Seal profile suitable for sealing the gap opening between juxtaposed panels, in particular glass panels

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seal profile (1) suitable for sealing the joint between a first panel (2) and a second panel (3) adjacent to the first panel, wherein said seal profile (1) is a co-extruded profile formed from plastics material, comprising a base body (4) and at least two flexible lips (5; 6), wherein each lip (5; 6) projects from a longitudinal edge of the base body (4), wherein a first lip (5) is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a first panel (2), and the second lip (6) is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a second panel (3), and wherein said lips (5; 6) are each connected to the base body (4) by way of a separate tear line (8) or score line, as a result of which each lip (5; 6) can separately be separated from the base body (4) in order to change the appearance of the seal profile (1) depending on the positioning of the panels (2; 3) with respect to each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a seal profile suitable for sealing the joint, also called gap opening, between a first panel and a second panel adjacent to the first panel, wherein said seal profile is a co-extruded profile formed from plastics material, comprising a base body and at least two flexible lips, wherein each lip projects from a longitudinal edge of the base body, wherein a first lip is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel on an edge of a first panel, and the second lip is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel on an edge of a second panel. Said panels are preferably glass panels.

[0002] Wall systems, and in particular a wall system constructed from a series of juxtaposed panels, such as specifically glass panels, are known and are often used as a partition in order, for example, to divide floors of residential or commercial buildings in an efficient and flexible manner into different spaces that are accessible to people.

[0003] In practice, a seal is applied between the panels that are adjacent to each other, it being important that the seal in question offers a seamless view, is optically clear and also has the correct sealing and acoustic properties. However, for safety reasons, glass panels usually have bevelled edges, and the size and the angle of the bevels can vary significantly such that it is important that the applied seal can accommodate variations in the bevel angle(s).

[0004] Seals in the form of strips of mastic or plastic, applied between adjacent glass panels, are generally known. However, the application of mastic is a time-consuming activity. Mastic also has the additional disadvantage that it is not optically clear enough. Strips of plastic are often insufficiently flexible to accommodate variation in the bevels of the panel edges.

[0005] A possible solution which makes it possible to provide sealing in relation to panel edges having bevels formed at different angles is described in the British patent application GB 2 538 858. This publication describes a substantially I-shaped seal profile for sealing the gap or joint between a first glass panel and a second glass panel adjacent to the first glass panel, wherein the strip is formed from two plastics materials, consisting of a base portion of relatively stiff material which is adapted so as to be fastened to both glass panels, wherein each longitudinal edge of the base portion is provided with a pair of flexible lips lying opposite each other, wherein each lip projects from a longitudinal edge of the base portion, a first pair of lips is adapted so as to provide sealing in relation to a bevel at an edge of the first glass panel, and the second pair of lips is adapted so as to provide sealing in relation to a bevel at an edge of the second glass panel. In this case, the seal profile is coupled to the glass panels by way of the relatively stiff base portion.

[0006] However, the seal profile described in GB 2 538 858 has the disadvantage that, due to its specific design, it is only suitable for use with glass panels that are positioned in line. If glass panels that are positioned against each other are positioned at a different angle, for example 90°, with respect to each other, an adapted seal profile, missing one or more lips, has to be used, entailing additional costs. In addition, the seal profiles in question are relatively stiff, as a result of which they are available only in specific lengths (standard ± 3 metres), entailing additional transport costs. Such seal profiles are additionally more difficult to handle due to their length, and often produce residual waste due to their fixed length which does not always correspond to the length of the joint, with the result that they have to be shortened.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution for the above-described problem, such that regardless of the positioning of the panels, preferably glass panels, with respect to each other, the same seal profile can be used.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by providing a seal profile suitable for sealing the joint between a first panel and a second panel adjacent to the first panel, wherein said seal profile is a co-extruded profile formed from plastics material, comprising a base body and at least two flexible lips, wherein each lip projects from a longitudinal edge of the base body, wherein a first lip is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel on an edge of a first panel, and the second lip is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel on an edge of a second panel, wherein said lips are each connected to the base body by way of a separate tear line or score line, as a result of which each lip can separately be separated from the base body in order to change the appearance of the seal profile depending on the positioning of the panels with respect to each other.

[0009] Said panels are preferably glass panels. However, the seal profile according to the present invention is also suitable for use with other panels provided with the bevel in question, such as: wood panels, insulation panels, sandwich panels, ceramic panels, natural stone panels. The seal profile according to the invention has the advantage that it can be adapted by the removal of one or more lips, depending on the configuration of the panels between which the seal profile in question is to be provided.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the seal profile according to the invention, each longitudinal edge of the base body has a pair of flexible lips situated opposite each other, wherein a first lip of each pair of lips is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel on an edge of a first panel, and the second lip of each pair of lips is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel on an edge of a second panel.

