Composite vapor barriers for use as safety nets in buildings
AssigneeVyTech Industries, Inc.
InventorsJana E. Burton, J. Todd Horne
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A composite vapor barrier for use between one or more spaces defined by the structural elements (e.g., purlins) of a building is provided. In one embodiment, the composite vapor barrier is formed from a scrim thermally bonded to metallized film and vinyl facing layers. In one embodiment, the scrim can be a triaxial scrim. The composite vapor barrier of the present invention is sufficiently strong such that it does not substantially rupture when a bag of sand having a weight of approximately 400 pounds and a diameter of approximately 30 inches is dropped thereon from a distance of about 42 inches above an upper surface of the barrier.
Claims32
A composite vapor barrier for use between one or more spaces defined by the structural elements of a building, said composite vapor barrier comprising:
- a first facing layer formed from a material that is generally impermeable to water vapor, wherein at least one surface of said first facing layer is applied with an adhesive coating;
- and
- a scrim bonded to said first facing layer;
- wherein the composite vapor barrier does not substantially rupture when a bag of sand having a weight of approximately 400 pounds and a diameter of approximately 30 inches is dropped onto said composite vapor barrier from a distance of about 42 inches above an upper surface of said composite vapor barrier.
A composite vapor barrier for use between one or more spaces defined by the structural elements of a building, said composite vapor barrier comprising:
- a first facing layer comprising a metallized film that is generally impermeable to water vapor;
- a second facing layer comprising a vinyl material that is generally impermeable to water vapor, wherein at least one surface of at least one of said facing layers is applied with an adhesive coating;
- and
- a triaxial scrim thermally bonded to and positioned between said first and said second facing layers;
- wherein the composite vapor barrier does not substantially rupture when a bag of sand having a weight of approximately 400 pounds and a diameter of approximately 30 inches is dropped onto said composite vapor barrier from a distance of about 42 inches above an upper surface of said composite vapor barrier.
A method of forming a composite vapor barrier for use between one or more spaces defined by the structural elements of a building, said method comprising:
- providing first and second facing layers that are generally impermeable to water vapor;
- positioning a scrim adjacent to and between said first facing layer and said second facing layer;
- and
- simultaneously applying heat and pressure to said each of said layers to form a composite vapor barrier with sufficient strength such that the composite vapor barrier does not substantially rupture when a bag of sand having a weight of approximately 400 pounds and a diameter of approximately 30 inches is dropped onto said composite vapor barrier from a distance of about 42 inches above an upper surface of said composite vapor barrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.