Heat-Activated Fire Sealing Tape for Fast Facade Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing tapes for windows and doors in building reveals face challenges such as time-consuming installation due to partial retraction and the need for on-site steps, especially with larger elements, and lack effective fire protection mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A sealing tape with a base body made of expandable foam, surrounded by a detachable retaining means that prevents vertical expansion until activated by heat, allowing for faster installation and providing fire protection by expanding to seal gaps during a fire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the sealing tape is pre-compressed and ready for immediate use, then installation speed is improved, but the tape may partially retract during installation compromising the seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing tape is pre-compressed and mounted on the window frame before installation, ready for immediate use. The retaining means (adhesive tape) holds the foam strip in this pre-compressed state during transport and installation, preventing retraction while enabling quick deployment when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the sealing tape expands immediately upon attachment to the window frame, then the seal is formed quickly, but installation becomes time-consuming due to needing to wait for expansion and perform additional on-site steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidon-site installation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into two functional parts: the foam strip that provides sealing when expanded, and the retaining means (adhesive tape) that controls the expansion timing. This segmentation allows the foam to remain compressed during transport and installation, then expand only when the retaining means is removed at the construction site

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foam strip is pre-mounted in a compressed state on the window frame during manufacturing, rather than requiring on-site expansion. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to wait for expansion during installation and removes additional on-site steps, significantly improving installation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the sealing tape provides fire protection by expanding to seal gaps during fire, then fire resistance is improved, but the retaining means must be heat-activatable which adds complexity to the material selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protectionVSAvoidmaterial selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining means utilizes phase transition (melting) in response to heat from fire. The adhesive tape is selected to melt at temperatures encountered during fire conditions, automatically releasing the foam strip to expand and seal gaps. This heat-activatable mechanism provides fire protection without requiring complex control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining means acts as an intermediary between the heat source (fire) and the sealing function. It translates thermal energy into mechanical action by melting and releasing the foam strip, which then expands to provide the actual fire sealing. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system while achieving fire protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates quicker installation by ensuring the tape remains compressed until needed and effectively expands to seal gaps during a fire, enhancing fire protection without compromising building integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the foam is expandable at least in this vertical direction... the retaining means is at least section by section releasable in order to allow expansion of the base body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

a (in particular ribbon-like and/or film-like) retaining means is provided which surrounds the base body at least section by section and which is suitable and intended to at least partially prevent expansion of the base body in the vertical direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

the retaining means can be released by the application of heat in such a way that an expansion of the base body in the vertical direction is enabled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal activation: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4707518A1Activatable fire protection sealing tape, method of its manufacture and building element with such a sealing tape
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 TREMCO CPG GERMANY GMBH
  • EP4707518A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4707518A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4707518A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Fire protection sealing tape (1) in particular as a fire barrier in a facade with a base body (2) made of an expandable foam extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and in a lateral direction (B) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and in a vertical direction (H) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and the lateral direction (B), wherein the foam is expandable at least in this vertical direction (H), with a retaining means (4) which surrounds the base body at least section by section, wherein the retaining means (4) extends at least in the longitudinal direction and in the vertical direction (H) and wherein the retaining means is at least section by section detachable to allow expansion of the base body (2), characterized in that the retaining means is suitable and intended to prevent expansion of the base body (2) in the vertical direction (H) wherein the retaining means is detachable by the application of heat,that an expansion of the base body in the vertical direction is made possible.