GB2546069A

GB2546069A - Seal for a closable aperture in a wall

Info

Publication number: GB2546069A
Application number: GB1600090.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lloyd William
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-04
Filing date: 2016-01-04
Publication date: 2017-07-12
Also published as: GB201600090D0

Abstract

The seal 10 comprises flexible webs 12 interconnected by a continuous join line 14 to form a plurality of flaps 15 either side of the join line, with adhesive sealant 16 on at least one side of each flap. There may be two webs, each defining two flaps. The join line may locate in a gap between the edge of a door or window and its frame, the adhesive sealant on each flap affixing to interior or exterior surfaces of the door, window or frame. The web may be polyethylene, PVC, neoprene, canvas, or waterproof cloth. The join line may be welded or stitched, and be frangible. The seal may have an integrated cutter wire 18 which is pulled to tear or break the join. Also claimed is a sealing system comprising two of the seals and an interconnector for connecting the seals in end-to-end abutment with their join lines aligned.

Description

Title: Seal for a closable aperture in a wall

Description:

This invention relates to improvements in flood protection management and in particular, but without limitation, to reducing damage caused by flash flooding. The invention can be used to temporarily seal a closable aperture in a wall.

Floods are of increasing concern in the UK, with forecast incidence rates expected to rise continuously due to a number of contributing factors. Flash floods pose arguably the most significant threat to buildings as they are often unpredictable and develop rapidly, thus, it is of key importance that protective reactions to such occurrences are timely. Damage to buildings caused by flooding can cost large sums of money. A DEFRA report highlighted that the average repair cost of a flood-damaged building was £10,000-£50,000 equating to fl.lbillion per annum and with over 5.2million properties in the UK currently at risk of flooding (at the time of writing), this statistic is only expected to rise.

Flood water can enter a property for example, through gaps around windows and doors and cause significant damage, distress and incurring costs. As such, an effective protective measure is needed to prevent flood water penetrating through such gaps.

More and more money is being spent on flood-damage prevention in the United Kingdom, because preventing damage inflicted by floods is evidently far more cost effective than repairs. Flowever, in this arises a further concern of how much budget can be allocated governmentally to the cause. The Flouse of Commons are currently encouraging local investments in flood defences and therefore an affordable means of protecting low-high risk flood areas is essential.

Preventative measures to combat this problem have been addressed previously. For example, published patent applications GB2485557, US2013061522 and GB2485982 describe systems that essentially act as barriers between the flood water and door, preventing water entering the building. The barrier is permanently affixed to the buildings brickwork and can be deployed when required.

Such systems are permanent, expensive and there is often a lead time associated with their initial installation.

Furthermore, published patent application NL1010608 uses self-adhesive strips with inflatable sealing strips to seal the void between the door and doorframe. The device has four inflation pipes and seals the base and vertical sides of the door, but this is a somewhat complex device and requires external resources e.g. an air pump for inflation.

The above-mentioned disclosures are examples of known systems used to protect buildings from water damage.

Although, these known devices are able to act as effective barriers between a building and flood water, they are only applicable subject to specific conditions. For example, door barriers as described in GB2485557 can only be applied to buildings with inwardly-opening doors and are permanent measures. Barriers of this nature are expensive and are arguably redundant in low risk areas.

The aforementioned known systems also share a common characteristic of being unappealing, as they deter from the aesthetics of a building, when not in use, due to permanent fixings and loose parts. A need therefore exists for a solution to one or more of the above problems and/ or an alternative solution or means of sealing.

Various aspects of the invention are set forth in the appendant claims.

An aspect of the invention provides a seal comprising: a plurality of flexible webs interconnected by a continuous join line to form a plurality of flaps on either side of the join line; and adhesive sealing means disposed on at least one side of each of the flaps.

This invention may provide a less expensive solution for protecting buildings from flood water. It may be more cost effective. It may quick to deploy and may not impact on the aesthetics of the property when not in use. In certain embodiments, rather than forming a barrier preventing the flood water reaching the property, this device intends to make the door watertight.

In an embodiment of the invention, the seal is suitable for sealing a gap between an edge of a door or window and a door or window frame. In use, the continuous join line is suitably locatable in the said gap and the adhesive sealing means of each flap is suitably respectively sealingly affixable to any one, and preferably to each, of: an interior surface of the door or window; an exterior surface of the door or window; an interior surface of the door or window frame; and an exterior surface of the door or window frame.

Preferably the webs are formed of a material which is at least partially water-resistant so as to inhibit or prevent the ingress of water into the building around the window or door and associated frame to which the seal is affixed, i.e. through the gap between the window/ door and said frame.

Due to their flexibility, the webs can be folded flat and stored compactly when not in use. Thus, the invention, in certain embodiments, provides a relatively easily storable system, when not in use. In other words, the system can be folded, say, into a small packet ready for use, and used relatively quickly and easily when needed. Additionally, the speed with which the invention can be fitted and deployed is of particular importance when considering flash floods, which can develop in a matter of hours.

Certain embodiments of the invention address a need for a quickly-installable, temporary response to flooding, that the prior art does not satisfy.

Suitably, the join line between the adjacent webs provides a seal between the webs, thus preventing or inhibiting the ingress of water therebetween.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two webs that form four flaps, the two webs being joined down their centrelines to form two distinct flaps on each of the join. Therefore, in use, regardless of positioning, all outwardly-facing flaps may be water resistant and/or waterproof. As such, there may be two barriers that provide protection against the ingress of water through doors, i.e. two flaps located outwardly of the door or window - sealed to the exterior of the door/window and frame; and two flaps located inwardly of the door or window - sealed to the interior of the door/window and frame. Such a configuration conveniently provides a double-failsafe.

Suitably, an adhesive sealing means of a first one of the four flaps is sealingly affixable to an interior surface of the door or window; the adhesive sealing means of a second one of the four flaps is sealingly affixable to an exterior surface of the door or window; the adhesive sealing means of a third one of the four flaps is sealingly affixable to an interior surface of the door or window frame; and the adhesive sealing means of a fourth one of the four flaps is sealingly affixable to an exterior surface of the door or window frame.

The adhesive sealing means suitably affixes the respective flap to the door and or window and corresponding frame.

Suitably, the or each web is manufactured from flexible water-resistant or water-proof material, example polyester and/ or nylon and/ or canvas, PVC, polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, neoprene, cellophane, latex, silicone, or the like. As previously mentioned, flash floods can occur quickly, but often only last for short periods, in which case a short-term water-resistant seal may be adequate, as opposed to a fully waterproof one. The flexibility of the materials allows for manoeuvring the seal when fitting.

Suitably, the continuous join line comprises a weld line, thus, substantially interconnecting the two webs to form a watertight seal and preventing or inhibiting the ingress of water between the interconnecting webs. A weld could give rise to a durable structure, capable of withstanding environmental conditions i.e. water and/ or air pressure.

Additionally or alternatively, the continuous join line may comprise a line of stitching. The stitching may substantially interconnect two or more webs to create a partial seal between the interconnecting webs, so as to prevent or inhibit water penetration through abutting webs. Additionally, the stitches, where provided, may be waterproofed by means of a waterproof coating such as, wax, elastomer, aerosol silicone; bitumen etc. to create a waterproof join line. A waterproof coating and subsequent waterproof joint line would improve the efficiency of the sealing system and further prevent or inhibit the ingress of water into the building.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the continuous join line is frangible. This may be accomplished by the provision of a preferably integrated cutter cooperating with the continuous join line, which can, in use, break, tear or rip-open the joint line. Whilst in use, this may be of considerable benefit if the seal needs to be removed rapidly. An embodiment of the cutter may comprise of a blade with the adapted to slice through the web or join line. Additionally or alternatively, a cutter wire may be integrated into the join line, which, when pulled, tears or otherwise breaks the join. In use, when the integrated cutter wire is pulled, the joint line may be torn or broken, releasing the interconnected webs. An integrated cutter wire may provide an option for a quick release of the seal, without requiring any external tools.

Suitably, a pressure-sensitive sealing means for sealingly affixing one or more flap to a door and/or window and/or frame provided. A pressure-sensitive sealing agent advantageously provides a user-friendly means of quickly affixing the flaps to a door and or window and or frame. Additionally, a pressure-sensitive adhesive may be conveniently applied during manufacturing as opposed to during installation, which may increase user-friendliness and reduce installation time.

Additionally or alternatively, an air-curing adhesive resin may be used for sealingly affixing one or more flaps to a door and/or window and/or frame. In use, the adhesive may maintain the structure of the sealing system, ensuring attachment to relevant bodies in aberrant weather conditions. Such media can exhibit variant polymerization rates (from slow to rapid), giving options that may suit specific scenarios. For example in use, a more rapidly polymerizing adhesive media may be beneficial for an emergency measure, whereas, a slower polymerizing adhesive may be beneficial for instillation, to allow time for manoeuvring the webs into place.

Suitably, a plurality of seals is provided for sealing any one or more of: the gap located beneath a lower edge of the door or window; and at least the lower part of the gap adjacent the side edges of the door or window.

