Frangible concrete-joint sealant package

Abstract

A frangible package containing sealant for sealing joints between adjacent construction panels or slabs composed of such materials as concrete, masonry units and curtain wall, includes an elongated tube-like bar having a pair of continuous lines of weakness extending longitudinally along its entire length on opposite sides thereof to enable the bar to be broken apart longitudinally along the lines and thus to release the joint sealant disposed within the hollow interior of the bar, and a pair of end walls for sealing the sealant within the bar. The bar is adapted to be fastened to and extend along the top edge of an expansion joint filler strip, and a pair of external up-turned flanges extending from opposite sides of the bottom portion of the package anchor it to the adjacent slabs after they are positioned on opposite sides of the package and strip so that the top portion of the package may be pulled away readily from its bottom portion leaving it in place to help support the sealant. A bottom wall of the bar is bowed inwardly throughout its length to cause the sealant to assume a complementary shape so that its advantageous shape facilitates its expansion and contraction. When the top portion of the package is separated from its bottom portion, the sealant flows into sealing engagement with the adjacent side edges of the slabs to seal the joint therebetween. When used to seal concrete joints, the top wall of the bar has an external flat surface to serve as a screed when finishing the adjacent concrete surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A frangible sealant .[.package.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.for joints between adjacent panels, comprises: .[.an.]. .Iadd.a one piece .Iaddend.elongated tube-like bar having a hollow interior extending throughout its length .Iadd., said bar having a top wall and a pair of parallel spaced-apart depending external flanges extending longitudinally throughout the length of said bar on opposite sides of the top wall to form an upper U-shaped portion and having a bottom wall and a second pair of parallel spaced-apart downwardly depending external flanges extending longitudinally throughout the length of said bar on opposite sides of the bottom wall to form a lower U-shaped portion below said upper portion, said bar .Iaddend.having a pair of continuous lines of weakened areas extending longitudinally along its entire length on opposite sides thereof to enable said bar to be broken apart longitudinally along said lines .Iadd.to separate said upper and lower portions; said bar being adapted to receive .Iaddend.   a concrete-joint sealant .[.disposed.]. within said hollow interior of said bar;   .[.a pair of end walls sealing said sealant within said bar,.]. and said .[.bar further including a.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.pair of parallel spaced-apart downwardly depending external flanges extending longitudinally throughout the length of said bar to .Iadd.receive .Iaddend.an expansion joint strip therebetween.   
     
     
       2. A frangible sealant .[.package.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.according to claim 1, wherein said panels are concrete slabs and said .[.cover.]. .Iadd.top wall .Iaddend.portion has an external flat surface to serve as a screed. 
     
     
       3. A frangible sealant .[.package.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.according to claim 1, wherein said bar includes a pair of up-turned external anchoring flanges extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of said bar .Iadd.from said second pair of parallel flanges..Iaddend. .[.4. A frangible sealant package according to claim 1, wherein said bar includes a channel-shaped cover portion and a bottom wall portion joined to said 
     
     
        cover portion at said lines of weakened areas..]. 5. A frangible sealant .[.package.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.according to claim .[.4,.]. .Iadd.1, .Iaddend.wherein the cross-sectional shape of said bottom wall is configured to be concave inwardly to cause the cross-sectional configuration of the underside portion of said sealant to assume a 
     
     
        complementary concave shape. 6. A frangible sealant package according to claim 5, wherein said interior of said bar is coated with a sealant 
     
     
        release agent. 7. A frangible sealant .[.package.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.according to claim 6, wherein said bar still further includes a pair of up-turned external anchoring flanges extending longitudinally 
     
     
        throughout the entire length of said bar. 8. A frangible sealant .[.package.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.according to claim 7, wherein said 
     
     
        weakened areas are die-cut lines. 9. A frangible sealant .[.package.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.according to claim .[.8,.]. .Iadd.2, .Iaddend.wherein said bar is composed of extruded plastic material. .Iadd. 10. A frangible sealant device for joints between adjacent panels, comprises: an elongated tube-like bar having a hollow interior extending throughout its length and having a pair of continuous lines of weakened areas extending longitudinally along its entire length on opposite sides thereof to enable said bar to be broken apart longitudinally along said lines; said bar being adapted to receive a concrete-joint sealant within said hollow interior of said bar; and said bar having a bottom wall, said bar including a pair of up-turned external anchoring flanges on opposite sides thereof near said bottom wall..Iaddend..Iadd. 11. A frangible sealant device according to claim 1, further including a pair of end walls for sealing said sealant within said bar to form a package..Iaddend..Iadd. 12. A frangible sealant device according to claim 11, wherein said bar includes a bottom wall, the cross-sectional shape of said bottom wall being configured inwardly to cause the cross-sectional configuration of the underside portion of said sealant to assume a complementary concave shape..Iaddend.