Patent Application
20150211289
The present invention relates to sealing elements for sealing joints in the area of windows.
In the construction industry, not only the single-shell building method, in which the interior space is separated from the exterior space by a wall, but also the double-shell method is known. In the double-shell building method, an inner, load-bearing wall is built facing the interior space. An outer front wall shell, also called a cladding wall or a facing wythe, is arranged a certain distance away from the inner wall (backing shell), as a result of which an intermediate space, which serves as thermal insulation, is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall shell. This intermediate space usually has a width of approximately 40-150 mm. The intermediate space, furthermore, is usually unfilled, but it can be filled later with insulating materials such as mineral wool.
Windows are usually mounted in such a way that they project into the plane of the intermediate space or are positioned entirely in this area. When windows are installed or replaced, an empty intermediate space, into which no standard thermal insulation can be introduced, therefore usually remains between the inner wall and the front wall shell, and/or a connection problem arises at the window frames. Problems therefore occur with sealing, with the thermal insulation, and with the attachment process during the installation of windows.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealing element which is especially well adapted to sealing windows in walls built by the double-shell method.
According to an aspect of the invention, the sealing element for sealing joints comprises a first, block-shaped sealing element section made of a first flexible foam with a first indentation hardness and a second, web-shaped sealing element section. The second sealing element section projects from an edge area of the first sealing element section and comprises at least one sealing strip made of a second flexible foam with a second indentation hardness. The first indentation hardness is at least 1.5 times greater than the second indentation hardness.
In this way, a sealing element is provided which is especially well adapted to sealing a joint between interior masonry, an outer wall shell, and a window frame and makes it possible to provide adequate insulation at this location.
In preferred embodiments, the first indentation hardness is two times, more preferably three times, more preferably five times, more preferably seven times, and more preferably ten times greater than the second indentation hardness.
In a preferred embodiment, the first flexible foam is of the closed-cell type. As a result, the intermediate space between the inner masonry and the outer wall shell is sealed off in a substantially air-tight manner.
In a preferred embodiment, the first indentation hardness is in the range of 15-100 N, preferably in the range of 17-75 N, and more preferably in the range of 20-50 N. This first indentation hardness, which is relatively high for a flexible foam, offers the advantage that the first sealing element section becomes clamped in the intermediate space during installation of the sealing element and thus makes it possible for the sealing element to be securely positioned and held in place without additional aids.
In another preferred embodiment, the second indentation hardness is in the range of 0.1-10 N, preferably in the range of 0.5-7 N, and more preferably in the range of 1-5 N. This second indentation hardness, which is relatively “low” in comparison to the first indentation hardness, offers in turn the advantage that the sealing strip is readily compressible, conforms to the masonry and to the window frame, and seals off the gap between the outer masonry and the newly installed window frame in a manner impermeable to driving rain.
In one embodiment, the at least one sealing strip preferably forms the entire second sealing element section. An embodiment is preferred, furthermore, in which the first sealing element section and the second sealing element section are joined two-dimensionally to each other in the area of a joining surface, and the second sealing element section projects beyond the first sealing element section in a direction parallel to the joining surface. This makes it possible to fabricate the sealing element from the two flexible foams in a simplified manner. In addition, an arrangement of this type is especially well adapted to the given sealing task.
In a preferred embodiment, the second sealing element section comprises at least a first part and a second part, wherein the second part is the sealing strip. The sealing strip is preferably formed as a jacket on or around the first part of the second sealing element section. It is also preferable for the first part of the second sealing element section to be formed integrally with the first sealing element section. As a result of these configurations, sufficient and effective sealing is guaranteed in at least one section of the web-shaped second sealing element section.
In another preferred embodiment, the first sealing element section comprises a tapered portion in an area facing away from the second sealing element section. This makes it easier to insert or to fit the first sealing element section into the intermediate space between the inner wall and the outer wall shell.
The sealing strip is preferably impregnated, as a result of which the insulation and expansion properties of the flexible foam can be effectively adjusted.
In another embodiment, the second sealing element section comprises an adhesive layer on at least the side facing the first sealing element section. This serves to improve the attachment of the web-shaped second sealing element section to the window frame.
