (HDA) hardness according to JIS K 7215.

[0012] According to this configuration, the granular bodies have a high surface hardness of at least 50 Durometer A (HDA) hardness according to JIS K 7215, so that the reaction force from each granular body obtained when the filler is filled into the space to be filled can be more suitably secured. As a result, when the filler is filled into the space to be filled, a large number of granular bodies enter the space to be filled in the above-mentioned well-fitting relative posture, and a stable state in which high shape retention is secured can be more suitably maintained. As a result, the filler can be filled and held in a suitable state in the space to be filled, more stably and reliably.

[0013] A third characteristic feature of the present invention is that the granular bodies are composed of pellets made of synthetic resin.

[0014] According to this configuration, each granule is made of a pellet made of synthetic resin which is lightweight and easily molded into a polyhedron, thereby facilitating the production of a filler in which a large number of polyhedral granules are stored in a storage bag, and making the filler lightweight and easy to handle.

[0015] A fourth characteristic feature of the present invention is that the storage bag contains fire-retardant sub-granules having thermal expansion properties mixed with the granules.

[0016] According to this configuration, the filler is configured such that a large number of polyhedral granules and thermally expandable fire-retardant sub-granules are mixed and stored in an elastic storage bag, whereby the filler can be easily and reliably filled and held in a suitable filling state with as little gaps as possible in the space to be filled, as described above, while being fire-retarded by the inclusion of the thermally expandable fire-retardant sub-granules.

[0017] In the event of a fire, the heat causes the thermally expansive fire-retardant secondary granules to expand, and the storage bag stretches in response to this expansion, thereby sealing any gaps within the space to be filled, thereby preventing the fire from spreading through the space to be filled.

[0018] As a result, the filler can be stably and reliably filled and held in a suitable state in the space to be filled, while preventing the spread of fire through the space to be filled in the event of a fire.

[0019] The fifth characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the storage bag contains a water-absorbing polymer having water-absorbing properties or water-stopping sub-granular materials having water-swelling properties mixed with the granular materials.

[0020] According to this configuration, the filler is configured such that a large number of granular bodies made of polyhedrons and a water-absorbent polymer or water-swelling water-stopping sub-granular bodies are mixed and stored in a stretchable storage bag. As a result, the filler can be easily and reliably filled and held in a suitable filling state with as little gaps as possible in the space to be filled, as described above, while being treated for water-stopping by the mixture of the water-absorbent polymer or water-swelling water-stopping sub-granular bodies.

[0021] Furthermore, in the case where a water-stopping measure is implemented by mixing a water-absorbing polymer into the filling material, for example, when a leak occurs from a pipe passed through a through hole, the water-absorbing polymer absorbs water that has entered the space to be filled, thereby preventing water leakage through the space to be filled.

[0022] Furthermore, if a water-stopping measure is taken by mixing water-swellable water-stopping secondary granules into the filling material, the water that has entered the space to be filled when the above-mentioned leakage occurs will be absorbed by the water-swellable water-stopping secondary granules and expand, and the storage bag will stretch in response to this expansion, thereby sealing the gaps in the space to be filled, thereby preventing water leakage through the space to be filled.

[0023] As a result, the filler can be stably and reliably filled and held in a suitable filling state in the space to be filled, while water can be suitably stopped in the space to be filled in the event of a water leak.

[0024] A sixth characteristic feature of the present invention is that the granular material has water-swelling properties.

[0025] According to this configuration, the filler is made of numerous polyhedral granules that have water-expandable properties, and the water that enters the space to be filled when a leak occurs as described above is absorbed by the water-expandable granules and expands, and the storage bag stretches in response to this expansion, thereby sealing gaps within the space to be filled, thereby preventing water leakage through the space to be filled.

[0026] As a result, the filler can be stably and reliably filled and held in a suitable filling state in the space to be filled, while water can be suitably stopped in the space to be filled in the event of a water leak.

[0027] A seventh characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the filling material according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is filled into the space to be filled, thereby filling the space to be filled.

[0028] According to this configuration, as described above, the filler is configured by storing a large number of polyhedrons, which are less prone to relative rotation or relative movement than spheres, in a stretchable storage bag, and when the filler is filled into the space to be filled, the storage bag stretches and contracts to fit the shape of the space to be filled, and the large number of granules enter the space to be filled in a well-fitting relative posture with moderate pressure that makes it difficult for the filler to rotate or move relative to the space. This allows the filler to be filled into the space to be filled in a stable state with high shape retention in an appropriate filling state.

