Restricted space insulation device

Abstract

An insulation device comprising an inflatable receptacle, a plurality of plates connected to the receptacle and a plurality of spacers connected to the plates. The receptacle is configured to be inflated, once in a desired position within a cavity, with an insulating material. The insulating material is inserted into the receptacle through an insulating material entrance in the receptacle. The spacers have a height H configured to maintain a required air gap within the cavity once the receptacle has been inflated by preventing the inflatable receptacle from inflating to fill the entire cavity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The disclosed teachings relate to an insulation device. More particularly, the teachings relate to a restricted space insulation device which can be used to retrofit insulation into cavities within existing buildings or to insulate new builds.BACKGROUND

[0002] As a result of increases in the cost of fuel for heating homes and concerns about the environment, more and more people are interested in insulating their homes. Existing structures traditionally have an air gap in their roofs, walls and floors. For example, some existing structures traditionally have an air gap of approximately 10 cm between the external roof tiles and the internal plaster board. These are typically chalet bungalow type houses or houses built with a “room in the roof” prior to any particular insulation standards being applied. In these types of dwellings there is typically an air gap / cavity of 4 inches, approximately 10 cm, between the external roof tile and the internal plasterboard finish to the room.

[0003] Although an air gap is required to be maintained by current UK Building Regulations, the current Regulations stipulate a gap of 50 mm (5 cm). Consequently, it is possible to add insulation into the existing cavities to significantly reduce the amount of heat lost through roofs, walls and floors and yet also retain an air gap.

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified drawing of a building having an existing cavity / air gap x=10 cm between the external roof tiles 12 and the internal layer of plasterboard 14. The outside temperature t2 is 5° C. and the inside temperature t1 is 15° C.

[0005] Thermal losses through the roof can be calculated using Equation 1 below.q=k×A×(Δ⁢t / T)Equation⁢ 1where:

[0007] q is the total heat lost through a material in Watts per hour (W / h);

[0008] k is the thermal conductivity of the material in Watts per meter-Kelvin (W / mK);

[0009] A is the total surface area of the material in meters squared (m2);

[0010] Δt is the difference in temperature between each side of the material (inside t1 and outside t2 temperatures in degrees Celsius (°C)); and

[0011] T is the thickness of the material in meters (m).

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, the thermal conductivity of plasterboard is approximately 0.2 W / mK, assuming the thickness of the plasterboard is 0.0125 m, a roof area of 1 m2 (for simplicity) and the difference in temperature Δt between the inside temperature t1 and the outside temperature t2 is 10° C., then the total heat lost is 160 W / h.

[0013] Given that the existing cavity in FIG. 1 is approximately 10 cm wide, but current Regulations only require a 5 cm wide air gap, it is possible to provide insulation in the cavity in order to reduce the total heat lost. For example, if half of the cavity is filled with a 5 cm thick layer of insulating material having a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.03 W / mK, then the total heat lost is reduced to 6 W / h.

[0014] However, currently, in order to fill part of the cavity with insulation and leave an air gap, it is necessary to remove the current layer of plaster board, insert an insulating material and then affix a new layer of plaster board. This is often messy, time consuming and expensive work. Although it is possible to squirt insulating materials, such as insulating foams, which expand on contact with air, or insulating beads, or wool into cavities, such methods do not maintain the required air gap in the cavity and instead fill the entire cavity. Consequently, it is desirable to provide an insulation device which can be retrofitted into a building, to maintain the required air gap and without the need to remove large amounts of the existing plaster board.SUMMARY

[0015] According to an embodiment, there is provided an insulation device for insulating a cavity within a structure. The insulation device comprising: an inflatable receptacle comprising a first external surface, a second external surface opposite to the first external surface and at least one insulating material entrance, wherein the inflatable receptacle is configured to be inflated with an insulating material inserted through the at least one insulating material entrance; a plurality of plates, each of the plurality of plates having a first plate surface and a second plate surface opposite to the first plate surface, wherein the first plate surface of each of the plurality of plates is coupled to the first external surface of the inflatable receptacle; and a plurality of elongate spacers, each of the plurality of spacers coupled to the second plate surface of at least one of the plurality of plates, wherein the plurality of spacers are configured to extend away from the second plate surface.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the insulation device further comprises a supply receptacle coupled to the inflatable receptacle at the at least one insulating material entrance, wherein the supply receptacle comprises the insulating material prior to inflation of the inflatable receptacle.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the supply receptacle is a removable supply receptacle configured to be removed after inflation of the inflatable receptacle.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the insulating material comprises insulating beads.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the inflatable receptacle comprises a plurality of ventilation holes and wherein a diameter of the plurality of ventilation holes is less than a diameter of the insulating beads.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the insulating material comprises insulating beads configured to bond to each other after insertion into the inflatable receptacle.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the insulating material comprises an insulating foam.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the inflatable receptacle comprises: a plurality of cells, each cell of the plurality of cells connected to at least one other cell of the plurality of cells by a valve, and wherein the at least one insulating material entrance is connected to at least one of the plurality of cells.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the inflatable receptacle further comprises at least one insulating material exit, and wherein the at least one insulating material exit is connected to at least one of the plurality of cells.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the insulating material entrance and the insulating material exit are provided at a first end of the inflatable receptacle.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the inflatable receptacle comprises two or more subsections, each subsection comprising one or more cells and its own insulating material entrance and insulating material exit, each subsection being isolated from the other subsections.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the valves comprise one-way valves.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the inflatable receptacle comprises a plurality of ventilation holes.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the insulating foam comprises an expanding foam.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the at least one insulating material entrance is a self-sealing insulating material entrance configured to seal itself following inflation of the inflatable receptacle.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the insulation further comprises at least one attachment device connected to at least one end of the inflatable receptacle for securing the device in a desired location.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the at least one attachment device comprises at least one inflatable attachment device configured to be inflated with the insulating material.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the at least one inflatable attachment device comprises an inflated width W1 less than an inflated width W2 of the inflatable receptacle.

[0033] According to another embodiment, the at least one inflatable attachment device comprises at least one attachment hole.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the plurality of plates comprises a plurality of rigid plates.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the plurality of spacers comprises a plurality of rigid spacers.

[0036] According to another embodiment, the inflatable receptacle comprises a flexible inflatable receptacle.

[0037] According to another embodiment, each of the plurality of plates is coupled one of the plurality of spacers.

[0038] According to another embodiment, the plurality elongate spacers are configured to maintain a ventilation gap within the cavity when the inflatable receptacle is inflated with an insulating material.

[0039] According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of using the insulation device described herein to insulate a cavity within a structure. The method comprising: providing the uninflated insulation device in a cavity; inserting an insulating material into the inflatable receptacle through the at least one insulating material entrance to inflate the inflatable receptacle until the elongate spacers contact an internal surface of the cavity; and wherein following inflation, the elongate spacers maintain a ventilation gap in the cavity.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0040] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures of which:

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified drawing of a building;

[0042] FIG. 2A illustrates schematically a perspective view of an insulation device;

[0043] FIG. 2B illustrates schematically a top view of the insulation device of FIG. 2A;

[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a side view of the insulation device of FIG. 2A;

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically an insulation device being inserted through an opening into a cavity;

[0046] FIG. 5A illustrates schematically an insulation device in situ in a roof cavity;

[0047] FIG. 5B illustrates schematically an obstruction protruding into the cavity;

[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a top view of an embodiment of an insulation device;

[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically a top view of another embodiment of an insulation device;

[0050] FIG. 8A illustrates schematically another embodiment of an insulation device comprising an attachment device;

[0051] FIGS. 8B and 8C illustrate schematically another embodiment of the insulation device of FIG. 8A;

[0052] FIG. 8D illustrates schematically two insulation devices fitted to adjacent rafters;

[0053] FIG. 8E illustrates schematically an attachment device;

[0054] FIG. 9 illustrates schematically another embodiment of the insulation device comprising insulating beads;

[0055] FIG. 10 illustrates schematically another embodiment of an inflatable receptacle;

[0056] FIG. 11 illustrates schematically another embodiment of an inflatable receptacle; and

[0057] FIG. 12 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of using the insulation device.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. In the following detailed description numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without these specific details.

