Method for sealing a groove with a precompressed sealing tape

[0001] The invention relates to filling a gap, for example between a window or door frame profile and a building wall, with sealing tape.

[0002] From EP 0 530 653 B1, a sealing strip is known for sticking to a window frame, which consists of a rigid channel with a U-shaped cross section and a compressed elastic foam strip placed inside, which is closed by a stable covering strip, which on the sides of the edge, it is held in a detached form connection on the basis of meshing with respect to the frontal area of ​​the channel walls. The cover strip is connected to a flexible strip element by means of a strip, which extends by guiding beyond the edge of the cover strip into the channel of the sealing strip. By pulling the strip element, the cover strip can be detached from the channel, so that the compressed foam strip can expand. This construction is very expensive.

[0003] US 4 204 373 describes a sealing tape which consists of a flat strip for sticking to a frame profile and a foam strip placed thereon. The foam strip is covered by a film of paper or plastic, which is glued to a flat strip and keeps the foam strip in a pre-compressed state. In the edge strip of the covering foil, tear threads run, with the help of which the foil after installation with the sealing tape of the frame profile in the building can be broken.

[0004] From EP 1 131 525 B1, a pre-compressed sealing strip is known, which consists of a rectangular cross-section of foam foam capable of flexibly returning to its original shape, which in its compressed state is completely enclosed by a sheath which is formed of a plastic film . The plastic film forms a tear tab extending in the longitudinal direction of the sealing tape by the fact that the plastic film is glued together to form a place to be torn. To fix the foam strip inside the pocket formed in this way, it is glued to the bottom with the casing and the casing can in turn be on its bottom by means of separate adhesive means, for example double-sided adhesive tape, glued to the frame profile.

[0005] Sealing tapes of this type are glued to the frame profile to be filled and after mounting the frame profile in the opening of the building wall a sheath is torn to allow the foam strip to flexibly return to its original form and thus fill the frame profile against the building wall. In these known sealing strips, however, it is disadvantageous that they can only be produced with relatively small widths, because the returning force of the pre-compressed sealing strip results in an oval to round shape inside the casing which is unsuitable for incorporation. As part of the ever-increasing requirements for sealing in buildings, however, it is desirable to provide pre-compressed sealing strips of any width to achieve higher fill values, better thermal insulation and better sound insulation.

[0006] The closest prior art according to WO 98145565 A describes a foam sealing strip which is surrounded by a sheath. A bending rigid layer of cardboard or plastic may also be provided in the casing. After opening the foil-like casing, the foam strip expands somewhat in the gap to be filled into which it is loosely inserted. The bending rigid layer of cardboard or plastic also remains in the gap.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a gap filling method that can be easily carried out and is suitable for improved filling of very wide gaps. [0008] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0009] The method according to the invention for filling gaps with a sealing tape has the following steps:

a) providing a pre-compressed sealing tape with a foam strip capable of flexibly recovering to its original shape, which completely surrounds the foam strip and thus maintains it in a pre-compressed state, with the transverse surface of the foam strip pressed against the strip element, which is located inside the casing and in the transverse direction has at least some flexural rigidity;

b) inserting the sealing tape into the gap;

c) opening the foil-like casing; and

d) removing the strip element from the foam strip.

wherein the foam strip and at least one film-like casing section remain in the gap.

[0010] The order of steps b) to d) is not necessarily the same as above. On the one hand, it is possible to open the foil-like casing by pulling or removing the strip-like element, so that steps c) and d) can be carried out particularly easily and simultaneously. In addition, it is possible that the insertion of the sealing tape into the gap is only made after steps c) and d). This is possible in particular when the expansion of the foam strip due to sticky impregnation occurs with a significant delay.

[0011] Preferably, at least one tear point, preferably two tear points, is torn to open the foil-like casing. In this way, it can be ensured that only the predetermined section of the foil-like casing remains in the gap.

The sealing tape preferably used comprises a foam strip capable of flexibly recovering to its original shape in a longitudinal direction further than transversely with two side surfaces and with two lateral surfaces connecting the side surfaces, and a film-like sheath that completely surrounds the foam strip and thereby maintains the foam strip in a state of pre-compression. The first transverse surface of the foam strip is pressed against the strip-like element, which is located inside the casing and has at least some bending rigidity in the transverse direction. The second transverse surface of the foam strip, which lies opposite the first transverse surface, is permanently connected to the foil-like casing.

[0013] It is thereby ensured that the compressed rectangular shape of the foam strip is also maintained at large sealing tape widths and that the sealing tape can be easily produced and operated, while at assembly always at least one section of the foil-like casing remains together with foam strip in the gap.

