GB2059489A

GB2059489A - Apparatus and method for feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall

Info

Publication number: GB2059489A
Application number: GB7942028A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: ISOPLAN BV
Current assignee: ISOPLAN BV
Priority date: 1979-09-23
Filing date: 1979-12-05
Publication date: 1981-04-23
Also published as: BE879291A; NL7907077A

Abstract

Apparatus for feeding insulating material into the gap (1) of a cavity wall (2), comprises a feed line (3) for a gas flow induced by a blower, to which gas flow a dry insulating material is added the feed line dividing into a plurality of branch lines (10), each of which is equipped with a separate outlet (13) which can be brought into communication with the gap of the cavity wall through openings (5) in one of the leaves (4) of the cavity wall. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus and method for feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall, the apparatus comprising a feed line for a gas flow induced by a blower, to which gas flow a dry insulating material is added, the feed line having outlet means which can be brought into communication with the gap through openings in one of the leaves of the cavity wall.

In the past, when such apparatus was used, often bricks were locally removed from one of the two leaves of a cavity wall, generally from the outer leaf, in order to form the aforementioned openings. This, however, required relatively much labour and time, especially since the bricks had to be fixed again into the brickwork after the cavity wall had been filled. Moreover, house owners usually raised objections to such relatively radical operations being performed on their walls.

Therefore, there are nowadays often drilled relatively small opsnings which may have a diameter of about 19 mm and which are preferably formed at the meeting points of horizontal and vertical joints, so that no or only minimal damage to the facing bricks occurs.

Further, the forming of these openings in the joints has the added advantage that they may be sealed again in a particularly easy and quick manner.

However, the use of small openings has the disadvantage that the gas flow, generally a flow of air, to which the dry insulating material is added, is supplied from the blower through a feed line having a relatively large diameter, being for example about 70 mm, whereas an opening of only about 16 mm is available at the location of the discharge mouth of the outlet, taking into consideration the wall thickness of the outlet and the diameter of the openings in the leaf of the cavity wall. On the other hand the occurring decrease of the cross section of flow may give rise to clogging, whereas on the other hand the flow of air can contain only a small amount of dry insulating material in order to prevent such clogging as much as possible.Consequently the capacity of the known apparatus can only be very small, as a result of which the feeding of insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall is particularly time-consuming.

The present invention in one aspect provides apparatus for feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall, comprising a feed line for a gas flow induced by a blower, to which gas flow a dry insulating material is added, wherein the feed line divides into a plurality of branch lines, each of which is equipped with a separate outlet which can be brought into communication with the gap of the cavity wall through openings in one of the leaves of the cavity wall.

By means of the apparatus according to the invention it is possible to provide the flow of gas with a much larger load of dry insulating material, without at the same time aggravating the risk of clogging. In addition, the operation of filling the gap of a cavity wall takes place considerably quicker.

It is possible to use only two branch lines, but, as an alternative, three or more branch lines may be provided.

The flow of gas has to allow a satisfactory distribution of the material, so that obstacles are to be avoided as much as possible. In view of this requirement the outlet end of each branch line is preferably shaped such that it leaves the gap of the cavity wall completely clear during operation.

This makes it entirely superfluous to rotate the outlet about its longitudinal axis during operation, which is often necessary with the known apparatus. This is a major advantage, since this rotation requires a great deal of manpower because of the use of a plurality of branch lines, while this rotation may further lead to irregular filling of the gap, for instance due to errors on the part of the operating person.

Although the outlet of each branch line may theoretically extend as far as the gap, in general during operation the outlet in the co-operating opening in one of the leaves of the cavity wall will terminate at a distance from the gap.

The invention in another aspect provides a method of feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall using the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to one such method, the outlets of the branch lines are operative simultaneously in openings in one of the leaves of the cavity wall, which openings are located at short distances from each other, use being made of a blower which is equipped with a pressure switch which disengages the blower when a predetermined back pressure occurs in the gap in the area of the outlets.

