Sealing tape

Abstract

The sealing tape has an elastically recoverable foam strip and a strip-like element, which is arranged underneath the foam strip. The strip-like element has greater flexural strength than the foam strip and has two predetermined fold points, so that two side sections of the strip-like element can be bent downward in different directions at the two predetermined fold points.

Claims

1. A sealing tape for sealing a joint, comprising: an elastically recoverable foam strip, and a stiff strip-shaped element defined as a strip-shaped element comprising a greater flexural strength than the foam strip, the stiff strip-shaped element having a first side section and a second side section, the strip shaped element arranged underneath the foam strip, the stiff strip-shaped element including two predetermined fold points, so that the first side section and the second side section of the stiff strip-shaped element are bendable at the two predetermined fold points in opposite directions.

2. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the foam strip is firmly connected to the stiff strip-shaped element.

3. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the stiff strip-shaped element is made of stiff foam.

4. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the stiff strip-shaped element comprises a flexural strength of more than 200 kPa.

5. The sealing tape according to claim 4, wherein the stiff strip-shaped element comprises a flexural strength of more than 1,000 kPa.

6. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the two predetermined fold points are formed by downward-facing recesses.

7. The sealing tape according to claim 6, wherein each of the recesses is designed so that it becomes wider in a downward direction.

8. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the first side section and the second side section comprise a latching means at an edge section.

9. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the first side section and the second side section are designed to be self-adhesive.

10. The sealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the foam strip is enclosed at least partially by a sheet-type wrapping and is held in a precompressed state.

11. A building component comprising: two profile channels open at a top, and a sealing tape, the sealing tape comprising: an elastically recoverable foam strip, and a stiff strip-shaped element defined as a strip-shaped element comprising a greater flexural strength than the foam strip, the stiff strip-shaped element having a first side section and a second side section, the stiff strip-shaped element arranged underneath the foam strip, the stiff strip-shaped element including two predetermined fold points, wherein the first side section and the second side section of the stiff strip-shaped element are bent at the two predetermined fold points in opposite directions and are clamped in the two profile channels.

12. A method for equipping a building component with a sealing tape according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: providing a building component which has at least one profile channel open in an upward direction; providing a sealing tape having a stiff strip-like element, which comprises at least one predetermined fold point; bending at least one side section of the strip-like element downward at the at least one predetermined fold point; and introducing the at least one bent-over side section into the at least one profile channel.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the building component comprises two profile channels, wherein the strip-like element comprises two predetermined fold points, and wherein two side sections of the strip-like element are bent downward in opposite directions and inserted into the two profile channels, where they clamp themselves in place.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more detailed description of the invention briefly described above will be rendereed by reference to specific embodiments that re illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the sealing tape of FIG. 1 after it has been attached to a component;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the precompressed sealing tape according to the invention;

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic cross-sectional views of two variants of the second embodiment of the sealing tape after it has been attached to a component;

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part of a third embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part of the third embodiment of the sealing tape after it has been attached to a component;

(8) FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part of a fourth embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part of the fourth embodiment of the sealing tape after it has been attached to a component;

(10) FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part of a fifth embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention;

(11) FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part of the fifth embodiment of the sealing tape after it has been attached to a component;

(12) FIG. 11 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part of a sixth embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention; and

(13) FIG. 12 is an enlarged schematic view of part of the sixth embodiment of the sealing tape after it has been attached to a component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) In some cases, the foam strips, wrappers, adhesive tapes, strip-like elements, etc., are shown a certain distance away from each other in the drawings so that the individual elements which form the sealing tape can be distinguished clearly from each other. In reality, these elements rest directly against each other.

(15) FIGS. 1-4 show a foam strip 2, which, in the example illustrated here, has a rectangular cross section. The foam strip 2 can be formed out of any desired open-cell or closed-cell flexible foam such as from polyurethane foam or polyethylene foam, and can be impregnated to delay its recovery after compression. A multilayer arrangement of several different foam materials laminated to each other is also possible, as is the arrangement of an impregnated foam layer on or next to a non-impregnated foam layer. In particular, various foam layers can be arranged directly adjacent to each other in the transverse direction so as to give the sealing tape a certain air permeability in the inner area and a different one in the outer area, for example, or to create a vapor diffusion gradient. It is also possible to arrange two or more foam strips 2 on the strip-like element 10 in such a way that that they are not directly adjacent to each other.

