WO2015044132A1

WO2015044132A1 - Sealing member

Info

Publication number: WO2015044132A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/070229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerard Francis Robinson
Original assignee: Gerard Francis Robinson
Priority date: 2013-09-27
Filing date: 2014-09-23
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: GB2518749A; GB201317151D0; GB201414915D0; GB2518649A; GB2518649B

Abstract

A sealing member (10) comprises of a flexible strip (11) having an upper boundary (12) and a lower boundary (13) an inner face (14) and an outer face (15). The inner face (14) has an upper region (19) and a lower region (17). The outer face (15) has an upper region (18) and a lower region (16). A provisional adhesive bed (30) provides a preliminarily means of part engagement of the strip (11) with the wall (60) in preparation for the subsequent application of a permanent adhesive bed (50, 52).

Description

SEALING MEMBER

The present invention relates to a sealing member adapted to be installed independently or as a component of a sealing system to create a watertight barrier over substrates exposed to moisture in the shower environment and maintain a waterproof joint seal connection between two or more such substrates disposed in line or at an angle to each other such as the joint between a wall and the adjacent perimeter side wall/ledge of a shower tray or bath. Prior art relating to strip sealing systems adapted to seal the joint between a shower tray and wall such as EP1967107A2, DE 202007009306U1 , CH 704698A2, WO2012/1 16988, EP1891877A2, feature up-stand strip membranes with a high tack adhesive tape or pressure sensitive foam adhesive tape longitudinally applied to a lower portion of one side. During installation the adhesive strip is exposed and bonded to the shower tray perimeter side wall before installation of the tray against the intended shower wall.

A first problem common to these products is that shower tray perimeter side wall corners are usually rounded whereas the corners of meeting walls into which they are located are 90 degrees. When these strips are installed onto rounded shower tray corners they cannot extend fully into the wall corner without being stretched or the high tack adhesive tape being pinched to elongate the strip.

A second problem warned of in Codes of Practice is that there can be a material compatibility issue when high tack butyl adhesive comes in contact with reactive sealants.

A third problem with the above inventions is that they must be are installed onto the shower tray perimeter side wall before their final location against the wall. It is ambiguous who is responsible for a leaking ledge/wall joint if the task is shared between the plumber and tiler. Responsibility for waterproofing the ledge/wall joint and consequential 'leak liability' should rest fully with one qualified waterproofing contractor.

It is the object of this invention to limit or eliminate the aforementioned problems associated with prior art up-stand seals. The present invention provides a sealing member adapted to be installed independently or as a component of a sealing system to create a watertight barrier over substrates exposed to moisture in the shower environment and maintain a waterproof joint seal connection between two or more such substrates disposed in line or at an angle to each other, in one such typical installed orientation between a wall and shower tray comprising of: a flexible longitudinal strip having a strip upper boundary and a strip lower boundary between which strip boundaries there extends a strip inner face and a strip outer face which strip outer face has a strip outer face upper region and a strip outer face lower region and which strip inner face has a strip inner face upper region and a strip inner face lower region: and at least one provisional adhesive bed extending longitudinally on the strip outer face: characterized in that the provisional adhesive bed provides a preliminary means of part engagement of the strip with the wall in preparation for the subsequent application of a permanent adhesive bed to facilitate a permanent engagement of the strip outer face or part thereof with the adjacent wall.

Preferably, after installation the provisional adhesive bed extends longitudinally on the strip outer face below the permanent adhesive bed.

Alternatively, after installation the provisional adhesive bed extends longitudinally on the strip outer face above the permanent adhesive bed.

Ideally, a release liner extends over the provisional adhesive bed to accommodate rolling the strip for transport. Preferably, the strip is a flexible polymeric material such as polyethylene.

Alternatively, the strip is a flexible polymeric material such as polypropylene.

Ideally, the sealing member acts in combination with a sealant adhesive of the type that may be extruded uncured from a tube, applied as desired and thereafter cure as flexible sealant adhesive.

Alternatively, the sealing member acts in combination with a tile adhesive of the type that is preferably a flexible thin set cement based tile adhesive. Advantageously, one or more longitudinal regions of the strip are etched to enhance sealant 'adhesive' type adhesion.

Additionally, one or more longitudinal etched regions of the strip are laminated with a silicone film to enhance sealant adhesive adhesion.

