Sealing Tape

Abstract

The sealing tape comprises at least one base body of flexible foam capable of recovery after compression. In the area of the bottom surface of the sealing tape, an adhesive layer for bonding to a frame profile of a window or door is arranged. The sealing tape comprises a continuous barrier structure for reducing the permeability to the diffusion of water vapor and/or the permeability to air in the functional direction of the sealing tape, which barrier structure begins from at least one side surface and extends along the top surface to an area between the side surfaces, from where it then proceeds from the top surface to the bottom surface, and finally extends along a bottom surface of the at least one base body from the area between the side surfaces to at least one side surface.

Claims

1. A sealing tape comprising at least one base body of flexible foam capable of recovery after compression, wherein the sealing tape comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second side surfaces, which connect the top surface and the bottom surface to each other, wherein the side surfaces are substantially perpendicular to a functional direction of the sealing tape; wherein an adhesive layer for bonding to a frame profile of a window or door is arranged in an area of the bottom surface; and wherein the sealing tape comprises a continuous barrier structure for reducing the permeability to the diffusion of water vapor and/or the permeability to air in the functional direction, which barrier structure extends along the top surface from at least one of the first and second side surfaces to an area between the first and second side surfaces, from where it then proceeds from the top surface to the bottom surface of the sealing tape and finally extends along a bottom surface of the at least one base body from the area between the first and second side surfaces to at least one of the first and second side surfaces.

2. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the barrier structure extends along the top surface from the first side surface to the area between the first and second side surfaces, from where it then proceeds from the top surface to the bottom surface of the sealing tape and finally extends along the bottom surface of the at least one base body from the area between the first and second side surfaces to the second side surface.

3. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the barrier structure extends along the top surface rom the first side surface to the area between the first and second side surfaces, from where it then proceeds from the top surface to the bottom surface of the sealing tape and finally extends along the bottom surface of the at least one base body from the area between the first and second side surfaces to the first side surface.

4. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the barrier structure extends along the top surface from the first and from the second side surface to the area between the first and second side surfaces, from where it then proceeds from the top surface to the bottom surface of the sealing tape and finally extends along the bottom surface of the at least one base body from the area between the first and second side surfaces to the first and second side surfaces.

5. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the top surface of the sealing tape comprises a profile with at least one valley, wherein the sealing tape, when in a fully expanded state, comprises a first thickness in an area of the first side surface, a second thickness in an area of the second side surface, and a third thickness in an area between the first and second side surfaces, which third thickness is less than the first thickness and less than the second thickness, and wherein an interior space of the valley, in the fully expanded state of the sealing tape, is filled exclusively with air; wherein the barrier structure proceeds from the top surface to the bottom surface of the at least one base body by extending through the area of the third thickness.

6. The sealing tape according to claim 5, wherein the lesser third thickness in the fully expanded state of the sealing tape is obtained at least in part by a permanent compression and/or fusion of the foam of the at least one base body; and wherein the barrier structure is formed at least in part by a permanently compressed and/or fused section of the at least one base body.

7. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the sealing tape comprises two base bodies, which are arranged next to each other in the functional direction of the sealing tape, wherein, in a transition area between the two adjacent base bodies, the barrier structure extends at least partially from the top surface to the bottom surface of the sealing tape.

8. The sealing tape according to claim 7, wherein the two base bodies are configured as originally separate units, which are adhered to each other in the transition area by the barrier structure.

9. The sealing tape according to claim 7, wherein the barrier structure is configured as a continuous barrier layer, which extends along the top surface of the sealing tape, proceeds from the top surface to the bottom surface of the sealing tape, and finally extends along the bottom surface of at least one of the at least two base bodies.

10. The sealing tape according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the base bodies comprises a covering, which surrounds the base body on the top surface, the bottom surface, and a side facing an adjacent base body, wherein the covering forms part of the barrier structure or the entire barrier structure.

11. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the barrier structure is formed in part by a barrier layer arranged on the top surface of the at least one base body.

12. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the barrier structure is formed in part by a barrier layer arranged on the bottom surface of the at least one base body.

13. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the barrier structure is formed in part by the adhesive layer.

14. A sealing tape roll comprising a sealing tape, wherein the sealing tape comprises at least one base body of flexible foam capable of recovery after compression, wherein the sealing tape comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second side surfaces, which connect the top surface and the bottom surface to each other, wherein the side surfaces are substantially perpendicular to a functional direction of the sealing tape; wherein an adhesive layer for bonding to a frame profile of a window or door is arranged in an area of the bottom surface; wherein the sealing tape comprises a continuous barrier structure for reducing the permeability to the diffusion of water vapor and/or the permeability to air in the functional direction, which barrier structure extends along the top surface from at least one of the first and second side surfaces to an area between the first and second side surfaces, from where it then proceeds from the top surface to the bottom surface of the sealing tape and finally extends along a bottom surface of the at least one base body from the area between the first and second side surfaces to at least one of the first and second side surfaces. and wherein the sealing tape in the sealing tape roll is wound up in a compressed state in which the top surface and the bottom surface of the sealing tape extend in substantially straight lines.

15. A building section comprising a wall and a building component inserted into an opening in the wall, wherein a sealing tape in a partially compressed installation state is arranged in a joint between the building component and the wall and seals the joint, wherein the sealing tape comprises at least one base body of flexible foam capable of recovery after compression, wherein the sealing tape comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second side surfaces, which connect the top surface and the bottom surface to each other, wherein the side surfaces are substantially perpendicular to a functional direction of the sealing tape; wherein an adhesive layer for bonding to a frame profile of a window or door is arranged in an area of the bottom surface; wherein the sealing tape comprises a continuous barrier structure for reducing the permeability to the diffusion of water vapor and/or the permeability to air in the functional direction, which barrier structure extends along the top surface from at least one of the first and second side surfaces to an area between the first and second side surfaces, from where it then proceeds from the top surface to the bottom surface of the sealing tape and finally extends along a bottom surface of the at least one base body from the area between the first and second side surfaces to at least one of the first and second side surfaces, and wherein, in the partially compressed installed state, the top surface of the sealing tape rests against the wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a sealing tape according to the invention in the fully expanded state;

[0075] FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the sealing tape according to FIG. 1 after it has been wound up into a sealing tape roll;

[0076] FIG. 3 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention in a fully expanded state;

[0077] FIG. 4 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention in a fully expanded state;

[0078] FIG. 5 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention in a fully expanded state;

[0079] FIG. 6 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention in a fully expanded state;

[0080] FIG. 7 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention in a fully expanded state;

[0081] FIG. 8 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention in a fully expanded state;

[0082] FIG. 9 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention in a fully expanded state;

[0083] FIG. 10 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention in a fully expanded state;

[0084] FIG. 11 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of an installation situation of the sealing tape according to FIG. 1, in which the sealing tape, in a partially compressed installation state, is arranged in a joint between a building component and a wall with a sealing action; and

[0085] FIG. 12 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of an installation situation of the sealing tape according to FIG. 8, in which the sealing tape, in a partially compressed installation state, is arranged in a joint between a building component and a wall with a sealing action.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0086] The sealing tape 2 shown in cross section in FIG. 1 comprises a base body 4 of flexible foam, which is capable of recovering after being compressed, and which is preferably impregnated to delay its recovery. The base body 4 originally has a one-piece shape, but, as a result of a permanent compression and/or fusion of the material of the base body 4, it is thinner in the middle area than in the areas to the right and to the left.

[0087] The sealing tape 2 illustrated here comprises a top surface 6, a bottom surface 8, and two side surfaces 10, which connect the top surface 6 and the bottom surface 8 to each other. The side surfaces 10 are substantially perpendicular to a functional direction F of the sealing tape, i.e., the direction in which the sealing tape, when in the later installed state (see FIG. 11), is intended to seal off a joint against the passage of air and/or against the diffusion of water vapor.

[0088] In the area of the bottom surface 8, an adhesive layer 12 is arranged, which, in the example shown here, is flat and serves to adhere the tape to a building component 14 (see FIG. 11) such as a frame profile of a window or door. The adhesive layer 12 is preferably configured as a double-sided adhesive tape and is adhered by its top surface to the adjacent areas of the sealing tape. The adhesive surface of the adhesive layer 12 serving to adhere the sealing tape to the building component 14 is oriented downward and is usually covered by a peel-off film or a peel-off paper, which can be removed before use. In the example shown here, it is also conceivable that the adhesive layer 12 could be configured with adhesive properties in the upward direction only in the areas in which it comes into contact with areas of the sealing tape.

[0089] The top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2 comprises a profile with a valley 16 in a middle area between the side surfaces 10 of the sealing tape 2. The interior space of the valley 16 is filled exclusively with air. In the area of the valley 16, the top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2 is curved. In the area of the side surfaces 10, the top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2 is substantially flat. The interior space of the valley 16 is defined as the space which is bounded by the curved part of the top surface 6 and an extension of the substantially flat section of the top surface 6 over the valley 16.

[0090] Because of the valley 16, which is filled only with air, the sealing tape 2 offers the advantage over sealing tapes with a base body with a rectangular cross section that, because of the relatively large quantity of air present in the middle area of the sealing tape 2, it has a greater thermal insulation effect. All of the other above-described embodiments of the sealing tape with at least one valley 16 in the top surface 6 or bottom surface 8 also offer this advantage.

[0091] In the area of the first (right) side surface 10, the sealing tape 2 comprises, in the fully expanded state, a first thickness h.sub.1, which corresponds to the thickness h.sub.2 of the second (left) side surface 10. At the vertex of the valley 16, however, the sealing tape 2, when in the fully expanded state, has a third thickness h.sub.3, which is less than the first thickness h.sub.1 and also less than the second thickness h.sub.2. The reduced third thickness h.sub.3 in the fully expanded state of the sealing tape 2 is obtained to at least some extent by a permanent compression and/or fusion of the material of the base body 4.

[0092] The bottom of the base body 4 comprises a profile with a lower valley 28, which is oriented toward the top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2 and which, in the area of the third thickness h.sub.3, is opposite the valley 16 in the top surface 6.

[0093] The sealing tape 2 shown in FIG. 1 also comprises a continuous barrier structure 18 for reducing the diffusion of water vapor and/or the permeability to air in the functional direction F of the sealing tape, which structure extends from the top surface 6 to the bottom surface 8, passing at least partially through the area of the third thickness h.sub.3.

[0094] In other embodiments, the thickness h.sub.1 can also be different from the thickness h.sub.2, as long as both thicknesses h.sub.1, h.sub.2 are greater than the thickness h.sub.3.

[0095] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the barrier structure 18 comprises several subsections, which together form the continuous barrier structure 18. First, the sealing tape comprises, on the top surface 6, a barrier layer 20. This barrier layer 20 extends from the first to the second side surface 10 and covers the base body 4 of the sealing tape 2 completely. The barrier layer 20 is preferably bonded to the base body 4 with an adhesive or laminated to it.

[0096] The sealing tape 2 also comprises an additional barrier layer 22 in the area of the bottom surface of the base body 4, which barrier layer also extends from the first to the second side surface 10 and preferably covers the base body completely. The barrier layer 22 is preferably bonded permanently to the base body with an adhesive or is laminated to it. The barrier layers 20, 22 thus form symmetrically configured boundaries of the base body 4 on its top and bottom surfaces.

[0097] A third component of the barrier structure 18 is the permanently compressed and/or fused section 24 of the sealing tape in the area of the valley 16. In this area, the barrier layer 20 arranged on the top surface 6, the barrier layer 22 arranged on the bottom surface 8, and the material of the base body 4 are jointly compressed and/or fused, as a result of which the reduced third thickness h.sub.3 of the sealing tape is obtained. As a result of the compression and/or fusion of the various layers in this area, a seal-producing connection is produced between the upper barrier layer 20 and the lower barrier layer 22.