In this case, the mouths of the outlets are arranged so near to each other that they are subjected to virtually the same back pressure in the gap. The distance between the openings is generally determined to be equal to or smaller than one brick length.

According to another such method, the outlets of the branch lines are simultaneously operative in openings which lie at a distance of several brick lengths from each other, use being made of a blower which is manually disengageable.

In this case, the branch lines are each subjected to a different back pressure in the gap, so that it is less desirable to use a blower which is equipped with a pressure switch. While the gap is being filled, the operator can hear from the sound of the blower whether the material is still being smoothly discharged or whether this has become more difficult. From this sound he can determine whether the blow has to be disengaged.

Furthermore it is always desirable that the branch lines are at least partly made of transparent material. Although with the use of a plurality of branch lines, clogging of one of the branch lines does not make it necessary to disengage the blower, it is nevertheless important to be able to establish in time obstructions in branch lines, which is possible by the use of transparent material.

In order to achieve a satisfactory filling of the gap, preferably the outlets of the branch lines are first operative on two levels positioned one above the other and are thereafter operative on an intermediate level. The feeding of material on the intermediate level leads to a complete filling between the insulating material already fed on the upper and lower levels.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial cross-section of a portion of an apparatus according to the invention for feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall; and Figures 2 and 3 show different methods of feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall with the use of the apparatus according to figure 1.

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention for feeding insulating material into the gap 1 of a cavity wall 2. From a blower (not shown) a flow of air under pressure, to which a dry insulating material is added, generally in the blower, is supplied to a feed line 3 having a diameter of, for example, about 70 mm. Suitable dry insulating materials are small flakes of mineral wool, other short fibres, or granular material.

Openings 5, generally having a diameter of about 1 9 mm, are drilled in the leaf 4 of the cavity wall at the meeting points of horizontal and vertical joints.

The feed line 3 is joined to a connector 6, which expands in the direction of flow. This connector 6 bears on its broad end a flange 7, which is fixed with bolts and nuts to a coupling plate 8, which is equipped with a number qf connecting stubs 9 upon which branch lines 10 are fastened. The coupling plate 8 is provided with connecting openings 11 for the branch lines 10, which connecting openings are in alignment with the connecting stubs 9.

In the embodiment shown the coupling plate 8 is provided with a central conical guide face 12, use being made of three branch lines 10 arranged at equal mutual distances around the base of this conical guide face 12. As an alternative, or in addition, one or more guide faces may be formed in the connector 6. It is also possible to provide two or more than three branch lines 10.

As shown in figure 1, each branch line 10 has an outlet end 13, which may be connected with the gap 1 through an opening 5 in the leaf 4 of the cavity wall 2.-Each outlet end 13 is shaped so as to leave the gap 1 completely clear during operation. To this end each outlet end 13 bears a stop 14, which may be adjustable and which ensures that the outlet end 13 of each branch line 10 during operation terminates in the cooperating opening 5 in the leaf 4 of the cavity wall 2 at a distance from the gap 1.

In the embodiment shown the stop 14 consists of a flat metal ring 15, to which a resilient ring 16 of rubber or similar material is fastened. A key slot 1 7 is formed in the ring 1 5. It is not necessary to also form a key slot in the ring 1 6. Moreover the inner diameter of the ring 1 6 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ring 1 5. Both rings 15, 16 can be clampingly slid onto the outlet end 1 3 in order to accurately determine the distance over which this outlet end 13 extends into the opening 5 in the leaf 4 of the cavity wall. The resilient ring 1 6 is positioned on the side of the wall.With the use of a key 18, which passes through the key slot 17, but elastically deforms the resilient ring 1 6 during its passage, and which is clampingly engaged between the outlet end 13 and the wall of the opening 5 in the leaf 4, the outlet end 13 may subsequently be fixed in this opening 5. This is of importance with the apparatus according to the invention, with which use is made of a plurality of branch lines 10.

