GB2436864A

GB2436864A - Trickle ventilation device

Info

Publication number: GB2436864A
Application number: GB0606681A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Irvine Davidson Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-04
Filing date: 2006-04-04
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-04
Also published as: GB2436864B; GB0606681D0

Abstract

A trickle ventilation device comprises at least one insert located in a passage of the ventilation device and being made from a sound absorbing and or water vapour permeable material. Inserts may be disc or rectangular shaped to fit inside a box (fig 3) in the shape of a tube or rectangular with rounded ends, made from open cell reticulated polyester polyurethane foam, and air spaces between adjacent inserts may be provided. The ventilation device may be used in doors, windows, roof soffits and fascia boards and permits fresh air to enter a building but minimise heat loss and sound transmission through the device whilst also controlling humidity in the building. The insert may be retro-fitted to existing ventilation devices, and may be inserted into holes drilled through a window or door. The box may be sealed in place with its ends flush with the door or window and a slot vent secured in place.

Description

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2436864

IMPROVED VENTILATION MEANS FOR BUILDINGS

The present invention concerns an improved temperature and humidity controlling ventilator for buildings and inserts thereof.

The present invention relates to improved ventilation means for buildings and particularly to trickle ventilation such as slot vents, trim vents, or night vents or other through passages in doors or windows, roof soffits and fascia boards. Such slot vents provide means for ventilating rooms although hitherto have had no form of flow control or restriction as they comprise a simply open hole or passage through to material sometimes with plates or housings. The invention prevents condensation occurring by diffusing water vapour to the outside of the building without the loss of heat. The vents themselves may comprise two plastics material moulded plates, one for the inside and one for the outside. The outer plate comprises a plate with a void or slot that is shielded with an extruded overhang that is normally, but not always, of an arc shape nature to deter the ingress of driving rain or snow. This can also, but not always, have a mesh or gauze inside to act as a bug screen to stop infestation. The inner plate may comprise an extruded plastics strip that is moulded and is designed to give the option of being in an open or closed state. There are many different models and designs but more generally use the same pulling or pushing device to change the state and does not have a mesh or gauze. (Examples of known ventilation devices are WO 02/073097 and GB 2286454 and GB 1105712).

Such plates are fixed parallel on doors or window casings prior to the fixing of the plates, a series of holes are drilled through the material and this obviously is through which the ventilation for the room takes place.

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Hitherto there has been no method of protecting the material (such as wood) in which the drill holes leave bare material exposed which has the possibility of absorbing moisture from the atmosphere that passes through it and over time would rot the surrounding area and ultimately lead to the window and door failing. Moreover, as this is open to the elements during cold weather, freezing of the water moisture would tend to act to split and fracture the wood. Again, with other materials such as plastics doors and windows containing metal frames internally for security, and opening and closing purposes this over time will corrode due to the moisture. Furthermore moisture trapped inside the casing will soon condense to water as PVC windows contain voids in their construction. Again this would freeze in cold temperatures thus damaging the materials.

Furthermore, as the only control of the ventilator is a manual open and close method, the heat in the room will soon drop unless a source of continuous heat is used or by carefully monitoring of the vent. This results in a waste of energy and expense.

Moreover, when a known vent is open any outside noise, traffic or example, would produce noise pollution inside the room where the vent is situated.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling the flow of air and/or noise transmission through a trickle ventilator of a building, comprising locating in the passage defined between opposite openings of the ventilator at least one disk with a skeletal structure insert of water-vapour-permeable material and/or sound absorbing/reducing material and preferably said at least one insert is of open cell reticulated polyester-based polyurethane foam with a controlled skeletal cell structure.

Also according to the present invention, an improved trickle ventilation means for or in a building including a passage or a passage includes a tubular

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or a box-like member with open ends made of material, such as plastics material, which is resistant to the elements and moisture, and at least one or a plurality of inserts located spaced apart inside the passage or tubular member and said insert or inserts being comprised of water vapour permeable material and/or a sound absorbing material and preferably said insert(s) is comprised of open cell reticulated polyester-based polyurethane foam with a controlled skeletal cell structure.

