Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02231894 1998-03-12
Method and means of sealing joints
The invention relates to a method for sealing joints
according to the preamble of claim 1 and to means for
carrying out the method.
It is known for the sealing of movement, element or
soundproofing joints to introduce or lay into the joint
compressible rubbe r; or plastics in the form of
flexible joint strips.
In this case, the flexible j oint strip is pressed into
the joint in such a way that it is at the same time
compressed and consequently exerts a pressure on the
walls of the joint. The installation of such so-called
compression elements can be performed mechanically, but
is usually performed manually, since the installation
has ~~o be carried out very carefully.
The manual installation of these compression elements
or compression joint strips requires considerable
expenditure of time, with the associated costs. In
addit=ion to these disadvantages, it is not possible
with such joint strips to seal reliably joints which
have differences in the widths of the joint over their
length. Even small differences in the width of the
joint. make a different dimensioning of the joint strip
nece:~sary. In addition, it is disadvantageous that a
widening of the joint, for example due to expansion or
shrinkage of the structural elements, is tolerated only
minimally by such joint strips without losses in the
sealing effect. Such flexible compression joint strips
are capable of sealing differences in pressure of up to
1 bar.
:35
The object of the invention is to provide a method of
sealing joints which rnakes it possible to fit the joint
strips or joint sealing tubes simply and quickly and to
provide joint strips for carrying out the method which
are insensitive to varying widths of the joint and make
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possible improved sealing, in particular in the case of
high. pressures acting on the seal.
The object is achieved by a method having the features
of claim 1 and a means having the features of claim 12.
Advantageous designs and developments are defined in
subclaims.
The method according to the invention provides for
designing a sealing means in such a way that it can be
pushed into an existing joint essentially without being
compressed and, once the means has been laid, it is
subjected to a pressure from inside, for example
pneumatically, hydraulically or similarly, preferably
through a valve, so that it is pressed against the
walls of the joint.
Means according to the invention are, for example,
roun~~ of flattened tubes which are laid into the joint
and subsequently subjected to pressure pneumatically,
hydr~~ulically or similarly and consequently attempt to
assume a circular cross section and, as a result, exert
a pressure with their walls on the joint, which
pressure is dependent: on the internal pressure of the
tube.. As a result, t:he tube body, which serves as a
seal:~ng body, is compressed, so that even in the event
of subsequent expansion of the joint the sealed effect
is ensured also by expansion of the tube body. In
addition, joint strips according to the invention which
have an essentially rectangular cross section with a
slit made deep into them are provided, the slit being
made parallel to the walls of the joint. Into this slit
there is laid, for example, a tube which can be
subjE:cted to pressure and consequently presses the
joint: strip against the walls bounding the joint and
compresses it in this region. In the case of an
advantageous further embodiment, into the slit of such
a joint strip there is laid inwardly a porous injection
tube with which, once the first tube has been subjected
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to pressure, injection fluid is introduced into the
then outwardly sealed joint.
In t:he case of such a design of j oint strips it is of
advantage that the joint strips can be introduced
simply and quickly .into existing joints, for example
soundproofing joints of row houses, a required pressure
is subsequently applied and the soundproofing joints
are consequently reliably sealed. In addition, it is of
advantage that, by virtue of the uniform internal
pressure and the compression of the walls of the joint
strip which is brought about, joint strips according to
the invention can compensate for tolerances in the
widt)z of the joint. As a result, reliable sealing is
ensured even in the case of varying widths of the
joint, In addition, it is of advantage that, in the
evens= of subsequent widenings of the width of the
joins=, a subsequent injection into the pressure tube
can take place, for example pneumatically or
hydraulically.
The invention is described by way of example below with
reference to a drawing, in which:
:25 Fig. 2 shows a cross section through a joint sealing
tube according to the-invention;
Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a joint sealing
tube according to the invention, the joint
;30 sealing tube being designed such that it is
flattened at. the sides;
Fig. 3 shows a joint sealing strip according to the
invention with inserted joint sealing tube
~5 according to Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 shows a joint sealing tube in a joint before
being subjected to pressure;
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Fig. 5 shows a joint sealing tube according to Fig.
4 once it has been subjected to pressure;
Fig. 6 shows a cross section through a joint sealing
strip according to the invention;
Fig. 7 shows a cross section through a further
embodiment of a joint sealing strip according
to the invention;
Fig. 8 shows a joint sealing strip according to the
invention with inserted compression tube and
inserted injection tube;
Fig. 9 shows a joint sealing strip according to the
invention with inserted compression tube of a
flattened design, after compression in a
j oint;
Fig. 10 shows a sealing strip according to the
invention with inserted, cross-sectionally
round compression tube in a joint after
compression;
Fig. 11 shows a joint sealing strip according to the
invention with inserted compression tube and
inserted injection tube in a joint;
Fig. 12 shows a joint sealing strip according to the
:30 invention with inserted compression tube and
inserted injection tube, the injection tube
having a form which is flattened at the
sides;
Fig. 13 shows a vertical section through a wall with
a joint s~~alin.g strip according to the
invention;
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Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of a joint sealing
strip according to the invention with a
contoured surface;
Fig. 15 shows a further embodiment of a joint sealing
strip with a compression tube and an
injection tube and with a contour surface.
