Abstract:
An elastic seal for a building joint which includes internal walls or dividers which change orientation when the seal is compressed for placement into the building joint. The change in orientation allow for the seal to apply a relatively uniform force against the joint walls extending from the bottom wall to the top wall of the seal. Additionally, the change in orientation reduces the deflection of the top wall of the seal upwardly when compressed in the building joint. The walls also become more vertically oriented when the seal in compressed. This vertical orientation provides increased load support for the top wall when the seal is compressed into a joint.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to bridging or sealing gaps in building structures. These gaps or joints are typically provided to permit expansion and contractions of building components such as walls, floors, ceilings and roofs. In particular, the present invention relates to a hollow, elongated, elastic joint seal or filler which is compressed when located in such gaps with the hollow portions of the seal being defined by an arrangement of interior wall/dividers which interact to change the structural characteristics of the seal after compression. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment relates to an elastic seal usable in an expansion joint of a building. The seal includes a pair of substantially parallel side walls, a top wall extending between the side walls and a bottom wall extending between the side walls. The side walls include longitudinal axes at least 24 inches long, with the walls separated by a first distance. The top wall includes a cross-sectional shape with at least 2 crests and at least 3 troughs. The bottom wall is displaced from the top wall such that the cross-section of the walls of the seal includes points which lay upon a boundary of a rectangle and the bottom wall includes a cross-sectional shape with at least 2 crests and at least 3 troughs. The seal also includes at least 2 webs that include an elongated, rectangular cross-section located within the boundary of the rectangle, each web includes a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the side walls and each web extending from a side wall to a trough in the top or bottom walls. The angle between webs and the respective side walls is at least 30 degrees when the walls are separated by the first distance, and the angle is reduced to less than 25 degrees when the seal is compressed so that the distance is reduced by 35%. The seal also includes at least 2 webs that include an elongated, rectangular cross-section located within the boundary of the rectangle, each web includes a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the side walls and each web extending from a trough in the top wall to a trough in the bottom wall. The angle between webs is at least 50 degrees when the walls are separated by the first distance, and the angle is reduced to less than 30 degrees when the seal is compressed so that the distance is reduced by 35%. 
     Another embodiment relates to an elastic seal usable in an expansion joint of a building. The seal includes a pair of substantially parallel side walls, a top wall extending between the side walls and a bottom wall extending between the side walls. The side walls include longitudinal axes at least 24 inches long, with the walls separated by a first distance. The bottom wall is displaced from the top wall such that the cross-section of the walls of the seal includes points which lay upon a boundary of a rectangle. The seal also includes at least 2 webs that include an elongated, rectangular cross-section located within the boundary of the rectangle, each web includes a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the side walls and each web extending from a side wall to one of the top or bottom walls. The angle between webs and the respective side walls is at least 30 degrees when the walls are separated by the first distance, and the angle is reduced to less than 25 degrees when the seal is compressed so that the distance is reduced by 35%. The seal also includes at least 2 webs that include an elongated, rectangular cross-section located within the boundary of the rectangle, each web includes a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the side walls and each web extending from the top wall to the bottom wall. The angle between webs is at least 50 degrees when the walls are separated by a first distance, and the angle is reduced to less than 30 degrees when the seal is compressed so that the distance is reduced by 35%. 
     Yet another embodiment relates to an elastic seal useable in an expansion joint of a building. The seal includes a pair of substantially parallel side walls, a top wall extending between the side walls and a bottom wall extending between the side walls. The side walls include longitudinal axes at least 24 inches long, with the walls separated by a first distance. The bottom wall is displaced from the top wall such that the cross-section of the walls of the seal includes points which lay upon a boundary of a rectangle. The seal also includes a plurality of webs each including an elongated, rectangular cross-section located within the boundary of the rectangle, each web includes a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the side walls and each web extending from a side wall to one of the top or bottom walls. The seal also includes a plurality of webs that include an elongated, rectangular cross-section located within the boundary of the rectangle, each web includes a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the side walls and each web extending from the top wall to the bottom wall. The force to compress the top wall between the side walls a predetermined distance is substantially the same force required to compress the bottom wall between the side walls substantially the predetermined distance. 
