Flexible Toilet Seal Adaptable to Conduits of Different Size and Related Method

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a toilet seal that is adaptable to conduits of different size. In one embodiment, the seal includes an integral sealing element coupled to an end of the sleeve. A modular sealing element is further disposed about the integral sealing element. The modular sealing element and integral sealing element are removable to thereby adapt the seal to conduits of different size. In another embodiment, the seal includes a first integral sealing element coupled to an end of the sleeve. The seal further includes a second integral sealing element coupled to the first integral sealing element. The first and second integral sealing elements are removable to thereby adapt the seal to conduits of different size. Related methods are described.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for connecting conduits, such as plumbing fixtures to waste drainpipes, and more particularly to a toilet seal.

BACKGROUND

Water closets, also called toilets, are waste disposal devices commonly installed in most bathrooms. These kinds of plumbing appliances generally include a water-storing receptacle called a water tank that is attached to a siphon seat-shaped bowl called a toilet bowl. Periodically, waste is removed from the toilet bowl by flushing, thereby allowing water to drain from the water tank through the toilet bowl and into a waste drainpipe. In such arrangements, the toilet bowl is typically connected to the waste drainpipe by fluid carrying conduits and the toilet bowl will sit flat on a floor and connect with a rigid water closet flange. The water closet flange in turn connects with conduits leading to a waste drainpipe.

Conventional water closet flanges are often used with wax seals that are disposed about a discharge horn extending from the toilet. Such seals can be unreliable because the seal connection is not strong enough to prevent leakage and associated odors, and oftentimes they can be expensive and inefficient due to delays in the installation process. Also, conventional water closet flanges are fixed in diameter, and are thus unable to adapt to conduits of different size. This requires multiple seals for any particular job as the size (i.e., diameter) of the conduit is oftentimes not known until the installation process begins.

Improved toilet seals for addressing the above-described problems are desired. Related methods for installing improved toilet seals are also desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to improved toilet seals and methods for installing such toilet seals. In one exemplary embodiment, a toilet seal according to the present disclosure includes a sleeve having an integral outward-facing sealing element coupled to a first end of the sleeve and an additional inward-facing sealing element comprising an inwardly extending flexible lip disposed at a second end of the sleeve. The outward-facing sealing element has an increased outward diameter relative to the sleeve. In some embodiments, the sleeve has a sufficient degree of flexibility to accommodate connection between misaligned, angled, or otherwise incongruous plumbing fixture discharges and waste drainpipe outlets. In other embodiments, the sleeve takes on a more rigid configuration. The inwardly extending flexible lip provides a desired seal between the plumbing fixture discharge and the waste drainpipe (or conduits leading to the waste drainpipe), thereby eliminating the need for a separate gasket element, such as a wax seal or rubber foam seal.

The flexible toilet seal according to the present disclosure may be adapted for use with conduits of different size. Accordingly, an additional modular sealing element may be coupled to the integral outward-facing sealing element to provide an increased outward diameter to thereby adapt the toilet seal for use with larger diameter conduits. To accommodate conduits of smaller diameter, the sleeve may include a coupling portion defined adjacent to the integral outward-facing sealing element to allow for quick detachment of the integral sealing element to thereby reduce the diameter of the toilet seal at the downward portion thereof.

In other embodiments, the flexible toilet seal according to the present disclosure includes multiple integral outward-facing sealing elements of different diameter. The portion of the seal adjacent the integral outward-facing sealing elements includes coupling portions defined between the sealing elements to facilitate quick-detachment of the lowermost sealing element to thereby adapt the toilet seal to conduits of different size.

Related methods for installing toilet seals described herein between plumbing fixture discharges and waste drainpipes (or conduits leading to waste drainpipes) are also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a toilet seal according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the toilet seal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toilet seal of FIG. 1 partially disposed in a conduit;

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the toilet seal of FIG. 1 with a modular sealing element removed;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toilet seal of FIG. 4 partially disposed in a flange;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front sectional view of the toilet seal with a sealing element having been detached;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toilet seal of FIG. 6 partially disposed in a conduit;

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the toilet seal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of another embodiment of a toilet seal according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toilet seal of FIG. 9 partially disposed in a conduit;

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toilet seal of FIG. 9 with a lowermost sealing element having been detached;

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toilet seal of FIG. 11 partially disposed in a flange;

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toilet seal of FIG. 9 with the two lowermost sealing elements having been detached;

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toilet seal of FIG. 12 partially disposed in a conduit;

FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the toilet seal of FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate a sectional view of a toilet discharge horn displaced from a toilet seal according to the present disclosure (FIG. 16A) and the toilet discharge horn of FIG. 16A in contact with a flexible lip of the toilet seal (FIG. 16B).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of a toilet seal and related methods for installing and adjusting the toilet seal according to the present disclosure are described. It is to be understood, however, that the following explanation is merely exemplary in describing the devices and methods of the present disclosure. Accordingly, several modifications, changes and substitutions are contemplated.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a toilet seal 10 for connecting between a plumbing fixture discharge (e.g., plumbing fixture discharge 11 in FIG. 16A) and a waste drainpipe outlet 12. In some embodiments, the toilet seal 10 may connect to intermediate conduits leading to a waste drainpipe outlet 12 or to a flange 14 disposed inside a conduit as shown in FIG. 5. The toilet seal includes a sleeve 16 having an integrally formed outward-facing sealing element 18 coupled to a lower end of the sleeve. The outward-facing sealing element 18 may take on a variety of configurations so long as it seals the interface between the seal 10 and the conduit 12 or flange 14. In some embodiments (such as those shown in the Figures), the sealing element 18 may have a substantially uniform diameter. However, in other embodiments, the sealing element 18 may be configured to have a maximum diameter at a region generally corresponding to an upper portion thereof, and a profile that generally decreases in diameter to a lower portion thereof. In still further embodiments, the sealing element 18 may have an increasing diameter from a lower portion to an upper portion, or a varying diameter. Although not shown, it is contemplated that additional integral sealing elements of increasing diameter may be provided with the seal 10.

The toilet seal 10 further includes an inward-facing sealing element 20 disposed about an upper end of the sleeve 16 to thereby engage and seal a plumbing fixture discharge as will be described. Preferably, the sealing element 20 includes a flexible lip 22, which extends inwardly. The inward-facing sealing element 20 may further include a ring portion 24 extending beyond the circumference of the sleeve 16 to provide support for the sealing element in seating against a flange or conduit.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in some embodiments, the toilet seal 10 includes a modular sealing element 30, which may be disposed about the integral outward-facing sealing element 18 to thereby provide the toilet seal 10 with an increased diameter at a lower end thereof. In some embodiments, the profile of the modular sealing element may match the profile of the integral sealing element 18. The modular sealing element 30 may be sufficiently flexible to mount on the integral sealing element 18 in a friction fit. To accommodate engagement with the integral sealing element 18, the modular sealing element 30 includes an annular recess 32, which receives the lowermost outward-facing integral sealing element therein.

Referring to FIG. 3, the toilet seal 10 is shown disposed partially in the conduit 12 such that the modular sealing element 30 seals to the inside surface of the conduit to thereby prevent unwanted odors from traveling upwards through the conduit. In one example, provision of the modular sealing element 30 increases the diameter of the toilet seal 10 at the modular sealing element to 4 inches to thus seal against a 4 inch conduit. Of course, other dimensions of the toilet seal 10 with modular sealing element 30 are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the flange 14 is disposed outside of the conduit 12 and provides a surface 34 for receiving the ring portion 24 of the toilet seal 10 in engagement therewith. In some embodiments, the seal 10 is integrally formed with the flange 14 as a single piece, while in other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 3, the seal and flange are separate elements. The flange 14 may include one or more apertures (not shown) formed therethrough to receive fasteners (not shown) for securing the flange to a surface, such as a floor. In other embodiments, the toilet seal 10 may be used without a flange and thus the seal directly engages a surface when connecting between the plumbing fixture discharge and the conduit 12.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to reduce the diameter of the toilet seal at the sealing interface between the toilet seal and the conduit or flange in order to accommodate reduced size conduits. As such, the modular sealing element 30 may be removed and the integral sealing element 18 may be used as the sealing interface between the toilet seal 10 and the conduit 12. In one example, upon removal of the modular sealing element 30, the diameter of the toilet seal 10 at the integral sealing element 18 is 3.5 inches to accommodate sealing with similarly sized conduits or flanges. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the flange 14 is disposed inside the conduit 12 such that the toilet seal 10 seats against the flange and further seals against an inside surface of the flange.

Referring to FIG. 6-7, in yet further embodiments, it may be desirable to further modify the toilet seal 10 to accommodate conduits of smaller size than the example in FIGS. 4-5. Accordingly, the toilet seal 10 includes a coupling portion 40 of reduced thickness (relative to the outward-facing sealing elements) defined adjacent to the integral sealing element 18. In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 1-7, the coupling portion 40 has a thickness substantially similar or equal to the thickness of the sleeve 16. In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 8, the coupling portion 40 may have a thickness less than that of the sleeve 16.

