GB2182984A

GB2182984A - Pre-formed sealing strip

Info

Publication number: GB2182984A
Application number: GB08528132A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon John Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-14
Filing date: 1985-11-14
Publication date: 1987-05-28
Also published as: GB8528132D0; GB2182984B

Abstract

A sealing strip 10 for providing a moisture-resistant flexible joint between two generally perpendicularly inclined surfaces 11 and 12 comprises a pre-formed sealing strip made of silicone rubber. The sealing strip is generally trapezoidal in cross section having a pair of opposed substantially parallel sides 14, 15, one of which forms in use an exposed face of the joint and the other of which faces the junction between the first and second surfaces. The two further sides 16, 17 of the trapezoidal shape are intended each to engage a respective one of the first and second surfaces 11, 12, and are curved so as to form a recess 18 in which a silicone adhesive 19 can be located for joining the curved side to the respective surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sealing strip This invention relates to a sealing strip for providing a moisture-resistant flexible joint between two generally perpendicularly inclined surfaces, such as the joints required between bath and shower edges and wall tiles, work tops and the like, and general tiled surfaces in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, "clean" rooms and operating theatres.

It is known to provide pre-formed plastic strips which are inserted into the gap between, say, a bath edges and a wall tile, and secured in position by use of a suitable adhesive. However, these plastic strips do not provide a flexible joint, and are liable to become at least partly detached by virtue of the inevitable movements of the bath edge in service.

Plastics strips also are liable to become brittle with age, and to crack. Both of these factors result in fairly rapid loss of moisture-proof resistance of the joint, with resulting ingress of moisture into the unventilated region below the bath, which are ideal conditions for the development of wet and dry rot.

It is also known to use silicone rubber sealants which are extruded from a tube so as to fill the gap which is to be sealed, and which then cure in situ. However, it is a matter of general experience that these sealants are very difficult to apply in a uniform manner, and painstaking attention is necessary to provide a finished strip which even closely approaches the visual appearance of a pre-formed strip. It is also a common experience with postformed strips, often having surface roughness, that they form a "site" on which unsightly and unhealthy fungal or bacterial growth can develop.

There is therefore a need to provide a preformed sealing strip which can form a flexible joint so as to avoid the problems of existing plastic strips, and yet which can be installed readily without any special skills. It would also be desirable to provide a sealing strip having improved resistance to the development of bacterial growth thereon.

According to the invention there is provided a sealing strip which is adapted to form a water-resistant flexible joint between first and second generally perpendicularly extending surfaces, in which: the sealing strip is a pre-formed sealing strip made of silicone rubber; and the sealing strip is generally trapezoidal in cross section having a pair of opposed substantially parallel sides, one of which forms in use an exposed face of the joint and the other of which faces the junction between the first and second surfaces, and in which the two further sides of the trapezoidal shape are intended each to engage a respective one of the first and second surfaces and are curved so as to form a recess in which an adhesive can be located for joining the side to the respective surface.

In order to provide resistance to the development of fungal or bacterial growth on the exposed face of the joint, it is preferred that the pre-formed sealing strip, which is made of silicone rubber, includes an anti-bacterial agent which is mixed with the silicone rubber prior to formation of the sealing strip.

In order to permit economies in material to form the sealing strip, it is preferred that the sealing strip is extruded as a hollow section, provided that the walls of the hollow section have sufficient thickness to impart required strength to the overall formation of the sealing strip. To impart a degree of rigidity to the sealing strip, it is preferred that an integral web be formed within the interior of the hollow section, which interconnects the opposed parallel sides.

The preferred adhesive to join each curved side to the respective surface is a silicone adhesive known per se.

The use of silicone rubber to form the sealing strip provides a joint which is sufficiently flexible so as to withstand the deformation of any surface to which it is adhered e.g. a bath edge, without the sealing strip becoming detached. In addition to being a resilient material, silicone rubber also imparts visually appealing properties to the product, it has an ability to resist staining, and also has an inherent resistance to bacterial action which supplements the resistance provided when, as is preferred, the anti-bacterial agent is incorporated; silicone rubber also has durability, and an ability to accept and to retain pigmentation.