[0098] The compression and/or fusion can be achieved in this area by means of, for example, adhesive bonding after compression, by stitching, by lamination under simultaneous compression, or by partial melting (with or without compression). In all cases, the higher compression and/or the greater material density in the compressed/fused area ensures that, in this section 24, the sealing property of the sealing tape and/or the resistance to the diffusion of water vapor in the functional direction F is significantly increased. The material of the base body 4 can be compressed so strongly or fused to the materials of the barrier layers 20, 22 in such a way that it can no longer be distinguished visually from the barrier layers 20, 22.

[0099] The continuous barrier structure 18 formed by the upper barrier layer 20, the compressed/fused section 24, and the lower barrier layer 22 thus extends over the entire thickness of the sealing tape (except for the adhesive layer 12) and thus ensures a gap-free seal, adjusted to the desired degree, against the passage of air and/or the diffusion of water vapor over the entire thickness in the functional direction F.

[0100] In this embodiment, the barrier structure 18 begins from the first and second side surfaces 10 and extends along the top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2 to the area in the middle between the first and second side surfaces 10; it then proceeds from the top surface 6 down toward the bottom surface 8 of the sealing tape 2 and extends along the bottom surface of the base body 4 from the area in the middle between the first and second side surfaces 10 to the first and second side surfaces 10.

[0101] In this way, it is possible easily to produce a sealing tape 2 with a continuous barrier structure 18 without the need for the laborious process of introducing a plurality of sealing tape components into cuts in the sealing tape.

[0102] In the embodiment shown, it is also conceivable that the adhesive layer 12 does not extend continuously over the entire width of the sealing tape 2 but instead extends only in the form of strips in the areas in which it is to be adhered to the other elements of the sealing tape.

[0103] In FIG. 2, the sealing tape 2 according to FIG. 1 is shown in a configuration in which it has been wound up into a sealing tape roll 26. The sealing tape 2 is now in a (partially) compressed state, in which the top surface 6 and the bottom surface 8 of the sealing tape form substantially straight lines, or in which the valley 16 is much less pronounced than it is in the fully expanded state. The configuration as a sealing tape roll 26 is also preferred for all of the additional embodiments of the sealing tape according to the invention, and the same relationships pertain.

[0104] The sealing tape shown in FIG. 3 differs from the sealing tape of FIG. 1 in that the adhesive layer 12 adheres continuously to the lower barrier layer 22 and thus has a profile in the form of a hill, which corresponds to the profile of the bottom surface of the base body with the lower valley 28.

[0105] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, only the upper barrier layer 20, the base body 4, and the lower barrier layer 22 are compressed or fused together in the area of the compressed/fused section 24, whereas the adhesive layer 12 is applied afterwards as a separate strip to the sealing tape 2. It is also conceivable that the adhesive layer 12 could become a component of the compressed/fused section 24 and that it is also compressed and/or fused with the other components of the sealing tape 2 present in this area. In this case, the compression/fusion is not carried out until after the adhesive layer 12 has been applied.

[0106] The adhesive layer 12 can contribute additionally to the barrier structure 18. It is also conceivable that, in the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the lower barrier layer 22 could be omitted, in which case the adhesive layer 12 takes over the function of the lower barrier layer. It must then be ensured that the adhesive layer 12 has properties which reduce the passage of air or the diffusion of water vapor to the desired degree. In this case, the barrier structure 18 would be formed by the upper barrier layer 20, the compressed/fused section 24, and the adhesive layer 12.

[0107] Also in the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the barrier structure 18 extends along the top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2, beginning from the first and second side surfaces 10 and proceeding to the area between the first and second side surfaces 10, from which it then proceeds from the top surface 6 down toward the bottom surface 8 of the sealing tape 2 and then along the bottom surface of the base body from the area between the first and second side surfaces 10 to the first and second side surfaces 10.