The first sealing element section preferably consists of a foamable plastic based on polyethylene or polypropylene. It is also preferable for the sealing strip to be formed out of one of the materials polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polypropylene. These materials are exceptionally well adapted to achieving the properties (insulation and indentation hardness) of the sealing element sections described above.
In another preferred embodiment, the ratio of the thickness of the first sealing element section to the thickness of the second sealing element section lies in the range of 2:1-30:1, preferably in the range of 2.5:1-15:1, and more preferably in the range of 3:1-10:1. This embodiment is especially well adapted to the corresponding installation situation and the previously described sealing task.
A building section comprises an inner wall and outer wall shell, wherein an intermediate space is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall shell. The outer wall shell extends beyond the intermediate space, as a result of which a projection of the outer wall shell is formed. A window frame is supported at least partially on the inner wall or is attached thereto by suitable retaining clamps. At least one sealing element as described above is used here, wherein at least the first sealing element section is inserted into the intermediate space, wherein at least the second sealing element section extends along the projection of the outer wall shell, and wherein the window frame rests against the second sealing element section in the area of the sealing strip. This installation situation offers good, long-lasting insulation and can be achieved easily with the sealing element according to the invention.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention can be derived from the following description, which refers to the drawings:
a-d are schematic cross-sectional views of additional embodiments of the sealing element according to the invention with sealing strips of different shapes.
a-6b are schematic cross-sectional views of the sealing element according to
Before the window frame is installed, a sealing element 14 according to the invention is inserted into the intermediate space 6 to seal off this intermediate space 6. The sealing element 14 consists essentially of a first sealing element section 8 and a second sealing element section 10. A more detailed description of the configuration of the sealing element 14 and its components is provided further below with reference to
As can be seen in
The installation situation is illustrated schematically in
In addition to the previously described parts, other insulating foams (flexible foams) or sealing tapes such as the additional insulating foam 18 shown in
The first indentation hardness is at least 1.5 times greater than the second indentation hardness. The first indentation hardness is preferably two times greater, more preferably three times greater, more preferably five times greater, more preferably seven times greater, and more preferably ten times greater than the second indentation hardness. This guarantees that the sealing element 14 is clamped securely in the intermediate space 6 after insertion, whereas the sealing strip 12, because of its compressibility and restoring force, can conform to the surfaces of the outer wall shell 2 and of the window frame 16. The indentation hardness is determined on the basis of DIN 53579:2009-01, as will be explained in detail at the end of this description.
The first indentation hardness is in the range of 15-100 N, preferably in the range of 17-75 N, and more preferably in the range of 20-50 N. The second indentation hardness is in the range of 0.1-10 N, preferably in the range of 0.5-7 N, and more preferably in the range of 2-5 N.
To achieve the desired indentation hardness and the desired insulating properties, the following materials can be considered in particular: for the first hard flexible foam, materials based on polyethylene or polypropylene; for the second soft flexible foam, materials based on polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polypropylene.
The first flexible foam is preferably of the closed-cell or mixed-cell type, and the second flexible foam will usually be a mixed-cell or open-cell flexible foam, which is impregnated. Other materials which satisfy the requirements can also be used.
In the embodiment of the sealing element 14 shown in
The thickness D1 of the first sealing element section 8 is defined as the distance between its inside surface, which, in the installed state, is intended to rest against the inner wall 4, and the side surface of the second sealing element section 10 facing the first sealing element section 8 in the edge area 8b. The thickness D2 of the sealing element strip 12 is defined as the distance between the side surface of the sealing strip 12 facing the first sealing element section 8 and the surface of the opposing side, i.e., the side which faces away from the first sealing element section 8 and which is intended to rest against the outer wall shell 2 when in the installed state. The thicknesses D1 and D2 are each measured in the completely relaxed state of the flexible foam. The thicknesses D1 and D2 are in a ratio in the range of 2:1-30:1, preferably of 2.5:1-15:1, and more preferably of 3:1-10:1, to each other.
The two-dimensional joining of the two sealing element sections 8 and 10 is obtained by adhesive bonding or lamination, for example. The use of other joining techniques known to the person skilled in the art and suitable for foam materials is possible. It is apparent that all of the sizes and ratios stated here can be varied in correspondence with the configuration of the intermediate space 6 and of the projection A of the outer wall shell 2 beyond the inner wall 4.
