Method for securing vapor barrier film to subfloor and floor joists and apparatus therefor

Abstract

Apparatus for securing vapor barrier film to subfloor material and to floor joists is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a first portion having an adhesive receiving surface adapted to adhesively receive said film; and a second adhesive portion secured to said first portion and adapted for adhesion to said subfloor material and to said floor joists. A method for securing vapor barrier film to subfloor material and to floor joists is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing apparatus including: a first portion having an adhesive receiving surface adapted to adhesively receive said film; a second adhesive portion adapted for adhesion to said subfloor material and to said floor joists; adhesively securing the second portion to the subfloor material and the floor joists; and securing said vapor barrier film to said first portion.

Description

This is a U.S. patent application of U.S. Provisional Application 60/947,725, filed Jul. 3, 2007 for a Method for Securing Vapor Barrier Film to Subfloor and Floor Joists and Apparatus Therefor, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of insulation systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In home construction, it is commonplace to utilize batts of fiberglass or the like for insulation. When insulating basement walls, batt insulation is normally run up the wall to the undersurface of the subfloor, between the joists, and then sheathed with vapor barrier film, so that warm, moist interior air does not infiltrate the batt during winter months and condense, which could lead to mold. Securing the barrier film in a relatively hermetic manner is complicated by the generally sawtooth-shaped interface between the barrier film, the undersurface of the subfloor and the floor joists and quite often, neatness and seal integrity gives way to expediency, with the film merely being cut roughly to shape, stapled in place and sealed with an abundance of tape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus for securing vapor barrier film to subfloor material and to floor joists forms one aspect of the invention. The apparatus comprises: a first portion having an adhesive receiving surface adapted to adhesively sealingly receive said film; and a second adhesive portion secured to said first portion and adapted for adhesion to said subfloor material and to said floor joists.

According to another aspect of the invention, the second adhesive portion can be a strip portion and be adapted for sealing adhesion to said subfloor material and to said floor by way of an adhesive gripping surface, and the first portion can be a strip.

According to another aspect of the invention, the receiving surface and the gripping surface can each be in contact with a respective sheet of release liner which is removed prior to use.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cross-section of the apparatus can be L-shaped.

According to another aspect of the invention, the adhesive receiving surface can be on the first strip portion inside of the contained angle, and the adhesive gripping surface can be on the second strip portion outside of the contained angle.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first strip portion can include a plastic substrate and an adhesive coating defining the adhesive receiving surface; and the second strip portion can include a plastic substrate and an adhesive coating defining the adhesive gripping surface.

A method for securing vapor barrier film to subfloor material and to floor joists forms another aspect of the invention.

In the method: the apparatus is provided; the second strip portion is adhesively secured to the subfloor material and the floor joints; and the vapor barrier film is secured to said first strip portion.

The invention permits vapor barrier film to be relatively conveniently and neatly secured to the undersurface of the subfloor and the floor joists.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical basement, showing an interior stud-framed wall supporting an array of floor joists, a subfloor supported on the joists and batt insulation extending up the basement wall to the subfloor;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of encircled area 2 of FIG. 1, showing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention with the second strip portion thereof secured to the undersurface of said subfloor and to said floor joists, at the sawtooth-shaped interface defined by the surface of the batt insulation, the undersurface of the subfloor and the floor joists;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with the release film removed from the first strip portion of the apparatus to reveal the adhesive receiving surface;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, with vapor barrier film adhesively secured to the adhesive receiving surface of the first strip portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a photograph providing a better view of the interface of the batt insulation, floor joists and subfloor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a photograph similar to FIG. 5, showing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention with the second strip portion thereof secured to the undersurface of said subfloor and to said floor joists, at the sawtooth-shaped interface defined by the surface of the batt insulation, the undersurface of the subfloor and the floor joists; and

FIG. 7 is a photograph similar to FIG. 6, with the release film removed from the first strip portion of the apparatus and vapor barrier film adhesively secured to the first strip portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of apparatus constructed accorded to the exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 from another angle, with the release film on the second strip portion partially removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and designated with general reference numeral 20.

The apparatus 20 will be seen to be L-shaped in cross-section (i.e. L-shaped when viewed along the longitudinal axis) and is comprised of a first planar strip portion 22 orientated substantially normally to a second planar strip portion 24.

Each of the first strip portion 22 and the second strip portion 24 includes a plastic substrate 26, 28. The respective plastic substrates 26, 28 are formed integrally, in an extrusion process. On each substrate is an adhesive coating 30, 32 which has been extruded thereon. The adhesive coating 30 on the first strip portion 22 is inside of the contained angle θ and defines an adhesive receiving surface 34 which is adapted to adhesively, sealingly receive vapor barrier film. The adhesive coating 32 on the second strip portion 24 is outside of the contained angle θ and defines an adhesive gripping surface 36 adapted for adhesion to subfloor material and floor joists.

On each of the receiving surface 34 and the gripping surface 36 is a sheet of release liner 38, 40 which is rolled onto the adhesive coating following the extrusion steps.

The apparatus 20 is used in insulation applications.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical basement, showing an interior wall framed with studs 42 supporting an array of floor joists 44, a subfloor 46 supported on the joists 44 and batt 48 insulation extending up the basement wall to the subfloor 46. FIG. 5 is a photograph, showing this structure and interface in more detail.