In use, a plurality of seals may be fitted running partially-up the vertical edge and across the horizontal base of the door and/ or window.

Suitably, an interconnector is provided for operatively connecting a fist and second seal in end-to-end abutment with their respective join lines substantially aligned. The interconnector where provided, engages two webs to form a substantial seal between a lateral edge of a door and/or window and a basal edge of a door and/or window. Such a substantial engagement, in use, may further prevent or inhibit the ingress of water into a building.

Suitably, the aforementioned interconnector comprises a first generally L-shaped member affixed to a first one of the seals and a second socket member for receiving, in use, a limb of the generally L-shaped member. In use, the first generally L-shaped member may be engaged with the receiving member to align the corresponding joint lines. Therefore, a sturdy sealing system may be produced, which may withstand aberrant weather conditions.

Additionally or alternatively, the L-shaped member is slidingly engageable with the second socket member. In use, the slidingly engageable L-shaped member forms a secure bracket between two webs. As such, the webs may be substantially aligned, thus, creating a substantially watertight seal and further preventing or inhibiting the ingress of water into a building.

Suitably, a resiliently deformable seal located at the intersection of the seals may be provided for forming a seal in the gap located between a corner of the door or window and the corner of the frame. In use, following installation of one or more webs the resiliently deformable seal, when inserted into a remaining gap may act as a filler to improve the seal.

Additionally or alternatively, the resiliently deformable seal may comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a silicone tube, expanded foam, a rubber bung, polymerized adhesive, wool, wadding, or the like. In use, the seal may block or absorb water, protecting a building from the ingress of water. The seal may be removable, interchangeable, disposable and or re-usable; thus, reducing storage requirements when not in use. A sealingly affixable water-resistant or waterproof adhesive patch may be provided, which comprises any one or more of the group comprising: cellophane, canvas, neoprene, PVC, polyethylene; polyurethane combined with any one or more of a group of adhesives comprising: pressure-sensitive, air-sensitive and or heat-sensitive. In use, where the seal may need to be altered to compensate for a door and/ or window and or corresponding frames fixture (for example, cut-out for door hinges) an adhesive strip may be affixed to the altered segment to maintain a seal. Therefore, in one embodiment the webs can be fitted to the full-length of the edge of the door and/ or window without compromising the water-resistant or waterproof attributes of the sealing system. The patch may be re-usable and/or disposable, thus reducing storage needs.

Embodiments of the invention shall now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a seal in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section of Figure 1 on ll-ll, showing the seal installed in a doorway;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing how two seals can be joined end-to-end using an interconnector;

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the L-shaped member and corresponding socket of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sealant system according to the invention fitted to a door and corresponding door frame; and

Figure 6 is a detailed view of a suggested sealing bead, which may be applied as shown Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a seal 10 in accordance with the invention comprises two webs 12, 12a manufactured from a waterproof plastics material. The webs 12, 12a are welded together at 14 along substantially along their vertical midlines to form four flaps 15. The inner-face of each flap 15 comprises of adhesive means 16, suitably, a pressure-sensitive adhesive strip. A cutter wire 18 is provided in the weld 14, either by being provided integrally within one of the webs along its midpoint, or being a separate component which is disposed between the two webs along their midlines and which is essentially secured in place by the action of welding the two webs together. The cutter wire is adapted to split the weld 14 by pulling on one or both pull rings 20 which may be provided at either end of the cutter wire 18. In use, one of the rings 20 is located internally of the seal 10, whereas the other ring 20 is located externally of the seal 10, thus enabling the weld 14 to be ripped apart from inside or outside the building, if needed.

Referring to Figure 2 now, the seal 10 of Figure 1 is shown in schematic cross-section of Figure 1 on ll-ll fitted to a door, as it might be in use. In Figure 2, a door 29 is located within a doorframe 31 with a gap 24 therebetween. The seal is slid into the gap from inside or outside of the building, possibly with the door in an open or slightly ajar condition. Depending on the position of the person fitting the seal, as a first step, any release paper covering the adhesive strips provided on pair of flaps 30 or flaps 32 is removed, and that pair of flaps is folded (as indicated at 39 for flaps 32) around the respective door or frame and adhered secured thereto, at 33. Thereafter, the door may then closed to the position shown in the Figure, and the remaining pair of flaps (32 or 30) may then be similarly secured in place to provide the waterproof seal for the door, regardless of which side (35, 37) of the door may subsequently be exposed to floodwater.

