Foam Envelope With Semipermeable Layers for Large-Gap 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 handling of separate components, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A foamable system contained within a flexible tube with a permeable inner layer and semipermeable outer layer, featuring a thermoplastic pouch with compartments separated by frangible barriers, allowing for easy installation and activation of the foamable composition to fill gaps and seal irregular shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate foam components are kept in multiple compartments and mixed via a mixing device, then the foam can be activated on-demand, but the device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foamable composition is divided into multiple compartments within the envelope, each containing separate foam components (typically two parts such as polyisocyanate and polyol). This segmentation allows the components to be kept separate until foaming is desired, while simplifying the overall system by eliminating the need for complex external mixing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The foamable composition is contained within an enclosed envelope (tube) that is placed within the volume to be sealed. The envelope itself becomes the containment structure, nesting the foam components directly in the application location and eliminating the need for separate mixing and delivery equipment.
2Device complexity
If foam is delivered in bulk by an external device, then the envelope structure is simpler, but the installation time and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foamable composition is pre-prepared and contained within the envelope in the correct proportions and compartments before installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site mixing and reduces installation time, while the envelope structure remains relatively simple and easy to install.
3Strength
If the envelope includes ribs for structural strength, then the envelope can maintain shape during expansion, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The envelope is made from a flexible material that can assume the shape of the volume when filled with foaming composition. The flexibility of the shell allows it to expand and conform to irregular shapes without requiring complex rigid structural reinforcements, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining adequate structural strength.
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 effective, air-tight and water-impermeable seal with enhanced compressive strength and flexibility, suitable for sealing gaps between building interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The interior is configured to receive a foaming composition. The envelope is configured such that the foaming composition expands the envelope such as to fill a large gap.
Implementation Method 2
the outer layer 18 being a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to vapors but impermeable to liquids
Data Source
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 permeable nonwoven fabric and the outer layer being a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to vapors but impermeable to liquids, 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.