Membrane Edge Sealing With Touch Fasteners for Fleece-Backed Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealing the edges of moisture barrier membranes with a fibrous surface, such as fleece-backed membranes, is challenging due to the porous nature of the fleece, which complicates the use of conventional sealing methods like adhesive tapes or sealants.
Innovation Solution
A flexible sealing tape with a field of discrete touch fastener elements on one side and a layer of adhesive on the other, designed to engage with the fibrous surface of the membrane, allowing for secure and moisture-impermeable sealing without the need for separate sealants or handling of tacky materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive tapes or sealants are used to seal the seam, then moisture barrier function is achieved, but the porous fleece surface makes sealing difficult and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines two separate sealing mechanisms into a single composite tape: a first adhesive layer for initial bonding to the fleece surface, and a second adhesive layer for sealing to the substrate. This integration ensures both layers work together to overcome the porous nature of fleece, providing reliable sealing while simplifying the application process to a single operation.
2Productivity
If a single composite tape with both adhesive layers is used, then installation efficiency is improved, but the tape structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The composite tape is segmented into distinct functional layers: a first adhesive layer configured to bond to the fleece surface, a second adhesive layer configured to seal to the substrate, and intermediate structural elements. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall structural integrity, balancing complexity with performance.
3Ease of operation
If the adhesive layers are positioned close to each other, then the tape is easier to apply, but the bond strength to both surfaces may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by positioning the first and second adhesive layers at specific distances from each other and from the respective surfaces they bond to. The first adhesive layer is positioned to optimally bond to the fleece surface, while the second adhesive layer is positioned to optimally seal to the substrate. This spatial arrangement ensures sufficient bond strength to both surfaces while maintaining ease of application.
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
The solution provides an efficient means of securing and sealing membrane edges, facilitating repositioning and installation while ensuring a durable, moisture-impermeable bond without the need for additional sealants, and can be easily applied as a single composite tape.
Implementation Method 1
A field of discrete touch fastener elements is disposed on the upper face of the film, each touch fastener element shaped to releasably snag fibers
Implementation Method 2
A first layer of adhesive, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, is disposed on the second edge width of the upper surface of the film
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~5B
AI summary
An edge of a moisture barrier membrane, such as of a roof assembly, is attached and sealed using a moisture-impermeable sealing tape. The membrane has a fibrous surface and a non-fibrous surface. The tap is secured to a surface to which the edge of the membrane is to be attached, and positioned to underlie and extend along the edge of the membrane. The tape has a first edge width carrying a field of discrete touch fastener elements, and a second edge width carrying a layer of adhesive. The fibrous surface of the moisture barrier membrane is engaged against the field of touch fastener elements, such that the moisture barrier membrane overlaps the first edge width of the tape, and then the sealing tape is folded over the edge of the moisture barrier membrane, such that the adhesive engages the non-fibrous surface of the moisture barrier membrane.