Precompressed sealing tape

#This application claims priority based on European patent application EP 09 178 899.2, filed Dec. 11, 2009.

#The invention relates to a precompressed sealing tape for sealing a joint such as that between a frame profile of a window or a door and the wall of a building.

#A precompressed sealing tape, which consists of an elastically re-expandable foam strip of rectangular cross section, which, in the compressed state, is completely surrounded by a wrapping formed by a sheet of plastic, is known from EP 1 131 525 B1. The sheet of plastic forms a tear-off tab extending in the longitudinal direction of the sealing tape, for which purpose the sheet is bonded to itself to form a predetermined tear site. To hold the foam strip inside the pocket formed in this way, it is adhesively bonded on its bottom surface to the wrapping, and the bottom surface of the wrapping in turn can be adhered to a frame profile by separate adhesive means such as double-sided adhesive tape.

#In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more detailed description of the invention and the preferred embodiments briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view of one preferred embodiment of the precompressed sealing tape for sealing a joint;

#FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the precompressed sealing tape for sealing a joint, the tape being fastened to a structural component;

#In some cases, the foam strips, wrappings, adhesive tapes, strip-like elements and cover sheets are shown in the drawings as if they were a certain distance apart, so that the individual elements which form the sealing tape can be clearly distinguished from each other. In these preferred embodiments, these elements lie directly on top of each other.

#FIGS. 1-6 show preferred embodiments illustrating a foam strip 2, which, in the present preferred embodiments, has a rectangular cross section, is partially surrounded by a sheet-like wrapping 4, and is held in a precompressed state. Foam strip 2 can be made of any desired open-cell or closed-cell soft foam, such as polyurethane or polyethylene, and can be impregnated to delay its recovery. A multi-layer arrangement of several different foam materials laminated onto each other is also conceivable, as is the arrangement of an impregnated foam layer on or next to a foam layer which is not impregnated. Different foam layers can be arranged adjacent to each other especially in the transverse direction of the sealing tape to give the sealing tape a different permeability to air in the inner area than in the outer area, for example, or to create a vapor diffusion gradient. Foam strip 2 extends farther in its longitudinal direction than in its transverse direction and comprises two lateral surfaces 6 and first and second transverse surfaces 8, 9 (top surface 8 and bottom surface 9), which connect the two lateral surfaces 6 to each other.

#The material of wrapping 4 can be a foil or film material, a mesh fabric, paper, or some other material suitable for the application cited. Laminated sheets consisting of a layer of plastic laminated to a backing material (e.g., a nonwoven) or fabric-reinforced sheets can also be used. All these materials are described by the term “sheet-like”. Combinations of these materials are also possible. A thermoplastic film or a heat-shrink film, which contracts under the action of heat, however, is preferred. Such a heat-shrink effect can also be applied to only parts of wrapping 4, e.g., in the area of top surface 8 of foam strip 2, to make it taut and free of wrinkles. It is also possible for wrapping 4 to include reinforcement only in the area of top surface 8 of foam strip 2.