In the case of the sealing element 14 according to the invention, the second sealing element section 10 can comprise an adhesive layer 22 at least on the side facing the first sealing element section 8. This adhesive layer 22 is covered by a peel-off film 24, and, as described in relation to
a-d shows various embodiments of the sealing strip 12 for the case of the two-part configuration of the second sealing element section 10. The sealing strip 12 is preferably formed as a jacket 26 around the forward area of the web-shaped first part 10a of the second sealing element section 10. For this purpose, the jacket 26 is preferably closed on three sides, whereas it comprises an opening on a fourth side to accept the first part 10a of the second sealing element section 10.
It is apparent that the jacket 26 can enclose the forward area of the first part 10a of the second sealing element section 10, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional views of
a shows a jacket 26 comprising an opening on one side, in which the first part 10a of the second sealing element section 10 is accommodated, wherein the entire inside surface of the jacket 26 rests on the first part 10a of the second sealing element section 10. The jacket 26 is rounded off at the outer section of the cap-like jacket 26 opposite the opening. Other embodiments in which the sealing strip 12 is angled or tapered at this end are also conceivable. In addition to attachment by means of an adhesive or by lamination, the jacket 26 can also be simply pushed onto the first part 10a of the second sealing element section 10 and held in position by the expansion pressure of the material. This also applies to the embodiments of
b shows a two-part jacket 26, which consists of a first part 26a and a second part 26b. The two parts 26a,b of the jacket 26 are joined to each other in the forward area opposite the opening, preferably by means of an adhesive. Here, too, other joining techniques suitable for use with foam are possible.
c shows a one-part jacket 26, only two inner surfaces of which rest against the first part 10a of the second sealing element section 10, a cavity thus being formed in the forward area of the web.
d shows again a two-part jacket 26 consisting of the parts 26a and 26b, which are bonded to each other by an adhesive, for example, in the forward area.
It is apparent that the embodiments of the sealing strip 12 are not limited to those illustrated in
In addition to the previously described first and second sealing element sections 8 and 10, other embodiments of the sealing element 14 (
A plastic sheet 28 is also provided in
The additional plastic sheet 28 attached to the sealing element comprises additional insulation properties and ensures in particular especially good impermeability of the entire sealing arrangement to air and water vapor. Standard materials for this are, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, and copolymers. In an embodiment according to
In the embodiment according to
The indentation hardness of foams is defined according to DIN 53579:2009-01 as the indentation force (in N) which an indentation plunger is required to exert to compress the foam by a defined distance. DIN 53579:2009-01 describes the test pieces to be used for the test, the equipment, and the procedure for conducting the test for determining the indentation hardness of foam materials.
The values for the indentation hardness given above are obtained by measurements according to the test procedure prescribed in DIN 53579:2009-01, wherein the test parameters described below are to be used. The exact test procedure and other previously specified parameters can be found in the standard.
A piece of foam measuring 45×45×10 mm (length×width×height) is to be used as the test piece. The number of test pieces is three per type of material. A frame of metal is used to surround the test piece. The frame has the corresponding inside dimensions of 45×45×10 mm (length x width x height) and the test piece is held in it with a press fit.
Other parameters of the test procedure adapted to the foam materials to be measured are defined in Section 6.2 of the DIN 53579:2009-01:
(a) indentation plunger according to Table 1, column V;
(b) defined initial force F0=1 N (deviating from the DIN standard);
(c) feed rate during preload cycles: vC=100 mm/min (deviating from Table 2 of the DIN standard);
(d) maximum indentation distance during the preload cycles: IDC=7 mm (70% of the thickness of the material);
(e) reversal point of the indentation plunger: LR=−3 mm;
(f) feed rate during the measurement cycle: vM=50 mm/min (deviating from Table 2 of the DIN standard);
(g) maximum indentation distance during the measuring cycle: IDM=7 mm (70% of the thickness of the material);
(h) indentation distance at which the results are to be determined during the measurement cycle: 4 mm (40% of the thickness of the material); and
(i) no waiting time (0 seconds).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14152514.7 | Jan 2014 | EP | regional |
