Patent Application
20050147782
The present invention relates to a device for sealingly closing a wall opening, and more particularly to a single, pre-sized partitioning device for sealingly closing a wall opening.
It is common in the construction industry to seal off a construction area from other areas of the premises to prevent dust, paint fumes, noise, cold air, insects, etc. from entering the protected area. Typically, an opening, such as a door or a window, is sealed with a plastic panel. The panel is usually cut from a large roll of material to a size and shape sufficient to cover the opening. Thereafter, the panel is taped or otherwise secured at its perimeter to the wall surface adjacent the opening. While this system has generally been effective in sealing off protected areas, a job that requires a number of doors and/or windows to be sealed can become detrimentally time-consuming.
One aspect of the present invention provides a partitioning device for sealingly closing an opening in a wall surface. The partitioning device includes pre-sized or custom-sized panels having a sealing side including a perimeter portion, wherein an adhesive trim is disposed on the perimeter portion. Furthermore, the device includes a package trim attached to the adhesive trim, such that the package trim is removable to expose the adhesive trim and enable the device to be sealingly adhered to the wall surface surrounding the wall opening. A further aspect of the present invention provides a panel including a sealing wall and a working wall sealed together forming a sound dampening and insulating chamber therein. A yet further aspect of the present invention provides an opening in the panel for forcing air into the chamber, thereby inflating the panel. A yet further aspect of the present invention provides a door in the panel for passing through the partitioning device.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or its uses.
With reference to
During use of the partitioning device 10 of the present invention, the package trim 20 is removed from the adhesive trim 18, thereby exposing the adhesive trim 18. Thereafter, the device 10 is aligned adjacent a wall opening 8 and sealingly adhered to a wall surface surrounding the wall opening 8. In this manner, the device 10 provides for a generally airtight seal with the wall. The device 10 can be transparent to allow users to see through the covered opening.
Now with reference to
The device 110 further includes an opening 119, including a valve 121, for forcing a mass into the chamber 117. In a presently preferred embodiment, the valve 121 includes a check valve for allowing a mass, such as air, into the chamber, but not out. In an alternative embodiment, the mass includes a solid insulating material, such as foam or fiberglass insulation. In either embodiment, the mass fills the panel 112 and aids in preventing heat and sound from passing through. The device 110 further includes an adhesive trim 118 disposed on the sealing wall 114 about its perimeter portion 116, as well as a package trim 120 removably attached to the adhesive trim 118.
During use of the partitioning device 110 of the second embodiment, air is forced through the valve 121 using a compressor or other similar apparatus, as is well known in the art, and into the chamber 117. In an alternate embodiment, insulating material is forced into the chamber 117. Thereafter, the package trim 120 is removed from the adhesive trim 118, thereby exposing the adhesive trim 118. The partitioning device 110 is then aligned with and sealingly adhered to a wall surface surrounding a wall opening. In this manner, the adhesive trim 118 adheres to the wall surface and provides a generally airtight seal therewith.
Now with reference to
The door opening 326 generally includes three opening edges 332 and the door 328 generally includes three closing edges 334 adapted to selectively engage the three opening edges 332. In a presently preferred embodiment, the opening edges 332 each include a hook and loop-type connector 336 having a plurality of loop components 338 and the closing edges 334 each include a corresponding hook and loop-type connector 340 having a plurality of hook components 342, such as Velcro®. It should be understood that an adhesive connection could also be used in place of the hook and loop-type connection just described.
During use, the partitioning device 310 is adhered to a wall surface surrounding a wall opening in the same manner as that described above with reference to
Now with reference to
In a presently preferred embodiment, the panel 412 is stored in the form of a roll providing for compact storage and easy transportation. Therefore, during use, a portion of the panel 412 is unrolled, thereby enabling the detachment of at least one body portion 411. A body portion 411 is thereafter detached from the panel 412 by tearing along a seam portion 413. As mentioned above, the perforations 430 aid in this task. Following detachment, the package trim 420 is removed from the adhesive trim 418 and the partitioning device 410 is adhered to a wall surface surrounding a wall opening, thereby providing a generally airtight seal therewith. It should be appreciated that the body portions 411 of the panel 412 just disclosed could also incorporate double walled construction, as described with reference to
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
