Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SEALS BETWEEN ADJACENT BUILDING
PANELS
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims priority from US Application No. 63/065387
filed 13 August
2020 and entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SEALS BETWEEN
ADJACENT BUILDING PANELS which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for
all
purposes. For purposes of the United States of America, this application
claims the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. 119 of US application No. 63/065387 filed 13 August 2020 and
entitled
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SEALS BETWEEN ADJACENT BUILDING
PANELS.
Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates to systems and methods for providing seals
between adjacent
building panels. The invention has example applications for providing seals
between
prefabricated building panels.
Background
[0003] Constructing a building is typically an extensive project involving
significant amounts
of time and/or resources (labour, energy, materials, etc.). Moreover, the
carbon footprint of
a building built using existing systems and methods can be large.
[0004] Reducing the amount of time and/or resources required to construct an
energy
efficient building can be desirable. Reducing the carbon footprint of a
building can also be
desirable. One way to reduce the amount of time and/or resources required is
to construct
the building using prefabricated building panels. To provide effective
insulating and/or
weatherproofing characteristics for a building constructed with prefabricated
building panels,
adjacent panels must be properly sealed to meet performance specifications
such as water
permeability, air permeability, etc.
1
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392
PCT/CA2021/051115
[0005] Another way to reduce the carbon footprint of a building is to install
retrofit building
panels to the exterior of the building. Retrofit building panels also must be
properly sealed
to meet performance specifications.
[0006] There is a general need for sealing assemblies which can provide water-
tight and/or
air-tight seals between adjacent prefabricated building panels and/or adjacent
retrofit
building panels. There is a need for practical and cost effective ways to seal
building panels
together using systems and methods that improve on existing technologies.
Summary
[0007] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and
illustrated in
conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary
and
illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of
the above-
described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments
are
directed to other improvements.
[0008] Aspects of the invention include without limitation:
= systems and methods for sealing adjacent building panels;
= sealing materials which improve desired performance characteristics of a
building
constructed with prefabricated building panels or a retrofit building;
= sealing assemblies which improve desired performance characteristics of a
building
constructed with prefabricated building panels or a retrofit building.
[0009] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,
further
aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and
by study
of the following detailed descriptions.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the
drawings. It is
intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be
considered illustrative
rather than restrictive.
[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exterior of a building.
2
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
[0012] Fig. 2A is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary sealing
assembly provided
between adjacent building panels which form part of the Fig. 1 building. Fig.
2B is a
schematic plan view of the Fig. 2A sealing assembly.
[0013] Figs. 3A-D are schematic illustrations depicting various ways of
providing the Fig. 2A
sealing assembly between building panels.
[0014] Fig. 4 is a side view of an exemplary sealing assembly provided at an
interface
between adjacent vertical panels.
[0015] Fig. 5 is a top view of an exemplary sealing assembly provided at an
interface
between adjacent vertical panels.
[0016] Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary fireproof sealing
assembly provided
between adjacent building panels which form part of the Fig. 1 building.
[0017] Fig. 7 is a side view an example of providing the Fig. 2A sealing
assembly between
a vertical panel and a horizontal panel.
[0018] Figs. 8A-J depict exemplary variations of the Fig. 2A sealing assembly.
Detailed Description
[0019] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in
order to provide
a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well
known elements
may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily
obscuring the
disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an
illustrative,
rather than a restrictive, sense.
[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exterior 4 of a building
2, such as a
residential apartment building, a single story house, an institutional
building, etc. Exterior 4
may be a building wrap where building 2 is a retrofit building. Exterior 4 of
building 2
comprises multiple pre-fabricated building panels 6 which may be attached to
building 2
and/or coupled together through suitable mechanical fasteners, adhesives, etc.
For the
purposes of facilitating the description, building panels 6 described herein
may be broadly
categorized as horizontal panels 6A and vertical panels 6B, 6C.
[0021] Horizontal panels 6A refer to building panels which are oriented to
extend across a
width and a depth of a building. Examples of horizontal panels 6A include:
panels which are
mounted on top of or form a roof of a building (i.e. roof panels), panels
which are attached
below or form the floor of a balcony, etc.