[0029] For example, if the space to be filled is formed by passing an inserting member such as a cable or pipe through a through hole formed in a partition such as a wall or floor, by filling the space to be filled with a filling material, it is possible to determine the insertion position of the inserting member relative to the through hole, while filling the space to be filled with the filling material in an optimal state with as few gaps as possible within the space to be filled.

[0030] For example, if the space to be filled is a through hole that is no longer needed after the insertion member has been removed, the space to be filled can be reliably backfilled by filling the space to be filled with a filling material.

[0031] As a result, the space to be filled can be suitably filled with the filler regardless of the shape or state of the space to be filled.

[0032] The eighth characteristic configuration of the present invention is that a plurality of types of the filler having different properties of the stored items are configured, The filling material is a material that is used to fill a space to be filled with a combination of a plurality of types of filling materials.

[0033] According to this configuration, multiple types of filler with different properties can be prepared taking into consideration the shape and formation location of the space to be filled, and the multiple types of filler prepared can be appropriately combined depending on the shape and formation location of the space to be filled, and then filled into the space to be filled to fill it.

[0034] For example, as several types of filler with different properties of the stored material, it is possible to prepare a general-purpose filler configured to ensure high shape retention when filled into the space to be filled by storing a large number of polyhedral granules in an elastic storage bag, a fire-resistant filler configured to have thermal expansion properties by storing a large number of polyhedral granules and fire-resistant secondary granules having thermal expansion properties in an elastic storage bag, and a water-stopping filler configured to have water absorption or water-swelling properties by storing a large number of polyhedral granules and a water-absorbent polymer having water absorption properties or water-stopping secondary granules having water-swelling properties in an elastic storage bag.

[0035] Furthermore, if the space to be filled is one in which measures to prevent the spread of fire in the event of a fire, for example, by filling the space to be filled with general-purpose filler and fire-resistant filler, it is possible to easily fill them while preventing the spread of fire through the space to be filled in the event of a fire.

[0036] Furthermore, if the space to be filled is one in which it is necessary to take measures against leakage when a leak occurs, for example, by filling the space to be filled with a general-purpose filler and a water-stopping filler, the filling of these can be made easy while also allowing water to be stopped in the space to be filled in the event of a leak.

[0037] Furthermore, if the space to be filled is one in which, for example, measures must be taken to prevent the spread of fire in the event of a fire and to prevent water leakage in the event of a water leak, by filling the space to be filled with general-purpose filler, fire prevention filler, and water-stopping filler, it is possible to easily fill these materials while effectively preventing the spread of fire through the space to be filled in the event of a fire and stopping water in the space to be filled in the event of a water leak.

[0038] As a result, it is possible to easily fill the space to be filled with an appropriate filler taking into account the location where the space to be filled is formed, and it is possible to take appropriate measures against fire spread and water leakage according to the shape and location of the space to be filled. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a filler is inserted into a space to be filled. [Diagram 2] A vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which the filling material is filled into the space to be filled. [Diagram 3] A horizontal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the filling material is filled into the space to be filled. [Figure 4] In another embodiment, a horizontal cross-sectional view (a) shows a state in which a filler having fire-retardant sub-granules mixed in a granular material is filled into a space to be filled; a horizontal cross-sectional view (b) shows a state in which a filler having water-absorbent polymer or water-stopping sub-granules mixed in a granular material is filled into a space to be filled; and a horizontal cross-sectional view (c) shows a state in which a filler having fire-retardant sub-granules and water-absorbent polymer or water-stopping sub-granules mixed in a granular material is filled into a space to be filled. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which the inside of a storage bag is divided into two storage spaces in another embodiment; and FIG. 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which the inside of a storage bag is divided into four storage spaces in another embodiment. [Figure 6]1A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a filler is pre-assembled to an insertion member in another embodiment; FIG. 1B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the filler pre-assembled to the insertion member is filled into a space to be filled; [Figure 7] In another embodiment, a vertical cross-sectional view (a) shows a state in which a through hole (space to be filled) after the insertion member is removed is filled with a spherical filler, a vertical cross-sectional view (b) shows a state in which a through hole (space to be filled) after the insertion member is removed is filled with a truncated cone-shaped filler, and a vertical cross-sectional view (c) shows a state in which a filler is filled into the through hole (space to be filled) after the insertion member is removed by using a water-stopping lid to close the through hole. [Figure 8] In another embodiment, a vertical cross-sectional view (a) shows a state in which two types of filler materials are filled into a space to be filled, and a vertical cross-sectional view (b) shows a state in which three types of filler materials are filled into a space to be filled. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a filler according to the present invention and a space-filling structure using this filler will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the space-filling structure exemplified in this embodiment is configured such that a filling material 10 according to the present invention is passed through a through hole 1 formed in a floor F, which is an example of a partition body provided in an architectural structure, etc., and a pipe 2, which is an example of an insertion member, is then passed through the through hole 1 formed in the floor F, which is an example of a partition body provided in an architectural structure, etc., and the filling material 10 is then used to fill the space 3 to be filled that is formed between the inner surface 1A of the through hole 1 and the outer surface 2A of the pipe 2 in a post-application process, thereby filling the space 3 to be filled with the filling material 10 while suppressing the occurrence of gaps in the space 3 to be filled.

