VAPOUR BARRIER CORNER ELEMENT AND METHOD OF INSTALLING A VAPOUR BARRIER MEMBRANE IN A CORNER

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vapour barriers, and more particularly to a vapour barrier corner element and a method of installing a vapour barrier membrane in a corner.

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 and expose the timber to water, resulting in 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 forming, for example, a wall, and stapled thereto. While this is a fairly simple and straightforward process when covering a straight wall, it becomes complicated and time consuming when the vapour barrier membrane has to be placed around a corner. Typically, the vapour barrier membrane has to be held in place exactly in the corner and stapled to the studs forming the corner. This process often results in misalignment of the vapour barrier membrane with respect to the corner, thus leaving a space between the surfaces of the studs forming the corner and the vapour barrier membrane.

The misalignment of the vapour barrier membrane, when noticed, requires removing of the same from the studs forming the corner and repeating the process. If the misalignment of the vapour barrier membrane is not rectified, the vapour barrier membrane is prone to get damaged during installation of the drywall, thus breaking the seal between the building's interior and the building's exterior part the vapour barrier is supposed to provide.

It is desirable to provide a vapour barrier corner element that substantially facilitates installation of a vapour barrier in a corner.

It is also desirable to provide a vapour barrier corner element that is easy to install in a corner.

It is also desirable to provide a vapour barrier corner element that substantially prevents breakage of the vapour barrier seal during installation of drywall in a corner.

It is also desirable to provide a method of installing a vapour barrier in a corner that is simple and time saving.

It is also desirable to provide a method of installing a vapour barrier in a corner that substantially prevents breakage of the vapour barrier seal during installation of drywall in a corner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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

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

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vapour barrier corner element that substantially prevents breakage of the vapour barrier seal during installation of drywall in a corner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of installing a vapour barrier in a corner that is simple and time saving.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of installing a vapour barrier in a corner that substantially prevents breakage of the vapour barrier seal during installation of drywall in a corner.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier corner element. The vapour barrier corner element comprises a first elongated flat sheet having a predetermined length, a predetermined first width, and a predetermined first thickness A second elongated flat sheet extends from the first sheet along the length thereof and is oriented at a predetermined angle thereto. The second elongated flat sheet has a predetermined second width and a predetermined second thickness. The first sheet and the second sheet are adapted such that an exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet align with a respective interior facing surface of a corner of a building frame. The first width and the second width are determined such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The first sheet and the second sheet are made such that the vapour barrier corner element is semi-rigid.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier corner element. The vapour barrier corner element comprises a first elongated flat sheet having a predetermined length, a predetermined first width, and a predetermined first thickness A second elongated flat sheet extends from the first sheet along the length thereof and is oriented at a predetermined angle thereto. The second elongated flat sheet has a predetermined second width and a predetermined second thickness. The first sheet and the second sheet are adapted such that an exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet align with a respective interior facing surface of a corner of a building frame. The first width and the second width are determined such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The first sheet and the second sheet are made such that the vapour barrier corner element is semi-rigid. The first width and the second width are same, and the first thickness and the second thickness are same.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier corner element. The vapour barrier corner element comprises a first elongated flat sheet having a predetermined length, a predetermined first width, and a predetermined first thickness A second elongated flat sheet extends from the first sheet along the length thereof and is oriented at a right angle thereto. The second elongated flat sheet has a predetermined second width and a predetermined second thickness. The first sheet and the second sheet are adapted such that an exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet align with a respective interior facing surface of a corner of a building frame. The first width and the second width are determined such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The first sheet and the second sheet are made such that the vapour barrier corner element is semi-rigid.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier corner element. The vapour barrier corner element comprises a first elongated flat sheet having a predetermined length, a predetermined first width, and a predetermined first thickness A second elongated flat sheet extends from the first sheet along the length thereof and is oriented at a predetermined angle thereto. The second elongated flat sheet has a predetermined second width and a predetermined second thickness. The first sheet and the second sheet are adapted such that an exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet align with a respective interior facing surface of a corner of a building frame. The first width and the second width are determined such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The first sheet and the second sheet are made such that the vapour barrier corner element is semi-rigid. An adhesive layer is disposed on at least a portion of the exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet. The adhesive layer is adapted for mounting the vapour barrier corner element to the respective interior facing surface of the corner. The adhesive layer is disposed in proximity to a dividing line between the first sheet and the second sheet.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vapour barrier corner element. The vapour barrier corner element comprises a first elongated flat sheet having a predetermined length, a predetermined first width, and a predetermined first thickness A second elongated flat sheet extends from the first sheet along the length thereof and is oriented at a predetermined angle thereto. The second elongated flat sheet has a predetermined second width and a predetermined second thickness. The first sheet and the second sheet are adapted such that an exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet align with a respective interior facing surface of a corner of a building frame. The first width and the second width are determined such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner. The first sheet and the second sheet are made such that the vapour barrier corner element is semi-rigid. An adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the interior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet. The adhesive layer being adapted for mounting the vapour barrier membrane to the vapour barrier corner element. The adhesive layer extends the length of the first sheet and the second sheet.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing a vapour barrier in a corner of a building frame. A semi-rigid vapour barrier corner element is provided. The vapour barrier corner element comprises a first elongated flat sheet having a predetermined length, a predetermined first width, and a predetermined first thickness. A second elongated flat sheet extends from the first sheet along the length thereof and is oriented at a predetermined angle thereto. The second elongated flat sheet has a predetermined second width and a predetermined second thickness. The vapour barrier corner element is placed into the corner of the building frame such that an exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet align with a respective interior facing surface of the corner of the building frame and is in contact therewith. The vapour barrier corner element is then mounted to the corner of the building frame. An end portion of a vapour barrier membrane is placed onto each of the first and the second sheet and mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner.

