GB2386064A

GB2386064A - Shower tray sealing system

Info

Publication number: GB2386064A
Application number: GB0205287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Watson
Original assignee: Polypipe Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Polypipe Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2002-03-06
Filing date: 2002-03-06
Publication date: 2003-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-06
Also published as: GB0205287D0; GB2386064B

Abstract

A system for sealing between two members such as a shower tray 2 and upstanding wall 3, comprises a plurality of separate seal means 4, 5, at least one of which 4 is inserted between the members. Preferably at least one of the seal means 4 has a profile complementary in shape to a gap into which it is inserted, such as a wedge shape. One of the seal means may have a compression of approximately 50-60% in a lateral direction. Preferably a flexible self-adhesive membrane 8 is applied to the wall member above the seal means which may comprise a silicone seal. Tiles 12 maybe applied to the membrane above the shower tray. Also defined is a method of placing the seal, including the use of an insertion tool.

Description

A SEALING SYSTEM The invention relates to a sealing system, particularly to such a system for providing a seal between one member and an adjacent member, such as a shower tray and a wall.

It is often the case that a shower tray is not adequately sealed to a wall against which it abuts, especially a tiled wall. This is particularly so in the case of a newbuilt installation, where moisture intruding between the tiled wall and the shower tray can result in lifting of the tiles, with the result of carrying out the work again, with concomitant compensation often being payable. Prior proposals for effecting a seal have involved providing an integral upstand on or at an outermost top edge of the shower tray, but these require tiles to be laid over them, which can spoil the aesthetic effect desired, and in any event can lead to lifting of the tiles.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

'' 'u I- According to a first aspect-of the invention there is provided a system for providing a seal between one member and another adjacent member, comprising a plurality of separate seal means between the members, one of which at least is inserted between the members.

The at least one seal means may have a profile complementary in shape to a gap into which it is inserted between the two members. This provides for ease of insertion and sealing effect.

The at least one seal means may comprise a wedge shape. This provides for insertion in a normally wedge-shaped gap between the members.

The at least one seal means may have a maximum compression of about 60% as considered laterally, the compression preferably being approximately 50%. This provides for a firm and effective seal with no paths for moisture between the members.

There may be a membrane applied to the said adjacent member above the at least one seal means. This provides for a base for tiles, and the membrane may preferably comprise a flexible self-adhesive membrane.

The other seal means may comprise a silicone seal. This provides an effective seal at an edge of the one member, between that member and the adjacent member, particularly when the one member and the adjacent member may comprise respectively a shower tray and a wall of a shower.

There may be tiles applied to the membrane above the shower tray.

This provides for ease of installation.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing a seal between one member and another adjacent member, comprising providing a plurality of separate seal means, and inserting at least one of the seal means between the two members. The method may comprise providing the at least one seal means as a seal of complementary shape to a gap between the two members, and inserting the seal means into the gap with a tool. This provides for a positive insertion, and effective seal.

The method may comprise applying to the adjacent member a membrane prior to inserting the seal means.

A system and method of providing a seal between one member and any adjacent member in the form of a shower tray and wall respectively are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1-4 show schematically in side elevation steps in applying the system and carrying out a method according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a system 1 for providing a seal between one member 2 such as a shower tray and another adjacent member, such as an upstanding wall 3, against which the shower tray 2 is installed in general abutment therewith, the system 1 comprising a plurality of separate seal means 4,5 between the shower tray 2 and wall 3, one of which seal means 4 at least is inserted between the shower tray and the wall.

As shown in the drawings, the shower tray 2 has a perimeter wall 6 of inverted generally"U"-shape configuration and sits on a substrate such as a floor 7 extending at 90 to the wall 3. In the method for applying the system 1, a membrane 8 such as a self-adhesive membrane is applied to the wall after appropriate cleansing, degreasing etc as necessary. The membrane 8 extends down the wall 3 behind the top, as viewed, edge 9 of the shower tray 2. The at least one seal means 4 in the form of a profiled for example wedge-shape or tapered seal means is then inserted in direction of arrow'X'into the gap between the wall 3 and the shower tray 2 and is forced down into the gap to compress the seal using a suitable tool, such as a roller or a tamping rod. In the preferred embodiment, the seal means 4 is a tapered cellular rubber extrusion. The profile of the seal means is such that it is angled on one side to match the angle on the outer (as viewed) side wall 10 of the shower tray 2 and is perpendicular on the side which is in contact with the membrane on the wall 3.

The wedge-shaped seal 4 has a lateral compression of up to about 60%, in the preferred embodiment the maximum compression being approximately 50% across its width when inserted into the gap between the shower tray and the wall.

It will be understood that the seal means may be made of material other than that mentioned for the preferred embodiment for example TPE or solid rubber, in which case the maximum lateral compression would be lower.

The flexible membrane 8 in the preferred embodiment is LDPE film and it will be understood that via its self-adhesive backing, it is bonded to the wall where tiling should take place. The membrane 8 as shown extends above the level of the top of the shower tray so that it will be positioned behind the bottom layer of tiles and the bottom edge of the membrane 8 is below the position into which the wedgeshaped cellular rubber seal 4 is forced. After insertion of the wedge-shape seal 4, suitable adhesive 11 is applied to the wall to cover the flexible membrane and tiling is then effected by applying desired tiles 12 to the adhesive as shown in Fig.

3, and grouting 13 is then effected between the tiles as shown in Fig. 4. In addition, a suitable separate seal means 5 of the plurality of separate seal means 4,5 in the form of a silicone sealant is applied between the bottom of the tiles 8 and the top surface 9 of the tray 2 after first degreasing the surfaces, as shown in Fig. 4.

It will be understood that as well as sealing behind the tiles, the membrane 8provides a low-friction surface to allow the wedge-shape seal 4 to move downwards into the gap between the shower tray and the wall and to become compressed across its width, without excessive distortion occurring.

It will be understood that the system extends round the parts of the perimeter of a shower tray butting against a wall which may be on more than one side. It will be understood too that using the invention as described with respect to the drawings a

robust seal is provided between the outer sides of the shower tray and the wall including the seal means behind the tiles, in the gap between the shower tray and the wall in addition to the silicone seal which is applied to seal between the shower tray and the tiled wall.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A system for providing a seal between one member and another adjacent member, comprising a plurality of separate seal means between the members, one of which at least is inserted between the members.
2. A system according to claim 1, the at least one seal means having a profile complementary in shape to a gap into which it is inserted between the two members.
3. A system according to claim 2, the at least one seal means comprising a wedge shape.
4. A system according to claim 3, the at least one seal means having a maximum compression of about 60% as considered laterally.
5. A system according to claim 4, the compression being approximately 50%.
6. A system according to any preceding claim, comprising a membrane applied to the said adjacent member above the at least one seal means.
7. A system according to claim 6, the membrane comprising a flexible self- adhesive membrane.
8. A system according to any preceding claim, the other seal means comprising a silicone seal.
9. A system according to claim 8, the one member and the adjacent member comprising respectively a shower tray and a wall of a shower.

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10. A system according to claim 9, tiles being applied to the membrane above the shower tray.
11. A system for providing a seal between one member and another adjacent member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.
12. A method of providing a seal between one member and another adjacent member, comprising providing a plurality of separate seal means, and inserting at least one of the seal means between the two members.
13. A method according to claim 1, comprising providing the at least one seal means as a seal of complementary shape for a gap between the two members, and inserting the seal means into the gap with a tool.
14. A method according to claim 13, comprising applying to the adjacent member a membrane prior to inserting the seal means.
15. A method according to claim 12, substantially as hereinbefore described.