Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to method and a kit for fusing a membrane to a base surface or to other membranes for sealing a junction forming part of a base of a construction to prevent radon permeation into the construction.

Background of the Invention

It is well-known that constructions must be sealed at the roofing to ensure that it is waterproof thereby protecting the interior construction. However, depending on the location of the construction it may also need sealing at the base, to prevent radon from permeating into the construction through small cracks and crevices.

Polyisobutylene has been used as a roofing membrane for many years due to its durability and waterproofing quality. However, polyisobutylene is also gas impermeable to gas diffusion, for this reason it can also be used as a radon barrier.

Present day methods for sealing junctions in roofing such as chimneys, ventilation pipes, exhaust ducts, often utilize polyisobutylene membranes, where a 5 cm overlap between the edges of the membranes is heated with a heat gun and pressed together, thereby fusing the membranes together in the overlap. With present day methods for sealing roofs, it takes approximately 25-30 minutes to seal one corner.

Sealing a base to prevent permeation of radon into a construction requires great precision when installing the radon membrane, so that there are no cracks or leaky joints that can reduce or compromise the membrane's airtight properties. The efficiency of the radon membrane depends on the ability of the membrane to close tightly especially in junctions such as corners and around pipes or the like. Present day methods for sealing junctions in the base of a construction to prevent radon permeation use aluminum foil, and it takes approximately 30-40 minutes to ensure a gas tight seal of one corner.

The problem with present day methods for sealing junctions in a construction against radon permeation is that they are time consuming and thus costly to install. Another problem is that it is difficult to obtain gas impermeable membrane joints in junctions.

There is a need in the art for a method and a kit for sealing junctions such as corners and pipe outlets in the base of a construction that is simple, fast, and thus cost efficient. Furthermore, there is a need for a method that provides gas impermeable membrane joints in junctions.

US 2020/0370267 describes a method for vapor mitigation in the construction of a building, the building having a foundation wall having an inner and an outer surface, and a footing, said method comprising: installing a vapor mitigation apparatus in close abutment with the foundation wall and the footing, said vertical member having a first end located proximate to the footing and a second end, and an inner surface facing away from the foundation wall, and an outer surface facing the foundation wall, a horizontal foot located at the first end of the vertical member wherein the horizontal foot is configured to rest upon the footing; and a plastic sheeting or membrane having upper and lower edges attached at the upper edge to the vertical member; and sealing and securing the vertical member to the foundation wall; and placing a gas membrane over at least a portion of the footing; and sealing the lower edge of the plastic sheeting or membrane to the gas membrane.

EP 2636800 describes a kit comprising an arrangement for inhibiting ingress of radon into a building. The kit can comprise a first amount of pipe elements for constituting a suction duct, a second amount of pipe elements for constituting a discharge duct, at least one socket for joining a pipe element to another pipe element, the first amount of pipe elements, the second amount of pipe elements and the at least sone socket satisfying the need of a radon well of a typical building,

Object of the Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a kit for fusing a membrane to a base surface or to other membranes for sealing a junction forming part of a base of a construction to prevent radon permeation, that easily, quickly, and cost-efficiently fuses membranes together or fuses membranes together with a base surface in a radon impermeable fusion to seal the junctions.

Description of the Invention

An object of the invention is achieved by a method for fusing a membrane to a base surface or to other membranes for sealing a junction forming part of a base of a construction to prevent radon permeation. The method comprises steps of

- cutting the membrane comprising a membrane surface into one or more membrane pieces fitted for the junction having a junction structure, wherein the membrane comprises of polyisobutylene,

- adjusting the one or more membrane pieces to shape the junction structure, wherein an overlap comprising two facing surfaces is established between each adjacent membrane piece or between the membrane piece and the base surface,

- applying a solvent to at least one of the membrane surfaces engaging in the overlap, wherein the solvent partly dissolves the surface,

- pressing the overlapping surfaces together, wherein the one or more membrane pieces fuse together or the membrane piece and the base surface fuse together.

The junctions may be inside corners, outside corners, pipe outlets, wires, and/or cables which may be the most difficult and time-consuming to seal and to ensure are gas impermeable in a construction. However, with the method of the present invention such junctions may be sealed within a few minutes rather than the 30-45 minutes it takes for prior art methods.