[0011] In a more preferred embodiment of the seal profile according to the invention, said plastics material is a transparent plastics material. In an alternative embodiment, said plastics material is a translucent plastics material. In another embodiment of the seal profile, the plastics material is coloured, such as white, black or another known colour.

[0012] Preferably, the plastics material used is sufficiently clear, specifically crystal clear, and preferably sufficiently UV-stable. A sufficiently clear plastics material offers the advantage that it is virtually no longer visible after being positioned. The seal profile is preferably formed from one or more of the following plastics materials: polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Other plastics materials are also suitable, such as PVC or TPU.

[0013] In particular, the base body is formed from a first plastics material, and the lips are formed from a second plastics material. Preferably, the first plastics material is harder than the second plastics material. Preferably, the hardness of the plastics materials used is selected such that the seal profile can still be supplied on a roll. The seal profile provided on a roll offers a number of advantages, such as: less storage space required, easy to move, minimal cutting waste since it is possible to cut off the desired length. As standard, between 40 metres and 250 metres of seal profile is provided on a roll.

[0014] The hardness of said first and second plastics material is preferably between 40 Shore hardness and 95 Shore hardness.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the seal profile according to the invention, the longitudinal sides of the base body are provided with an adhesive layer. Said adhesive layer is in particular a self-adhesive double-sided tape. The adhesive layer ensures good fastening against an edge of the panel. Preferably, a removable protective layer is also provided on the adhesive layer, which protective layer should be removed just before application of the seal profile.

[0016] In consideration of the circularity of the seal profile, it is recommended that the profile in question be manufactured from the same material or from materials that belong to the same polymer family. To this end, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a seal profile where said adhesive layer is replaced by one or more projecting anchoring lips which are provided on at least one of the longitudinal sides of the base body in order to mechanically anchor the seal profile against an adjoining panel. Said anchoring lips preferably extend transversely to a longitudinal side of the base body, or more particularly at an angle of between 10° and 89°.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the seal profile according to the invention, the base body comprises an opening extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile. This opening provides the seal profile with an improved damping effect. An additional advantage is that a seal profile formed in this way has a higher joint tolerance.

[0018] In a first preferred embodiment, the base body is of one-piece form. In a second preferred embodiment, the base body of the seal profile is of two-piece form, as a result of which the seal profile comprises a first base body and a second base body, wherein the first base body comprises a head end provided with first connecting means and the second base body comprises a head end provided with second connecting means, which connecting means are suitable for connecting the first base body and the second base body to each other by engagement of the first connecting means with the second connecting means.

[0019] Provided that the geometry of the above-described seal profile according to the invention is adapted, it can also be used for glass doors (revolving doors, sliding doors) and sliding panels.

[0020] In order to further illustrate the properties of the present invention and to indicate additional advantages and particular features thereof, a more detailed description of a seal profile according to the invention will now be given. It will be clear that nothing in the following description may be interpreted as a limitation of the protection as laid down in the claims.

[0021] In the present description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of the seal profile according to the invention; Figure 2 is a detail illustration of the top part of the seal profile depicted in Figure 1; Figures 3 to 6 show a number of possible configurations in which a first and a second glass panel can be arranged with respect to each other; Figure 7 shows a perspective illustration of a second embodiment of the seal profile according to the invention, the seal profile being formed in three different colours; Figure 8 shows a perspective illustration of a number of seal profiles according to a third embodiment according to the invention, the seal profile being provided with one or more anchoring lips, and here Figure 8.1 shows a seal profile in which the two longitudinal sides of the base body are provided with in each case two anchoring lips arranged at an angle, Figure 8.2 shows a seal profile in which the two longitudinal sides of the base body are each provided with one transversely arranged anchoring lip, Figure 8.3 shows a seal profile in which one of the longitudinal sides of the base body is provided with a transversely arranged anchoring lip, Figure 8.4 shows a seal profile in which the two longitudinal sides of the base body are provided with a transversely arranged anchoring lip; Figure 9 shows a perspective illustration of a two-piece seal profile, the seal profile comprising a first and a second base body; Figure 10 shows a detail illustration of the first base body of the seal profile depicted in Figure 9; Figure 11 shows a perspective illustration of a two-piece seal profile, the seal profile comprising a first and a second base body and the length thereof being adaptable depending on the width of the panels between which it is positionable; Figure 12 shows a possible application of the seal profile depicted in Figure 11; Figure 13 shows a detail illustration of the first base body of the seal profile depicted in Figure 11; Figure 14 shows a perspective illustration of an alternative embodiment of a two-piece seal profile, the seal profile comprising a first and a second base body with anchoring lips; Figure 15 shows a detail illustration of the first base body of the seal profile depicted in Figure 14; Figure 16 shows a perspective illustration of another alternative embodiment of a two-piece seal profile, the seal profile comprising a first and a second base body with anchoring lips; Figure 17 shows a detail illustration of the first base body of the seal profile depicted in Figure 16; Figure 18 shows a perspective illustration of two seal profiles according to a fourth embodiment according to the invention, the base body of the seal profile being provided with an opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile.