Also according to the invention, in a building, ventilation means comprising a passage through exterior doors, windows or roof soffits and fascia boards, and in which passage a moisture permeable/diffusible member and/or sound restricting material member is provided across the aperture so as to reduce the effects of draughts and/or sound transmission whilst at the same time enabling at least moisture to pass through the ventilation means to the exterior of the building. Preferably the member is an open cell reticulated polyester-based polyurethane foam with a controlled skeletal cell structure. The ventilation means may also enable fresh air to enter the building.

The present invention is also intended to control the retrospective fitting of moisture permeable/diffusible material and/or sound reducing material or materials into existing trickle vents or the like.

Thus to control the amount of airflow through a vent and the amount of heat lost, the material may be installed located in a slot or holes normally cut through the door or window construction. The material may be a composite of materials that include reticulated materials.

By using said material, the amount of heat lost is greatly reduced yet the moisture is able to escape thus reducing the risk of the build up of condensation. In acting this way it could be used in areas that normal slot vents are not feasible or not capable of operating in, such as high rise buildings.

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These materials can be incorporated into any existing slot vents or can be installed where a new vent is being provided. In existing slot vents the holes or slot that is cut through the window or door material could be reamed out to produce a slot, this would give a rectangular housing for the material to be placed (see Fig. 3 and Fig 4). The slot does not have to pass through the depth of the material but it is advisable to do so. The rectangular box type fitting, the box would be adhered and sealed in place.

Alternatively the fixing of the material might be inserted in to holes that are drilled through the window or door material, these could be 5mm to 24mm though 12mm would be preferred, the larger used in areas where the window does not open to give rapid ventilation. This would give a short tube like design with the composite material being carried inside the tube, this design would give ease of fitting in a short time (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

Moreover the tube like design might be made in a strip of 8 to 24 tubes that are made in moulded plastic, the tubes spaced evenly along the strip at regular intervals would produce a more aesthetically pleasing look and give added protection and strength to the surrounding material. The plate or the strip that carries the tubes would have adhesive on the back, this would fix the strip in place thus giving further protection from the elements and moisture. On the internal side a shroud or cover plate can be fixed again with adhesive to protect the window or door material, this would be of a thin plastic design with holes that correspond to the tubes of the outer strip, this method is not illustrated.

Thus the present invention in one aspect provides a method of removing unwanted excess moisture in buildings whilst controlling the amount of heat lost. This method makes use of the slot vents (trickle vents, strip vents, trim vents, night vents or any of similar design) that are in situ or are yet to be fitted. The vents are located or are going to be situated on external

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windows and doors soffits and fascia boards made of any material including wood, metal and plastics. This includes windows and doors that are located on roofs, dwellings, lean-to's, dormer (dorma) buildings, bungalows, high-rise flats, balconies, cellars, workshop's, factories, offices, laboratories, sheds, conservatories, summerhouses, extensions and other buildings made of any construction material that have external windows and doors. Known slot vents employ slots or holes that pass through the window or door from the inside to the outside, these are normally left open, then shielded with plastic members internally and externally to act as an open and close valve and a rain guard respectively. The proposed use of a combination with vapour permeable material enables unwanted water vapour to diffuse through to the outside. It is also proven that the use of such materials would also retain the heat in the room and yet allow the room to be ventilated.

The vapour permeable material preferably comprises reticulated polyester based polyurethane open cell foam, having a pore size of greater than 3 and up to 9.

Preferably the method is provided to remove water vapour from buildings through the use of slot vents while retaining indoor heat. The vapour permeable material can be employed as a rectangular box consisting of a box made of thin plastic with the vapour permeable materials contained within (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4), which is housed in the slot drilled/cut through the window or door from the internal to the external face. The box is sealed in place with the ends flush with faces of the door or windows surface, the slot vent is then fixed in place as usual on the interior and exterior faces.

