U.S. patent application number 14/225873 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for sealing tape.
This patent application is currently assigned to ISO-CHEMIE GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is ISO-Chemie GmbH. Invention is credited to Martin Deiss.
Application Number | 20140205791 14/225873 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42935509 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140205791 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deiss; Martin |
July 24, 2014 |
Sealing Tape
Abstract
The sealing tape has an elastically recoverable foam strip and a
stiff strip-shaped element made of stiff foam, which is arranged
underneath the foam strip. The stiff strip-shaped element has
greater flexural strength than the foam strip and has two
predetermined fold points, so that two side sections of the stiff
strip-shaped element can be bent in opposite directions at the two
predetermined fold points.
Inventors: |
Deiss; Martin; (Abtsgmuend,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ISO-Chemie GmbH |
Aalen |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
ISO-CHEMIE GMBH
Aalen
DE
|
Family ID: |
42935509 |
Appl. No.: |
14/225873 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12964362 |
Dec 9, 2010 |
|
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14225873 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/99 ; 428/159;
428/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/68 20130101; Y10T
156/101 20150115; Y10T 428/249953 20150401; B29C 53/04 20130101;
E06B 2001/626 20130101; Y10T 156/1051 20150115; Y10T 428/249983
20150401; E04B 1/6812 20130101; Y10T 428/24504 20150115; Y10T
156/1011 20150115; Y10T 428/233 20150115; Y10T 428/24008 20150115;
E06B 1/62 20130101; Y10T 428/24983 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/99 ; 428/217;
428/159 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/68 20060101
E04B001/68 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2009 |
EP |
09178897.6 |
Dec 11, 2009 |
EP |
09178899.2 |
Mar 24, 2010 |
EP |
10157518.1 |
Claims
1. A sealing tape for sealing a joint, comprising: an elastically
recoverable foam strip, and a stiff strip-shaped element made of
stiff foam, 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 and comprising greater flexural
strength than 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 comprises a flexural strength of more than 200
kPa.
4. The sealing tape according to claim 1 wherein the stiff
strip-shaped element comprises a flexural strength of more than
1,000 kPa.
5. The sealing tape according to claim 1 wherein the two
predetermined fold points are formed by downward-facing
recesses.
6. The sealing tape according to claim 5 wherein each of the
recesses is designed so that it becomes wider in a downward
direction.
7. The sealing tape according to claim 1 wherein the first side
section and the second side section each comprises a latching means
at an edge section.
8. The sealing tape according to claim 1 wherein the first side
section and the second side section each is designed to be
self-adhesive.
9. 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.
10. The sealing tape according to claim 1 wherein the sealing tape
is wound up into a roll.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/964,362, filed Dec. 9, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. ______.
The entire contents of such application is incorporated herein by
reference. This application also claims priority based on European
patent applications EP 09 178 897.6, EP 09 178 899.2, filed Dec.
11, 2009, and European patent application EP 10 157 518.1, filed
Mar. 24, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention pertains to a sealing tape for sealing a joint
such as that between a frame profile of a window or a door and a
building wall and to a method for equipping a component with this
sealing tape.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A precompressed sealing tape, which consists of an
elastically recoverable foam strip of rectangular cross section,
which, when in the compressed state, is completely enclosed by a
wrapper formed by a plastic sheet, is known from EP 1 131 525 B1.
To hold the foam strip in the wrapper, the strip is adhered along
its bottom surface to the wrapper, and the wrapper for its own part
can be adhered along its bottom surface to a frame profile by
separate adhesive means such as double-sided adhesive tape.
[0004] Sealing tapes of this type are adhered to the frame profile
to be sealed, and after the frame profile has been installed in an
opening in the wall of the building, the wrapper is torn open, so
that the foam strip can return elastically to its original shape
and thus seal off the frame profile against the building wall.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,373 describes a sealing tape which
consists of a flat strip, which can be adhered to a frame profile,
and a foam strip arranged on top of that. The foam strip is covered
by a sheet of paper or plastic, which is adhered to the flat strip
and holds the foam strip in the compressed state. Along the edge of
the covering sheet are rip cords, with the help of which the sheet
can be torn open after the frame profile provided with the sealing
tape has been installed in the building.
