VAPOUR BARRIER DUCT ELEMENT AND METHOD OF INSTALLING A VAPOUR BARRIER AROUND A DUCT

Abstract

A vapour barrier duct element is provided. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. Each sleeve is adapted for enabling passage of a respective duct therethrough. An area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The flat sheet and the at least a sleeve are made such that the vapour barrier duct element is semi-rigid.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vapour barriers, and more particularly to a vapour barrier duct element and a method of installing a vapour barrier around a duct.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present-day timber framed buildings are required to be enclosed internally with a vapour barrier to prevent absorption of moisture, which if allowed to reach the cold external part of the framework will condense, resulting in exposure of the timber to water and consequently deterioration thereof.

Vapour barriers are typically provided as rolls of membranes made of a plastic material such as, for example, PolyEthylene (PE), PolyPropylene (PP), or PolyVinylChloride (PVC), having a width of 8-10 feet and a length of 50-100 feet. During installation, the vapour barrier membrane is placed onto the internal side of the timber frame studs or straps forming, for example, a wall, ceiling, or floor, and stapled thereto. While this is a fairly simple and straightforward process when covering a straight wall, ceiling, or floor, it becomes complicated and time-consuming when the vapour barrier membrane has to be placed around a duct. Typically, an opening is cut into the vapour barrier membrane and after passing the duct therethrough the vapour barrier membrane is taped to the duct using, for example, tuck tape. However, taping the vapour barrier membrane to the, usually cylindrical, duct in an airtight manner is a tedious and time-consuming task and frequently does not provide an airtight seal.

This problem is further complicated when the vapour barrier membrane has to be placed around four ducts placed in close proximity to each other which is necessary for the installation of modern air exchangers or Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. Due to the close proximity of the four ducts it is next to impossible to provide an airtight seal between the vapour barrier membrane and the four ducts.

It is desirable to provide a vapour barrier duct element that substantially facilitates installation of a vapour barrier around a duct.

It is also desirable to provide a vapour barrier duct element that is easy to install around a duct.

It is also desirable to provide a vapour barrier duct element that substantially facilitates installation of a vapour barrier around a plurality of ducts placed in close proximity to each other.

It is also desirable to provide a method of installing a vapour barrier around a duct that provides a substantially air tight seal and is simple and time saving.

It is also desirable to provide a method of installing a vapour barrier around a plurality of ducts placed in close proximity to each other that provides a substantially air tight seal and is simple and time saving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a vapour barrier duct element that substantially facilitates installation of a vapour barrier around a duct.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vapour barrier duct element that is easy to install around a duct.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vapour barrier duct element that substantially facilitates installation of a vapour barrier around a plurality of ducts placed in close proximity to each other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of installing a vapour barrier around a duct that provides a substantially air tight seal and is simple and time saving.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of installing a vapour barrier around a plurality of ducts placed in close proximity to each other that provides a substantially air tight seal and is simple and time saving.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier duct element. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. Each sleeve is adapted for enabling passage of a respective duct therethrough. An area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The flat sheet and the at least a sleeve are made such that the vapour barrier duct element is semi-rigid.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier duct element. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. Each sleeve is adapted for enabling passage of a respective duct therethrough. An area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The flat sheet and the at least a sleeve are made such that the vapour barrier duct element is semi-rigid. The flat sheet is dimensioned such that it can be mounted to at least two successive straps of a ceiling or a floor. Each of the at least a sleeve has length that is sufficient for adhering adhesive tape thereto.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier duct element. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. Each sleeve is adapted for enabling passage of a respective duct therethrough. An area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The flat sheet and the at least a sleeve are made such that the vapour barrier duct element is semi-rigid. Each of the at least a sleeve is tapered from a first end at the flat sheet to a second opposite end thereof.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier duct element. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. Each sleeve is adapted for enabling passage of a respective duct therethrough. An area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The flat sheet and the at least a sleeve are made such that the vapour barrier duct element is semi-rigid. The flat sheet has four openings with the four openings and the corresponding sleeves being adapted for enabling the passage of four ducts of an air exchanger therethrough.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier duct element. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. Each sleeve is adapted for enabling passage of a respective duct therethrough. An area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The flat sheet and the at least a sleeve are made such that the vapour barrier duct element is semi-rigid. An adhesive layer is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the flat sheet. The adhesive layer is adapted for mounting the vapour barrier membrane to the first surface of the flat sheet. The adhesive layer forms a strip continuously surrounding the at least an opening.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a vapour barrier around at least a duct. A semi-rigid vapour barrier duct element is provided. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. The flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element is placed onto at least a component of a building frame. The flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element is mounted to the at least a component of the building frame. At least a duct is passed through the respective at least a sleeve of the vapour barrier duct element. A portion of a vapour barrier membrane is placed onto an area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet and mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. Using an adhesive tape, each of the at least a sleeve is taped to the respective duct in a substantially airtight manner.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a vapour barrier around at least a duct. A semi-rigid vapour barrier duct element is provided. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. The flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element is placed onto at least a component of a building frame. The flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element is mounted to the at least a component of the building frame. At least a duct is passed through the respective at least a sleeve of the vapour barrier duct element. A portion of a vapour barrier membrane is placed onto an area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet and mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. Using an adhesive tape, each of the at least a sleeve is taped to the respective duct in a substantially airtight manner. The vapour barrier duct element comprises an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the flat sheet and the portion of the vapour barrier membrane is pressed onto the first surface of the flat sheet.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a vapour barrier around at least a duct. A semi-rigid vapour barrier duct element is provided. The vapour barrier duct element comprises a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface. The flat sheet has at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section. A sleeve protrudes from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening. The flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element is placed onto at least a component of a building frame. The flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element is mounted to the at least a component of the building frame. At least a duct is passed through the respective at least a sleeve of the vapour barrier duct element. A portion of a vapour barrier membrane is placed onto an area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet and mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. Using an adhesive tape, each of the at least a sleeve is taped to the respective duct in a substantially airtight manner. The flat sheet has four openings and four ducts of an air exchanger are passed through the four openings and the corresponding sleeves.