(16) The foam strip 2 extends farther in its longitudinal direction than in its transverse direction, and, in the embodiment shown here, it comprises two lateral surfaces 6 and two transverse surfaces 8, 9 (top 8 and bottom 9), which connect the two lateral surfaces 6 together.

(17) In certain preferred embodiments (FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b), the foam strip 2 is at least partially enclosed by a sheet-like wrapper 4 and is held by it in a precompressed state.

(18) The material of the wrapper 4 can be a sheet material, a mesh fabric, paper, or some other material which is suitable for the purpose described. Laminated sheets consisting of a plastic sheet laminated to a support material (e.g., a nonwoven) can also be used; fiber-reinforced sheets are also possible. All of these materials are described by the expression sheet-like. Combinations of such materials are also possible. A thermoplastic sheet, however, or a heat-shrink sheet, which contracts under the effect of heat, is preferred.

(19) A strip-like element 10, which has a certain flexural strength in the transverse direction, is arranged in the area of the bottom surface 9 of the foam strip 2. The flexural strength should be high enough that the strip-like element 10 can absorb at least some of the force which originates from the tendency of the foam strip 2 to expand (a force which otherwise would cause the flexible wrapper 4 to deform into a tube with an oval or possibly even a round cross section) without the strip-like element 10 itself undergoing any significant amount of deformation. Conversely, the strip-like element 10 should still have a certain elastic recovery force even after it has been intentionally bent.

(20) A foam which comprises greater, preferably much greater flexural strength than the foam strip 2 is preferred as the material of the strip-like element 10. Further details are given below. In other embodiments, furthermore, cardboard, for example, can be used, but any other suitable stiff material such as rigid plastic is also possible.

(21) In certain embodiments, the strip-like element 10 should be flexible in the longitudinal direction to such an extent that the sealing tape can be wound up into a roll.

(22) In the example shown here, doubled-sided adhesive tape 16 is arranged between the bottom surface 9 of the foam strip 2 and the strip-like element 10 and thus joins the two elements tightly together. The tight connection between the foam strip 2 and the strip-like element 10 can also be achieved by other means such as by thermoplastic lamination. In some embodiments, the tight connection between the foam strip 2 and the strip-like element 10 can, under certain conditions, be omitted.

(23) As can be seen from FIGS. 2, 4a, 4b, 6, 8, 10, and 12, the sealing tape is attached to a component 12, preferably a frame profile such as the frame profile of a window. These types of frame profiles consist, for example, of plastic or metal and exist in a large number of forms, wherein most of them comprise at least one, usually two, profile channels 14, which are defined by profile strips 18, which project from the base body of the component and which are usually angled. The profile channels 14 can also be formed by longitudinal grooving, which can also be quite shallow. Profile channels 14 allow frame profiles to be strung together in rows, but they also form edges, which must then be sealed off effectively.

(24) So that the sealing tape can be attached easily and permanently to the component 12, the strip-like element 10 comprises at least one, preferably two, predetermined fold points 20. The predetermined fold points 20 make it possible to bend down one or possibly two side sections 22 of the strip-like element 10. In cases where two predetermined fold points 20 and two side sections 22 to be bent are provided, these two side sections 22 are bent downward in opposite directions. In the preferred embodiments shown here, the predetermined fold point 20 is located in each case near the edge of the strip-like element 10, and the associated side section 22 forms the edge area of the strip-like element 10.

(25) As can be seen especially clearly in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9, the predetermined fold point 20 is preferably formed by a downward-directed recess in the strip-like element 10. This recess preferably expands in the downward direction. In the preferred embodiment shown, the side walls, which form the boundaries of the recess, are at an angle to each other, and the cross sections of the recess thus forms an upside-down V. Because of the material remaining in the web above the recess, the side section 22 tries to move back upward. It can also be useful for the side section 22 to displace material when it is being bent downward, because this increases the strength of the recovery force. The effort exerted by the side section to return can therefore be adjusted in a material-dependent manner by changing the shape and size of the recess. By means of this hinge mechanism, it is possible for the side section 22 of the strip-like element 10 to clamp itself in the profile channel 14 of the component 12.

(26) In addition to the form of the recess shown here, it is also possible to produce a cut or to mill a groove in one side of the strip or to produce a thin area by thermoforming or to obtain a predetermined fold point 20 by some other method of weakening the material.

(27) As shown in FIGS. 2, 4a, and 4b, the sealing tape in all of the embodiments is preferably attached to the component 12 in mirror-image fashion along the two opposite edge areas of the strip-like element 10. It is also conceivable, however, that only one edge area of the strip-like element 10 is clamped or attached to a component 12, whereas the remaining part of the strip-like element 10 is merely adhered to the component or attached to it in some other way, or, in the extreme case, simply allowed to rest on it.

