# US 5,704,172 A · Rigid foam board and foundation insulation system and method for treating same with insecticide/termiticide

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- Number: US 5,704,172 A
- Document ID: US5704172A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/587,431
- Filed: 1996-01-17
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1996-01-17
- Assignees: The Dow Chemical Company; Dow Elanco
- Inventors: Brad Gougeon; Brian D. Olson; Bruce S. Marks; Beth A. Colbert
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704172A

## CPC

- E02D 31/06: against corrosion by soil or water
- A01M 1/245: {for pesticide application or distribution, e.g. using a network of pipes}
- E02D 31/02: against ground humidity or ground water {(E02D31/06 takes precedence; arrangements other than according to E02D31/04; against hydraulic pressure of groundwater E02D31/10)}
- E04B 1/72: Pest control (by keeping dry E04B1/70; impregnation of wood or like materials B27K)
- A01M 2200/011: Crawling insects
- E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)}
- A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})

## Abstract

Disclosed is a rigid polymer foam board suitable for use in a foundation insulation system. The foam board has a face defining a plurality of grooves therein which traverse in a crossing, diagonal configuration. The groove configuration facilitates the application of insecticides/termiticides in foundation insulation systems employing rigid foam boards on the exterior of the foundation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A foundation insulation system comprising:
a) a foundation wall having an exterior face;
b) a rigid foam board having opposing first and second faces, the foam board having crossing, diagonally disposed grooves defined in and traversing the first face of the board; the first face of the foam board being positioned adjacent and flush to the exterior face of the foundation wall;
c) backfill positioned adjacent to the second face of the foam board such that only an upper portion of the foam board is exposed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid foam is an extruded polystyrene foam.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid foam is a polystyrene bead foam.

### Claim 4

A method for treating an insulating foundation wall with an insecticide/termiticide, comprising:
a) providing a foundation wall having an exterior face;
b) providing a rigid foam board having opposing first and second faces wherein grooves are defined in and traverse the first face of the foam board;
c) positioning the first face of the foam board adjacent and flush to the exterior face of the foundation wall;
d) backfilling adjacent the second face of the foam board such that only a portion of the foam board is exposed;
e) applying insecticide/termiticide into the grooves of the foam board at the exposed portion thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the rigid foam board provided has grooves which are defined in and traverse the first face of the board in a crossing, diagonally disposed configuration.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the insecticide/termiticide is applied by spraying between the rigid foam board and the exterior face of the foundation wall at the exposed portion of the rigid foam board.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the rigid foam board provided is an extruded polystyrene foam board.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the rigid foam board provided is a polystyrene bead foam board.