Insulating panels

Abstract

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to insulating panels. In particular, the present invention relates to an insulating panel comprising heat-exchanging and ventilation means for use in buildings. We describe an insulating and ventilating system for a roof or a wall comprising such an insulating panel having at least one internal longitudinal flue divided by a heat-transfer element; and an insulating panel and its use in a roof structure or wall cavity.

1 . An insulating panel comprising a panel comprising an insulation material and having at least one internal longitudinal flue divided by a heat-transfer element. 
     
     
         2 . An insulating panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-transfer element longitudinally divides the flue along a principle plane which intersects adjacent truss beams of a roof between which the insulating panel is fixable, in use. 
     
     
         3 . An insulating panel as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the panel comprises a plurality of internal flues. 
     
     
         4 . An insulating panel as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the panel comprises two internal flues. 
     
     
         5 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the heat-transfer element comprises a reinforcement webbing. 
     
     
         6 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the at least one internal flue traverses opposed longitudinal faces of the insulating panel. 
     
     
         7 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the at least one internal flue traverses opposed longitudinal faces of the insulating panel across substantially the whole longitudinal length of the insulating panel. 
     
     
         8 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal flue further comprises a filter to prevent the ingression of insects, birds or small mammals, or particulates such as pollen and dust. 
     
     
         9 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulation material is an expanded plastics foam. 
     
     
         10 . An insulating panel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the insulation material is polystyrene, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate. 
     
     
         11 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating panels are adapted for insertion between adjacent trusses of a roof, or between stud-work or a cavity of an external wall structure. 
     
     
         12 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each insulating panel further comprise securing means which, in use, permit the insulating panels to be secured to adjacently located roof trusses or studs. 
     
     
         13 . An insulating panel as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the securing means are laterally projecting flanges and fixing means, suitably in the form of screws or nails. 
     
     
         14 . An insulating panel as claimed in  claim 12  or  claim 13 , wherein the insulating panels are interlockable with adjacently located insulating panels. 
     
     
         15 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of  claims 12  to  14 , wherein the insulating panel securing means is an expandable foam precursor which is expandable to fill any voids which may exist between the panel and its corresponding roof trusses. 
     
     
         16 . An insulating panel as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the expandable foam precursor is a sprayable gel or foam. 
     
     
         17 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of  claims 12  to  14 , wherein the securing means is an adhesive tape comprising conventional adhesive means on a first side, for securing the tape to an insulating panel, and an expandable foam precursor covered by the tear-off strip on a second side, wherein the expandable foam precursor may be activated by removal of the tear-off strip. 
     
     
         18 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of  claims 12  to  17 , wherein the insulating panels are interlockable with vertically adjacent panels. 
     
     
         19 . An insulating panel as claimed in any one of  claims 12  to  17 , wherein the panels are abuttable with adjacent panels and any voids between panels may, optionally, be filled with an expandable foam. 
     
     
         20 . An insulating and ventilating system for a roof or a wall, the system comprising:
 i) a plurality of insulating panels as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  19 ;   ii) a plurality of ventilation exhaust/intake ports; and   iii) ducting interposed between the at least one internal flue of each respective insulating panel, and the plurality of ventilation exhaust/intake ports.   
     
     
         21 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the system further comprises a manifold. 
     
     
         22 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the system further comprises ducting interposed between the manifold and the at least one internal flue of each respective insulating panel, and the manifold and the plurality of ventilation exhaust/intake ports. 
     
     
         23 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 21  or  claim 22 , wherein the manifold comprises a system control means for isolating a flow of air through ducting connecting particular ventilation exhaust/intake ports from a specific location within the building. 
     
     
         24 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in any one of  claims 21  to  22 , wherein the manifold comprises one or more manifold-filters. 
     
     
         25 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the manifold-filters are removable. 
     
     
         26 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the manifold-filters remove dust and pollen from air which enters the system from outside of the building. 
     
     
         27 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in any one of  claims 20  to  26 , wherein the ventilation intake ports further comprise a room-filter. 
     
     
         28 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the room-filters are removable. 
     
     
         29 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in any one of  claims 20  to  28 , wherein the system further comprises at least one fan to drive the exchange of stale air, from within a building fitted with the system, with fresher air from outside of the building. 
     
     
         30 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the at least one fan is controllable by a switching means. 
     
     
         31 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the switching means is activated by simple mechanical means such as a dedicated switch or a light switch. 
     
     
         32 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 30  or  claim 31 , wherein the switching means is activated by one or more sensors; for example those which are sensitive to levels of carbon dioxide, oxygen, humidity or occupancy within a particular room. 
     
     
         33 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in any one of  claims 30  to  32 , wherein the switching means further comprises a timer such that, in use, the at least one fan is operational for a pre-determined time after the switching means has been deactivated. 
     
     
         34 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in any one of  claims 20  to  33 , wherein the system additionally comprises a plurality of flueless insulating panels. 
     
     
         35 . An insulating and ventilating system as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein in use, the flueless insulating panels are fitted in regions where it is impractical to fit insulating panels according to the first aspect of the invention. 
     
     
         36 . Use of an insulating panel as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  19 , in a roof structure or wall cavity. 
     
     
         37 . An insulating panel substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
         38 . An insulating and ventilating system substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.