In a particularly preferred arrangement of the sealing strip, it is dimensioned in such a way that the side of the trapezoidal section which faces the junction between the first and second surfaces will be spaced therefrom by a sufficient distance so as to cover any existing joint material e.g. grout or cementicious material, which may be present at the junction between the first and second surfaces. In such event, the sealing strip can be post-applied to an existing joint, without the necessity to rake-out the existing joint material.

One embodiment of sealing strip according to the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing, this is a transverse sectional view of a sealing strip 10 which is intended to form a moisture-resistant flexible joint between a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 which extends generally perpendicular thereto. By way of example only, the first surface 11 may comprise a longitudinal edge of a bath, and the second surface 12 may comprise the exposed face of a wall of tiles. The sealing strip 10 is intended to form a moisture-resistant flexible joint which pre sents a pleasing visual appearance over the junction 13 between the surfaces 11 and 12, and also prevents ingress of moisture through the junction 13.

The sealing strip 10 is made of silicone rubber, to impart necessary properties of resiliance to the strip, so that it can withstand, without detachment, any movement of the surface 11. Evidently, when the surface 11 comprises a bath edge, it will undergo substantial deformation in service, by virtue of the bath being filled with water and emptied, and also the loading of the bath caused by a person climbing into the bath and out, and also resting in the bath. While silicone rubber has a built-in resistance to baterial action, as well as durability, and ability to accept and retain pigmentation, it is preferred to incorporate additionally a special anti-bacterial agent which is included in the constituents of the silicone rubber mix, prior to formation of the sealing strip.

The sealing strip 10 comprises a hollow extrusion which is generally trapezoidal in crosssection, and comprises a pair of opposed substantially parallel sides 14 and 15, the side 14 forming in use an exposed face of the joint and the side 15 facing the junction 13 between the fist and second surfaces 11 and 12. The trapezoidal section also includes two further sides 16 and 17, each of which is intended to be joined by adhesive to a respective one of the surfaces 11 and 12, and which is curved so as to form a recess 18 in which silicone adhesive 19 can be located.

It will be noted particularly from the drawing that the side 15 is spaced from the junction 13, and this enables the sealing strip 10 to be applied over an existing joint e.g. a cementicious joint or "grout" between surfaces 11 and 12, without the necessity to rake-out the existing joint material.

The curvature imparted to the sides 16 and 17 is not critical, but will be designed according to suit particular requirements. However, the overall design of the sealing strip 10 is such that, in combination with its material constituents, it can allow movement in all directions within the capabilities of the product, without becoming detached.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing therefore provides a sealing strip which forms a moisture-resistant flexible joint between two generally perpendicularly inclined surfaces, and which also has built-in resistance to the development of fungal or baterial growth thereon.

Claims

1. A sealing strip which is adapted to form a water-resistant flexible joint between first and second generally perpendicularly extending surfaces, in which: the sealing strip is a pre-formed sealing strip made of silicone rubber; the sealing strip is generally trapezoidal in cross section having a pair of opposed substantially parallel sides, one of which forms in use an exposed face of the joint and the other of which faces the junction between the first and second surfaces; and the two further sides of the trapezoidal shape of the sealing strip are intended each to engage a respective one of the first and second surfaces, and are curved so as to form a recess in which an adhesive can be located for joining the side to the respective surface.

2. A sealing strip according to claim 1, in which the silicone rubber from which the strip is made includes an anti-bacterial agent which is mixed with the silicone rubber prior to formation of the sealing strip.

3. A sealing strip according to claim 1 or 2, in which the sealing strip is extruded as a hollow section, the walls of the hollow section having sufficient thickness to impart required strength to the overall formation of the sealing strip.

4. A sealing strip according to claim 3, in which an integral web is formed within the interior of the hollow section, which interconnects the opposed parallel sides, in order to impart a degree of rigidity to the sealing strip.

5. A sealing strip according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each curved side is secured to the respective surface by means of a silicone adhesive.

6. A sealing strip according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawing.