Heat insulating tarpaulin

Abstract

Tarpaulins (sometimes termed 'tarps') are used to protect an underlying structure or material from wind, rain and the other effects of the weather. Some tarpaulins are insulating in nature. Such insulating tarpaulins in the past have comprised weatherproof membranes with a plastic foam or polyester fiberfill portion between the membranes. These prior membranes have been characterized by short useful life and marginal insulating and weatherproofing ability, either because of limitations of the insulating fill (foam or fiber) or difficulty in sealing the seams or edges between adjacent tarpaulins. The disclosed tarpaulin comprises a first and second membrane sandwiching an insulating batt of a highly resilient fibrous glass insulation. The tarpaulin includes a seam structure around all four edges of the tarpaulin which not only fastens the first and second membranes together but holds the highly resilient fibrous insulating batt in position. At least two adjacent edges of the tarpaulin include a flap on the weatherside membrane overlying and extending along the seam structure along each of those adjacent edges. The tarpaulin further includes an indicia on the weatherside membrane for indicating the preferred orientation of the membrane when in use, and further includes a vent through weatherside membrane. This vent is so constructed to prevent penetration of precipitation, yet it permits the tarpaulin to be stored by compressing the fibrous insulating batt and exhausting the air during this compression, as well as permits reinflation of the tarpaulin upon deployment for use.