Alternatively, one or more longitudinal regions of the strip are laminated with fleece through use of adhesive glue to enhance tile adhesive 'mechanical' type adhesion. Ideally, the sealing member acts in combination with a flexible compressible acoustic insulating sealant backing material.

Preferably, the flexible compressible acoustic insulating sealant backing material is circular or four sided in cross section with or without a pressure sensitive film to accommodate a compressive or adhesive engagement between a wall and perimeter side wall of a shower tray or bath.

In one embodiment the provisional adhesive bed retains a least one releasable longitudinal fold in the strip.

Ideally, the sealing member acts in combination with a pleat adhesive bed extending longitudinally on the strip to retain a releasable longitudinal pleat in strip.

Preferably, the provisional adhesive bed extends longitudinally over a pleat in strip.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, some embodiments of the seal according to the invention. In all figure descriptions the term 'inner face' should be understood to define a material surface facing the shower tray or bath after installation and the term 'outer face' should be understood to define a surface material facing the wall after installation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 represents a perspective peel back view of the current invention 10 in roll form as prepared for transport, detailing strip 1 1 and provisional adhesive bed 30 with a protective adhesive release liner 20 over;

Figure 2 represents a section view of Figure 1 un-wound and in an installed orientation as would be the orientation prior to commencing an installation;

Figure 3 represents a section view of the current invention as detailed in Figure 2, after the adhesive release liner 20 is removed and the strip upper boundary 12 initially aligned with guide line 61 and thereafter the strip outer face 15 engaged to the wall 60 by means of provisional adhesive bed 30;

Figure 4 represents a section view of the current invention as detailed in Figure 3, wherein the strip upper regions 18 and 19 are bent back to accommodate the application of permanent sealant adhesive bed 50. A spreading edge 80 is in position ready to press the strip outer face 15 inward and by simultaneously pulling upward bond the strip outer face 15 to adjacent wall 60;

Figure 5 represents a section view of the current invention as detailed in Figure 4, wherein the spreading edge 80 is being drawn upward pressing/bonding the strip outer face upper region 18 onto the wall 60 through sealant adhesive 50;

Figure 6 represents a section view of the current invention as detailed in Figure 4 with the exception that permanent sealant adhesive 50 in figure 4 is replaced with fully spread permanent tile adhesive bed 52 in figure 6. The method explained/shown in figures 4 and 5 in respect of using the spreading edge 80 also apply in respect of the permanent tile adhesive bed 52 in figure 6:

Figure 7 represents a section view of the current invention as detailed in Figures 4 and 5 wherein the engagement of the strip 1 1 on the wall 60 is complete, an acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 is installed between the strip inner face lower region 17 and adjacent shower tray 90 perimeter side wall 91 , a flexible sealant 51 seals the joint between the strip outer face 14 and adjacent shower tray perimeter side wall 91 ;

Figure 8 represents a section view of a second embodiment of the current invention Unlike the preceding figures 1-7, figures 8 section drawing details (through a blow up view), a pleat embodiment 73 wherein provisional adhesive bed 30 also accommodates the formation and retention of pleat 73 in strip 1 1 :

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the sealing member 10 comprises of a first component being flexible strip 1 1 which has strip upper boundary 12 and a strip lower boundary 13 between which strip boundaries there extends a strip inner face 14 and a strip outer face 15. The strip inner face 14 comprises of a strip inner face upper region 19 and a strip inner face lower region 17. The strip outer face 15 comprises of a strip outer face upper region 18 and a strip outer face lower region 16.

Typically the strip 1 1 is a soft polyethylene or polypropylene type material. It should be understood though not presented in the drawings, that the strip inner and outer faces 14 and 15 may be enhanced to form tenacious adhesive bonds with sealant adhesives and mechanical bonds with tile adhesives.

In respect of sealant adhesive 50, such an adhesive bonding enhancement may be achieved through the siliconization of plasma/corona etched surfaces of the strip 1 1. In respect of tile adhesive 52, such a mechanical bonding enhancement may be achieved through the provision of a rough non-woven fleece layer glued or welded onto strip 11.

A provisional adhesive bed 30 extends longitudinally on the strip outer face 15. Provisional adhesive bed 30 has an inner face 32 bonded to the strip outer face 15. An adhesive release liner 20 extends over provisional adhesive bed outer face 32 to protect it from adhesion with opposing strip 11 layers when the strip 11 is rolled for transport.