[0059] In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and / or components have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0060] Disclosed herein is an insulation device for insulating a cavity within a structure. The insulation device comprises an inflatable receptacle, a plurality of plates connected to the inflatable receptacle and a plurality of elongate spacers connected to the plates. The inflatable receptacle is configured to be inflated, once it is in a desired position within a cavity, with an insulating material. The insulating material is inserted into the inflatable receptacle through an insulating material entrance in the inflatable receptacle. The spacers project away from the plates and have a height H configured to maintain a required air gap within the cavity once the inflatable receptacle has been inflated, by preventing the inflatable receptacle from inflating to fill the entire cavity.

[0061] FIG. 2A illustrates schematically a perspective view of an insulation device 100. FIG. 2B illustrates schematically a top view of the insulation device 100. The insulation device 100 comprises an inflatable receptacle 102 having a first external surface 102A, a second external surface 102B opposite to the first external surface 102A and an insulating material entrance 108, a plurality of plates 104 coupled to the first external surface 102A of the inflatable receptacle 102 and a plurality of elongate spacers 106 coupled to the plurality of plates 104. For the avoidance of doubt, as used herein, the term plurality means two or more.

[0062] The inflatable receptacle 102 is shown in its inflated state in FIG. 2A. The inflatable receptacle 102 is made from a flexible material. One example of a flexible material from which the inflatable receptacle 102 may be made is polythene. The plurality of plates 104 are made from a rigid material. One example of a rigid material from which the plates 104 may be made is unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC). In addition, the plurality of spacers 106 are made from a rigid material. One example of a rigid material from which the spacers 106 may be made is uPVC. The plates 104 and the spacers 106 are constructed from a rigid material, such that plates 104 and spacers 106 are capable of maintaining a ventilation gap when in situ in a cavity. The plates 104 and spacers 106 may be made from the same or different materials.

[0063] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a side view of the insulation device 100 in an uninflated state. As can be seen in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of plates 104 has a first plate surface 104A and a second plate surface 104B opposite to the first plate surface 104A. The first plate surface 104A of each of the plurality of plates 104 is connected to the first external surface 102A of the inflatable receptacle 102. The plurality of plates 104 are separated from each other by a gap 144, such that when the inflatable receptacle 102 is bent, the plates 104, which are couped to the inflatable receptacle 102, can move with respect to each other to allow manipulation of the insulation device 100 into a cavity. According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the plates 104 are not connected to one another. However, according to another embodiment, the plates 104 may be connected to one another via articulated joints.

[0064] Each of the plurality of elongate spacers 106 are coupled to the second surface 104B of one of the plurality of plates 104. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3, the elongate spacers 106 project away from the second surface 104B of the plates 104.

[0065] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a side view of the insulation device 100 being inserted through an opening 200 into a cavity 210. Although FIG. 4 illustrates the cavity 210 being in the roof of a building, the insulation device 100 may be used to insulate other cavities, such as wall cavities or floor cavities. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the inflatable receptacle 102 is bent to fit through the opening 200 into the cavity 210, prior to inflation of the inflatable receptacle 102. Once through the opening 200, the device 100 is slid down the gap 210 between the roof tiles, rafters and plaster board to a desired position. As can be seen in FIG. 4, each separate plate 104 is substantially rigid and does not bend, or does not bend a significant amount, as the device 100 is manipulated through the opening 200 into the cavity 210. The gaps 114 between the plates 104 enable the inflatable receptacle 102 to be bent and manipulated through the opening 200.

[0066] FIG. 5A illustrates schematically an inflated insulation device 100 in situ in a roof cavity. Once in position, between the roof tiles 510 and the plasterboard 520, the inflatable receptacle 102 of the insulation device 100 is inflated with an insulating material 110, via the insulating material entrance 108. There may be more than one insulating material entrances 108 provided for inflation, depending on the size of the insulation device 100. In addition, although illustrated as at a first end of the inflatable receptacle 102, the insulating material entrance 108 may be provided at other locations on the inflatable receptacle 102, as required. The plurality of elongate spacers 106 have a height H configured to maintain a required ventilation gap. During inflation of the inflatable receptacle 102, the spacers 106, which project away from the second surface 104B of the plates 104, contact the internal surface of the cavity (in FIG. 5A, the underside of the roof tiles), preventing the inflatable receptacle 102 from inflating beyond a required depth and thus maintaining the ventilation gap (height H). The size of the cavities / required air gap in which the device may be used vary depending on current Building Regulations. Therefore, different width devices 100 may be used, for example, different devices 100 may have different height H spacers 106 as required.