     Yet another embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing an elastic seal useable in an expansion joint of a building. The method includes extruding an elastic material through a die configured to produce a seal and cutting the extruded in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the side walls. The seal includes a pair of substantially parallel side walls, a top wall extending between the side walls and a bottom wall extending between the side walls. The side walls include longitudinal axes at least 24 inches long, with the walls separated by a first distance. The top wall includes a cross-sectional shape with at least 2 crests and at least 3 troughs. The bottom wall is displaced from the top wall such that the cross-section of the walls of the seal includes points which lay upon a boundary of a rectangle. The bottom wall includes a cross-sectional shape with at least 2 crests and at least 3 troughs. The seal also includes at least 2 webs that include an elongated, rectangular cross-section located within the boundary of the rectangle, each web includes a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the side walls and each web extending from a side wall to a trough in the top or bottom walls. The angle between webs and the respective side walls is at least 30 degrees. The seal also includes at least 2 webs that include an elongated, rectangular cross-section located within the boundary of the rectangle, each web includes a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the side walls and each web extending from a trough in the top wall to a trough in the bottom wall. The angle between webs is at least 50 degrees. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of 2 embodiments of the seal; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are end views of the 2 embodiments of the seal; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top views of the 2 embodiments of the seal; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are bottom views of the 2 embodiments of the seal; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side views of the 2 embodiments of the seal; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are end views of the 2 embodiments of the seal in combination with the joint of a building structure such as a floor, the seal being compressed and glued into the joint; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are end views of 2 additional embodiments of the seal which include additional internal walls/dividers; and 
         FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C  are end views of the embodiment of the seal shown in  FIG. 7A  illustrating the deflected state of the seal relative to the undeflected seal where the width of the seal is deflected to 85%, 65% and 55% of the undeflected width. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the seal  10   a  (first embodiment) and  10   b  (second embodiment) is elongated and has a substantially constant cross-section along its length. The cross-section is substantially constant in that the seal is preferably manufactured by extruding the material which from the seal is formed from a die which produces the desired cross-section. (See, e.g.  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 7A, and 7B .) The extrusion may be in the form of continuous extrusion which permits the generation of long sections of the seal which can be later cut into custom lengths ordered by customers, or stock lengths which normally start at 60 feet. 
     By way of example, the seal may be fabricated from a thermoplastic elastic material. The use of a thermoplastic material permits the thermal welding of sections or pieces of the seal to each other. Sections or pieces can also be glued to each other if thermal welding equipment and filler is not available. If a thermoset elastic material is used, such thermal welding is typically not used. Rather, sections or seal pieces must be appropriately glued to each other. Accordingly, the use of a thermoplastic elastic material provides flexible and compressible seals which can be joined to each other via at least 2 processes, e.g. thermal welding and gluing. By way of example, the seal can be extruded from a thermoplastic elastomer such as a thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer which is available under the trademark, Santoprene from Exxon Mobil. It is to be noted for the reader that the use of the word “seal” references the filling of an expansion joint and applies to a seal which may or may not form a fluid tight seal. Such a seal may be only a barrier to the passing of relatively large debris through the joint (e.g. gravel, sand, car keys, feet, shoe heels, etc.) 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B , seals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  and  10   d  include substantially parallel side walls  12 ,  14  having longitudinal axes which are separated by a distance D 1  which defines the width of the seal which is selected based upon the width of the particular expansion joints  66  within which the seals are to be used. By way of example, for typical applications, D 1  may be in the range of 70 mm to 160 mm, with particular applications using D 1 s of about 74 mm, 110 mm, and 146 mm. 
     The side walls  12 ,  14  include generally elongated rectangular cross-sections. The seals include top walls  16  which extend between the side walls  12 ,  14 . The top walls  16  include rounded crests  18 , and v-shaped troughs  20  which terminate at a rounded tip  22  having an interior radius substantially smaller than the interior radius of the rounded crest  18 . For example, the radii of the crests  18  may be in the range of 5 to 10 times larger than those of the tips  22 , and in one embodiment between 7.5 and 8.5 times larger. Top walls  16  of seal embodiments  10   a  and  10   b  include 4 crests  18  and 3 troughs  20 , and top walls  16  of seal embodiments  10   c  and  10   d  include 5 crests  18  and 4 troughs  20 . Of course, the number of crests and troughs provided in the seal would be selected based upon the width and type of expansion joint  66  being sealed. 