The construction may be any construction having a base located in an area with radon in the subsoil. Radon being a radioactive gas that permeates from the ground through small cracks and cervices in the base of a construction. Here it is important to provide a gas impermeable membrane at the base of a construction to prevent radon from permeating into the construction. The construction may further be a closed construction, where permeated radon gas can be trapped and build up in concentration.

It is desirable to seal the base of a construction that is in contact with the ground, as radon emerges from the subsoil. Thus, the base may be under the flooring of a house, a basement, a bathroom, or the ground floor of a building. The base surface is the surface of the base surrounding the junction, and it may be a structured and/or rough surface that comprises small openings such as pores and/or cracks and/or crevices, or it may be a smooth surface that forms small openings, when in contact with the solvent.

In some embodiments the base surface may comprise of wood or plastic.

The step of cutting the membrane may be a step of cutting the membrane into different shapes to fit different junction with different junction structure.

In some embodiments the step of cutting may be a step of providing pre-cut membrane pieces for standard junctions, where the membrane pieces have been cut elsewhere at an earlier time.

The membrane is a polyisobutylene membrane that is viscoelastic and impermeable to gas diffusion. Having viscoelastic properties enables the membrane to be deformed in order to shape around a junction and return to its original state afterward. The polyisobutylene membrane is thus highly flexible.

The polyisobutylene membrane may comprise a layer of polyisobutylene.

Being impermeable to gas diffusion further entails that the polyisobutylene membrane is impermeable to radon, thereby making it an efficient radon barrier.

An advantage of polyisobutylene is that it is a more efficient radon barrier than the aluminum foil used in prior art methods for sealing junctions to prevent radon permeation. Furthermore, the solvent ensures a fusing between the two different layers with great radon blocking power.

The membrane may comprise a front and a back membrane surface, where the back membrane surface may be coated with an adhesive. This allows the membrane to adhere to the junction, when installed.

The step of adjusting the membrane pieces to shape the junction structure may be a step of placing the membrane pieces in the correct configuration to shape the junction structure, and it may further be a step of establishing an overlap between adjacent membrane pieces, wherein a surface of a membrane piece faces a surface of an adjacent membrane piece, or establishing an overlap between the membrane piece and the base surface, wherein a surface of a membrane piece faces the base surface. The facing surfaces in the overlap may be the front and/or the back membrane surfaces.

The overlap may have a width of 1 -4 cm or 1 -3 cm or 1 .5-2 cm.

In some embodiments the overlap between adjacent membrane pieces may be a membrane piece overlapping with itself.

For example, a membrane may be cut into a circle with one slit along the radius of the circle for junctions such as inside and outside corners, here the front and back membrane surface may be adjusted to overlap at the slit, thereby forming a cone, where the front membrane surface constitutes the inside of the cone for the inside corner and the outside of the cone for the outside corner. A smaller circular membrane piece may also be cut and placed on the tip of the cone, thereby ensuring that the tip is sealed. Furthermore, the cone can be shaped on site fast and efficiently, thereby space is saved as a cone has a larger volume than a flat piece of membrane.

Another example is for junctions such as pipe outlets, where a membrane may be cut into a circle or another geometric shape such as a square. The membrane is further cut with an inner circle cut out, so that the membrane piece becomes a membrane ring. The purpose of the inner circle is to surround a pipe outlet and that is why the inner circle is a circle as most pipe outlets are circular, however the inner circle could be in another shape to accommodate to the circumference of the pipe outlet. The diameter of the inner circle may be substantially equal to the diameter of the pipe outlet, or the diameter of the inner circle is slightly less than the diameter of the pipe outlet since the membrane is stretchable, and the membrane will stretch around the pipe outlet and this will create a stronger radon blocking power. An opening may be cut along the radius of the membrane ring allowing the membrane ring to be wrapped around a pipe outlet. Here the front and back membrane surface of the membrane ring may be adjusted to overlap at the opening, thereby tightening the membrane ring around and sealing the pipe outlet. Furthermore, the membrane ring may be cut on site fast and efficiently, thereby ensuring that the membrane ring fit a specific pipe outlet.

