A control arrangement

Abstract

 A control arrangement (10) is arrangeable over an area. The arrangement (10) comprises a transmissive region (14) to allow the passage of water therethrough, and a non-transmissive region (12) to substantially prevent the passage of water therethrough. When the arrangement (10) is arranged over said area, the condition of the atmosphere in the area is controlled.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to control arrangements. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to control arrangements, for example in the form of sheet materials, for controlling in an area such as temperature and humidity.

[0002] In the building industry it is advisable to protect newly lain brickwork from frost and inclement weather. Typically, this is done by laying over the brickwork any temporary sheet material lying around on the site, e.g. sacking, polythene, plastic wrappers. Similarly, in very hot weather, it is necessary to prevent the mortar drying our too quickly, and normal practice is to douse the brickwork with water at regular intervals to maintain the correct set-off period for the mortar.

[0003] According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a control arrangement arrangeable over an area, said arrangement comprising a transmissive region to allow the passage of water therethrough, and a non-transmissive region to substantially prevent the passage of water therethrough, whereby when the arrangement is arranged over said area, the condition of the atmosphere in the area is controlled.

[0004] Preferably, the, or each, transmissive region allows water vapour therethrough. Conveniently, the, or each, transmissive region allows the controlled passage of water vapour therethrough. Preferably, the, or each, transmissive region allows a flow of air therethrough. Conveniently, the, or each, transmissive region allows the controlled passage of air therethrough.

[0005] Desirably, the control arrangement comprises a sheet material, preferably a flexible sheet material. The non-transmissive region may extend centrally across the sheet material. The non-transmissive region may be a central zone of the arrangement and the transmissive region may be provided adjacent to said non-transmissive region. Preferably, the arrangement comprises two of said transmissive regions, which may be provided on respective opposite sides of the non-transmissive region.

[0006] Advantageously, the control arrangement can control the temperature in said area. Preferably, the control arrangement comprises a reflective material to reflect light and heat.

[0007] Preferably, the non-transmissive region comprises a band extending across the control arrangement. The, or each, transmissive region may comprise a band extending across the water control arrangement. Preferably, the non-transmissive region extends from a first edge region of the water control arrangement to a second edge region, opposite the first edge region, the, or each, transmissive region may extend from said first said region to said second edge region. The, or each, transmissive region may extend along respective third and fourth opposite edge regions of the water control arrangement.

[0008] Preferably, the water control arrangement is rectilinear in configuration, e.g. rectangular or square.

[0009] Preferably, the non-transmissive region comprises a rectangular band extending across the water control arrangement. The, or each, transmissive region may comprise a rectangular band extending across the water control arrangement. At least one of the edge regions may have securing formations to enable the water control arrangement to be secured in place. Preferably, the third and/or fourth edge regions have the aforesaid securing formations. In the preferred embodiment, the formations may be apertures.

[0010] The water control arrangement may comprise a non-woven fabric. The water control arrangement may be formed of plastics substance, preferably a polypropylene substance. The water control arrangement may be formed of a spun-bonded plastics material, such as spun-bonded polypropylene. The non-transmissive region may comprise polyethylene. The non-transmissive region may include a coating of a waterproofing material. The waterproofing material may comprise polyethylene.

[0011] According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of using a water control arrangement as described above, comprising arranging the water control arrangement over brickwork, whereby the non-transmissive region overlays the brickwork, and the, or each, transmissive region extends downwardly from the non-transmissive region.

[0012] The securing formations are provided adjacent the transmissive regions, and the water control arrangement may be secured in position by the formations at the third and/or fourth edge regions.

[0013] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a water control arrangement;

Fig. 2 shows water control arrangements in use.

[0014] Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a control arrangement 10 in the form of a flexible sheet material, which may be formed of non-woven spun bonded polypropylene material.

[0015] The control arrangement 10 is generally of a pale colour, such as white to reflect light and heat as explained below.

[0016] The control arrangement 10 comprises a non-transmissive region 12 which can substantially prevent the passage of water and air therethrough. The arrangement 10 also includes first and second transmissive regions 14, respectively arranged on opposite sides of the transmissive region 10. The transmissive regions 14 allow the passage of water and air therethrough. The transmissive regions 14 allow the passage of water vapour therethrough, but they can also allow the passage of liquid water therethrough.

[0017] As can be seen, the non-transmissive region 12 is provided centrally of the water control arrangement 10 and is in the form of an elongate rectangular region which extends from a first edge region 16 of the water control arrangement 10 to a second edge region 18 opposite the first edge region 16. As can be seen, the first and second transmissive regions 14 also extend from the first edge region 16 to the second edge region 18.

[0018] The first and second transmissive regions 14 extend lengthwise adjacent third and fourth edge regions 20, 22 respectively. A thin strip of material 24 is provided between the respective transmissive regions 14 and the edges 20, 22 to provide reinforcement. Securing formations in the form of apertures 26 are defined through the water control arrangement 10 at said reinforcement strips 24. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the apertures 26 allow cords to extend therethrough to secure the water control arrangement 10 in place. In use the control arrangement 10 is arranged to cover an area 90 or 92 (see Fig.2).

[0019] Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown areas 90, 92 comprising brickwork 100 comprising a plurality of bricks 110. Between the bricks 110 the mortar 112 is drying. Also shown is blockwork 120 comprising a plurality of blocks 122 between which mortar 124 is also drying.

[0020] In order to provide the mortar 112, 124 with the correct balance of humidity and temperature to allow the mortar 112, 124 to set correctly, a pair of control arrangements 10 are arranged over the brickwork 110 and the blockwork 120.

