Patent Publication Number: US-2006000164-A1

Title: Wall port, and methods of use and systems thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This Continuation In Part application claims benefit to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/883,234 filed Jul. 1, 2004. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to the field of wall ports and wall ducting, used for various disparate uses such as HVAC (i.e., Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), dog exercise course systems, and the like. More particularly, this invention provides for a portable and attachable wall port for portable, temporary, and/or multipurpose structures requiring ventilation, access, and the like. The invention includes methods of use and systems thereof.  
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
      Temporary duct systems and the various accoutrements that are part and parcel with the systems are known in the art.  
      However, amongst others, the disadvantages of current temporary ducting, or manifold, systems include the numerous parts, requisite tools, difficulty, and expenses (e.g., time, cost, labor, material, etc.) that are required to set up, tear down, alter, etc. the various systems available.  
      Accordingly, there is a need for a device that makes improvements over current ducting systems, that overcome at least some of the aforementioned deficiencies, and others.  
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a device, system that employs the device, and methods of use thereof for a wall port.  
      A first general aspect of the invention provides an apparatus comprising:  
      a port, releasably attachable to a wall, said port having a wall portion and a flexible extension extending from said wall portion, said flexible extension having a proximal end and a distal end and an opening extending therebetween, said flexible extension configured such that said axis is angularly variable with respect to said wall portion, wherein said flexible extension includes a surface feature which frictionally engages a surface feature on a duct.  
      A second general aspect of the invention provides a system comprising:  
      a port extension having a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said proximal end having a wall portion and forming an opening therethrough, said port extension is configured such that said axis is angularly disposed with respect to said wall portion, further wherein said distal end includes a surface feature at the periphery of said extension.  
      A third general aspect of the invention provides a port device comprising:  
      a wall portion having a quick release attachment for releasably securing the wall portion to a wall; and  
      a port extension having a proximal end and a distal end with an opening extending therebetween, said proximal end including said wall portion, further wherein said proximal end includes a surface feature at the periphery of said extension for frictionally engaging a duct.  
      A fourth general aspect of the invention provides a system comprising:  
      a wall portion;  
      a plurality of flexible port extensions each having a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said proximal end being attached to said wall portion each forming an opening therethrough, said attachments are configured such that said axis is approximately normal to said wall portion, further wherein said proximal end includes a rigid element at the periphery of said plurality of extensions; and  
      a plurality of flexible spiral-wound ducts removably attached to said proximal ends.  
      A fifth general aspect of the invention provides a system comprising:  
      a structure that includes 
          a plurality of wall portions, wherein at least two wall portions include an opening therethrough; and     a plurality of flexible port extensions each having a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said proximal end being attached to said plurality of wall portions at said openings thereby forming a duct port thereat, said proximal end is such that said axis is approximately normal to said wall portion, further wherein said proximal end includes a rigid element at the periphery of said plurality of extensions; and        

      a plurality of flexible spiral-wound ducts each removably attached to said proximal ends. A sixth general aspect of the invention provides a method comprising:  
      providing a wall;  
      releasably attaching a flexible port extension to said wall; and  
      attaching a duct to said flexible port by frictional engagement only between the duct and the flexible port.  
      The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of various embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
      Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  depicts an elevation sectional view of an embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2A  depicts a top, or bottom, view of an outer layer of an embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2B  depicts a top, or bottom, view of an outer layer of a second embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 3A  depicts an elevation sectional view of a second embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 3B  depicts an elevation sectional view of a third embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 3C  depicts an elevation sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of a roll of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  depicts an elevation sectional view of an embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material receiving staple edges, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of a roll of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a roll of the reinforced adhered insulation material being installed over a formed reinforced concrete wall, partially filled with concrete, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  depicts an elevation sectional view of the embodiment in  FIG. 7  installed over the formed reinforced concrete wall, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  depicts an elevation sectional view of an embodiment of the material over a formed reinforced concrete wall, fully filled with concrete, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the material being installed as an underslab barrier, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 11  depicts an elevation sectional view of an embodiment of the material as installed as an underslab barrier and a foundation wall insulation layer, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 12A  depicts an elevation sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 12B  depicts an elevation sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  depicts an elevation sectional view of a wood column surrounded by an embodiment of the reinforced adhered insulation material, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 14  depicts a close up view of the embodiment in  FIG. 13 , in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 15  depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a wall port apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 16  depicts a back elevation view of an embodiment of a wall port apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 17  depicts a side sectional view of an embodiment of a wall port apparatus and a portion of a flexible duct, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 18  depicts a side elevation view of an embodiment of a wall port apparatus connected to a flexible duct, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 19  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a system (e.g., dog exercise system) employing the wall port apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 20  depicts a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a wall port apparatus, in accordance with the present invention; and  
       FIG. 21  depicts a perspective view of a system (e.g., HVAC and structure system) employing an embodiment of a wall port apparatus, in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Although certain embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of an embodiment. Although the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.  
      Turning to the figures,  FIG. 1  depicts a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention. The invention, a reinforced adhered insulation material, hereinafter called  10  includes multiple layers of material. The material, or apparatus,  10  includes two outer layers  12 ,  16 . Located between the outer layers  12 ,  16  are two inner layers, namely an insulation layer  20  and a reflective conductive layer  35 .  
      The outer layers  12 ,  16  are a scrim layer  12 ,  16 . The scrim outer layers  12 ,  16  are a reinforced layer that is resistant to initial tearing, abrading, and/or puncturing, as well as, resistant to any expansion of the tear, abrasion, and/or puncture should the layer  12 , 16  become torn, abraded, and/or punctured. The scrim layer  12 ,  16  are woven polymers.  
      In the embodiment shown, the outer layers  12 ,  16  are made of polyethylene. The insulation layer  20 , in this embodiment, is made of a bubble insulation. The reflective conductive layer  35  is comprised, in this embodiment, of a metallic layer with a coating of a polymeric material or a polymeric layer that includes coatings that have reflective and conductive properties (e.g., silver-colored paint, etc.).  
      Alternatively, the outer layers may be a polymeric material including but not limited to: acrylonitrile-butadiene (ABA), acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene polymer (ABS), acrylonitrile-chlorinated polyethylene styrene terpolymer (ACS), acrylate maleic anhydride terpolymer (AMA), acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate (AMMA), amorphous polyolefin (APO), acrylonitrile styrene copolymer (AS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose acetate proprionate (CAP), cellulose nitrate (CN), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), copolyester thermoplastic elastomer (COP), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), cellulose triacetate (CTA), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), ethylene acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), ethyl cellulose (EC), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), ethylene n-butyl acetate (EnBA), ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), ethylene propylene copolymer rubber (EPM), ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), expandable polystyrene (EPS), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (E/VAC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), high impact polystrene (HIPS), high molecular weight high density polyethylene (HMWHDPE), interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), linear polyethylene (LPE), maleic anhydride (MA), methyl methacrylate/ABS copolymer (MABS), methyl methacrylate butadiene styrene terpolymer (MBS), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), melamine phenolic (MP), olefin modified styrene acrylonitrile (OSA), polyamide (PA), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyester aklyd (PAK), polyaniline (PAL), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyaryl amide (PARA), polyarylsulfone (PAS), polybutylene (PB), polybutadiene acrylonitrile (PBAN), polybutadine (PBD), polybenzimidazole (PBI), polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), polybutadiene styrene (PBS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycaprolactone (PCL), polycylohexylene terephthalate (PCT), polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphtalene (PEN), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyethersulfone (PES), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polyimide (PI), polyisoprene (PI), polyisobutylene (PIB), polyisocyanurate (PIR), polymethactylonitrile (PMAN), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polymethylpentene (PMP), paramethylstyrene (PMS), polyolefin (PO), polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), polyphthalamide (PPA), cholorinated polypropylene (PPC), polyphenlyene ether (PPE), polymeric polyisocyanate (PPI), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polypropylene oxide (PPOX), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polypropylene terephthalate (PPT), polystyrene (PS), polysulfone (PSO, PSU), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polytetramethylene terephthalate (PTMT), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl butryl (PVB), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl chloride acetate (PVCA), polyvinylidene acetate (PVDA), polyvinylidene chlroide (PVDC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinyl carbazole (PVK), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinyl pryyrolidone (PVP), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE), vinyl acetate (VA), vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE), and very low density polyethylene (VLDPE). Any polymeric material capable of being hot sealed, hot melted, etc may be used as an outer layer  12  or outer layer  16  in accordance with the method of the present invention.  
      The first outer layer  12 , alternatively called the top outer layer  12  includes an outside surface  13  and an inside surface  14 . Similarly, the second outer layer  16 , alternatively called the bottom outer layer  16  includes an outside surface  19  and an inside surface  17 . The outer layers  12 ,  16  offer a waterproof layer of protection to the inner layers  20 ,  35  of the material  10 .  
      Either surface  13 ,  14  of the top outer layer  12  or either surface  17 ,  19  of the bottom outer layer  16  may further receive a coating. The coating may be comprised of polymeric material such as Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), or Low Density Polyethylene (LDE).  
