Fab-Form applies for U.S. design patent for Flex-R

Executive Summary

• Fab-Form Industries Ltd. announced the launch of its new product, "Flex-R," an advanced concrete subslab panel designed to address energy efficiency, moisture intrusion, and radon venting in a single unit.
• The company has applied for a U.S. design patent for the Flex-R product and purchased the rights to a related Canadian patent (No. 3,029,299) from Jonathan Kowalchuk.
• The product claims to reduce installation labor by up to 70% and provides multiple building code-compliant functions, including R12 insulation, damp-proofing, and radon protection.

Key Details

• Product Name: Flex-R (Sub-slab panel).
• Key Functions:
  • Provides insulation capacity of R12 (or as required by local code).
  • Hex-panels adapt to uneven ground (up to one-half inch per 12-inch length).
  • Acts as a damp-proof membrane for the slab.
  • Features double-sided tape on two sides to seal the membrane quickly.
  • Provides radon protection and facilitates radon gas removal per building codes.
  • Acts as an air barrier per building codes.
• Operational Benefits:
  • Eliminates slab settlement and cracks caused by gaps between rigid insulation and ground.
  • Reduces installation labor by up to 70%.
  • Allows simultaneous installation of subslab insulation and vapor barrier.
• Intellectual Property & Legal:
  • U.S. Patent: Applied for on May 27, 2025, titled "Apparatus for Under-Slab Insulation, Radon Control and Damp-Proofing."
  • Canadian Patent: Purchased rights to Canadian Patent No. 3,029,299 ("Vadir Barrier") from Jonathan Kowalchuk on Oct. 20, 2025. The patent was issued on Jan. 28, 2020.
  • Trademarks: Applied for Flex-R trademarks in the United States and Canada in January 2026.
• Technical Specifications (from U.S. Patent Abstract):
  • Insulation body features longitudinally and laterally spaced-apart elongate grooves intersecting each other.
  • Grooves facilitate angular deflection of lower portions while inhibiting airflow and heat transfer.
  • Groove depth-to-width ratio is equal to or greater than 5.

Notable Quotes

• "This new design represents a significant leap forward in our commitment to taming the ground through innovative, sustainable products," said Richard Fearn, chief technology officer.
• "Site labour is so expensive," said Joey Fearn, chief executive officer. "Flex-R minimizes the labour required to install subslab insulation and a vapour barrier at the same time."