A third example is for junctions such as wires or cables, where a membrane may be cut into a circle or another geometric shape such as a square. The membrane has one slit substantially along the radius of the circle. Here the front and back membrane surface of the membrane ring may be adjusted to overlap at the slit, thereby tightening the membrane around and sealing the wire or cable junction. This is also shown in figure 5.

For all three examples an additional overlap may be established between the membrane piece and the base surface surrounding the junctions. Thereby sealing the junction at the base surface as well.

The step of applying may be a step of applying a solvent to at least one of the membrane surfaces engaging in the overlap to partly dissolve the surface. Thereby making the membrane surface tacky and the surfaces fuse together when the solvent dry off.

In some embodiments the step of applying may be a step of applying solvent to both membrane surfaces engaging in the overlap. Thereby both membrane surfaces become tacky and a stronger fusion between the two membrane pieces may be obtained.

The step of applying may be a step of solvent-welding the joints between the membrane pieces or between the membrane piece and the base surface. Thereby welding the membrane pieces together or the membrane piece and the base surface together.

In some embodiments the partly dissolved membrane surface may fuse into the openings of the base surface. Thereby creating a strong radon impermeable fusion between the membrane piece and the base surface.

In some embodiments the solvent may also partly dissolve or perforate the base surface. Thereby creating openings in the base surface that the partly dissolved membrane piece can fuse into and create a strong radon impermeable fusion between the membrane piece and the base surface.

The solvent may be any solvent capable of dissolving the membrane surface. The solve may further be a fast-evaporating solvent, thereby decreasing the fusion time.

The solvent may be aliphatic hydrocarbons, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, THF, dioxane, aliphatic ethers, anisole, higher esters, higher alcohols, p, p-dichlorodiethyl ether, carbon disulfide, ethylsulfide. The solvent may be heptane which has proven to be particularly good at dissolving the membrane surface of a polyisobutylene membrane while evaporating fast enough for the fusion between the membrane pieces or between the membrane piece and the base surface to occur within one minute.

The fusion of membrane pieces using a solvent may only take one minute. Thereby significantly reducing the time it takes to seal a corner compared to prior art method that uses heat to fuse the membrane pieces, where sealing a corner takes approximately 25-30 minutes.

An advantage of using solvent to fuse the membrane pieces compared to heat which is used in prior at methods, is that it is faster, and a stronger fusion of the membrane pieces may be obtained.

The greater the overlap between the membrane pieces the greater the strength of the fusion. And the greater the overlap between the membrane piece and the base surface the greater the strength of the fusion.

The step of pressing may be a step of applying pressure to the overlap after applying the solvent. An advantage of this is that the compressive force ensures a complete engagement between the two surfaces and thus provides a stronger fusion of the membrane pieces or the membrane piece and the base surface.

The pressure may further ensure a tight fusion between the two surfaces engaging in the overlap, where potential gaps, leaks, crevices etc. in the fusion are removed. Thereby providing a radon impermeable fusion.

In some embodiments the step of pressing may be a step of rolling, where a handheld roller is used to apply pressure to the overlap. Thereby pressing the membrane pieces or the membrane piece and the base surface together by a roll pressure. An advantage of this is that by applying a roll pressure any present air-blisters, gaps, leaks, crevices etc. are pressed out of the fusion. An advantage of the method is that sealing of junctions in the base of a construction to prevent radon permeation can be performed in an easy, fast, and thus cost-efficient manner.

In an aspect of the method, the junction may be an inside corner or an outside corner or a pipe outlet or a wire or a cable.

Junctions such as inside corners, outside corner and pipe outlet may be the most difficult and time-consuming to seal and to ensure are gas impermeable, as they often require that the membrane contains joints, which are difficult to get gas impermeable.

In an aspect of the method, the solvent may be heptane.

An advantage of this is that heptane quickly dissolves the membrane surface and quickly evaporates from the surface. Thereby ensuring that the solvent does not keep dissolving the membrane causing its failure.