      Alternatively, the coating may be polymeric material including but not limited to: acrylonitrile-butadiene (ABA), acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene polymer (ABS), acrylonitrile-chlorinated polyethylene styrene terpolymer (ACS), acrylate maleic anhydride terpolymer (AMA), acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate (AMMA), amorphous polyolefin (APO), acrylonitrile styrene copolymer (AS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose acetate proprionate (CAP), cellulose nitrate (CN), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), copolyester thermoplastic elastomer (COP), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), cellulose triacetate (CTA), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), ethylene acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), ethyl cellulose (EC), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), ethylene n-butyl acetate (EnBA), ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM), ethylene propylene copolymer rubber (EPM), ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), expandable polystyrene (EPS), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (E/VAC), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), high impact polystrene (HIPS), high molecular weight high density polyethylene (HMWHDPE), interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), linear polyethylene (LPE), maleic anhydride (MA), methyl methacrylate/ABS copolymer (MABS), methyl methacrylate butadiene styrene terpolymer (MBS), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), melamine phenolic (MP), olefin modified styrene acrylonitrile (OSA), polyamide (PA), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyester aklyd (PAK), polyaniline (PAL), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyaryl amide (PARA), polyarylsulfone (PAS), polybutylene (PB), polybutadiene acrylonitrile (PBAN), polybutadine (PBD), polybenzimidazole (PBI), polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), polybutadiene styrene (PBS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycaprolactone (PCL), polycylohexylene terephthalate (PCT), polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphtalene (PEN), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyethersulfone (PES), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polyimide (PI), polyisoprene (PI), polyisobutylene (PIB), polyisocyanurate (PIR), polymethactylonitrile (PMAN), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polymethylpentene (PMP), paramethylstyrene (PMS), polyolefin (PO), polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), polyphthalamide (PPA), cholorinated polypropylene (PPC), polyphenlyene ether (PPE), polymeric polyisocyanate (PPI), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polypropylene oxide (PPOX), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polypropylene terephthalate (PPT), polystyrene (PS), polysulfone (PSO, PSU), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polytetramethylene terephthalate (PTMT), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl butryl (PVB), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl chloride acetate (PVCA), polyvinylidene acetate (PVDA), polyvinylidene chlroide (PVDC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinyl carbazole (PVK), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinyl pryyrolidone (PVP), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE), vinyl acetate (VA), vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE), and very low density polyethylene (VLDPE). Any polymeric material capable of being dispersed, dispensed, etc as a coating may be used as a coating in accordance with the method of the present invention.  
      The coatings can increase the strength of the material  10 . Further, any color can be used for the coatings for different applications. For example, the top surface  13  of the top outer layer  12  may receive a black coating. For certain applications, the black coating will increase the heat retention of the material  10 . Similarly, the bottom surface  14  of the top outer layer  12  may receive a silver, or similar reflective, coating. The silver, or reflective, coating would aid in reflective capability of the material  10 . Thus, a silver coating could be placed on various surfaces  13 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  of various layers  12 ,  16  depending on the application and the direction towards which the additional reflective qualities are desired. Likewise, a white coating could be placed on various surfaces  13 ,  14 ,  17 ,  19  to enhance reflective qualities of the particular layer to which it is adhered to.  
      The bubble layer  20  includes a top surface  21  and a bottom surface  22  with an approximate plane of a plurality of bubbles  23  therebetween. The plurality of bubbles  23  may be sized in any standard bubble sizes (e.g., ¼″, ½″, ¾′, etc.) or any custom bubble sizes.  
      Alternatively, the insulation layer  20  may be closed-cell foam insulation made from materials such as closed-cell polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, and the like.  
      The inner layers  20 ,  35  are adhered in some fashion to at least one of the outer layers  12 ,  16 . In the embodiment shown both inner layers  20 ,  35  are adhered to each other and to the respective adjacent outer layer  12 ,  16 . For example, the metallic layer  35  is adhered to both the inner surface  14  of the top outer layer  12  and to the top surface  21  of the bubble layer  20 . Similarly, the bottom surface  22  of the bubble  20  is adhered to the inner surface  17  of the bottom outer layer  16 .  
      The term, adhered, as used herein means that the two, or more, layers of material are attached to each other via a heating and melting process wherein the two layers of material have different melting temperatures and upon the heating of one, or both, of the adjacent layers results in a adhesion between the two material layers in the area wherein the heat was applied, and subsequent melting has taken place.  
      The term, adhered, further means that the two, or more layers, are adhered in the region wherein the heating of the one, or both, layers took place. Thus, while the entire area of a layer may be heated, it is not necessary for the entire area of the layer to be heated. For example, instead of heating the entire layer area, a smaller portion, or section, of the layer may be heated. This would result in the smaller portion, or section, being adhered. Further, the heating to the requisite melting temperature may be applied in a particular pattern on a layer. One example, may be only heating a perimeter boundary of the layer. In this manner, only the perimeter boundaries of the layers will be adhered. Another example, includes heating nearly the entire area of the layer with the exception being a certain shaped pattern, wherein no heat is applied. In this manner, the at least two layers will be adhered nearly fully except for the area of the shaped (i.e., non-heated) pattern.  
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  shown top, or bottom, views of two different embodiments of the outer layers  13 ,  16  of scrim. The outer layers  13 ,  16  are a reinforced polymer. The layers  13 ,  16  may be polyethylene (e.g, LLDPE, HDPE, LDE, etc.). The reinforcement may be obtained by having a woven polyethylene (See  FIG. 2A ), wherein alternating strips of polyethylene are interwoven in a repeating pattern. Alternatively, reinforcing to the outer layers  13 ,  16  can be provided by a cross-pattern of reinforcing elements  31 A,  31 B.  