(28) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b, in addition to the previously mentioned effort of the side sections 22 to return to their horizontal position as a result of the partially elastic properties of the strip-like element 10, there is an additional supporting force, which also exerts an upward-directed force component on the side sections 22. This lies in the effort of the foam strip 2 held in the wrapper 4 to expand. Because of its tight connection to the strip-like element 10, the foam strip held 2 in the wrapper 4 tries to pull the wrapper 4 in the direction of an oval by its inherent force of expansion and thus generates an upward-directed force component in the areas of the strip-like element 10 lying just inside the predetermined fold points 20. This, in combination with the partially elastic properties of the strip-like element 10, which is in itself stiff, reinforces the clamping function of the side section 22 in the angled outer profile strips 18.

(29) Many different forms of the components 12, of their associated profile strips 18, and of the profile channels 14 thus formed are known. The two variants shown in FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b are especially effective in making it possible for the sealing tape according to the invention to be applied as flexibly as possible to profile channels 14 of different designs. Here a latching means 24 is provided in the area of the outer edge of the side section 22; in the present case, this latching means is formed by an additional flexible extension of the strip-like element 10. This extension can be connected to the rest of the side section 22 by another predetermined fold point 26; it is bent over inside the profile channel 14 in correspondence with the prevailing geometry and thus locks itself between the profile strips 18. FIGS. 4a and 4b show two possible types of locking actions. The predetermined fold point 26 separating the latching means 24 from the rest of the side section 22 is preferably designed as a simple cut proceeding from above, and the outside edge of the latching means 24 can comprise a bevel.

(30) The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprises a latching web as its latching means 24, which is produced by thermoforming the material of the strip-like element 10 or by extrusion, or alternatively it can be simply attached. The latching web can also comprise other forms; for example, it can comprise lateral projections, or its end area can be designed in the shape of a Christmas tree.

(31) The form of the latching means 24 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is that of an arrowhead, which is designed to be inserted sideways, i.e., longitudinally, into the profile channels 14. If the arrowhead-shaped latching means 24 is elastic enough, the latching means can also be introduced from above through the opening 28 of the profile channel 14 of the component 12, the cross section of this opening being smaller than that of the profile channel 14 in all of the embodiments.

(32) The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 corresponds to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein an adhesive layer 30 is arranged on the bottom surface of the side section 22. The extension serving as the latching means 24 can in this case be bent over toward the inside and held in place against the remaining portion of the side section 22, as a result of which the strength of the clamping effect within the profile channel 14 is again increased.

(33) FIGS. 11 and 12 show a further embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention. In this case, the predetermined fold point 20 is preferably designed as a double-sided recess. Here, care must be taken to ensure that the remaining web of material is still thick enough to ensure a strong connection between the side section 22 and the remaining portion of the strip-like element 10 even after the element has been bent over. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 32 is preferably provided on the bottom surface of the edge area of the strip-like element 10, including the side section 22; this adhesive layer is covered by a covering sheet 34. A sealing tape designed in this way is especially suitable for unprofiled components 12, such as wood window profiles. It is also possible here to provide additional mechanical means of attaching the side sections 22 to the component 12, such as staples.

(34) In all of the embodiments cited above, the clamping type of attachment can be combined with adhesive bonding; that is, the surfaces of the side sections 22 can also be designed with adhesive properties so that they can reinforce the clamping action by adhering to at least one flank of the profile channel 14. It is also possible to introduce an adhesive into the profile channel 14 first and then to introduce the side section 22 into the profile channel 14. A second, thinner foam strip, furthermore, can be attached from underneath to the strip-like element 10 to fill at least partially the space which forms in the center area between the strip-like element 10 and the component 12.

(35) The method for equipping a component with sealing tape according to the invention is extremely simple. In the beginning, the strip-like element 10 including its side sections 22 is extending horizontally. If the material of the strip-like element 10 is sufficiently flexible, the sealing tape can thus even be delivered wound up into a roll. After the side sections 22 have been bent downward, they are inserted into the profile channels 14 of the component 12, where they clamp themselves in a dimensionally stable manner between the profile strips 18, the tops of which are usually angled. The elastic force of the web in the area of the predetermined fold point 20 leads to a wedging effect in the profile channel 14 and thus to a permanent attachment.

(36) As previously mentioned, the sealing tape according to the invention can in principle be produced either in the form of a strip or in the form of a roll. In the case of especially stiff materials of the strip-like element 10, the strip form is the only possibility.