[0022] The seal profile (1) according to the present invention and as depicted in attached figures is suitable for realizing a seal and a mechanical connection between the respective edges of a pair of adjacent panels (2, 3), wherein the edges in question are provided with an angle bevel (7), the size and angle of which can vary.

[0023] The seal profile (2) was specifically developed for glass panels (2, 3), as depicted in attached figures. Here, the length of the seal profile (1), specifically the length of the base body (4), is slightly smaller than the thickness of the panels (2, 3) between which it is to be positioned. In practice, the thickness of the panels (2, 3) is between 8 and 24 mm. However, the seal profile (1) can also be used for panels composed of another material, such as wood, insulation material, ceramic, natural stone, etc., and the edges of which are provided with the above-described angle bevel.

[0024] The seal profile (1) in question is a co-extruded profile formed from a plastics material, such as PP, TPE, TPU or PVC. The seal profile (1) comprises, as can be seen, inter alia, from Figure 1 and the detail illustration in Figure 2, a base body (4) and at least two flexible lips (5 and 6), wherein each lip (5, 6) projects from a longitudinal edge of the base body (4). Here, as illustrated, inter alia, in Figure 3, the first lip (5) is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a first panel (2), and the second lip (6) is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a second panel (3). In practice, and as can be seen, inter alia, from Figure 1, each longitudinal edge of the base body (4) has a pair of flexible lips (5, 6) situated opposite each other, wherein a first lip (5) of each pair of lips is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a first panel (2), and the second lip (6) of each pair of lips (5, 6) is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a second panel (3).

[0025] The lips (5, 6) are flexible enough to accommodate variation in the bevel angles at the edges of the panels (2, 3). The longitudinal edges of the base body are flat and the lips are virtually perpendicular to the base body, or at a slight angle of a few degrees.

[0026] According to the present invention and as can be seen, inter alia, from Figures 1 and 2, each lip is connected to the base body (4) separately by way of a tear line (8) or score line, as a result of which each lip (5, 6) can be separated from the base body, by for example the user manually exerting a pulling force on the lip to be torn off. The removal of one or more lips (5, 6) makes it possible to change the appearance of the seal profile depending on the positioning of the panels (2, 3) with respect to each other. In this way, the seal profile (1) according to the invention has the advantage that, depending on the configuration of the panels between which the seal profile (1) in question is to be positioned, one or more lips can be removed, in order to thus provide the seal profile (1) with a shape which perfectly matches or fits against the panels to be sealed. This is illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 which show a number of possible situations regarding the mutual positioning of glass panels. For instance, Figure 3 shows the most common situation in which the two panels (2, 3) are positioned in line with each other. In this situation, it is not necessary to remove a lip and the seal profile, in use, still has four lips (5, 6). Figure 4 shows an angle connection in which the second panel (3) is mounted at an angle of 90° against the longitudinal edge of the first panel (2). In this situation, only one of the four lips is removed. Figure 5 shows a third situation, the second panel (3) being mounted at an angle of 90° against the front side (or rear side) of the first panel (2). In this situation, the two lips which are on that side of the base body which makes contact with the first panel are removed. Figure 6 shows a situation in which two panels (2) extend parallel to each other and overlap each other over a certain distance. In the present case, the seal profile (1) is provided at the overlap, and one lip was removed on each longitudinal side of the base body (4). The co-extruded profile is preferably formed from at least two plastics materials, the second plastics material being applied by coextrusion to the first extruded plastics material. The first and second plastics materials may be the same plastics material, but may also be different plastics materials. Preference is given to plastics materials which are optically (crystal) clear and preferably also sufficiently UV-stable. The seal profile (1) may be formed in one colour, but also, as illustrated in Figure 7, from multiple colours, where the parts in the framing indicated by reference letters A, B and C are each manufactured from a different colour.

[0027] For the fastening of the seal profile (1) against the edges of the panels (2, 3), the longitudinal sides of the base body (4) are, as visible, inter alia, in Figure 1, provided with an adhesive layer (9) with sufficient adhesive properties. The adhesive layer (9) is preferably provided with a removable protective layer which should be removed just before the seal profile (1) is applied against the edge of a panel.