Preferably the method is to diffuse water vapour from buildings through the use of slot vents while retaining indoor heat. The vapour permeable material can be employed as a short tube that is constructed of a thin plastic material with the vapour permeable material housed inside (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). The short tubes are then passed through the holes that are drilled

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through the door or window, casing the amount of holes drilled is dependent on the size and length of the slot vent used. The ends of the tubes are flush with the window or door faces and are then sealed on the interior and exterior faces of the window or door, the slot vent is then fixed in place as usual on the interior and exterior faces.

The invention will be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a plastics material tubular insert for locating in a drilled triple vent hole to line such;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the tube of Fig. 1 having one possible arrangement of inserted material therein;

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative shape of insert/device or vent device according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating the inserted material spaced in the box-like tube with free air space;

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view through a drilled window frame and in which the devices of Figs. 1 and 2 are located;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but wherein the devices of Figs. 3 and 4 are inserted in a slot-like aperture; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but wherein only a single device or disk of inserted filter material is located in said tube.

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An insert is illustrated in Fig. 1 for building vents and is of a tubular shape with open ends and made of a synthetic material that is rot proof (plastic tubing). A number of filter or other functioning inserts are placed inside the tube at regular intervals (up to six) three in this example. In Fig. 2 the inserted material is illustrated wherein there is a free air space between the disks. The inserts are cut to shape to fit the shape of the tube (disc shaped). The material used is a synthetic filter material used in the aquatics industry that is rot-proof.

Alternatively, in Fig. 3 the insert for building vents is of a box shape design with open ends again made of a synthetic material that is rot proof. The box is rectangular, the sides are semicircular (but can be straight). The inserts are of a synthetic filter material that is used in the aquatics industry that is cut to shape (rectangular shaped) to fit inside the box. In Fig. 4 the inserts are placed at regular intervals (one or more but less than six) and three are illustrated in this example and between the inserts is free airspace — again as stated above, the material is rot proof.

In Fig. 5 a tubular design is illustrated in situ extending through a window frame. It also shows a cross section through the insert to show the location of the filter material. In Fig. 6 the illustration shows the box type design in situ extending through a window frame. Again it shows a cross section through the insert to show the location of the filter material and free air space. The insert can also be placed extending through window casings, doors, door casings that are made of both modern day and ancient construction materials. It is also suitable for use in other types of construction.

Moreover the synthetic filter material may be placed inside the tubular design or the box design in just the centre. Fig. 7 shows the location of the synthetic material and the free air space in just the tubular design. It might be located in the same region in a box type design. This will give the insulation

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and draught proofing properties as stated above but the sound proofing would be less.

The foam described as a wholly open cell reticulated polyester-based polyurethane foam with a controlled skeletal cell structure used in the aquatics and the water filtration industry with a pore size greater than 3 but less than or equal to 9 per square inch. The preferably material being of a shiny material reflects heat back into the room where fitted but diffuses air to the outside of the building. The filter material being constructed in such a manner has certain soundproofing qualities. It diffuses or dampens down noise pollution to a more comfortable level and in some cases completely stops noise entering the building where fitted. This has been achieved through the use of the material and the free air spaces within the body of the invention. The soundproofing can be increased if needed with the introduction of more placements of the filter material with free airspace divisions. The filter material being constructed as stated above also stops draughts and gusts of wind entering the building where fitted. This is due to the fact that the material removes energy from any wind gust (under normal atmospheric conditions) as there is no direct path through it and the density of the mesh will thus produce enough friction to slow such gusts down.