[0042] The partition may be a wall other than the floor F, and the insertion member may be a cable other than the pipe 2. The pipe 2 may be a drainage collection pipe.

[0043] The filler 10 is received and supported by a receiver 4 made of metal or resin, etc., which is fitted into the through hole 1 of the floor F. The receiver 4 has a cylindrical portion 4A that fits along the inner peripheral surface 1A of the through hole 1, a flange portion 4B that is received by the floor F, and a receiving portion 4C that receives the filler 10.

[0044] Incidentally, the space filling structure may be one in which the filler 10 is filled into the above-mentioned space 3 to be filled without using the receiver 4.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 3, the filler 10 is configured in a long and thin rod shape that can be deformed into a spiral shape, etc., by storing a large number of granular bodies 12 in a long and thin elastic storage bag 11. This makes it possible to fill the above-mentioned target space 3 by post-application.

[0046] Incidentally, the storage bag 11 is preferably stretchable in both the vertical and horizontal directions, but may be stretchable in either the vertical or horizontal direction. The expansion / contraction rate of the storage bag 11 is preferably 10% to 200%, and more preferably 20% to 200%. The material of the storage bag 11 can be, for example, synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene, polyurethane, regenerated fibers such as rayon, or natural fibers. It is also preferable to use a material that is heat resistant, flame retardant, or non-flammable. The fiber structure of the storage bag 11 may be, for example, one that is based on polyurethane fiber, such as polyurethane elastic fiber (spandex), which ensures elasticity, one that ensures elasticity by changing the spiral molecular structure like a spring, such as polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) fiber, or one that ensures elasticity by curling the fiber into a spring shape, such as side-by-side polyester fiber. The storage bag 11 can be sewn by sewing with thread using a sewing machine, or by heat sealing using an ultrasonic sealer or a heat sealer.

[0047] As shown in Figure 3, each granular body 12 is a rectangular prism, an example of a polyhedron, and the rectangular prism is composed of synthetic resin pellets with a side length of 2 mm or more and a size such that the radius of a sphere inscribed in the rectangular prism is approximately 1 to 10 mm.

[0048] In addition, in addition to the rectangular parallelepiped exemplified in this embodiment, the granular material 12 can be any polyhedron including regular polyhedrons such as tetrahedron to dodecahedron, and it is particularly preferable to use polyhedrons having tetrahedron to octahedron. The material of the granular body 12 may be a fire-resistant material based on an olefin-based synthetic resin, or a material based on an inorganic substance such as a metal or mineral. Also, any material that has thermal or water expandability is suitable. The granular material 12 preferably has a surface hardness of 50 or more in Durometer A (HDA) hardness according to JIS K 7215.

[0049] As described above, the filler 10 exemplified in this embodiment is configured in a long and thin rod shape by storing a large number of granules 12 in a long and thin storage bag 11, so that when the filler 10 is inserted into the space to be filled 3, the large number of granules 12 are inserted into the space to be filled while rotating or moving relative to each other according to the shape and state of the space to be filled 3. This allows the filler 10 to be easily and appropriately deformed according to the shape and state of the space to be filled 3.

[0050] Incidentally, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the space between the inner surface 1A of the through hole 1 and the outer surface 2A of the pipe 2 is the space to be filled 3, and therefore the filler 10 is inserted into the space to be filled 3 by abutting the inner side of the filler 10 against the outer surface 2A of the pipe 2 and abutting the outer side of the filler 10 against the inner surface 1A of the through hole 1, and wrapping the filler 10 around the pipe 2 in a spiral manner multiple times.

