EP4093251A1

EP4093251A1 - Floor tile

Info

Publication number: EP4093251A1
Application number: EP21701026.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jurgen Hendrik Peter Joseph Keizers
Original assignee: Easy Sanitary Solutions BV
Current assignee: Easy Sanitary Solutions BV
Priority date: 2020-01-20
Filing date: 2021-01-18
Publication date: 2022-11-30
Also published as: NL2024703B1; WO2021150104A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor tile, such as a ceramic floor tile, for use in a sanitary space such as a shower space, which floor tile has a flat lower surface, a flat upper surface and an upright wall extending along the peripheral edge of the upper surface, wherein the flat upper surface is parallel to the flat lower surface, wherein the floor tile has a discharge channel, which discharge channel extends from the upper surface to at least the lower surface, wherein the upper edge of the upright wall lies in a first plane which forms an angle greater than 0° and smaller than 45° with the flat upper surface, wherein at least one point of the peripheral edge of the upper surface lies in the first plane.

Description

Floor tile

The invention relates to a floor tile, such as a ceramic floor tile, for use in a sanitary space such as a shower space.

The use of floor tiles, such as ceramic tiles, more particularly gres porcellanato tiles, for covering shower spaces is widely known. Several tiles, optionally cut to size, are usually used to cover the surface of the shower space and to provide a slope toward an outlet drain or shower drain.

EP 2343000 proposes a curved ceramic tile with which the surface of the shower space can be covered with one single tile and whereby a slope is provided at the same time. For this purpose the tile is provided with a bend, whereby two mutually adjacent surfaces are provided which lie at an angle. One of these two surfaces can thus be arranged horizontally, and the other of the two surfaces thereby has an incline which provides the slope.

For automatic production of ceramic tiles it is now essential that the lower surface of the tile is flat. The clay which has not yet hardened or been fired can hereby be transported in simple manner over a conveyor belt through a processing machine and kiln. When the lower surface of the tile is not flat, as in a bent tile as according to EP 2343000, the clay will slump and deform as a result of the transport over the conveyor belt, or the clay must be supported by a special mould, which in turn can have an adverse effect on the firing process.

Figure 5 of EP 2343000 shows an embodiment of the bent tile, wherein an obliquely inclining part is arranged inside a flat peripheral edge, as is an opening in which a shower drain is placed. In this embodiment there is no flat lower surface either, whereby the peripheral edge will begin to droop when the tile is passed through the usual machines unsupported. Adjusting the thickness of the tile, so that a flat lower surface is obtained, as suggested in EP 2343000, will result in differences in thickness in the tile as a result of the bend between the obliquely inclining part and the flat peripheral edge. These differences in thickness can result in stresses in the tile during the firing process, and cause a difference in thickness.

It is now an object of the invention to provide a floor tile wherein the above stated drawbacks are reduced or even obviated .

This object is achieved according to the invention with a floor tile for use in a sanitary space, such as a shower space, which floor tile has a flat lower surface, a flat upper surface and an upright wall extending along the peripheral edge of the upper surface, wherein the flat upper surface is parallel to the flat lower surface, wherein the floor tile has a discharge channel, which discharge channel extends from the upper surface to at least the lower surface, wherein the upper edge of the upright wall lies in a first plane which forms an angle greater than 0° and smaller than 45° with the flat upper surface .

At least one point of the peripheral edge of the upper surface preferably lies in the first plane.

The floor tile according to the invention has a flat lower surface, whereby it can be processed in simple manner and without deformations with existing machines, without deformations occurring. The floor tile further has a largely uniform thickness in that the lower surface and upper surface run parallel to each other. In addition, the thickness of the upright wall can be dimensioned such that no extreme stresses occur during the firing process of the tile.

The floor tile according to the invention can also be cast upside down in a mould in simple manner. This will automatically create the flat lower surface. It is not necessary here to form chambers, as is usual in porcelain shower trays. The floor tile can be cast in various materials, such as acrylic or polyester-based casting liquids, which create a material that is also referred to as a solid surface material.

