The invention to which this application relates is a sealing means and a method of manufacture thereof. Although the following description refers exclusively to a sealing means for use with doors and windows, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention could also be used for providing a seal at an interface between two articles, not necessarily limited to door and windows.

Composite or uPVC doors and windows are generally provided with a rudimentary seal which is located at the interface where the door or window engages the frame with which it is located. Such seals are often also formed from uPVC and are in the form of an elongate ribbon around the edges of the door or window. These seals generally aid in preventing draughts and small amounts of water, for example, from rain hitting the door or window, from penetrating the opening and leaking into the interior of the building in which the door or window is located, and they would not provide adequate protection against severe weather, for example, flooding. Some solutions exist to try and prevent or reduce the amount of flooding penetrating doors and windows into the interior of buildings. The most common of these is the placement of sandbags in front of the door or window to try and reduce or prevent water ingress. Other solutions exist wherein insertable barriers may be provided to extend across the opening, preventing ingress of water. However, such barriers subsequently present an obstacle to a person when exiting the building through the opening. The barriers also require set-up and removal each time there is a flood risk, and this can be time-consuming and inconvenient, and in the event of flash-flooding, this may not be in place in time. Doors and windows having passive flood defences do exists, with slightly improved gasket arrangements in the frames of these doors and windows. However, these are only protective to a small degree before the seal breaks down and there is subsequent water ingress.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved sealing means which overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing an improved sealing means which overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sealing means for providing a seal between two mating bodies, said seal including:

a first member for attachment to a first body;

a second member for attachment to a second body;

said members being movable with respect to one another between first and second positions;

characterized in that said second member comprises a lip or plate portion which engages a portion of the first member, in the first position, creating a seal.

Typically, said first and second members are elongate members. Typically, said second member is a substantially rigid elongate member.

In one embodiment, said first member comprises a compressible and/or deformable material. Typically, said compre ssible and/or deformable material is formed from a foam material. Preferably, said compressible and/ or deformable material is formed from an open cell polyurethane foam. Typically, said an open cell polyurethane foam is impregnated with an acrylic-based, UV stabilised resin. Such a resin is provided to give the foam water repellent properties and may also include a fire retardant.

In one embodiment, said compressible and/ or deformable material is at least partially compressed by the lip or plate portion of the second member when in the first position, creating a seal. Typically, in the second position, wherein the lip or plate portion is dis-engaged from the first member, said compressible and/ or deformable material expands to a resting or non-compressed position.

In one embodiment, a base or seat portion may be provided to receive said first member therein / thereon.

In one embodiment, said base or seat portion is formed having a substantially L-, C- or U-shaped cross- section. In use, said first member may sit/lie within the seat or base portion, such that the seat or base portion locates between the first member and the first body, in use, attaching the two. In some embodiments, said L-, C- or U-shaped cross-section further includes a lip portion extending inwardly of the cross-section.

In one embodiment, said lip or plate portion of the second member, in the first position, engages and/ or partially compresses the compressible and/ or deformable material of the first member located with the first body or, where provided, the base or seat portion. Typically, said engagement creates a sub stantially watertight seal.

In one embodiment, said second member may be provided as a substantially flat or L-shaped, elongate member. Typically, said second member may be provided for attachment to a face or edge of the second body, in use, having a lip or plate portion extending over/beyond or outwardly from a periphery of the face or edge of the second body and arranged to engage the first member.

In another embodiment, said second member may be formed having a substantially h-shaped cross-section. In other embodiments, said second member may be formed having a substantially F-shaped cross- section.

Typically, said second member comprises one or more leg portions for attachment to a body portion, and a lip or plate portion arranged to engage the first member.

In one embodiment, said first member is provided attached to a fixed body, and said second member is provided attached to a movable body. Typically, said movable body is movable with respect to the fixed body.

In one embodiment, said sealing means is provided located in an opening of a structure. Typically, said opening in a structure may be a doorway, window, gate, barrier and/or the like . Typically, said structure may be a building, for example, a residential or commercial building. In one embodiment, said first member is located with a frame of the opening, and said second member is located with a movable door, window, gate and/ or the like, of the opening, locatable within the frame and movable between open and closed positions.

In a preferred embodiment, said first member, provided as a compressible and/or deformable material attaches to and locates with a first body in the form of a frame portion of an opening in a structure, in use, and said second member attaches to and locates with the second body in the form of a door, window or the like, movable between open and closed positions, in use.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening of a structure, said opening including a sealing means as described above.

