Back to results
US 12,638,378 B2Granted
Devices, systems, and methods for testing surface covering materials
AssigneeColumbia Insurance Company
InventorsJordan Deurloo, Anthony Drevet, Chris Burns
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus can comprise a basin that is configured to hold water. A heating source can be configured to heat the water in the basin to a temperature within a select range. A water-permeable substrate can extend across an upper surface of the basin, the water-permeable substrate simulating a subfloor (or other material upon which a covering material is positioned). Samples can be placed on the water-permeable substrate for a select duration to determine effects of moisture exposure from underneath, e.g., the subfloor.
Claims27
An apparatus comprising:
- a basin having an upper surface that defines a top opening, and an interior space that is in communication with the top opening and configured to hold water, wherein the top opening has a first side and a second side spaced from the first side along an axis;
- a heating source, wherein when the basin holds water therein, the heating source configured to heat the water in the basin to a temperature within a select range, and at least a portion of the heating source is configured to be immersed in the water in the basin;
- and
- a water-permeable substrate extending across at least a portion of the upper surface and the top opening of the basin, wherein the water-permeable substrate is supported by the basin, wherein the water-permeable substrate has a planar upper surface that extends continuously across the top opening of the basin from the first side of the top opening toward the second side of the top opening, wherein the water-permeable substrate defines a lower surface that faces the interior space defined by the basin, and wherein the water-permeable substrate is movable from the basin to expose the top opening of the basin, wherein the water-permeable substrate comprises:
- slab or subfloor material,
- drywall,
- a material that simulates water permeability of a slab or subfloor material, or
- a material that simulates water permeability of drywall,
- wherein the water-permeable substrate is configured to support one or more floor covering materials or wall covering materials for testing of said one or more floor covering materials or wall covering materials.
6 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a basin having an upper surface that defines a top opening, and an interior space that is in communication with the top opening and configured to hold water;
- a heating source that is configured to heat the water in the basin to a temperature within a select range;
- and
- a water-permeable substrate extending across at least a portion of the upper surface and the top opening of the basin, wherein the water-permeable substrate comprises:
- slab or subfloor material,
- drywall,
- a material that simulates water permeability of a slab or subfloor material, or
- a material that simulates water permeability of drywall,
- wherein the water-permeable substrate defines an outer surface of the apparatus that is configured to support one or more floor covering materials or wall covering materials for testing of said one or more floor covering materials or wall covering materials.
6 more elements
A method comprising:
- positioning at least one sample material on top of a water-permeable substrate of an apparatus comprising:
- a basin having an upper surface that defines a top opening, and an interior space that is in communication with the top opening and configured to hold water;
- a heating source that is configured to heat the water in the basin to a temperature within a select range;
- and
- the water-permeable substrate, wherein the water-permeable substrate extends across at least a portion of the upper surface and the top opening of the basin, wherein the water-permeable substrate comprises:
- slab or subfloor material,
- drywall,
- a material that simulates water permeability of a slab or subfloor material, or
- a material that simulates water permeability of drywall;
- and
- maintaining a temperature of water in a basin beneath the water-permeable substrate within a select range,
- wherein the at least one sample material comprises a floor covering material or a wall covering material, and
- wherein performing the method subjects the at least one sample material to moisture only from a surface of the at least one sample placed against the water-permeable substrate.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.