3
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
[0022] Vertical panels 6B, 6C refer to building panels which are oriented to
extend along a
height of a building. Vertical panels 6B, 6C are further categorized as either
above grade
building panels 6B or below grade building panels 6C. Above grade building
panels 6B are
located entirely above the grade level 1 of a building. Below grade building
panels 6C are at
least partially located below the grade level 1 of a building. Examples of
above grade
building panels 6B include panels which are mounted to or form the exterior
walls of a
building (i.e. wall panels). Examples of below grade building panels 6C
include panels
which are mounted to or form the foundation of a building (i.e. foundation
panels).
[0023] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the categorizations
discussed above are
used for the purpose of facilitating the description and should not be
interpreted in the literal
sense. The invention described herein may be adapted to provide seals between
building
panels which are not strictly vertically oriented and/or building panels which
are not strictly
horizontally oriented (e.g. building panels which are inclined).
[0024] Fig. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a sealing assembly 10 which
is provided
between adjacent building panels 6-1, 6-2 according to an example embodiment
of the
invention. Building panels 6-1, 6-2 may be an example of adjacent roof panels
6A, an
example of adjacent wall panels 6B, an example of adjacent foundation panels
6C, etc.
Sealing assembly 10 is provided at a gap 7 between adjacent building panels 6-
1, 6-2. For
the purposes of facilitating the description, opposed surfaces of adjacent
building panels 6-
1, 6-2 which define gap 7 are referred to herein as surfaces 8-1, 8-2. For
example, with
reference to Fig. 2A, gap 7 is defined between an upper surface 8-1 of panel 6-
1 and an
undersurface 8-2 of panel 6-2. Each surface 8-1, 8-2 has a longer dimension
corresponding
to either the length or width of panel 6-1, 6-2 and a shorter dimension
corresponding to the
thickness of panel 6-1, 6-2. In an embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2A, building
panels 6-1, 6-2
depict adjacent wall panels 6B stacked on top of one another so the longer
dimension of
surfaces 8-1, 8-2 corresponds to the width of building panels 6-1, 6-2. In
Fig. 2A, the longer
dimension is identified by direction reference 101 and the shorter dimension
is identified by
direction reference 102. As indicated above, direction reference 102
corresponds to the
thickness of panel 6 extending between an exterior surface of panel 6 (i.e. a
surface facing
an exterior side 11A) and a surface of building 2 on which panel 6 is mounted.
Direction 101
may also be referred to herein as longitudinal direction 101 as it denotes the
direction that
elongated components of assembly 10 described below extend longitudinally. In
some
4
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
embodiments direction 102 extends perpendicular to direction 101 and may also
be referred
to herein as a transverse direction 102.
[0025] In the example embodiment shown in Fig. 2A, sealing assembly 10
comprises a first
sealing member 12A transversely spaced from a second sealing member 12B in
direction
102. As described further below, sealing members 12A, 12B provide a backing
for applying
sealants thereto. First sealing member 12A and second sealing member 12B are
typically
arranged in spaced-apart parallel relation with the length of each sealing
member 12A, 12B
in alignment with dimension 101, although this is not necessary. In a
currently preferred
embodiment, sealing members 12 are cylindrically shaped. Where sealing members
12 are
cylindrically shaped, the distance between first and second cylindrical
sealing members
12A, 12B may be sized relative to their diameter (e.g. the distance between
first and
second cylindrical sealing members 12A, 12B exceeds no more than, for example,
about
ten times their diameter). In some embodiments, the distance between first and
second
cylindrical sealing members 12A, 12B does not exceed twice the diameter of
cylindrical
sealing members 12. For example, first and second cylindrical sealing members
12A, 12B
may have diameters which are in the range of about 1/2" to about 11/2". The
distance
between first and second cylindrical sealing members 12A, 12B may accordingly
exceed no
more than about 1" to about 3".
[0026] Sealing members 12 are typically made of suitably compressible and
suitably flexible
materials such as closed cell polyurethane foam or the like. In some
embodiments, sealing
members 12 are made of suitably insulated materials which provide thermal
insulation. In
some embodiments, sealing members 12 are backer rods.
[0027] In some embodiments, sealing members 12 are sized according to the size
of gap 7
to fit snuggly between surfaces 8-1, 8-2. In some embodiments, sealing members
12 are
oversized relative to gap 7. For example, the diameter of sealing members 12
may be larger
than the size of gap 7 such that sealing members 12 are compressed when
inserted
between surfaces 8-1, 8-2. Compressing sealing members 12 between surfaces 8-
1, 8-2
can advantageously improve the air tightness and/or water tightness of sealing
assembly
10. Compressing sealing members 12 between surfaces 8-1, 8-2 can also
advantageously
help affix or otherwise minimize unwanted movement (e.g. sliding) of sealing
members 12
between surfaces 8-1, 8-2. Minimizing movement of sealing members 12 can help
provide a
stable backing or substrate for application of sealants 16 as described
elsewhere herein.