A suitable provisional adhesive bed 30 material when bonding the strip 1 1 to a smooth wall is 100 micron thick hot melt adhesive applied cold onto strip 11. Adhesive release liner 20 may typically be a siliconized polyethylene or polypropylene film. Figure 3 details the strip 11 shown in Figure 2 wherein the strip upper boundary 12 is aligned with guideline 61 marked on the wall. Guide line 61 represents a desired measured height above the shower tray ledge for bonding the strip to the wall. While strip upper boundary 12 is aligned with guideline 61 , the release liner 20 is removed off provisional adhesive bed 30 and the strip is then press bonded onto the wall 60. The strip 1 is of sufficient rigidity to remain upright after being bonded to the wall. The strip 1 1 can extend tight into 90 degree corners eliminating the first problematic prior art issue cited on the page one introduction.

Figure 4 details the strip 11 and wall 60 shown in figure 3 but wherein the strip upper regions 18 and 19 are bent back to accommodate the application of permanent sealant adhesive 50 which is typically extruded using a sealant gun from a tube into the reservoir 53 created by the wall 60, adhesive bed 30 and the strip outer face 15.

Figures 4 and 5 detail the progressive use of spreading edge 80 which is employed to squeeze the permanent sealant adhesive bed 50 gradually upward between the wall 60 and strip outer face 15 forming a permanent bond between the strip outer face 15 and adjacent wall 60.

Figure 6 details an alternative means/method of bonding the strip 11 to wall 60 wherein a permanent tile adhesive 52 is first applied over the wall area opposing the bent back upper strip regions 18 and 19 and thereafter the spreading edge 80 is employed to squeeze the tile adhesive bed 52 gradually upward between the wall 60 and strip outer face 15 forming a permanent bond between the strip outer face 15 and adjacent wall 60.

Figure 7 details the completed installation/bonding of strip 1 1 onto the wall 60. A close celled circular cross sectioned acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 is installed between the strip inner face lower region 17 and adjacent shower tray perimeter side wall 91. Though not shown in the drawings, the acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 may also be a four sided in cross section. The acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 should be located so as to ensure the sealant 51 will remain dimensionally flexible under the shear force it may be subjected to if the shower tray perimeter side wall 91 settles down. The acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 should be ideally positioned so the depth of sealant 51 (between the level of the ledge 92 and uppermost surface of the backing material 40) is typically 50% of the sealant 51 width (between the strip inner face 17 and opposing shower tray perimeter side wall 91).

Acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 may support a high tack pressure sensitive adhesive and protective release liner as a means of bonding it to the shower tray perimeter side wall 91 or the strip inner face lower region 17 prior to final installation of the shower tray 90 against the walls.

Alternatively, the acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 may be retrospectively squeezed into the joint between the shower tray perimeter side wall 91 and the strip inner face lower region 17 to a preferred depth after final installation of the shower tray 90 against the walls.

After installation of the acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 and after the shower tray perimeter side wall 91 is cleaned with alcohol wipes and totally dry, a flexible sealant 51 is applied into the sealant reservoir 54 created by the strip inner face lower region 17, acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 and the shower tray perimeter side wall 91.

In the above described sealing system, there is no reliance on 'sealant reactive' high tack butyl adhesive and so the second problematic prior art issue cited on the page one introduction is eliminated.

In the above described installation method, it is possible that the plumber has no part in the installation of the ledge/wall seal but is simply instructed to leave a 4mm gap between the shower tray perimeter side wall 91 and adjacent wall 60. In these circumstances strip 11 and acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 are retro-installed by the qualified waterproofing contractor.

Alternatively the plumber might be instructed to simply mount strip 1 1 at the correct level on the wall 60 using the provisional adhesive bed 30 as shown in figure 2 and adhere the acoustic insulation/sealant backer rod 40 at the correct level on the shower tray perimeter side wall 91 as shown in figure 7.

In these circumstances, strip 11 is permanently bonded to the wall by the qualified waterproofing contractor who thereafter cleans the shower tray perimeter side wall 91 with alcohol wipes to ensure good adhesion with sealant 51 and applies sealant 51 into the ledge wall joint. In the above described sealing system, responsibility for waterproofing the ledge/wall joint can rest fully with the qualified waterproofing contractor and so the third problematic prior art issue cited in respect of 'leak liability' is eliminated. It should be understood though not shown in the drawings that adhesive bed 30 could extend longitudinally adjacent to the strip upper boundary 12 in which circumstances the installation method described above would be simply adapted to accommodate same.

