Door comprising vented stile, and method of making the same
11661790 · 2023-05-30
Assignee
Inventors
- Scott Evert Johnson (Kingsville, OH, US)
- Shirley Wang (Los Angeles, CA, US)
- Jared Andrew Garrett (Mentor, OH, US)
Cpc classification
E06B3/30
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E06B3/7001
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E06B7/16
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
E06B3/30
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
Abstract
A door includes a first skin, a second skin, two stiles, a core, and a gas permeable membrane. The first skin provides a first outer door surface. The second skin provides a second outer door surface. The two stiles are disposed at least partially between the first skin and the second skin. At least one stile defines a vent therein. The core comprises a foam material and is disposed between the first skin and the second skin. The gas permeable membrane, which is permeable to gas but not to the precursors of a foam material, is disposed on the at least one stile covering the vent. The gas permeable membrane contacts the foam material in the core, and separate the foam material in the core from the vent.
Claims
1. A door comprising: a first skin providing a first outer door surface; a second skin providing a second outer door surface; two stiles aligned along a first direction and disposed at least partially between the first skin and the second skin, wherein at least one stile of the two stiles defines a groove therein; two rails aligned along a second direction, the second direction is different from the first direction; a gas permeable membrane disposed on the at least one stile of the two stiles such that at least a portion of the gas permeable membrane covers a part of the groove; and a core comprising a foam material disposed between the first skin and the second skin, wherein the gas permeable membrane is disposed between and separates the core and the groove, wherein the gas permeable membrane has a porous structure and is impermeable to liquids, and wherein at least one of the two rails defines at least one through hole connected to the groove along the first direction.
2. The door of claim 1, wherein the first skin and the second skin comprises a polymer composite.
3. The door of claim 2, wherein the polymer composite is a glass fiber reinforced or mineral filled polymer composite.
4. The door of claim 1, wherein the groove is along a longitudinal direction of the at least one stile defining the groove.
5. The door of claim 1, wherein the two stiles are aligned in parallel, the two rails are aligned in parallel, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
6. The door of claim 1, wherein the at least one through holes is filled with the foam material or a sealant.
7. The door of claim 1, wherein the gas permeable membrane includes a non-woven polymer backing providing gas permeability, and is selectively coated with an adhesive in areas contacting the at least one stile on a first side of the gas permeable membrane.
8. The door of claim 1, further comprising a glazing unit having at least glass pane mechanically coupled with the first skin and the second skin.
9. A method for making a door, comprising steps of: providing a first skin providing a first outer door surface and a second skin providing a second outer door surface; providing two stiles and two rails, wherein at least one stile of the two stiles defines a groove therein; applying a gas permeable membrane onto the at least one stile of the two stiles such that at least a portion of the gas permeable membrane covers a part of the groove; assembling the two stiles, the two rails, and the first and second skins; and injecting a foamable material so as to form a core comprising a foam material between the first skin and the second skin, wherein the gas permeable membrane is disposed between and separates the core and the groove, wherein the gas permeable membrane has a porous structure and is impermeable to liquids, and wherein at least one of the two rails defines at least one through hole connected to the groove along the first direction.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first skin and the second skin comprises a polymer composite.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the foamable material is injected into a cavity defined by the first skin, the second skin, the two stiles, and the two rails.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one through hole is connected to the groove and configured to vent air and gas during the injecting step.
13. The method of claim 9, further comprising sealing remaining holes on the at least one of the two rails with the foamable material or a sealant.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one through holes is filled with the foam material or a sealant.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising mechanically coupling a glazing unit having at least glass pane with the first skin and the second skin.
16. A kit for a door, comprising: a first skin configured to provide a first outer door surface; a second skin configured to provide a second outer door surface; two stiles configured to be aligned along a first direction and disposed at least partially between the first skin and the second skin, wherein at least one stile of the two stiles defines a groove therein; two rails configured to be aligned along a second direction, the second direction is different from the first direction; and a gas permeable membrane disposed on the at least one stile such that at least a portion of the gas permeable membrane covers a part of the groove, wherein the gas permeable membrane is configured to be disposed between and separate the groove and a core comprising a foam material configured to be disposed between the first skin and the second skin, wherein the gas permeable membrane has a porous structure and is impermeable to liquids, and wherein at least one of the two rails defines at least one through hole configured to be connected to the groove along the first direction.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the first skin and the second skin comprises a polymer composite.
18. The kit of claim 16, wherein the gas permeable membrane includes a non-woven polymer backing providing gas permeability.
19. The kit of claim 18, wherein one side of the gas permeable membrane is selectively coated with an adhesive configured to be bonded with the at least one stile defining the groove therein.
20. The kit of claim 16, further comprising a glazing unit having at least glass pane configured to be mechanically coupled with the first skin and the second skin.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not necessarily to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Like reference numerals denote like features throughout specification and drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(17) This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.