[0067] The plurality of plates 104 and spacers 106 enable the inflatable receptacle 102 to be inflated to different widths. For example, FIG. 5B illustrates schematically an obstruction 550 protruding into a cavity. Three of the spacers 106X, 106Y, 106Z contact the obstruction 550, as opposed to the underside of the roof tiles, preventing the inflatable receptacle 102 from being fully inflated in the area corresponding to the plates 104X, 104Y, 104Z which are attached to the spacers 106X, 106Y, 106Z. However, the inflatable receptacle 102 may be fully inflated in the other areas, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. This maintains ventilation around the obstruction 550.

[0068] FIGS. 2A-5B illustrate the plurality of plates 104 as covering substantially all of the first external surface 102A of the inflatable receptacle 102. According to another embodiment, the plurality of plates may cover only part of the of the first external surface 102A of the inflatable receptacle 102.

[0069] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrates the plurality of plates having larger gaps, then those illustrated in FIGS. 2A-5B, provided between the plates 104, such that areas of the external first surface 102A of the inflatable receptacle 102 are not covered by a plate 104. The number and position of the plates 104 and the elongate members 106 should be sufficient to maintain a ventilation gap when the insulation device 100 is inflated in situ.

[0070] Furthermore, although FIGS. 2A-7 illustrates square / rectangular shaped plates 104, other plate shapes may be used, such as triangular or hexagonal.

[0071] FIGS. 2A-7 also illustrate each of the plurality of plates 104 being connected to an elongate spacer 106. However, not every plate 104 may be provided with a spacer 106. Furthermore, two or more spacers 106 may be provided on one plate 104, if required.

[0072] FIGS. 2A-7 illustrate each of the elongate spacer 106 as having a substantially cylindrical shape. However, the elongate spacers 106 may have other shapes as required. For example, the elongate spacers 106 may be shaped as rectangular blocks. The function of the spacers 106 is to project away from the plates 104 to maintain an air gap between the second surface 104B of the plates 104 and the internal surface of the cavity, for example the underside of the roof tiles, when the inflatable receptacle is inflated. The spacers 106 are shaped such that air can flow around the spacers to allow for sufficient ventilation when the insulation device 100 is inflated in-situ. Preferably, the elongate spacers 106 have a height H which is greater than the width of the elongate spacers 106. However, depending on the number of spacers 106 used, and the size of the gaps provided between the spacers 106, the height H of the spacers 106 may be equal to the width of the spacers 106, or less than the width of the spacers 106.

[0073] FIG. 8A illustrates schematically another embodiment of an insulation device 100, as described in any of the above embodiments and illustrated in FIGS. 2A-7. FIG. 8A illustrates schematically an insulation device 100 comprising one or more attachment devices 112 for securing the insulation device 100 in a desired location. The attachment devices 112 may be connected to at least one end of the inflatable receptacle 102. The attachment devices 112 may comprise a thin piece of plastic, a “lip”, which fits over a rafter, such that the attachment device(s) 112 may be stapled / screwed to the rafter to secure the insulation device 100 in the desired location, preferably prior to inflation of the inflatable receptacle 102.

[0074] FIGS. 8B and 8C illustrate schematically another embodiment of the insulation device 100 of FIG. 8A. As illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the one or more attachment devices 112A are inflatable. When inflated, the insulating attachment devices 112A of FIGS. 8B and 8C, have an inflated width W1, which is less than the inflated width W2 of the inflatable receptacle 102 when inflated. Consequently, when inflated with an insulating material, the insulating attachment devices 112A provides a layer of insulation on the rafter(s) to which it is attached.

[0075] When one or more of the insulation device 100, illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C, is fitted to adjacent rafters, such as illustrated in FIG. 8D, then the insulating attachment devices 112A may press against each other, once inflated, and provide an insulation layer on top of the rafter. Without the insulating attachment devices 112A there would be an uninsulated thermal bridge at the rafters.

[0076] The insulating attachment devices 112A may be formed as part of the inflatable receptacle 102, such that when insulating material is inserted into the inflatable receptacle 102, via the insulating material entrance 108, then the insulating material is able to flow into the insulating attachment devices 112A.

