Abstract:
The present protective barrier is similar to those commonly installed beneath ceilings during construction work being performed on ceilings or roofs of buildings, wherein two or more sections are sewn together to construct the protective barrier. However, the present protective barrier also comprises a dustcover, which covers the seam entirely preventing dust from passing through holes created when the seam is sewn using a thread or similar means.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of nonprovisional application Ser. No. 15/179,614 filed Jun. 10, 2016. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present device relates to an improvement to protective barriers that are commonly installed beneath ceilings and in place of walls in buildings that are under construction or being renovated to protect selected areas from dust and moisture created by or permitted to enter due to the work being performed. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Protective barriers, such as those described herein, are commonly used to prevent dust, debris and moisture from falling onto floors, people, merchandise and equipment located below ceilings or roofs being repaired or constructed. In this way, the protective barrier protects from added costs from damage or injury resulting from such falling material and encroaching moisture and can allow work to continue below the ceiling or roof under construction. Such barriers are commonly constructed from interconnected sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials, which have proven to be durable, easy to work with, and relatively inexpensive. 
         [0004]    However, a problem exists with this type or protective barrier, which can allow some dust to pass through the barrier. Specifically, a protective barrier can comprise sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials connected by seams which are typically made by sewing two or more sections together with thread. The sewing of these seams results in thousands of holes created when a needle, used to sew the sections together, pierces the sections to allow the thread to pass through them to bind them together. These holes create passageways through which dust and other powdery substances can travel, thus circumventing the purpose of the protective barrier. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a protective barrier comprising sections connected by seams sewn together in a way that prevents dust from being able to pass through the holes created by the sewing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an aspect of the present inventive concept to provide a seam for connecting sections of material, which can be configured to prevent dust from being able to pass through the holes created by the sewing together of two or more sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials. 
         [0007]    The above aspects can be obtained by a protective barrier comprising a first section and a second section connected by an abutted seam where the first section and second section are abutted against each other and are connected by a thread, the seam also comprising a dustcover system comprising a first dustcover section connected to the first section and a second dustcover section connected to the second section, wherein the abutted seam is at least partially covered by a part of the first dustcover section and a part of the second dustcover section. 
         [0008]    The above aspects can also be obtained by a protective barrier comprising a first section and a second section connected by an overlapping seam where the first section and second section overlap each other and are connected by a thread, the seam also comprising a dustcover system comprising a first dustcover section connected to the first section and a second dustcover section connected to the second section, wherein the overlapping seam is at least partially covered by a part of the first dustcover section and a part of the second dustcover section. 
         [0009]    The above aspects can also be obtained by a method for constructing a protective barrier, the method comprising: providing parts of a protective barrier, comprising a first section and a second section, a dustcover system comprising a first dustcover section and a second dustcover section, adhesive, and a thread; abutting the first section against the second section and sewing the first section and second section together with the thread creating an abutted seam; connecting the first dustcover section to the first section with adhesive so that at least part of the first dustcover section covers the abutted seam; and connecting the second dustcover section to the second section with adhesive so that at least part of the second dustcover section covers the abutted seam. 