Typically, said structure includes a first body in the form of a fixed frame portion; and second body in the form of a movable door, window, gate or the like. Preferably, a first member of the sealing means, provided as a compressible and/or deformable material attaches to and locates with the first body; and a second member of the sealing means attaches to and locates with the second body.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening of a structure, said opening including:

a fixed, frame portion;

a movable portion; and

sealing means having a first member located with the fixed, frame portion and a second member located with the movable portion;

said fixed and movable portions movable with respect to one another between first and second positions;

characterized in that said second member comprises a lip or plate portion which engages a portion of the first member, in the first position, creating a seal.

In one embodiment, said first member comprises a compressible and/or deformable material. Typically, said compre ssible and/or deformable material is formed from a foam material.

Typically, said first member is shaped to be received within and/ or along interior sides of the frame portion. In one embodiment, said first member may be attachable to said frame portion. Typically, said attachment may be via an adhesive. In another embodiment, said first member may be formed integrally with said frame portion.

In one embodiment, said second member may be shaped to be received within, on or along an outer periphery of the movable portion. Typically, said movable portion is a door, window, gate, barrier and/ or the like.

In one embodiment, said lip or plate portion of the second member, in the first position, engages and/ or partially compresses the compressible and/ or deformable material forming the first member. Typically, said engagement creates a substantially watertight seal.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a sealing means for providing a seal between two mating bodies, said method including the step s of:

forming a first member for attachment to a first body;

forming a second member for attachment to a second body; providing said members to be movable with respect to one another between first and second positions;

characterized in that said second member is formed to have a lip or plate portion arranged to engage a portion of the first member, in the first position, creating a seal.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an opening of a structure, said method including:

providing a fixed, frame portion;

providing a movable portion; and forming sealing means by providing a first member located with the fixed, frame portion and a second member located with the movable portion;

said fixed and movable portions arranged to be movable with respect to one another between first and second positions; characterized in that said second member is formed having a lip or plate portion arranged to engage a portion of the first member, in the first position, creating a seal.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be de scribed with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figures l a b illustrate a cross-sectional view of a sealing means according to an embodiment of the present invention, located in an opening of a structure, at the hinge side;

Figures 2a b illustrate a cross-sectional view of a sealing means according to an embodiment of the present invention, located in an opening of a structure, at a free or non-hinged side;

Figure 3 illustrate s a cross-sectional view of a sealing means according to another embodiment of the present invention, located in an opening of a structure, at a lock side;

Figure 4 illustrates a top-down cross-sectional view of a sealing means according to another embodiment of the present invention, located in an opening of a structure; and

Figures 5a b illustrate a cross-sectional view of a sealing means according to another embodiment of the present invention, located in an opening of a structure, at a hinge side and a threshold side, respectively. Referring now to the Figures, there is shown a cros s-sectional view of an opening in a structure, for example, a door, window, gate, barrier or the like. For illustrative purposes, the present description may re fer almost exclusively to openings in the form of doorways or windows in residential or commercial buildings, however, it will be appreciated that the present invention may apply just as easily to other openings or structures where a seal is required by two mating bodies.

Figures la b show views of a fixed frame 1 and a door 3 pivotably movable with respect to the frame 1 about a hinge 5. The direction of movement of the door 3 is illustrated by arrow A between first, closed, and second, open positions. Figures 2a b show views of the frame 1 and door 3 as they would appear from other sides of the door, away from the hinge 5. The direction of movement of the door 3 in this aspect is illustrated by arrow B .