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

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

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a vapour barrier corner element that substantially prevents breakage of the vapour barrier seal during installation of drywall in a corner.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method of installing a vapour barrier in a corner that is simple and time saving.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method of installing a vapour barrier in a corner that substantially prevents breakage of the vapour barrier seal during installation of drywall in a corner.

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 top perspective views installation of a vapour barrier corner element according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in side views a detail of the installation of the vapour barrier corner element according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5 to 7 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in a perspective front view and two top views, respectively, the vapour barrier corner element according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8 to 10 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in a cross-sectional top view and two cross-sectional side views, respectively, employment of the vapour barrier corner element according to the preferred embodiment of the invention in a building frame; and,

FIGS. 11 and 12 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in a perspective rear view and a perspective front view, respectively, a vapour barrier corner 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 corner element and a method of installing a vapour barrier membrane in a corner associated therewith for a rectangular corner joining two adjacent walls, 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 corners joining a wall and a ceiling, as well as for corners having different angles.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10 a vapour barrier corner element 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The vapour barrier corner element comprises a first elongated flat sheet 102.1 having a predetermined length L, a predetermined first width W.1, and a predetermined first thickness. A second elongated flat sheet 102.2 extends from the first sheet 102.1 at 102.3 along the length L thereof and is oriented at a predetermined angle α thereto. The second elongated flat sheet 102.2 has a predetermined second width W.2 and a predetermined second thickness. Preferably, the first width W.1 and the second width W.2 are the same and, further preferably, the first thickness and the second thickness are the same. Alternatively, the first width W.1 and the second width W.2 may be different, and/or the first thickness and the second thickness may be different, depending on design preferences. The first sheet 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2 are adapted such that an exterior (I) facing surface 102.1A, 102.2A of each of the first sheet 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2 align with a respective interior (II) facing surface 10C.1, 10C.2 of a corner 10C joining two walls 10A, 10B of a building frame. The first width W.1 and the second width W.2 are determined such that a vapour barrier membrane 16 can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner, as will be described hereinbelow.

The vapour barrier corner element 100 substantially facilitates the installation of a vapour barrier membrane 16 in a corner 10C of a building frame, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. First, the vapour barrier corner element 100 is placed, as indicated by the block arrow in FIG. 1, into the corner 10C joining the two walls 10A, 10B of the building frame such that the exterior (I) facing surface 102.1A, 102.2A of each of the first sheet 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2 align with a respective interior (II) facing surface 10C.1, 10C.2 of the corner 10C of the building frame and is in contact therewith. The vapour barrier corner element 100 is then mounted to the corner 10C of the building frame using, for example, staples 14 applied at the top, the center, and the bottom, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the vapour barrier corner element 100 may be adhered to the corner 10C using an adhesive substance such as, for example, acoustic caulking.

After the installation of the vapour barrier corner element 100 in the corner 10C, an end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 is placed onto the interior (II) facing surface 102.1B, 102.2B of each of the first sheet 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2, respectively, and mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner using, for example, adhesive tape 18, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Preferably, the vapour barrier corner element 100 is dimensioned for the end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 to overlap each of the first sheet 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2 a distance D between an end 16A of the vapour barrier membrane 16 and an end 102E of the respective sheet 102.1, 102.2, as indicated by the dotted line and the dashed line, respectively, in FIG. 4, with the distance D being approximately 3 inches. 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 surface 102.1B, 102.2B of each of the first sheet 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2, respectively. It is noted that the detail in FIG. 4 illustrates the overlap only for the second sheet 102.2. Alternatively, the end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 is mounted to each of the first 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2 using an adhesive such as, for example, acoustic caulking.

Preferably, the first sheet 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2 are made such that the vapour barrier corner element 100 is semi-rigid, with semi-rigid to be understood as being sufficiently rigid for the vapour barrier corner element 100 to keep its angled shape between the first sheet 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2, while also being sufficiently flexible to enable some bending of the first sheet 102.1 and the second sheet 102.2 to facilitate installation, as well as to enable stapling of the same.

The vapour barrier corner 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. For example, the vapour barrier corner element 100 may be made having: a length L between 8 and 10 feet; a width W.1 and W.2 of 6 inches; an angle α of 90° and, a first and second thickness of approximately 6 mil, making the vapour barrier corner element 100 suitable for use in most residential timber frame buildings. As is evident to a person of skill in the art, the vapour barrier corner element 100 is not limited thereto and the dimensions and material may be varied depending on design preferences. For example, the angle α may be chosen to be other than a right angle, for example, an angle of 135, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Since the vapour barrier corner element 100 is semi-rigid, it can also easily be mounted to ceiling straps to form a corner bridging successive ceiling straps and to enable mounting of a vapour barrier membrane 16 thereto in a substantially airtight manner.

Therefore, the vapour barrier corner element 100 can be employed for installing a vapour barrier membrane 16 in various situations such as:

- a rectangular corner joining two adjacent walls 10, FIG. 8;
- a non-rectangular corner joining two adjacent walls 10, FIG. 8;
- a rectangular corner joining a wall 10 and an adjacent ceiling 20, FIG. 9;
- a non-rectangular corner joining a wall 10 and an adjacent ceiling 20A, FIG. 10; and, a non-rectangular corner joining two adjacent ceiling portions 20A and 20B, FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 12 a vapour barrier corner element 200 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The vapour barrier corner element 200 comprises the same parts as the vapour barrier corner element 100 and can be made and applied in a similar manner as described hereinabove. The vapour barrier corner element 200 comprises an additional adhesive layer 204.1 and 204.2 with a protective cover (not shown) disposed on at least a portion of the exterior facing surface 202.1A, 202.2A of each of the first sheet 202.1 and the second sheet 202.2, respectively. The adhesive layer 204.1 and 204.2 is, preferably, disposed as a continuous strip extending the length L of the vapour barrier corner element 200 in proximity, distance D204.1, D204.2, to dividing line 202.3 between the first sheet 202.1 and the second sheet 202.2 for mounting the vapour barrier corner element 200 to the respective interior facing surface 10C.1 and 10C.2 of the corner 10C. Alternatively, each of the adhesive layer 204.1 and 204.2 is provided as a plurality of smaller portions, for example, three portions instead of a strip extending the length L of the vapour barrier corner element 200. Further alternatively, each of the adhesive layer 204.1 and 204.2 is disposed extending from the dividing line 202.3.

For installing the vapour barrier corner element 200, the respective protective cover is removed from the adhesive layers 204.1 and 204.2. The vapour barrier corner element 200 is then placed into the corner 10C such that the exterior (I) facing surface 202.1A, 202.2A of each of the first sheet 202.1 and the second sheet 202.2 align with a respective interior (II) facing surface 10C.1, 10C.2 of the corner 10C of the building frame and is in contact therewith. The vapour barrier corner element 200 is then mounted to the corner 10C of the building frame by pressing the first sheet 202.1 and the second sheet 202.2 against the respective interior (II) facing surface 10C.1, 10C.2 of the corner 10C.