A joint sealing tube 1 according to the invention has,
for example, a cross>-sectionally annular tube body 2
with a tube inner surface 3 and a tube outer surface 4.
A tube cavity 5 is bounded by the tube inner surface 3.
The tube body 2 consists, for example, of a flexible
plasi=ic, for example a rubber, and is preferably of a
thick-walled design. The dimensions of the tube wall
and the plastic are chosen in this case such that the
flex~_bly compliant tube 1 is a pressure-resistant
pressure tube and preferably does not expand, but only
chanc3es its cross-sectional shape, under internal
pressure, assuming a circular cross section under high
pressure.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment (Fig.
2), i:he tube 1 is designed such that in cross section
it i;s flattened at the sides. Such a tube is pushed
into a joint 6 (Fig. 4), which exists, for example,
between two sections of masonry 7 and is bounded by the
walls 8 of the masonry. A joint sealing tube 1 of
annular cross section is in this case preferably
:30 compressed at the sides, so that it is held of its own
accord between the walls 8 of the joint. In the case of
joint sealing tubes 1 flattened at the sides, a
friction contact between wall and tube is preferably
likewise achieved. As a result, the tube is held in its
position. Thus, for example, a tube 1 with a width of
25 mn~ is inserted into a 20 mm wide joint, whereby it
is held of its own accord in the joint but nevertheless
can be easily pushed in.
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Once such a joint sealing tube 1 has been introduced
into a joint 6, it: is subjected to pressure, for
example pneumatically or hydraulically (Fig. 5). As a
result, the wall thickness becomes less due to the
compression of the tube body 2. However, the
circumference of the joint sealing tube 1 preferably
does not significantly change in this case. There is
preferably arranged at the ends of the tube 1 a valve
device (not shown) fo.r filling the same.
A further possibility of subjecting such a joint
sealing tube to pressure and of achieving compression
of the tube body 4 is to inject into the tube cavity 2
reaction plastics which react with one another and
after the reaction produce, for example, a flexible,
for example rubber-like, composition. A further
possibility of subjecting the tube to pressure and of
compressing the tube body 4 in the region in which it
bear; against the walls 8 of the joint is to fill the
tube cavity 5 with acrylic resin, polyurethane or
similar foams. The reaction plastics are introduced
into the tube under pressure and/or react with an
increase in volume, so that an internal pressure is
built up in the tube 1. It is preferred for the tube
:?5 body to be subjected to pressure by an acrylic gel,
which retains its viscosity over a long period of time
and c:an be recompressed at any time. Further suitable
pressure media are oils or fluids which are stable over
long periods of time.
The applied internal pressure is of the order of
magnitude of 100 bar and may be up to 260 bar.
A further possibility according to the invention of
3.5 sealing a joint 6 is to place a joint sealing tube 1
according to the invention into a j oint strip 10 ( Fig.
6). Such a joint strip according to the invention has
an approximately rectangular cross section, with two,
preferably wide, side faces 11, oriented parallel to
CA 02231894 1998-03-12
each other, and two end faces 12, oriented
perpendicular to the side faces 11 and preferably made
narrower than the latter. In one of the end faces 12
there is made in the region of the transverse center a
deep groove I3 or a slit 13, running parallel to the
side walls 11, so that as a result the joint strip 10
is given a U-shaped cross section. The joint sealing
tube 1 is laid into this slit 13.
As a result, a joint: sealing tube 1 according to the
inve::~tion can also be adapted to wider joints 6.
This groove or this slit 13 extends, for example, over
three quarters or four fifths of the width of the side
face, 11.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment of a
joint. strip 10 (Fig. 7j, from one end face 12 a slit 14
is rf~spectively made into the joint strip 10 alongside
the side faces 11 and running parallel to the side
faces 11. The slits .L4 and the slit 13 are preferably
made in the same end face 12. The slits 14 extend, for
example, over 4/5 of the width of the side faces 11
toward the opposite end face 12. Narrow tongues 15 are
formed by the slits 14 in the region of the side faces
11. 7.f a cut is made parallel to the side face 11 and
perpendicular to the end face 12 in the region of a
base 16 of the slit 14, these tongues 15 can optionally
be individually or bath cut off from the joint strip.
This makes it possible before laying of a joint 6 to
match the j oint strip to the width of the j oint 6 . In
principle, it is possible also to make a plurality of
slits 14, oriented parallel to one another, into the
joint strip 10 alongside the side faces 11, so that a
lamination is produced in the edge regions of the joint
strip 10 . With such a lamination, the j oint strips can
be adapted even better_ to different widths of joint by
removing individual laminae.
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A joint strip 10 is introduced into a joint 6 in such a
way that the closed end face 12 faces outward and the
end face 12 provided with the slit 13 faces inward. If
high internal pressures are to be sealed in a joint,
this may, however, also take place conversely. The side
faces 11 bear against the walls 8 bounding the joint 6.