5
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
[0028] Sealing assembly 10 may also include a foam tape 14 for placement
between
surfaces 8-1, 8-2 within gap 7. In the example embodiment shown in Fig. 2A,
foam tape 14
is transversely spaced apart from the second sealing member 12B in direction
102.
Preferably foam tape 14 is provided at a location which is more proximate to
building 2 than
sealing members 12 are to building 2. Like sealing members 12, foam tape 14
has a length
in alignment with direction 101. In one embodiment, foam tape 14 has the shape
of a
rectangular prism. Where foam tape 14 is rectangular shaped, foam tape 14 may
be defined
as having a length extending in direction 101, a width extending in direction
102, and a
thickness or height extending between surfaces 8-1, 8-2.
[0029] Foam tape 14 is made of suitably compressible and/or suitably flexible
materials
such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or the like. Foam tape 14 is preferably
closed-cell to help
prevent air, water and/or vapor from passing through sealing assembly 10. In
some
embodiments, foam tape 14 is a compressible foam sealant such as polyurethane
or
neoprene. In some embodiments, foam tape 14 comprises compressible mineral
fiber
insulation. In some embodiments, foam tape 14 comprises a pre-compressed foam
gasket
such as EmsealTm expanding tape.
[0030] Foam tape 14, in its uncompressed state, must be thick enough to span
gap 7
between building panels 6-1, 6-2. Foam tape 14 may be oversized relative to
gap 7. For
example, the thickness of foam tape 14 may be larger than the size of gap 7
such that foam
tape 14 is compressed when provided between surfaces 8-1, 8-2. When provided
between
surfaces 8-1, 8-2, foam tape 14 may be compressed (along the direction of its
thickness) by
a percentage which is typically in the range of 20% to 60% to achieve air,
water and/or
vapor tightness between surfaces 8-1, 8-2. In a currently preferred
embodiment, foam tape
14 is compressed by about 50% when inserted between surfaces 8-1, 8-2. For
example, a
foam tape 14 having an uncompressed thickness of about 3/4" may be compressed
to a
thickness of about 3/8" when it is provided between surfaces 8-1, 8-2. In some
embodiments, foam tape 14 is made of a material which expands to fit gap 7
after it is
inserted between surfaces 8-1, 8-2.
[0031] In some embodiments, foam tape 14 is attached to a surface 8-1 of one
of the
adjacent building panels 6 (i.e. building panel 6-1) via adhesive. In these
embodiments,
foam tape 14 is compressed at the surface 8-2 of the other one of the adjacent
building
panels 6 (i.e. building panel 6-2). Attaching foam tape 14 to surface 8-1 via
adhesive can
6
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
advantageously allow foam tape 14 to be preinstalled on building panel 6 such
that foam
tape 14 is automatically provided between panels 6-1, 6-2 when panels 6-1, 6-2
are coupled
together (e.g. when panels 6-1, 6-2 are positioned adjacent to each other).
This can in
some cases expedite the process of providing sealing assembly 10 between
adjacent
building panels 6-1, 6-2.
[0032] In some embodiments, the thickness of foam tape 14 is the same as the
diameter of
cylindrical sealing members 12. In some embodiments, the width of foam tape 14
is greater
than the thickness or height of foam tape 14. In some embodiments, the
distance between
the second sealing member 12B and the rectangular foam tape 14 is smaller than
the width
of the rectangular foam tape 14. In some embodiments, the distance between the
second
sealing member 12B and the rectangular foam tape 14 is the same as the
distance between
first and second sealing members 12A, 12B.
[0033] Sealing assembly 10 may further comprise one or more layers of sealants
16
provided between surfaces 8-1, 8-2 of adjacent building panels 6-1, 6-2. As
depicted in Fig.
2B, sealants 16 may be applied between surfaces 8-1, 8-2 by applying sealants
16 against
sealing members 12. This causes sealants 16 to spread around sealing members
12 and
attach to surfaces 8-1, 8-2. Sealing members 12 may exert a reaction force on
sealants 16
when sealants 16 are pressed against sealing members 12. This can in some
cases provide
a better seal between surfaces 8-1, 8-2.
