초록 ▼

The invention(s) disclosed herein include various panels, components of panels, partitions, systems, and/or methods that increase acoustic insulation by mitigating sound (e.g., before it enters an area and/or a room). For example, some embodiments include a movable partition that is comprised of a p

The invention(s) disclosed herein include various panels, components of panels, partitions, systems, and/or methods that increase acoustic insulation by mitigating sound (e.g., before it enters an area and/or a room). For example, some embodiments include a movable partition that is comprised of a plurality of panels that each hang from the ceiling, where the interface between two partitioned panels includes various gaskets, damping elements, and perforations that mitigate sound transmission from one side of the partition to the other. Other features of the partition (and panels that make up the partition) include upper and lower drops seals that in some embodiments have a labyrinth-like design and thus mitigate the flow of air between the partition and the ceiling/floor. Also, a membrane positioned inside the panel is disclosed that is especially effective at mitigating low frequency sound, for example.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave from a first side of at least two panels of the movable acoustic partition system towards a second side of the two panels, wherein each of the two panels is hangable between a first surface and a second surface as w

1. A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave from a first side of at least two panels of the movable acoustic partition system towards a second side of the two panels, wherein each of the two panels is hangable between a first surface and a second surface as well as movable between the first surface and the second surface via a connector, including: (i) a first panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a first panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the first panel that includes a first panel member;(2) a second end of the first panel; and,(3) a first panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the first panel;(b) a first panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion; and,(c) a first panel upper drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion;(ii) a second panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a second panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the second panel;(2) a second end of the second panel that includes a second panel member; and,(3) a second panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the second panel;(b) a second panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion; and,(c) a second panel upper drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion;(iii) a first gasket that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first gasket is connected to one of the two lower drop seals of the two panels;(iv) a second gasket that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second gasket is connected to one of the two upper drop seals of the two panels;(v) a third gasket that is connected to one of the body portions of the two panels;(vi) a fourth gasket that is connected to one of the body portions of the two panels;wherein when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion, (d) the first panel upper drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (e) the second panel upper drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion:(vii) the first gasket is positioned such that the first portion of the first gasket is in a lower passage, wherein the lower passage is between the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal;(viii) the first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the lower passage;(ix) the second gasket is positioned such that the first portion of the second gasket is in an upper passage, wherein the upper passage is between the first panel upper drop seal and the second panel upper drop seal;(x) the first portion of the second gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the upper passage;(xi) there is a passage between the first panel member of the first panel and the second panel member of the second panel;(xii) the third gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;(xiii) the fourth gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;(xiv) the second portion of the first gasket is positioned between the third and fourth gaskets;(xv) the second portion of the second gasket is positioned between the third and fourth gaskets; and,(xvi) there is a substantially airtight seal that at least partially includes the second portion of the first gasket, the second portion of the second gasket, the third gasket, the fourth gasket, the first panel member of the first panel, and the second panel member of the second panel, wherein the seal at least substantially impedes air from entering an area that is between the first panel member of the first panel and the second panel member of the second panel. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the two lower drop seals are in their respective extended positions, and (c) the two upper drop seals are in their respective extended positions: the area between the first panel member of the first panel and the second panel member of the second panel is a suction area, wherein the suction area is at least partially defined by the second portion of the first gasket, the second portion of the second gasket, the third gasket, the fourth gasket, the first panel member of the first panel, and the second panel member of the second panel. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the two lower drop seals are in their respective extended positions, and (c) the two upper drop seals are in their respective extended positions: (i) the second portion of the first gasket touches both the first and second panel members;(ii) the second portion of the second gasket touches both the first and second panel members;(iii) the first portion of the first gasket touches both the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal;(iv) the first portion of the second gasket touches both the first panel upper drop seal and the second panel upper drop seal;(v) the third gasket touches both the first and second panel members; and,(vi) the fourth gasket touches both the first and second panel members. 