     The seals also include bottom walls  24  separated from top walls  16  by a distance D 2 . By way of example, for typical applications, D 2  may be in the range of 50 mm to 90 mm, with particular applications using D 2 s of about 56 mm and 84 mm. 
     Walls  24  include interior v-shaped crests  26 , exterior rounded crests  27  and v-shaped troughs  28 . Crests  26  and troughs  28  terminate at tips  30  and  32 , respectively, which are rounded and have similar inside radii. These radii are substantially smaller than the radii of the rounded crests  27 . For example, the radii of the crests  27  may be in the range of 5 to 10 times larger than the radii of tips  30  and  32 , and, in one embodiment, between 7.5 and 8.5 times larger. Bottom walls  24  of seal embodiments  10   a  and  10   b  include 2 crests  26 , 2 crests  27  and 3 troughs  28 , and the bottom walls  24  of seal embodiments  10   c  and  10   d  include 3 crests  26 , 2 crests  27  and 4 troughs  28 . Of course, the number of crests and troughs provided in the bottom wall of the seal would correspond with the number in the top wall. 
     Referring now to the interior of the seal and, in particular to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 7A, and 7B , this interior includes a plurality of walls or dividers  34 ,  36  which each include a pair of elongated rectangular segments  38 ,  40  and  42 ,  44 , respectively. Walls  34  extend between the troughs  20  and  28 , and walls  36  extend between the respective sidewall  12 , 14  and respective outside trough  20 ,  28  as shown. In the present embodiments, segments  38  and  40 , and  42  and  44  are connected to have a slight mis-alignment. However, depending upon the deflection characteristics desired from the seal or the particular material used, these segments may be connected together so that they are aligned such that the transitions from one segment to another of the dividers  34  and  36  are not noticeable. 
     In the uncompressed condition, the side walls of dividers  34  are positioned at an angle θ 1  of about 50 to 60 degrees with side walls  12 ,  14 . Dividers  36  are positioned at an angle θ 2  of about 25 to 35 degrees with side walls  12 ,  14 . As discussed above, the number of crests and troughs may vary depending upon the width and type of the expansion joint  66 . Accordingly, if the width D 1  increases, the number of crests and troughs would need to increase to maintain the angles discussed above within the ranges discussed above. 
     Referring again to the 4 seal embodiments, 2 of the embodiments include side ribs  46  configured as shown to aid in securing the respective seal within a building joint. The shown embodiment of the ribs  46  extend from an angle of about 50 degrees from the side walls  12 ,  14  and terminates at a flat end with a surface parallel to the respective side walls  12 ,  14 . Seal embodiments  10   b  and  10   d  include extension flanges  48  which extend from side walls  12 ,  14 , and include relatively large ribs  50  on the top surface and smaller ribs  52  on the bottom surface which have a triangular shape as shown. Flanges  48  also include holes  53 . In addition to flanges  48 , seal embodiments  10   b  and  10   d  also include a trapezoidal shaped ribs  55  located just above extension flanges  48  as shown in the figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B , these illustrate the interaction between the seals and a building joint  60  in a concrete floor. In  FIGS. 6A and 7A , the building joint  60  includes a joint surface  68  a top joint edge  70 . In  FIGS. 6A and 7A , the seal is fastened within the expansion joint  66  by the interaction of walls  12 ,  14 , side ribs  46 , an adhesive  54 , such as epoxy, and the corresponding joint surfaces  68 . In  FIGS. 6B and 7B , the building joint  60  includes a blockout area  72 . The blockout area  72  further includes a blockout top surface  74 . In  FIGS. 6B and 7B , the seal is fastened within the expansion joint  66  by the interaction of walls  12 ,  14 , a bedding adhesive  56 , such as epoxy, the smaller ribs  52 , the holes  53 , and the corresponding blockout top surfaces  74 . Depending upon the application, bedding adhesive  56  is typically applied between the bottom surface of flanges  48  and the blockout top surfaces  74 . 