[0028] In consideration of the circularity of the seal profile (1), it is recommended that the profile (1) in question be manufactured from the same material or indeed a material originating from the same polymer family. To this end, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a seal profile (1) where said adhesive layer (9) is replaced by, as presented, inter alia, in Figure 8, one or more projecting anchoring lips (10) which are provided on at least one of the longitudinal sides of the base body (4) in order to mechanically anchor the seal profile (1) against an adjoining panel. The anchoring lips (10) may be manufactured from the same material as the base body, but also from a different material than the material from which the base body (4) is manufactured. Said anchoring lips (10) may, as presented in Figure 8.1, in which a seal profile (1) with four anchoring lips (10) is depicted, extend obliquely (for example as depicted in Figure 8.1 at an angle of approximately 45°) to the base body (4). For better anchoring, the anchoring lips may, as shown, inter alia, in Figure 8.1, also be provided with one or more protrusions. The anchoring lips (10) may, as shown in Figure 8.2, also extend transversely to a longitudinal side of the base body (4). In another embodiment, the anchoring lips may also comprise a number of projecting parts, as shown in Figures 8.3 and 8.4.

[0029] The base body is often of one-piece form, as shown in Figures 1 to 8. However, the base body (4) of the seal profile (1) may also be of two-piece form, as illustrated in Figures 9 to 17, as a result of which the seal profile comprises a first base body (4a) and a second base body (4b). In order to couple the two base bodies to each other, the head end of the first base body is provided with first connecting means (12) and the head end of the second base body (4b) is provided with second connecting means (13). The connecting means (12, 13) are suitable for connecting the first base body (4a) and the second base body (4b) to each other by engagement of the first connecting means with the second connecting means. In this case, the geometry of the connecting means is, as it were, designed such that the first and the second base body mechanically engage with each other. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a simple embodiment of a two-piece seal profile (1) with hook-like connecting means. However, the design of the connecting means may also be more complex, the connecting means comprising a number of corresponding projections and cutouts, with the result that it is possible to adapt the length of the seal profile depending on the position at which the connecting means engage with each other (see Figures 11 to 13).

[0030] As illustrated in Figures 13 to 17, the first and / or second base body may also be provided with one or more anchoring lips (10).

[0031] In another possible embodiment of the one-piece seal profile (1) and as shown in Figure 18, the base body (4) comprises an opening (11) extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile. This opening ((1) provides the seal profile (1) with an improved damping effect. An additional advantage is that a seal profile formed in this way has a higher joint tolerance. This embodiment may be provided with an adhesive layer (9) (see Figure 18.1) or may comprise anchoring lips (10), as shown in Figure 18.2.

[0032] The seal profile according to the invention is provided on a roll and is cut to the correct length before use. On a roll, large lengths of seal profile can be provided, up to 250 metres.

Claims

1. Seal profile (1) suitable for sealing the joint between a first panel (2) and a second panel (3) adjacent to the first panel, wherein said seal profile (1) is a co-extruded profile formed from plastics material, comprising a base body (4) and at least two flexible lips (5; 6), wherein each lip (5; 6) projects from a longitudinal edge of the base body (4), wherein a first lip (5) is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a first panel (2), and the second lip (6) is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a second panel (3), characterized in that said lips (5; 6) are each connected to the base body (4) by way of a separate tear line (8) or score line, as a result of which each lip (5; 6) can separately be separated from the base body (4) in order to change the appearance of the seal profile (1) depending on the positioning of the panels (2; 3) with respect to each other.

2. Seal profile (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that each longitudinal edge of the base body (4) has a pair of flexible lips (5; 6) situated opposite each other, wherein a first lip (5) of each pair of lips (5; 6) is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a first panel (2), and the second lip (6) of each pair of lips (5; 6) is adapted so as, in use, to provide sealing in relation to a bevel (7) on an edge of a second panel (3).

3. Seal profile (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said plastics material is a transparent plastics material.

4. Seal profile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (4) is formed from a first plastics material, and the lips (5; 6) are formed from a second plastics material.

5. Seal profile (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the first plastics material is harder than the second plastics material.

6. Seal profile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal sides of the base body (4) are provided with an adhesive layer (9).

7. Seal profile (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the longitudinal sides of the base body (4) comprises one or more projecting anchoring lips (10) for mechanically anchoring the seal profile (1) against an adjoining panel (2; 3).

8. Seal profile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal profile (1) is of one-piece form.

9. Seal profile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (4) comprises an opening (11) extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile (1).

10. Seal profile (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the base body (4) of the seal profile (1) is of two-piece form, as a result of which the seal profile (1) comprises a first base body (4a) and a second base body (4b), wherein the first base body (4a) comprises a head end provided with first connecting means (12) and the second base body (4b) comprises a head end provided with second connecting means (13), which connecting means (12; 13) are suitable for connecting the first base body (4a) and the second base body (4b) to each other by engagement of the first connecting means (12) with the second connecting means (13).

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