Another advantage of the floor tile according to the invention is that the slope can be changed during manufacture with only small adjustments to the mould. The weight of the resulting floor tile therefore increases only very slightly when the slope is increased, since only the upright wall becomes slightly higher. When the slope is increased from 10 mm to 15 mm in a conventional tile, wherein the slope is cast into the tile, the thickness of this tile, and thereby its weight, also increases accordingly. In the floor tile according to the invention the upright walls need only be made higher, whereby the increase in weight is considerably smaller.

Because the first plane in which the upper edges of the upright wall lie lies at an angle to the upper surface, which in turn is parallel to the lower surface, a floor tile results which can be arranged on an inclining ground surface. This is necessary because the floor tile will not function when the floor tile is arranged on a horizontal surface. This is because water will then no longer flow toward the discharge opening.

When the incline of the ground surface is correct, the first plane, and thereby the upper edges of the upright wall, will come to lie horizontally. This latter has the advantage that a surrounding tile floor can easily connect with the upright wall, or that wall tiles can be arranged connecting directly with the upper edges of the upright wall, without oblique cuts.

Because the upper surface and lower surface are parallel to each other, this part has a uniform thickness and an walk- in edge is created, i.e. the side where no upright wall is present or where the at least one point of the peripheral edge of the upper surface lies, with a thickness corresponding with the thickness of the covering, such as tiles, of the surrounding floor. A sealing film, which is arranged under the covering of the surrounding floor, can hereby continue to a position under the floor tile according to the invention in simple manner.

The upright wall therefore preferably has a uniform thickness, which is preferably equal to the tile thickness of the wall tiles, particularly a thickness smaller than 1.5 cm.

It can further be advantageous to provide the transition from the upper surface to the upright wall as a curved surface, for instance partially cylindrical. Dirt is hereby less able to accumulate in the transition between upper surface and upright wall, and the transition is moreover easy to clean.

An advantage of the floor tile according to the invention is that the weight of the floor tile can remain relatively low. When a slope is for instance pressed into a slab of clay, the distance between the lower surface and the upper surface will increase and will not be uniform. This increases the weight as compared to the tile according to the invention. As already stated above, in the floor tile according to the invention only the upright walls need be made higher, while in a conventional tile the whole thickness of the tile must become greater.

Compared to a shower tray cast from ceramic material, manufacture of the floor tile according to the invention is considerably simpler. When casting a shower tray it will have to be cast upside down in order to provide chambers so as to thus keep the weight within somewhat reasonable limits.

In a preferred embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention the opening of the discharge channel in the upper surface lies adjacently of the part of the peripheral edge opposite the at least one point of the peripheral edge which lies in the first plane. Because the first plane runs away from the flat upper surface from the at least one point, the part of the peripheral edge lying opposite the at least one point will be the lowest point, toward which the water of a shower will flow, when the first plane is placed horizontally. All the water falling onto the floor tile will be able to be discharged reliably by arranging the opening of the discharge channel at the lowest point.

In an embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention the upright wall extends along at least two edges of the upper surface. It is possible here that there is an interruption in the upright wall, along which the discharge channel runs or along which wall tiles can run to the upper surface.

In another embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention the upright wall extends along only one edge of the upper surface and the height of the upright wall increases linearly along the relevant edge.

In such an embodiment the floor tile can for instance be placed in a corner of a sanitary space, wherein the wall tiles run down to the upper surface. The edge, which has a linearly increasing height and is thereby particularly wedge-shaped, can connect with a surrounding floor and thus provide for a finish between the sloping upper surface and the horizontal surrounding floor.

In a further embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention at least one side, of which the at least one point forms part, lies in the first plane. The direction of slope over the upper surface, formed after placing of the floor tile, will then lie at right angles to a side wall of the space, and it is possible to arrange an elongate opening in the floor tile, for instance lying against the upright side wall.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention the at least one point coincides with the peripheral edge of the floor tile. The slope of the upper surface of the floor tile will hereby run from the peripheral edge of the floor tile when the floor tile is arranged on a ground surface.

In yet another embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention a pattern of protrusions is arranged on the flat lower surface, wherein the protrusions have a uniform height so that the plane running through the tops of the protrusions is parallel to the flat lower surface.

This pattern of protrusions of uniform height provides for a reduction in friction in the manufacturing machines and contributes to a better adhesion of the floor tile to the ground surface. Such a pattern is also applied in known flat tiles.

