초록 ▼

An intermediate insulating product (20) is disclosed comprising a planar insulating layer (11) having a top side in to which is formed a plurality of parallel channels (14) having cross-sections with tapered sides. A vapor proof layer (18) is applied to the top surface after the channels (14) have b

An intermediate insulating product (20) is disclosed comprising a planar insulating layer (11) having a top side in to which is formed a plurality of parallel channels (14) having cross-sections with tapered sides. A vapor proof layer (18) is applied to the top surface after the channels (14) have been formed such that the vapor proof layer (18) bridges the plurality of parallel channels (14). The intermediate insulating product (20) is then bent with mechanical manipulation in regions adjacent the bottom of the channels (14) thereby causing the channels (14) to close to form a non-planar, derivative insulated ductwork product (30) and the vapor proof layer (18) forms a vapor proof inner lining to the derivative insulated ductwork product (30).

대표청구항 ▼

1. An intermediate insulating ductwork product comprising a planar insulating layer having a protective layer on an innermost surface thereof and a plurality of parallel channels comprising cross-sections with tapered sides formed in, the innermost surface such that the protective layer is cut when

1. An intermediate insulating ductwork product comprising a planar insulating layer having a protective layer on an innermost surface thereof and a plurality of parallel channels comprising cross-sections with tapered sides formed in, the innermost surface such that the protective layer is cut when the channels are formed; a vapor proof layer comprising an adhesive that secures the vapor proof layer to the protective layer applied to the innermost surface and the channels such that the vapor proof layer bridges the plurality of parallel channels; and wherein, with subsequent mechanical manipulation, the intermediate insulating ductwork product can be bent in regions adjacent bottom portions of the channels, thereby causing the channels to substantially close to form a non-planar, derivative insulated duct without metal ductwork having an inner throughbore and the vapor proof layer forms an innermost vapor proof lining to the inner throughbore of the derivative insulated duct and a surface of the intermediate insulated ductwork product opposite the innermost surface forms an outermost surface of the derivative insulated duct that is in contact with an external environment; wherein the vapor proof layer comprises a sealing means to substantially seal the inner throughbore with respect to an outer circumference of the derivative insulated duct. 2. The intermediate insulating product as claimed in claim 1, wherein a continuous protective layer is provided on a resulting outermost surface of the insulating layer. 3. The intermediate insulating product as claimed in claim 1, wherein a protective layer is provided on the resulting innermost surface of the planar insulating layer prior to forming the channels, said protective layer adapted to reduce flaking or chipping of the planar insulating layer. 4. The intermediate insulating product as claimed in claim 3, wherein the channels are formed by routing. 5. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 1, wherein the channels are at least partially filled with one of or both a sealant and an adhesive. 6. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 1, wherein the cumulative internal angles of the channels are such that it is possible to bend the intermediate insulating product to form the derivative insulated product with a complete polygon cross-section. 7. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 1, wherein the planar insulating layer comprises a substantially rigid material. 8. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 7, wherein the substantially rigid material comprises rigid phenolic foam. 9. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means comprises a flap member provided at one end of the vapor proof layer and which is arranged to overlap the other end of the vapor proof layer when the intermediate insulating product has been bent to form the non-planar, derivative insulated ductwork product such that the vapor proof layer extends greater than 360 degrees around the inner throughbore. 10. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 9, wherein the flap member is integral with and forms an extension of the rest of the vapor proof layer. 11. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 1, wherein the vapor proof layer is substantially the same width as the resulting innermost surface of the planar insulating layer to which it is applied, and has a longer length than the resulting innermost surface of the planar insulating layer such that the flap member projects past one end of the planar insulating layer. 12. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 1, wherein the vapor proof layer comprises a laminated vapor proof barrier. 13. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 12, wherein the vapor proof barrier comprises a laminated foil vapor proof barrier formed from a number of layered sheets. 14. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 1, wherein the securing component comprises a self adhesive. 15. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 14, wherein the self-adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive pre-applied to the resulting outermost surface of the vapor proof layer. 16. The intermediate insulating ductwork product according to claim 1, wherein a further vapor proof layer is applied to a resulting outermost surface of the planar insulating layer such that the further vapor proof layer forms an outer vapor proof protective barrier to the derivative insulated duct. 17. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 16, wherein a further securing component is provided between the further vapor proof layer and the outermost surface. 18. The intermediate insulating product according to claim 17, wherein the further securing component comprises an adhesive component initially provided on the inner most surface of the further vapor proof layer. 19. A derivative insulated ductwork product formed from an intermediate insulating product according to claim 1. 20. The derivative insulated ductwork product as claimed in claim 19, with a complete polygon cross-section having been formed from an intermediate insulating product with cumulative internal angles of the channels such that it was possible to bend the intermediate insulating product to form a complete polygonal cross-section. 21. The derivative insulated ductwork product as claimed in claim 19, secured along a joining edge by a strip of adhesive tape applied along the joining edges of what was the intermediate insulation product. 22. The derivative insulated ductwork product according to claim 19, wherein the derivative insulated ductwork product comprises a section of ductwork. 23. A ductwork system comprising two or more sections of ductwork in accordance with claim 22 and one or more connecting devices, the connecting devices comprising: a first fitting member having an open end for accepting an end of the first section of ductwork;wherein the other end of the first fitting member is connected to a side of a first flange member which projects outwardly from the first fitting member; anda second fitting member having an open end for accepting an end of the second section of ductwork; whereinthe other end of the second fitting member is connected to a side of a second flange member which projects outwardly from the second fitting member;and an internal throughbore which provides a sealed passageway for fluid to travel from a throughbore of the first ductwork, through said internal throughbore and into a throughbore of the second ductwork. 24. The ductwork system according to claim 23, wherein first and second fitting members of the connecting devices comprise respective first and second annular rings. 25. The ductwork system according to claim 24, wherein the first and second annular rings of the connecting devices each comprise a substantially constant inner diameter and a substantially constant outer diameter. 26. The ductwork system according to claim 23, wherein the said flange member(s) of the connecting devices project radially outwardly from the respective first and second fitting members. 27. The ductwork system according to claim 23, wherein the outer diameter of the respective first and second fitting member contacts the inner diameter of the respective ductwork section and said respective side of the flange member is arranged into abutting contact with the end of the respective ductwork section. 28. The ductwork system according to claim 23, wherein the first and second fitting members further comprise a securing component which acts between the fitting members and the respective ductwork section to prevent separation of the ductwork section from the fitting member in a direction away from the flange member. 29. The ductwork system according to claim 28, wherein the securing component comprises one or more barb member(s) which point in a direction toward the respective flange member. 30. The ductwork system according to claim 23, wherein the first and second fitting members each comprise the same outer diameter. 31. The ductwork system according to claim 23, wherein the first and second flange members project outwardly from the first and second fitting members by a distance substantially equal to the sidewall thickness of the ductwork section. 32. The ductwork system according to claim 23, wherein the first and second flange members comprise opposite faces of the same flange. 33. A section of ductwork comprising the derivative insulated product of claim 19.