[0021] The control arrangement 10 is arranged such that the non-transmissive region 12 extends along the brickwork 100, and the transmissive regions 14 extend downwardly from the non-transmissive region 12 on opposite sides thereof.

[0022] As can be seen, the left hand control arrangement 10 is arranged such that the edge regions 24 extend to the ground and, therefore the control arrangement 10 is held in place by spare bricks 126.

[0023] In the case of the right hand control arrangement 10, the upper course of bricks is higher and the third and fourth edges 20, 22 do not reach the ground. In order to secure the control arrangement 10 in place, cords 128 extend through the apertures 26 and are tied in place. The cord 128 can then be held in place by arranging bricks on them or tied to a secure fixing.

[0024] With the control arrangement 10 arranged in position as shown in Fig. 2, the non-transmissive regions 12 prevent water, such as rain water, from passing through the control arrangements 10 to the areas 90, 92 covered thereby. Also, the non-transmissive regions 12 prevent water vapour in the areas 90, 92 covered by the control arrangements from escaping. Thus, the humidity in the areas 90, 92 is maintained. Since the control arrangement is formed of a material that is light and heat reflective, e.g. a white material, the temperature in the areas 90, 92 covered by the control arrangements 10 does not increase, or increases minimally. Thus, the temperature in the areas 90, 92 is maintained. Hence correct set off of the mortar 112 is achieved without the mortar 112 cracking or remaining in a wet state for too long a time.

[0025] There is thus described a preferred embodiment of a control arrangement which comprises a central non-transmissive region 12 which can be arranged over brickwork, and prevents the passage of water therethrough, and a pair of transmissive regions 14 on respective sides of the non-transmissive region 12 which, in use, extend downwardly from the transmissive region 12. As such, in the event of rain striking the water control arrangement 10, the water will run off the non-transmissive region 12 and down the transmissive regions 14. Although some of this water may pass through the transmissive regions 14, it will not cause problems with the drying of the mortar. Also, the non-transmissive regions prevent water vapour under the control arrangement 10 from escaping, thereby maintaining the humidity of air in the area. Similarly, in hot weather, the transmissive regions 14 allow air to pass therethrough thereby creating a cooling flow of air around the brickwork 110, while the non-transmissive region 12 prevent the evaporation of water from underneath the water control arrangement 10. In addition, the control arrangement 10 is formed of a reflective material which can reflect light and heat. Thus, the preferred embodiment is able to control the temperature of the are covered by the control arrangement.

[0026] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A control arrangement arrangeable over an area, said arrangement comprising a sheet material having a transmissive region to allow the passage of water therethrough, and further having a non-transmissive region to substantially prevent the passage of water therethrough, wherein the transmissive region is provided adjacent to said non-transmissive region, whereby when the arrangement is arranged over said area, the condition of the atmosphere in the area is controlled.

2. A control arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the, or each, transmissive region allows water vapour and a flow of air therethrough.

3. A control arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the, or each, transmissive region allows the controlled passage of water vapour and a flow of air therethrough.

4. A control arrangement according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the sheet material comprises a flexible sheet material, and the transmissive region extends centrally across the sheet material.

5. A control arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the arrangement comprises two of said transmissve regions, provided on respective opposite sides of the non-transmissive region.

6. A control arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the control arrangement comprises a reflective material to reflect light and heat, thereby controlling the temperature in said area.

7. A control arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the non-transmissive region comprises a first band extending across the control arrangement, and the, or each, transmissive region comprises a second band extending across the control arrangement.

8. A control arrangement according to Claim 7 wherein the non-transmissive region extends from a first edge region of the control arrangement to a second edge region, opposite the first edge region, and the, or each, transmissive region extends from said first said edge region to said second edge region.

9. A control arrangement according to Claim 8 wherein the, or each, transmissive region extends along respective third and fourth opposite edge regions of the control arrangement.

10. A control arrangement according to Claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein the non-transmissive region comprises a substantially rectangular band extending across the control arrangement, and the, or each, transmissive region comprises a substantially rectangular band extending across the control arrangement.

11. A control arrangement according to Claim 8, 9 or 10 when dependent upon Claim 8 or 9 wherein at least one of the edge regions has securing formations to enable the control arrangement to be secured in place.

12. A control arrangement according to Claim 11 when dependent or ultimately dependent on Claim 9 wherein the third and/or fourth edge regions have the aforesaid securing formations.

13. A control arrangement according to Claim 11 or 12 wherein the formations are apertures.

14. A control arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the control arrangement comprises a non-woven fabric.

15. A control arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the control arrangement is formed of plastics material.

16. A control arrangement according to Claim 15 wherein the plastics material comprises polypropylene.

17. A control arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the control arrangement is formed of a spun-bonded plastics material.

18. A control arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the non-transmissive region comprises polyethylene.

19. A control arrangement according to any preceding Claim wherein the non-transmissive region may include a coating of a waterproofing material.

20. A control arrangement according to Claim 19 wherein the waterproofing material comprises polyethylene.

21. A method of using a water control arrangement according to any preceding Claim, comprising arranging the water control arrangement over brickwork, whereby the non-transmissive region overlays the brickwork, and the, or each, transmissive region extends downwardly from the non-transmissive region.

22. A method according to Claim 21 wherein the securing formations are provided adjacent the transmissive regions, and the water control arrangement is secured in position by the formations at the third and/or fourth edge regions.

Drawing