Slotted Foam Envelope for Fast Sealing of Large Building Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for sealing large volumes or gaps in buildings are inefficient in terms of installation time and material waste, particularly when dealing with small cavities such as those between a window and a wall.
Innovation Solution
A tube-like envelope with a nonwoven fabric inner layer and semipermeable membrane outer layer, featuring slots and inlet ports, is used to contain and direct foamable components, allowing controlled expansion to seal gaps effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If foamable composition is delivered in bulk by an external device, then large volumes can be sealed, but installation time increases and material waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The foamable composition is contained within an enclosed envelope (tube) that is inserted into the gap. The envelope itself becomes the delivery system, eliminating the need for external delivery devices. This nested structure allows the foam to be applied directly where needed without requiring external equipment, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining the ability to seal large volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The foamable composition is pre-loaded into the enclosed envelope before insertion into the gap. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site mixing and delivery equipment setup, significantly reducing installation time. The envelope is ready-to-use with the foamable composition already positioned for immediate expansion and sealing.
2Quantity of substance
If foamable composition is delivered in bulk by an external device, then large volumes can be sealed, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosed envelope is designed to match the specific dimensions and shape of the target gap. The foamable composition is contained within this localized envelope, ensuring that foam is applied only where needed rather than in bulk. This localized delivery system prevents material waste by eliminating excess foam application and reduces the need for cleanup or removal of unwanted foam.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple compartments with mixing device are used, then multi-part foamable composition can be delivered, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosed envelope acts as an intermediary container that simplifies the delivery system. Instead of using complex external mixing devices and multiple compartments, the envelope itself serves as the containment and delivery mechanism. The foamable composition components are held within the envelope and mixed through simple mechanical action during insertion, eliminating the need for complex internal mixing mechanisms while still enabling multi-part composition delivery.
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
Reduces installation time and material waste by enabling precise foam application, forming an airtight and water-impermeable seal in building gaps.
Implementation Method 1
the outer layer being a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to vapors but impermeable to liquids
Implementation Method 2
The interior is configured to receive a foaming composition. The foaming composition may be one or multiple parts, typically two parts such as a polyisocyanate and a polyol
Data Source
AI summary
An article comprising a tube having a length L, a width W and a height H, wherein the tube has peripheral areas comprising an upper section, a lower section, an inner section, and an outer section, and the tube comprises a tube wall having an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer being a nonwoven fabric and the outer layer being a semipermeable membrane that is permeable to vapors but impermeable to liquids, wherein the tube has at least one inlet port integrated into the tube wall to permit the flow of fluid into the tube interior, wherein the tube has a through-thickness Gurley air permeability of from 1 to 2,000 seconds, and the tube has a tensile modulus in the L direction of from 300 to 450 MPa and from 200 to 320 MPa in the W direction, and wherein the upper section and/or the lower section of the tube has at least one slot in the outer layer extending at least partially along the length L of tube and centered in said upper and/or lower section, and wherein the inner layer forms the outer surface of the tube in that at least one slot.