[0006] In the case of these known sealing tapes, however, it is a
disadvantage that they can be adhered only to flat frames. It is
often desirable, however, to fasten sealing tapes directly to
window frame profiles which comprise outward-projecting,
longitudinal profile strips.
[0007] For an application of this type, DE 10 2008 025 019 A1
discloses a sealing tape which can be held in place between the
angled edges of two edge profile strips of a window frame by
introducing a stiff layer, on which the flexible foam is arranged,
into the intermediate space between the edge profile strips, where
it is prevented from slipping out by the angled edges.
[0008] This design suffers from the disadvantage that it can be
used only for a specific type of frame profile with precisely two
profile strips extending down the sides, whereas other types of
frame profiles with several profile strips cannot be used. In
addition, the foam extends inward from the stiff layer toward the
frame, so that, in order to achieve the desired sealing of the
intermediate space between the frame profile and the masonry wall,
the stiff layer has to be destroyed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
sealing tape which can be connected directly to a large number of
different frame profiles to seal off the intermediate space between
the frame profile and the masonry wall and also to provide a method
for attaching a sealing tape of this type to the frame profile.
[0010] According to an aspect of the invention, the sealing tape
comprises an elastically recoverable foam strip and a strip-like or
strip-shaped element, which is arranged underneath the foam strip.
The strip-like element comprises higher flexural strength than the
foam strip and comprises at least one predetermined fold point, so
that at least one side section of the strip-like element can be
bent at the at least one predetermined fold point.
[0011] With this design, the sealing tape can be attached flexibly
and with only a few hand movements to different types of frame
profiles to seal the joint between the frame profile and the
masonry wall in superior fashion.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the foam strip is permanently
bonded to the strip-like element. As a result, a secure connection
is produced between the two layers, and the layers are prevented
from sliding over each other.
[0013] It is advantageous for the strip-like element to be formed
out of stiff foam. The advantages which can thus be obtained are
that the bent-over side section exerts an elastic recovery force,
which ensures that the side section is clamped securely in the
profile channel, and that stiff foam offers superior sealing
values.
[0014] It is advantageous for the strip-like element to comprise a
flexural strength of more than 200 kPa, and preferably of more than
250 kPa. In another preferred embodiment, the strip-like element
comprises a flexural strength of more than 300 kPa, and preferably
of more than 400 kPa. In an especially preferred embodiment, the
strip-like element comprises 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.
[0015] It is advantageous for the at least one predetermined fold
point to be formed by a downward-facing recess. This makes it
easier to bend the side section of the stiff layer downward, and at
the same time an upward-directed restoring force remains present in
the bent-over side section.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the recess is designed to widen
out in the downward direction. This ensures that the side section
can be bent over very easily, whereas the strip-like element still
forms an integral, preferably closed unit even after the side
section has been bent over.
[0017] Preferably the at least one bendable side section comprises
a latching means at its edge. This increases the strength with
which the bent-over side section is held in the profile channel of
the frame component, and the likelihood that the bent-over side
section will slide out of the profile channel unintentionally is
reduced even more.
[0018] It is also possible to provide the at least one bendable
side section with adhesive properties, so that the side section can
be fastened permanently to the frame component to be sealed.
[0019] The foam strip is preferably enclosed at least partially by
a sheet-like wrapper and held in a precompressed state by it. In
this way, it is possible to store and to transport the sealing tape
easily and to bring it into its functional state simply by opening
the wrapper after the tape has been attached to the frame component
to be sealed.
[0020] The sealing tape can be fastened to the frame component to
be sealed in an especially reliable and simple manner by providing
the strip-like element with two predetermined fold points, so that
two side sections of the strip-like element can be bent in opposite
directions, i.e., toward each other, one counterclockwise, the
other clockwise, at the two predetermined fold points. As a result,
it becomes possible for both sides of the strip-like element and
thus of the sealing tape to be securely clamped in place in the
component to be sealed, wherein the effort of the strip-like
element to return to its original state ensures that both sides are
securely clamped in the corresponding profile channels of the frame
component.