Optionally, the vapour barrier corner element 200 further comprises an adhesive layer 206.1, 206.2 with a protective cover (not shown) disposed on at least a portion of the interior (II) facing surface 202.1B, 202.2B of each of the first sheet 202.1 and the second sheet 202.2. Each of the adhesive layers 206.1, 206.2 is disposed as a continuous strip extending the length of the vapour barrier corner element 200 at a respective distance D206.1, D206.2 for mounting the vapour barrier membrane 16 to the vapour barrier corner element 200 in a substantially airtight manner, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

For installing the vapour barrier membrane 16, the respective protective cover is removed from the adhesive layers 206.1 and 206.2. An end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 is placed onto the interior (II) facing surface 202.1B, 202.2B of each of the first sheet 202.1 and the second sheet 202.2, respectively, and pressed thereto for adhering the end portion of the vapour barrier membrane 16 to the respective surface 202.1B, 202.2B of each of the first sheet 202.1 and the second sheet 202.2 in a substantially airtight manner.

Further optionally, the vapour barrier corner element 200 may comprise only the adhesive layers 206.1 and 206.2.

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 corner element comprising: a first elongated flat sheet having a predetermined length, a predetermined first width, and a predetermined first thickness; and,a second elongated flat sheet extending from the first sheet along the length thereof and oriented at a predetermined angle thereto, the second elongated flat sheet having a predetermined second width and a predetermined second thickness;wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are adapted such that an exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet align with a respective interior facing surface of a corner of a building frame, and wherein the first width and the second width are determined such that a vapour barrier membrane can be mounted thereto in a substantially airtight manner, andwherein the first sheet and the second sheet are made such that the vapour barrier corner element is semi-rigid.
2. The vapour barrier corner element according to claim 1 comprising an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet, the adhesive layer being adapted for mounting the vapour barrier corner element to the respective interior facing surface of the corner.
3. The vapour barrier corner element according to claim 2 wherein the adhesive layer is disposed in proximity to a dividing line between the first sheet and the second sheet.
4. The vapour barrier corner element according to claim 1 comprising an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the interior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet, the adhesive layer being adapted for mounting the vapour barrier membrane to the vapour barrier corner element.
5. The vapour barrier corner element according to claim 4 wherein the adhesive layer extends the length of the first sheet and the second sheet.
6. The vapour barrier corner element according to claim 1 wherein the second sheet is oriented at a right angle to the first sheet.
7. The vapour barrier corner element according to claim 1 wherein the second sheet is oriented at an angle to the first sheet other than a right angle.
8. The vapour barrier corner element according to claim 1 wherein the first width and the second width are same, and wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are same.
9. A method of installing a vapour barrier in a corner of a building frame comprising: providing a semi-rigid vapour barrier corner element, the vapour barrier corner element comprising: a first elongated flat sheet having a predetermined length, a predetermined first width, and a predetermined first thickness; and,a second elongated flat sheet extending from the first sheet along the length thereof and oriented at a predetermined angle thereto, the second elongated flat sheet having a predetermined second width and a predetermined second thickness;placing the vapour barrier corner element into the corner of the building frame such that an exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet align with a respective interior facing surface of the corner of the building frame and is in contact therewith;mounting the vapour barrier corner element to the corner of the building frame;placing an end portion of a vapour barrier membrane onto each of the first and the second sheet and mounting the same thereto in a substantially airtight manner.
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the vapour barrier corner element is stapled to the corner of the building frame.
11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the end portion of the vapour barrier membrane is mounted to each of the first and the second sheet using adhesive tape or caulking.
12. The method according to claim 9 wherein the vapour barrier corner element comprises an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the exterior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet and wherein each of the first and the second sheet is pressed onto the respective interior surface for adhering the same thereto.
13. The method according to claim 9 wherein the vapour barrier corner element comprises an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the interior facing surface of each of the first sheet and the second sheet and wherein the end portion of the vapour barrier membrane is pressed onto each of the first and the second sheet for adhering the same thereto.
14. The method according to claim 9 wherein the vapour barrier corner element is placed into the corner of the building frame with the corner being between two adjacent walls.
15. The method according to claim 9 wherein the vapour barrier corner element is placed into the corner of the building frame with the corner having a right angle and wherein the second sheet is oriented at the right angle to the first sheet.
16. The method according to claim 9 wherein the vapour barrier corner element is placed into the corner of the building frame with the corner having a corner angle other than a right angle and wherein the second sheet is oriented to the first sheet at the predetermined angle with the predetermined angle being equal to the corner angle.

Priority Claims (1)

Number	Date	Country	Kind
3194741	Mar 2023	CA	national

VAPOUR BARRIER CORNER ELEMENT AND METHOD OF INSTALLING A VAPOUR BARRIER MEMBRANE IN A CORNER

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CPC

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Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)