(18) For purposes of the description hereinafter, it is to be understood that the embodiments described below may assume alternative variations and embodiments. It is also to be understood that the specific articles, compositions, and/or processes described herein are exemplary and should not be considered as limiting.
(19) In the present disclosure the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. As used herein, “about X” (where X is a numerical value) preferably refers to ±10% of the recited value, inclusive. For example, the phrase “about 8” preferably refers to a value of 7.2 to 8.8, inclusive; as another example, the phrase “about 8%” preferably (but not always) refers to a value of 7.2% to 8.8%, inclusive. Where present, all ranges are inclusive and combinable. For example, when a range of “1 to 5” is recited, the recited range should be construed as including ranges “1 to 4”, “1 to 3”, “1-2”, “1-2 & 4-5”, “1-3 & 5”, “2-5”, and the like. In addition, when a list of alternatives is positively provided, such listing can be interpreted to mean that any of the alternatives may be excluded, e.g., by a negative limitation in the claims. For example, when a range of “1 to 5” is recited, the recited range may be construed as including situations whereby any of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 are negatively excluded; thus, a recitation of “1 to 5” may be construed as “1 and 3-5, but not 2”, or simply “wherein 2 is not included.” It is intended that any component, element, attribute, or step that is positively recited herein may be explicitly excluded in the claims, whether such components, elements, attributes, or steps are listed as alternatives or whether they are recited in isolation.
(20) The present disclosure includes a door, a vented building component, a kit for making the door, and a method of making the door. In accordance with some embodiments, the present disclosure includes a door having at least one vented stile and an internal foam material. The vented stile advantageously enables the internal foam material to be formed without trapped air bubbles or pockets therein during the fabrication process.
(21) Unless expressly indicated otherwise, references to “a vent” made herein are understood to encompass a structure as being formed as a groove, hole, recess, depression, channel, slot, or other suitable structure that permits the flow of air. References to “a gas permeable membrane” made herein are understood to encompass a thin sheet or film having a porous structure so that gas molecules can transport from one side to the other side of the membrane. One example is a tape. The gas permeable membrane is at least partially coated with adhesive on one side for bonding.
(22) Referring to
(23) In some embodiments, the skins 12 may comprise a material of a glass fiber reinforced and mineral filled polymer composite, in which the polymer can be any suitable polymer, for example, cured from unsaturated polyester or polybutadiene. The skins 12 can be sheet molded from a sheet molding compound (CMC) in some embodiments.
(24) The exemplary door 10 further comprises at least two stiles 14, at least one core 16, and at least two rails 18. For example, in some embodiments, the stiles 14 include a stile 14-1 and a stile 14-2. The rails 18 includes for a top rail 18-1 and a bottom rail 18-2. The at least one core 16 is disposed between the first skin 12-1 and a second skin 12-2. The at least one core 16 is also disposed between left and right stiles 14-1, 14-2, and between top rail and bottom rails 18-1, 18-2.
(25) The two stiles 14 are aligned in parallel along a first direction, for example, a vertical direction as shown as “a” direction in
(26) In some embodiments, the stiles 14 are made of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) or any other suitable material. The rails 18 comprise any suitable materials such as wood, a polymer, or a composite comprising wood and a polymer such as polyvinyl chloride. The rails 18 are made of a wood flour/PVC (polyvinyl chloride) composite in some embodiments.
(27) Each core 16 may be in a shape of a rectangle or square in some embodiments, although the core 16 may have other geometric shapes. The core 16 may comprise a foam material such as polyurethane (PU) in some embodiments. The door 10 may have a rectangular shape.
(28) Referring to
(29) The at least one core 16, includes one or more pieces of inner cores, which are encased by the skins 12, stiles 14, and rails 18. The at least one core 16 comprises a polyurethane containing composition as described herein.
(30) Referring to
(31) The groove 20 may have a suitable cross-sectional shape. In
(32) The exemplary door 10 further comprises a gas permeable membrane 40 disposed on the at least one stile 14-1. As illustrated in
(33) Referring to
(34) Such a door 10 may be a door with an insulation core 16 embedded within a cavity defined by the stiles 14, the rails 18, and the skins 12 and extending the whole door. In some embodiments, the door may further comprise a glazing unit (not shown) having at least glass pane mechanically coupled with the first skin 12-1 and the second skin 12-2. In some embodiments, the skins 12 may have ribs and flanges, and other fixtures (not shown) for fixing the glazing unit. For example, an exemplary configuration is described in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/104,455, filed on Aug. 17, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein. As described in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/104,455, each of the first skin and the second skin includes a respective skin body portion providing an outer (e.g., exterior) door surface, and a respective flange portion connected with and extending inwardly from the skin body portion. Each skin body portion has a respective tip. The glazing unit has an edge disposed adjacent to, and between two tips. The end of a first flange portion and the end of a second flange portion have complementary shapes and sizes, and are interconnected to provide an interlocking structure.