(37) The sealing tape is usually attached to the frame component 12 to be sealed before the component is installed or perhaps even before it is transported. After on-site installation in the desired opening in the building, the only additional step which may be necessary in certain cases is to open the wrapper 4. When this is done, the strip-like element 10 which is attached to the frame component 12 (and which is usually not expandable) remains unchanged, whereas the foam strip 2 expands outward and seals the joint.

(38) It is also possible in particular for the sealing tape to be attached to a window frame profile just after the section has been fabricated, that is, even before the complete window frame has been assembled out of the individual sections.

(39) The wrapper 4 shown in FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b can be designed in a wide variety of different ways and can be attached at various points.

(40) A tear-off tab 36 is preferably provided, which is formed by two sections of the wrapper 4 which have been joined to each other. It is also possible to provide only a banner-like extension of the wrapper 4. By pulling on the tear-off tab 36, the sheet-like wrapper 4 is opened, and the foam strip 2 is free to expand. For this purpose, at least one predetermined tear site 38, preferably a perforation line, is provided in the wrapper 4. The positions of the predetermined tear sites 38 shown in FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b are preferred, because in this case, after the wrapper 4 has been opened, little or no material remains on the foam strip 2. It is nevertheless also possible to imagine a number of other positions for the predetermined tear-open sites 38.

(41) If the wrapper 4 is unable to withstand strong tensile forces, it is also possible to tear open the wrapper 4 by pulling on the tear-off tab 36 even in the absence of a tear-open site 38. It is also possible to tear open the wrapper 4 by pulling on a ripcord or to cut open the wrapper with a knife or some other means. Finally, the entire wrapper 4 can be removed if the bond between the wrapper and the foam strip 2 or the strip-like element 10 can be separated by exerting tensile force on it.

(42) In the example of FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b, the wrapper covers the two lateral surfaces 6 and the top surface 8 of the foam strip 2. In the area of the bottom surface 9 of the foam strip 2, a first section of the wrapper 4 is arranged to cover part of the bottom surface 9 of the foam strip 2. A second section of the wrapper 4, furthermore, is arranged between the first transverse surface 9 and the strip-like element 10 in such as way as to cover a second part of the first transverse surface, i.e., the bottom surface 9 of the foam strip 2, namely, the part which is opposite the first part. The two sections of the wrapper 4 therefore enclose the two bottom corners of the foam strip 2, are folded over toward the inside, and are preferably attached there, preferably welded or laminated, to the strip-like element 10. It is also possible, however, for the two wrapper sections to be attached to the foam strip 2 by an adhesive or by lamination or welding. The bottom surface 9 of the foam strip 2 located between the two sections of the wrapper 4 remains uncovered. This is where the double-sided adhesive tape 16 is fastened. The adhesive tape 16 can also extend over the two sections of the wrapper 4.

(43) The wrapper 4 can also extend between the foam strip 2 and the strip-like element 10 all the way across. In this case, it would be necessary, in addition to the first piece of double-sided tape 16, to provide a second piece of double-sided adhesive tape to fasten the wrapper 4 to the strip-like element 10.

(44) The tear-off tab 36 can be formed on only one side of the sealing tape, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4a. It is also possible to form two tear-off tabs 36, one on each side, as shown in FIG. 4b. In this advantageous case, an additional predetermined tear-open site 40, preferably again a perforation line, can be present in the top area of the wrapper 4. When the tear-off tabs 36 are pulled, this top tear-open site tears first and allows the foam strip 2 to expand, after which, after further pulling on the two tear-off tabs 36, the predetermined tear-open sites 38 tear and thus allow the wrapper 4 to be removed.

(45) Many other embodiments of the present invention can be imagined. The details illustrated with reference to any one of FIGS. 1-12 can be also be used in any of the other embodiments.

(46) In practice, the foam strip 2 is usually precompressed in such a way that, when it expands, it will preferably become approximately 5 to 10 times thicker than it was in the precompressed state; in many cases, however, advantage is taken of only about half of this possible expansion capacity, because this ensures that reliable contact will be established with the building component lying opposite the frame element to be sealed.

