Sealing Web Edge Micro-perforations for Adhesive Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vapor-blocking sealing webs face challenges in setting with water-soluble adhesives and mortars due to their vapor-retarding properties, which hinder solvent diffusion, leading to issues with adhesion and stability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating micro-perforations on the edges of the sealing web to allow solvent diffusion during setting, which are then securely closed by the connecting means, ensuring rapid adhesion and a vapor-tight seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vapor-retarding or vapor-barrier film is used to prevent water and solvent diffusion, then the vapor-retarding function is improved, but the adhesive or bonding agent cannot set properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor-retarding functionVSAvoidadhesive setting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing membrane is divided into different zones: a vapor-tight central area and edge regions with micro-perforations. This segmentation allows the membrane to simultaneously provide vapor protection in the main area while enabling adhesive setting at the edges through controlled solvent diffusion pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sealing membrane have different properties: the central area maintains full vapor-retarding properties, while the edge areas contain micro-perforations that allow controlled solvent diffusion. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both vapor protection and adhesive setting capability in appropriate locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If cutouts are created in the sealing membrane to allow adhesive setting, then the adhesive can set properly, but the vapor-retarding function is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive settingVSAvoidvapor-retarding function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating large cutouts, the invention uses micro-perforations (porous structure) at the edges of the sealing membrane. These microscopic openings allow sufficient solvent diffusion for adhesive setting while being too small to compromise the overall vapor-retarding function of the membrane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane is segmented into vapor-tight regions and edge regions with micro-perforations. This segmentation allows the vapor-retarding function to be maintained in the main area while enabling adhesive setting at the edges through the micro-perforated zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If micro-perforations are provided at the edges, then rapid adhesion occurs through solvent diffusion, but the vapor-tight seal must be ensured after bonding agent sets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion speedVSAvoidvapor-tight seal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The micro-perforations are pre-created at the edges to enable rapid adhesive setting through solvent diffusion. After the adhesive sets, the bonding agent itself seals the micro-perforations, creating a vapor-tight connection between the membrane and the bonded substrate or overlapping membrane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The micro-perforations initially appear to compromise the vapor seal, but they actually enable rapid adhesion through solvent diffusion. Once the adhesive sets, these same micro-perforations are sealed by the bonding agent, converting the potential harm (loss of vapor tightness) into a benefit (rapid setting that creates a stronger seal).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 micro-perforations enable quick and secure adhesion of the sealing web to the substrate, allowing solvent diffusion during setting and ensuring a vapor-tight seal after the connecting means has set, preventing slipping or detachment.

Implementation Method 1

the micro-perforations enable quick and secure adhesion of the sealing web to the substrate, allowing solvent diffusion during setting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

after the bonding agent has set, it creates a vapor-tight seal at the micro-perforations, as this is possible with such micro-perforations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVapor barrier:

Data Source

PatentEP2700763B1Sealing sheet
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 WATERMANN POLYWORKS
  • EP2700763B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The path (1) has edge-side slots (4, 5) provided at two opposite edges (2, 3) of the path such that diffusion of a solvent is enabled during setting of a connection unit, and the slots are sealed by the connection unit in a vapor-inhibitive or vapor-blocking manner after setting the connection unit. The slots are formed from individual recesses and individual incisions. Slot-like incisions run parallel to the edges of the path, where a distance between the slot-like incisions corresponds to a length of one of the slot-like incisions. The path is made of a film composite.