Foldable Adhesive Gap Tape for Shear-Resistant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gap sealing tapes degrade over time and are susceptible to shear forces, leading to detachment from surfaces and loss of seal integrity.
Innovation Solution
An adhesive gap sealing tape with a foldable backing and a central elongate foam strip that expands for airtight fit, protected by foldable flaps and a low-tack adhesive, allowing secure attachment and protection from shear forces on irregular surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a foam strip with adhesive layer is used to seal gaps, then the gap sealing function is provided, but the foam material degrades over time and detaches from the adhesive layer under shear forces
Solution Approach 1:
The tape is divided into distinct functional segments: a foam sealing strip in the center for gap filling, and foldable backing flaps on both sides for secure attachment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specialized function optimally - the foam provides sealing while the backing provides mechanical strength and attachment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The backing flaps are pre-formed and extend beyond the foam strip edges, ready to be folded and adhered to the panel surfaces. This preliminary configuration ensures that the attachment mechanism is built-in from the start, providing immediate protection against shear forces as soon as the tape is applied.
2Ease of manufacture
If the foam strip is adhered directly to the panel edge, then gap sealing is achieved, but the foam is susceptible to damage from shear forces during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable backing acts as an intermediary element between the foam strip and the panel surface. Instead of the foam directly bearing the shear forces during installation, the backing flaps absorb these forces through their folded and adhered configuration, protecting the foam-adhesive bond from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The backing flaps are designed to be folded and adhered beforehand to create a protective cushioning layer that shields the foam strip from shear forces during the subsequent installation process. This pre-established protective structure prevents damage before it can occur.
3Strength
If the backing is made rigid for structural strength, then shear force resistance is improved, but the tape cannot conform to irregularly shaped panels
Solution Approach 1:
The backing is designed with foldable flaps that can dynamically adapt to different panel geometries. The flutes or frills in the backing material provide flexibility and conformability, allowing the tape to wrap around irregular surfaces while maintaining structural integrity through the folded flap configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The backing utilizes a flexible structure with flutes or frills that can bend and conform to irregular panel shapes. This flexible design allows the tape to adapt to various geometries while the folded flaps provide the necessary structural strength to resist shear forces.
4Reliability
If the foam strip width is increased to ensure complete gap coverage, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the tape becomes harder to handle and install
Solution Approach 1:
The tape width is segmented into a central foam strip for sealing and side backing flaps for handling and attachment. This segmentation allows the foam strip to be optimized for gap coverage while the backing flaps provide grip points and flexibility for easy handling and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable backing flaps with flutes or frills provide flexibility and ease of handling even when the foam strip is wide. The flexible backing structure allows the installer to easily fold, position, and adhere the tape without difficulty, despite the increased width required for complete gap coverage.
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
Provides a durable, airtight seal between panels or structural elements, accommodating irregular shapes without the need for fasteners, and reducing packaging size through foldable design.
Implementation Method 1
a backing having an adhesive layer on one surface
Implementation Method 2
the foam material comprises a visco elastic foam or other suitable expansible foam material
Implementation Method 3
the foam material has shape memory properties. Advantageously, the memory properties enable the foam strip to from a pre-compressed state prior to application on the insulating panel or while the adhesive tape is rolled up, and will expand a predetermined amount once applied to said insulating panel
Implementation Method 4
the being compressible so that a snug, substantially airtight, fit between the edges of said panels or elements is achieved
Implementation Method 5
the backing may comprise a gas impermeable material. Advantageously, the use of gas impermeable backing alleviates the loss of gas from insulating panel members
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adhesive gap sealing tape for sealing the air gaps between the edges of adjacent panels or structural elements against which they abut, the tape comprising a backing having an adhesive layer on one surface and an elongate strip of foam material extending lengthwise along the adhesive layer. In one embodiment, the elongate strip of foam material extending lengthwise along the adhesive layer is provided along a central portion of said adhesive layer. In this arrangement, the portions of backing which extend widthwise beyond the edges of the elongate strip of foam material are foldable to provide foldable flaps which are adapted to overlap and adhere to the respective sides of a panel or structural element so that the foam strip is securable against the edge of said panel or structural element and is sealed on all its sides.