     In addition, the large ribs  50  may interact with an elastomeric material  62  applied over the top surface of the flanges  48  where the surface extends up to walls  12 ,  14  extend upwards, beyond the flanges  48  of the seal as shown. Such an elastomeric material  62  is typically applied in a semi-liquid form (e.g. thin-set mortor, concrete, plastic composite, etc.) In addition, fasteners (not shown) may extend through flanges  48  into the corresponding building structure to facilitate fastening the seal into the joint. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8C , embodiment  10   c  of the seal is shown, but the compression and loading functions provided by seal embodiments  10   a ,  10   b  and  10   d  are similar to  10   c . In particular, the configurations of the top, side and bottom walls when combined with the dividers, produce a seal which, when compressed as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C , generates a force which resist compression at the top of the seals (F T ) and force which resist compression at the bottom of the seal (F B ). With the configurations of seals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  and  10   d , resistive forces F T  and F B , F T ′ and F B ′ and F T ″ and F B ″ will increase, but remain substantially equal to each other, as the seal is compressed. This is important when installing the seal into a building joint using an adhesive. In particular, prior to curing/setting of the adhesive, the adhesive will work as a lubricant between the seal and the joint. As a result, if the seal does not produce substantially equal resistive forces F T  and F B  when compressed, the difference in forces have a tendency to cause the seal to move or creep out of or further into the joint while the adhesive is curing. 
     By way of specific example, if the seals were configured such that force F B  is larger than F T  when the seal is compressed, the seal will tend to creep down into the joint while the adhesive is curing. Similarly, if the seal is configured such that force F T  is larger than force F B , the seal will tend to creep out of the joint while the adhesive is curing. 
     Another function provided by the configurations of seals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  and  10   d  is that these configurations generate increasing load bearing for the top surfaces of the seals as the seals are compressed. Comparing the seal configurations of  FIGS. 8A and 8C , the dividers move from the angled orientation in  FIG. 8A  to a more vertical orientation as shown in  FIG. 8C . As the dividers become more vertical, they produce a beam structure along the longitudinal axis of the seals which provides a more rigid top wall. In particular, the more vertically oriented the dividers become, the more they function as the vertical flange in an I-beam configuration. Thus, the sections of the seal as shown in  FIG. 8A  transition from a Z-channel configuration to an I-beam configuration to rigidify the top wall of the seal. This is advantageous when the seal is used in a floor joint of a building to resist deflection when exposed to higher pressure loads such as those generated from a table leg, a narrow caster wheel on a cart, etc. 
     The configurations of seals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  and  10   d  also operate to minimize the amount of upward deflection of the top wall of the seals when the seal is compressed within a building joint. This deflection is shown as ΔD 1 , ΔD 2 , and ΔD 3  in  FIGS. 8A-8C , respectively. As discussed above,  FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate the seal in a deflected state relative to the undeflected seal where the width of the seal is deflected to 85%, 65% and 55% of the undeflected width. With the seal configurations disclosed herein, upward deflection of the side wall remains in the range of 5 mm when the seal is compressed to 55% of the undeflected seal width. This deflection occurs for typically used seal sizes at about room temperature for a thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer such as that available under the trademark, Santoprene from Exxon Mobil. 
     As an example of a method for installing a seal of the type shown in  FIGS. 1A, 2A, 6A and 7A , the installer may take the following steps: 
     Prior to installing seal  10   a  or  10   c:    
     Step 1—Choose seal for installation. 
     Step 2—Measure the width and depth of the expansion joint  66  to be sure that they are 90° to the slab&#39;s surface. 
     Step 3—Measure along the length of the joint every foot to ensure the opening is the correct size for the seal. 
     Step 4—Clean the joint surface  68  of all contaminants and impurities, e.g., water repellants, laitance, surface dirt, etc. 
     Step 5—Lay a piece of seal the entire length of the expansion joint  66 . 
     Prior to installation, the proper seal is chosen for installation (Step 1). Seals are designed to be in a minimum 15% compression at all times. Therefore, it is not advisable to choose a seal that is the same width as the expansion joint  66  in its nominal state. Measure the width and depth of the expansion joint  66  to be sure that they are 90° to the slab&#39;s surface (Step 2). Measure along the expansion joint  66 , along the top joint edge  70  of the building joint  60  to ensure that the correct seal is installed (Step 3), any horizontal deviation greater than 1/16″ should be corrected. Clean the joint surface  68  of contaminants and impurities (Step 4) by sandblasting or wire brushing. Lay the seal along the entire length of the expansion joint  66  (Step 5) and then install the seal in the expansion joint  66  without adhesive  54  to determine if the seal is being stretched during or after installation. Any excess amount of seal remaining at the end of the building joint  60  is due to stretching. The stretch percentage is calculated to determine the amount of stretch. The stretch percentage equals the amount of excess seal length divided by the original seal length. A stretch percentage that is greater than 3% is unacceptable and in some cases a stretch percentage of 1% or more is unacceptable. It is important to inspect stretching early in the installation process. Stretching the seal during installation is a major cause for a seal to prematurely fail. 
