Flexible Toilet Seal Adaptable to Conduits of Different Size and Related Method

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a toilet seal that is adaptable to conduits of different size. In one embodiment, the seal includes an integral sealing element coupled to an end of the sleeve. A modular sealing element is further disposed about the integral sealing element. The modular sealing element and integral sealing element are removable to thereby adapt the seal to conduits of different size. In another embodiment, the seal includes a first integral sealing element coupled to an end of the sleeve. The seal further includes a second integral sealing element coupled to the first integral sealing element. The first and second integral sealing elements are removable to thereby adapt the seal to conduits of different size. Related methods are described.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to devices for connecting conduits, such as plumbing fixtures to waste drainpipes, and more particularly to a toilet seal.BACKGROUND[0002]Water closets, also called toilets, are waste disposal devices commonly installed in most bathrooms. These kinds of plumbing appliances generally include a water-storing receptacle called a water tank that is attached to a siphon seat-shaped bowl called a toilet bowl. Periodically, waste is removed from the toilet bowl by flushing, thereby allowing water to drain from the water tank through the toilet bowl and into a waste drainpipe. In such arrangements, the toilet bowl is typically connected to the waste drainpipe by fluid carrying conduits and the toilet bowl will sit flat on a floor and connect with a rigid water closet flange. The water closet flange in turn connects with conduits leading to a waste drainpipe.[0003]Conventional water closet flanges are often used with wax seals tha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure is about improving toilet seals and methods for installing them. The toilet seal has a sleeve with an outward-facing sealing element and an inward-facing sealing element. The sleeve is flexible enough to accommodate different types of plumbing fixture discharges and waste drainpipe outlets. The inwardly extending flexible lip provides a seal without the need for a separate gasket element. The flexible seal can be adapted for different conduit sizes by adding a modular sealing element or by detaching a portion of the sleeve. The technical effects of this invention are improved sealing, flexibility, and adaptability for different conduit sizes.

Problems solved by technology

Such seals can be unreliable because the seal connection is not strong enough to prevent leakage and associated odors, and oftentimes they can be expensive and inefficient due to delays in the installation process.

Also, conventional water closet flanges are fixed in diameter, and are thus unable to adapt to conduits of different size.

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