Foam Envelope With Semipermeable Membrane for Building Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam systems for sealing large volumes in buildings are inefficient in terms of installation time and material waste, and they often require complex mixing and application methods.
Innovation Solution
A foamable system contained within a flexible tube with a semipermeable inner layer and nonwoven outer layer, featuring compartments for separate components that expand to fill gaps, allowing for efficient and waste-reduced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional foam systems are used for sealing large volumes, then sealing capability is achieved, but installation time increases and material waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The foamable composition is divided into multiple separate compartments within the envelope, each containing different components (polyol, polyisocyanate, catalyst, blowing agent). This segmentation allows the components to be stored separately during installation and only mixed when activated, enabling faster installation time and reducing material waste by ensuring precise dosing of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope is pre-configured with all necessary foam components in separate compartments before installation. The components are prepared and positioned in advance within the envelope structure, so that upon insertion into the cavity, the foam generation process can begin immediately without requiring on-site mixing or preparation, thereby reducing installation time.
2Reliability
If multiple compartments with mixing devices are used, then component separation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing function is extracted from complex mechanical mixing devices and replaced by a chemical mixing mechanism. The frangible barrier separates components physically, and its rupture upon activation allows the components to mix automatically through the foam generation process itself, eliminating the need for separate mechanical mixing devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible barrier acts as an intermediary element that controls the mixing process. It physically separates the components during storage and installation, then ruptures to enable mixing when activated. This intermediary mechanism provides reliable component separation without requiring complex mixing devices, as the barrier's rupture naturally initiates the mixing process through foam expansion.
3Reliability
If foam expands to fill large gaps, then sealing performance is improved, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foamable composition is delivered in controlled portions through multiple compartments, each containing specific amounts of components. The foam expands partially to fill the cavity volume, and any excess foam can be controlled or contained within the envelope structure. This partial action approach ensures sufficient sealing performance while minimizing material waste by avoiding over-delivery of foam material.
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope structure serves as a template or copy of the desired foam configuration. The multiple compartments are positioned and sized to correspond with the cavity geometry, allowing the foam to expand into a predetermined pattern that matches the sealing requirements. This copying approach ensures efficient material utilization by forming foam only where needed, reducing waste while maintaining sealing performance.
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 system reduces installation time and minimizes material waste while providing an air-tight and water-impermeable seal, enhancing sealing and insulating properties in buildings.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible envelope that can assume the shape of the volume when filled with a foaming composition and that expands the envelope to the boundaries of the volume
Implementation Method 2
the inner layer 17 being a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to vapors but impermeable to liquids
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An article comprises a tube and at least one thermoplastic pouch inserted within the tube wherein the tube comprises an upper section, a lower section, an inner section and an outer section, the tube comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer being a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to vapors but impermeable to liquids and the outer layer being a nonwoven fabric, the tube has a plurality of holes that penetrate through the inner and outer layers of the upper section and / or lower section of the tube, the pouch is located within the tube such that it contacts the lower and inner sections of the tube and the pouch contains a foamable composition.