The advantage of the present invention is that it provides a vapour barrier duct element that substantially facilitates installation of a vapour barrier around a duct.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a vapour barrier duct element that is easy to install around a duct.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a vapour barrier duct element that substantially facilitates installation of a vapour barrier around a plurality of ducts placed in close proximity to each other.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method of installing a vapour barrier around a duct that provides a substantially air tight seal and is simple and time saving.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method of installing a vapour barrier around a plurality of ducts placed in close proximity to each other that provides a substantially air tight seal and is simple and time saving.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in a cross-sectional side view, a bottom view, and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, installation of a vapour barrier duct element according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in a side view and a bottom view, respectively, a detail of the installation of the vapour barrier duct element according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in a front view and a side view, respectively, the vapour barrier duct element according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8 to 12 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in two side views and two bottom views, respectively, different implementations of the vapour barrier duct element according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and,

FIGS. 13 and 14 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in front views a vapour barrier duct element according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

While the description of the preferred embodiments hereinbelow is with reference to a vapour barrier duct element and a method of installing a vapour barrier around a duct associated therewith for cylindrical ducts passing through a ceiling, it will become evident to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, but are also adaptable for ducts having a different shaped cross-section such as, for example, rectangular shape, as well as for sealing around ducts passing through floors or walls.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 12 a vapour barrier duct element 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The vapour barrier duct element 100 comprises a flat sheet 102 having a first surface 102.1 and a second surface 102.2. The flat sheet 102 has an opening 103 disposed therein with the opening 103 having a predetermined cross-section. Sleeve 104 protrudes from the first surface 102.1 of the flat sheet 102 at a perimeter of the opening 103. The sleeve 104 is adapted for enabling passage of an end portion 12A of a duct 12 therethrough. The area of the first surface 102.1 of the flat sheet 102 between the opening 103 and an outside edge 102E of the flat sheet 102 is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane 16 can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The sleeve 104 has a length LS that is sufficient for adhering adhesive tape thereto. Preferably, the flat sheet 102 is dimensioned such that it can be mounted to at least two successive straps 10A of a ceiling or a floor.

The vapour barrier duct element 100 substantially facilitates the installation of a vapour barrier membrane 16 around a duct 12 mounted to a building frame, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5. First, the vapour barrier duct element 100 is placed, as indicated by the block arrow in FIG. 1, onto the straps 10A forming a ceiling separating the exterior (I), here attic 10 of the building frame, from the interior (II) of the building frame, until the surface 102.2 of the flat sheet 102 is in contact with the straps 10A. While the vapour barrier duct element 100 is placed onto the straps 10A, the end portion 12A of the duct 12 is passed through the opening 103 and the sleeve 104 of the vapour barrier duct element 100. The vapour barrier duct element 100 is then mounted to the straps 10A of the ceiling using, for example, staples 14, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the vapour barrier duct element 100 may be adhered to the straps 10A using an adhesive substance such as, for example, acoustic caulking. Adhesive tape 18 such as, for example, tuck tape, is then placed over the end portion of the sleeve 104 and the end portion 12A of the duct 12 and pressed thereto for sealing the sleeve 104 to the end portion 12A of the duct 12 in a substantially airtight manner, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