     Installing the seal  10   a  or  10   c:    
     Step 1—Line the top joint edge  70  with tape, e.g., 2″ wide tape. 
     Step 2—Apply adhesive  54  to both the joint surfaces  68  and walls  12 ,  14  of the seal. 
     Step 3—Compress seal and insert into expansion joint  66 , starting from one end and working toward the opposite end. 
     Step 4—Clean the visible surface of the seal by removing any excess adhesive  54 . 
     Step 5—Remove tape from the top joint edge  70  and remove any excess adhesive  54  from the building joint  60 . 
     The top joint edge  70  is lined with 2″ wide tape (Step 1). Adhesive  54  is then applied to the joint surfaces  68  and on the walls  12 ,  14  of the seal (Step 2). The adhesive  54  must contain an adequate solids percentage, be uniform, contain no lumps, have correct viscosity and have a drying time between eight and twenty minutes. The adhesive  54  should also contain an MSDS sheet for user safety. The adhesive  54  will begin thickening at 32° F. Therefore, when installing seals at temperatures below 32° F., the adhesive  54  should be stored in a heated warehouse until needed. Depending on multiple factors, e.g., joint size, temperature, experience, it may be best to mix ½ gallon of adhesive  54  at a time. Once the adhesive  54  is applied to the seal, the seal is compressed and inserted into the expansion joint  66 , starting from one end of the seal to the opposite end (Step 3). To ensure that the seal is installed appropriately, the seal should be level to the top surface. The seal should also be installed at the proper depth. The proper depth is 1/16″ to 3/16″ below the top joint edge  70 . If the seal is installed in a building joint  60  with a beveled edge, then the top surface of the seal should be installed 1/16″ to 3/16″ below the bottom of the beveled portion. If the seal is too deep, the joint may gather debris, e.g., rocks, nails, etc., which may cause damage to the seal and/or joint face. If the seal is too shallow, the seal may receive abrasive wear from tire contact or be pulled out. After the seal is installed, the visible surface is cleaned (Step 4). A tool may be used to remove any excess adhesive  54 , i.e., a margin trowel. Remove the tape from the top joint edge  70  and remove any excess adhesive  54  from the building joint  60  (Step 5). The adhesive  54  should not cure before cleaning. 
     The seals may be installed by hand or with an installation machine. Extra care should be taken when installing seals by hand to ensure seals are not damaged, e.g., punctures or excess stretching caused by hand tools. Installation machines should be able to install seals at specified depths, with a maximum of 3% stretch and without cutting, nicking or twisting of the seal. 
     As an example of a method for installing a seal of the type shown in  FIGS. 1B, 2B, 6B and 7B , the installer may take the following steps: 
     Prior to installing seal  10   b  or  10   d:    
     Step 1—Choose seal for installation. 
     Step 2—Clean the blockout area  72 , including the blockout top surface  74 , of all contaminants and impurities, e.g., water repellants, laitance, surface dirt, etc. 
     Step 3—Level the blockout top surface  74  flat. 
     Step 4—Make blockout area  72  depth a minimum of ¾″ and a minimum width of 2½″. 
     Prior to installation, the proper seal is chosen for installation (Step 1). Clean the blockout area  72 , including the blockout top surface  74 , of all contaminants and impurities (Step 2) by sandblasting or wire brushing before applying the bedding adhesive  56 . The blockout area  72  must be completely dry before applying the bedding adhesive  56 . Level the blockout top surface  74  flat (Step 3). A latex modified mortar or equal may be used to provide a dead level bearing area for the seals. Make the depth of the blockout area  72  a minimum of ¾″ and a minimum width of 2½″ (Step 4). 
