Abstract: An inexpensive, insulated, upright wall, ceiling, floor or roof, made of panels fastened together at panel edges. Each panel has a can backing and supporting element (preferably masonite, but alternatively plywood, plastic, metal lath or the like), panel-reinforcing bars connected to edges of the can-backing element, a plurality of layers of randomly-placed cans on the can-backing element and within the bars, and a can supporting and stabilizing element on the side of the cans opposite to the can-backing element. Saving labor of more careful arrangement of the cans, and increasing the strength against breaking of the panel, they are heterogeneously dumped into the frame of the bars and the can-backing element; and preferably the frame is shaken to somewhat settle the cans in it. In further stabilization of the cans in place, preferably porous, insulating concrete material, or foamed concrete, or foamed polyolefin plastic material is placed on top of the assembled cans.

Abstract: An inexpensive, thoroughly insulated upright-wall, ceiling, floor or roof, made of panels fastened together along contacting panel edges. Each panel has a can-supporting, substantially planar element (a sheet of plywood, masonite, plastic, metal lath, or the like), reinforcing bars defining outer edges of the panel, layers of cans between the reinforcing bars, wire or plastic panel-reinforcing network on the cans; and optionally it may include molded matrix material (foamed, cellular, polyolefin plastic, or concrete of portland or other cement and sand or porous aggregate --for example, cinders, vermiculite, pumice, charred sawdust or the like) on the cans. The can-supporting element is placed in a mold or rack; a plurality of insulating layers of cans are put on this element, preferably with their axes parallel to it; reinforcing network is placed on the cans and fastened to the bars; and optionally moldable plastic material in fluent form may be poured or injected onto the network and cans.

Abstract: A contruction member, usable in exterior or interior walls, ceilings or floors, including: a stiff, planar, can-supporting panel or board; cylindrical or otherwise non-rectangular, parallel-axes cans having end covers fixed to the panel or board, these cans being preferably of metal but optionally of dense, strong plastic or glass, of the new or used type, having lengths that are less than twelve times their diameters; optional insulation inside the cans; large-mesh metal or plastic fencing, fixed to can ends; and porous, insulating, strength-providing adhesive material around portions of the can sidewalls, bonding and bracing the cans together into a bar, panel or block, part of this material being in layers within recesses of the can-end covers that are spaced from the panel or board.