[0108] The embodiment of the sealing tape 2 according to the invention shown in FIG. 4 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that the upper barrier layer 20 extends only from one side surface 10 to the compressed/fused section 24, and that the lower barrier layer 22 also extends only from the compressed/fused section 24 to one of the side surfaces 10, preferably to the side surface 10 of the sealing tape other than that from which the upper barrier layer 20 extends. This configuration is sufficient to form a continuous barrier structure 18, which is composed of the upper barrier layer 20, the compressed/fused section 24, and the lower barrier layer 22.

[0109] Formulated in general terms, the barrier structure 18, in the embodiment shown here, extends along the top surface 6 from the second side surface 10 (on the left) to the area between the first and the second side surfaces 10, from which it then proceeds from the top surface 6 down toward the bottom surface 8 of the sealing tape 2 and along the bottom surface of the at least one base body 4 from the area between the first and the second side surfaces 10 to the first side surface 10 (on the right). It is obvious that the barrier structure 18 can also, in a corresponding manner, begin from the first side surface 10, extend along the top surface 6, and then proceed along the bottom surface of the at least one base body 4 to the second side surface 10.

[0110] Alternatively, the barrier structure 18 on the top surface 6 extends from the first side surface 10 to the area between the first and second side surfaces 10, from which it then proceeds from the top surface 6 down toward the bottom surface 8 of the sealing tape and finally along the bottom surface of the at least one base body from the area between the first and second side surfaces 10 to the first side surface 10.

[0111] Because the entire thickness of the sealing tape 2 is covered over its complete cross section by these components, it is ensured that the air permeability or water vapor diffusion in the functional direction F of the sealing tape can be reduced to the desired degree.

[0112] It is also possible for only one of the two barrier layers 20, 22 to extend between a side surface 10 and the section 24 and for the other one of the two barrier layers 20, 22 to extend all the way between the two side surfaces 10.

[0113] The embodiment of the sealing tape 2 shown in FIG. 5 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that two compressed/fused sections 24 are provided across the width of the sealing tape 2. Between these sections 24, an area of the base body with a substantially oval cross section is arranged, which is preferably surrounded on the top and bottom surfaces by the barrier layers 20, 22.

[0114] It is also possible for more than two compressed/fused sections 24 to be provided across the width of the sealing tape. It is also conceivable in all of the embodiments that the compressed/fused section or sections 24 could be arranged asymmetrically across the width of the sealing tape.

[0115] The barrier structure 18 in the embodiment according to FIG. 5 is formed by the upper barrier layer 20, the lower barrier layer 22 (which can be replaced, optionally, by the adhesive layer 12), and the section 24. Alternatively, the barrier structure 18, in a sealing tape 2 configured in this way, can also be formed only by sections of the barrier layers 20, 22 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0116] In one embodiment of the sealing tape 2 according to the invention, the bottom of the base body can be substantially flat by comparison to the embodiment according to FIG. 5 and be adhered over its entire surface to the adhesive layer 12. The shape of the valleys 16, furthermore, can be substantially V-shaped, and the compressed/fused sections 24 can be located not in the middle area of the sealing tape 2, i.e., not in the middle with respect to thickness of the sealing tape, but rather in a lower area of the sealing tape. Such modifications of the valley 16 or of the compressed/fused section 24 are also conceivable for all of the other previously described embodiments. Even in the present embodiment, the shape of the valleys 16 can correspond to the shape in the other embodiments, e.g., those according to FIGS. 1 and 3-5. In this present example, furthermore, the lower barrier layer 22 can be omitted, if the adhesive layer 12 takes over its function.

[0117] The embodiment of the sealing tape 2 according to the invention shown in FIG. 6 comprises two base bodies 4 of flexible foam capable of recovery after compression, which are preferably impregnated to delay their recovery and which are arranged next to each other in the functional direction F of the sealing tape 2.

[0118] The sealing tape 2 comprises a top surface 6, a bottom surface 8, and two side surfaces 10, which connect the top surface 6 and the bottom surface 8 to each other. The side surfaces 10 are substantially perpendicular to a functional direction F of the sealing tape 2, i.e., the direction in which the sealing tape 2, when in the installed state to be produced later, is intended to seal a joint against the passage of air and/or the diffusion of water vapor.