In Figure 3, there is shown a schematic depiction 36 of how separate seals 41, 43 provided around respective vertical and horizontal edge faces of a door may be sealingly connected together. For example, the intersecting joint line of the vertically rising seal 41 may be aligned perpendicular with the intersecting joint line of a horizontal seal 43, forming a bisection between the base and rising edge. When aligned, the corresponding flaps 40 overlap the corresponding flaps of the rising web 45 and are subsequently affixed by adhesive means, suitably, pressure sensitive adhesive. The aligned joint lines of the corresponding webs are engaged at 47 by means of an engagement between an L-shaped member 44, located on the horizontal seal 43 and a corresponding socket 42 on the vertical seal 41. A magnified representation of the engaging L-shaped member 44 and corresponding socket 42 is indicated generally at 48 in figure 4. The L-shaped member 44 is slid into alignment with the receiving socket 42, which allows for a reversible engagement.

Figure 5 shows how the system 54 would appear in use, attached to a door 29 and door frame 31. There are two affixed adhesive flaps on both upright edges of the door 59 and two affixed adhesive flaps on the corresponding edges of the door frame 56. There are additionally, two adhesive flaps at the base, one affixed to the base of the door 62 and one affixed to the base of the frame 63. The adhesive flap at the base of the door 62 is shown to overlap 67 both of the rising edge flaps 59, as described in figure 3. In use, the sealing system at this point, may still be penetrable, due to small gaps remaining at the bisection of the rising edges and base of the door and door frame. As an alternative to the arrangement of Figure 3, it may be possible simply to use a bead or slug of a resiliently deformable material which when inserted into the gap 64 would provide an additional barrier, as shown at 66.

Figure 6 gives a more detailed view 68 of the means for sealing the gap at the bisection, between the lateral edges and base of the door. The resiliently deformable body 70, suitably, made from a pressure compressible material, is shaped to fill the said gap and comprises a pull chord to allow for removal, when not in use.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment, which is merely exemplary of the invention. The shape, configuration, materials and dimensions quoted or inferred, can be altered to suit different requirements.

Claims

Claims:

1. A seal comprising: a plurality of flexible webs interconnected by a continuous join line to form a plurality of flaps on either side of the join line; and adhesive sealing means disposed on at least one side of each of the flaps.

2. The seal of claim 1 comprising two webs sealingly joined together along a join line so as to define two pairs of flaps on either side of said join line, one of each pair of flaps belonging to each of the webs.

3. The seal of claim 2, suitable, in use, for sealing a gap between an edge of a door or window and a door or window frame, wherein the continuous join line is locatable in the said gap and wherein the adhesive sealing means of each flap is sealingly affixable to each of: an interior surface of the door or window; an exterior surface of the door or window; an interior surface of the door or window frame; and an exterior surface of the door or window frame respectively.

4. The seal of any preceding claim, wherein the or each web is manufactured from one of a water-resistant and a waterproof material.

5. The seal of claim 4, wherein the web is manufactured from any one or more of the group comprising: polyethylene sheet; PVC sheet; neoprene sheet; canvas; and waterproofed cloth.

6. The seal of any preceding claim, wherein the continuous join line comprises a weld line.

7. The seal of any preceding claim, wherein the continuous join line comprises a line of stitching.

8. The seal of claim 7, wherein the line of stitching is waterproofed.

9. The seal of any preceding claim, wherein the continuous join line is frangible.

10. The seal of any preceding claim, further comprising a cutter cooperating with the continuous join line.

11. The seal of claim 10 wherein the cutter comprises a blade.

12. The seal of claim 10, wherein the cutter comprises a cutter wire integrated into the join line, which when pulled, tears or otherwise breaks the join.

13. The seal of any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive sealing means comprises a pressure-sensitive sealing means.

14. The seal of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensitive sealing means comprises aircuring adhesive resin.

15. A sealing system comprising at least two seals according to any preceding claim further comprising an interconnector for operatively connecting a fist and second seal in end-to-end abutment with their respective join lines substantially aligned.

16. The sealing system of claim 15, wherein the interconnector comprises a first generally L-shaped member affixed to a first one of the seals and a second socket member for receiving, in use, a limb of the generally L-shaped member.

17. The sealing system of claim 16 wherein the said limb of the first generally L-shaped member is slidingly engageable with the second socket member.

18. The sealing system of any of claims 15 to 17, further comprising a resiliently deformable seal located at the intersection of the seals for forming a seal in the gap located between a corner of the door or window and the corner of the frame.

19. The sealing system of claim 18, wherein the resiliently deformable seal comprises any one or more of the group comprising: silicone valve, expandable foam, rubber bung, polymerized adhesives; wool.