Referring again to FIGS. 6-7, the toilet seal 10 may be adapted to conduits of smaller size by detaching the integral sealing element 18 from the remainder of the toilet seal. Such detachment is facilitated by the coupling portion 40 of reduced thickness. That is, the integral sealing element 18 may be removed by cutting through the coupling portion 40 of reduced thickness to thereby separate and remove the integral sealing element from the remainder of the toilet seal 10. For example, a conventional tool such as a box cutter may be used to cut through the coupling portion 40 of reduced thickness. In this manner, the diameter of the portion of the toilet seal 10 that seals against the inside surface of the conduit 12 or flange 14 is reduced. In one example, upon removal of the integral sealing element 18, the diameter of the toilet seal 10 at the sealing interface with the conduit is 3 inches. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6-7, the conduit 12 is disposed inside the flange 14 such that the toilet seal 10 seals to the conduit when in use.

The sleeve 16 includes an additional sealing element 42 disposed circumferentially about the sleeve 16 proximate a lower end of the sleeve after the integral sealing element 18 has been removed. The sealing element 42 provides a seal between the sleeve 16 and an inside surface of the conduit 12. The sealing element 42 may take on a variety of configurations so long as it seals the interface between the seal 10 and the conduit 12 or flange 14. In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 1-7, the sealing element 42 has a substantially uniform diameter and forms an integral portion of the sleeve 16, thereby constituting a region of increased diameter relative to the remaining portion of the sleeve. However, in other embodiments, the sealing element 42 may be configured to have a maximum diameter at a region generally corresponding to an upper portion thereof, and a profile that generally decreases in diameter to a lower portion thereof. In still further embodiments, the sealing element 42 may have an increasing diameter from a lower portion to an upper portion, or a varying diameter. In still further embodiments, the sealing element 42 may be a separate O-ring.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-14, an alternative toilet seal 100 according to the present disclosure includes an inward-facing sealing element 102 disposed at an upper end thereof and a sleeve 104 extending downwardly from the inward-facing sealing element. Preferably, the sealing element 102 comprises a flexible lip 106, which extends inwardly. The sealing element 102 may further include a ring portion 108 extending beyond the circumference of the sleeve 104 to provide support for the sealing element in seating against a flange or conduit.

The toilet seal 100 further includes a pair of integral sealing elements 110, 112, which are coupled to a lower end of the sleeve 104. The outward-facing sealing elements 110, 112 may take on a variety of configurations so long as they seal the interface between the seal 100 and the conduit 12 or flange 14. In some embodiments (such as those shown in the Figures), the sealing elements 110, 112 may have a substantially uniform diameter. However, in other embodiments, the sealing elements 110, 112 may be configured to have a maximum diameter at a region generally corresponding to an upper portion thereof, and a profile that generally decreases in diameter to a lower portion thereof. In still further embodiments, the sealing elements 110, 112 may have an increasing diameter from a lower portion to an upper portion, or a varying diameter.

In addition, a modular or integral sealing element 114 is disposed about the sleeve 104 longitudinally above the sealing elements 110, 112. The sealing element 110 is preferably coupled to an end of the sleeve 104, while the sealing element 112 is coupled to the sealing element 110. Furthermore, while two sealing elements 110, 112 are shown, in other embodiments, additional modular or integral sealing elements may be provided.

The toilet seal 100 is adaptable to conduits of different size, and as such, the toilet seal may be modified for particular uses. Referring to FIGS. 10-12, to facilitate such modification, a coupling portion 116 defined between the sealing elements 110, 112 has a reduced thickness (relative to the outward-facing sealing elements) to facilitate detachment of the lowermost sealing element 112 from the toilet seal 100. In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 9-14, the coupling portion 116 has a thickness substantially similar or equal to the thickness of the sleeve 104. In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 15, the coupling portion 116 may have a thickness less than that of the sleeve 104.

The sealing element 112 may be removed by cutting through the coupling portion 116 of reduced thickness to thereby separate and remove the sealing element 112 from the remainder of the toilet seal. In this manner, the toilet seal 100 may be adapted for use with conduits having a smaller diameter as the lower end of the toilet seal has been reduced from the diameter of sealing element 112 to the diameter of sealing element 110. For example, in some embodiments, the sealing element 112 may be approximately 4 inches in diameter, while the sealing element 110 may be approximately 3.5 inches in diameter.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, the toilet seal 100 may be further modified to further reduce the diameter of the seal at or near the lower end of the sleeve. As such, a coupling portion 118 defined between the sealing element 110 and the sleeve 104 has a reduced thickness (relative to the outward-facing sealing elements) to facilitate detachment of the sealing element 110 from the toilet seal 100. In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 9-14, the coupling portion 118 has a thickness substantially similar or equal to the thickness of the sleeve 104. In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 15, the coupling portion 118 may have a thickness less than that of the sleeve 104.

