Unitized filamentary concrete reinforcement having circumferential binding element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filamentary film construct which is used in providing cementitious mixtures supplemental and reinforcing strength upon setting, and more particularly, to a unitized filamentary construct which comprises a plurality of oriented reinforcing filamentary film components combined with a circumferential retaining element, said circumferential retaining element providing temporary retention of the oriented reinforcing filamentary components until such point the unitized filamentary substrate is incorporated and subjected to mechanical agitation during preparation of a cementitious blend or mixture. The unitized filamentary film construct is endowed with inherent and improved dispensability and dispersability of the associated reinforcing filamentary component into organic or inorganic cementitious matrixes, such as concrete, mortar, plaster, etc. The oriented reinforcing filamentary film components can comprise fibrillated film components.

1 . A method of improving the properties of a cementitious mixture, wherein said method comprises the steps of: 
 a. providing a cementitious mixture;    b. providing unitized filamentary film constructs, each of said unitized filamentary film constructs being comprised of: 
 i. two or more reinforcing filamentary film components exhibiting a finite staple length, said filamentary film components optionally comprising fibrillated film;  
 ii. one or more circumferential retaining elements;  
 iii. wherein said reinforcing filamentary film components are combined in an essentially parallel orientation and said circumferential retaining element circumscribes about an overall circumference described by said combined and essentially parallel reinforcing filamentary film components;  
   c. adding into said cementitious mixture a quantity of unitized filamentary film constructs so as to form a cementitious mixture and unitized filamentary film construct blend; and    d. mechanically agitating said cementitious mixture/unitized filamentary film construct blend so as to disrupt said circumferential retaining elements and disperse said reinforcing filamentary film components into said cementitious mixture.    
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said unitized filamentary film constructs exhibit an overall circumference of between about 3 mm to 150 mm.  
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein said unitized. filamentary film constructs exhibit an overall circumference of between about 3 mm to 30 mm.  
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said unitized filamentary film constructs exhibit a length of between about 8 mm to 100 mm.  
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein said unitized filamentary film constructs exhibit a length of between about 12 mm to 50 mm.  
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein a portion or all of said reinforcing filamentary film components are placed under tension.  
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said circumferential retaining element circumscribes no more than 80% of the total surface area of said unitized filamentary film constructs.  
     
     
         8 . A method of improving the properties of a cementitious mixture, wherein said method comprises the steps of: 
 a. providing a cementitious mixture;    b. providing unitized filamentary film constructs, each of said unitized filamentary film constructs being comprised of: 
 i. two or more reinforcing filamentary film components exhibiting an infinite length, said filamentary film components optionally comprising fibrillated film;  
 ii. one or more circumferential retaining elements;  
 iii. wherein said reinforcing filamentary film components are combined in an essentially parallel orientation and said circumferential retaining element circumscribes about an overall circumference described by said combined and essentially parallel reinforcing filamentary film components;  
   c. adding into said cementitious mixture a quantity of unitized filamentary film constructs so as to form a cementitious mixture and unitized filamentary film construct blend; and    d. mechanically agitating said cementitious mixture/unitized filamentary film construct blend so as to disrupt said circumferential retaining elements and disperse said reinforcing filamentary film components into said cementitious mixture.    
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein said unitized fibrous constructs comprise perforated segments.  
     
     
         10 . A cementitious reinforcement comprising unitized filamentary film constructs, each of said unitized fibrous constructs being comprised of two or more reinforcing filamentary film components exhibiting a finite staple length and one or more circumferential retaining elements, said filamentary film components optionally comprising fibrillated films, wherein said reinforcing filamentary film components are combined in an essentially parallel orientation and said circumferential retaining element circumscribes about an overall circumference described by said combined and essentially parallel reinforcing filamentary film components.  
     
     
         11 . A cementitious reinforcement as in  claim 10 , wherein said circumferential retaining element circumscribes no more than 80% of the total surface area of said unitized filamentary film constructs.  
     
     
         12 . A cementitious reinforcement comprising unitized filamentary film constructs, each of said unitized filamentary film constructs being comprised of two or more reinforcing filamentary film components exhibiting a infinite length and one or more circumferential retaining elements, wherein said reinforcing filamentary film components are combined in an essentially parallel orientation and said circumferential retaining element circumscribes about an overall circumference described by said combined and essentially parallel reinforcing filamentary film components.  
     
     
         13 . A method of improving the properties of a cementitious mixture, wherein said method comprises the steps of: 
 a. providing a cementitious mixture;    b. providing unitized filamentary film and fibrous constructs, each of said unitized filamentary film and fibrous constructs being comprised of: 
 i. two or more reinforcing filamentary film and fibrous components exhibiting a finite staple length, said filamentary film components optionally comprising fibrillated film;  
 ii. one or more circumferential retaining elements;  
 iii. wherein said reinforcing filamentary film and fibrous components are combined in an essentially parallel orientation and said circumferential retaining element circumscribes about an overall circumference described by said combined and essentially parallel reinforcing filamentary film and fibrous components;  
   c. adding into said cementitious mixture a quantity of unitized filamentary film and fibrous constructs so as to form a cementitious mixture and unitized filamentary film and fibrous construct blend; and    d. mechanically agitating said cementitious mixture/unitized filamentary film and fibrous construct blend so as to disrupt said circumferential retaining elements and disperse said reinforcing filamentary film and fibrous components into said cementitious mixture.    
     
     
         14 . A method of improving the properties of a cementitious mixture, wherein said method comprises the steps of: 
 a. providing a cementitious mixture;    b. providing unitized filamentary film and fibrous constructs, each of said unitized filamentary film and fibrous constructs being comprised of: 
 i. two or more reinforcing filamentary film and fibrous components exhibiting an infinite length, said filamentary film components optionally comprising fibrillated film;  
 ii. one or more circumferential retaining elements;  
 iii. wherein said reinforcing filamentary film and fibrous components are combined in an essentially parallel orientation and said circumferential retaining element circumscribes about an overall circumference described by said combined and essentially parallel reinforcing filamentary film and fibrous components;  
   c. adding into said cementitious mixture a quantity of unitized filamentary film and fibrous constructs so as to form a cementitious mixture and unitized filamentary film and fibrous construct blend; and    d. mechanically agitating said cementitious mixture/unitized filamentary film and fibrous construct blend so as to disrupt said circumferential retaining elements and disperse said reinforcing filamentary film and fibrous components into said cementitious mixture.