(47) A foam material which comprises greater flexural strength than the foam strip 2, usually much greater flexural strength, is preferred as the material of the strip-like element 10. The strip-like element 10 generally has a flexural strength of more than 200 kPa, and preferably of more than 250 kPa. In a preferred embodiment, the strip-like element has a flexural strength of more than 300 kPa, and preferably of more than 400 kPa. In an especially preferred embodiment, the strip-like element has a flexural strength of more than 500 kPa, preferably of more than 1,000 kPa, and even more preferably of more than 2,000 kPa. At the same time, the material of the strip-like element 10 must be elastic enough that it will not break when it is bent at the predetermined fold point 20 and also comprises the tendency to return to its original form. An upper limit for the flexural strength is therefore 10,000 kPa.

(48) The material of the foam strip 2, however, comprises a flexural strength of less than 150 kPa, preferably of less than 125 kPa, and even more preferably of less than 100 kPa, but in any case of more than 0 kPa.

(49) The flexural strength of the material of the strip-like element 10 and of the foam strip 2 is determined on the basis of the standard ISO 1209-2, third edition, from the year 2007. This international standard is usually used to measure the flexural strength of plastics, but it is also highly suitable, in modified form, for measuring the flexural strength of foams.

(50) According to this method, a uniformly increasing force is exerted vertically on the center of a test piece lying between two supports. The force causes the test piece to bend. The flexural strength is calculated on the basis of the measured force-versus-deformation curve (see Section 3 of ISO 1209-2). The test apparatus is shown in detail in FIG. 1 of Section 4. An example of the test apparatus used is model BZ2.5/TN1S from the Zwick Company in Ulm, Germany. A model KAP-Z load cell for forces up to 200 N is used for the measurements.

(51) The supports consist of two parallel cylindrical support elements, which are arranged on the same horizontal plane, and each of which has a radius of 151 mm. The length of the support elements is greater than the width of the test pieces and in the present case is 80 mm.

(52) For the present measurement, the distance L between the support elements is set at 852 mm and thus deviates from that prescribed by ISO 1209-2. The force transmission element has the same shape as the support elements. The other dimensions given in Section 5.1 of the ISO 1209-2 are also changed for the special purpose of measuring foam materials. Each measured foam test piece is a rectangular prism with a length l of 1503 mm, a width b of 402 mm, and a thickness d of 3.00.2 mm. Of the various sets of test conditions described in Section 6 of ISO 1209-2, the first is used; that is, the measurement is carried out at 232 C. and 5010% relative humidity. In contrast to the velocity at which the force transmission element is moved according to Section 7 of ISO 1209-2, a much slower downward velocity of only 101 mm per minute is used here. The force is measured up to a maximum deflection of the foam of 20 mm, and the maximum value F.sub.R of the force occurring during the course of the measurement is recorded.

(53) The flexural strength R (in kPa) is calculated according to Section 8.1 of the ISO 1209-2 and thus by the use of the formula R=1.5F.sub.R*L/bd.sup.2*10.sup.6, wherein FR is the maximum applied force in kN, L is the distance between the support elements in mm, b is the width of the test piece in mm, and d is the thickness of the test piece in MM.

(54) At the previously specified values for L, b, and d, the measured forces F.sub.R for the material of the strip-like element 10 and of the foam strip 2 result in the values cited above.

(55) The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b are illustrated in a manner which idealizes the cross section of the foam strip 2 to some extent. In reality, the upper transverse surface 8 of the foam strip 2 projects at least slightly upward to form a dome-like shape as a result of the pressure acting from within, so that the cross section of the foam strip 2 in the precompressed state deviates from the shape of a rectangle to a certain extent but not severely so. The stiff element 10 is also observed in practice to show a certain transverse bending (outward bulging), especially in cases where the sealing tape is very wide.

(56) The invention has been described above on the basis of the example of a foam strip 2 with a rectangular cross section, because this makes it much easier to explain the invention and its features. The term rectangular is also to be understood to include square. The person skilled in the art will see that the invention can also be realized in a corresponding manner with foam strips 2 with cross sections which deviate from the rectangular. The cross-sectional shape of the foam strip 2 shown here should therefore not be understood as limiting in any way.

(57) Further, in the specification it has been mentioned that the at least one side section 22 or the two side sections 22 of the strip-like element 10 may be bent downward. Whenever this term occurs, it should be understood that the at least one side section 22 or the two side sections 22 can also be bent upward, since this may be suitable in certain applications of the inventive sealing tape.

(58) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, a preferred embodiment, alternate embodiment or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment, in an embodiment, in a preferred embodiment, in an alternate embodiment, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

(59) Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

(60) While the present invention has been described in connection with certain exemplary, alternate or specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications, alternatives, modifications and equivalent arrangements as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any such changes, modifications, alternatives, modifications, equivalents and the like may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.