Self-Adhering Toilet Base Seal with Moisture Indicator

Abstract

A caulking/gasket product used to create a durable seal between the lower edge of a toilet base and a bathroom floor. The caulking product which is distributed in a large roll is made of PVC extrusion with a horizontal flange and a vertical flange. Applied to the top surface of the horizontal flange is an adhesive that attaches directly to the bottom surface of the lower edge of a toilet base. An optional groove may be formed on the top surface of the horizontal flange that receives a lower, downward extending edge found on some toilet bases. The adhesive is covered by a thin, removable film. The vertical flange has a uniform outer surface that extends outward from the toilet base that simulates paste caulking. The product may include one or more liquid contact indicators that changes color when exposed to moisture or it may include an electronic water sensor that may be attached to an electronic alarm.

Description

This non-provisional patent application is based on and claims the filing date benefit of U.S. provisional patent application (Application No. 62/560044) filed on Sep. 18, 2017.

Notice is given that the following patent document contains original material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to caulking used around a toilet base, and more particularly to caulking configured to be installed on the toilet base prior to installation of the toilet and with moisture indicator.

Description of the Related Art

Toilet bases are normally mounted on a wax gasket seal that fits over the open end of the waste water drain pipe that extends upward on the bathroom floor. The bottom closet flange on the toilet base presses downward against the wax gasket seal to create a watertight If the toilet moves and becomes misaligned over the drain pipe or if cracks are formed in the wax gasket, water will begin to seep under the toilet after each flush. Sometimes, this seeping occurs behind the toilet and not always visible when standing in front of the toilet.

Some plumbers apply caulking material around the bottom edge of a toilet base when installed on a bathroom floor to prevent dust and dirt from collecting under the toilet base. Some plumbers believe that adding caulking material around the toilet base, also reduces odors.

The caulking material is a paste-like material applied from a squeeze tube or from a caulking gun. A bead of caulking applied to the gap between the bottom edge of the toilet base and the floor. Some installers run their finger over the bead of caulking to press the caulking into the seam and to create a uniform layer of caulking.

One drawback of applying paste caulking material to the toilet base after it has been installed is that the caulking material adheres to the flooring. If the toilet base needs to be removed, the dried caulking must be cut with a utility knife to prevent damage to the floor. In some instances, the old caulking must be removed from the floor before the toilet base is reinstalled.

Another drawback is that applying a bead of paste caulking to the back of the toilet base that faces the wall or a cabinet may be difficult. The gap located behind the toilet base are left open allowing odors to escape.

Another drawback with applying a bead of paste caulking around the base of the toilet is that it prevents water that may be leaking from seeping outward under the toilet base. As a result, the leaks that may exist for several months can lead to expensive floor damage directly under the toilet base.

The prior art also teaches caulking made of PVC extrusion with an adhesive applied to its lower surface. The caulking is applied along the outside surface of the toilet base adjacent to the lower edge after the toilet base is installed. Because an adhesive is used to attach the caulking to the toilet base, the width of the caulking is substantially wider and more visible than paste caulking. Many homeowners find the increased visibility of the PVC extrusion unacceptable.

What is needed is an improved caulking product for toilets that is installed on the toilet base prior to installation of the toilet to the floor. What is needed is such caulking product that has low visibility similar to the bead formed with paste caulking. What is also needed is a caulking product that includes a moisture indicator that undergoes color change or generates a sound when moisture is present under or inside the toilet base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A caulking/gasket product used to create a protective, durable seal between the lower edge of a toilet base and a bathroom floor. In the first embodiment, the product, which is distributed in a large roll, is L-shaped, made of PVC extrusion and includes a wide horizontal flange at a narrow vertical flange. Applied to the top surface of the horizontal flange is an adhesive that attaches to the bottom surface of the lower edge of a toilet base. An optional groove may be formed on the top surface of the horizontal flange that receives a lower, downward extending edge found on some toilet bases. The adhesive is covered by a thin film layer that is removed prior to insulation. The adhesive layer is sufficiently adhesive to hold the caulking in place on the lower edge of the toilet base when the toilet base is turned upside down and positioned on the floor and over the wax ring on the waste hole. The caulking product acts as a barrier that prevents scratches to the floor as the toilet base is being positioned over the waste drain. The vertical flange is smaller than the horizontal flange and has a uniform, smooth, half-spherical outer surface that extends outward from the toilet base. When installed, the outer surface of the vertical flanges the bead formed with paste caulking. In a second embodiment, the product is a continuous gasket structure designed to applied directly to the bottom edge of a toilet base. The gasket product includes a horizontal flange at a narrow vertical flange. Applied to the top surface of the horizontal flange is an adhesive that attaches to the bottom surface of the lower edge of a toilet base. An optional groove may be formed on the top surface of the horizontal flange that receives a lower, downward extending edge found on some toilet bases. The adhesive is covered by a thin film layer that is removed prior to insulation. The adhesive layer is sufficiently adhesive to hold the caulking in place on the lower edge of the toilet base when the toilet base is turned upside down and positioned on the floor and over the wax ring on the waste hole.