       FIGS. 3A, 3B , and  3 C all depict a similar view (i.e., cross-sectional elevation) as  FIG. 1 , of alternative embodiments. Additional layers and/or coatings may be added to the material  10  in various quantities and configurations. For example,  FIG. 3A  shows an embodiment wherein there are two closed-cell insulation layers  20 A,  20 B. A first layer of closed-cell insulation (e.g., bubble)  20 A is bonded, or adhered, to a second layer of closed-cell insulation (e.g., bubble)  20 B. A top surface  21 B of the bottom layer  20 B is adhered to the bottom surface  22 A of the top layer  20 A. Similarly, the bottom surface  22 B of the bottom layer  20 B is adhered to the interior surface of the bottom outer layer  16 . Additionally, a top surface  21 A of the top layer  20 A is adhered to the metallic layer  35 . As in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the metallic layer  35  is adhered to the interior surface  14  of the top outer layer  12 .  
      The embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B  has multiple metallic layers  35 , that is a top metallic layer  35 A and a bottom metallic layer  35 B. The top metallic layer  35 A is adhered to both the interior surface  14  of the top outer layer  12  and to the top surface  21  of the closed-cell insulation layer  20 . This configuration is repeated symmetrically on the bottom half of the material  10 . That is the bottom metallic layer  35 B is adhered to both the interior surface  17  of the bottom outer layer  16  and to the bottom surface  22  of the closed-cell insulation layer  20 .  
       FIG. 3C  depicts a third embodiment of the material  10  wherein there are multiple closed-cell insulation layers  20  and multiple metallic layers  35 . Interspersed between the top closed-cell insulation layer  20 A and the bottom closed-cell insulation layer  20 B is a second metallic layer  35 B. Interspersed between the top closed-cell insulation layer  20 A and the top outer layer  12  is a first metallic layer  35 A. Thus, the top metallic layer  35 A is adhered to both the interior surface  14  of the top outer layer  12  and the top surface  21 A of the top closed-cell insulation layer  20 A. Similarly, the bottom metallic layer  35 B is adhered to both the interior surface  17  of the bottom outer layer  16  and the bottom surface  22 B of the bottom closed-cell insulation layer  20 B. The bottom outer layer  16  is adhered at its interior surface  17  to the bottom surface  22 B of the bottom closed-cell insulation layer  20 B.  
      It should be apparent to one skilled in the art, that numerous configurations are attainable wherein at least one closed-cell insulation layer  20  is adhered with a top outer layer  12  and a bottom outer layer  16  thereby providing a reinforced adhered insulation material  10 . The material  10  can be configured in, virtually, any size, shape, and configuration. For example, the material  10  can be made in sizes like a blanket, or tarpaulin. Material  10  made in these sizes would be convenient for applications such as concrete curing covers, shipping blankets, under-concrete slab waterproof membranes, waterproof layers, and the like. The embodiments could be generally fixed in shape and size.  
      Alternatively, the size and shape of the material  10  may be user-selectable. That is various means can be incorporate into the material  10  so as to allow the user to parcel out the desired shape and/or size for the particular application.  FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of a roll  11  of the material  10 . In this embodiment, the roll  11  may include perforations  40  so as to assist the user in tearing at the perforations  40  the desired shape and size. For example, transverse to the roll  11  may be a first set of perforations  40 A that are parallel to each other that allow for the full removal of a section of material  10  in the desired length. Additionally, there may be a second set of perforations  40 B that are longitudinal to the roll  11 . The second set of perforations  40 B allow for the selection of varying width(s) of material  10  to be removed from the roll  11  for the desired use. In this manner, a user-selectable and virtually customizable shape and size of material  10  can be obtained. Perforations  40  are defined as an opening, slit, hole, to at least one layer or coating of the material  10 , but not through the full depth of the material  10 . That is a perforation  40  is partially through the material  10 .  
      The further advantage of the adherence properties of the material  10  allow for the user to further cut, punch, tear, etc. the material  10  into any shape and size without the disadvantage of any of the layers becoming unadhered.  
      An additional feature can be provided with the material  10  wherein, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a combination of hot gas  210  (e.g., air, oxygen, etc.) and pressure is applied to portions of the material  10 . In the embodiment shown, a compression means  200  is used to selectively apply pressure where hot air  210  is applied. As a result, a compression region  50  can be formed. As  FIG. 5  shows a first compression region  50 A has already been formed, while a second compression region  50 B is currently being formed. The compression means  200  includes a roller  201  with bearing surface  202  held on a support  203 . The support  203  is movable (both vertically and horizontally), thus, allowing the roller  201  to engage (i.e., compress) with the material  10  and/or to disengage with the material  10  in various patterns and/or locations. By compressing selective portions of the material  10 , additional functions can be obtained.  