4. A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave from a first side of at least two panels of the movable acoustic partition system towards a second side of the two panels, wherein each of the two panels is hangable between a first surface and a second surface as well as movable between the first surface and the second surface via a connector, including: (i) a first panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a first panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the first panel that includes a first panel member;(2) a second end of the first panel; and,(3) a first panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the first panel; and,(b) a first panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion; and,(ii) a second panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a second panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the second panel;(2) a second end of the second panel that includes a second panel member; and,(3) a second panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the second panel; and(b) a second panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion; and,(iii) a first gasket that includes a first portion, wherein the first gasket is connected to one of the two lower drop seals of the two panels; and,wherein when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion:(iv) the first portion of the first gasket is positioned in a lower passage, wherein the lower passage is between the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal;(v) the first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the lower passage;(vi) there is a passage between the first panel member of the first panel and second panel member of the second panel;(vii) a third gasket, which is connected to one of the body portions of the two panels via a first connecting member and is positioned in the passage, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;(viii) a fourth gasket, which is connected to one of the body portions of the two panels via a second connecting member and is positioned in the passage, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;(ix) a fifth gasket, which is connected to the one of the body portions of the two panels to which the third gasket is connected and which is connected to the third gasket by the first connecting member, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage;(x) the fifth gasket is also a first portion of a first damping element that is able to damp vibration associated with the sound wave in one of the two panel members;(xi) a sixth gasket, which is connected to the one of the body portions of the two panels to which the fourth gasket is connected and which is connected to the fourth gasket by the second connecting member, impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage; and,(xii) the sixth gasket is also a first portion of a second damping element that is able to damp vibration associated with the sound wave in one of the two panel members. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: (i) the first connecting member is also a seventh gasket that impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage; and,(ii) the second connecting member is also an eighth gasket that impedes the flow of the sound wave via the passage. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein: (a) when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces but (b) prior to the two panels being positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: (i) neither the third gasket nor the fourth gasket touches either of the two panels; and,(ii) the two connecting members are in a first position; and,wherein after the two panels have been positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel:(i) the third and fourth gaskets touch both of the two panels; and,(ii) the two connecting members are in a second position. 7. A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave from a first side of at least two panels of the movable acoustic partition system towards a second side of the two panels, wherein each of the two panels is hangable between a first surface and a second surface as well as movable between the first surface and the second surface via a connector, including: (i) a first panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a first panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the first panel that includes a first panel member;(2) a second end of the first panel; and,(3) a first panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the first panel; and,(b) a first panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion; and,(ii) a second panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a second panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the second panel;(2) a second end of the second panel that includes a second panel member; and,(3) a second panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the second panel; and(b) a second panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion; and,(iii) a first gasket that includes a first portion, wherein the first gasket is connected to one of the two lower drop seals of the two panels;wherein when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion:(iv) the first portion of the first gasket is positioned in a lower passage, wherein the lower passage is between the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal;(v) the first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the lower passage; and,(vi) there is a passage between the first panel member of the first panel and second panel member of the second panel; and,further including:(vii) a first fastener that fastens the first panel member to a section of the first panel body portion; and,(viii) a damping element, wherein the first fastener essentially causes a portion of the damping element, which is sandwiched between a portion of the first panel member and the first panel body portion, to apply a pressure to the portion of the first panel member such that the pressure that is essentially applied by the portion of the damping element to the portion of the first panel member is able to at least alter a vibration, associated with the sound wave, that may occur in the first panel member. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: (i) another portion of the damping element applies another pressure to the portion of the first panel member;(ii) the portion of the first panel member is sandwiched between the portion of the damping element and the other portion of the damping element; and,(iii) the sandwich-like pressure collectively applied by the portion of the damping element and the other portion of the damping element to the portion of the first panel member is able to damp the vibration, associated with the sound wave, that may occur in the first panel member. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein: the fastener, and/or a second fastener, causes two portions of another damping element to apply another sandwich-like pressure to the section of the first panel body portion, wherein the other sandwich-like pressure applied by the two portions of the other damping element is able to damp a vibration, associated with the sound wave, that may occur in the section of the first panel body portion. 