[0014] Preferably, the strip-like element is shaped in the longitudinal direction as flexible. In this case, the sealing tape can be rolled into a roll, which greatly facilitates the transport and storage of the sealing tape.

Preferably, the sheath has a longitudinally extending tear tab that serves as a pull member to open the sheath. In this way, after the initial assembly of the sealing strip on the frame element to be filled, the casing can be easily opened by the user.

[0016] Alternatively, the strip element may have an end section which extends laterally beyond the foam strip, which serves as a pulling element to open the casing. In this case, the user must, after attaching the sealing tape to the frame element to be filled, only pull on the protruding end section of the strip element to tear the sheath and allow the foam strip to expand. It is also possible to first open the cover with the tear tab and then pull out the strip-like element.

It can in each case be advantageous that the casing is provided with at least one longitudinally extending sealing strip, a place to be torn, preferably a perforated line, thereby opening the casing.

[0018] To ensure that the foam strip has already adhered to the casing beforehand, even after opening the casing, the second transverse surface of the foam strip, which is not pressed against the strip element, is preferably provided with double-sided adhesive tape.

[0019] To further strengthen the shape of the rectangular foam strip in a pre-compressed state, in a region of the second transverse surface which is not pressed against the first strip element, a second strip element can be provided which also has at least some bending rigidity in the transverse direction. Preferably, the second strip-like element is also located inside the casing, so that the casing, which is positioned around both the strip-like elements and the foam strip, can exert its force on the transverse surfaces by means of bending rigid elements.

[0020] In this case, the double-sided adhesive tape preferably connects the foam strip to the second strip-like element, which in turn is attached in an adhesive manner to the casing.

For attachment to the frame element to be filled, the casing, in the area of ​​the second transverse surface which is not pressed against the first strip element, on its outer side, is preferably covered with double-sided adhesive tape, which in turn for reliable transport after manufacture can be covered with a covering foil. Thus, the sealing tape can already be pre-mounted on the frame element to be filled, and on the construction site, only after insertion of the frame element into the building opening, the casing must be opened to allow the foam strip to expand.

[0022] Preferably, the casing is attached to the end section on both sides in an adhesive manner, whereby better handling is achieved. By simultaneously placing two places to be torn in the casing, the opening process can be improved.

[0023] The lateral extraction of the strip element is preferably further facilitated by the fact that the strip element has a slit in the transverse direction.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment, in the area of ​​one of the side surfaces of the foam strip, a film-like section is located inside the casing which is close to the strip element in the first connection area permanently connected to the foam strip and which in the second connection area is permanently connected with foil-like casing. This section serves as the expansion reserve for the film-like casing and thus covers the entire side surface of the sealing tape after expanding the foam strip.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the pre-compressed sealing strip to be used for filling the gap;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the pre-compressed sealing strip to be used for filling the gap;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the pre-compressed sealing strip to be used according to the invention for filling the gap;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the pre-compressed sealing strip to be used according to the invention for filling the gap;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the pre-compressed sealing strip applicable to the invention for filling the gap; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 5 in the assembled state of the protruding end section of the strip element.

[0026] In the drawings, foam strips, sheathing, adhesive tapes, strip elements and cover films are shown at a certain distance from each other to accurately distinguish from each other the individual elements that form the sealing tape. In fact, these elements adhere tightly to each other on top of each other.

[0027] Figs. 1 to 6 show embodiments of sealing tapes that can be used according to the invention.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a foam strip 2, which in the example shown has a rectangular cross-section, is surrounded by a foil-like shell 4 and is held by it in a pre-compressed state. The foam strip 2 may be formed of any soft foam with open or closed cells, e.g. polyurethane or polyethylene, and may be impregnated to delay its recovery. A multi-layer system of several different laminated foam materials is equally possible as a system of an impregnated foam layer on an un-impregnated foam layer. The foam strip 2 extends in its longitudinal direction further than in the transverse direction and has two side surfaces 6 and two transverse surfaces 8, 9 (upper side 8 and lower side 9) that connect both side surfaces 6.

[0029] The material of the casing 4 may be a foil material, mesh fabric, paper or other material that is suitable for said purpose. In addition, laminated films that consist of a plastic film that is laminated with a carrier material (e.g. nonwoven), or fabric-reinforced films can also be used. All these materials are described by the phrase "foil-like". Combinations of these materials are also possible. However, thermoplastic or shrink film that shrinks when exposed to heat is preferred.

