AU2004224911A1 - Termite proofing for buildings - Google Patents

Description

54924 GEH:PFB P/00/011 o Regulation 3.2 O

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicants: PHILIP HANNAY KIM MARIA HANNAY ROGER W FRANKLIN Name of inventor: ROGER W FRANKLIN Address for Service: COLLISON CO.,117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 Invention Title: TERMITE PROOFING FOR BUILDINGS Details of Associated Provisional Application: Australian Patent Application No. 2003906004 Dated 31st October 2003 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2

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This invention relates to termite protection for buildings and more particularly to the O provision of ant capping for buildings.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Ant capping is required when a building is constructed off the ground with a crawl space under the flooring. This space is usually enclosed by brick, block or concrete walls or foundations. Timber bearers or joists are positioned onto these foundations and in turn support flooring (tongue and groove, milled timber, particle

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Oboard or such like materials).

Building Codes and Standards specify certain minimum wall heights, ventilation and engineering requirements according to the building type and construction.

These requirements include specifications for termite proofing and damp proofing.

An essential part of the termite proofing is the requirement for a physical barrier to be placed over the top of walls or foundations to force termite activity into the open where it can be detected by inspection. These physical barriers are generally referred to as "Ant Capping".

In our earlier patent application PCT/AU03/00368 there is described a flexible termite resistant and waterproofing membrane. When installed it forms a full and continuous physical termite barrier and damp course around perimeter cavities for all types of construction. In situations where it is a requirement to install Ant Capping, the use of the above membrane could be regarded as an in situ method of installing Ant Capping.

However the membrane is capable of being modified such that it can be manufactured in pre-formed sections to facilitate building construction. The modifications required to manufacture pre-formed sections comprise altering the inorganic constituents of the latex composition to produce a termite-resistant and waterproof membrane that is more rigid and substantially more resistant to abrasion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Thus there is provided according to the invention a waterproofing and insect termite barrier comprising a composition of relatively course inorganic additives, a 3 O combination of a selection of glass fibres and/or mineral fibres and a curable or settable component such as acrylate latex, whereby the composition when o applied to a construction fabric can be moulded into desired shape to form a relatively rigid shaped membrane to be placed in a desired position to prevent or deter the entry of termites past that position.

Preferably the fibres are short fibre lengths and of small diameter.

N Preferably the glass fibre is milled(chopped) glass fibres and the relatively coarse material such as silica or fused alumina. By controlling the fibre length of the glass fibre, the particle size distribution of the coarse material and the relative proportions of these components, the desired physical properties can be imparted to the preformed Ant Capping.

Thus the capping can be preformed in any desired shape, and will be manufactured in modules, e.g. inside corners, outside corners, straights of both widths, 45 degree angles inside and outside, etc'.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 and show the side view and plan view of an ant cap for an engaged pier, Figure 2 and show the side view and plan view of an ant cap for an external corner, Figure 3 and show the side and plan view of an ant cap for an internal corner, Figure 4 and show the side and plan view of an ant cap for an isolated pier, Figure 5 shows the plan view of a bay window internal corner, and Figure 6 shows the plan view of a bay window external corner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The TERMSeal Ant Capping system is a system of preformed shaped, rigid components that are attached to the top of walls or foundations of buildings 4 O constructed off the ground, as described in the draft patent specification. Similar systems have been around for many years where the components of a system O are constructed from a variety of materials, principally sheet metal or plastic.

What differentiates the TERMSeal invention from the existing system is: 1. The components of the TERMSeal Ant Capping System are manufactured from a termite proof and waterproof composition based on the compositions described in PCT/AU03/60368.

2. The TERMSeal Ant Capping system components can be joined together as described in PCT/AU03/00368 to form a continuous physical termite barrier and damp course.

These features impart a degree of flexibility and ease of installation compared with conventional systems. There is no need for incompatible glues, jointing compounds, solder or other such materials to join the components of the system together. The TERMSeal system is joined together using, in effect, the same material as that from which the components of the system are constructed. Thus, the joints are not subject to failure where dissimilar materials are brought together, the Ant Capping system and the joints are not subject to corrosion, the components of the system and the joints themselves are sufficiently flexible to withstand normal movement of the building.

