Method of applying foam compositions

Abstract

A method of applying a foam composition to a building structure, which includes a cavity at least partially defined by a first structural member having a face and opposite first and second sides, a second structural member having a face and opposite first and second sides, an upper structural member having a face and extending substantially transverse to the first and second structural members, and a lower structural member having a face and extending substantially transverse to the first and second structural members, includes providing a plastic membrane having a length sufficient to at least span the cavity, attaching the plastic membrane to the first structural member using an elongated retainer extending along a length of the first structural member, and introducing a foam composition into the cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of applying a foam composition to a building structure including a cavity at least partially defined by a first structural member having a face and opposite first and second sides, a second structural member having a face and opposite first and second sides, an upper structural member having a face and extending substantially transverse to the first and second structural members, and a lower structural member having a face and extending substantially transverse to the first and second structural members, the method comprising:
 providing a plastic membrane having a length sufficient to at least span the cavity;   attaching the plastic membrane to the first structural member using an elongated retainer extending along a length of the first structural member; and   introducing a foam composition into the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated retainer is a first elongated retainer, and wherein the method further comprises attaching the plastic membrane to the second structural member using a second elongated retainer extending along a length of the second structural member. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising pressing portions of the plastic membrane adjacent the sides of the first and second structural members into the cavity, thereby creating tension in the plastic membrane across the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising removing the first and second elongated retainers from the first and second structural members, respectively, after the foam composition is introduced into the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising clamping the plastic membrane against the face of the first structural member with a first portion of the elongated retainer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising stretching the plastic membrane around the face of the first structural member toward the first side of the first structural member with a second portion of the elongated retainer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising stretching the plastic membrane around the face of the first structural member toward the second side of the first structural member with a third portion of the elongated retainer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the elongated retainer is a first elongated retainer, and wherein the method further comprises attaching the plastic membrane to the second structural member using an identical second elongated retainer extending along a length of the second structural member. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising clamping the plastic membrane against the face of the second structural member with a first portion of the second elongated retainer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising stretching the plastic membrane around the face of the second structural member toward the first side of the second structural member with a second portion of the second elongated retainer, thereby creating tension in the plastic membrane across the cavity between the first and second structural members. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising displacing a portion of the plastic membrane between the first and second structural members rearward of a plane containing the faces of the respective first and second structural members. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cavity is further defined by a wall, and wherein the foam composition is introduced into the cavity after the first and second elongated retainers are attached to the first and second structural members, respectively. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising removing the first and second elongated retainers from the first and second structural members, respectively, after the foam composition is introduced into the cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising clamping the plastic membrane against the face of the upper structural member or the lower structural member, with a first portion of a third elongated retainer, extending along a length of the upper structural member or the lower structural member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising stretching the plastic membrane around the face of the upper structural member or the lower structural member, toward an adjacent side of the upper structural member or the lower structural member, with a second portion of the third elongated retainer, thereby creating additional tension in the plastic membrane across the cavity between the upper and lower structural members. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising fastening the first and second elongated retainers to the first and second structural members, respectively, to maintain the tension in the plastic membrane. 
     
     
         17 . A building structure comprising:
 a cavity at least partially defined by
 a first structural member having a face and opposite first and second sides, 
 a second structural member having a face and opposite first and second sides, 
 an upper structural member having a face and extending substantially transverse to the first and second structural members, and 
 a lower structural member having a face and extending substantially transverse to the first and second structural members; 
   a plastic membrane having a length sufficient to at least span the cavity; and   an elongated retainer extending along a length of the first structural member, the elongated retainer including a first portion clamping the plastic membrane against the face of the first structural member, and a second portion stretching the plastic membrane around the face of the first structural member toward the first side of the first structural member.   
     
     
         18 . The building structure of  claim 17 , wherein the elongated retainer includes a third portion stretching the plastic membrane around the face of the first structural member toward the second side of the first structural member. 
     
     
         19 . The building structure of  claim 18 , wherein the elongated retainer is a first elongated retainer, and wherein the building structure further comprises an identical, second elongated retainer extending along a length of the second structural member, thereby stretching and creating tension in the plastic membrane between the first and second structural members. 
     
     
         20 . The building structure of  claim 19 , further comprising a third elongated retainer extending along a length of the upper structural member or the lower structural member, wherein the third elongated member includes a first portion clamping the plastic membrane against the face of the one of the upper structural member or the lower structural member, and a second portion stretching the plastic membrane around the face of the one of the upper structural member or the lower structural member toward an adjacent side of the one of the upper structural member or the lower structural member.