         [0010]    These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Further features and advantages of the present device, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present device, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of a prior art seam connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials to create a protective barrier; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side, cutaway view of the prior art seam shown in  FIG. 1  connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising the protective barrier through which a dust or similar powder is shown passing through the seam; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing of an abutted seam connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising a protective barrier, wherein the abutted seam comprises a dustcover system that does comprise and adhesive, according to an embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side, cutaway view of an abutted seam connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising a protective barrier, as shown in  FIG. 3 , wherein the abutted seam comprises a dustcover system that does comprise and adhesive, according to an embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the abutted seam connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising the protective barrier as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , wherein the abutted seam comprises a dustcover system that does comprise and adhesive, according to an embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective drawing of an overlapping seam connecting a first section and a second section comprising a protective barrier, each comprised of polyethylene sheets or similar materials, wherein the overlapping seam comprises a dustcover system that does comprise and adhesive, according to an alternative embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side, cutaway view of the overlapping seam connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising a protective barrier, as shown in  FIG. 6 , wherein the overlapping seam comprises a dustcover system that does comprise and adhesive, according to an embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the overlapping seam shown in  FIG. 6  connecting the first section and second section comprising a protective barrier, wherein each is comprised of polyethylene or similar materials comprising a protective barrier, wherein the overlapping seam comprises a dustcover system that does comprise and adhesive, according to an alternative embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective drawing of an abutted seam connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising a protective barrier, wherein the abutted seam comprises a dustcover system that does not comprise and adhesive, according to an embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side, cutaway view of an abutted seam connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising a protective barrier, as shown in  FIG. 9 , wherein the abutted seam comprises a dustcover system that does not comprise and adhesive, according to an embodiment; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the abutted seam connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising the protective barrier as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , wherein the abutted seam comprises a dustcover system that does not comprise and adhesive, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. 
         [0024]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0025]    The present dustcover systems can be used to solve the problem created when two or more sections of polyethylene, or similar materials, are sewn together creating holes through each. Polymers, such as polyethylene, have many attractive features when used as protective barriers including the fact that they are impermeable to almost all types of liquids, powders and small debris including dust and water, and they are relatively inexpensive per square foot of coverage. However, a disadvantage of polymers, such as polyethylene, is that, unlike fabrics, holes created when a needle and thread are placed through them do not close or even get smaller over time. Rather, such holes stay the same size as when they were created or get larger and create passageways sufficiently large for dust and water to travel through thus reducing the effectiveness of the protective barrier. The present dustcover systems can prevent dust from passing through these holes by covering them with dustcover sections, which are attached near the seam and can interlock over the seam in some embodiments. These dustcover systems can completely cover the seams further inhibiting the flow of dust and water through the seam, according to some embodiments. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of a protective barrier  100  comprising an overlapping seam  101 , which is part of the prior art, connecting a first section  102  of polyethylene sheet or similar material to a second section  103  of polyethylene sheet or similar material using a thread  104 , according to an embodiment. In this representational view of the prior art, holes  105  are created each time the thread  104  passes through the first section  102  and second section  103  to create the overlapping seam  101 . As discussed above, these holes  105  are sufficiently large to allow dust and similar material to pass through them, thus by-passing and defeating the purpose of the protective barrier  100 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a side, cutaway view of the overlapping seam  101 , which is part of the prior art, comprising the protective barrier  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In this view, the thread  104  comprising the overlapping seam  101  is shown connecting the first section  102  to the second section  103  and dust  106  is shown passing from an outer, unprotected side  107  of the protective barrier  100  to an inner, protected side  108  of the protective barrier  100 . This passage of dust can be prevented by the present apparatus, in its various embodiments, which are explained in detail below. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing of an abutted seam  301  connecting a first section  302  to a second section  303  of a protective barrier  300 , wherein the abutted seam  301  comprises a dustcover system  310  comprising an adhesive  315 , according to an embodiment. 
         [0029]    This dustcover system  310  can be comprised of a first dustcover section  311  and a section dustcover section  312 . According to an embodiment, both the first dustcover section  311  and the second dustcover section  312  can be configured to fold over the seam  301 , thus preventing dust (not pictured in  FIG. 3 ) from being allowed to pass through the holes  305  created by the thread  304 . Specifically, according to an embodiment, the dustcover sections  312  and  313  can be comprised of a polyethylene or similar material which can be made to retain a shape configured to bend over the seam  301  and stay in that position. In addition, the dustcover  310  can be applied after the seam  301  has been sewn, therefore not interfering with the sewing process. 