The fusion of membrane pieces using heptane may only take one minute. Thereby significantly reducing the time it takes to seal a corner compared to the prior art method that uses heat to fuse the membrane pieces, where sealing a corner takes approximately 25-30 minutes.

In an aspect of the method, the step of applying may be a step of spraying the solvent onto at least one of the membrane surfaces engaging in the overlap.

Thereby an even and thin layer of solvent is applied on the membrane surface, that is sufficient to partly dissolve the membrane surface and dry off, thereby creating a strong fusion of the two surfaces engaging in the overlap. This is an advantage, since too much solvent can cause premature failure of the membrane as excess of solvent may continue to dissolve the membrane long after the fusion has been made.

In some embodiments the step of spraying may be a step of spraying solvent to both membrane surfaces engaging in the overlap. Thereby a stronger fusion between the two membrane pieces may be obtained. An object of the invention is achieved by a kit for fusing a membrane to a base surface or to other membranes for sealing a junction forming part of a base of a construction to prevent radon permeation. The kit comprises

- a cutting device configured for cutting the membrane comprising a membrane surface into one or more membrane pieces fitted for the junction having a junction structure,

- a solvent capable of dissolving the membrane surface of the membrane,

- an applicator configured for applying the solvent to at least one of the membrane pieces engaging in an overlap established between each adjacent membrane piece or between the membrane piece and the base surface.

The junctions may be inside corners, outside corners, pipe outlets, wires, and/or cables which may be the most difficult and time-consuming to seal and to ensure are gas impermeable in a construction. However, with the method of the present invention such junctions may be sealed within a few minutes rather than the 30-45 minutes it takes for prior art methods.

The construction may be any construction having a base located in an area with radon in the subsoil. Radon being a radioactive gas that permeates from the ground through small cracks and cervices in the base of a construction. Here it is important to provide a gas impermeable membrane at the base of a construction to prevent radon from permeating into the construction. The construction may further be a closed construction, where permeated radon gas can be trapped and build up in concentration.

It is desirable to seal the base of a construction that is in contact with the ground, as radon emerges from the subsoil. Thus, the base may be under the flooring of a house, a basement, a bathroom, or the ground floor of a building.

The base surface is the surface of the base surrounding the junction, and it may be a structured or rough surface that comprises small openings such as pores and/or cracks and/or crevices, or it may be a smooth surface that forms small openings, when in contact with the solvent.

In some embodiments the base surface may comprise of wood or plastic. The cutting device may be a scissor or a knife. Thereby, the membrane can be cut into membrane pieces of different shapes to fit different junction with different junction structure.

The membrane may be a polyisobutylene membrane that is viscoelastic and impermeable to gas diffusion. Having viscoelastic properties enables the membrane to be deformed in order to shape around a junction and return to its original state afterward. The polyisobutylene membrane is thus highly flexible.

The solvent may be any solvent capable of dissolving the membrane surface. The solvent may further be a fast-evaporating solvent, thereby decreasing the fusion time.

The solvent may be aliphatic hydrocarbons, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, THF, dioxane, aliphatic ethers, anisole, higher esters, higher alcohols, |3,p-dichlorodiethyl ether, carbon disulfide, ethylsulfide.

The solvent may be heptane which has proven to be particularly good at dissolving the membrane surface of a polyisobutylene membrane while evaporating fast enough for the fusion between the membrane pieces or between the membrane piece and the base surface to occur within one minute.

The applicator may be configured to apply a thin layer of solvent to the membrane piece engaging in the overlap, that is sufficient to partly dissolve the membrane surface and dry off, thereby creating a strong fusion of the overlapping membrane pieces or the overlapping membrane piece and base surface without excess solvent that may continue to dissolve the membrane after the fusion.

In an aspect of the kit, the solvent may be heptane.

An advantage of this is that heptane quickly dissolves the membrane surface and quickly evaporates from the surface. Thereby ensuring that the solvent does not keep dissolving the membrane causing its failure.

The fusion of membrane pieces using heptane may only take one minute. Thereby significantly reducing the time it takes to seal a corner compared to prior art method that uses heat to fuse the membrane pieces, where sealing a corner takes approximately 25-30 minutes.

In an aspect of the kit, the applicator may be a spray can.