     Installing the seal  10   b  or  10   d:    
     Step 1—Center the seal over the expansion joint  66  and install with the extension flanges  48  seated squarely on the blockout top surface  74 . 
     Step 2—Prepare bedding adhesive  56 . 
     Step 3—Raise the extension flanges  48  and spread bedding adhesive  56  mixture evenly over blockout top surface  74 . 
     Step 4—Press extension flanges  48  firmly into the bedding adhesive  56 . 
     Step 5—Mix elastomeric blockout material  62 . 
     Step 6—Mask seal for protection. 
     Step 7—Pour or scrape the mixed elastomeric material  62  into the blockout area  72  and trowel in place with a bullnose or bricklayer trowel. 
     Center the seal over the expansion joint  66  and install with the extension flanges  48  seated squarely on the blockout top surface  74  (Step 1). Before preparing the bedding adhesive  56 , the seal should be compressed and properly seated with the expansion joint  66  along the entire length of the expansion joint  66 . Prepare the bedding adhesive  56 , i.e., Polycrete bedding adhesive (Step 2). Mix a white epoxy adhesive and a black epoxy adhesive together until a homogenous mixture is accomplished. Mixing the bedding adhesive  56  is best accomplished with a ½″ to ¾″ drill counter clockwise with a paint style mixing blade or paddle. The mixture should be mixed for approximately 3 minutes until a solid grey paste is achieved. Raise extension flanges  48  and spread bedding adhesive  56  mixture evenly over the blockout top surface  74  (Step 3). Press extension flanges  48  firmly into the bedding adhesive  56  before the bedding adhesive  56  cures (Step 4). Weights may be applied to the seal to ensure the extension flanges  48  remain flat. Extension flanges  48  should not protrude in an upwards direction. Extension flanges  48  must rest on the blockout top surface  74 . 
     Once the extension flanges  48  are oriented properly on the blockout top surface  74 , the elastomeric material  62  may be mixed (Step 5). The elastomeric material  62  may include an elastomeric epoxy, elastomeric fast cure and a mixed aggregate. For example, an elastomeric material  62  may include 4 liters of elastomeric epoxy, 250 mL of elastomeric fast cure and 2½ gallons of mixed aggregate. The elastomeric epoxy and the elastomeric fast cure are blended together first. The elastomeric material  62  may be mixed with an mixing drill that is ¾″ counter clockwise with a paint style mixing blade or similar. This blending process should take no longer than 4 minutes with the mixing drill. Once the materials are blended, they may be stored at room temperature. The mixed aggregate is then added slowly to the blended elastomeric epoxy/elastomeric fast cure mixture. If using the mixing drill with a paint style mixing blade, the mixing blade should be kept on the bottom of the pail for a minimum of 30-45 seconds that is holding the contents of the mixed aggregate. Slowly, begin adding the blended elastomeric epoxy/elastomeric fast cure mixture to the mixed aggregate. 
     Before pouring the elastomeric material  62  into the blockout area  72 , mask the seal for protection (Step 6). Duct tape may be used for masking because the elastomeric material  62  will not adhere to duct tape. Once the seal is masked, pour or scrape the elastomeric material  62  into the blockout area  72  and trowel in place with a bullnose or bricklayer trowel (Step 7). To assist with the application of the elastomeric material  62  to the blockout area  72 , dip the tools being used in toluene or xylene to minimize adhesion of the elastomeric material to the tools. 
     To assist with installing the type of seal shown in  FIGS. 1B, 2B, 6B and 7B , a heavy duty jiffy mixer may be used. This mixer may be used for mixing liquids and prebatched aggregate. A jiffy mixer may also require a 4,000 watt generator for running the mixer. In addition to the mixer, some other equipment suggested to be used to install these seals are two 40 lbs. propane tanks, a Rosebud or weedburner torch ends, drills, trowels and duct tape. 
     For the seal shown in  FIGS. 1B, 2B, 6B and 7B , it is also suggested that a minimum of three individuals assist each other with the installation of the joint system. One individual may operate the mixer, heat the aggregate and prepare the blend of aggregate and resins. Another individual may bring the prebagged aggregate to the mixer, deliver the final mix to the blockout area and place the mix in the blockout. The last individual packs and trowels the final mix after placement in the blockout area. 
     In the exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description. 
     Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.