      It should be apparent that, while the compression regions  50  are shown along the periphery of the material  10 , other locations and configurations of compression regions  50  are obtainable. For example, compression regions  50  could be interspersed either longitudinally, or transversely, along the material  10 . Compression regions  50  may be symmetrical or asymmetrical about either axis. Various patterns (e.g., checkerboard, lines, crossing, diagonal, etc.) of compression regions  50  can, likewise, be made.  
      Similarly, different width compression regions  50  can be made. Thus, while the bearing surface  202  in  FIG. 5  is of a certain width. Either wider, or more narrow, bearing surfaces  202  may be employed. For example, a much narrower (e.g., ¼″, etc.) bearing surface  202  could be used to make compression regions  50 . In this embodiment, the compression regions  50  would act more like a folding line, or kerf. The folding line would allow the material  10  to be either pre-folded, in the manufacturing process, out of a single plane or merely aid the user in folding the material  10  out of plane, in situ, more readily.  
       FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of a roll  11  of material  10 . Included on the roll  11  are perforations  40  transverse to the roll  11  and periphery compression regions  50 . Further included on the material  10  are various holes  60 . For example, there are a plurality of holes  60 A along the periphery compression regions  50 . Further, there are a plurality of holes  60 B,  60 C located on the “field” (i.e., non-compression regions  50 ) of the material  10 . One group of holes  60 B are rectangular, while a second group of holes  60 C are round.  
      Further depicted in phantom is a post-manufactured opening  65  of arbitrary shape. This opening  65  may be made by the user with manual or automated means (e.g., knife, scissors, blade, etc.). Alternatively, the opening can be made by a machine (not shown).  
      It should be apparent that virtually any shape, size and pattern of perforation  40 , holes  60 , or post-manufactured opening  65  may be may be provided on either a compression region  50  or a non-compression region of the material  10 . Ultimately, the perforation  40 , hole  60 , or post-manufactured opening  65  may result in an opening  70 . As with the a tear, abrasion, and/or puncture in the material  10 , the construct of the material  10  is such that the opening  70  will not provide a region for delamination of the layers of material  10  due to their adherence.  
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show a perspective and sectional elevation, respectively of an embodiment appropriate in the curing of concrete. As depicted, formwork  100  is installed in the preparation of the placing of concrete during construction. A common situation is where a partially completed vertical element (e.g., foundation wall, concrete wall, etc.) is being built out of reinforced concrete. The formwork  100  includes two opposing forms  101  extending vertically above a base footing  105 , with reinforcing steel (i.e., “rebar”)  104  interspersed therebetween. Often newly placed concrete  102  is placed between the forms  101  wherein the concrete  102  does not extend the full finished height of the element. For example, the concrete  102 , in its first placement within the formwork  100  may reached approximately half the height of the forms  101 . Alternatively, the concrete  102  may indeed reach near to the full height of the forms  101  (See e.g.,  FIG. 9 ). In either event, protection of this new concrete  102  from external effects and maintenance of moisture within the concrete during curing, is necessary.  
      An advantage of the invention, as shown in this embodiment (See  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) is that the material  10  is configurable by the user so as to, effectively, custom-fit the particular sizing and spacing of formwork  100  and the spacing of the reinforcing  104  without the loss of the full integrity and lamination of the material  10 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , holes  60 , perforations  40 , and/or post-manufactured  65  may be used to create openings  70  for the rebar  104  to pass through (see  FIG. 8 ).  
      In  FIG. 8 , a portion of material  10  can be shown, effectively suspended above freshly placed concrete  102  between the formwork  100 . The material  10  includes longitudinally spaced openings  70  that are spaced and configured to allow for periodically spaced reinforcing  104  to extend through the material  10 . Further, extending longitudinally, in parallel along the roll  11  of material  10  are two opposing compression sections  50 A,  50 B. The compression sections  50 A,  50 B are sized and spaced apart, in this embodiment, so that they may extend vertically so that they may offer adequate nailing, or adhesion, surfaces. In this manner, the material  10  may be located desirously against, or adjacent, to the concrete  102 . Further, the possibility of wind, inclement weather (e.g., precipitation, snow, etc.), construction debris, and the like, reaching the curing concrete  102  is minimized. Additionally, the curing of the concrete  102  is improved because the material  10  also serves as a vapor barrier, thereby preventing undesirous rapid curing of the concrete. Further, even though the reinforcing  104  penetrates the material  10 , the full lamination of the layers in the material  10  are such that separation between the layers is similarly negated.  
      It should be apparent that although the opening  70  through the material  10  is shown along the material  10  in an axial fashion, openings  70  may be made in any location, or any pattern on the material  10 . Further, the openings  70  can be made either in a compressed area  50  or a non-compressed area (i.e., “field”) of the material  10 .  
