Large high density foam glass tile

Abstract

A large, high density foam glass tile which can be used as a facade on both exterior and interior building walls. The foam glass tile can also be used with other materials to form a panel or a composite. The present invention may be used on the critical surfaces of buildings at high risk for terrorist attacks, in combination with cement, steel or other high strength building materials. The present invention may also be used in surfaces of typical buildings. The present invention has the advantage of absorbing a substantial portion of a shock wave caused by an explosion. The present invention also has the advantage of being more resistant to earthquakes.

1 . A foam glass tile comprising a closed pore outer skin on at least one side, having a density between 30 lb./cu. ft. and 100 lb./cu. ft., and having a weight greater than 30 lbs, wherein the tile surface area is at least 2 feet by 2 feet.  
   
   
       2 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the tile surface is at least 4 feet by 4 feet.  
   
   
       3 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the tile has a density greater than 40 lb./cu. ft.  
   
   
       4 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the tile has a density greater than 50 lb./cu. ft.  
   
   
       5 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the tile has a closed pore structure.  
   
   
       6 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the closed pore outer skin is textured for architectural appeal.  
   
   
       7 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the tile has a weight of at least 65 lbs.  
   
   
       8 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the tile has a weight of at least than 100 lbs.  
   
   
       9 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 1 , wherein the tile is assembled with at least one other tile of like construction to form a panel, said panel is used as a lightweight building facade.  
   
   
       10 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 9 , wherein said building facade is assembled into at least a portion of a building so that said portion of said building will be substantially resistant to earthquake damage.  
   
   
       11 . A foam glass tile having a density between 30 lb./cu. ft. and 100 lb./cu. ft. and a weight greater than 30 lbs, and having a closed pore structure, wherein the tile surface area is at least 2 feet by 2 feet.  
   
   
       12 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 11 , wherein the tile surface is at least 4 feet by 4 feet.  
   
   
       13 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 11 , wherein said outer skin is a glazed outer surface of said foam glass tile.  
   
   
       14 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 11 , wherein said closed pore structure is textured for architectural appeal.  
   
   
       15 . The foam glass tile according to  claim 11 , wherein the tile further comprises an interior portion and said tile outer skin comprises an additive to make its surface appear a different color than said interior portion of said tile.  
   
   
       16 . A composite building material comprising: 
 (a) a foam glass tile having a density between 20 lb./cu. ft. and 100 lb./cu. ft.; and    (b) a rigid structure,    whereby said tile is backed by said rigid structure so that if subjected to blast shock waves having blast energy, said tile can absorb a substantial portion of said blast energy to which said tile is exposed.    
   
   
       17 . The composite building material according to  claim 16 , wherein said rigid structure is a building column.  
   
   
       18 . The composite building material according to  claim 16 , wherein said rigid structure is located in or adjacent to a garage.  
   
   
       19 . The composite building material according to  claim 16 , wherein said rigid structure is comprised of one or more cementaceous materials.  
   
   
       20 . The composite building material according to  claim 19 , wherein said cementaceous materials comprise a material selected from the group consisting of Portland cement, reinforced Portland cement, lime, aluminous cement, and plaster.  
   
   
       21 . The composite building material according to  claim 16 , wherein said rigid structure comprises polymeric materials.  
   
   
       22 . The composite building material according to  claim 21 , wherein said polymeric material is comprised of fibrous materials and/or Kevlar.  
   
   
       23 . A ceramic-glass foam composite comprising: 
 (a) a foam glass tile; and    (b) an inorganic cementaceous backing on said foam glass tile,    whereby said composite is capable of absorbing a substantial portion of blast energy which it may be exposed to from a potential explosion.    
   
   
       24 . The ceramic-glass foam composite according to  claim 23 , wherein said foam glass tile is exposed in the direction of said potential explosion.  
   
   
       25 . The ceramic-glass foam composite according to  claim 23 , wherein said cementaceous backing forms a pozzolanic bond with said foam glass tile.  
   
   
       26 . The ceramic-glass foam composite according to  claim 23 , wherein said cementaceous backing is reinforced cement.  
   
   
       27 . The ceramic-glass foam composite according to  claim 23 , wherein said composite is mounted on a building column.  
   
   
       28 . The ceramic-glass foam composite according to  claim 23 , wherein said composite is mounted on a wall located in or adjacent to a garage.  
   