[0030] At least one transverse surface, in this example the bottom side 9 of the foam strip 2, is pressed against the strip element 10, which in the transverse direction has at least some flexural rigidity. The bending stiffness should be so high that the strip element 10 receives the force that comes out of the pursuit of expansion of the foam strip 2 and would usually lead to deformation of the flexible sheath 4 up to the hose with an oval or even circular cross-section, without undergoing large deformation itself.

[0031] As material for the strip element 10, for example, cardboard can be used, but all other possible bending rigid materials, e.g. hard plastics, can also be used. The strip element 10 is preferably shaped in the longitudinal direction as flexible, so that the sealing tape can be wrapped in a roll. Here, for example, a single-layer corrugated board with only one covering layer is suitable, with the ribs or waves running in the transverse direction. The strip element 10 may have a protruding end section 12 that extends beyond the side surface 6 of the foam strip 2 and serves as a pulling means for extraction. In a preferred embodiment, the strip element 10 is shaped only in the region of the end section 12 as continuous, while the remaining width is shaped in a transverse groove in the strip element 10. They allow the strip element 10 to bend under the film-like opening described below covers 4.

[0032] In the example of Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the protruding end section 12 is suitable for gripping the band-like element 10 and by pulling outwards open the cover 4. To this end, in the cover 4 in the area of ​​the side surface 6, beyond the protruding end section 12 of the strip element 10 protrudes, at least one point 14 to break, preferably a perforated line, may be provided. Shown in Fig. 3 and 4 positions of the 14 places to be torn are preferred, because in this case after opening the casing 4 there is little or no material left on the side surface 6 and a large part of the casing that is not glued (see below) slides along the expanding foam strip 2 and position it above its second side surface 6. This can be used, for example, when the casing 4 has special sealing properties that serve to specifically seal the second side surface 6, for example in the sense of a vapor diffusion barrier.

[0033] It is also possible to tear the sheath 4 by pulling the protruding end section 12 also without a place 14 to break, when the sheath 4 does not withstand high tensile forces, or to cut the sheath with a knife or open it with another aid.

[0034] The double-sided adhesive tape 16 is, in the example shown, positioned between the second transverse surface of the foam strip 2, here the upper side 8, and the casing 4, and connects the two elements permanently with each other. The permanent connection between the foam strip 2 and the sheath 4 can also take place by other means, for example by thermoplastic lamination or welding.

[0035] Adhesive tape 18, which serves to place the sealing tape on the building element to be built, for example a frame profile, is attached in the area of ​​the same transverse surface 8 on the outer side of the casing 4. The upwardly facing outer side of the adhesive tape 18 is preferably covered by the dashed line shown, the removable covering film 20, for example with silicone paper 10 or the like, as long as the sealing tape is not placed on the component.

[0036] At this point, it should be emphasized that in practice the adhesive tape 18 is very often realized by an adhesive layer that adheres to silicone paper or the like and thus has been glued onto the sheath 4. Sometimes fabric may still be embedded in this adhesive layer mesh or carrier foil, nonwoven or the like to increase tensile strength. The term "adhesive tape" as used above is hence also intended to include adhesive layers of the type described herein. The same applies to the term "adhesive strip".

[0037] In Fig. 2 a similar embodiment is shown in which the casing can be torn by means of a tear tab 22. The two sections of the sheath 4 are held together close to the foam strip 2 by a weld line, which can be a weld, glue or seam and can be opened by pulling the tab 22 to tear. The tear tab 22 is here formed either of protruding partial sections of the sheath 4 or can be a thread or the like. In this case, the protruding end section 12 of the strip element 10 serves only to remove it after opening the cover 4. Alternatively, the protruding end section 12 can also be completely omitted, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0038] In the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the cross-section of the foam strip 2 is shown in a rather idealized form. In fact, the upper transverse surface 8 of the foam strip 2 is exposed by pressure acting from the inside at least slightly bent towards the dome shape, so that the cross section of the foam strip 2 in a state of pre-compression assumes a shape that deviates to some extent from the rectangle, even if it does not deviate too much.