The caulking/gasket product may include one or more liquid contact indicators placed adjacent to the toilet base's lower edge that changes color with in contact with water. The liquid contact indicator may be a hydro chromatic chemical added to the PVC protrusion or it may be an L-shaped tape member or ink layer applied to the caulking material that undergoes color change when exposed to moisture located inside or outside the toilet base. In another embodiment, the product is sold in a kit with a roll or a plurality of short strips made of liquid water intrusion tape that can be selectively attached to the outside surface of the gasket.

The caulking/gasket product may also include an electronic moisture sensor that can be selectively attached to an external alarm have the toilet base has been installed that is configured to generate a sound or visible signal when moisture is detected by the moisture sensors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section end view of a toilet base mounted over a waste drain on the floor of a bathroom showing the caulking product installed under the outer perimeter of the toilet base.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a toilet base showing the caulking product placed continuously along the outer perimeter of the toilet base.

FIG. 3 is an exploded end view of the outer wall of a toilet base showing the upper film being removed and exposing the adhesive on the inside surface of the horizontal and vertical flanges and a water contact indicator with a wide strip of tape placed under the caulking product.

FIG. 4 is an exploded end view of the outer wall of a toilet base similar to the view shown in FIG. 3 but with a water contact indicator tape being a small strip attached to the outer surface of the caulking product.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the toilet base and caulking product with a liquid contact indicator located on the side of the toilet base configured to change color when in contact with a liquid.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the caulking product being distributed in large roll and with a plurality L-shaped, liquid contact indicators in a storage bag or distributed in a large roll.

FIG. 7 is a sectional end elevational view of the caulking product with a beveled outside surface with three longitudinally aligned air conducts formed therein.

FIG. 8 is a sectional end elevational view of the caulking product with a rounded d outside surface with three longitudinally aligned air conducts formed therein.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the caulking product with a transversely aligned, narrow, water outlet conduit formed in the caulking product configured to allow water inside the toilet base to escape laterally, with an optional water detection indicator located on or around the exit opening.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the caulking product that includes an electronic moisture sensor that can be selectively attaches to an external alarm 250.

FIG. 11 is a sectional, end elevational view of the caulking product shown in FIG. 10 showing the location of two contact wires used to detect the presence of water on the inside surface.

FIG. 12 is a sectional, end elevational view of the caulking product similar to the caulking product shown in FIG. 11 wherein one wire is located on the inside surface of the product and a second wire is located on the outside surface of the product.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

A caulking product 10 used to create a protective, durable seal between the lower edge 82 of a toilet base 80 and a bathroom floor 90. The caulking product 10, which is distributed in a large roll 70 as shown in FIG. 6, has a L-shaped body 11, made of PVC extrusion or silicone and includes a wide horizontal flange 12 at a narrow vertical flange 22 as shown more clearly in FIG. 3. Applied to the top surface 14 of the horizontal flange 12 is an adhesive layer 30 that adheres to the bottom surface 82 of a toilet base 80 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The adhesive layer 30 may be covered with a removable thin film 32 removed prior to insulation. The adhesive layer 30 is sufficiently adhesive to hold the caulking product 10 in place on the bottom surface 82 of the toilet base 80 when the toilet base 80 is turned upright and then rotated to position the toilet base 80 vertically upright on the floor 90. When applied to the bottom surface 82, the caulking product 10 acts as a barrier that prevents scratches to the floor 90 as the toilet base 80 is being positioned over the waste drain.