Thereby an even and thin layer of solvent may be applied to the membrane piece engaging in the overlap, that is sufficient to partly dissolve the membrane surface and dry off, thereby creating a strong fusion between the overlapping membrane pieces or the membrane piece and the base surface without excess solvent that may continue to dissolve the membrane after the fusion. An advantage of this is that premature failure of the membrane due to continued dissolving is avoided.

In an aspect the kit may further comprise a pressing device configured for pressing the overlapping membrane pieces together or the membrane piece and the base surface together.

The pressing device may apply a pressure to the overlap after application of the solvent. An advantage of this is that the compressive force ensures a complete engagement between the overlapping membrane pieces or the overlapping membrane piece and base surface and thus provides a stronger fusion between them.

The pressing device may further ensure that potential gaps, leaks, crevices etc. in the fusion are removed. Thereby providing a radon impermeable fusion between the overlapping membrane pieces or the membrane piece and the base surface.

In some embodiments, the pressing device may be a handheld roller.

The handheld roller may apply a roll pressure to the overlap. Thereby pressing air blisters, gaps, leaks, crevices etc. out of the fusion.

An object of the invention is achieved by a radon proofed base comprising junctions sealed by the method according to anyone of claim 1 to 4.

Thereby obtaining a base that is impermeable to radon permeating from the subsoil below the base in an easy, fast and cost-efficient manner. Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be described in the figures, whereon:

Fig. 1 illustrates a method for fusing a membrane to a base surface or other mem- branes for sealing a junction forming part of a base of a construction to prevent radon permeation.

Fig. 2 illustrates the base of a construction with inside and outside corners sealed with a membrane.

Fig. 3 illustrates different views of membrane pieces engaging in an overlap. Fig. 4 illustrates a pipe outlet sealed with a membrane; and

Fig. 5 illustrates the sealing of a wire or a cable junction.

Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 illustrates a method 1000 for fusing a membrane 10 to a base surface 60 or other membranes 10 for sealing a junction forming part of base of construction 20 to prevent radon permeation. The method 1000 comprises a step of cutting 1100 a membrane 10 comprising a membrane surface 14 into membrane pieces 12 to fit a junction that has a junction structure. The membrane pieces 12 may be cut to fit junctions such as inside corners 22, outside corners 24, pipe outlets 26, wires 28 or cables 29 (figure 2,4, and 5), that form part of the base of the construction 20 (figure 2).

The base surface 60 is the surface of the base surrounding the junction, and it may be a structured or rough surface that comprises small openings such as pores and/or cracks and/or crevices, or it may be a smooth surface that forms small openings, when in contact with the solvent.

In some embodiments the base surface 60 may comprise of wood or plastic.

The membrane 10 is a polyisobutylene membrane 10 that is viscoelastic and impermeable to gas diffusion. Having viscoelastic properties enables the membrane to be deformed in order to shape around a junction and return to its original state afterwards. The polyisobutylene membrane 10 is thus highly flexible.

The polyisobutylene membrane 10 may comprise a layer of polyisobutylene.

Being impermeable to gas diffusion further entails that the polyisobutylene membrane 10 is impermeable to radon, thereby making it an efficient radon barrier.

After cutting 1100 the membrane 10 into membrane pieces 12, the membrane pieces 12 are adjusted 1200 to shape the junction structure, and an overlap 30 comprising two facing membrane surfaces 14 of the membrane pieces 12 is established between each adjacent membrane piece 12 (figure 3), or an overlap 30 between a membrane surface 12 and the base surface 60 is established, wherein the membrane surface 14 faces the base surface 60 (figure 5).

The step of adjusting 1200 the membrane pieces 12 to shape the junction structure may be a step of placing the membrane pieces 12 in the correct configuration to shape the junction structure, and it may further be a step of establishing an overlap 30 between adjacent membrane pieces 12, wherein a membrane surface 14 of a membrane piece 12 faces a membrane surface 14 of an adjacent membrane piece 12 (figure 3). The overlap 30 may have a width of 1 -4 cm or 1 -3 cm or 1 .5-2 cm.

In some embodiments the overlap 30 between adjacent membrane pieces 12 may be a membrane piece 12 overlapping with itself.