[0077] The insulating attachment devices 112A may be affixed to the rafters prior to inflating with an insulating material. According to one embodiment, the insulating attachment devices 112A may be screwed to the rafters, the screws being screwed directly through the insulating attachment devices 112, 112A into the rafters. Alternatively, one or more sealed attachment holes may be provided in the insulating attachment devices 112A to prevent loss of the insulating material from the attachment holes. FIG. 8E illustrates a perspective view of an insulation device 100 comprising an insulating attachment device 112A having a sealed attachment hole 132. The hole 132 is open at its centre 134 to allow an attachment device, such as a screw, to pass through. The edge of the hole 136 is sealed to prevent the insulating material 110 from escaping. According to another embodiment, the insulating attachment devices 112, 112A may be glued to the rafters.

[0078] According to any one of the above embodiments, the insulating material 110 may be an insulating foam, insulating beads or insulating “sticky” beads. The insulating “sticky” beads are slightly “sticky” and set (attach / bond to one another) after insertion into the inflatable receptacle 102, such that the “sticky” beads are prevented from leaking out of the inflatable receptacle 102 at any puncture sites.

[0079] The insulation device 100, illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8E may be used to insulate cavities when building new structures, enabling easy attachment of the insulation device 100 via the attachment devices 112, 112A to the structure.

[0080] Rigid premanufactured insulation boards / sheets may also be provided with the attachment devices 112, 112A described above. When an insulation board / sheet comprises an insulating attachment device 112A, the insulating attachment device 112A may comprise an inflatable receptacle having an insulating material entrance. The attachment device 112A may also comprise an attachment hole 132.

[0081] FIG. 9 illustrates schematically another embodiment of the insulation device 100 of anyone of FIG. 2A-8E where the insulating material 110 is insulating beads. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the device 100 further comprises a supply receptacle 114, provided with the insulating material 110, connected to the inflatable receptacle 102, via the insulating material entrance 108. Once the inflatable receptacle 102 has been manoeuvred into the desired position, then the insulating material 110 is transferred from the supply receptacle 114 to the inflatable receptacle 102. For example, the insulating material 110 may be squeezed from the supply receptacle 114 into the inflatable receptacle 102 through the insulating material entrance 108. The supply receptacle 114 may then be removed and disposed of. This embodiment may be advantageous when the insulating material 110 comprises insulating beads, in order to reduce mess and supply the correct volume of beads to properly fill the insulation device 100.

[0082] The embodiment of FIG. 9 may also comprise a plurality of ventilation holes 116 provided in the inflatable receptacle 102 to allow air to escape from the inflatable receptacle 102 as the insulating material 110 is being transferred from the supply receptacle 114 into the inflatable receptacle 102. The ventilation holes 116 are sized to prevent the insulating material 110 from escaping. For example, when the insulating material 110 is insulating beads, then the ventilation holes 116 have a diameter less than the diameter of the insulating beads.

[0083] According to another embodiment, a plurality of ventilation holes 116 may be provided in the inflatable receptacle 102 of the device of any one of FIGS. 2A-8E, without the supply receptacle 114. The ventilation holes 116 allow air to escape from the inflatable receptacle 102 but are sized to prevent the insulating material 110 from escaping. For example, when the insulating material 110 is insulating beads, then the ventilation holes 116 have a diameter less than a diameter of the insulating beads. The insulating beads could be blown into the inflatable receptacle 102, through the insulating material entrance 108, under pressure. The ventilation holes 116 allow the air to escape but retain the insulating beads in the inflatable receptacle 102.

[0084] FIG. 10 illustrates schematically a top / bottom view of an embodiment of an inflatable receptacle 102. The inflatable receptacle 102 described herein with reference to FIG. 10 may be used in the insulation device 100 of anyone of FIGS. 2A-9. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the internal area of the inflatable receptacle 102 is divided into a plurality of separate cells 118. The internal area of the inflatable receptacle 102 is the area sandwiched between the first external surface 102A and the second external surface 102B of the inflatable receptacle 102. Each cell 118 is connected to at least one other cell 118 of the inflatable receptacle 102 by a valve 120, such that insulating material 110 is only able to move from one cell 118 to another cell 118 via the valve 120. The cells 118 are arranged such that once the inflatable receptacle 102 has been filled with the insulating material 110, some of the insulating material 110 will exit the inflatable receptacle 102 via an insulating material exit 122. The insulating material exit 122 is provided at the same end of the inflatable receptacle 102 as the insulating material entrance 108. When insulating material 110 exits the inflatable receptacle 102 via the insulating material exit 122, it is possible to determine that the inflatable receptacle 102 has been filled with insulating material 110.

