GB2292683A - Bath resurfacing process - Google Patents

Abstract

A process of resurfacing a surround surface of a drain aperture of a washing or bathing receptacle (16) without replacement of an existing drain aperture assembly (10) comprising a drain pipe (11) and outwardly extending surround flange (12) includes the step of attaching an aperture fitting (21) having a central aperture (23) and a peripheral flange (22) to the drain aperture assembly (10) wherein the peripheral flange (22) is bonded to a mating surface (27) of the surround flange (12) of the drain pipe (11). <IMAGE>

Description

DRAIN APERTURES THIS INVENTION relates to drain apertures and, in particular, refers to a method of resurfacing surround surfaces of drain apertures of washing or bathing receptacles such as bath tubs, hand basins, sinks, washing troughs, washing tubs and the like.

Washing or bathing receptacles such as bath tubs are usually formed from metal to which has been applied a coating formed from vitreous or porcelain enamel which is a substantially vitreous or glassy inorganic coating bonded to the metal by fusion at a temperature above 425 or. Such enamel protects against corrosion and resists the attack of alkalis, acids and other chemicals and may also be used for decoration. Vitreous or porcelain enamel is a nonporous sanitary coating imparting no odours and tastes. Since this coating is entirely inorganic it does not serve as a feed stock for micro-organisms.Because of its sanitary aspects, its protective and strengthening function and its decorative character, vitreous or porcelain enamel has been adopted as a coating not only for washing and/or bathing receptacles but also laundry appliances, ranges and refrigerator liners. Opacifying agents such a titania, zirconia or molybdenum dioxide can be added to powdered glass which may form the base material for the vitreous or porcelain enamel. The process of enamelling the metal involves the fusing of powdered glass onto the metal surface. The powdered glass may be prepared by ball-milling a porcelain enamel glass engineered for specific properties. The resultant powder may be coated onto the base metal of the bath tub by an electrolytic or other suitable process.

It will be appreciated that after a period of time, the surface of the bath tub will become worn and stained due to the retention thereof of body fats, soap residue and other contaminants and thus may require resurfacing. The resurfacing process involves applying a suitable polymer to the existing enamel surface of the bath tub in its existing location without it being necessary to relocate the bath tub. In the resurfacing process, the existing enamel is initially cleaned with the application of detergent, primed with a suitable primer and the polymer sprayed onto the primed surface. The surface may then be baked for a long period of time (e.g. about 1 2 hours) by radiant heat before the re-surfacing process is complete.

However. in the conventional resurfacing process as described above, an existing drain aperture assembly comprising (i) a drain pipe and outwardly extending surround flange; and (ii) an attachment nut for attaching the drain pipe to the bath tub which attachment nut was screw threadedly attached to an external thread of the drain pipe in close abutment with an adjacent surface of the bath tub, was not replaced because the resurfacing process was carried out in situ. This created a problem because after the resurfacing process was completed, a top surface of the surround flange was usually worn and of an unsightly appearance and thus this substantially detracted from the overall appearance of the resurfaced bath tub which otherwise had a pleasing aesthetic appearance.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method which may alleviate the problem of the prior art discussed above.

The invention therefore provides a process of resurfacing a surround surface of a drain aperture of a washing or bathing receptacle without replacement of an existing drain aperture assembly comprising a drain pipe and outwardly extending surround flange which includes the step of attaching an aperture fitting having a central aperture and a peripheral flange to the drain aperture assembly wherein the peripheral flange is bonded to a mating surface of the surround flange of the drain pipe.

Usually the drain aperture assembly will also include appropriate attachment means for attachment of the drain pipe to the bath tub and, in one form, this may include an attachment nut or lock nut as described above.

The aperture fitting as well as having the peripheral flange may also include a downwardly extending projection which surrounds the central aperture. Preferably, the downwardly extending projection tapers inwardly from the peripheral flange of the aperture fitting before forming the central aperture. However, it will also be appreciated that, if required, the downwardly extending projection may also extend vertically downwardly from the peripheral flange.

The aperture fitting, if required, may also incorporate a filter member in the form of a grille or perforated metal plate to trap solids such as soap particles, locks of hair or other foreign articles from entering a waste conduit associated with the washing or bathing receptacle. Preferably, the grille or perforated metal plate is welded or otherwise integral with an internal surface of the downwardly extending projection.

The method of the invention may also utilise any suitable adhesive or bonding agent to bond the peripheral flange of the aperture fitting to the surround flange of the drain pipe and thus the adhesive may be in a liquid form or in the form of a tacky semi-solid.

Glues, cements or pastes therefore may be used or sealants. Reactive adhesives may be used such as acrylics, unsaturated polyesters and other monomer adhesives containing ethylenic unsaturation which cure by formation of free radicals when catalysed by peroxides and accelerated by metal-ion donors. Other examples of such adhesives include polysulphides, urethanes and silicones.