         [0030]    The thread  304 , comprising a protective barrier  300 , can be made from any standard material used to create thread, including nylon, cotton, silk, polypropylene, polyester and any number of other natural or synthetic materials, which are commonly used to manufacture thread. However, in an embodiment the thread  304  can be comprised of a water soluble material such as polyvinyl alcohol, which can disintegrate when contacted by water allowing the seam  301  to come apart. The benefits of protective barriers comprising such seems have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/964,968, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Similarly, in an alternative embodiment the thread  304  can be comprised of a heat sensitive material such as a copolyamide or polycaprolacone, which can disintegrate when subjected to temperatures between 140 degrees and 180 degrees Celsius allowing the seam  301  to come apart at those temperatures. The benefits of protective barriers comprising such seems have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/965,137, which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a side, cutaway view of the protective barrier  300 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , comprising an abutted seam  301  connecting a first section  302  to a second section  303 , wherein the seam comprises a dustcover system  310  comprising an adhesive  315 , according to an embodiment. In this figure, the shape of the first dustcover section  311  and the shape of the second dustcover section  312  can each be seen clearly. Specifically, each dustcover section is shown to be an arc-shaped flap, wherein each is facing in an opposite direction, according to an embodiment. As shown, the abutted seam  301  comprises the thread  304  followed by the folded over end of the first section  302  connecting the folded over end of the second section  303 . In an embodiment, the first dustcover section  311  can have an arc-shape with an opening to the right and a connection point to the first section  302  on the left. The connection point on the left can be created using a layer of adhesive  315  which connects the first dustcover section  311  to the first section  302  at a first determined point  320 . In an embodiment, this first determined point  320  can be far enough from the abutted seam  301  so as not to interfere with it, but close enough to allow the first dustcover section  311  to pass partially or fully over the abutted seam  301 . 
         [0032]    Similarly, the second dustcover section  312  can have an arc-shape with an opening to the left and a connection point to the first section  302  on the right. The connection point on the right can be created using a layer of adhesive  315  which connects the second dustcover section  312  to the second section  303  at a second determined point  321 . As with the first determined point  320 , the second determined point  321  can be far enough from the abutted seam  301  so as not to interfere with it, but close enough to allow the second dustcover section  312  to pass partially or fully over the abutted seam  301  and partially over the first dustcover section  311 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the thread  304  and the holes  305  can be covered by the dust cover sections,  311  and  312 , comprising the dustcover system  310 . In this embodiment, the dust cover sections,  311  and  312 , comprising the dustcover system  310  do not interfere with the abutted seam  301 . Rather, the dustcover system  310  connected to the first section  302  and the second section  303  in close proximity to the abutted seam  301  where the first dustcover section  311  and the second dustcover section  312  cover and protect the abutted seam  101  without being part of it, allowing for a simpler seam, which is an advantage of the present embodiment. Once the first dustcover section  311  and the second dustcover section  312  are in place, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there are no uncovered holes  305  available for dust or similar debris to pass through the protective barrier  300 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the first section  302 , the second section  303 , the first dustcover section  311  and the second dustcover section  312 , wherein the dustcover system  310  comprises an adhesive layer  315 , according to an embodiment. This view shows the protective barrier  300  having an abutted seam  301  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this view the placement of the adhesive layer  315  can be along a line extending from the first determined point  320 , parallel to the meeting point  330  of the first section  302  and the second section  303 , and similarly and adhesive layer  315  can also be along a line extending from the second determined point  321  parallel to the meeting point  330  of the first section  302  and the second section  303 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective drawing of an of overlapping seam  601  connecting a first section  602  and a second section  603  comprising a protective barrier  600 , each comprised of polyethylene sheets or similar materials, wherein the overlapping seam  601  comprises a dustcover system  610  comprising an adhesive layer  615 , according to an alternative embodiment. This embodiment, as represented in  FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 , is identical to that described and shown in  FIGS. 3,4 and 5  except that the latter seam is an overlapping seam  601  rather than the abutted seam  301  shown in the previous three figures. Specifically, this embodiment, the protective barrier  600 , still comprises a first section  602  and a second section  603  joined by a seam  601  and that seam is protected by a dustcover system  610  comprising a first dustcover section  611  and a second dustcover section  612 , wherein the dustcover sections,  611  and  612 , are connected to the respective sheets with an adhesive layer  615 . 