[0021] In one embodiment, the sealing tape can be wound up into a
roll, which makes it much easier to transport and to store the
sealing tape.
[0022] In an especially advantageous application of the inventive
sealing tape, a component with two profile channels which are open
in the upward-facing direction and a sealing tape with two side
sections which can be bent in opposite directions are used, wherein
each of the two side sections of the strip-like element, when in
the oppositely bent state, is clamped in one of the two profile
channels. A component of this type is equipped in an especially
simple manner to provide superior sealing against the masonry
wall.
[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the method for
equipping a component with sealing tape comprises the following
steps:
[0024] providing a component with at least one profile channel open
in an upward direction;
[0025] providing a sealing tape with a stiff strip-like element,
which comprises at least one predetermined fold point;
[0026] bending at least one side section of the strip-like element
downward at the at least one predetermined fold point; and
[0027] introducing the at least one bent-over side section into the
at least one profile channel.
[0028] With this method, a component can be equipped with the
sealing tape with only a few hand movements and in a short time to
achieve a superior sealing effect against the masonry wall.
[0029] The component preferably comprises two profile channels, so
that each of the two side sections of the strip-like element can be
bent downward and introduced into one of the two profile channels
and clamped in place there. This double-sided attachment creates a
secure and permanent connection between the component and the
sealing tape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The invention is explained in greater detail below with
reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first
embodiment of the sealing tape according to the invention;
[0032] 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;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second
embodiment of the precompressed sealing tape according to the
invention;
[0034] 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;
[0035] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part
of a third embodiment of the sealing tape according to the
invention;
[0036] 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;
[0037] FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part
of a fourth embodiment of the sealing tape according to the
invention;
[0038] 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;
[0039] FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of part
of a fifth embodiment of the sealing tape according to the
invention;
[0040] 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;
[0041] FIG. 11 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of
part of a sixth embodiment of the sealing tape according to the
invention; and
[0042] 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
[0043] 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.
[0044] FIGS. 1-4 show a foam strip 2, which, in the example
illustrated here, has a rectangular cross section. 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 they are not
directly adjacent to each other.
[0045] 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 two lateral
surfaces 6 together.
[0046] In certain preferred embodiments (FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b), foam
strip 2 is at least partially enclosed by a sheet-like wrapper 4
and is held by it in a precompressed state.
[0047] The material of 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.
[0048] A strip-like element 10, which has a certain flexural
strength in the transverse direction, is arranged in the area of
bottom surface 9 of foam strip 2. The flexural strength should be
high enough that strip-like element 10 can absorb at least some of
the force which originates from the tendency of foam strip 2 to
expand (a force which otherwise would cause flexible wrapper 4 to
deform into a tube with an oval or possibly even a round cross
section) without strip-like element 10 itself undergoing any
significant amount of deformation. Conversely, strip-like element
10 should still have a certain elastic recovery force even after it
has been intentionally bent.
[0049] A foam which comprises greater, preferably much greater
flexural strength than foam strip 2 is preferred as the material of
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.
[0050] In certain embodiments, 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.
[0051] In the example shown here, doubled-sided adhesive tape 16 is
arranged between bottom surface 9 of foam strip 2 and strip-like
element 10 and thus joins the two elements tightly together. The
tight connection between foam strip 2 and strip-like element 10 can
also be achieved by other means such as by thermoplastic
lamination. In some embodiments, the tight connection between foam
strip 2 and strip-like element 10 can, under certain conditions, be
omitted.
[0052] 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. Profile channels 14 can also be formed by
longitudinal grooving, which can also be quite shallow. The basic
purpose of profile channels 14 is to allow frame profiles to be
strung together in rows, but they also form edges, which must then
be sealed off effectively. It is this sealing to which the present
invention pertains.
[0053] So that the sealing tape can be attached easily and
permanently to component 12, strip-like element 10 comprises at
least one, preferably two, predetermined fold points 20.
Predetermined fold points 20 make it possible to bend down one or
possibly two side sections 22 of 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,
predetermined fold point 20 is located in each case near the edge
of strip-like element 10, and associated side section 22 forms the
edge area of strip-like element 10.