The sealing element 110 may be removed by cutting through the coupling portion 118 of reduced thickness to thereby separate and remove the sealing element 110 from the remainder of the toilet seal. In this manner, the toilet seal 100 may be adapted for use with conduits having a smaller diameter as the lower end of the toilet seal has been reduced from the diameter of sealing element 110 to the diameter of sealing elements 114. In one example, upon removal of the integral sealing element 110, the diameter of the toilet seal 10 at the sealing interface with the conduit is 3 inches.

The sleeve 104 includes the additional sealing element 114 disposed circumferentially about the sleeve 104 proximate a lower end of the sleeve. The sealing element 114 provides a seal between the sleeve 104 and an inside surface of the conduit 12. The sealing element 114 may take on a variety of configurations so long as it seals the interface between the seal 100 and the conduit 12 or flange 14. In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 9-14, the sealing element 114 has a substantially uniform diameter and forms an integral portion of the sleeve 104, thereby constituting a region of increased diameter relative to the remaining portion of the sleeve. However, in other embodiments, the sealing element 114 has a maximum diameter at a region generally corresponding to an upper portion thereof, and a profile that generally decreases in diameter to a lower portion thereof. In still further embodiments, the sealing element 114 has an increasing diameter from a lower portion to an upper portion, or a varying diameter. In still further embodiments, the sealing element 114 may be a separate O-ring.

Referring to an upper portion of the toilet seals 10, 100, for example as shown in FIGS. 16A-16B, a linking portion 130 of the sleeve 16, 104 extends in an outward direction away from the upper end of the sleeve. This provides an increased area into which the flexible lip 22, 106 can deflect when in its operative position. Also, the thickness of the ring portion 24, 108 is preferably greater than the thickness of the flexible lip 22, 106 to thereby provide greater support when engaged with a surface.

The plumbing fixture discharge 11 may be seated against the seal 10, 100 such that a horn portion 134 of the plumbing fixture discharge comes into contact with the inwardly-extending flexible lip 22, 106 thereby deflecting the lip downwardly. As shown in FIG. 16B, the flexible lip 22, 106 may deflect downwardly relative to the ring portion 24, 108 when the lip comes into contact with the plumbing fixture discharge 11. The lip 22, 106 provides a tight seal that will prevent gas and fluids from leaking from the interconnection between the plumbing fixture discharge 11 and the waste drainpipe (not shown) and the seal is sufficient to not break even if the toilet becomes backed up. Moreover, the sealing protection provided by the lip 22, 106 eliminates the need for separate additional elements, such as regular wax seals or foam rubber gaskets.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-15, in one embodiment, the sleeve 16, 104 is made of substantially uniform material, and thus is sufficiently flexible to permit distortion of the sleeve to achieve non-negligible angles of deflection relative to a non-distorted longitudinal axis thereof. In one example, a non-negligible angle of deflection may be ten degrees or more of deflection of one end of the sleeve 16, 104 relative to an opposing end of the sleeve. The sleeve 16, 104 may be formed of various materials to permit non-negligible flexibility. For example, the sleeve 16, 104 may be formed of materials having a hardness ranging from 35 shore A to 90 shore A, or from 35 shore A to 65 shore A, or more specifically about 50 shore A. As can be appreciated, the uniform nature of the sleeve 16, 104 leads to a reduction in manufacturing costs and the likelihood of error during installation. Also, the sleeve 16, 104 may be of any suitable length. In one example, the sleeve 16, 104 is 2-4 inches in length.

In practice, the toilet seal 10, 100 is used to connect a plumbing fixture discharge, such as the horn portion of a toilet, to a waste drainpipe, such as a sewage line. In facilitating this connection, the toilet seal 10, 100 provides a tight seal and reliable connection to prevent any undue leakage or other undesirable consequence of the connection. During installation, the toilet seal 10, 100 may be seated against the toilet flange 14 (FIGS. 7 and 14), which is disposed between the toilet seal 10, 100 and waste drainpipe 12. Oftentimes, the diameter of the waste drainpipe and/or toilet flange is unknown before installation begins. It is therefore difficult to ascertain the appropriately sized toilet seal 10, 100 to apply in any particular job as the diameter of the waste drainpipe may vary depending on the installation site. However, the teachings of the present disclosure overcome such problems by providing for a way to adjust the diameter of the seal provided by the toilet seal 10, 100, thus accommodating waste drainpipes of varying diameters.

