Construction sleeve and method of using the same

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing a barrier against a material which is setting up, hardening or curing are embodied in a flexible, collapsible, water-resistant sleeve with at least one low-friction surface. In another embodiment, a sleeve material includes a group of such sleeves in a detachably interconnected configuration.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for use as a barrier between a material which is setting up, hardening or curing and an object, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least two wall members defining respective longitudinal ends and inner surfaces connected to one another such that the inner surfaces define a region therebetween having at least one open longitudinal end and of sufficient size to receive the object therein; and    at least one of the inner surfaces being a relatively low friction surface which the object tends to slip over rather than adhere to.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the at least two wall members are connected to one another such that the apparatus can be expanded and collapsed.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the at least two wall members comprise at least four members.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the at least two wall members are separated by a fold line.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the at least two wall members include a water-resistant surface.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the wall members includes visible indicia indicating distances along a length of the sleeve.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein the indicia comprises hash marks.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the wall members are formed at least in part with paper.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the wall members are formed at least in part with cardboard.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the wall members are formed at least in part with plastic.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for use as a barrier between a material which is setting up, hardening or curing and an object, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least two sleeves, each sleeve defining a region having at least one open longitudinal end and of sufficient size to receive the object therein; and    an apparatus releasably connecting the at least two sleeves to one another.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 11   , wherein the sleeves define longitudinal ends and are connected end-to-end.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 11   , wherein the sleeves are formed from a sleeve material and the apparatus comprises small portions of sleeve material separated by perforations.  
     
     
         14 . A method of providing a barrier between a material which is setting up, hardening or curing and an object, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sleeve defining a region having at least one open longitudinal end and of sufficient size to receive the object therein;    positioning the sleeve and the object within an area into which the material will be introduced, with the object being at least partially fitted inside the sleeve;    introducing the material into the area; and    removing the object from the sleeve.    
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in    claim 14   , further comprising the step of: 
 removing the sleeve from the material.    
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in    claim 14   , wherein the object comprises a stake.  
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in    claim 16   , wherein the stake comprises a wooden stake.  
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in    claim 16   , wherein the stake comprises a metal stake.  
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in    claim 19   , wherein the object is a void forming member.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for use as a barrier between a material which is setting up, hardening or curing and an object, the apparatus comprising: 
 a tubular member defining open longitudinal ends and an inner surface enclosing a region of sufficient size to receive the object therein; and    the inner surface being a relatively low friction surface which the object tends to slip over rather than adhere to.    
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 20   , wherein the tubular member comprises polyboard material.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 20   , wherein the tubular member has a circular cross-section.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 20   , wherein the tubular member has a non-circular cross-section.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as claimed in    claim 20   , wherein the tubular member includes at least one fold line.