Prefabricated insulation for HVAC ductwork and other fluid conduits

Abstract

It is therefore the object of this invention to provide prefabricated insulation sheets, to fit around specific-sized perimeters of duct, which includes methods for anchoring sheets to surface to which they are applied, sealing jacket overlaps to adjacent jackets, and attaching overlapping longitudinal ends of sheets. This prefabrication replaces job-site cutting-to-length of sheets with flanges, as well as the additional step of sealing the exterior of jacket laps after installation, and the attachment of longitudinal ends of sheets with staples. It also provides a method of anchoring the end of sheets to the surface to which they are applied. The invention thereby both improves the installation method and the effectiveness of the attachment thereby improving productivity, reducing costs, and increasing the quality of the installation.

What I claim as my invention is:  
     
         1 . Prefabricated insulation for HVAC ductwork and other fluid conduits. 
 (a) A plurality of prefabricated sheets of flexible fibrous insulation blanket with jacket with each sheet to fit around the perimeter of specific-sized ductwork, with each sheet having one longitudinal edge jacket-flange and one circumferential edge jacket-flange with self sealing tape with release strips on both the longitudinal and circumferential jacket-flanges undersides.    (b) A plurality of prefabricated sheets of flexible fibrous insulation blanket with jacket to fit around the perimeter of specific-sized ductwork, with each sheet having jacket tabs with self-sealing tape with release strips, with release strip removed from ½ the length of each tab with ½ the length of each tab adhered to the non-flange end of the sheet.    (c) The plurality of prefabricated sheets of flexible fibrous insulation blanket with jacket to fit around the perimeter of specific-sized ductwork, with each sheet having metal and/or plastic attachment prongs, pins, or anchors in the non-jacket-flange longitudinal end jacket and or in other locations on the sheet, such as locations to prevent sagging in the blanket sheets.    
     
     
         2 . A method of installing a plurality of prefabricated sheets of flexible fibrous insulation blanket with jacket onto HVAC ductwork or other fluid conduits comprising: 
 (a) providing a prefabricated insulation for HVAC ductwork and other fluid conduits having one longitudinal edge jacket-flange and one circumferential edge jacket-flange with self-sealing tape with release strips on both the longitudinal and circumferential jacket flanges undersides; i) with each sheet having jacket tabs with self-sealing tape with release strips, with release strip removed from ½ the length of each tab with ½ the length of each tab adhered to the non-flange end of the sheet; ii) with each sheet having metal or plastic attachment prongs, pins, or anchors in the non-jacket-flange longitudinal end jacket and or in other locations on the sheet, such as locations to prevent sagging in the blanket sheets.    b) removing the release strips from the self-sealing adhesive tabs on one sheet, placing the sheet onto the ductwork and adhering the tabs to the ductwork surface.    (c) placing said sheet around said ductwork and removing the release strips from the self-sealing adhesive on the longitudinal end jacket-flange of the sheet and adhering the jacketing-flange to the abutting jacket surfaces.    (d) impaling the metal or plastic prongs, pins, or anchors on the sheet through the overlapping jacket-flange and securement of said jacket-flange by folding or attaching the metal or plastic prongs or anchors, tight against the surface of the jacket-flange or other securement on other jacket surface.    (e) applying additional prefabricated sheets in succession onto ductwork or fluid conduit with the circumferential jacket-flange overlapping the circumferential end of the previously applied sheet removing the release strip from the circumferential jacket-flange and adhering the circumferential jacket-flange to the abutted sheet jacket to accomplish complete insulation of ductwork or conduit system.