Waterproofing Membrane Without Release Sheet

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional waterproofing membranes for concrete applications require a removable release sheet, which generates environmental waste and complicates installation, as they need to be unrolled and flipped over, often necessitating two installers to handle the heavy rolls.

Innovation Solution

A waterproofing membrane design without a removable release sheet, featuring laminated layers with a synthetic pressure-sensitive adhesive, a polymer carrier sheet, a releasable bonding material, and a protective coating, arranged in specific sequential orders to allow easy unrolling and adherence to the concrete surface, eliminating the need for a release sheet and enabling right-side-up installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a removable release sheet is used to prevent adhesive from adhering to the carrier sheet, then the membrane can be rolled up without sticking, but environmental waste is created and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of rollingVSAvoidwaste generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the removable release sheet from the membrane structure entirely. Instead of having a separate release sheet that must be removed, the patent uses a release coating applied directly to the carrier sheet surface, which is then removed along with the adhesive layer in one step, eliminating waste and simplifying installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the release function with the carrier sheet by applying a release coating directly to it, eliminating the need for a separate removable release sheet. This integration reduces the number of components and eliminates the waste associated with removing and disposing of separate release sheets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a removable release sheet is used, then the adhesive portion is protected from adhering to the carrier sheet, but installation complexity increases due to unrolling and flipping requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive protectionVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional application method by applying the adhesive layer directly to the carrier sheet without requiring the membrane to be unrolled and flipped. The release coating is applied to the carrier sheet, then the adhesive layer is applied over it, allowing the membrane to be installed in its rolled state without complex manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention removes the separate removable release sheet from the system, integrating the release function directly into the carrier sheet through a release coating. This eliminates the need for separate release sheet removal and simplifies the installation process while maintaining reliable adhesive protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the membrane is applied with adhesive facing upward for blind-side waterproofing, then the adhesive can adhere to freshly poured concrete, but the membrane must be unrolled and flipped, requiring two installers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive bond to concreteVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies the adhesive layer to the carrier sheet in the correct orientation for blind-side waterproofing, eliminating the need to unroll and flip the membrane. The release coating is applied to the carrier sheet, then the adhesive layer is applied over it, allowing the membrane to be installed right-side up with the adhesive facing the concrete, enabling single-installer operation and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 membrane achieves strong adhesion to concrete, tolerates foot traffic, and simplifies installation by eliminating the need for a release sheet, reducing waste and installation complexity, while ensuring a fully adhered waterproofing membrane.

Implementation Method 1

a releasable bonding material (layer C) and a protective coating (layer D)... wherein the adhesion of layer C to layer B is less than the adhesion of layer C to layer D and of layer D to layer A

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

layer A comprising a waterproofing adhesive, wherein the waterproofing adhesive comprises a synthetic pressure sensitive adhesive or a rubber modified bitumen pressure sensitive adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-sensitive adhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2349710B1Waterproofing membrane
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 GCP APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP2349710B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2349710B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2349710B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

Disclosed are waterproofing membranes comprising the following laminated layers: layer A comprising a waterproofing adhesive; layer B comprising a carrier sheet; layer C comprising a releasable bonding material; and layer D comprising a protective coating; wherein (i) the laminated layers are arranged in the sequential order A-B-C-D; or (ii) the laminated layers are arranged in the sequential order B-C-D-A; or (iii) the laminated layers are arranged in the sequential order C-D-A-B. The membrane does not include a removable release sheet that is typically used to prevent the adhesive from adhering to the carrier sheet or other portion of the membrane when the membrane is rolled up. Also disclosed is a method of making the aforementioned membrane. Preferably, layer C will comprise a water soluble polymer, an alkali soluble polymer, or a homopolymer or copolymer of polyvinyl acetate.