For example, with reference to FIG. 3, the toilet seal 10 may be used with the modular sealing element 30 disposed around the lower end of the sleeve 16. However, with reference to FIG. 5, other situations may call for removal of the modular sealing element 30 to accommodate for a waste drainpipe of smaller diameter. Accordingly, the modular sealing element 30 may be removed manually or through use of a tool to thereby reduce the diameter of the toilet seal 10. If further reduction in diameter at a lower end of the toilet seal 10 is desired, the integral sealing element 18 may be further removed as depicted in FIGS. 6-7.

With reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 9-14, the toilet seal 100 may similarly be adjusted for waste drainpipes of varying diameter. In some applications, the toilet seal 100 may be used without removing any of the integral sealing elements 110, 112 such that the sealing diameter of the toilet seal corresponds to the diameter of the sealing element 112 as shown in FIG. 10. However, with reference to FIGS. 11-12, in some applications, it may be desirable to reduce the sealing diameter of the toilet seal 100 by removing the lowermost sealing element 112 in order to reduce the sealing diameter to correspond to the diameter of the sealing element 110. If further reduction in diameter at a lower end of the toilet seal 100 is desired, the integral sealing element 110 may be further removed as depicted in FIGS. 13-14.

While various embodiments of a toilet seal and related methods of installing the toilet seal between plumbing fixture discharges and waste drainpipes have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. Moreover, the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of the claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages.

Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a “Technical Field,” the claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Brief Summary” to be considered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in the claims found herein. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty claimed in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims associated with this disclosure, and the claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of the claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of the specification, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.

Claims

1. A seal for connecting between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet, comprising:

a sleeve;

an inwardly extending flexible lip coupled to a first end of the sleeve;

at least one integral sealing element coupled to a second end of the sleeve, the diameter of the at least one integral sealing element being greater than the diameter of the sleeve; and

a modular sealing element disposed circumferentially about the integral sealing element, the diameter of the modular sealing element being greater than the diameter of the at least one integral sealing element;

wherein the modular sealing element and the integral sealing element are removable to thereby adapt the seal for use with conduits of different size.

2. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the integral sealing element is coupled to the sleeve via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the integral sealing element.

3. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a thickness, and further wherein the integral sealing element is coupled to the sleeve via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the sleeve.

4. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the modular sealing element includes an annular recess for receiving the integral sealing element.

5. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal directly engages a waste drainpipe outlet.

6. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal indirectly engages a waste drainpipe outlet.

7. A seal according to claim 6, wherein the seal directly engages a flange disposed adjacent to the waste drainpipe outlet.

8. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the at least one integral sealing element comprises two integral sealing element.

9. A seal for connecting between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet, comprising:

a sleeve;

an inwardly extending flexible lip coupled to a first end of the sleeve;

a first integral sealing element coupled to a second end of the sleeve, the diameter of the first integral sealing element being greater than the diameter of the sleeve; and

a second integral sealing element coupled to the first integral sealing element, the diameter of the second integral sealing element being greater than the diameter of the first integral sealing element;

wherein the first and second integral sealing elements are removable to thereby adapt the seal for use with conduits of different size.

10. A seal according to claim 9, wherein the first integral sealing element is coupled to the second integral sealing element via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the first and second integral sealing elements.

11. A seal according to claim 9, wherein the sleeve has a thickness, and further wherein the first integral sealing element is coupled to the second integral sealing element via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the sleeve.

12. A seal according to claim 9, wherein the sleeve has a thickness, and further wherein the first integral sealing element is coupled to the sleeve via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the sleeve.

13. A seal according to claim 9, wherein the seal directly engages a waste drainpipe outlet.

14. A seal according to claim 9, wherein the seal indirectly engages a waste drainpipe outlet.

15. A seal according to claim 14, wherein the seal directly engages a flange disposed adjacent to the waste drainpipe outlet.

16. A method for sealing between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet, comprising:

providing a seal having a sleeve, the sleeve having first and second integral sealing elements coupled to an end thereof, the second integral sealing element having a diameter greater than the first integral sealing element and the first and second integral sealing elements being coupled to one another via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the first and second sealing elements; and

disposing the seal between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet.

17. A method according to claim 16, further comprising removing the second integral sealing element.

18. A method for sealing between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet, comprising:

providing a seal having a sleeve, the sleeve having an integral sealing element coupled to an end thereof, and a modular sealing element disposed about the integral sealing element, the integral sealing element being coupled to the sleeve via a coupling portion having a reduced thickness relative to the integral sealing element and modular sealing element; and

disposing the seal between a plumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe outlet.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising removing the modular sealing element.

20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising removing the integral sealing element.