   
       29 . A foam glass composite panel comprising: 
 (a) a surface finish layer;    (b) at least one layer of rigid foam glass; and    (c) at least one backing layer.    
   
   
       30 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said rigid foam glass has a closed pore structure.  
   
   
       31 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said surface finish layer is a foam glass glazed outer surface of said at least one layer of rigid foam glass.  
   
   
       32 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said surface finish layer is textured for architectural appeal.  
   
   
       33 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said surface finish layer includes an additive to make its surface appear a different color than said at least one layer of rigid foam glass.  
   
   
       34 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said surface finish layer contains fibrous materials.  
   
   
       35 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 34 , wherein said fibers are made from graphite and/or Kevlar.  
   
   
       36 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said at least one backing layer contains fibrous materials.  
   
   
       37 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 36 , wherein said fibers are made from graphite and/or Kevlar.  
   
   
       38 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said surface finish layer comprises a polymeric material.  
   
   
       39 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said at least one backing layer comprises a polymeric material.  
   
   
       40 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said at least one backing layer comprises one or more cementaceous materials.  
   
   
       41 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 40 , wherein said cementaceous materials form a pozzolanic bond with a surface of said at least one layer of rigid foam glass.  
   
   
       42 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 40 , wherein said cementaceous materials comprise a material selected from the group consisting of portland cement, reinforced portland cement, lime, aluninous cement, and plaster.  
   
   
       43 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 40 , wherein a layer of a bonding promoter or adhesive is applied between said at least one layer of rigid foam glass and said at least one backing layer.  
   
   
       44 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said at least one backing layer comprises metal.  
   
   
       45 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein hanging hardware is installed in said at least one backing layer.  
   
   
       46 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said panel is mounted on a load-bearing frame.  
   
   
       47 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 46 , wherein said panel is capable of absorbing a substantial amount of shock waves and vibration energy.  
   
   
       48 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said surface finish layer is capable of containing fragments of said at least one layer of rigid foam glass in the case of a shock wave.  
   
   
       49 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said at least one backing layer is capable of containing fragments of said at least one layer of rigid foam glass in the case of a shock wave.  
   
   
       50 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 29 , wherein said panel is assembled into at least a portion of a building so that said portion of said building will be substantially resistant to earthquake damage.  
   
   
       51 . A foam glass composite panel comprising: 
 (a) a layer containing fibrous material;    (b) at least one layer of rigid foam glass; and    (c) at least one backing layer.    
   
   
       52 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said layer containing fibrous material is a surface finish layer.  
   
   
       53 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said rigid foam glass has a closed pore structure.  
   
   
       54 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said layer is textured for architectural appeal.  
   
   
       55 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said layer includes an additive to make its surface appear a different color than said at least one layer of rigid foam glass.  
   
   
       56 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said fibrous materials are made from graphite and/or Kevlar.  
   
   
       57 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said at least one backing layer contains fibrous materials.  
   
   
       58 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 57 , wherein said fibrous materials are made from graphite and/or Kevlar.  
   
   
       59 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said layer comprises a polymeric material.  
   
   
       60 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said at least one backing layer comprises a polymeric material.  
   
   
       61 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said at least one backing layer comprises one or more cementaceous materials.  
   
   
       62 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 61 , wherein said cementaceous materials form a pozzolanic bond with a surface of said at least one layer of rigid foam glass.  
   
   
       63 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 61 , wherein said cementaceous materials comprise a material selected from the group consisting of portland cement, reinforced portland cement, lime, aluminous cement, and plaster.  
   
   
       64 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 61 , wherein a layer of a bonding promoter or adhesive is applied between said at least one layer of rigid foam glass and said at least one backing layer.  
   
   
       65 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said at least one backing layer comprises metal.  
   
   
       66 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein hanging hardware is installed in said at least one backing layer.  
   
   
       67 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said panel is mounted on a load-bearing frame.  
   
   
       68 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 67 , wherein said panel is capable of absorbing a substantial amount of shock waves and vibration energy.  
   
   
       69 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said surface finish layer is capable of containing fragments of said at least one layer of rigid foam glass in the case of a shock wave.  
   
   
       70 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said at least one backing layer is capable of containing fragments of said at least one layer of rigid foam glass in the case of a shock wave.  
   
   
       71 . The foam glass composite panel according to  claim 51 , wherein said panel is assembled into at least a portion of a building so that said portion of said building will be substantially resistant to earthquake damage.