[0085] According to FIG. 10, the inflatable receptacle 102 is divided into two isolated subsections, each subsection 124A, 124B comprising a plurality of cells 118, a plurality of valves 120, an insulating material entrance 108A, 108B and an insulating material exit 122A, 122B. Each subsection 124A, 124B is isolated from the other subsections, such that insulating material in one subsection is unable to pass into another subsection. The cells 118 of each subsection 124A, 124B are configured so that the insulating material 110 is routed from the insulating material entrance 108A, 108B through the cells 118 of each subsection, via the valves 120, on a path to the exit 122A, 122B provided at the first end of the inflatable receptacle 102. The path of the insulating material 110 is illustrated in FIG. 10 with a dotted line. The inflatable receptacle 102 may be divided into more than two subsections.

[0086] FIG. 11 illustrates schematically another embodiment of an inflatable receptacle 102. According to FIG. 11, the inflatable receptacle 102 is not divided into two subsections, instead, the cells 118 are configured so that the insulating material 110 is routed on a continuous path, snaking back and forth through the cells 118, via the valves 120 to the insulating material exit 122 provided at the first end of the inflatable receptacle 102. The path of the insulating material 110 is illustrated in FIG. 11 with a dotted line.

[0087] The valves 120 may be one-way values or non-return values which allow the insulating material 110 to be inserted into each cell 118 for inflation. The valves 120, insulating material entrance and insulating material exit may be self-sealing, such that they are configured to seal itself following inflation of the inflatable receptacle. As the insulating material 110 is inserted and the inflatable receptacle 102 expands, the insulating material 110 closes off the valves 120 to prevent the insulating material 110 from exiting the inflatable receptacle 102 through the same valve 120 which the insulating material 110 was inserted. An advantage of an inflatable receptacle 102 comprising a plurality of cells 118 is that if one of the cells is compromised / punctured, then the entire inflatable receptacle 102 is prevented from deflating. Only the compromised cell 118 will deflate / partially deflate.

[0088] According to any one of the above embodiments, the insulating material 110 may be an expanding foam. The valves 120 being a simple flap that the foam pushes back against when it expands to close the valves 120. The foam may be a self-inflating foam or may expand under pressure.

[0089] According to any one of the above embodiments, the insulating material 110 may be earthwool, sheep's wool or fibreglass.

[0090] The insulation device 100 described herein may be used to insulate cavities, such as roof cavities, floor cavities and / or wall cavities within already built structures. In addition, the device 100 described herein may be used to insulate cavities when building new structures.

[0091] Furthermore, although FIGS. 2A-11 illustrate the inflatable receptacle 102 as being substantially square or rectangular when viewed from above, the inflatable receptacle 102 may be any shape as required by the cavity in which it is to be fitted. In addition, although the inflatable receptacle 102 is illustrated in the Figures as being cuboid shape, the inflatable receptacle 102 is not limited to this shape. For example, the inflatable receptacle 102 could comprise a first surface 102A and a second surface 102B sealed to each other around their periphery.

[0092] FIG. 12 illustrates a method of using the insulation device 100 described herein. At step S101, the insulation device 100 comprising an uninflated inflatable receptacle 102 is provided in a cavity of a structure. If the structure is an existing building, then the uninflated inflatable receptacle 102 may be inserted through an opening into the cavity. If the structure is a building, which is being built, then the uninflated inflatable receptacle 102 may be positioned within a cavity and secured in place as the structure is being built. At step S102, insulating material 110 is inserted into the inflatable receptacle 102 of the insulation device 100, via the insulating material entrance 108 to inflate the inflatable receptacle 102. As the receptacle 102 expands to fill the cavity, the elongate spacers 106 move closer to the internal surface of the cavity until they contact the internal surface of the cavity at step S103. When the elongate spacers 106 contact the internal surface of the cavity, inflation of the inflatable receptacle 102 is stopped at step S104 since the inflatable receptacle 102 cannot expand any further into the cavity. The force applied by the fixed internal surface of the cavity on the rigid elongate spacers 106 is transferred to the rigid plates 104. The rigid plates 104 form a rigid layer on the first external surface 102A of the flexible inflatable receptacle 102 and the inflatable receptacle 102 is prevented from expanding any further. The elongate spacers 106 maintains a ventilation gap within the cavity, since the inflatable receptacle 102 is prevented from expanding and filling the entire cavity.