Within the frame and door structure there is located a sealing means in the form of a gasket 7. The gasket 7 comprises a first member 9 which locates with the frame 1 of the structure and a second member 1 1 which locates with the door/window 3. Consequently, the first and second members 9, 1 1 are arranged to be movable with respect to one another, with the second member 11 moving between a first, closed position and a second, open position as the door 3 opens and closes. The second member 1 1 includes a lip or plate portion 13, which protrudes outwardly away from the body 15 of the second member 11 , and away from the periphery of the door 3 in some examples. As the lip or plate portion 13 extends away from its body 15, it engages a portion of the first member 9 when in the first, closed position, thereby creating a seal. The first and second members 9, 1 1 are provided as elongate members which extend along and locate with the length of the frame 1 and door 3. The first member 9 is formed from a length of compressible / deformable material in the form of a foam strip 9; the second member 11 being a substantially rigid elongate member, which engages the foam strip 9 in the first position, in use. In some embodiments, a base or seat portion 21 may be provided, attachable to the frame 1 and in/ on which the foam strip 9 may locate. The seat/base 21 is formed having a generally L-, C- or U-shaped cross-section comprising a body 23 and one or more legs 19. The exact shape of the cross-section is designed to fit the portion of the frame 1 with which it engages and is located. In some examples, the seat/base 21 may further include an additional lip p ortion 17 which extends inwardly of the C- or U-shaped cross section.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the foam strip 9 is formed from an open cell polyurethane foam, which is impregnated with an acrylic-based, UV stabilised resin. Such a resin is provided to give the foam water repellent properties and may also include a fire retardant, thereby increasing the effectiveness and safety of the seal formed by the gasket 7. To provide a secure attachment, the foam strip 9 is generally adhered to the frame 1 or, where present, the seat/base portion 21 , in order that is does not move during repeated opening and closing of the door 3. With the foam strip 9 located with the frame 1 , the lip or plate portion 13 of the second member 1 1 , when in the first, closed position, engages and/or partially compresses the foam strip 9. This engagement consequently creates a substantially watertight seal around all four sides of the doorway, between the frame 1 and door 3, thereby providing a significantly improved seal / gasket 7 over what is currently available. When the lip or plate portion 13 disengages the first member 9, in the second position, the foam strip 9 subsequently expands back to a non-compressed or resting position. When compressed in the first position, the foam strip 9 may be compressed to less than half of its non-compressed / resting / expanded thickness. The compression, coupled with the water repellent properties of the foam strip 9, serve to provide a watertight seal prevent any ingress of water through the opening.

As described above, the first member 9, and base/ seat portion 21 , where provided, is shaped to fit the portion of the frame 1 in or with which it is located. The second member 1 1 is likewise shaped to fit the door 3 (or window, gate, barrier etc.) with which it is located. This may, however, vary depending on which side of the door 3 the member 1 1 is located, and also the type of door that it is to be provided with. In the examples shown in Figures la b, the second member 1 1 is shown having a substantially h- shaped cross-section when located on the hinge-side of the door 3. That is to say, the member 1 1 comprises a body 15, legs 25, and a lip or plate portion 13, extending outwardly therefrom, parallel to the legs 25 and which engages the foam strip 9. The lip /plate 13 may essentially be an extension of the body 15 in some embodiments. Where the second member 11 is located on sides of the door 3 away from the hinge 5, it may be provided having a sub stantially F-shaped cross-section, shown in Figures 2a b. Once again, the second member 11 comprises a body 15 and legs 25, however, the lip or plate portion 13’ is provided to extend outwardly therefrom at 90 degrees to the legs 25, wherein in this arrangement, the lip or plate portion 13’ engages the foam strip 9. The second member 11 is generally formed in such a way when it is to be located in or with uPVC doors or windows. The provision of legs 25 may aid the connection of the second member 11 to the door 3, but are not strictly necessary if the profile of the door 3 does not require it, and in some examples the second member 11 may be fixed to the door 3 via a nail or screw 31 , as shown in Figure 3. In other examples of the present invention, the second member 11 may be formed to be located on or with composite doors, windows or the like. In such arrangements, the second member 11 may be provided, in different parts of the door 3 such as the “hinge side” or the “lock side”, as a substantially flat member having a body portion and a lip portion which extends outwardly from the periphery of the door, as shown on the right hand side of Figure 4, which represents the “lock side”. In addition, for example, on the“hinge side”, that is the left hand side of the door 3 in Figure 4, the second member 11 may be formed having an L- shaped cross- section, wherein the body portion 15 is adhered, nailed, screwed or otherwise fixed to the door 3, and a lip or plate portion 13 extends outwardly therefrom at 90 degrees to the body 15. A further lip 27 may also be provided at the end of the plate portion 13, creating a zigzag, Z-type profile for the second member 1 1 , as shown in Figures 5a b. Any of these shaped cross-sections may be appropriate, depending on the side and location on the door the second member 1 1 is to be formed, as discussed above. For example, the L-shaped profile may be provided at the hinge-side of a composite door, and the substantially flat profile may be located in the sides away from the hinge (“lock side”,“threshold side” etc.) .

It will be understood that the sealing means / gasket 7 of the present invention may be provided to be retrofitted to existing doors, windows or other openings, or it may be formed integrally with newly built openings for structures such as re sidential and/or commercial buildings etc. , and an aspect of the present invention provides for such arrangements.