EP2466023B1

EP2466023B1 - Flat plate gutter

Info

Publication number: EP2466023B1
Application number: EP11192636.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jurgen Hendrik Peter Joseph Keizers
Original assignee: Easy Sanitary Solutions BV
Current assignee: Easy Sanitary Solutions BV
Priority date: 2010-12-16
Filing date: 2011-12-08
Publication date: 2022-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-08
Also published as: NL2005864C2; DK2466023T3; EP2466023A1

Description

The invention relates to a drain according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention relates more particularly to a drain for application in a sanitary space such as a shower space or bathroom. Water falling onto a floor can be collected via the drain and discharged via an outlet pipe.
Numerous drains are already known in this field, for example from EP 1782721 . Known for instance is a drain with a square inflow opening and an integrated siphon which must be incorporated in a floor. The thickness of the finishing layer, such as a tile layer, arranged over the floor has to be taken into account here. For a neat finish it is important that the finishing layer connects onto the upper edge of the inflow opening.
In addition to square drains, an elongate drain channel has been known for a number of years. Known drain channels are often provided with adjusting feet for setting the drain to a desired height, after which the floor is cast and the finishing layer arranged. Here too it is important that the upper edge of the drain channel eventually connects properly to the finishing layer.
In order to simplify correct connection of the upper edge of the drain channel to the finishing layer it is known to place in the drain channel an adjusting frame which, after the finishing layer has been arranged, can be adjusted in the height so that the upper edge of the adjusting frame connects to the surrounding finishing layer.
The drawback of these drain channels is that they must already be arranged in situ at an early stage. The drain channels must after all be already placed before the floor is cast. Due to this early placing of the drain channels there is a considerable chance of the drain channel being damaged during the further operations in and around the sanitary space. A sealing membrane optionally attached to the drain channel can thus also suffer premature damage. In addition, there is a chance that at the moment the drain channel is arranged it is not known for certain which finishing layer is going to be applied. The height of the drain channel and the position of the drain channel in the floor can hereby ultimately be found to be incorrect. Despite a great deal of attention being given to a correct positioning, it can often be the case that the pattern of the eventual finishing layer does not connect fully to the drain channel.
When a sanitary space is being renovated it is further difficult to modify the appearance of the existing drain because the drain is cast into the floor. When a square drain is present in the existing floor and an elongate drain channel is desired, the floor must be hacked away to make space for the new elongate drain channel.
The known drains, particularly the drain channels, generate sound due to water falling thereon, the sound easily travelling to adjacent spaces via the floor. Because the drains are incorporated in the floor, an unknown drain is difficult to insulate.
It is now an object of the invention to reduce or even obviate the above stated drawbacks.
This object is achieved with a drain according to claim 1.
The flat plate of the drain according to the invention provides for a watertight sealing of the underlying floor. The adapter provides for a suitable coupling of the outlet opening in the plate and an outlet pipe.
The flat plate can be arranged on an already cast or arranged floor. The finishing layer can then be arranged which reaches as far as the plate or even extends over a part of the flat plate. The exact placing of the finishing layer is hereby no longer defined by the placing of the drain.
The plate can be manufactured from stainless steel, ABS or a more flexible material such as vinyl, which is easy to clean.
In addition, the drain according to the invention can be arranged at any desired moment, and even immediately before the finishing layer is arranged. This minimizes the chance of damage to the drain.
The costs of manufacturing the drain according to the invention are moreover relatively low because usual folding and welding operations can be largely or wholly dispensed with.
The shape of the inflow opening can also be chosen at random. It is thus for instance possible to allow the water to flow to the outlet opening via the joints between the tiles. A recess can optionally be provided in the tile layer above the outlet opening.
The drain according to the invention comprises a frame such as a strip, skirting or profile for bounding an inflow opening, the frame being arranged on the flat plate. The frame can be placed loosely on the flat plate and forms a finish for the edges of the finishing layer. This frame can take any desired form, such as square, rectangular, irregular or round.
In another embodiment of the drain according to the invention at least one edge of the flat plate is folded to form a standing edge. This standing edge can lie against a wall but can also serve as finish for an edge of the finishing layer.
In yet another embodiment of the drain according to the invention an opening is arranged between two adjacent standing edges. It is precisely the characteristic of the invention that the drain does not form a watertight collecting container as in the prior art drains, but has only a flat plate which protects the underlying floor.
In the drain according to the invention a recessed zone is arranged in the flat plate in order to provide a slope toward the outlet opening. By arranging a small recess in the flat plate the falling water can be guided in the direction of the outlet opening. Even with the recess the flat plate is arranged on the underlying floor and incorporated within the thickness of the finishing layer. The space under the plate resulting from the recessed zone can be filled in simple manner with for instance a thicker layer of adhesive. When the finishing layer consists of a tile layer and an adhesive layer, the flat plate with optional recessed zone is then arranged within the adhesive layer. This adhesive layer is typically between 0 and 8 millimetres thick.
At least one edge of the recessed zone lies flush with the flat plate. The slope then runs downward from the general plane of the flat plate. At least one side of the recessed zone therefore lies in this general plane of the plate.
In another embodiment of the drain according to the invention the peripheral edge of the flat plate comprises a depending edge. The flat plate can support on the ground with this depending edge, which is advantageous when the plate is provided with a recessed zone.
The invention further comprises a combination of a drain according to the invention and a finishing layer such as a tile layer, wherein the finishing layer extends at least as far as the flat plate and wherein an inflow opening is formed in the finishing layer, which inflow opening is situated at least partially above the outlet opening.
The finishing layer preferably extends over a part of the flat plate, wherein the outlet opening remains at least partially clear.
Because the drain is formed solely by a flat plate, the finishing layer can be arranged as far as the flat plate or partially over the flat plate, depending for instance on how the finishing layer is positioned relative to surrounding walls. It is thus for instance possible to ensure that tiles need not be cut so that they can connect to the drain.
An embodiment of the combination according to the invention comprises a grating which is placed in the inflow opening in the finishing layer. This grating can be removable, although this is not essential. It is also possible to arrange a more tray-like insert part which fills the inflow opening as desired. This insert part can optionally further comprise a connection for allowing connection to a wall. It is optionally possible to shorten the grating so that the grating can be made to fit in simple manner during application of the finishing layer over the flat plate.
The flat plate can be provided on the underside with a rough layer, thereby improving the adhesion of the flat plate to the underlying floor.
A preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention comprises a watertight layer arranged under the flat plate of the drain and under the finishing layer. Although a cement floor is usually sufficiently watertight per se, especially in combination with a suitable finishing layer such as a tile layer, additional certainty is provided by arranging a watertight layer under the flat plate and finishing layer. The watertightness of the floor is thus guaranteed, even in the case of cracks in the finishing layer.
It is also possible to arrange the watertight layer partially over the flat plate. In addition, the edges of the flat plate can also be enclosed between two parts of the watertight layer.
The flat plate can optionally already be arranged on the watertight layer in the factory. This ensures a good adhesion of the flat plate to the watertight layer.
In addition, it is possible to apply to the flat plate an adhesive layer such as a butyl layer which is covered with foil. During mounting of the flat plate the foil is removed, after which a sealing membrane can be adhered to the plate. Owing to the form of the flat plate a considerably greater adhesive area to which the sealing membrane can be attached is present than is the case in usual drains with flanges.
Because the drain is formed by a flat plate, this flat plate can also be easily shaped to the curves of the floor. A drain can hereby be easily provided in floor parts which are not flat. If a frame for bounding the inflow opening is arranged on the flat plate, the underside of the frame can optionally be adjusted to a possible curve arranged in the flat plate. The frame hereby connects properly to the curve of the flat plate, while the upper edge of the frame can be flat.
It is also possible to shape the plate to a slope in the cement floor. When the cement floor has a slope on either side of a drain, the flat plate can be bent into a V-shape and thus connect to the slope in the cement floor. A finishing layer can then be arranged over the flat plate. The slope in the cement floor is optionally compensated by varying the thickness of adhesive for the finishing layer. These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view with exploded parts of a first embodiment of a combination according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment not according to the invention.
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment not according to the invention.
Figure 5 shows a top view of the embodiment according to figure 4.
Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment not according to the invention.
Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment not according to the invention.
Figure 1 shows a floor 1 in which a siphon 2 connected to an outlet pipe 3 is shown. Siphon 2 has an inflow opening 4.