       FIG. 9  similarly offers an elevation view of formwork  100  and the placement of concrete  102 . In this embodiment, the concrete  102  has been placed the full height of the formwork  100 , thereby fulling embedding the rebar  104  in the concrete  102 . As a result, material  10  with compressions areas  50 A,  50 B, is placed over the top of the form walls  101 . The material  10  may be attached to the formwork  100 .  
       FIG. 10  depicts another embodiment and application for the material  10 . A partially completed construction is shown, wherein a foundation  110  includes a footer  112  and wall  111  bearing thereon. In a typical construction of a slab-on-grade construction reinforced concrete is placed to form a slab  118  (see  FIG. 11 ). Below the slab  118 , is compacted gravel and/or subgrade  115 . Located between the subgrade  115  and the slab  118  are a plurality of sheets of material  10 . The sheets of material (e.g.,  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D, etc.) offer both a vapor barrier and an insulation layer between the subgrade  115  and concrete slab  118 . Along the perimeter of the material sheets  10  may be placed an attachment means  55  (e.g., double-side tape, glue, adhesive, etc.). The attachment means  55  may also be waterproof. This aids in creating a monolithic waterproof membrane out of all the sheets of material  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D. Further, as discussed above, the sheets of material  10  also another advantage if there are any penetrations (not shown) required through the material  10 , there will be no concomitant tearing, ripping, delamination, etc. Examples of the penetrations through the material  10  in this application include penetrations for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural items, and the like.  
       FIG. 11  shows an elevation cross-section of the application depicted in  FIG. 10  with the reinforced concrete slab  118  installed over the material  10 . The slab  118  includes welded-wire fabric  119 . Further shown is a portion of a sheet of material  10 A wherein it is bent so as to be both an insulation barrier vertically adjacent to the foundation wall  111  and a portion of the vapor barrier under the slab  118 . A compression region  50  may be installed along the bend of the sheet  10 A so as to aid in the bending.  
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  show a cross section of two additional embodiments of the present invention wherein in addition to the aforementioned layers (e.g,.  12 ,  35 ,  20 ,  16 , etc.), a layer  38  may be added to the material  10  that includes at least one cavity for containing a material (i.e., gas, gel, liquid, powder). The layer  38 , hereafter termed the GGL (gas, gel, liquid) layer can be a single cavity (see  FIG. 12A ) or a plurality of cavities (see  FIG. 12B ). The at least one cavity can be filled with an insecticide, poison, antibiotic, fungicide, or some combination thereof, so that the material  10  can provide an improved barrier to any requisite vector  180  (e.g., insects, animals, bacteria, fungus, etc.).  
      For example, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , an embodiment such as shown in  FIGS. 12A  or  12 B, can be placed between a wood post  140  partially submerged into the subgrade  115 . The material  10  can be constructed and/or cut and/or folded so as to fully surround the portion of the post  140  within the subgrade  115 . As  FIG. 14  shows a plurality of vectors  180  (e.g., ants) are attempting to reach, in this case, the wood post  140 . Although a potion of the outer layers  12 ,  35  have been compromised by the ants  180 , upon the ants  180  reaching the GGL layer  38  they become exposed to the particular gas, gel, and/or liquid in the layer  38  and become dead vectors  180 B.  
      Although  FIGS. 12A and 12B  indicate that the gas, gel, liquid, powder, may be located within at least one cavity, it should be apparent that alternatively, or in addition, the requisite gas, gel, liquid, powder, can be placed with the polymer used in at least one layer or polymer coating.  
      Depicted in  FIGS. 15 through 21  are various embodiments of the invention, which includes a device, systems employing the various embodiments of the device, and methods of making and use thereof of the present invention.  
      An embodiment of a wall port device, or apparatus, herein denoted by  300  is shown in perspective view in  FIG. 15 . The device  300  includes a wall portion  310  and a port extension  330  connected thereto. The port extension  330  has a proximal end  331 , abutting the wall portion  310 , and a distal end  332 . The port extension  330  has a longitudinal axis  390  (See e.g.,  FIG. 17 ) extending along its length. The wall portion  310  has a front, or first, surface  311  and a back, or second, surface  312 . Through the wall portion  310  is at least one opening  320 . The port extension  330  is connected at the proximal end  331  to the wall portion  310  so that the longitudinal axis  390  may be angularly disposed and/or angularly variable with respect to the wall portion  310 . For example, the longitudinal axis may be approximately normal to the plane of the wall portion  310 . Thus, the port extension  330  will align with the at least one opening  320 .  
      The port extension  330  includes an element  340  at, or near, the distal end  332 . The port extension  330  has material  333  that extends from the proximal end  331  to the distal end  332 . The element  340  may provide a surface feature  341 ,  342  by being enclosed within, or attached to, the material  333 . The material  333  may be any suitable material that is flexible, semi-flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid. For example, the material  333  may be vinyl, fabric, plastic, metal, composite, or any other suitable material. The term flexible herein is to mean pliable, or semi-pliable. The port extension  330  may be of variable lengths extending away from the wall portion  310 . It may come in standard lengths. For example, the length of the port extension  330  may be approximately 4″ to 10″ in length. Should the extension  330  be made of flexible, or semi-flexible material, this allows the axis  390  to be adjustable by the user. This enhances the ability of the user to readily and easily attach a duct to the device  300 .  