Furthermore, if, during installation or as the result of other construction activities or after installation or during repairs or building maintenance, the Ant Capping system is breached, repairs can be effected by applying fresh liquid composition (as described in PCT/AU03/00368). Repairs performed in this way are simple to carry out requiring no specialised tools or equipment and form a termite proof and waterproof barrier no different to that of the original system.

The Composition The composition used to form the Ant Capping modules is a variation of the composition described in PCT/AU03/00368.

z- O The essential features required of the material used in the Ant Capping system are: 0 Greater resistance to abrasion A more rigid membrane when cured A more viscous composition for forming into the shaped components.

There are many ways to achieve these objectives, the preferred method being to 0use a combination of glass fibre, chopped glass fibre or mineral fibre and finely Nground silicon, alumina or other hard, inert inorganic material.

Other fibres inedible to termites, including nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like can be used. However, these materials result in a softer more flexible less abrasion resistant material than glass or mineral fibres.

Fibre dimensions can be varied widely. The preferred method is to use short fibre lengths and small diameter fibres. Milled glass fibre (chopped fibre) is a particularly preferred form of fibre. Fibre diameter can vary from <10 micron to >100 micron and fibre length from <1 mm to 3mm or more. The preferred dimensions are <1 mm in length and 10 to 50 micron in diameter.

In the composition described in PCT/AU03/00368, calcium carbonate and pigment minerals such as titanium dioxide, iron oxide and the like form the main inorganic constituents of the composition (although the specification is not limited to these constituents). By replacing or partially replacing relatively soft calcium carbonate with harder minerals such as silica, alumina and the like the degree of hardness, abrasion resistance and rigidity of the final product can be controlled.

The preferred method is to use milled silica with a mean particle size <200 micron, preferably with a mean particle size of <50 micron. Larger or smaller particle size can also be tolerated, the preferred range being from <1 micron to 200 micron.

Larger particles are generally not desirable. It is also desirable to have a wide particle size distribution irrespective of the mean particle size.

Other minor components of the composition are as described in PCT/AU03/00368.

6 O The composition can also include a termiticide such as a natural or synthetic pyrethroid, organophosphate, organochlorine or other known termiticidal compound O or any combination of two or more termiticidal compounds. The preferred method is to use a low volatile, water immiscible termiticide such as deltamethrin or c 5 bifenthrin which is introduced into the composition as a finely milled powder suspended in water. The preferred particle size of the termiticide is 1 2 micron.

The termiticide is added to the liquid composition before it is formed into components of the Ant Capping system and thus becomes encapsulated in the components of the system and remains efficacious for a substantial period of time.

010 Other methods of introducing termiticides to the composition are known, including pre-dissolving the termiticide in a suitable solvent or preparing the termiticide as an aqueous emulsion and then adding these materials to the composition before curing. However, these methods can also incorporate undesirable materials (solvents, co-solvents and emulsifiers) into the composition that adversely impacts on its long term integrity.

Examples of the Composition Example 1 Component %w/w Styrene acrylate copolymer Calcium carbonate Silica Glass fibre 17 Titanium dioxide 2 Pigment 2 Surfactant 1 Thickener 1 Solvent 3 Biocide 0.15 Water To 100% Example 2 Component %w/w Styrene/butyl acrylate Calcium carbonate Silica Glass fibre 23 Titanium dioxide 2 Pigment 2 White spirit Texanol Surfactant 1 Thickener 1 Bifenthrin 0.1 Biocide 0.15 Water To 100% Example 3 Component %w/w Styrene acrylate copolymer Calcium carbonate Alumina Polyester fibre 7 Titanium dioxide Pigment 2 Propylene glycol 2 Butyl diglycol Surfactant Thickener 1 Bifenthrin 0.1 Biocide 0.15 Water To 100% Methods of Manufacture The components of the TERMSeal Ant Capping System can be formed in a number of ways. The main methods envisaged are:

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O 1. Apply the liquid composition to a preformed shape, mould, allowing the composition to cure and then removing the formed component from the O mould. The mould can be constructed from any hard, rigid, non-porous material that does not readily bond to the composition. The preferred material is stainless steel but many other suitable materials can be envisaged. The composition is further prevented from adhering to the mould by maintaining the surface of the mould in a highly polished state and by the application of known mould release agents such as silicone to the metal surface.