The step of adjusting 1200 is followed by a step of applying 1300, where a solvent is applied to at least one of the membrane surfaces 14 engaging in the overlap 30. The solvent then partly dissolves the membrane surface 14, thereby making the membrane surface 14 tacky and the overlapping membrane surfaces 14 fuse together when the solvent dries off.

In some embodiments the partly dissolved membrane surface 14 may fuse into the openings of the base surface 60. Thereby creating a strong radon impermeable fusion between the membrane piece 12 and the base surface 60.

In some embodiments the solvent may also partly dissolve or perforate the base surface 60. Thereby creating openings in the base surface 60 that the partly dissolved membrane piece 12 can fuse into and create a strong radon impermeable fusion between the membrane piece 12 and the base surface 60.

In some embodiments the step of applying 1300 may be a step of applying 1300 solvent to both membrane surfaces 14 engaging in the overlap 30. Thereby both membrane surfaces 14 become tacky and a stronger fusion between the two membrane pieces 12 may be obtained.

The solvent may be any solvent capable of dissolving the membrane surface 14 of the membrane 10. The solvent may further be a fast-evaporating solvent, thereby decreasing the fusion time.

The solvent may be aliphatic hydrocarbons, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, ar-omatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, THF, dioxane, aliphatic ethers, anisole, higher esters, higher alcohols, |3,p-dichlorodiethyl ether, carbon disulfide, ethylsulfide. The solvent may be heptane which has proven to be particularly good at dissolving the membrane surface 14 of a polyisobutylene membrane 10 while evaporating fast enough for the fusion between the membrane pieces 12 or between the membrane piece 12 and the base surface 60 to occur within one minute.

The step of applying 1300 the solvent may be a step of spraying the solvent onto at least one of the membrane surfaces 14 engaging in the overlap 30.

By spraying the solvent an even and thin layer of solvent is applied on the membrane surface 14, that is sufficient to partly dissolve the membrane surface 14 and dry off, thereby creating a strong fusion of the two surfaces engaging in an overlap 30.

Once the solvent has been applied the overlapping membrane pieces 12 or the overlapping membrane piece 12 and base surface 60 are pressed 1400 together, the compressive force ensures a complete engagement between the two surfaces during the fusion of the membrane pieces 12 or the membrane piece 12 and the base surface 60. The resulting fusion is radon impermeable and the fused membrane 10 seals the junction preventing radon permeation into the construction 20.

The pressure may ensure a tight fusion between the two membrane surfaces 14 or the membrane surface 12 and the base surface 60 engaging in an overlap 30, where potential gaps, leaks, crevices etc. in the fusion are removed.

The step of pressing 1400 the overlapping membrane pieces 12 or the overlapping membrane piece 12 and base surface 60 together may be a step of rolling, where a handheld roller may apply pressure to the overlap 30. Thereby pressing the membrane pieces 12 or membrane piece 12 and base surface 60 together by a roll pressure.

Figure 2 illustrates the base of a construction 20 with inside corners 22 and outside corners 24 sealed with a membrane 10.

The membrane 10 may comprise a front membrane surface 16 and a back membrane surface 18, where the back membrane surface 18 may be coated with an adhesive. This allows the membrane 10 to adhere to the junction, when installed. The two cones 40 are shown with a white foil which is removed before being applied to a surface. The colour of the foil is for illustrating purposes and could be any colour. The purpose of the foil is to prevent fusing during storage as otherwise stacked membranes could fuse during storage, which is obviously unwanted.

For inside corners 22, the membrane 10 may be cut into a membrane piece 12 that is a circle with one slit along the radius of the circle. The front and back membrane surfaces 16, 18 of the membrane piece 12 may be adjusted to overlap at the slit, thereby forming a cone 40, where the front membrane surface 16 constitutes the inside of the cone 40 and the back membrane surface 18 constitute the outside of the cone 40.

A circular membrane piece 42 smaller than the membrane piece 12 constituting the cone 40 may be cut and placed inside the tip of the cone 40. Fusing the circular membrane piece 42 to the tip of the cone 40 seals the tip.