Reference may now be made to the attached drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment. In these drawings: FIG 1 represents a cross-sectional view of an existing or conventional drain aperture assembly of a bath tub incorporating an aperture fitting within the ambit of the invention; FIG 2 is a perspective view of the aperture fitting utilised in FIG 1; FIG 3 is an exploded view of a modified assembly of FIG FIG 4 represents a modified aperture fitting in accordance with the invention incorporating a grille member; and FIG 5 represents an exploded view of a drain aperture assembly incorporating the modified aperture fitting shown in FIG 4.

FIG 1 illustrates an existing drain aperture assembly 10 of a bath tub. The assembly 10 includes drain pipe 11, outwardly extending surround flange 12, external thread 13, lock nut or attachment nut 14 which is screw threadedly attached to external thread 13 at 15 and existing bath tub 16 which is sandwiched or interposed between lock nut 14 and surround flange 12. There is also provided grille 1 6A. Drain pipe 11 has a central drain passage 1 7 and is adapted for connection to a waste conduit (not shown) for transporting water away from bath tub 16. The drain passage 17 is tapered at 18 so as to releasably retain plug 19 which has a corresponding tapered surface 20.

The method of the invention involves the use of an aperture fitting 21 in the form of an insert in drain passage 17. Fitting 21 includes a peripheral flange 22, central aperture 23 and downwardly extending projection 24 having a continuous side wall 25 which is tapered inwardly towards the longitudinal axis 26 of drain passage 17.

The fitting 21 is bonded to outer or external surface 27 of drain pipe 11 by adhesive 28 to form a permanent connection. The top surface 29 of fitting 21 as well as outer surface 30 of projection 24 are each brightly polished or chromed so as to provide the existing drain aperture assembly 10 with an aesthetic appearance which will clearly match or be in accordance with the resurfaced appearance of bath tub 16.

In FIG 2, the aperture fitting 21 is shown in perspective.

In FIG 3, in relation to modified drain aperture assembly 10A, the plug 19 may also include a ring 31 through which a finger may be inserted. Grille 16A is shown separate from aperture fitting 21 and includes apertures 32. Drain pipe 11A includes a flange 12A located in recess 33 of bath 34.

In FIG 4, modified aperture fitting 21A is shown incorporating a bottom grille 35 having apertures 32 which may be utilised in conjunction with existing grille 16A.

In some cases, existing grille 1 6A may be removed from the drain pipe assembly 11 especially if it has a discoloured or unattractive appearance. This may be accomplished by any suitable cutting operation. The grille 35 may comprise any other suitable shape such as a series of parallel bars which still maintains an effective filtering function.

In FIG 5, modified aperture fitting 21A is shown for use in regard to drain pipe aperture assembly 10A in addition to existing grille 1 6A .

The method of the invention is particularly suitable for top class hotels offering "five star" accommodation whereby it has often been an annoying problem that after a bath tub or hand basin has been resurfaced in situ that the drain aperture still has a dirty or dull finish not in keeping with the resurfaced surround surface. The method of the invention substantially overcomes this problem.

The invention also includes within its scope the aperture fitting per se which has a tapered projection 24 for the purpose of retaining plug 19 as described above and optionally an inbuilt grille member as described above.

Claims (9)

1. A process of resurfacing a surround surface of a drain aperture of a washing or bathing receptacle without replacement of an existing drain aperture assembly comprising a drain pipe and outwardly extending surround flange which includes the step of attaching an aperture fitting having a central aperture and a peripheral flange to the drain aperture assembly wherein the peripheral flange is bonded to a mating surface of the surround flange of the drain pipe.

2. A process as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the aperture fitting also includes a downwardly extending projection which surrounds the central aperture.

3. A process as claimed in Claim 2. wherein the downwardly extending projection tapers inwardly from the peripheral flange of the aperture fitting before forming the central aperture.

4. A process of resurfacing a surround surface of a drain aperture of a washing or bathing receptacle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. An aperture fitting for use in the process of Claim 1 having a peripheral flange as well as a central aperture wherein there is also provided a downwardly extending projection which tapers inwardly from the peripheral flange before forming the central aperture.

6. An aperture fitting for use in the process of Claim 1 having a peripheral flange as well as a central aperture wherein there is also provided a downwardly extending projection incorporating a grille member.

7. An aperture fitting as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the downwardly extending projection tapers inwardly from the peripheral flange before forming the central aperture.

8. An aperture fitting as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the grille member is a plate welded or otherwise integral with or attached to an internal surface of the downwardly extending projection having a plurality of apertures.

9. An aperture fitting substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.