An end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 is then placed onto the interior (II) facing first surface 102.1 of the flat sheet 102 between the sleeve 104 and an outside edge 102E of the flat sheet 102 and mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner using, for example, adhesive tape 18, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. Preferably, the vapour barrier duct element 100 is dimensioned for the end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 to overlap the flat sheet 102 a sufficient distance between an end 16A of the vapour barrier membrane 16 and an end 102E of the respective flat sheet 102, as indicated by the dotted line and the dashed line, respectively, in FIG. 5. The adhesive tape 18 is then placed over an end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 in proximity to the end 16A and a portion of the interior (II) facing first surface 102.1 of the flat sheet 102. Alternatively, the end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 is mounted to the first surface 102.1 using an adhesive substance such as, for example, acoustic caulking.

Preferably, the sheet 102 and the sleeve 104 are made such that the vapour barrier duct element 100 is semi-rigid, with semi-rigid to be understood as being sufficiently rigid for the vapour barrier duct element 100 to keep its shape, while also being sufficiently flexible to enable some bending of the flat sheet 102 to facilitate installation, as well as to enable stapling of the same.

The vapour barrier duct element 100 is made as a single unit of, for example, a suitable plastic material such as PE, PP, or PVC using a conventional plastic moulding process with the flat sheet 102 and the sleeve 104 having a wall thickness of, for example, approximately 6 mil. For example, the vapour barrier duct element 100 may be made with a square shaped flat sheet 102, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 having: side length L1; diameter D1; width between the sleeve 104 and the edge 102E W1; and a sleeve 104 length LS. The vapour barrier duct element 100 can be made for accommodating various commercially duct sizes having, for example, diameters of 3 to 6 inches, with a side length L1 of 12 inches, a sleeve 104 length LS of 1 inch, and a minimum width between the sleeve 104 and the edge 102E W1 of 3 inches. As is evident to a person of skill in the art, the vapour barrier duct element 100 is not limited thereto and the dimensions and material may be varied depending on design preferences.

Optionally, the sleeve 104 is tapered from a first end 104A at the flat sheet 102 to a second opposite end 104B, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The tapered sleeve 104 enables provision of the vapour barrier duct element 100 with a first opening at the first end 104A of the sleeve 104 having a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the duct 12, for example, by 0.5 inch, and a second opening at the second end 104B of the sleeve 104 having a diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the duct 12, thus the tapered sleeve 104 substantially facilitates insertion of the end portion 12A of the duct 12 at the first end 104A while also ensuring a close fit at the second end 104B, facilitating taping the sleeve 104 to the end portion 12A of the duct 12 in a substantially airtight manner.

Further optionally, the vapour barrier duct element 100 can be provided with the flat sheet 102 having more than one opening 103 such as, for example, four openings 103.1, 103.2, 103.3, and 103.4 and corresponding four sleeves 104.1, 104.2, 104.3, and 104.4 for enabling the passage of four ducts of a modern air exchanger therethrough, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12. For example, the four openings 103.1, 103.2, 103.3, and 103.4 and corresponding sleeves 104.1, 104.2, 104.3, and 104.4 are arranged such that the vapour barrier duct element 100 can be mounted to three successive straps 10A, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The vapour barrier duct element 100 with the four openings 103.1, 103.2, 103.3, and 103.4 and corresponding four sleeves 104.1, 104.2, 104.3, and 104.4 is installed in a similar manner as described hereinabove with respect to the vapour barrier duct element 100 having a single opening 103 and a single sleeve 104. The vapour barrier duct element 100 with the four openings 103.1, 103.2, 103.3, and 103.4 and corresponding four sleeves 104.1, 104.2, 104.3, and 104.4 substantially facilitates the installation of a vapour barrier membrane 16 around a plurality of ducts 12 mounted to a building frame in close proximity to each other and enables proper sealing of the vapour barrier in a substantially airtight manner.

