GB2274859A - Plastic interface for use between ceramic tiling and substratum - Google Patents

Abstract

A plastic interface for use within the adhesive layer beneath ceramic tiling comprises a square module designed to be interlocked with the adjacent modules. (See PART SECTION BB) The plastic interface can be produced for example by vacuum forming. The interface incorporates ribs (3) to give a degree of rigidity holes (11) to enable the adhesive to flow through the holes so that the interface is mechanically held within the layer of adhesive. Each interface may comprise twenty five portion, each with surrounding ribs and a central hole (11) formed in an area (8) at a level between the crests and troughs of the ribs. <IMAGE>

Description

PLASTIC INTERFACE FOR USE BETWEEN CERAMIC TILES AND SUBSTRATUM This invention relates to a plastic interface or membrane for use between ceramic tiles and the substrate to which the tiles are to be fixed.

It is a well known fact that ceramic tiles have to be fixed to a stable surface if they are not to develop cracks either between the mating tiles or through the actual tiles themselves. This fault can occur either due to movement of the substratum surface or flexing of the substratum surface. The fault can also develop due to temperature and humidity changes.

There exists various designs manufactured from different materials but all of these products can possess deficiencies in application and performance.

According to the present invention there is provided a formed or shaped plastic interface that can be used between a substratum and the ceramic tile.

If the tile is to be fixed to a firm substratum such as concrete or brick, the tile can be fixed by the use of standard tile cement or adhesive without any reinforcement. There is no need for any supporting interface. It is well known that any cured cement without the inclusion of some reinforcement will crack when subjected to adverse stresses and movement. This cracking will either affect the actual tiles by allowing the tiles to crack across their faces or crack along the grouting between the tiles.

The present invention will give a high degree of stability to the adhesive when the plastic interface is positioned within the adhesive layer. The interface can be supplied in modules of for example 1/2 metre by 1/2 metre or can be available in any suitable size of sheet which would be compatible with the practical use when being installed.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1. shows four interface modules which by way of example are made up of twenty five smaller modules of a cross section as shown in part cross section AA. The larger modules are interlocked by a method shown in part cross section BB. This illustration shows how the interface is located between the tile adhesive.

Figure 2. shdws a more detailed form of the smaller modular form.

Figure 3. shows one larger module. The twenty five smaller modules are positioned as shown. Five of the smaller modules are shaped for example as shown in part cross section CC.It can be seen that this cross section of the module is different from the cross section AA as shown in figure 1. since this module is designed to receive a nail or fixing screw as shown. The five modules by way of example are positioned as shown in the plan view.

Figure 4. shows a variation of the interlocking arrangement. This is shown at part cross section DD. With this design -it is possible to produce the larger module having four identical sides and still ensure that these sides will interlock with the adjacent interface unit. To ensure that the interlocking is practical it is necessary to cut off the corners as shown.

Figure 5. shows a variation in design where the ribs or grooves between the small modules is reduced to one rib or groove. This ensures that the design gives the maximum area for the shaped holes that are cut out of the centre part of the small modules. This can be seen in the cross section EE.

Referring to the drawing figure 1. the general plan view of four modular interface units 1. are shown. Each unit 1. is built up from twenty five smaller forms 2. by way of example. Twenty forms have a cross section 3. as shown at AA. and five have cross sections as at 4. in section CC. in figure 3. These five forms are designed to receive the fixing nails or screws as shown in Section CC. figure 3.

Referring to the form as shown in part section AA, it can be seen that the sectional shape has channels 5. The plan view of this small module is shown in figure 2. By examining the plan view of the module in figure 2. it can be seen that the module comprises of the four troughs 5. four box like recesses 6. at each corner of the small module.

The centre square 7 has been designed to incorporate hole 8. The material around this hole is centrally spaced within the thickness of the modular form.

This hole allows the tile cement to flow through to the other side of the interface form thus ensuring that the interface is locked between the layer of cement.

It can be seen that a mechanical lock 11. is present at twenty places within each large module.

Part section BB. of figure 1. shows as typical method of interlocking the larger modules together.It is proposed to have two sides of the larger module with form 9 and two sides with form 10. The locking together of the larger modules will ensure that when the interlock is in place and surrounded by tile adhesive the whole floor area will effectively be one rigid construction Figure 3. shows the position of the small modules at the five points 13. where the fixing takes place. The section through this module design is shown at part section CC. This module design is similar to the form shown at section AA. but the centre square is at the lowest surface of the interface form to ensure that it makes a closer contact with the floor or substratum. This will prevent any distortion during fixing of nail or screw 12.

Figure 5. shows an alternative form for the small modules. Part section EE shows the groove 14 which is positioned around the perimeter of the large module.The section also outlines the shape of the small fixing module and the form of the other twenty small modules which are designed to provide the mechanical lock 11.

Claims (14)

1. A one piece plastic interface of square form where the square form is formed into smaller modules of for example twenty five whereby each small module is ribbed to increase the rigidity. In the centre of the small module there is a membrane situated midway between the thickness of the interface.

Such membrane has a hole over part of its surface thus ensuring that the interface can be locked within the adhesive layer.

2. A plastic interface of triangular form or other geometrical form which can be joined together without creating large gaps between the mating edges of each interface.

3. A plastic interface whereby the form is produced by vacuum forming.

4. A plastic interface whereby the form is produced by injection moulding.

5. A plastic interface whereby the small modules are of any other geometrical shape where this geometrical form can be linked together to form a rigid or near rigid sheet.

6. A plastic interface whereby the hole within the modules can be of any size or shape and not necessarily positioned midway between the thickness of the interface.

7. A plastic interface whereby many holes can be used and of any shape.

CLAIMS (continued)

8. A plastic interface whereby the small modules can have any shaped grooving or ribbing.

9. A plastic interface whereby the adjacent units are joined together by a vertical rib on one edge and on the adjacent edge of the next unit by a vertical groove. See cross section BB. on figure 1. The square or straight sided plastic interface will have one type of fixing on two sides and the other type of fixing on the other two side.

10. A plastic interface whereby the ribbing is of one geometrical form or multiples of any other geometrical form or random pattern.

11. A plastics interface whereby there exists a groove or rib around the whole perimeter. In the case of the square shaped plastic interface a rib or groove will be incorporated around all four sides.

12. A plastics interface whereby the corners are removed as shown in figure 4.

13. A plastic interface generally as shown in figure 5. where there is effectively only one rib or groove between the small modular form.

14. A plastic interface substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 5 of the accompanying drawings.