[0119] In the area of the bottom surface 8, an adhesive layer 12 is arranged, which, in the example shown here, is flat and serves to adhere the sealing tape to a building component 14 (see FIG. 12), such as a frame profile of a window or door. The adhesive layer 12 is preferably configured as a double-sided adhesive tape and adheres by its top surface to the adjacent areas of the sealing tape. The adhesive surface of the adhesive layer 12 serving to attach the sealing tape to the building component is oriented downward, i.e., facing away from the other components of the sealing tape 2, and is usually covered by a peel-off film or a peel-off paper, which can be removed before use. In the example shown here, it is also conceivable that the adhesive layer 12 could be configured so that it has adhesive properties only in the areas in which it comes in contact with areas of the sealing tape.

[0120] The top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2 comprises a profile with a valley 16 in a middle area of the sealing tape 2. The interior space of the valley 16 is filled exclusively with air. In the area of the first side surface 10 (on the right), the sealing tape 2, when in the fully expanded state, comprises a first thickness h.sub.1, which corresponds to the thickness h.sub.2 of the second side surface 10 (on the left). At the vertex of the valley 16, however, the sealing tape 2, when in the fully expanded state, has a third thickness h.sub.3, which is less than the first thickness h.sub.1 and also less than the second thickness h.sub.2.

[0121] The area with the third thickness h.sub.3 is formed in a transition area 36 between the two base bodies 4. In the example shown here, each of the two base bodies 4 is obtained by bending a molded body with an originally rectangular cross section, wherein a first or upper leg 30 of the base body 4 is bent over by 180° with respect to a second or lower leg 32 of the base body 4. The bending site is arranged in the area 36 of the transition to the other base body 4; and, as a result of the bending process, the foam material of the base body 4 is compressed into itself in the area of the bending site.

[0122] The first and second legs 30, 32 can be adhered to each other at their facing surfaces; they are preferably bonded together by means of an adhesive or laminated to each other. As a result, an substantially horizontal adhesion surface is obtained between the legs 30, 32.

[0123] Each of the two base bodies 4 comprises a covering 34, which surrounds it on the top surface, the bottom surface, and the side facing the other base body 4. Depending on the stiffness of this covering 34, the covering 34 can in each case contribute additionally to the compression of the material of the base body 4 in the area of the bending site. The adhesive layer 12 is adhered permanently to the two coverings 34 along their bottom surface.

[0124] It is preferred that the covering 34 form a barrier structure 18, which fulfills the same requirements as the barrier structure 18 described previously on the basis of FIG. 1. Each covering 34 forms its own continuous barrier structure 18, which, considered across the width of the sealing tape 2, covers the entire thickness of the sealing tape 2 and thus can reduce the air permeability or the passage of water vapor in the functional direction F of the sealing tape to the desired degree. The barrier structure 18 thus proceeds at least from one of the two side surfaces 10, i.e., either from the first or second side surface, continues along the top surface 6 and through the transition area 36, and finally extends along the bottom surface of the same base body back to the same side surface 10, i.e., either back to the first or back to the second side surface.

[0125] The two adjacent base bodies 4 in the present case are permanently adhered to each other, e.g., by means of an adhesive layer 37, in the transition area 36 via the intermediate presence of the associated sections of the coverings 34. The coverings 34 of the two base bodies 4, however, can also be fused directly together. An adhesive layer 37 of this type or the adhesive bonding of the coverings 34 can also contribute to the barrier structure 18.

[0126] The end result is that, in the area of the reduced third thickness h.sub.3, an substantially V-shaped valley 16 is formed in the area of the top surface 6 of the sealing tape, and an additional V-shaped valley 28 is formed in the area of the bottom surface 8 of the sealing tape, opposite the valley 16.

[0127] The embodiment of the sealing tape 2 according to the invention shown in FIG. 7 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6 in that only one of the base bodies 4 corresponds to one of the two base bodies 4 of FIG. 6. The other base body 4 is also a base body of flexible foam, but it represents a pre-cut part with a rectangular cross section. The pre-cut part can also have some other geometric shape.