[0034] In the example embodiment shown in Fig. 2B, sealants 16 are provided at
an
exterior side 11A of each sealing member 12, but not at an interior side 11B
of sealing
member 12. As depicted in Fig. 2B, exterior side 11A is defined as the side
which is more
distal from building 2 whereas interior side 11B is defined as the side which
is more
proximate to building 2. Sealants 16 extend in direction 101 along the length
of sealing
members 12. Preferably sealants 16 extend along at least a substantial portion
of the length
of sealing members 12. In some embodiments sealants 16 may extend along the
entire
length of sealing members 12.
[0035] Sealants 16 preferably comprise materials suitable for providing
airtight and/or
watertight sealing between adjacent building panels 6-1, 6-2 when sealants 16
are pressed
against or otherwise applied to sealing members 12. Sealants 16 typically
comprise suitable
weatherproofing materials such as polyurethane blends, acrylic blends,
polyurethane
7
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
caulking (e.g. SikaflexTm, MastersealTm NP1, SpectrumTm), silicone based
sealants,
urethane based sealants, acrylic based sealants, polysulphide based sealants,
polymer
based sealants, silicone, etc. Sealants 16 may optionally comprise
fireproofing materials
such as intumescent fire stop caulking or the like (e.g. DymonicTm caulking).
Sealants 16
may optionally have adhesive qualities which can help adhere adjacent building
panels 6-1,
6-2 together.
[0036] In some embodiments, one or more layers of sealants 16 may comprise a
weep
hole. The weep hole can drain out moisture inside sealing assembly 10. For
example,
sealant 16-A located most distal from building 2 may comprise a weep hole
which can drain
moisture accumulated between first sealing member 12A and sealant 16-B.
[0037] As described elsewhere herein, sealing assembly 10 can be provided
between the
surfaces 8 of adjacent building panels 6 of various orientations. Figs. 3A-D
show exemplary
ways of providing sealing assembly 10 between adjacent building panels 6.
[0038] In the example shown in Fig. 3A, sealing assembly 10 is provided along
the length of
adjacent horizontal panels 6A-1, 6A-2 which are mounted on top of or otherwise
form a
horizontal surface (e.g. a roof) of building 2. In the Fig. 3A example,
longitudinal direction
101 extends along the length of panels 6A-1, 6A-2.
[0039] In the example shown in Fig. 3B, sealing assembly 10 is provided along
the width of
adjacent horizontal panels 6A-1, 6A-2 which are mounted on top of or otherwise
form a
horizontal surface (e.g. a roof) of building 2. In the Fig. 3B example,
longitudinal direction
101 extends along the width of panels 6A-1, 6A-2.
[0040] In the example shown in Fig. 3C, sealing assembly 10 is provided along
the width of
adjacent vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-2 which are mounted to or otherwise form an
exterior wall
of building 2. In the Fig. 3C example, longitudinal direction 101 extends
along the width of
panels 6B-1, 6B-2.
[0041] In the example shown in Fig. 3D, sealing assembly 10 is provided along
the height of
adjacent vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-3 which are mounted to or otherwise form an
exterior wall
of building 2. In the Fig. 3D example, longitudinal direction 101 extends
along the height of
panels 6B-1, 6B-3.
8
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392
PCT/CA2021/051115
[0042] Fig. 4 is a side view of an example of a sealing assembly 10 provided
to extend
along the width of adjacent vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-2 (e.g. the configuration
shown in Fig.
3C). In the example embodiment shown in Fig. 4, vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-2 are
retrofit
panels mounted to the exterior wall of building 2 through attachment means 20.
As depicted
in Fig. 4, vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-2 may comprise an insulating core layer 9B
sandwiched
between cementitious layers 9A, 9C. In these embodiments, portions of
attachment means
20 may be integrally formed with vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-2. In these
embodiments, sealing
asssembly 10 may be provided only along a portion of the surfaces 8-1, 8-2 of
vertical
panels 6B-1, 6B-2, as shown in Fig. 4.
[0043] In the Fig. 4 example embodiment, first sealing member 12A of sealing
assembly 10
is provided at the interface between outer cementitious layer 9A and
insulating core 9B.
This provides a backing which allows an outer layer of sealant 16A to be
applied between
and/or attach to the outer cementitious layer 9A of vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-
2. In the Fig. 4
example embodiment, second sealing member 12B is provided to contact
insulating core
9B, but not cementitious layers 9A, 9C. This provides a backing which allows
an inner layer
of sealant 16B to be applied between and/or attach to the insulating core 9A
of vertical
panels 6B-1, 6B-2. Like second sealing member 12B, foam tape 14 is provided to
contact
insulating core 9B, but not cementitious layers 9A, 9C in the Fig. 4 example
embodiment.
