Flexible Cladding Wrap for Contoured Walls and Damp Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional building cladding methods are inefficient, wasteful, prone to cracking, and fail to match the aesthetic of historic or irregularly shaped buildings, as they require perfectly planar surfaces and often result in unnatural finishes.

Innovation Solution

A flexible cladding wrap system comprising a flexible facing layer with absorbent substrate and powdered aggregate bonded with a polymeric binding agent, attached to a flexible backing layer, allowing for application on contoured surfaces and mimicking brick or stone work, while allowing the underlying wall to breathe and preventing damp buildup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If rigid cladding panels are used to provide a brick or stone effect, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the adaptability to contoured surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidadaptability to contoured surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a flexible facing layer with powdered aggregate bonded to a flexible substrate, allowing the cladding to conform to contoured surfaces while maintaining a brick or stone effect appearance. The flexible nature of the layer enables it to wrap around irregular geometries that rigid panels cannot accommodate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines powdered aggregate (providing aesthetic appearance) with a flexible substrate material (providing adaptability), creating a composite cladding system that achieves both visual appeal and flexibility for application on irregular surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If traditional cladding materials like brick or stone are used, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of manufacture and application deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidease of manufacture and application

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of traditional brick or stone cladding by using powdered aggregate bonded to a flexible substrate. This replication captures the aesthetic appearance of natural materials while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing and application process, allowing for roll-out installation rather than laborious hand application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the cladding material from rigid (traditional brick/stone) to flexible (powdered aggregate on flexible substrate), transforming it from a material requiring skilled manual installation to one that can be easily applied by rolling out and adhering to surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If rigid cladding panels are scored to create contours, then the adaptability to some surfaces is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontouring capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the cladding material rigid and then scoring it to achieve flexibility, the patent inverts the approach by making the base material flexible from the outset and adding the aesthetic aggregate layer on top. This eliminates the need for complex scoring operations while maintaining contouring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The flexible cladding wrap provides a versatile, aesthetically pleasing solution for irregularly shaped buildings, maintaining the appearance of the original structure while preventing damp issues and allowing for easy application on non-planar surfaces, enhancing durability and weather resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible facing layer including an absorbent flexible facing substrate and powdered aggregate bonded to the facing substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10202773B2Flexible cladding wrap, system and methods

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 PAUL JAMES BISHOP IP HLDG

AI summary

A flexible cladding wrap for an exterior or interior wall of a building, a building wall panel, and/or a building surface is provided, the flexible cladding wrap comprising a flexible facing layer including a, preferably absorbent and more preferably porous, flexible facing substrate and powdered aggregate bonded to the facing substrate; and a flexible backing layer including a flexible backing substrate to which the facing layer is attached. A system utilizing said flexible cladding wrap to create a continuous aesthetic impression of the building is also provided, in addition to methods of making and using said flexible cladding wrap.