      The element  340  may fully, or partially surround the perimeter of the port extension  330 . The element  340  may be made of steel or other suitable rigid material to provide a spring bias, snap fit, or other functional engagement due to variations in diameter between the outer periphery of elements  340  and  502 . The element  340  may be a hoop. The element  340  may be connected to the material  330 , for example, by being sewn within a sleeve at, or near, the distal end  332 . Should the material  333  be rigid, or semi-rigid, for example, the element  340  may be omitted in its entirety.  
      The cross section of the port extension  330  may be circular, as shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 15 , or other suitable shapes to match with a connecting duct  500  (See e.g.,  FIG. 17 ). The port extension  330  abuts and surrounds the opening  320 . The shape and size of the cross section of the port extension  330  may match, or differ, from the size and shape of the opening  320 . Similarly, although the cross-section shape and size of the port extension  330  is depicted as uniform, the shape and size may vary along the length of material  333 . For example, the cross section shape at the proximal end  331  may be square (e.g., 16″ square) in order to match the shape and size of the opening  320 , while the cross section shape at the distal end  332  may be round (e.g., 24″ diameter) in order to match the shape and size of the duct  500  ( FIG. 17 ) that may be attached thereto. Thus, the cross sectional shape, and perhaps size, changes along the length of material  333 .  
      The wall portion  310  has a front surface  311  and a back surface  312 . Extending through the wall portion  310  is the opening  320 . The opening  320  may include a mesh  321 , or similar filter material, across the opening  320  that is suitable in size and type for preventing the passage of objects (not shown) across the opening  320 . For example, the mesh  321  may be made of nylon suitably sized to act as a bird screen. The mesh  321  can prevent trash, debris, leaves, children, or other objects from passing through the opening  320 .  
      On both the front surface  311  and back surface  312  may be a cover  313   a ,  313   b . The covers  313   a ,  313   b  are accessible from the front surface  311  and back surface  312 , respectively. They allow the user to unfurl the cover  313   a ,  313   b  and cover the opening  320 , if desired, when the device  300  is not in use. Thus, the cover  313   a ,  313   b  is of suitable non-porous material such as vinyl, fabric, and the like. When either cover  313   a ,  313   b  is not in use, they may be rolled up and retained via a retainer  315 . The retainer  315  may be any suitable means such as a hook and loop fastening system located, as required, on portions of the cover  313   a ,  313   b  and front surface  311  and back surface  312 .  
      Similarly, the cover  313   a ,  313   b  may also include a portion of a hook and loop system  314   a  on its perimeter while a portion of the wall portion  310  has a complimentary portion of a hook and loop system  314   b . This hook and loop system  314   a ,  314   b  allows for the cover  313   a ,  313   b  when in use to be more securely attached to the wall portion  310  thereby providing a weather tight capability. In lieu of the hook and loop system  314   a ,  314   b , other quick-release attachments for the cover  313   a ,  313   b  may be employed. For example, zipper(s), snap(s), button(s), and the like (not shown) can be used to ensure that the cover  313   a ,  313   b  stays attached to the wall portion  310 .  
      The wall portion  310  may also include a plurality of attachment elements  318  that are suitable for further attaching the wall portion  310  to another structure  410  (See e.g.,  FIG. 19 ). The attachment elements  318  may be, for example, zipper(s), hook and loop fastener(s), snap(s), button(s), and the like. The attachment elements  318  may be made out of metal, ceramic, composite, plastic, and the like. The attachment elements  318  allow for the easy removal, installation of the wall portion  310  to, or from, its attachment to the structure  410 . Similarly, the attachment elements  318  allow for the easy switching or exchanging of different devices  300  to/from the structure  410 .  
      On both the front surface  311  and the back surface  312 , spaced on the perimeter of the opening  320 , are a plurality of D-rings  323 . The D-rings  323  provide an additional attachment point for connecting various elements together.  
      The view depicted in  FIG. 16  shows the back surface  312  of the device  300  and the various elements on the embodiment.  
      The device  300  in its entirety, or just individual elements (e.g., wall portion  310 , material  33 , cover  313 , etc.) may alternatively be made of the aforementioned reinforced adhered insulation material  10 .  
      Turning to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , side views are shown of a typical device  300  and the attachment of a duct  500  thereto. While  FIG. 17  shows a sectional view of the impending attachment,  FIG. 18  shows an elevational view of the device  300  and duct fully attached.  