[0044] In some embodiments, a coating 17 is provided along surfaces 8 of
building panels
6. Coating 17 may comprise a liquid applied membrane (LAM) suitable for
preventing
moisture from entering the interior of panels 6. In such embodiments, sealants
16 attach to
coating 17 when applied between surfaces 8-1, 8-2. This can provide a better
seal between
building panels 6-1, 6-2 in cases where sealants 16 adhere favorably to the
material of
coating 17.
[0045] Fig. 5 is a top view of an example of sealing assembly 10 arranged to
extend along
the height of adjacent vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-3 (i.e. the configuration
shown in Fig. 3D).
Vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-3 are mounted to the exterior wall of building 2
through an
attachment mechanism 20.
[0046] In the Fig. 5 example embodiment, first sealing member 12A of sealing
assembly 10
is provided at the interface between outer cementitious layer 9A and
insulating core 9B.
This provides a backing which allows an outer layer of sealant 16A to be
applied between
9
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392
PCT/CA2021/051115
and attach to the outer cementitious layer 9A of vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-3.
Second sealing
member 12B is provided between the insulating core 9B of vertical panels 6B-1,
6B-3. This
provides a backing which allows an inner layer of sealant 16B to be applied
between and
attach to the insulating core 9A of vertical panels 6B-1, 6B-3. Foam tape 14
is provided to
contact both insulating core 9B and a frame 90 of panels 6B-1, 6B-3.
[0047] Sealing assembly 10 may in some cases comprise a layer of mineral wool
insulation
18 as shown in the Fig. 5 example embodiment. Mineral wool insulation 18 is
typically
transversely spaced apart from foam tape 14 in direction 102. Mineral wool
insulation 18
extends in direction 101 along the length (e.g. height of panels 6B-1, 6B-3 in
the Fig. 5
example) of surfaces 8. Although not necessary, mineral wool insulation 18 is
typically
provided at the interior side 10B of sealing assembly 10 (i.e. mineral wool
insulation 18 is
more proximate to building 2 compared to foam tape 14 and sealing members 12).
In the
Fig. 5 example embodiment, mineral wool insulation 18 is provided to contact
both frame
90 and interior cementitious layer 9C.
[0048] Mineral wool insulation 18 is typically made of materials capable of
providing thermal
and sound insulation such as CONROCKTm. Mineral wool insulation 18 is
preferably non-
combustible. For example, mineral wool insulation 18 may have a melting point
which is
typically in the range of 1100 C to 1300 C. Mineral wool insulation 18 is
preferably made of
a material which does not shrink or lose shape over its life time (i.e. a
dimensionally stable
material). Mineral wool insulation 18 is preferably vapor permeable. This can
advantageously discourage the growth of mold on mineral wool insulation 18.
[0049] Sealing assembly 10 may comprise mineral wool insulation 18 where it is
desirable
to provide a fire joint and/or fire protection between adjacent building
panels 6-1, 6-2. Fig. 6
is a schematic plan view of an exemplary sealing assembly 10A which may be
provided as
a fire joint between adjacent building panels 6-1, 6-2.
[0050] Sealing assembly 10A comprises sealing member 12A (e.g. a backer rod)
spaced
apart from a layer of mineral wool insulation 18 along direction 102. Sealing
member 12A is
provided at the exterior side 11A of sealing assembly 10A (i.e. at the side
more distal from
building 2). Sealing member 12A is provided to receive exterior sealant 16A at
the exterior
side 11A of sealing member 12A as described elsewhere herein.
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
[0051] In the Fig. 6 example embodiment, mineral wool insulation 18 is
provided at the
interior side 11B of sealing assembly 10A (i.e. at the side more proximate to
building 2).
Mineral wool insulation 18 is provided to improve the fireproofing
characteristics of sealing
assembly 10A. The fireproofing characteristics of sealing assembly 10A may be
reinforced
by providing one or more layers of fire rated caulking 16C. In the example
embodiment
shown in Fig. 6, fire rated caulking 16C is provided at both an exterior side
11A (i.e. the side
facing cylindrical foam 12A) and an interior side 11B (i.e. the side facing
building 2) of
mineral wool insulation 18. In some embodiments, fire rated caulking 16C is
applied directly
on mineral wool insulation 18.