[0054] As can be seen especially clearly in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9,
predetermined fold point 20 is preferably formed by a
downward-directed recess in 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, side section 22 tries to
move back upward. It can also be useful for 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 side
section 22 of strip-like element 10 to clamp itself in profile
channel 14 of component 12.
[0055] 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.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4a, and 4b, the sealing tape in all of
the embodiments is preferably attached to component 12 in
mirror-image fashion along the two opposite edge areas of
strip-like element 10. It is also conceivable, however, that only
one edge area of strip-like element 10 is clamped or attached to
component 12, whereas the remaining part of 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.
[0057] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b, in addition
to the previously mentioned effort of side sections 22 to return to
their horizontal position as a result of the partially elastic
properties of strip-like element 10, there is an additional
supporting force, which also exerts an upward-directed force
component on side sections 22. This lies in the effort of foam
strip 2 held in wrapper 4 to expand. Because of its tight
connection to strip-like element 10, foam strip held 2 in wrapper 4
tries to pull 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 strip-like element 10 lying just inside
predetermined fold points 20. This, in combination with the
partially elastic properties of strip-like element 10, which is in
itself stiff, reinforces the clamping function of side section 22
in angled outer profile strips 18.
[0058] Many different forms of components 12, of their associated
profile strips 18, and of 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 side section 22; in the
present case, this latching means is formed by an additional
flexible extension of strip-like element 10. This extension can be
connected to the rest of side section 22 by another predetermined
fold point 26; it is bent over inside profile channel 14 in
correspondence with the prevailing geometry and thus locks itself
between profile strips 18. FIGS. 4a and 4b show two possible types
of locking actions. Predetermined fold point 26 separating latching
means 24 from the rest of side section 22 is preferably designed as
a simple cut proceeding from above, and the outside edge of
latching means 24 can comprise a bevel.
[0059] 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 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.
[0060] The form of 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 profile channels 14. If arrowhead-shaped
latching means 24 is elastic enough, the latching means can also be
introduced from above through the opening 28 of profile channel 14
of component 12, the cross section of this opening being smaller
than that of profile channel 14 in all of the embodiments.
[0061] 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 side section 22. The extension
serving as latching means 24 can in this case be bent over toward
the inside and held in place against the remaining portion of side
section 22, as a result of which the strength of the clamping
effect within profile channel 14 is again increased.
[0062] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a further embodiment of the sealing
tape according to the invention. In this case, 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 side
section 22 and the remaining portion of 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 strip-like element 10, including 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 side
sections 22 to component 12, such as staples.
[0063] In all of the embodiments cited above, the clamping type of
attachment can be combined with adhesive bonding; that is, the
surfaces of 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 profile channel 14. It is also
possible to introduce an adhesive into profile channel 14 first and
then to introduce side section 22 into profile channel 14. A
second, thinner foam strip, furthermore, can be attached from
underneath to strip-like element 10 to fill at least partially the
space which forms in the center area between the strip-like element
10 and component 12.
[0064] The method for equipping a component with sealing tape
according to the invention is extremely simple. In the beginning,
strip-like element 10 including its side sections 22 is extending
horizontally. If the material of strip-like element 10 is
sufficiently flexible, the sealing tape can thus even be delivered
wound up into a roll. After side sections 22 have been bent
downward, they are inserted into profile channels 14 of component
12, where they clamp themselves in a dimensionally stable manner
between profile strips 18, the tops of which are usually angled.
The elastic force of the web in the area of predetermined fold
point 20 leads to a wedging effect in profile channel 14 and thus
to a permanent attachment.
[0065] 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.
[0066] The sealing tape is usually attached to 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 wrapper 4. When this is done,
strip-like element 10 which is attached to frame component 12 (and
which is usually not expandable) remains unchanged, whereas foam
strip 2 expands outward and seals the joint.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] A tear-off tab 36 is preferably provided, which is formed by
two sections of wrapper 4 which have been joined to each other. It
is also possible to provide only a banner-like extension of wrapper
4. By pulling on tear-off tab 36, sheet-like wrapper 4 is opened,
and foam strip 2 is free to expand. For this purpose, at least one
predetermined tear site 38, preferably a perforation line, is
provided in wrapper 4.