In yet another embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention the lower surface is rectangular, particularly square.

In a further preferred embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention the size of the upper surface is at least 90% of the size of the lower surface. This means that in case of a 1 metre by 1 metre square floor tile the thickness of the upright walls is less than 5 cm. The thickness of the upright walls is preferably even less than 1.5 cm. By opting for such a thickness the upright walls connect flush with the thickness of the wall tiles which are arranged above the upright walls.

In yet another embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention a recessed zone is arranged in the upper surface around the opening of the discharge channel, which recessed zone is preferably elongate and is preferably arranged parallel to an edge of the upper surface. The recessed zone provides for an additional slope toward the opening of the discharge channel. This is particularly advantageous when the opening cannot extend along the whole width of the tile or when the opening cannot be arranged at the absolute lowest point of the floor tile after installation. Because the water can further accumulate in this recess, the water will spread over the surface of the floor tile less, which will result in a smaller pooling of water.

The upright walls preferably connect substantially perpendicularly to the peripheral edge of the lower surface. And the upright walls preferably define the outer dimensions of the floor tile.

A floor tile according to the invention is thus formed, wherein the upright walls define the outer sides of the floor tile.

The floor tile according to the invention can be embodied as ceramic tile, particularly a gres porcellanato, or be made of a plastic or a solid surface material, such as Corian.

The invention further relates to a combination of a floor tile according to the invention and a collecting tray having a bottom, an upright edge arranged around the periphery of the bottom, and a drain, wherein the collecting tray is arranged with the upright edge against the underside of the floor tile, around the opening of the discharge channel.

A peripheral flange, which is attached to the floor tile, is preferably arranged on the upright edge of the collecting tray. This peripheral flange can be wholly horizontal so that the collecting tray can be attached wholly against the underside of the floor tile. The peripheral flange can also be partially vertical and partially horizontal. With this variant the collecting tray can be attached partially against the underside and partially against the side of the floor tile.

These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention in perspective view.

Figure 2 shows the floor tile according to figure 1 in cross-sectional view.

Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of a combination according to the invention with a floor tile according to figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view with exploded parts of a second embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention.

Figures 7A and 7B show perspective views of a fifth embodiment of the floor tile according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the tile according to the invention.

Figure 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a floor tile 1 according to the invention. Floor tile 1 has a flat lower surface 2 and a flat upper surface 3, this being parallel to lower surface 2, whereby a uniform thickness is obtained. An upright wall 5 is arranged along the peripheral edge 4 of upper surface 3.

The upper edge of upright wall 5 lies in a first plane 6. The (in the drawing) front edge 4 of upper surface 3 lies in this first plane 6 and this first plane 6 forms an angle with the upper surface 3.

Further arranged in floor tile 1 is a discharge channel 7 which extends from upper surface 3 to lower surface 2.

Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of a combination according to the invention. This combination has a floor tile 1 according to figures 1 and 2 and a collecting tray with a bottom 8, an upright edge 9 and a drain 10. The combination is arranged on an inclining surface of a sub-floor 11 so that the first plane 6 of floor tile 1 is horizontal and whereby upper surface 3 forms a slope toward discharge channel 7 and water can be discharged via collecting tray 8, 9, 10.

Floor tile 1 connects flush with the tiles 12 of the surrounding flat floor and the wall tiles 13 can be placed on the upper edge of upright wall 5 without oblique cuts.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view with exploded parts of a second embodiment of the floor tile 20 according to the invention. This floor tile 20 is constructed from a square plate part 21 of uniform thickness and in which a recess 22 is provided for the discharge channel. Upright wall parts 23, 24, 25 are arranged along three sides of plate part 21. These wall parts 23, 24, 25 can for instance be arranged against plate part 21 by glueing so that a watertight connection between plate part 21 and wall parts 23, 24, 25 is obtained.

Floor tile 20 can be arranged on a sub-floor in similar manner as shown in figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a floor tile 30 according to the invention.

