Hollow plastic block with solar reflective material

Abstract

A vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block for use in wall construction includes a sheet of solar radiation reflective material disposed therein to define two compartments within the plastic block. A vent is disposed in a side wall of the plastic block in fluid communication with each of the compartments to alleviate any pressure increase/decrease within the plastic block and for discharging any condensation within the plastic block that may occur.

1 . A vented hollow plastic block for use in a wall section or panel, said plastic block comprising in combination; 
 a) a pair of members, each of said members including a continuous side wall, each of said side walls including an edge;    b) a junction formed by said edges of said continuous side walls;    c) a sheet of material adapted for partly reflecting solar radiation, said sheet of material being located interior of and extending across said plastic block to define two compartments within said plastic blocks; and    d) a vent extending through one of said side walls.    
   
   
       2 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the said vent has an area equivalent to a circle having a diameter in the range of about 0.005 inches to about 0.25 inches.  
   
   
       3 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said vent has an area equivalent to a circle having a diameter in the range of about 0.012 inches to about 0.015 inches.  
   
   
       4 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said members is of translucent plastic material.  
   
   
       5 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said members is of transparent plastic material.  
   
   
       6 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sheet of material is supported by said junction.  
   
   
       7 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sheet of material includes a further vent adapted to provide fluid communication between said two compartments.  
   
   
       8 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said further vent is essentially coincident with said vent.  
   
   
       9 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the peripheral edge of said sheet of material is coincident with said junction.  
   
   
       10 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 9  including an adhesive for securing said sheet of material in place.  
   
   
       11 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  including an adhesive for securing said sheet of material in place.  
   
   
       12 . A vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block for use in a wall section, said plastic block comprising in combination; 
 a) a pair of members, each of said members including a continuous side wall;    b) a sheet of material extending across the interior of said plastic block to form two compartments within said plastic block;    c) said side wall of one of said members being in sealed engagement with said side wall of the other of said members to form a junction between said side walls; and    d) a vent disposed in one of said side walls and adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of said plastic block.    
   
   
       13 . The vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said vent having an area equivalent to a circle having a diameter in the range of about 0.005 inches to about 0.25 inches.  
   
   
       14 . The vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said vent has an area equivalent to a circle having a diameter in the range of about 0.012 inches to about 0.015 inches.  
   
   
       15 . The vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said junction is adapted to support said sheet of material.  
   
   
       16 . The vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said vent is formed at said junction and including a further vent disposed in said sheet of material.  
   
   
       17 . The vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said further vent is substantially coincident with said vent.