Integrated joint sealing system

Abstract

An integrated joint sealing system that is incorporated into the edges of a sheathing panel, which also may have a factory bonded weather resistive barrier. The edges of each panel are configured as a shiplap joint, or similarly functioning joint, that is present as either an overlap or underlap on each of the four panel edges. The arrangement of the joints are such that one edge will have an overlap and the opposite edge will have an underlap. A flexible gasket material (or materials) is factory applied to one or both sides (underlap and/or overlap) of the shiplap joint. This flexible gasket material, when overlapped with adjacent shiplap panels, provides a weather resistive seal to limit both water and air penetration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a self-sealing panel product, comprising:
 providing a panel with a front face, a back face, first and second opposing edges, and third and fourth opposing edges;   machining a first joint section in the first edge and third edge, said first joint section comprising a plurality of faces;   machining a second joint section in the first edge and third edge, said second joint section comprising a plurality of faces, wherein the second joint section and the first joint section are configured to mate and form a joint;   bonding, in a factory, a first self-sealing material to and completely covering a first face of the plurality of faces of the first joint sections;   bonding, in a factory, a second self-sealing material to and completely covering a first face of the plurality of faces of the second joint sections;   affixing, in a factory, a first gasket to a second face of the plurality of faces of the first joint section;   wherein first self-sealing material and the second self-sealing material form a water-resistant and air-resistant bond when placed in contact.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first joint section is a shiplap joint overlap section and the second joint section comprises a shiplap joint underlap section. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first self-sealing material and the second self-sealing material are the same. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of bonding, at a factory, a portion of the front face adjacent to the first edge and the third edge with a third self-sealing material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further wherein the first, second, and third self-sealing materials are the same. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first self-sealing material is different from the second self-sealing material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further wherein the first self-sealing material is the same as and contiguous with the third self-sealing material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first self-sealing material comprises one or more of rubber, silicone, polyurethane foam, urethane foam, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate, and polyvinyl ester. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying a weather resistive barrier to the front face. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first self-sealing material is configured to seal the head and shaft of metal fasteners penetrating through the first self-sealing material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of sheathing panels are wall panels. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of sheathing panels are roofing panels. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising affixing, in a factory, a second gasket to a second face of the plurality of faces of the second joint section. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said first gasket and said second gasket form a water-resistant and air-resistant bond when placed in contact with each other. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first gasket is compressible. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second gasket is compressible.