Patent Publication Number: US-2016222263-A1

Title: Method of filling and sealing a joint between panels

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a method of filling and sealing a joint and more particularly a method for filling and sealing joints in cold storage rooms. 
     Presently, joints between panels in cold storage rooms are filled with silicone or urethane. While useful, these materials require replacement every maintenance period and do not provide a chemical weld. Further, these materials are not safe for food. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a method that addresses these deficiencies. 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a method of filling a joint that reduces the need for replacement. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method of filling a joint that provides a chemical weld. 
     A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a method of filling a joint that is safe to use with food. 
     These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art based upon the following written description, drawings, and claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method of filling and sealing a joint where panels having a groove there between are cleaned and dried and adhesive tape is placed on both sides of the groove. A mixture having a first part and a second part is injected into the groove and the mixture is smoothed using a grout float. Finally, the adhesive tape is removed and the mixture is allowed to harden. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a double cartridge and pneumatic cartridge gun; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of panels with mixture in a groove there between; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a method of filling and sealing a joint. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the Figures, a method of filling and sealing a joint between panels utilizes a sealed container or cartridge  12  having a mixture  14  used in conjunction with pneumatic cartridge gun  16 . While the method is used with a variety of joints, preferably, by example only, the method is used in jointless cold storage rooms as a joint filler for glass-fiber reinforced plastic panels manufactured by GFK Paneelen and also for use as a filler for the GFK Installation System. 
     To begin, at step  100 , the surface of the panels  18  is dried and cleaned to remove any grease, dirt, dust, or coating. This can be done with a damp cloth or the like. In general, greater adhesive power is achieved on roughened or milled substrates. Also, preferred, is that the groove  20  has a sufficiently large volume to achieve even and correct through-hardening and rigidity (e.g. 4 mm wide×5 mm deep). 
     Next, at step  110 , both sides of the groove  20  are covered with adhesive tape  22  that act as protective strips used to remove excess filler mixture  14  after the joint has been sealed. The mixture  14  in cartridge  12  comprises a first part  24  and a second part  26 . The first part  24  includes at least 10% to 25% calcium carbonate, 1% to 2.5% of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbon, and Dimethylbis [(1-oxoneodecyl) oxy] stannan of less than or equal to 1%. The second part  26  includes 50% to 100% of Hexamethylen-1, 6-diisocyanat Homopolymer, 2.5% to 10% of calcium carbonate, less than or equal to 1% Bis (trimethoxysilyloropyl) amin, and less than or equal to 1% of hexamethylene-di-isocyanate. 
     The cartridge  12  containing mixture  14  is preferably brought to room temperature (approx. 18-23° C.) at step  120  in order to ensure easy application and full hardening. Heat accelerates hardening while cold delays hardening. At step  130 , the cartridge  12  is placed on an upper side of a pneumatic cartridge  28 , attached with a fastener  30  and inserted within the pneumatic cartridge gun. 
     To fill groove  20 , at step  140  a small amount of mixture  14  is dispensed from gun  16 , and discarded. Preferably about 10 cm of mixture is dispensed which is about the length of cartridges  12  and contains approximately 15 to 20 grams. By dispensing this small amount you ensure that both the first part  24  and the second part  26  are thoroughly mixed. Step  140  is repeated every time the cartridge  12  is changed. This happens whenever the cartridge  12  is empty or if the ejection process is interrupted by more than five minutes. 
     Next, at step  150 , a generous amount of mixture  14  is injected evenly into groove  20 . 
     Once filled, at step  160  a grout float  30  is drawn along both adhesive tape  22 . Preferably the grout float  30  is drawn in one flowing movement to achieve a better appearance. Water should not be used as a smoothing agent. 
     At step  170 , a cloth is used to remove excess mixture  14  from the grout float  30  which collects during the grouting and smoothing process. Immediately after step  170  is completed, the adhesive tape  22  on both sides of the groove  20  is removed at step  180  and the mixture is allowed to harden at step  190 . When large areas are treated or if temperature differences are high tension cracks may appear. These cracks are not a defect but permit the system to release tension. 
     Because of the influence of temperature, the processing time for hardening step  190  can vary widely. Both the ambient temperature and the mixture  14  temperature affect processing time. Also, the dimensions of the cross section of the groove  20  also influence the reaction time of the first part  24  and second part  26  of the mixture  14  where a larger cross section increases the speed of the reaction. 
     As examples, using standard groove dimensions, the processing times are generally as shown in the table below: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Temp. of Mixture 
                 16° C. 
                 24° C. 
                 27° C. 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Mixture Smoothable Up To 
                 13 
                 min. 
                 6 
                 min. 
                 5 
                 min. 
               
               
                 Mixture Firm After 
                 31 
                 min. 
                 14 
                 min. 
                 9 
                 min. 
               
               
                 Mixture Touch Dry After 
                 24 
                 hr. 
                 5 
                 hr. 
                 4 
                 hr. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     When completed, at step  200 , cartridge  12  is left on cartridge  28  during storage and preferably stored at room temperature (approx. 18-25° C.). A new cartridge  12  is added when re-used and the opening of the cartridge is cleaned before use. 
     Thus a method of filling and sealing a joint has been disclosed that at the very least meets all the stated objectives.