[0052] The width (i.e. transverse dimension in direction 102) of fire rated
caulking 16C is
typically small compared to the width of mineral wool insulation 18. For
example, the width
of fire rated caulking 16C may be about 1/2" and the width of mineral wool
insulation 18 may
be about 3" to about 51/2" for sealing assemblies 10A provided to seal
building panels
having a width of about 8".
[0053] A wide range of variations are possible within the scope of the present
invention.
These variations may be applied to all of the embodiments described above, as
suited, and
include, without limitation:
= a membrane such as a liquid applied membrane may be applied over the
exterior
side 11A of sealing assembly 10 (e.g. for building panels 6 which are provided
as
roof panels).
= sealing assembly 10 may be provided between a horizontal building panel
6A and a
vertical building panel 6B (e.g. see Fig. 7).
= sealing assembly 10 may be provided between adjacent foundation panels
6C.
= sealing assembly 10 in any embodiments described herein may comprise
mineral
wool insulation 18.
= sealing members 12 may comprise intumescent backer rods such as backer
rods
made of fiberglass wrapped basalt rod.
= sealants 16 may comprise or otherwise be substituted with fire rated
caulking 16C.
= sealants 16 may be applied between surfaces 8-1, 8-2 at the interior side
11B of
building panels 6.
= spray foam insulation 19 may be provided to fill the spacing between the
various
11
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392
PCT/CA2021/051115
components of sealing assembly 10 (e.g. sealing members 12, foam tape 14,
sealants 16).
= the relative positions of various components of sealing assembly 10 (e.g.
sealing
members 12, foam tape 14, sealants 16, mineral wool insulation 18, etc.) may
be
rearranged. Examples ways of rearranging selected components of sealing
assembly 10 are shown in Figs. 8A-J.
= sealing assembly 10 may optionally comprise additional rubber-based
sealing
materials such rubber gaskets and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) to
provide a better seal in some cases.
= sealing members 12A, 12B and/or foam tape 14 do not need to be arranged in
exact
parallel spaced-apart relation or in exact longitudinal alignment with
direction 101.
Interpretation of Terms
[0054] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the
description and the
claims:
= "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an
inclusive sense, as
opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of
"including, but not limited to";
= "connected", "coupled", or any variant thereof, means any connection or
coupling,
either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or
connection
between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof;
= "herein", "above", "below", and words of similar import, when used to
describe this
specification, shall refer to this specification as a whole, and not to any
particular
portions of this specification;
= "or", in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the
following
interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in
the list, and
any combination of the items in the list;
= the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" also include the meaning of any
appropriate
plural forms.
[0055] Words that indicate directions such as "vertical", "transverse",
"horizontal",
"upward", "downward", "forward", "backward", "inward", "outward", "left",
"right" , "front",
12
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
"back", "top", "bottom", "below", "above", "under", and the like, used in this
description
and any accompanying claims (where present), depend on the specific
orientation of the
apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may
assume
various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not
strictly defined
and should not be interpreted narrowly.
[0056] Specific examples of systems, methods and apparatus have been described
herein
for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided
herein can
be applied to systems other than the example systems described above. Many
alterations,
modifications, additions, omissions, and permutations are possible within the
practice of this
invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that
would be
apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations obtained by: replacing
features,
elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing
and matching
of features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining
features, elements
and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements
and/or acts of
other technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts
from described
embodiments.
[0057] Various features are described herein as being present in "some
embodiments".
Such features are not mandatory and may not be present in all embodiments.
Embodiments
of the invention may include zero, any one or any combination of two or more
of such
features. This is limited only to the extent that certain ones of such
features are
incompatible with other ones of such features in the sense that it would be
impossible for a
person of ordinary skill in the art to construct a practical embodiment that
combines such
incompatible features. Consequently, the description that "some embodiments"
possess
feature A and "some embodiments" possess feature B should be interpreted as an
express
indication that the inventors also contemplate embodiments which combine
features A and
B (unless the description states otherwise or features A and B are
fundamentally
incompatible).
[0058] It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims
hereafter
introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations,
additions,
omissions, and sub-combinations as may reasonably be inferred. The scope of
the claims
13
CA 03191468 2023-02-10
WO 2022/032392 PCT/CA2021/051115
should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples,
but should be
given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are consistent with the
broadest
interpretation of the specification as a whole.
14
