Two-Layer Joint Tape with Activatable Adhesive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing joint tapes in road construction, particularly single-layer bitumen-based tapes, face challenges with adhesion, elasticity, and handling due to low stickiness, requiring heating with a propane gas flame, which is time-consuming and prone to dirt adhesion, and the adhesive layer can stick to other objects or itself during use.

Innovation Solution

A two-layer joint tape with a separately formed adhesive layer, which is non-sticky at typical temperatures for easy handling and storage, but becomes highly sticky upon activation, providing improved elasticity and faster adhesion, eliminating the need for a separating layer and reducing activation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-layer bitumen-based joint tape is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adhesion is insufficient and requires heating with propane gas flame which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint tape manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidactivation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The joint tape is divided into two distinct layers: a joint tape body made of bitumen-containing material and a separate adhesive layer applied on one side. This segmentation allows the adhesive layer to provide immediate adhesion without requiring heating, while the joint tape body provides structural integrity and can be heated if needed for enhanced bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive layer is pre-applied to the joint tape body during manufacturing, creating a ready-to-use product that requires no additional preparation or heating for activation. This preliminary action eliminates the time-consuming heating step required by single-layer tapes while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the adhesive layer is made sticky at all temperatures, then adhesion is always available, but the adhesive sticks to other objects or itself during storage and handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion reliabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer's stickiness parameter is changed based on temperature conditions. It is formulated to be non-sticky at typical storage and handling temperatures but becomes highly sticky upon activation through heat or pressure. This parameter change ensures the adhesive remains reliable when needed while preventing premature adhesion during storage and handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If heating with propane gas flame is used to activate adhesion, then sufficient adhesion is achieved, but dirt particles adhere to the heated surface and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoiddirt adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the adhesive function into a distinct layer that can operate independently of heating, the system eliminates the harmful effect of dirt adhesion to heated surfaces. The adhesive layer provides reliable bonding through its inherent adhesive properties without requiring high-temperature heating that causes dirt to stick.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If a separating layer is added to prevent adhesive from sticking during storage, then handling is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidjoint tape structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer's temperature-dependent stickiness parameter eliminates the need for a separating layer. At storage and handling temperatures, the adhesive remains non-sticky, naturally preventing adhesion to other objects or itself without requiring additional separating layers, thus maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 two-layer joint tape offers enhanced elasticity, reduced dirt adhesion, and quicker adhesion activation, allowing for efficient and secure placement on road surfaces with improved mechanical stress resistance and handling ease.

Implementation Method 1

becomes highly sticky upon activation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal activation: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the joint tape then being pressed onto the flank... melts more than superficially

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP2557230B1Use of a joint strip for street construction with activatable adhesive coating
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 DENSO HOLD GMBH & CO

AI summary

The generic type joint tape comprises a joint tape body made of a bituminous material, and an adhesive layer arranged on the joint tape body. The adhesive layer has stickiness due to thermal and/or chemical activation, where the stickiness allows an adhesion sufficient for the production of seams and/or terminals at an edge of the seam and/or the terminal. The adhesive layer, in a non-activated state at room temperature (23[deg] C), provides no adhesion. The adhesive layer, in a temperature range of -20[deg] C to 45[deg] C, is non sticky. The generic type joint tape comprises a joint tape body made of a bituminous material, and an adhesive layer arranged on the joint tape body. The adhesive layer has stickiness due to thermal and/or chemical activation, where the stickiness allows an adhesion sufficient for the production of seams and/or terminals at an edge of the seam and/or the terminal. The adhesive layer, in a non-activated state at room temperature (23[deg] C), provides no adhesion. The adhesive layer, in a temperature range of -20[deg] C to 45[deg] C, is non sticky. The joint tape further comprises a thermoplastic resin (30-60 wt.%). The adhesive layer comprises a plasticizer, a mineral-filler, and/or a bituminous material. The joint tape body comprises a plasticizer, a mineral, a cellulose-filler and/or a polymer. An independent claim is included for a method of installing a joint tape.