      As can be seen in greater clarity in  FIG. 17 , the element  340  may include one, or both, of a surface feature that is along the interior  341  of the element  340  and a surface feature that is along the exterior  341  of the element  340 . Thus, the interior feature(s)  341  and exterior feature(s)  342  may be of such a configuration so as to project outward from the surface of the element  340 , or recess inward from the element  340 . For example, the features  341 ,  342  may be a detent, knob, projection, depression, and the like, or combinations thereof.  
      Various types of duct  500  may be attached to the device  300 . The duct  500  can have various uses as will be discussed below. The duct  500  may be of a flexible material such as coated vinyl. A flexible, spiral wound duct  500  is shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  that includes a rigid helical spiral  502  and flexible material  501  therebetween. Conversely, the duct  500  may be made of rigid material (e.g., PVC, galvanized metal, plastic, etc.). The duct  500  includes a first end  505  and a distal second end  506 . The duct  500  has a longitudinal axis  390  that matches the longitudinal axis  390  of the port extension  330 . The cross sectional size and shape of the first end  505  of the duct  500  matches, or is generally similar to the cross sectional size and shape of the distal end  332  of the port extension  330  to which the duct  500  will attach and surround.  
      As the impending attachment is shown in  FIG. 17 , the first end  505  of the duct  500  will attach to the device  300  so that the distal end  332  of the port extension  330  surrounds the first end  505  of the duct  500 . In this manner, the helical spiral  502  exerts an outward force against portion(s) of the interior of the port extension and/or element  340  so that adequate purchase is created between device  300  and duct  500  so that disconnection of the two is prevented. Additionally, in this embodiment, the element  340  and/or other elements of the extension  330  may exert a clamping or binding force around the inserted first end  505  of the duct  500 . Alternatively, the element  340  may be lead within the interior of the duct  500  so that the element  340  may exert an outward force against the ductwall. In this embodiment of the duct  500  with flexible material  501 , this outward force creates a friction between the port extension  330  and the duct  500  thereby making it difficult for the duct  500  and device  300  to disconnect. An additional advantage, is this connection between the duct  500  and device  300 , thus, does not require any additional coupling(s), banding(s), etc. around the connection such as a snap, clip, or clamp. Further, this connection method does not typically require the use of any hand or power tools.  
       FIG. 19  depicts one embodiment of a ducting system  400  that includes plurality of ducts  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c  all connected to a structure  410 , in this embodiment a manifold box  410 . The system  400  shown has an application of a dog exercise system  400 , wherein dogs  520   a ,  520   b  use the various ducts  500  and structure  410  for exercise and/or dog competitions.  
      The manifold box  410  includes a plurality of devices  300   a ,  300   b ,  300   c  located on various surfaces of the box  410 . The box  410  further includes a removable hatch  402  that allows access to the interior of the box  410 . Each of the devices  300   a ,  300   b ,  300   c  includes a port extension  330   a ,  330   b ,  330   c  that allows a first end  505   a ,  505   b ,  505   c  of the ducts  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c  to connect thereto in the aforementioned fashion. Thus, the dog  520  may enter at any of the second ends  506   a ,  506   b ,  506   c  of the various ducts  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c  and travel through the ducts  500  and box  410 . Clearly, additional structures  400  and ducts  500  may be added to provide a plurality of system arrangements.  
      Similarly, although the system  400  in  FIG. 19  is depicted for the dog exercise application, the system  400  has other suitable uses. For example, the system  400  may be used as an exercise play system for children, or as a HVAC manifold system  400  and the like.  
       FIGS. 20 and 21  depict other embodiments of the invention, in this case a wall port device  350  and system  400 . In contrast to the previously discussed device  300 , this embodiment includes a wall portion  310  with a front surface  311  and back surface  312 . The wall portion  310  instead has a plurality of devices  300   a ,  300   b ,  300   c  arranged on the wall portion  310  each with a port extension  330   a ,  330   b ,  330   c . Each device  300   a ,  300   b ,  300   c  has an opening  320   a ,  320   b ,  320   c . Clearly, the size and configuration of each opening  320  and port extension  320  and the quantity of devices  300  may vary. Further, located on the wall portion  310  are a second set, or plurality of openings  355   a ,  355   b ,  355   c . These openings  355  are configured without the concomitant port extensions  330  that the device  300  has and thus may be use as windows, access points, fresh air intakes, and the like.  
      As shown in  FIG. 20 , an embodiment of the wall port device  350  is attached via attachment means  318  to a structure  410  (e.g., a tent, etc.) wherein the device  350  becomes one of the walls in the structure  410 . In the application shown, the device  350  allows the tent  410  to be fully enclosed. Tents such as these are used as temporary structures, often outside, for various events. The invention allows the tent  410  to be cooled and/or heated more readily by hooking up a plurality of ducts  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c  to the device  350 . The distal ends of the ducts  500   a ,  500   b ,  500   c , can conversely be attached to a HVAC (i.e., Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) source  510 . The device  350  allows the tent enclosure to be more complete and mitigates the need to have various openings and/or sides of the tent removed in order to provide HVAC requirements.  
      While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.