Composite Termite Barrier

Abstract

A composite termite barrier ( 10 ) comprising a mesh sheet ( 13 ) and two membranes ( 15, 25 ) bonded to opposed sides of the mesh sheet to provide structural rigidity. In the arrangement illustrated, the mesh sheet ( 13 ) is woven wire mesh comprising strands ( 17 ) cooperating to define openings ( 19 ) in the mesh. The mesh sheet ( 13 ) functions as an active termite barrier; that is, the mesh sheet is configured to exclude the passage of termites therethrough, and the membranes ( 15, 25 ) provide support for the sheet to prevent it from distorting to an extent that it would no longer provide an effective barrier to termites.

1 . A composite pest barrier comprising mesh sheeting adapted to prevent the passage of target pests therethrough and means associated with the mesh sheeting to resist distortion of the mesh in a manner which would cause one or more mesh openings therein to change in size or configuration to permit the passage of target pests through the mesh. 
     
     
         2 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 1  wherein the mesh sheeting comprises woven mesh, and wherein the distortion comprises displacement between the warp and weft strands at points of intersection therebetween causing the adjacent mesh openings to change in size or configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 2  wherein said means associated with the mesh sheeting to resist distortion of the mesh is adapted to constrain the warp strands and weft strands from displacement with respect to each other at points of intersection therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 1  wherein said means associated with the mesh sheeting to resist distortion of the mesh comprises a reinforcement structure. 
     
     
         5 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 4  wherein the reinforcement structure is of a unitary construction. 
     
     
         6 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 4  wherein the reinforcement structure is of segmental construction. 
     
     
         7 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 4  wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a membrane attached to the mesh sheeting to provide reinforcement for the mesh sheeting. 
     
     
         8 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 7  wherein the membrane comprises a continuous film. 
     
     
         9 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 8  wherein the membrane comprises plastic sheeting. 
     
     
         10 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 7  wherein the reinforcement structure comprises two membranes, one applied to each side of the mesh sheeting. 
     
     
         11 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 10  wherein the two membranes are composed of the same material. 
     
     
         12 . The composite pest barrier according  claim 7  wherein the membrane is bonded to the mesh sheeting. 
     
     
         13 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 6  wherein the reinforcement structure may comprise a plurality of segments attached to the mesh sheeting in a pattern to provide the necessary reinforcement. 
     
     
         14 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 3  wherein said means associated with the mesh sheeting to resist distortion of the mesh comprises anchoring means between the warp strands and weft strands at points of intersection therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 3  wherein said means associated with the mesh sheeting to resist distortion of the mesh comprises a coating applied to the woven mesh to anchor the warp strands and weft strands together at points of intersection therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . A composite pest barrier comprising mesh sheeting adapted to prevent the passage of pests therethrough and a membrane attached to the mesh sheeting to provide reinforcement for the mesh sheeting. 
     
     
         17 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 16  comprising a further membrane wherein the two membranes are disposed on opposed sides of the mesh sheeting. 
     
     
         18 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 17  wherein the two membranes encase the mesh sheeting. 
     
     
         19 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 16  wherein the or each membrane is disposed within the confines of the mesh sheeting whereby there is a band of mesh along at least one side of the mesh sheeting. 
     
     
         20 . A roll of pest barrier material, the pest barrier material comprising mesh sheeting adapted to prevent the passage of pests therethrough and a membrane attached to the mesh sheeting to provide reinforcement for the mesh sheeting. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The composite pest barrier system according to  claim 7 , installed as a pest barrier system in a building structure, wherein the composite pest barrier is integrally attached to part of the building structure by an adhesive providing a bond between the membrane and said part of the building structure. 
     
     
         23 . A method of installing a pest barrier in a building structure, the method comprising providing a portion of pest barrier material comprising mesh sheeting adapted to prevent the passage of pests therethrough and a membrane attached to the mesh sheeting to provide reinforcement for the mesh sheeting, and establishing an adhesive bond between the membrane and part of the building structure. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 10  wherein each membrane is bonded to the mesh sheeting. 
     
     
         28 . The composite pest barrier according to  claim 7  wherein wire strands of the mesh sheeting are less than or equal to 0.18 mm in diameter at spacings of less than or equal to 0.8 mm.