Foamed laminated construction

Abstract

A laminated construction is formed of at least one layer of foamed mesh. In one embodiment, multiple layers of foamed mesh are built up and provided with outer layers suitable to make an insulation panel. In another embodiment, a block is formed of laminated layers of the foamed mesh and cut out to form recesses to receive items for packaging purposes. In another embodiment, a foamed layer is secured along two longitudinal edges to a non-porous layer and filled with loose fill elements for use as a drainage pipe. In another embodiment, a foamed tube is secured at one end to a non-porous layer to form a bag for use in planting flowers and the like.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A laminated construction comprising 
 at least one layer having a plurality of criss-crossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure; and    at least a second layer laminated to said one layer.    
     
     
         2 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said layers are made of dissimilar materials.  
     
     
         3 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 2  wherein one of said layers is made of polystyrene foam and the other of said layers is made of polyethylene foam.  
     
     
         4 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a third layer of material laminated to at least one of said layers.  
     
     
         5 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said third layer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of paper, plastic, and metal foil.  
     
     
         6 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each said filament is of circular cross section with a diameter of ⅛ inch.  
     
     
         7 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each said filament is of flattened cross section with a width of ¼ inch.  
     
     
         8 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each said layer has a weight of from 1/4 pounds to 10 pounds per cubic foot.  
     
     
         9 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second layer is made of crisscrossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure and said layers are disposed in offset relation to each other whereby the filaments of one layer are disposed in alignment with openings in the other of said layers.  
     
     
         10 . A laminated construction comprising 
 a plurality of layers disposed in overlying relation to form a one piece block, each said layer having a plurality of crisscrossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure with a multiplicity of air spaces of predetermined size therein.    
     
     
         11 . A laminated structure as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said block has at least one recess formed therein and passing through at least some of said layers to receive an item therein.  
     
     
         12 . A laminated structure as set forth in  claim 10  further comprising a plurality of laminations disposed in alternating relation with said layers of foamed filaments, each said lamination bonding a pair of adjacent layers of foamed filaments together whereby said air spaces in each said layer of foamed filaments are sealed.  
     
     
         13 . A laminated structure as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said laminations are made of a plastic material and are heat sealed to adjacent layers of foamed filaments.  
     
     
         14 . A laminated structure as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said laminations are made of a plastic film of a thickness of 1 mil.  
     
     
         15 . A laminated structure as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said laminations are made of polyethylene.  
     
     
         16 . A laminated structure as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said filaments are made of starch and said layers are bonded to each other.  
     
     
         17 . An insulation medium comprising 
 a laminated structure including a plurality of layers of net material disposed in overlying laminated relation to each other, each said layer having a plurality of crisscrossing foamed plastic filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure;    a foil layer disposed over one side of said laminated structure for reflecting heat; and    a paper layer disposed over an opposite side of said laminated structure.    
     
     
         18 . An insulation medium as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said laminated structure is of a width to fit in friction fit relation between a pair of elongated supports and is characterized in having a lateral stiffness sufficient to be frictionally held between the pair of elongated supports.  
     
     
         19 . An insulation medium as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said laminated structure includes four layers of said net material and is of a thickness of ½ inch.  
     
     
         20 . A laminated construction comprising 
 a first layer having a plurality of criss-crossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure with a multiplicity of openings therein; and    a second layer of impermeable material laminated to said first layer along two opposite longitudinal edges to form a sleeve.    
     
     
         21 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 20  further comprising a perforated pipe extending within said sleeve for passage of fluid between a space within said pipe and said openings in said first layer.  
     
     
         22 . A laminated construction as set forth in  claim 21  further comprising a porous membrane about a portion of said sleeve to prevent passage of soil into said openings in said first layer.  
     
     
         23 . In combination, 
 a laminated construction having a plurality of layers disposed in overlying relation to form a block, each said layer having a plurality of criss-crossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure with a multiplicity of air spaces of predetermined size therein; and    a porous layer disposed over a top surface of said block, said layer being secured to said block along two longitudinal edges thereof and being free of said block along a central longitudinal potion thereof, said layer being of greater width than said block to allow the insertion of a perforated pipe between said layer and said block.    
     
     
         24 . The combination as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said layer is a polyethylene film.  
     
     
         25 . In combination, 
 a laminated construction having a plurality of layers disposed in overlying relation to form a block, each said layer having a plurality of criss-crossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure with a multiplicity of air spaces of predetermined size therein;    at least one recess of predetermined size and shape in a surface of said block to receive an item of larger size, said filaments of each layer of said block defining a wall of said recess having ends facing said recess; and    an item of larger size than said predetermined size received in said recess and deforming said ends of said filaments to hold said item in a snug fit manner.    
     
     
         26 . The combination as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said recess has a predetermined diameter and said item has a diameter greater than said predetermined diameter.  
     
     
         27 . The combination as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said item has a smaller height than the height of said block and is received in said recess in spaced relation to the outer surfaces of said block.  
     
     
         28 . A cover comprising 
 a translucent layer for passage of sunlight therethrough;    a second layer laminated to said translucent layer and having a plurality of opaque crisscrossing foamed filaments adhered to each other to receive sunlight passing through said first layer for heating thereof, said filaments defining a mesh-like structure with a multiplicity of openings therein to contain air; and    a third layer of opaque material laminated to said second layer on a side opposite said first layer to seal said openings in said second layer.    
     
     
         29 . A bag comprising 
 an outer paper layer;    a second layer laminated to said paper layer and having a plurality of crisscrossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure with a multiplicity of openings therein to contain air; and    an interior third layer of plastic material laminated to said second layer on a side opposite said first layer to seal said openings in said second layer.    
     
     
         30  In combination; 
 a perforated pipe;  
 a layer of porous material wrapped around said pipe, said layer having a plurality of criss-crossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure with a multiplicity of openings therein to contain air; and  
 a porous membrane surrounding said sleeve to prevent passage of soil into said openings in said layer of porous material.  
 
     
     
         31 . A concrete structure comprising 
 a mass of concrete; and    a block of foamed material within said mass of concrete, said block including a plurality of layers disposed in overlying relation, each said layer having a plurality of crisscrossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure with a multiplicity of air spaces of predetermined size therein.    
     
     
         32 . A concrete structure as set forth in  claim 31  wherein each said layer has a weight of from ¼ pound to 10 pounds per cubic foot.  
     
     
         33 . A concrete structure as set forth in  claim 31  wherein each said foamed filament of each said layer has a diameter of ⅛ inch.  
     
     
         34 . A concrete structure as set forth in  claim 32  is of elongated shape with a rectangular cross-section and is characterized in being bouyant.  
     
     
         35 . A bag comprising 
 a tube having a plurality of criss-crossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure, said tube being closed at one end;    an impermeable layer secured to an opposite end of said tube to form a pocket; and    a mass of loose fill elements disposed within said pocket and within said tube.    
     
     
         36 . In combination 
 an elongated body of foamed material comprising at least one layer having a plurality of crisscrossing foamed filaments adhered to each other and defining a mesh-like structure; and    a sleeve receiving said body therein.    
     
     
         37 . The combination as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said layer is wound on itself to form a cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         38 . The combination as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said body has a plurality of said layers laminated to each other to form a block.