10. A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave from a first side of at least two panels of the movable acoustic partition system towards a second side of the two panels, wherein each of the two panels is hangable between a first surface and a second surface as well as movable between the first surface and the second surface via a connector, including: (i) a first panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a first panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the first panel that includes a first panel member;(2) a second end of the first panel; and,(3) a first panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the first panel; and,(b) a first panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion; and,(ii) a second panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a second panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the second panel;(2) a second end of the second panel that includes a second panel member; and,(3) a second panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the second panel; and(b) a second panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion; and,(iii) a first gasket that includes a first portion, wherein the first gasket is connected to one of the two lower drop seals of the two panels;wherein one of the two panel members of the two panels includes a perforated section that includes one or more perforations; and,wherein when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion:(iv) the first portion of the first gasket is positioned in a lower passage, wherein the lower passage is between the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal;(v) the first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the lower passage;(vi) there is a passage between the first panel member of the first panel and second panel member of the second panel; and,(vii) the perforated section enables a portion of the sound wave that may be in the passage to exit the passage via the perforated section, which, in effect, serves to impede the flow of the sound wave via the passage. 11. The system of claim 10, further including: a sound insulation area that is associated with the one of the two panel members (of the two panels) that includes the perforated section, wherein the sound insulation area contains a sound-absorbing material, and wherein: the perforated section is between the sound insulation area and the passage such that the portion of the sound wave that has exited the passage via the perforated section may be at least partially absorbed by the sound-absorbing material in the sound insulation area. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein: (i) the sound insulation area associated with the one of the two panels includes a first sound insulation area and a second sound insulation area; and,(ii) a membrane is positioned between the first sound insulation area and the second sound insulation area, wherein the membrane is one of: a mass loaded material, a non-mass loaded material, a polyurethane, and a bituminous reinforced material. 13. A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave from a first side of at least two panels of the movable acoustic partition system towards a second side of the two panels, wherein each of the two panels is hangable between a first surface and a second surface as well as movable between the first surface and the second surface via a connector, including: (i) a first panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a first panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the first panel that includes a first panel member;(2) a second end of the first panel; and,(3) a first panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the first panel; and,(b) a first panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion;(c) a first gasket that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first gasket is connected to the first panel lower drop seal; and,(ii) a second panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a second panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the second panel;(2) a second end of the second panel that includes a second panel member; and,(3) a second panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the second panel; and(b) a second panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion; and,wherein when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion:(iii) there is a passage between the first panel member of the first panel and the second panel member of the second panel;(iv) the first portion of the first gasket is positioned in a lower passage, wherein the lower passage is between the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal; and,(v) the first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the lower passage; and,wherein: (a) the first portion of the first gasket is hollow; and,(b) the second portion of the first gasket is hollow. 14. The system of 13, wherein: (a) when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and (b) as the two panels are positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second of the second panel: the hollow first portion of the first gasket and the hollow second portion of the first gasket enable air from the passage to flow from the passage through the hollow first portion of the first gasket and through the hollow second portion of the first gasket. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein: (a) when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and (b) as the two panels are being positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: the air from the passage is forced out of the passage through the hollow first portion of the first gasket and the hollow second portion of the first gasket. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: at least one of the two portions of the first gasket is of a compressed shape as a result of being compressed between the first panel and the second panel, wherein the compressed shape is different than a first shape the at least one of the two portions of the first gasket had (i) after the two panels have been hung between the two surfaces but (ii) prior to the two panels being positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: the compressed shape of the at least one of the two portions of the first gasket substantially prevents the forced-out air from reentering the passage via the first gasket, wherein the first shape of the at least one of the two portions of the first gasket would not be able to substantially prevent the forced-out air from reentering the passage via the first gasket. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: the compressed shape of the at least one of the two portions of the first gasket includes a first inner surface associated with the at least one of the two portions of the first gasket being adjacent to a second inner surface associated with the at least one of the two portions of the first gasket, wherein the first inner surface and the second inner surface are not adjacent when the at least one of the two portions of the first gasket is of the first shape. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: the second portion of the first gasket is positioned between (1) the first panel lower drop seal and (2) the second end of the second panel (of the second panel body portion). 20. The system of claim 19, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: the at least one of the two portions of the first gasket is the second portion of the first gasket. 21. The system of claim 13, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: the second portion of the first gasket is positioned between (1) the first panel lower drop seal and (2) the second end of the second panel (of the second panel body portion). 