A flat plate 5 with an outlet opening 6 lies on floor 1. Provided around outlet opening 6 is a recessed zone 7 through which falling water flows to outlet opening 6. Peripheral edge 8 of recessed zone 7 lies in the same plane as flat plate 5.
Outlet opening 6 of flat plate 5 is connected via a tubular adapter 9 to siphon 2. Tubular adapter 9 protrudes here into inflow opening 4 of siphon 2.
A frame 10 is further placed on flat plate 5. The exact position of this frame depends on tile layer 11, which is arranged partially over flat plate 5. Frame 10 provides for a finish of the visible edges of tile layer 11 and also defines an inflow opening of finishing layer 11.
Instead of a frame 10, a foam part can also be placed during arranging of tile layer 11. This foam part protects the underlying plate 5 and can be removed once tile layer 11 has been arranged. A grating can then be placed in the formed inflow opening.
Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the embodiment according to figure 1. It will be apparent from the cross-section that tubular adapter 9 protrudes into siphon 4. Provided here in siphon 4 is a groove 12 into which is placed a sealing ring 13. Provided on this sealing ring 13 is a sealing layer 14 which extends over the surface of floor 1 and runs under flat plate 5.
Flat plate 5 provides for a neat finish of the part not covered by finishing layer 11. In addition, flat plate 5 ensures that falling water flows to outlet opening 6.
A grating 15 which rests on flat plate 5 is further placed inside frame 10. Gating 15 is provided with inflow openings (not shown) through which water falling onto tile layer 11 can flow along frame 10 onto flat plate 5.
Figure 3 shows a second embodiment 20 not according to the invention. A flat plate 22 with an outlet opening 23 is arranged under a tile layer 21. This flat plate 22 has a standing edge 24 which lies against a wall 25.
A recess 26 is provided in tile layer 21, whereby outlet opening 27 remains clear so that water falling onto tile layer 21 can be collected and discharged.
Figure 4 shows a third embodiment 30 of the drain not according to the invention. Drain 30 has a flat plate 31 provided with a recessed zone 32. The peripheral edge of flat plate 31 is provided with a depending edge 33 with which flat plate 31 supports on cement floor 34.
A siphon 35 to which flat plate 31 is connected using adapter 36 is arranged in cement floor 34.
A tile layer 37 is arranged over flat plate 31. This tile layer 37 is adhered to cement floor 34 with an adhesive layer 38.
Figure 5 shows a top view of drain 30 according to figure 4. Flat plate 31 is shown with broken lines. Tiles 37 are placed over this flat plate 31. Tiles 37 are recessed around outlet opening 36. A part of the joints 39 between tiles 37 is further not grouted, whereby water can flow to outlet opening 36. Joints 40 are however grouted outside flat plate 31.
Figure 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a drain 50 not according to the invention with exploded parts.
A siphon 52 is arranged recessed into a cement floor 51. A recess 53 is provided in the surface of cement floor 51 for instance by placing a foam part during casting of the floor.
A sealing layer 54 is then arranged over cement floor 51. This sealing layer 54 is provided with a preformed part 55 which drops into recess 53. Further provided on sealing layer 53 is an outflow 56 with a sealing ring 57 which is inserted into siphon 52.
A flat plate 58 is then arranged over sealing layer 54. Recessed zone 59 of flat plate 58 falls at least partially into recess 53. A tubular adapter 60 protruding through sealing layer 54 into siphon 52 is further provided on flat plate 58.
A tile layer 61 is finally arranged as finish over flat plate 58.
Figure 7 shows a fifth embodiment 70 of the combination not according to the invention. In this combination a first outlet housing part 72 is arranged in a cement floor 71. A foam plate 73 is arranged on this cement floor 71. A second outlet housing part 74 is arranged in this foam plate 73. Arranged on the outer wall of second outlet housing part 74 is a screw thread 75 with which housing part 74 is screwed into foam plate 73.
Second housing part 74 protrudes into a sealing ring 76 arranged in first housing part 72. A siphon (not shown) can be arranged in outlet housing 72, 74.
The upper side of second housing part 74 is stepped so that a second sealing ring 77 is arranged therein. Adapter 78 of flat plate 79 arranged on foam plate 73 protrudes into this second sealing ring 77.
A desired finishing layer 80 can then be arranged over flat plate 79.