(35) Referring to
(36) Referring to
(37) The present disclosure also provides a method for making a door as described above. Referring to
(38) At step 102, a first skin 12-1 and a second skin 12-2 are provided. The two skins 12 provides a first outer (i.e. exterior) door surface and a second outer door surface, respectively.
(39) At step 104, two stiles 14 and two rails 18 are provided. As described, at least one stile 14 defines a groove 20 therein. An exemplary stile 14 is illustrated in
(40) At step 106 of
(41) At step 108 of
(42) The stiles, the rails, and the skins may be optionally bonded using a glue. Such a glue can be an inorganic glue, a polymer hot melt adhesive (e.g., polyurethane or polyolefin based), or a thermosetting-based polymer adhesive (e.g., epoxy, urethane-based). References to an “inorganic glue” made herein are understood to encompass a chemical agent used for bonding the door core to the stiles and/or rails.
(43) In some embodiments, an inorganic based glue, for example, comprising Na.sub.2SiO.sub.3, MgSiO.sub.3, and CaSiO.sub.3 is used. In some embodiments, polyurethane reactive hot melt adhesive or a polyolefin-based adhesive is used for bonding, for example, a composite cap to the LVL or engineered wood. For example, a polyurethane reactive hot melt adhesive, DURAPRO UH-2125-1, is from IFS Industries, Inc. (Reading, Pa.). DURAPRO UH-2125-1 contains methylene bispenyl isocyanate and other polymer ingredients.
(44) At step 110, a foamable material as the precursor to the foam material is then injected so as to form a core 16 comprising such a foam material between the two skins 12. The second side 40-2 of the gas permeable membrane 40 contacts the foam material in the core 16. In some embodiments, the foamable material is injected into a cavity 26 defined by the two skins 12, the two stiles 14, and the two rails 18. The foamable material may be a curable formulation including precursors of a foam material such as polyurethane (PU) in some embodiments. The air inside is pushed and passes through the gas permeable membrane 40, and is released out from the door assembly through the groove 20 in the at least one stile 14. A mix head might be used and fluidly connected with the second through hole 22. The foam injection at Step 110 may take a period of time in the range of from 3 second to 10 seconds. The mix head is pulled out right after the injection and a plug can be inserted into the second through hole 22 to retain the foamable material with the cavity 26.
(45) As described in
(46) The at least one stile 14 having a venting groove 20 also comprises a gas permeable membrane 40 applied onto a surface of the stile, i.e., the surface 14-3 of the stile 14 that faces the core. Such a gas permeable membrane 40 is gas permeable, but is not permeable by the foaming material. During the manufacturing process, the gas permeable membrane 40 allows air to pass through, but is not permeable for liquid and solid such as the PU foam and the precursors of the PU foam. So any air or gas generated from the foamable material are vented out through the gas permeable membrane 40 and the groove 20.
(47) At step 112 of
(48) In some embodiments, a rail 18 such as the bottom rail defines a hole 24, and a tube 25, such as plastic tube, is inserted into the hole 24 to the space between the two skins for injecting the foaming material into the space to form the core 16. The tube 25, or the tubing 52 to the groove may be pulled out of the hole 24 or groove 20, or may be cut off such that a portion remains within the rail 18 and/or the core 16. The hole or remainder of the tube may then be sealed with the foaming material or an additional sealant. In some embodiments, the tube 25 and the tubing 52 are made of an optically clear plastic material.
(49) Referring to
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(51) The present disclosure also includes a vented building component. One example is the vented stile 14-1 as described. The vented stile 14-1 is described for the purpose of illustration only. Referring to
(52) The present disclosure also provides a kit or a product comprising the components described herein, and a resulting door assembly. In some embodiments, the kit or the door assembly comprises at least two skins 12 (outer skins), at least two stiles 14, at least one core 16 (inner core) or a foaming material for the core 16, at least two rails 18, and the gas permeable membrane 40. The skins 12 are fiberglass door skins, and the at least one core 16 may comprise polyurethane foam in some embodiments. The rails 18 comprise a wood flour/polyvinyl chloride composite material. The stiles 14 comprise polyvinyl chloride exterior cap 34 bonded to a laminated veneer or engineered structural lumber. The skins 12 comprise a match-molded high-compression unsaturated polyester and or poly-butadiene, glass-fiber-reinforced, mineral-filled composite material. At least one stile 14 has a venting groove as described. At least one rail may have the through holes as described. The holes can be also on the top rail or on another stile.
(53) Although the subject matter has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments, which may be made by those skilled in the art.