[0128] The continuous barrier structure 18 is formed in this case only by the covering 34 of the first base body 4. In the transition area 36, the two base bodies 4 merely rest against each other, but they can also be adhered to each other, as described on the basis of FIG. 6.

[0129] The thicknesses of the two base bodies 4 are preferably the same, but they can also be different. In the transition area 36, it is preferred that the third thickness h.sub.3 be less than that in the area of each of the two side surfaces 10 of the sealing tape 2. The arrangement of the two base bodies 4 with respect to the functional direction F in FIG. 7 can also be reversed. It is also conceivable that, on the side of the free lateral surface of the rectangular base body 4, an additional base body 4 with a covering 34 could be arranged, preferably a mirror image of the base body 4 already shown in FIG. 7.

[0130] The embodiment of the sealing tape 2 according to FIG. 8 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6 in that each of the two base bodies 4 consists of a pre-cut part with a rectangular cross section and is not bent over. The compression of the two base bodies 4 near the transition area 36 is therefore obtained exclusively by the adhesion of the two coverings 34 in the transition area 36 and by the stiffness of the coverings 34. To form the valley 16 and possibly the valley 28, it is then essential that the adhesive layer 37 between the coverings 34 have a lesser thickness than the first or second thickness h.sub.1, h.sub.2 at the side surfaces 10 of the sealing tape. Because of the stiffness of the covering 34, each base body 4 will then be more highly compressed near the transition area 36 than it is in the area of the side surface 10 when fully expanded. In this embodiment as well, the barrier structure 18 is formed by at least one covering 34 and possibly by the adhesive layer 37 also.

[0131] It is also possible to combine a base body configured as in FIG. 8 with a conventional base body 4 with a rectangular cross section without a covering 34.

[0132] The embodiment of the sealing tape 2 according to FIG. 9 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 7 in that each of the two base bodies consists of a pre-cut part with a rectangular cross section and is not bent over. The one base body 4 (on the left in FIG. 9) corresponds substantially to one of the two base bodies 4 according to FIG. 8 and comprises a covering 34, which forms at least part of the barrier structure 18. The other base body 4 (on the right in FIG. 9) corresponds substantially to the pre-cut part of flexible foam with a rectangular cross section according to FIG. 7, but it can also have some other geometric shape. The two base bodies 4 can be permanently bonded to each other in the transition area 36 by means of, for example, an adhesive layer 37. The two base bodies 4, however, can also be connected to each other only by means of the adhesive layer 12 in the area of their associated bottom surfaces.

[0133] In contrast to FIG. 8, the covering 34 or its adhesion to the other base body 4 in this case produces no significant compression of the base body 4 in or near the transition area 36. Correspondingly, no significant valleys 16, 28 are formed in the top and bottom surfaces of the sealing tape 2. As a result, the result is achieved that the sealing tape 2, when in the installed state, rests as completely as possible over its entire width against a building component 14 and the wall 40. The pressure exerted by the sealing tape 2 on the wall is then substantially constant over the width of the sealing tape 2.

[0134] To increase the sealing action of the sealing tape 2, however, at least the covered base body 4 in this embodiment can also be compressed to any desired degree, as previously described in connection with the other embodiments, this compression being achieved, for example, by means of the covering 34.

[0135] The sealing tape according to the invention shown in FIG. 10 comprises two substantially rectangular base bodies 4 of flexible foam. The barrier structure 18 in this case is formed as a continuous, preferably one-piece barrier layer 23, which extends along the top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2, proceeds from the top surface 6 down to the bottom surface 8 of the sealing tape 2, and then extends along the bottom surface of at least one of the two base bodies. Here the barrier structure 18 or the barrier layer 23 begins from the second side surface 10 (on the left), proceeds along the top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2 and then along the facing side surfaces of the base bodies 4 in the transition area 36, from which it then proceeds to the bottom surface 8 of the sealing tape 2, where it extends along the bottom surface of the one base body 4 to the first side surface 10 (on the right). It is obvious that the barrier structure 18 could also begin from the first side surface 10, extend along the top surface 6, and proceed along the bottom surface 8 to the second side surface 10.

