Vapour Barrier Pan

Abstract

A vapour barrier pan for use in building structures is provided. The pan is shaped to fit into the joist pocket located between subsequent joists of buildings. The pan central body comprises a top edge, two sides joined to the top edge generally perpendicularly, and a bottom edge joined to the two sides and parallel to the top edge. A centre crease is situated in between the two sides and extends from the top edge to the bottom edge. The centre crease instills flexibility into the pan body allowing it to be bent in order to fit into joist pockets of varying sizes. Alternatively, the pan can be cut along the centre crease separating it into two portions that can be overlapped to cover small joist pockets. The top edge and sides comprise flanges that extend outwardly in the same direction, with the flange for the top edge having a slit corresponding to the centre crease. Below the central body is a tab that can be situated under or over insulation installed in between wall studs under the joist pocket.

1 . A vapor barrier pan for use in a building structure comprising:
 a central body having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges extending between the top and bottom edges;   a top flange extending from the top edge to engage an upper surface provided by the building structure;   a pair of side flanges extending from the side edges for engaging substantially vertical laterally spaced surfaces provided by the building structure; and   a tab extending from the central body from the bottom edge for engaging at least one lower surface provided by the building structure.   
     
     
         2 . The pan according to  claim 1 , further comprising a crease extending through the top flange, the central body, and the tab to enable the overall width of the pan to be adjusted by bending the central body about the crease. 
     
     
         3 . The pan according to  claim 2 , wherein the crease enables the pan to be bent in a forward direction or a rearward direction. 
     
     
         4 . The pan according to  claim 2 , wherein the crease is adjacent at least one foldable portion of the central body to allow the width of the central body to be decreased or increased. 
     
     
         5 . The pan according to  claim 1 , wherein the tab is generally L-shaped to enable the pan to be seated atop an upwardly facing one of the at least one lower surface and engage a forward facing one of the at least one lower surface. 
     
     
         6 . The pan according to  claim 5 , wherein the tab extends along the forward facing surface sufficient to enable a vapor barrier sheet to be attached thereto. 
     
     
         7 . The pan according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one adhesive strip along any one or more of the top flange, side flanges, or tab to provide a seal between the pan and the building structure. 
     
     
         8 . The pan according to  claim 1 , further comprising a backing comprising an insulative layer within a pocket covered by the pan. 
     
     
         9 . The pan according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface provided by the building structure is a subfloor situated atop a series of joists, the laterally spaced surfaces are provided by adjacent ones of the series of joists, and the lower surface is provided by a sill, the pan covering a joist pocket. 
     
     
         10 . The pan according to  claim 9 , wherein the sill is supported atop a basement foundation wall. 
     
     
         11 . The pan according to  claim 1 , wherein the pan is integrally molded from a material which has sufficient strength such that the flanges are self-supporting at right angles to the body and which material is impermeable to moisture. 
     
     
         12 . The pan according to  claim 1 , wherein the flanges are tapered outwardly to permit stacking of a plurality of pans.