Floor tile 30 has a flat upper surface 31 and a flat lower surface 32, on which a pattern of protrusions 33 of uniform height is arranged. An upright wall 34 is further arranged around the peripheral edge of upper surface 31, wherein the upper edge of upright wall 34 lies in a first plane 35 which intersects the peripheral edge of upper surface 31 at point 36.

Floor tile 30 is further provided with a discharge channel 36, the opening of which is arranged in upper surface 31 in a recessed part 37 arranged in upper surface 31. It is hereby possible to arrange discharge channel 36 in floor tile 30 at a distance from upright wall 34.

Figure 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a floor tile 40 according to the invention. This floor tile 40 has a flat upper surface 41 and a flat lower surface 42 parallel thereto. Arranged around peripheral edge 43 is an upright wall 44, the height of which increases from point 45 to the highest point 46.

Further arranged in floor tile 40, in a corner of the upper surface, is a discharge channel 47. Because the height of peripheral edge 43 increases from point 45 to point 46, under which the discharge channel 47 is provided, a slope will be formed in the direction A from point 45 to discharge channel 47 when floor tile 40 is installed on a sub-floor.

This floor tile 40 can be arranged in similar manner as shown in figure 3.

Figures 7A and 7B show a fifth embodiment of the floor tile 50 according to the invention in perspective view.

Floor tile 50 has an upper surface 51 with an upright wall 53 along only one edge 52 of the periphery of upper surface 51. The height of this upright wall 53 increases linearly .

Floor tile 50 can be placed in a corner of a sanitary space so that wall tiles 54, 55 are able to stand on the upper surface 51. One edge 56 of upper surface 51 connects flush with the surrounding floor 57, while upper edge 58 likewise connects flush with the surrounding floor 57.

Figure 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the floor tile 60 according to the invention. Floor tile 60 has an upper surface

61. An upright wall 64 is arranged along at least two edges

62, 63. The upper edge of the upright wall lies in a plane which intersects the edge 65 of the upper surface 61 of floor tile 60.

Claims

1. Floor tile, such as a ceramic floor tile, for use in a sanitary space such as a shower space, which floor tile has a flat lower surface, a flat upper surface and an upright wall extending along the peripheral edge of the upper surface, wherein the flat upper surface is parallel to the flat lower surface, wherein the floor tile has a discharge channel, which discharge channel extends from the upper surface to at least the lower surface, wherein the upper edge of the upright wall lies in a first plane which forms an angle greater than 0° and smaller than 45° with the flat upper surface.

2. Floor tile according to claim 1, wherein at least one point of the peripheral edge of the upper surface lies in the first plane.

3. Floor tile according to claim 2, wherein at least one side, of which the at least one point forms part, lies in the first plane.

4. Floor tile according to claim 3, wherein the at least one point coincides with the peripheral edge of the floor tile.

5. Floor tile according to any one of the foregoing claims 2-4, wherein the opening of the discharge channel in the upper surface lies adjacently of the part of the peripheral edge opposite the at least one point of the peripheral edge which lies in the first plane.

6. Floor tile according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the upright wall extends along at least two edges of the upper surface.

7. Floor tile according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the upright wall extends along only one edge of the upper surface and wherein the height of the upright wall increases linearly along the relevant edge.

8. Floor tile according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein a pattern of protrusions is arranged on the flat lower surface, wherein the protrusions have a uniform height so that the plane running through the tops of the protrusions is parallel to the flat lower surface.

9. Floor tile according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the lower surface is rectangular, particularly square.

10. Floor tile according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the size of the upper surface is at least 90% of the size of the lower surface.

11. Floor tile according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein a recessed zone is arranged in the upper surface around the opening of the discharge channel, which recessed zone is preferably elongate and is preferably arranged parallel to an edge of the upper surface.

12. Floor tile according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the upright walls connect substantially perpendicularly to the peripheral edge of the lower surface.

13. Floor tile according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the upright walls define the outer dimensions of the floor tile.

14. Combination of a floor tile according to any one of the foregoing claims and a collecting tray having a bottom, an upright edge arranged around the periphery of the bottom, and a drain, wherein the collecting tray is arranged with the upright edge against the underside of the floor tile, around the opening of the discharge channel.

15. Combination according to claim 14, wherein a peripheral flange, which is attached to the floor tile, is arranged on the upright edge of the collecting tray.