[0051] Since the storage bag 11 is stretchable and each granule 12 is a polyhedron which is less prone to relative rotation or relative movement than a sphere, when the filler 10 inserted into the space to be filled 3 is pushed relatively strongly downward into the space to be filled 3, the storage bag 11 stretches and contracts to fit the shape of the space to be filled 3, and the numerous granules 12 properly enter the space to be filled 3 in a well-fitting relative posture with an appropriate pressure that makes it difficult for them to rotate or move relative to each other. As a result, the filler 10 can be filled into the space to be filled 3 in a stable state with high shape retention ensured and with gaps in the space to be filled 3 minimized.

[0052] As a result, even if an unexpected external impact is applied to the filler 10 or its vicinity after the filler 10 is filled, the granular materials 12 can be prevented from rotating or moving relative to each other due to the impact.

[0053] This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of inconveniences such as the inability to maintain the filler 10 in a suitable filling state for the space to be filled 3 due to the relative rotation or relative movement of the granular materials 12. Furthermore, this makes it possible to prevent inconveniences such as the granular materials 12 in the storage bag 11 spilling out from the torn part even if the storage bag 11 is slightly torn.

[0054] As a result, good workability is ensured when filling the filler 10 into the space 3 to be filled, while the filler 10 can be stably and reliably filled and held in a suitable filling state in the space 3 to be filled.

[0055] Furthermore, in the filler 10 exemplified in this embodiment, each granule 12 is composed of pellets made of synthetic resin which are lightweight and easily molded into a rectangular prism, thereby facilitating the production of the filler 10 in which a large number of granules 12 made of rectangular prisms are stored in a storage bag 11, and making the filler 10 lightweight and easy to handle.

[0056] Furthermore, if each granular body 12 is made of synthetic resin pellets, such as an olefin-based resin having fire resistance, when a fire breaks out in a compartmented area, such as one of the rooms, separated by a partition such as a floor F or a wall, it is possible to prevent the fire from spreading to an adjacent compartmented area, such as the next room, through the space 3 to be filled.

[0057] Furthermore, if each granular material 12 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin having thermal expansion properties, when a fire breaks out in a compartmented area, such as one of the rooms separated by a partition such as a floor F or a wall, each granular material 12 will expand due to the heat generated at the time, and the storage bag 11 will stretch in response to this expansion, thereby sealing off gaps within the space to be filled 3, thereby preventing the fire from spreading to an adjacent compartmented area, such as an adjacent room, through the space to be filled 3.

[0058] Furthermore, if each granular material 12 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin having water-expandable properties, when a leak occurs in a pipe 2 passing through a through hole 1 in a floor F or a wall, and the leaking water seeps into the space 3 to be filled, each granular material 12 having water-expandable properties absorbs the water and expands, and the storage bag 11 stretches in response to this expansion, thereby sealing the gaps in the space 3 to be filled, thereby preventing water leakage through the space 3 to be filled.

[0059] Furthermore, if each granule 12 is configured to have a surface hardness of at least 50 in Durometer A (HDA) hardness according to JIS K 7215, it is possible to more suitably ensure the reaction force from each granule 12 obtained when the filler 10 is filled into the space to be filled 3. As a result, when the filler 10 is filled into the space to be filled 3, the numerous granules 12 enter the space to be filled 3 in the above-mentioned well-fitting relative position, and a stable state in which high shape retention is ensured can be more suitably maintained.

[0060] [Another embodiment] Another embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The configurations of the respective alternative embodiments described below are not limited to being applied alone, but may also be applied in combination with the above-described embodiment or other alternative embodiments.

[0061] (1) In the above embodiment, the filler 10 is exemplified by a flexible storage bag 11 containing a large number of granular materials 12 made of polyhedrons (rectangular prisms). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in (a) of Figure 4, the filler may be a stretchable storage bag 11 containing a large number of granular materials 12 made of polyhedrons (rectangular prisms) and a thermally expandable fire-retardant secondary granular material 13 mixed therein.

[0062] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4(b), a storage bag 11 having elasticity and water permeability may be configured by storing a water-absorbing polymer 14 having water-absorbing properties or water-stopping sub-granular materials 15 having water-swelling properties mixed with a large number of granular materials 12 consisting of polyhedrons (rectangular prisms).