         [0035]    The thread  604 , comprising a protective barrier  600 , can be made from any standard material used to create thread, including nylon, cotton, silk, polypropylene, polyester and any number of other natural or synthetic materials, which are commonly used to manufacture thread. However, in an embodiment the thread  604  can be comprised of a water soluble material such as polyvinyl alcohol, which can disintegrate when contacted by water allowing the seam  601  to come apart. The benefits of protective barriers comprising such seems have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/964,968, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Similarly, in an alternative embodiment the thread  604  can be comprised of a heat sensitive material such as a copolyamide or polycaprolacone, which can disintegrate when subjected to temperatures between 140 degrees and 180 degrees Celsius allowing the seam  601  to come apart at those temperatures. The benefits of protective barriers comprising such seems have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/965,137, which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a side, cutaway view of the overlapping seam  601  connecting the two sections,  602  and  603 , of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising a protective barrier  600 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , wherein the overlapping seam comprises a dustcover system  610  that comprises an adhesive layer  615 , according to an embodiment. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the overlapping seam  601  shown in  FIG. 6  connecting the first section  611  and second section  612  comprising a protective barrier  600 , wherein each is comprised of polyethylene or similar materials and wherein the overlapping seam comprises a dustcover system  610 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  comprising an adhesive, layer  615  according to an alternative embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3  thru  5 , the placement of the adhesive layer  615  on the first section  602  can be along a line extending from the first determined point  620  and extending parallel to the overlapping seam  601 , and another adhesive layer  615  on the second section  603  can also be along a line extending from the second determined point  621  and extending parallel to the overlapping seam  601 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 9, 10 and 11  show a protective barrier, having an abutted seam connecting a first section and a second section and dustcover system protecting the abutted seam, identical to the configuration of the protective barrier  300  shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5  except that this embodiment does not use one or more adhesive layers to connect the dustcover system to the first and second sections. 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a perspective drawing of an abutted seam  901  having a thread  904  connecting a first section  902  and a second section  903  comprising a protective barrier  900  comprised of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising a protective barrier, wherein the abutted seam  901  is protected by a dustcover system  910  that does not comprise an adhesive layer, but may be connected by an ultrasonic-welded seam, a heat-welded seam or similar system of connecting one polymer to another without creating holes in the polymers, according to an embodiment. 
         [0040]    As with the other embodiments described above, the thread  904 , comprising a protective barrier  900 , can be made from any standard material used to create thread, including nylon, cotton, silk, polypropylene, polyester and any number of other natural or synthetic materials, which are commonly used to manufacture thread. However, in an embodiment the thread  904  can be comprised of a water soluble material such as polyvinyl alcohol, which can disintegrate when contacted by water allowing the seam  901  to come apart. The benefits of protective barriers comprising such seems have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/964,968, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Similarly, in an alternative embodiment the thread  904  can be comprised of a heat sensitive material such as a copolyamide or polycaprolacone, which can disintegrate when subjected to temperatures between 140 degrees and 180 degrees Celsius allowing the seam  901  to come apart at those temperatures. The benefits of protective barriers comprising such seems have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/965,137, which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is a side, cutaway view of the abutted seam  901  connecting two sections,  911  and  912 , of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising a protective barrier  900 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , wherein the abutted seam  901  comprises a dustcover system  910  that does not comprise an adhesive layer, but may be connected by an ultrasonic-welded seam, a heat-welded seam or similar system of connecting one polymer to another without creating holes in the polymers, according to an embodiment. 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the abutted seam  901  connecting two sections of polyethylene sheets or similar materials comprising the protective barrier as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , wherein the abutted seam comprises a dustcover system that does not comprise an adhesive, but may be connected by an ultrasonic-welded seam, a heat-welded seam or similar system of connecting one polymer to another without creating holes in the polymers according to an embodiment. 
         [0043]    Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.