After the installation of the vapour barrier duct element 100 onto the straps 10A end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 is placed onto an area of the interior (II) facing first surface 102.1 of the flat sheet 102 surrounding the four sleeves 104.1, 104.2, 104.3, and 104.4 between the same and the outside edge 102E of the flat sheet 102 and mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner using, for example, adhesive tape 18, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

For example, the vapour barrier duct element 100 with the four openings 103.1, 103.2, 103.3, and 103.4 and corresponding four sleeves 104.1, 104.2, 104.3, and 104.4 may be made having a square shaped flat sheet 102, as illustrated in FIG. 12, having: side length L2; diameter D2; and width between the sleeve 104 and the edge 102E W2. The vapour barrier duct element 100 is made for accommodating the duct size of modern air exchanger having a diameter of 6 inches, with a side length L2 of 21 inches, a sleeve 104 length LS of 1 inch, and a minimum width between the sleeve 104 and the edge 102E W2 of 3 inches. As is evident to a person of skill in the art, the vapour barrier duct element 100 is not limited thereto and the number of openings and sleeves, the dimensions and the material may be varied depending on design preferences.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 a vapour barrier duct element 200 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The vapour barrier duct element 200 comprises the same parts as the vapour barrier duct element 100 and can be made and applied in a similar manner as described hereinabove. The vapour barrier duct element 200 comprises an additional adhesive layer 206 with a protective cover (not shown) disposed on at least a portion of the first surface 202.1 of the flat sheet 202 for mounting the vapour barrier membrane 16 to the first surface 202.1 of the flat sheet 202. Preferably, the adhesive layer 206 forms a strip continuously surrounding the sleeve 204, as illustrated in FIG. 13, or the four sleeves 204.1, 204.2, 204.3, and 204.4, as illustrated in FIG. 14. For example, the adhesive layer strip 206 is disposed substantially parallel to an outside edge of the flat sheet 202.

For installing the vapour barrier membrane 16, the protective cover is removed from the adhesive layer 206. An end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 is placed onto the first surface 202.1 of the flat sheet 202 and pressed thereto for adhering the end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 to the first surface 202.1 of the flat sheet 202 in a substantially airtight manner.

The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.

Claims

1. A vapour barrier duct element comprising:

a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface, the flat sheet having at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section; and,

a sleeve protruding from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening;

wherein each sleeve is adapted for enabling passage of a respective duct therethrough, and

wherein an area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet is sufficiently large such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner, and wherein the flat sheet and the at least a sleeve are made such that the vapour barrier duct element is semi-rigid.

2. The vapour barrier duct element according to claim 1 wherein the flat sheet is dimensioned such that it can be mounted to at least two successive straps of a ceiling or a floor.

3. The vapour barrier duct element according to claim 1 wherein each of the at least a sleeve has a length that is sufficient for adhering adhesive tape thereto.

4. The vapour barrier duct element according to claim 1 wherein each of the at least a sleeve is tapered from a first end at the flat sheet to a second opposite end thereof.

5. The vapour barrier duct element according to claim 1 wherein the flat sheet has four openings and wherein the four openings and the corresponding sleeves are adapted for enabling the passage of four ducts of an air exchanger therethrough.

6. The vapour barrier duct element according to claim 1 comprising an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the flat sheet, the adhesive layer being adapted for mounting the vapour barrier membrane to the first surface of the flat sheet.

7. The vapour barrier duct element according to claim 6 wherein the adhesive layer forms a strip surrounding the at least an opening.

8. The vapour barrier duct element according to claim 7 wherein the adhesive layer strip is disposed substantially parallel to an outside edge of the flat sheet.

9. A method of installing a vapour barrier around at least a duct comprising:

providing a semi-rigid vapour barrier duct element, the vapour barrier duct element comprising: a flat sheet having a first surface and a second surface, the flat sheet having at least an opening disposed therein with each of the at least an opening having a predetermined cross-section; and, a sleeve protruding from the first surface of the flat sheet at a perimeter of each of the at least an opening;

placing the flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element onto at least a component of a building frame;

mounting the flat sheet of the vapour barrier duct element to the at least a component of the building frame;

passing at least a duct through the respective at least a sleeve of the vapour barrier duct element;

placing a portion of a vapour barrier membrane onto an area of the first surface of the flat sheet between the at least an opening and an outside edge of the flat sheet and mounting the same thereto in a substantially airtight manner; and,

using an adhesive tape, taping each of the at least a sleeve to the respective duct in a substantially airtight manner.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the vapour barrier duct element is mounted to at least two successive straps of a ceiling or a floor of the building frame.

11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the of the vapour barrier membrane is mounted to first surface of the flat sheet using adhesive tape or caulking.

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein the vapour barrier duct element comprises an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the flat sheet and wherein wherein the portion of the vapour barrier membrane is pressed onto the first surface of the flat sheet.

13. The vapour barrier duct element according to claim 9 wherein the flat sheet has four openings and wherein four ducts of an air exchanger are passed through the four openings and the corresponding sleeves.