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in (c) of Figure 4, the container may be constructed by storing the above-mentioned fire-retardant sub-granules 13 and water-absorbent polymers 14 or water-stopping sub-granules 15 mixed with a large number of granules 12 consisting of polyhedrons (rectangular prisms) in an elastic storage bag 11.

[0064] Furthermore, instead of the configuration in which a large number of granular materials 12 made of polyhedrons (rectangular prisms) are mixed with fire-retardant sub-granular materials 13 and the like as described above, the interior of an elastic storage bag 11 may be divided into a plurality of storage spaces, as shown in Figures 5(a) to (b), and each storage space may be configured to separately store granular materials 12 made of polyhedrons (rectangular prisms) and granular materials 12 made of polyhedrons (rectangular prisms) mixed with fire-retardant sub-granular materials 13, water-absorbent polymers 14, and / or water-stopping sub-granular materials 15.

[0065] In addition, Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment in which the interior of storage bag 11 is divided into two storage spaces (see Figure 5(a)), and an embodiment in which the interior of storage bag 11 is divided into four storage spaces (see Figure 5(b)).

[0066] (2) In the above embodiment, the filler 10 is exemplified as a long, thin rod-like material that can be deformed into a spiral shape, etc., so that it can be filled into the aforementioned space 3 to be filled by post-application. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the filler 10 may be ring-shaped so as to be able to fit into a pipe 2, which is an example of an insertion member, and may be pre-assembled (fitted) into the pipe 2 before being passed through the through hole 1 using a positioning device 6 made of metal, resin, etc., that enables the positioning of the filler 10 relative to the pipe 2 (see (a) of FIG. 6), and then passed through the through hole 1 together with the pipe 2 to fill the aforementioned space 3 to be filled (see (b) of FIG. 6).

[0067] Although FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the filler 10 is preassembled to the insertion member using the positioning tool 6, the filler 10 may be preassembled to the insertion member without using the positioning tool 6.

[0068] (3) In the above embodiment, the filler 10 is exemplified as being filled into the space to be filled 3 formed between the inner surface 1A of the through hole 1 formed in a partition such as a floor F or a wall and the outer surface 2A of the pipe 2 which is an inserting member passed through the through hole 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the filler may be filled into an unnecessary through hole 1 (space to be filled 3) after an inserting member such as a pipe 2 or a cable has been removed, thereby backfilling the unnecessary through hole 1.

[0069] In this case, the filler 10 may be, for example, a spherical shape including a sphere or an elongated spheroid as shown in FIG. 7(a), or a truncated cone shape as shown in FIG. 7(b).

[0070] 7(a) illustrates an example in which unnecessary through holes 1 are backfilled by filling the through holes 1 with substantially spherical filler 10 using a positioning tool 7 made of metal or resin, which enables the positioning of the filler 10 relative to the through holes 1. FIG. 7(b) illustrates an example in which unnecessary through holes 1 are backfilled by directly filling the through holes 1 with truncated cone-shaped filler 10.

[0071] Also, for example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 7, the filler 10 may be formed in a ring shape, and a water-stopping lid 8 may be used to cover the through hole 1, thereby filling the ring-shaped filler 1 into the through hole 1, thereby backfilling the unnecessary through hole 1.

[0072] (4) In the above embodiment, a space-filling structure in which a single filler 10 is filled into the aforementioned space 3 to be filled has been exemplified. However, this is not limited to the above. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, multiple types of filler 10 having different properties for the contents to be stored in the storage bag 11 may be configured, and the space 3 to be filled may be filled with a combination of any two or more of the multiple types of filler 10.

[0073] Incidentally, the three types of filler 10A to 10C may include a general-purpose filler 10A in which a large number of polyhedral granules 12 are stored as storage items in an elastic storage bag 11; a fire-resistant filler 10B in which a large number of polyhedral granules 12 and fire-resistant sub-granules 13 having thermal expansion properties are stored as storage items in an elastic storage bag 11; and a water-stopping filler 10C in which a large number of polyhedral granules 12 and a water-absorbent polymer 14 having water absorption properties or water-stopping sub-granules 15 having water-swelling properties are stored as storage items.