Once the joint strip 10 has been introduced into the
j oini= 6 in this waxy, the j oint sealing tube 1 is
subjected to pressure pneumatically, hydraulically or
by pressed-in reaction plastics, under which pressure
it expands and presses the joint strip against the
wall: 8 (Figs. 9, 10) .
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment (Figs.
11, 7_2), an injection tube 19 is introduced in addition
to t:ze joint sealing tube 1 into the slit 13 of the
joint: strip 10, toward the interior of the joint 6. The
injection tube 19 may be designed, for example, with an
annular cross section (Fig. 11) or else with an annular
.20 cross section which .is flattened cross-sectionally at
the sides (Fig. 12). Such an injection tube 19
consists, for example, of a porous foam, or comprises a
perforated tube or a conventional injection tube,
through which an injection agent can pass from the
interior of the tube 20 to the outside. A tube strip 10
of such a design is initially laid into the joint, the
j oint being extended, for example, into the floor slab
21 (Fig. 13) in the case of a joint 6 which exists
between two masonry structures 7, in order to improve
the sealing effect in the region of the floor.
The joint sealing tube 1 is subsequently subjected to
pressure in the way described, whereby the joint strip
10 is pressed with its side walls 11 against the walls
8 of the masonry structure 7 bounding the joint 6. Once
a desired pressure has been built up in this way,
injection agent is forced into the inner space 20 of
the injection tube 19.. The injection agent then passes
through the inj ection tube into the slit 13 and out of
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the slit 13 into the inner region of the joint 6. In
thi~~ way, a joint 6 can be completely filled with
injection agent, if this is desired.
In t:he case of a further advantageous embodiment of a
joint strip 10, the side faces 11 are of a contoured
design, in order to ensure improved holding in the case
of uneven or crumbling masonry. The surface may, for
example, be of a serrated design (Figs. 14, 15), the
serration 23 being designed in such a way that shallow
tooth flanks 24 face the interior of the joint and
steep tooth flanks 25 face the exterior of the joint.
In the case of pressure directed onto the joint strip
from the interior of the joint, a clasping, locking
effect is achieved as. a result of this, but the pushing
in of the joint strip is not hindered.
In the case of the method according to the invention,
the sealing effect. may also be retained only
temporarily, if this is desired. It is suitable for
this purpose to build up the compression pressure by
pneumatic or hydraulic means. In order to lower the
presaure again, all that is necessary is to open a
valvf~ (not shown) arranged on the joint sealing tube 1.
For permanent sealing, tube filling with acrylic gel or
reaction plastics, silicone rubbers or foams, in
partucular polyurethane foam, is particularly
advantageous.
In t:ze case of the method according to the invention,
using joint sealing tubes, it is of advantage that they
can be introduced into a j oint particularly simply and
quic~:ly and a sealed joint is achieved quickly,
reliably and inexpensively by subsequent filling
(pneumatically, hydraulically, by reaction plastics).
The fact that the tube material is compressed in the
region where it bears against the walls of the joint
also means that it is possible to compensate for
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subsequent widening of the joint just by expansion of
the tube material and/or of the joint strip.
A relatively thick-walled joint sealing tube 1 or a
joint strip with a joint sealing tube 1 arranged
therein is preferably subjected to pressure by curing
reaction plastics, so that the walls between the
reaction plastic and the walls 8 of the joint are
compressed in a flexibly compliant manner and if there
is widening of the joint 6 this can be compensated by
an Expansion of the tube body 2 or of the joint strip
10.
In t:he case of the method according to the invention
for sealing joints uaing joint sealing strips 10 it is
of advantage that, by virtue of the internal pressure
built up in the joint sealing tube 1, the walls 11 of
the joint strip 10 b.=ar with the same pressure against
the walls 8 at all points of the joint. In addition, it
is of advantage that, in the case of a pneumatic or
hydraulic pressure medium in the joint sealing tube 1,
if there is subsequent widening of the joint the wall
pressure on the walls 8 can be brought back to a
desired value by adding pressure medium.
If t:~e joint sealing tube 1 is filled with plastics, in
particular reaction plastics, a high pressure can be
main=ained over a long period, which dispenses with the
need for subsequent compression.
In t:he case of a joint strip 10 according to the
invention with joint sealing tube 1 and injection tube
19, it is of advantage that a joint 6 can not only be
sealed but can also be filled with injection fluid
after sealing. It is additionally advantageous in the
case of such joint strips 10 that the joint 5 can be
reliably sealed even in the case of increased internal
pres:~ures. For this purpose, all that is necessary is
that the pressure in the compression tube is higher
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than the pressure which acts on the joint strip 10 from
the interior of the joint 6.
Use of the joint sealing tubes and joint sealing strips
according to the invention is not restricted to masonry
joints, it is also possible with these elements to
seal., for example, pipe sleeves of pipeline
connections.
Furthermore, the joint sealing tube according to the
invention can be used very advantageously in tank
construction, for sealing precompressing pipes or in
tunnel construction for sealing tubbings.