[0093] It will be clear to one skilled in the art that many improvements and modifications can be made to the foregoing exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present techniques.

Claims

1. An insulation device for insulating a cavity within a structure, the insulation device comprising:an inflatable receptacle comprising a first external surface, a second external surface opposite to the first external surface, and at least one insulating material entrance, wherein the inflatable receptacle is configured to be inflated with an insulating material inserted through the at least one insulating material entrance;a plurality of plates, each of the plurality of plates having a first plate surface and a second plate surface opposite to the first plate surface, wherein the first plate surface of each of the plurality of plates is coupled to the first external surface of the inflatable receptacle; anda plurality of elongate spacers, each of the plurality of spacers coupled to the second plate surface of at least one of the plurality of plates, wherein the plurality of spacers are configured to extend away from the second plate surface.

2. The insulation device of claim 1, further comprising a supply receptacle coupled to the inflatable receptacle at the at least one insulating material entrance, wherein the supply receptacle comprises the insulating material prior to inflation of the inflatable receptacle.

3. The insulation device of claim 2, wherein the supply receptacle is a removable supply receptacle configured to be removed after inflation of the inflatable receptacle.

4. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein the insulating material comprises insulating beads.

5. The insulation device of claim 4, wherein the inflatable receptacle comprises a plurality of ventilation holes and wherein a diameter of the plurality of ventilation holes is less than a diameter of the insulating beads.

6. The insulation device of claim 4, wherein the insulating beads are configured to bond to each other after insertion into the inflatable receptacle.

7. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein the insulating material comprises an insulating foam, which insulating foam may be an expanding foam.

8. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein the inflatable receptacle comprises:a plurality of cells, each cell of the plurality of cells connected to at least one other cell of the plurality of cells by a valve, and wherein the at least one insulating material entrance is connected to at least one of the plurality of cells.

9. The insulation device of claim 8, wherein the inflatable receptacle further comprises at least one insulating material exit, and wherein the at least one insulating material exit is connected to at least one of the plurality of cells, wherein the insulating material entrance and the insulating material exit may be provided at a first end of the inflatable receptacle.

10. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein the inflatable receptacle comprises two or more subsections, each subsection comprising one or more cells and its own insulating material entrance and insulating material exit, each subsection being isolated from the other subsections.

11. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein the inflatable receptacle comprises a plurality of ventilation holes.

12. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one insulating material entrance is a self-sealing insulating material entrance configured to seal itself following inflation of the inflatable receptacle.

13. The insulation device of claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment device connected to at least one end of the inflatable receptacle for securing the device in a desired location.

14. The insulation device of claim 13, wherein the at least one attachment device comprises at least one inflatable attachment device configured to be inflated with the insulating material.

15. The insulation device of claim 13, wherein the at least one attachment device comprises at least one inflatable attachment device, which comprises an inflated width W1 less than an inflated width W2 of the inflatable receptacle.

16. The insulation device of claim 13, wherein the at least one attachment device comprises at least one inflatable attachment device, which comprises at least one attachment hole.

17. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of plates comprises a plurality of rigid plates.

18. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spacers comprises a plurality of rigid spacers.

19. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of plates is coupled to one of the plurality of spacers.

20. The insulation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongate spacers are configured to maintain a ventilation gap within the cavity when the inflatable receptacle is inflated with an insulating material.

21. A method of using the insulation device of claim 1 to insulate a cavity within a structure, the method comprising:providing the uninflated insulation device in a cavity;inserting an insulating material into the inflatable receptacle through the at least one insulating material entrance to inflate the inflatable receptacle until the elongate spacers contact an internal surface of the cavity; andwherein following inflation, the elongate spacers maintain a ventilation gap in the cavity.

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