[0074] In addition, Figure 8 illustrates a state in which two types of filler materials 10A and 10B, namely, general-purpose filler material 10A and fire-resistant filler material 10B, out of the three types of filler materials 10A to 10C, are filled into the space to be filled (see Figure 8(a)), and a state in which three types of filler materials 10A to 10C are filled into the space to be filled (see Figure 8(b)).

[0075] 8(a), the space to be filled 3 is first filled with fireproof filler 10B, and then filled with general-purpose filler 10A, stacked on top of the fireproof filler 10B. This allows the general-purpose filler 10A and the fireproof filler 10B to be installed in a state where they are lined up in the length direction of the inserting member such as the pipe 2 passed through the through hole 1, with the fireproof filler 10B positioned below the space to be filled 3. Such an arrangement is suitable for preventing the spread of fire from the lower floor to the upper floor through the space to be filled 3 in the event of a fire. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to install the general-purpose filler 10A and the fire-prevention filler 10B in the up-down direction in reverse.

[0076] 8(b), the space to be filled 3 is first filled with fireproof filler 10B, then filled with general-purpose filler 10A stacked on top of the fireproof filler 10B, and finally filled with waterstop filler 10C stacked on top of the general-purpose filler 10A. This allows the general-purpose filler 10A, fireproof filler 10B, and waterstop filler 10C to be installed in a state where they are lined up in the length direction of the insertion member such as pipe 2 passed through the through hole 1, with the fireproof filler 10B located below the space to be filled 3 and the waterstop filler 10C located above the space to be filled 3, sandwiching the general-purpose filler 10A. This arrangement is suitable for preventing the spread of fire from the lower floor to the upper floor through the space to be filled 3 in the event of a fire, and for preventing water leakage from the upper floor to the lower floor through the space to be filled 3 in the event of water leakage from pipes 2, etc. passed through the through hole 1. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to install the general-purpose filler 10A, the fireproof filler 10B, and the waterproof filler 10C in the up-down direction in reverse order or in a different order.

[0077] Although not shown in the drawings, among the above-mentioned three types of fillers 10A to 10C, the general-purpose filler 10A and the water-stopping filler 10C may be filled in the space to be filled 3 by first filling the general-purpose filler 10A, and then filling the water-stopping filler 10C by stacking it on the general-purpose filler 10A. In this case, the water-stopping filler 10C is positioned at the upper side of the space to be filled 3, and the general-purpose filler 10A and the water-stopping filler 10C are installed in a state lined up in the length direction of the insertion member such as the pipe 2 passed through the through hole 1. Such an arrangement is suitable for preventing water leakage from the upper floor to the lower floor through the space to be filled 3 in the event of the above-mentioned water leakage. Depending on the circumstances, the general-purpose filler 10A and the waterproof filler 10C may be installed upside down.

[0078] (5) In the above embodiment and other embodiments, the space to be filled 3 into which the filler 10 is to be filled is exemplified by the space formed between the inner surface 1A of the through hole 1 and the outer surface 2A of the pipe 2, which is an inserting member passed through the through hole 1, and the through hole 1 after an inserting member such as the pipe 2 has been removed. However, the space to be filled may be, for example, a gap formed between a partition such as a floor F or a wall, or a gap formed between a partition and an object such as equipment or a stand installed on the partition. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 3. Space to be filled 10 Filling material 11 Storage bag 12 Granular material (storage items) 13 Fire-retardant secondary granular materials (storage items) 14 Water-absorbent polymer (storage items) 15 Water-stopping secondary granular material (storage item)

Claims

1. A filler to be filled into a space to be filled, A packing material consisting of a large number of polyhedral granules contained in an elastic storage bag.

2. 2. The filler according to claim 1, wherein the granular material has a surface hardness of at least 50 in Durometer A (HDA) hardness according to JIS K 7215.

3. 2. The filler according to claim 1, wherein the granular material is composed of pellets made of synthetic resin.

4. 4. The packing material according to claim 1, wherein the storage bag contains sub-granules for fire prevention, which have thermal expansion properties, mixed with the granules.

5. A filling material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage bag contains, mixed with the granules, a water-absorbing polymer having water-absorbing properties, or water-stopping sub-granules having water-swelling properties.

6. A filler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the granular material has water-swelling properties.

7. A space-filling structure in which the filling material according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is filled into the space to be filled, thereby filling the space to be filled.

8. A plurality of types of the filler having different properties of the stored items are configured, The space filling structure according to claim 7 , wherein the space to be filled is filled with a combination of a plurality of types of the filling materials.

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