22. The system of claim 13, wherein when (a) the two panels have been hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: (i) at least a part of the first gasket is positioned in the passage; and,(ii) the first portion of the first gasket is positioned, at least partially, in a part of the lower passage that is below the passage. 23. A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave from a first side of at least two panels of the movable acoustic partition system towards a second side of the two panels, wherein each of the two panels is hangable between a first surface and a second surface as well as movable between the first surface and the second surface via a connector, including: (i) a first panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a first panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the first panel that includes a first panel member;(2) a second end of the first panel; and,(3) a first panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the first panel; and,(b) a first panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion;(c) a first gasket that includes a first portion, wherein the first gasket is connected to the first panel lower drop seal; and,(ii) a second panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a second panel body portion; (1) a first end of the second panel;(2) a second end of the second panel that includes a second panel member; and,(3) a second panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the second panel; and(b) a second panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion; and,wherein when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion:(iii) the first portion of the first gasket is positioned in a lower passage, wherein the lower passage is between the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal; and,(iv) the first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the lower passage; and,wherein: the first gasket includes a hollow portion. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein (a) when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and (b) before the two panels are positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: air is able is able to pass through the hollow portion. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: the hollow portion of the first gasket becomes compressed and, as a result of the two panels being positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, mitigates an ability of the passed-through air to pass back through the hollow portion of the first gasket, as compared to a relatively greater ability the passed-through air would otherwise have with respect to passing back through the hollow portion of the first gasket if not for the hollow portion of the first gasket having become compressed. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein when (a) the two panels have been hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: a second portion of the first gasket is positioned between (1) the first panel lower drop seal and (2) the second panel member (of the second panel body portion of the second panel). 27. A movable acoustic partition system that is able to impede a flow of a sound wave from a first side of at least two panels of the movable acoustic partition system towards a second side of the two panels, wherein each of the two panels is hangable between a first surface and a second surface as well as movable between the first surface and the second surface via a connector, including: (i) a first panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a first panel body portion that includes: (1) a first end of the first panel that includes a first panel member;(2) a second end of the first panel; and,(3) a first panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the first panel; and,(b) a first panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the first panel body portion;(c) a first gasket that includes a first portion, wherein the first gasket is connected to the first panel lower drop seal; and,(ii) a second panel of the at least two movable panels that includes: (a) a second panel body portion; (1) a first end of the second panel;(2) a second end of the second panel that includes a second panel member; and,(3) a second panel sound insulation area between the two ends of the second panel; and(b) a second panel lower drop seal that is positionable with respect to the second panel body portion; and,wherein when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in an extended position relative to the second panel body portion:(iii) there is a passage between the first panel member of the first panel and the second panel member of the second panel;(iv) the first portion of the first gasket is positioned in a lower passage, wherein the lower passage is between the first panel lower drop seal and the second panel lower drop seal; and,(v) the first portion of the first gasket impedes the flow of the sound wave via the lower passage; and,wherein: the first gasket includes a portion that enables air to pass at least partially through the portion of the first gasket. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein: (a) when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and (b) as the two panels are positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: the portion of the first gasket enables air from the passage to flow at least partially through the portion of the first gasket. 29. The system of claim 27, wherein: when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and (b) as the two panels are positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: air in the passage is forced to exit the passage through the portion of the first gasket. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein: (a) when the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and (b) as the two panels are positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel: air in the lower passage is forced to exit the lower passage through the portion of the first gasket. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: another portion of the first gasket at least substantially prevents air from entering at least a portion of the lower passage via flowing through the portion of the first gasket. 32. The system of claim 29, wherein: when (a) the two panels are hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: another portion of the first gasket at least substantially prevents air from entering the passage via flowing through the portion of the first gasket. 33. The system of claim 27, wherein when (a) the two panels have been hung between the two surfaces and positioned such that the first end of the first panel touches the second end of the second panel, (b) the first panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the first panel body portion, and (c) the second panel lower drop seal is in the extended position relative to the second panel body portion: a second portion of the first gasket is positioned between (1) the first panel lower drop seal and (2) the second panel member (of the second panel body portion of the second panel).