Claims

Drain, comprising:
- a flat plate (5) with an outlet opening (6), which flat plate (5) does not form a watertight collecting container, but protects an underlying floor (1);

- an adapter (9) arranged in the outlet opening (6) for connection to an outlet pipe (2, 3);

- a frame (10) for bounding an inflow opening, the frame (10) being arranged loosely on the flat plate (5), such that the exact placing of a finishing layer (11) is no longer defined by the placement of the drain,
characterized in that a slope toward the outlet opening (6) is provided in the flat plate (5) by a recessed zone (7), which slope runs downward from the general plane of the flat plate (5) and at least one edge of the recessed zone (7) lies flush with the flat plate (5).
Drain as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one edge of the flat plate is folded to form a standing edge.
Drain as claimed in claim 2, wherein an opening is arranged between two adjacent standing edges.
Drain as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral edge of the flat plate (5) comprises a depending edge.
Combination of a drain as claimed in any of the foregoing claims and a finishing layer (11) such as a tile layer, wherein the finishing layer (11) extends at least as far as the flat plate (5) and wherein an inflow opening is formed in the finishing layer (11), which inflow opening is situated at least partially above the outlet opening (6).
Combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein the finishing layer (11) extends over a part of the flat plate (5), wherein the outlet opening (2, 3) remains at least partially clear.
Combination as claimed in claim 5 or 6, comprising a grating which is placed in the inflow opening in the finishing layer (11).
Combination as claimed in any of the claims 5-7, comprising a watertight layer arranged under the flat plate (5) of the drain and under the finishing layer.