Unlike the preceding figures 1-7, figure 8 section drawing details (through a very exploded view), a pleat embodiment 73 wherein provisional adhesive bed 30 also accommodates the formation and retention of pleat fold 70 in strip 11.

In figure 8, provisional adhesive bed 30 extends transversely inside pleat fold 70 to retain pleat fold 70 in position. A second pleat adhesive bed 31 may extend longitudinally on strip 11 and also transversely extend inside pleat fold 71 to retain pleat fold 71 in position.

Figure 8 is magnified to provide technical detail. The total cross sectional thickness of the pleat 73 may be less than 1 mm. The adhesive release liner 20 has therefore no problem covering both adhesive bed outer faces 32.

This pleated strip 11 is installed in a similar manner to that described in respect of figures 1-7. In this pleat embodiment the adhesive beds 30 and 31 are sufficiently elastic to provide shear movement allowing the pleat 73 to transversely expand if the shower tray perimeter side wall 91 (to which the strip inner face lower region 17 is attached) moves downward relative to the wall 60.

It should be understood that the application of this invention is not exclusively related to sealing interior ledge/wall joints around shower trays and baths as the strip embodiments form a waterproof membrane relevant to waterproofing tiled floors, walls and shower wall panels and exterior waterproofing under floors, building structures and infrastructure expansion joints.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A sealing member (10) adapted to be installed independently or as a component of a sealing system to create a watertight barrier over substrates exposed to moisture in the shower environment and maintain a waterproof joint seal connection between two or more such substrates disposed in line or at an angle to each other, in one such typical installed orientation between a wall (60) and shower tray (90) comprising of: a flexible longitudinal strip (11 ) having a strip upper boundary (12) and a strip lower boundary (13) between which strip boundaries there extends a strip inner face (14) and a strip outer face (15) which strip outer face has a strip outer face upper region (18) and a strip outer face lower region (16) and which strip inner face has a strip inner face upper region (19) and a strip inner face lower region (17): and at least one provisional adhesive bed (30) extending longitudinally on the strip outer face (15): characterized in that the provisional adhesive bed (30) provides a preliminarly means of part engagement of the strip (1 1) with the wall (60) in preparation for the subsequent application of a permanent adhesive bed (50, 52) to facilitate a permanent engagement of the strip outer face (15) or part thereof with the adjacent wall (60).

2. A sealing member as claimed in Claim 1 wherein after installation the provisional adhesive bed (30) extends longitudinally on the strip outer face (15) below the permanent adhesive bed (50, 52).

3. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein after installation the provisional adhesive bed (30) extends longitudinally on the strip outer face (15) above the permanent adhesive bed (50, 52).

4. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a release liner (20) extends over the provisional adhesive bed (30) to accommodate rolling the strip for transport.

5. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the strip (11) is a flexible polymeric material such as polyethylene.

6. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the strip (1 1) is a flexible polymeric material such as polypropylene.

7. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a sealant adhesive (50) of the type that may be extruded uncured from a tube, applied as desired and thereafter cure as flexible sealant adhesive.

8. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a tile adhesive (52) of the type that is preferably a flexible thin set cement based tile adhesive.

9. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more longitudinal regions of the strip (11) are etched to enhance sealant adhesive (50) adhesion.

10. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more longitudinal etched regions of the strip (11) are laminated with a silicone film to enhance sealant adhesive (50) adhesion.

1 . A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more longitudinal regions of the strip

(11) are laminated with fleece through use of adhesive glue to enhance tile adhesive (52) adhesion.

12. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a flexible compressible acoustic insulating sealant backing material (40).

13. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the flexible compressible acoustic insulating sealant backing material (40) is circular or four sided in cross section with or without a pressure sensitive film/adhesive release liner to accommodate a compressive or adhesive engagement between a wall (60) and perimeter side wall of a shower tray or bath (91).

14. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the provisional adhesive bed (30) retains a least one releasable longitudinal fold in the strip (1 1).

15. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a pleat adhesive bed (31 ) extending longitudinally on the strip to retain a releasable longitudinal pleat (73) in strip (11 ).

16. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the provisional adhesive bed (30) extends longitudinally o\ er a pleat (73) in strip (11 ).

17. A sealing member as claimed in any preceding claim in association with the respective installation method disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A sealing method substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.