[0070] The positions of predetermined tear sites 38 shown in FIGS.
3, 4a, and 4b are preferred, because in this case, after wrapper 4
has been opened, little or no material remains on foam strip 2. It
is nevertheless also possible to imagine a number of other
positions for predetermined tear-open sites 38.
[0071] If wrapper 4 is unable to withstand strong tensile forces,
it is also possible to tear open wrapper 4 by pulling on tear-off
tab 36 even in the absence of a tear-open site 38. It is also
possible to tear open wrapper 4 by pulling on a ripcord or to cut
open the wrapper with a knife or some other means. Finally, entire
wrapper 4 can be removed if the bond between the wrapper and foam
strip 2 or strip-like element 10 can be separated by exerting
tensile force on it.
[0072] In the example of FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b, the wrapper covers
two lateral surfaces 6 and top surface 8 of foam strip 2. In the
area of bottom surface 9 of foam strip 2, a first section of
wrapper 4 is arranged to cover part of bottom surface 9 of foam
strip 2. A second section of wrapper 4, furthermore, is arranged
between first transverse surface 9 and strip-like element 10 in
such as way as to cover a second part of the first transverse
surface, i.e., bottom surface 9 of foam strip 2, namely, the part
which is opposite the first part. The two sections of wrapper 4
therefore enclose the two bottom corners of foam strip 2, are
folded over toward the inside, and are preferably attached there,
preferably welded or laminated, to strip-like element 10. It is
also possible, however, for the two wrapper sections to be attached
to foam strip 2 by an adhesive or by lamination or welding. Bottom
surface 9 of foam strip 2 located between the two sections of
wrapper 4 remains uncovered. This is where the double-sided
adhesive tape 16 is fastened. Adhesive tape 16 can also extend over
the two sections of wrapper 4.
[0073] Wrapper 4 can also extend between foam strip 2 and
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
wrapper 4 to strip-like element 10.
[0074] 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 tear-off tabs 36 are pulled, this
top tear-open site tears first and allows foam strip 2 to expand,
after which, after further pulling on two tear-off tabs 36, the
predetermined tear-open sites 38 tear and thus allow wrapper 4 to
be removed.
[0075] 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.
[0076] In practice, 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.
[0077] A foam material which comprises greater flexural strength
than foam strip 2, usually much greater flexural strength, is
preferred as the material of the strip-like element 10. 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 strip-like element 10 must be elastic enough that it will not
break when it is bent at 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.
[0078] The material of 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.
[0079] The flexural strength of the material of strip-like element
10 and of 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.
[0080] 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.
[0081] 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 15.+-.1 mm.
[0082] The length of the support elements is greater than the width
of the test pieces and in the present case is 80 mm.
[0083] For the present measurement, the distance L between the
support elements is set at 85.+-.2 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 12 of 150.+-.3 mm, a width b
of 40.+-.2 mm, and a thickness d of 3.0.+-.0.2 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
23.+-.2.degree. C. and 50.+-.10% 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 10.+-.1 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.
[0084] 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.
[0085] At the previously specified values for L, b, and d, the
measured forces F.sub.R for the material of strip-like element 10
and of foam strip 2 result in the values cited above.
[0086] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4a, and 4b are illustrated
in a manner which idealizes the cross section of foam strip 2 to
some extent. In reality, upper transverse surface 8 of 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 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.
[0087] 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 foam strip 2 shown here should
therefore not be understood as limiting in any way.
[0088] Further, in the specification it has often been mentioned
that the at least one side section 22 or the two side sections 22
of the strip-like element 10 is/are bent "downward". Whenever this
term occurs, it should be understood that the at least one side
section 22 or two side sections 22 can also be bent "upward", since
this can be suitable in certain applications of the inventive
sealing tape.
[0089] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," "a preferred 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," and similar language throughout this specification
may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0090] 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. While the present invention and
its principles have been shown and described in connection with
certain exemplary 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.
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