In use in a basement as shown in FIG. 1, the release liner 40 is first removed from the second strip portion 24, which is secured to the subfloor material 46 and the floor joints 44 at the generally sawtooth-shaped (the saw having square teeth) interface defined by the surface of the batt insulation 48, the undersurface of the subfloor 46 and the floor joists 44, as shown in FIG. 2. The plastic substrates 26, 28 of the apparatus is sufficiently pliable to enable the second strip portion 24 to follow the interface, and release cuts 50 are formed in the first strip portion 22, by scissors or the like, at the inside and outside corners, to enable the first strip portion 22 to similarly follow the interface. At the same time, the plastic substrates 26, 28 are sufficiently rigid and rigidly connected to one another in the exemplary embodiment to reliably maintain the perpendicular relationship therebetween. FIG. 6 is a photograph showing the apparatus 20 so secured to the interface in greater detail.

Thereafter, the release liner 38 is removed from the first strip portion 22, and the vapor barrier film 52, which has previously been provided with relief cuts in the vicinity of the floor joists 44, is sealingly secured to the first strip portion 22 via the adhesive receiving surface 34.

To ensure a hermetic seal is created to seal the batt insulation 48 against air infiltration from the basement interior, as shown in FIG. 7, bridges 100 of two-sided tape or the like can be applied at the exterior corners of the first strip portions, prior to application of the barrier film.

The rigidity of the connection between the substrates of the first and second strip portions is such that the first strip portion provides a sturdy base upon which the barrier film is secured. This facilitates the securement process.

Whereas but a single exemplary embodiment of the apparatus is shown and described, various changes can be made.

For example, whereas the substrates of the first strip and the second strip described are formed integrally, in an extrusion process to create an L-shaped cross-section, the substrates could readily be formed integrally out of a single piece of planar material, and folded into shape under pressure or heat.

Further, whereas the adhesive coatings are indicated to be extruded, same could be poured on, rolled-on, sprayed-on or applied in the form of a two-sided tape.

As well, whereas the adhesive receiving surface on the first strip portion is inside of the contained angle, it could be formed on the outside of the contained angle, in which event the position of the apparatus could be reversed during installation.

Moreover, whereas the first and second portions are each indicated to be planar strips, this is not necessary, and other shapes could be provided therefore with similar utility, provided that a substantially hermetic seal can still be maintained.

Further, whereas but a single embodiment of the method is described, variations thereon can be made. For example, whereas in the exemplary embodiment, relief cuts are made in an elongate strip, to permit same to follow the interface, smaller, discrete lengths of the apparatus could be provided and arranged to follow the interface.

As well, whereas bridge portions are described at the exterior corners, to provide a hermetic seal, it will be evident that even absent such bridge portions, a relatively hermetic seal would be obtained if care was taken in installation according to the exemplary method.

Further, in the context of the method which utilized discrete lengths of the apparatus, mitered corners or the like could be provided so as to ensure that the film material had a surface to seal against as it traversed the joists.

A further alternative would be to utilize an elongate strip provided with relief cuts as described and shown, for example, in FIG. 6, but apply, after the film has been secured to the strip, a sealing tape along the strip/film interface, to ensure an appropriate hermetic seal.

A yet further alternative would be to utilize a deformable strip, so as to enable the first portion to stretch around the exterior corners.

Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is limited only by the claims appended hereto, purposively construed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing vapor barrier film to subfloor material and to floor joists, said apparatus comprising:

a first portion having an adhesive receiving surface adapted to adhesively receive said film; and

a second adhesive portion secured to said first portion and adapted for adhesion to said subfloor material and to said floor joists.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second adhesive portion is a planar strip portion and is adapted for adhesion to said subfloor material and to said floor joists by way of a planar adhesive gripping surface; and

the first portion is a planar strip and the adhesive receiving surface is planar.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the adhesive receiving surface is adapted to adhesively, sealingly receive said film, and the adhesive gripping surface is adapted for sealing adhesion to said subfloor material and to said floor joists.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiving surface and the gripping surface are each in contact with a sheet of release liner which is removed prior to use.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cross-section of the apparatus is L-shaped.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the adhesive receiving surface is on the first strip portion inside of the contained angle, and the adhesive gripping surface is on the second strip portion outside of the contained angle.

7. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the first strip portion includes a plastic substrate and an adhesive coating defining the adhesive receiving surface; and

the second strip portion includes a plastic substrate and an adhesive coating defining the adhesive gripping surface.

8. A method for securing vapor barrier film to subfloor material and to floor joists, the method comprising the steps of:

providing apparatus including: a first portion having an adhesive receiving surface adapted to adhesively receive said film; a second adhesive portion adapted for adhesion to said subfloor material and to said floor joists;

adhesively securing the second portion to the subfloor material and the floor joists; and

securing said vapor barrier film to said first portion.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein, in the apparatus, the first portion is a planar strip portion, the adhesive receiving surface is planar, the second adhesive portion is a planar strip portion and is adapted for adhesion to said subfloor material and to said floor by way of a planar adhesive gripping surface; and

the receiving surface and the gripping surface are each in contact with a sheet of release liner prior to use, and

further comprising the steps of;

removing the release liner from the second strip portion before adhesively securing the second strip portion to the subfloor material and the floor joists; and

removing the release liner from the first strip portion prior to securing the barrier film to the first strip portion.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the cross-section of the apparatus is L-shaped.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the first strip portion includes a plastic substrate and an adhesive coating defining the adhesive receiving surface; and

the second strip portion includes a plastic substrate and an adhesive coating defining the adhesive gripping surface.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the adhesive receiving surface is on the first strip portion inside of the contained angle, and the adhesive gripping surface is on the second strip portion outside of the contained angle.