[0039] To further strengthen the rectangular shape, as shown in Fig. 3, between the second transverse surface, here the upper side 8, and the casing 4, a second strip-like element 24 can be arranged, which is connected to the foam strip 2 by means of the adhesive layer 16 and by means of another adhesive tape 26 with a cover 4. This strip-shaped element 24 has the same properties as the first strip-shaped element 10 and would remain in the gap when the casing 4 is opened. Adhesive tape 26 can be omitted when the band-like element 24 is adhered to the casing in some other way, e.g. by gluing or laminating.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, the sheath 4 in the area of ​​the end section 12 of the strip element 10 can also be attached to it in an adhesive manner, e.g. by gluing or laminating both elements together. A seam is also possible, which passes through both loops of the casing 4 and the end section 12, connects these elements with each other and at the same time serves as a place to break the casing 4. Alternatively, in this case, an additional L-shaped adhesive tape (not shown) can also be glued from the outside through the seam to the point 14 to be torn, which is as in Fig. 3 placed in the edge area of ​​the upper side 8. By this, is that the tensile force is transmitted through the seam to the point 14 to be broken.

[0041] The pre-compressed sealing tape can be wound on a roll or can be sold as a straight strip of sealing tape of a certain length. The sealing tape can be attached to the frame element to be sealed with it before assembly or even before transporting with the aid of adhesive tape 18. After assembly, in the appropriate building opening on site, only the casing 3 has to be opened by a knife or by pulling on the protruding end section 12 or by the tab 22 to tear. The cover 4 adhered to the frame element and the laterally connected lateral surface 8 of the foam strip 2 permanently remain in place, while the foam strip 2 expands towards the transverse surface that was pressed against the first strip element 10, and provides filling the gap. The part of the sheath 4 not adhered to the frame element slides along the expanded foam strip 2 and eventually covers in the final state preferably at least one section of the second side surface 6.

[0042] In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 another embodiment of the sealing tape possible according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment, a film-like section 28 is located inside the casing 4, which consists of one of the materials that have been calculated above for the casing 4. Particularly preferably, the section 28 consists of material impermeable to air and / or which inhibits vapor diffusion or vapor tight.

[0043] This section 28 is in a first connection area 30 permanently connected to the foam strip 2. This first connection area 30 is preferably located on the bottom side 9 of the foam strip 2 between the foam strip 2 and the strip element 10. The connecting area 30 may also lie in bottom end area of ​​the side surface 6 of the foam strip 2, which is adjacent to the strip element 10. The permanent connection between the section 28 and the foam strip 2 preferably takes place by means of adhesive tape, but can also take place in other ways, for example by thermoplastic welding.

[0044] The section 28 extends inside the casing 4 and is also permanently attached to it in the second connection area 32. The connection is also preferably here by gluing or other permanent connection means. Section 28 therefore serves as an expansion reserve for the foil-like casing 4, because after removing the strip element 10 and the associated opening of the foil-like casing 4 (in the example shown at two places 14 to be torn), the foil-like section 28 remains together with the foil-like section a sheath 4 which is connected to it in the second connection area 32, permanently at the foam strip 2 and covers its side surface 6.

In this way, it is possible to pull the strip element 10 towards the inner side of the wall, which facilitates on-site operation, and to simultaneously cover the side surface 6 of the foam strip 2 facing the inner side of the foam strip with permanently inhibiting diffusion or a sealing film.

[0046] To this end, section 28 may also have at least one loop, which may be located in the area between the foam strips 2 and the stripe element 10 or in the area of ​​the free interior of the foil-like casing 4 to extend the expansion reserve. It is also possible that section 28 has several folds glued together. In the simplest embodiment, however, the expansion reserve is only created by the fact that the film-like sheath section 4 and section 28 are permanently connected to each other in the connection area 32, which has a certain distance to the side surface 6 of the foam strip 2.

[0047] When the next connection area 34 in the sense of a permanent connection between the foil-like casing 4 and the strip element 10 is located in the transition area to the protruding end section 12, the protruding end section 12, as shown in Fig. 6, it can be folded downwards and inwards, whereby the sealing tape can also be rolled into a roll, without hindering the protruding end section 12 of winding the sealing tape and transporting the sealing tape roll.

[0048] The details illustrated with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 can also be used in the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 4.

[0049] In practice, the foam strips 2 are so pre-compressed that during expansion they can expand preferably up to five to six times the thickness occupied in the state of pre-compression, of which only about half is used to ensure some adhesion to part of the building, which lies opposite the profile element to be sealed.

[0050] The sealing tape that can be used according to the invention has been described here using the example of a foam strip 1 with a rectangular cross-section, since this makes explanation easier. The term "rectangular" is also intended to include "square". The skilled person will recognize, however, that the sealing tape can also be implemented in a suitable manner with foam strips 2 which have cross sections deviating from the rectangle. The given cross-sectional shape of the foam strip 2 is therefore not to be construed as limiting.