A connection 19 for compressed air may debouch into each outlet end 13, in order to facilitate the passage of the insulating material.

The blower may be equipped with a switch in order to supply to the gap 1 either exclusively air, or air to which the dry insulating material has been added in dosed quantities, as may be required.

Figure 2 illustrates a first method of feeding insulating material into the gap 1 of a cavity wall 2 with the use of the apparatus shown in figure 1.

In this case, the outlets of the branch lines 10 are operative simultaneously in openings 5 in the leaf 4 of the cavity wall 2, which openings are located at short distances from each other. This distance is generally equal to or smaller than one brick length.

In this embodiment, these outlets are effectively operative as one single outlet, since they will be subjected to virtually the same back pressure in the gap 1. As a result it is possible to automatically switch off the blower by means of a pressure switch when a predetermined back pressure occurs in the gap 1 in the area of the outlet ends 13.

Figure 3 illustrates another method of feeding insulating material into the gap 1 of a cavity wall 2 with the use of the apparatus shown in figure 1. In this method the outlets of the branch lines 10 are operative simultaneously in openings 5, which lie at a distance of several brick lengths from each other.

An automatic switching off of the blower is more difficult to realise with this method, since each of the branch lines 10 can be subjected to a different back pressure in the gap 1. In view of this it is recommended with this method to use a blower which is switched off manually, as soon as the filling of the gap 1 through the respective openings 5 has been completed.

The branch lines 10 are made at least partly of transparent material, so that any obstructions can be established in a simple manner.

If required, it is possible to provide the branch lines 10 with air pressure gauges (not shown).

A particularly satisfactory filling of the gap 1 can be obtained when the outlets of the branch lines 10 are first operative on two levels situated one above the other and are thereafter operative on an intermediate level.

Claims

1. Apparatus for feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall, comprising a feed line for a gas flow induced by a blower, to which gas flow a dry insulating material is added, wherein the feed line divides into a plurality of branch lines, each of which is equipped with a separate outlet which can be brought into communication with the gap of the cavity wall through openings in one of the leaves of the cavity wall.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the feed line is joined to a connector which expands in the direction of flow and to which the branch lines are connected.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connector bears on its broad end a flange which is fixed to a coupling plate to which the branch lines are fastened and which is provided with connecting openings for these branch lines.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the coupling plate and/or the connector is provided with one or more guide faces.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outlet end of each branch line is shaped such that it leaves the gap of the cavity wall completely clear during operation.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein each said outlet end, when inserted in the cooperating opening in one of the leaves of the cavity wall during operation, terminates at a distance from the gap.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outlet end of each branch line is equipped with a stop.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stop is adjustable.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the stop comprises a rigid ring with a key slot, to which rigid ring is attached a ring of resilient material having a slightly smaller inner diameter, which rings can be clampingly slid onto the respective said outlet end, the said outlet end being clampingly fitted in the co-operating opening by means of a key that is passed through the said key slot.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the outlet end of each branch line is securable in the co-operating opening in one of the leaves of the cavity wall during operation.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein a connection for compressed air opens into the outlet end of each branch line.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the branch lines are at least partly made of transparent material.

13. Apparatus for feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall using the apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the outlets of the branch lines are operative simultaneously in openings in one of the leaves of the cavity wall, which openings are located at short distances from each other, use being made of a blower which is equipped with a pressure switch which disengages the blower when a predetermined back pressure occurs in the gap in the area of the outlets.

1 5. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the distance between the openings is equal to or smaller than one brick length.

16. A method of feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall using the apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the outlets of the branch lines are simultaneously operative in openings which lie at a distance of several brick lengths from each other, use being made of a blower which is manually disengageable.

1 7. A method as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the outlets of the branch lines are first operative on two levels positioned one above the other, and are thereafter operative on an intermediate level.

18. A method according to claim 14 of feeding insulating material into the gap of a cavity wall, substantially as herein described with reference to figure 2 or figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.