House Wrap Filament Pattern for Transverse Strength and Drainage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing house wrap membranes lack transverse strength and are prone to water accumulation and condensation issues due to the absence of continuous, serpentine, intersecting filaments.

Innovation Solution

A house wrap membrane featuring a pattern of continuous, raised polymer strands that intersect in a wavy pattern, with flattened portions for drainage and potential viaduct channels, manufactured using hot melt nozzles controlled for positional and temporal deposition to ensure reinforcement and water management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If cross-woven or cross-laminate filaments are used to increase membrane strength, then transverse strength is improved, but water drainage capability deteriorates due to pooling of condensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransverse strengthVSAvoidwater pooling

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous filament is segmented by creating flattened portions at regular intervals along its length. These flattened sections act as drainage channels that break up water accumulation while the raised portions maintain structural reinforcement. This segmentation allows the filament to simultaneously provide strength and facilitate water drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the filament have different geometries: raised sections provide structural strength and protection, while flattened sections provide drainage pathways. This local variation in geometry allows the single filament structure to perform multiple functions - reinforcement and water management - in different locations along its length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If longitudinal strips are spaced apart and non-continuous to allow water drainage, then water drainage is improved, but membrane strength deteriorates both longitudinally and transversely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainageVSAvoidmembrane strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The filament maintains continuous contact with the membrane surface through its raised portions, providing ongoing structural reinforcement. The continuity is preserved despite the presence of flattened drainage sections, as the filament bridges across these sections and maintains tensile strength throughout its length, unlike discrete strips that are interrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than using completely separate discrete strips, the invention uses a single continuous filament that is segmented into raised and flattened portions. This allows drainage functionality to be integrated into the continuous reinforcing element itself, rather than requiring separate drainage components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Shape

If serpentine spaced apart non-intersecting filaments are used for ornamental purposes, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but membrane strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveornamental patternVSAvoidmembrane strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the ornamental serpentine pattern with structural reinforcement by using continuous intersecting filaments. The filaments follow aesthetically pleasing curved paths while maintaining continuous contact with the membrane, combining decorative appearance with genuine structural strengthening functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using spaced-apart non-intersecting filaments that prioritize appearance over function, the invention inverts the approach by using intersecting continuous filaments where the intersection points and continuous paths provide structural reinforcement while the serpentine geometry maintains aesthetic appeal.

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 solution provides continuous reinforcement to the membrane, prevents water accumulation, and facilitates effective drainage, enhancing both the structural integrity and water management capabilities of the house wrap.

Implementation Method 1

hot melt nozzles deposit raised strands on a membrane surface of the house wrap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHot melt extrusion: Extrusion

Implementation Method 2

hot melt nozzles deposit raised strands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal melting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

Flattened portions or bridges formed in the raised strands provide channels for draining of condensation or any water penetrating the facing material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

raised portions of the strand prevent contact of any facing material or exterior treatment onto the surface of the membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11358320B2House wrap and method of manufacture

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 R H TAMLYN & SONS

AI summary

A continuous, serpentine and intersecting pattern of filaments is provided on a surface of a house wrap membrane. Water drainage channels may be provided by depressions or viaducts formed at locations along filaments. The filaments may be formed using hot melt nozzles disposed on a member and translated transversely as the membrane is translated longitudinally beneath the nozzles.