Patent ID: 8061090

Claim:
An improved mortar-and-debris-catching device for use above grade in a cavity-wall construction having weep holes, comprising: (a) a water-permeable body having circuitous non-linear pathways therethrough yielding a first-average opening size that is large enough to permit water to pass therethrough, but small enough to substantially prevent mortar and other debris from passing therethrough, said body presenting a discontinuous upper surface at least in part, when placed in a cavity of the cavity-wall construction above grade to cover at least one weep hole; and (b) a water-permeable barrier material provided on said body, said material yielding a second-average opening size that permits water to pass therethrough, while forming a barrier to insects which are of an effective size that is smaller than said first-average opening size, wherein said second-average opening size is at least an order of magnitude smaller than said first-average opening size, wherein said second-average opening size is smaller than said effective size, and wherein said second-average opening size defines an area between approximately 0.01 mm 2 and approximately 10 mm 2 .