Bitumen-based membranes are used for waterproofing in construction. Such membranes normally feature a reinforcement made of non-woven polyester cloth or of a layer of reinforced glass such as fiberglass. One of the membrane surfaces is coated with small slate flakes of various colors, similar to granules, for protection against ultraviolet rays.
The users of these types of membranes currently face serious problems when trying to seal together contiguous membranes because of the relatively complex steps that must be carried out to connect the two contiguous or adjacent ends. Of course, if an effective seal is not attained, the membrane system will leak and not achieve its very purpose.
The purpose of this invention is to solve the above mentioned problem by creating a bitumen-based membrane with sealing means that make it possible to connect continuous membranes quickly and effectively with reduced energy consumption and excellent results.
Within the above described scope, one of the goals of the invention is to provide membranes that are impermeably sealed to adjacent or contiguous membranes in an effective and aesthetically pleasing manner.
The bitumen-based membrane that is the subject of this invention provides a reliable seal between membranes because of its unique design features.
The subject bitumen-based membrane is easy to produce because it is made of elements and materials that are available on the market. Further, the membrane of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install.
The task described above, the goals mentioned, as well as additional goals--which will be described hereinafter--have been achieved with a bitumen-based membrane featuring sealing means for contiguous membranes, per this invention, which consists of the following:
A bitumen-based membrane sheet, developed longitudinally, which is reinforced with a polyester non-woven cloth or with a coat of reinforced glass on one side of said membrane sheet.
One side of the membrane sheet will be coated with granular material such as small slate flakes. Said membrane sheet is characterized by the fact that it includes, at least at one of its ends, a transverse selvage which consists of a tract of exposed bitumen, free of granular material, as well as of a thin coat of polyethylene which, when heated, seals the ends of contiguous membranes together.