The inserts are to be used in conjunction with horizontal window or door vents to provide a way of ventilating rooms. The vents themselves consist of two plastic moulded plates, one for the inside and one for the outside. The outer consists of a plastic plate with a void or slot that is shielded with an extruded overhang that is normally (but not always) of an arc shaped nature to deter the ingress driving rain or snow. The inner plate may comprise an extruded plastic strip that is moulded. This is designed to give the option being either in an open or closed state. There are many different models and designs in recent use but all adhere to this by either pulling or pushing the device in some way to change the state (open or closed).

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The plates are normally located parallel on doors or window casings. Prior to securing the plates, a series of holes are drilled through the material.

The inserts may advantageously protect the material that is drilled, as when fitted, the plastic surround is sealed with an adhesive in situ on both sides of the frame to produce a weather-tight seal. Normally the drilled holes leave bare material exposed which may absorb moisture from the atmosphere as it passes through it. Over time this will rot the surrounding area and ultimately lead to the window or door failing. Moreover as this is open to the elements during cold weather this could freeze which would split and fracture the wood. Again, with other materials, plastic doors and windows contain metals internally for security and opening and closing purposes. This over time will corrode due to the moisture. Furthermore, moisture trapped inside the casing will soon condense to water as PVC windows contain voids in their construction. Again this would freeze in cold temperatures thus damaging the materials.

Furthermore, as the only control of the ventilator is a manual open and close method, the heat in the room will soon drop unless a source of continuous heat is used or by carefully monitoring of the vent. This would result in a waste of time, energy and expense. With the use of the inserts, the loss of heat is negligible up to 35°C with only a slight increase in loss up to 40°C. This is above the normal household temperatures. The inserts are easily fitted in existing horizontal vents that can be undertaken by a professional or DIY enthusiast or can be installed at the window or door manufacturing stage.

One or more of the possible advantages of this invention may be as follows:-

1. Soundproofing

2. Insulating

3. Draught proofing.

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The first point sound proofing - the invention reduces noise pollution from external sources, inside the buildings where fitted, to a more comfortable level.

The second point, insulating - the invention where fitted provides insulation to the buildings and still allows adequate ventilation.

The third point, draught proofing - the invention where fitted stops or minimizes draughts and blasts of air entering the building.

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Claims

1. A method of controlling the flow of air and/or noise transmission through a trickle ventilator of a building, comprising locating in the passage defined between opposite openings of the ventilator at least one disk or like insert with a skeletal structure of water-vapour-permeable material and/or sound absorbing/reducing material and said at least one insert is of open cell reticulated polyester-based polyurethane foam with a controlled skeletal cell structure.

2. An improved trickle ventilation means for or in a building including a passage or a passage includes a tubular or box-like member with open ends made of material, such as plastics material, which is resistant to the elements and moisture, and at least one or a plurality of inserts located spaced apart inside the passage or tubular member and said insert or inserts being comprised of water vapour permeable material and/or a sound absorbing material and preferably said insert(s) is/are comprised of open cell reticulated polyester-based polyurethane foam with a controlled skeletal cell structure.

3. In a building, ventilation means comprising a passage through exterior doors, windows or roof soffits and fascia boards, and in which passage a moisture permeable/diffusible member and/or sound restricting material member is provided across the aperture so as to reduce the effects of draughts and/or sound transmission whilst at the same time enabling at least moisture to pass through the ventilation means to the exterior of the building.

4. A ventilation means as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the inserts or members are elongate strips (Figs. 3, 4 and 6).

4. A ventilation means or building as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the member is an open cell reticulated polyester-based polyurethane foam with a controlled skeletal cell structure.

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5. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, which is such as to also enable fresh air to enter the building.

6. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, in which moisture permeable/diffusible material and/or sound reducing material or materials is fitted retrospectively into existing trickle vents or the like.

7. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, in which to control the amount of airflow through a vent and the amount of heat lost, the material is installed or located in a slot or holes normally cut through the door or window or other construction.

8. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, in which material is a composite of materials that include reticulated materials.

9. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, in which the materials used are such that the amount of heat lost is greatly reduced yet the moisture is able to escape thus reducing the risk of the build up of condensation.

10. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, in a building where vents are normally not feasible or not capable of operating in, such as in a high rise building.

11. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10, in which the material is inserted into holes that are drilled through the material of a window or door (these might be 5mm to 24mm though 12mm is preferred, the larger used in areas where the window does not open to give rapid ventilation) to form a tubular or cylindrically walled passage for receiving the composite material.

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12. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 11, in which tubelike or cylindrical passages are formed in a strip of 8 to 24 tubes that are made of moulded plastics material.

13. A ventilation means as claimed in claim 12, in which the tubes are spaced evenly along the strip at regular intervals to provide a more aesthetically pleasing look and give added protection and strength to the surrounding material.

14. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, in which the plate or the strip that carries the tubes has adhesive on the back, to enable securing of the strip in place thus giving further protection from the elements and moisture.

15. A ventilation means as claimed in claim 14 in which on the internal side a shroud or cover plate is secured with adhesive to protect the window or door material.

16. A ventilation means as claimed in claim 15, in which the cover plate is in the form of a thin plastics design with holes that correspond to the tubes of the outer strip.

17. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims of 2 to 16, in which the vapour permeable material comprises reticulated polyester based polyurethane open cell foam, having a pore size of greater than 3 and up to 9.

18. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 17, in which the vapour permeable material is employed in a rectangular box comprising of a box made of thin plastics material with the vapour permeable materials contained within, which, in use, is housable in a slot drilled/cut through the window or door from the internal to the external face such as to enable escaped water vapour while retaining heat.

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19. A ventilation means as claimed in claim 18, in which the box is sealed in place with the ends flush with faces of the door or windows surface or other, the slot vent is then secured in place on the interior and exterior faces.

20. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, in which the vapour permeable material is in a short tube that is constructed of a thin plastic material with the vapour permeable material housed inside and, in use, short tubes are passed through the holes that are drilled through the door or window, casing the amount of holes drilled is dependent on the size and length of the slot vent used and such as to enable water-vapour to escape to the outside whilst retaining heat.

21. A ventilation means as claimed in claim 20, in which the ends of the tubes are flush with the window or door faces and are sealed on the interior and exterior faces of the window or door, the slot vent is secured in place on the interior and exterior faces.

22. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 21, in which the foam is a wholly open cell reticulated polyester-based polyurethane foam with a controlled skeletal cell structure (such as used in the aquatics and the water filtration industry) with a pore size greater than 3 but less than or equal to 9 per square inch.

23. A ventilation means as claimed in claim 22, in which the material being of a shiny material is such as to reflect heat back into the room or building interior where fitted but diffuses air to the outside of the building.

24. A ventilation means as claimed in claims 22 or 23, in which the filter material is constructed in such a manner as to have soundproofing qualities.

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25. A ventilation means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 24, in which the inserts protect the material that is drilled as, when fitted, the plastic surround is sealed with an adhesive in situ on both sides of the frame to produce a weather-tight seal.

26. A ventilation means substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. An improved ventilation means such as a trickle ventilator for or in a building including a through passage through an exterior door, window or roof soffit and fascia board, and including at least one tubular or box-like member with open ends to extend the length of said passage and made of material, such as plastics material, which is resistant to the elements and moisture and to protect the material defining the through passage, and a plurality of inserts or members are located spaced apart inside and transversely across the whole of the passage defined within the tubular member and said inserts being comprised of water vapour permeable and sound-absorbing or sound-restricting material in the form of an open cell reticulated polyester-based polyurethane foam with a controlled skeletal cell structure, said material inserts being provided in the passage so as to reduce the effects of draughts and sound transmission and retain heat within a space within the building whilst at the same time enabling at least moisture to pass through the ventilation material to the exterior of the building.

2. A ventilation means as claimed in claim 1, in which free air spaces are provided between the inserts in each tubular or box-like member.

3. A ventilation means as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the inserts or members are in the form of disks.