[0136] The continuous barrier layer 23 can be formed in part by a barrier layer 20 on the top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2 and in part by a barrier layer 22 on the bottom surface of at least one base body 4, as described on the basis of FIGS. 1 and 3-5. The barrier layers 20, 22 can extend either only from one of the two side surfaces 10 to the transition area 36 or over the entire width of the sealing tape 2.

[0137] In the transition area 36, another barrier layer section 25 is provided, which connects the two barrier layers 20, 22 to each other. The barrier layer section 25 along the facing side surfaces of the base bodies 4 is preferably substantially parallel to the side surfaces 10 and can be adhered to at least one of the two base bodies 4, preferably to both base bodies 4.

[0138] The barrier layer section 25 can be formed as an integral part of the barrier layers 20, 22 and can preferably be made of the same material as they are. The barrier layer section 25, however, can also be made of a different material, such as a film or an adhesive layer, or it can be formed by the fusion of the foam of one of the two base bodies along the corresponding side surface. The barrier layers 20, 22 and the barrier layer section 25 should then be bonded together to produce the seal.

[0139] In general, the continuous barrier layer 23 and the barrier layer section 25 can, within the scope of the invention, have the same properties and be made of the same materials as those described herein for the barrier layers 20, 22 and the covering 34.

[0140] The two base bodies 4 can be bonded together by means of the barrier layer section 25, e.g., bonded by means of an adhesive or laminated together. Alternatively, the base bodies 4 can merely hold the barrier layer section 25 loosely between them and be bonded permanently together by means of the adhesive layer 12. The adhesive layer 12 can also take over the function of the lower barrier layer 22, which can then be omitted accordingly.

[0141] In the embodiments according to FIGS. 6-10, more than two base bodies 4 can also be arranged next to each other appropriately and bonded together in each case.

[0142] There are many different possible ways of combining or modifying the individual embodiments. All such combinations are intended to be disclosed herewith to the extent that they fall under the attached claims.

[0143] FIG. 11 shows the sealing tape 2 of FIG. 1 in an installed state. In a section 42 of a building, the sealing tape 2 is arranged in a joint 38 in a partially compressed installation state between a building component 14, especially a frame profile of a window or door, and a wall 40 and thus seals the joint 38. As indicated by the broken lines, the top surface 6 of the sealing tape 2 rests against the wall 40 in the area of the side surfaces 10 of the sealing tape, whereas, at least in the area of the original third thickness h.sub.3 and in the adjacent areas (between the broken lines), the top surface 6 does not rest against the wall 40. It is also conceivable, however, that the third thickness h.sub.3 could be considerably greater and that the top surface 6 of the sealing tape could thus also rest against the wall 40 in the area of the original third thickness h.sub.3, in which case, however, the pressure exerted here will be less than that present in the area of the side surfaces 10 of the sealing tape.

[0144] FIG. 12 shows the sealing tape 2 of FIG. 8 in a corresponding installation situation. In this case, the sealing tape 2 is compressed between the building component 14 and the wall 40 in the section 42 of the building to such a pronounced degree that the top surface 6 rests against the wall 40 even in the area of the original third thickness h.sub.3 as well as in the adjacent areas (between the broken lines), although the pressure exerted on the wall is less here than in the area of the side surfaces 10 of the sealing tape.

[0145] If, however, the base bodies 4 of the sealing tape 2 shown in FIG. 12 are configured like the covered base bodies 4 according to FIG. 9 or if, instead of the illustrated sealing tape 2, the sealing tape 2 according to FIG. 9 is used, the top surface 6 of the sealing tape will rest against the wall 40 substantially over the entire width of the sealing tape 2. The pressure exerted by the sealing tape 2 on the wall will then be substantially constant over the entire width. A deviation, however, can occur in the transition area 36, but it will be negligible because of the small dimensions of the adhesive layer 36 or similar bonding means.