For outside corners 24, the membrane 10 may be cut into a membrane piece 12 that is a circle with one slit along the radius of the circle. The front and back membrane surfaces 16, 18 of the membrane piece 12 may be adjusted to overlap at the slit, thereby forming a cone 40, where the front membrane surface 16 constitutes the outside of the cone 40 and the back membrane surface 18 constitute the inside of the cone 40.

A circular membrane piece 42 smaller than the membrane piece 12 constituting the cone 40 may be cut and placed on the tip of the cone 40. Fusing the circular membrane piece 42 to the tip of the cone 40 seals the tip.

Figure 3 illustrates different views of membrane pieces 12 engaging in an overlap 30.

Figure 3A illustrates a cone 40 for sealing corners 22, 24, where the membrane 10 may be cut into a membrane piece 12 that is a circle with one slit along the radius of the circle. The membrane 10 may comprise a front membrane surface 16 and a back membrane surface 18 of the membrane piece 12 (figure 2). The front membrane surface 16 at one side of the slit may engage in an overlap 30 with the back membrane surface 18 of the other side of the slit, thereby forming a cone 40. In this embodiment, the overlap 30 thus comprises of a membrane piece 12 overlapping with itself.

A circular membrane piece 42 that is smaller than the membrane piece 12 constituting the cone 40 may be placed on and fused with the tip of the cone 40 to seal the tip. Figure 3B and C illustrate a top and a side view of an overlap 30 between two adjacent membrane pieces 12 that both comprise a membrane surface 14.

An overlap 30 is established between the two adjacent membrane pieces 12, wherein the membrane surface 14 of one membrane piece 12 faces the membrane surface 14 of the adjacent membrane piece 12. The membrane piece 12 illustrated with a dotted line form the bottom of the overlap 30.

The overlap 30 may have a width of 1 -4 cm or 1 -3 cm or 1.5-2 cm. The greater the overlap 30 between the membrane pieces 12 the greater the strength of the fusion between the two.

The membrane 10 may comprise a front membrane surface 16 and a back membrane surface 18, where the back membrane surface may be coated with an adhesive (figure 2). Thus, the facing membrane surfaces 14 in the overlap 30 may be the front membrane surfaces 16 and/or the back membrane surfaces 18.

Figure 4 illustrates a pipe outlet 26 sealed with a membrane 10.

For pipe outlet 26, the membrane 10 may be cut into a membrane piece 12 that is a circle with an inner circle cut out, so that the membrane piece 12 is a membrane ring 50. The membrane ring 50 may be cut open, thereby creating an opening 52. This allows the membrane ring 50 to be wrapped around a pipe outlet 26.

An overlap 30 may be established at the opening 52 of the membrane ring 50, where the membrane ring 50 may overlap with itself, to seal the pipe outlet 26.

The membrane ring 50 may be wrapped around the pipe outlet 26 in an angle, to accommodate the junction structure of the pipe outlet 26 and ensure a tight seal of the pipe outlet 26.

The membrane 10 is equipped with a white foil. The colour of the foil is for illustrating purposes and could be any colour. The purpose of the foil is to prevent the membrane to fuse during storage as otherwise stacked membranes could fuse during storage, which is obviously unwanted. Figure 5 illustrates the sealing of a wire 28 or a cable 29 junction surrounded by a base surface 60. The base surface 60 may be a structured or rough surface that comprises small openings such as pores and/or cracks and/or crevices, or it may be a smooth surface that forms small openings, when in contact with the solvent.

In some embodiments the base surface 60 may comprise of wood or plastic. In figure 5 the illustrated base surface 60 is a vapour barrier made of a plastic material.

In figure 5A a membrane 10 may be cut into a membrane piece 12 that is a circle with a slit along the radius of the circle, and in figure 5B the membrane piece 12 is wrapped around the wire 28 or cable 29.

In figure 5C an overlap 30 is established along the slit, thereby tightening the membrane piece 12 around and sealing the wire 28 or cable 29 junction. Another overlap 30 is established between the membrane piece 12 and the base surface 60 all the way around the wire 28 or cable 29, thereby sealing the joint between the membrane piece 12 and the base surface 60.