2. The composition can be applied to woven or non-woven fabrics preformed into the desired shape. The fabric can be made from any suitable fibrous material inedible to termites, such as glass or mineral fibre, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like. Polyester and fibreglass are the preferred materials. The composition can be applied to the fabric by spray, roller, brush or scraper.

3. A membrane can be formed with flat sheets by applying the liquid composition to a woven or non-woven fibre as described above (and i PCT/AU03/00368). The membrane is then folded into the desired shape either before or after curing, in either case it is desirable to apply additional liquid composition to folds and creases where stress fractures are likely to form. This method of manufacture is most suitable to forming components with a uniform cross section, more complex shapes can be formed by folding in this case further application of fabric, treated with the liquid composition, is necessary to form a finished product with the desired properties.

The modular system of the present invention has a number of advantages over conventional metal Ant Capping systems.

The components are not subject to corrosion and is not adversely affected by coastal conditions. Where the components are joined or step-downs, expansion joints retaining walls or other complex constructions are involved, the preformed products can be combined with the membrane and liquid composition of our earlier patent application to form a true continuous physical barrier.

11 In addition the components of this invention require no incompatible joins such as soldering or silicone sealants notorious sources of failure in conventional systems.

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Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown an ant capping 1 for an engaged pier of a Sbuilding construction, including an upper planar surface 2, the ant cappling being of basic T shape. The side edges of the stem of the T shape and the lower edge of the body of the T shape slope downwards as sloping edges 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

o The downward sloping edges prevent termites climbing the pier from progressing N further up the building. Figure l(b) is a pland view and Figure l(a) is a side view in l- the direction of arrow Figure 2 shows an ant capping 8 for an external corner, having a planar upper surface 9. A corner of the ant capping is formed into a Z shape, the edges of the Z shape sloping downwards as at edges 10, 11, 12 and 13. Figure 2(b) is a plan view and Figure 2(a) is a view in the direction of arrow Figure 3 shows another ant capping 14 for an internal corner having a planar upper surface 15, and extending from the body of the upper surface are two extensions 16 and 17 one on each side adjacent one corner. The ant capping has sloping edges 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 around the capping except for the end of each extension 16 and 17 and between the extensions. Figure 3(b) is a plan view of the capping and Figure 3(a) is a side view in the direction of arrow Figure 4 shows a further ant capping 24 for an isolated pier. The ant capping 24 is square having an upper surface 25 and each side has down turned edges 26, 27, 28 and 29. Figure 4(b) is a plan view and Figure 4(a) is a side view of one of the sides.

Figure 5 is the top view of an ant capping 30 for a bay window internal corner, the ant capping 30 being a quadrilateral having opposite tapering sides 31 and 32, the sides at the narrow end being joined by inwardly inclined edges 33 and 34. At the opposite end the sides 31 and 32 are joined by edges 35 and 36, these being down turned from the upper surface 37.

Figure 6 is a top view of an ant capping 38 for a bay window external corner. This ant capping 38 is the same basic shape as the ant capping 30 with the exception that the edges 33 and 34 are down turned and the edges 35 and 36 are not down turned.

12 O The above are only some examples of the shapes into which the material may be c moulded, the material can moulded into any shape for any particular situation 0 In the event of damage to any component during installation or discovered during Sroutine inspection, repair with the membrane of liquid composition can be made, these being totally compatible with the components.

Although one form of the invention has been described it is to be realised that N variations and modifications can be made while falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.