In the embodiment shown, the vertical flange 22 is smaller than the horizontal flange 12 and has an outer surface 25 that has a beveled configuration as shown in FIG. 7 or a half-spherical configuration as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8. Formed inside the caulking product 10 are one or more optional air tubes 23 that allow the caulking product 10 to collapse on the floor during installation. The bottom surface 25 of the caulking product 10 may be flat as shown in FIG. 1 or it may have serrations as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8 that provide for better adhesion.

As shown in FIG. 4, an optional second adhesive layer 40 may be applied to the bottom surface 25. The bottom surface of the second adhesive layer 40 may be covered with a removable thin film 42. When installed, the outer surface 26 of the caulking product 10 fauns an angled or rounded bead similar to the bead formed with paste caulking.

The caulking/gasket product 10 may include one or more liquid contact indicators 50 placed adjacent to the toilet base's lower edge that changes color when in contact with water.

The liquid contact indicator 50 a strip of adhesive tape with a hydro chromatic chemical added to the paper substrate or an ink layer applied directly to the outside surface of the caulking product 10. Liquid contact indicators 50 that comprise adhesive covered strips with an outer layer of a hydro chromatic properties is available from 3M Company located in Maplewood, Minn., and known as ‘Water Contact Indicator Tape’ (see www.3M.com/WCIT). These products have self-adhesive film/paper laminate constructions configured to change from white to red when contacted by water. They are available in different shapes and sizes and distributed in sheets or in a roll.

Another type of liquid contact indicator 50 that may be used are known as hydrochronic inks also laminated structures with an outer layer made of hydrochronic ink that changes from a solid color and becomes transparent to allow the color on a second layer located under the outer layer to be visible. The bottom surface of the second layer may include an adhesive layer that enable them to adhere to a solid substrate surface. Such inks are available from Good Life Innovations Ltd, (also known as SFXC Company) in Plympton, Plymouth, United Kingdom, PL7 SEW.

As shown in FIG. 6, the caulking product 10 may be distributed in large roll 70 unwound from the roll 70 after removing the protective film layer 32. The product is aligned and registered with the bottom surface and cut to size to fit the bottom surface. The adhesive 30 is then applied directly to the bottom surface of the toilet base. One or more liquid contact indicators 50, which may be pre-cut and distributed separately in a storage bag 60 or they may be distributed in a large roll 50′ and cut to size during installation.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a continuous gasket product 110 also with an L-shaped body 111 with a wide horizontal flange 112 covered with an adhesive layer 130 and showing the removable film 140 being removed. The body 111 includes a wide horizontal flange 112, a narrow vertical flange surface 122 and a serrated bottom surface 125. Formed inside the body 111 is a narrow, water outlet conduit 126 configured to allow water inside the toilet base to escape laterally. Applied to the inside surface of the water outlet conduit 126 is a layer of hydro chromatic ink 127 that changes color when exposed to water. The ink 127 may be applied to the entire inside surface of the conduit 126 or just to the area of the conduit adjacent to the outer exit opening. A water contact indicator tape 129 may be applied to the outside surface 126 of the body 111 located around the exit opening.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the caulking product, indicated by the reference number 210, that may also include an electronic moisture sensor 220 that can be selectively attached to an external alarm 250 after the toilet base has been installed. The alarm 250 generates a sound or visible signal when moisture is detected by the moisture sensor 220. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 11, the electronic moisture sensor 220 includes two wires 222, 224 (one ground and one power) along the inside surface of the body 211 caulking product 210 near the lower edge. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 12, the two wires 222, 224 are mounted on the outside and inside surfaces of the caulking product 210. The ends of the wires 222, 224 are attached to a plug connector 228 on the outside surface of the caulking product 210. When the two wires 22, 224 are exposed to a body of water, an electric circuit is closed which activates the external alarm 250. In FIG. 10, the wires 222, 224 are shown mounted on the entire perimeter edge of the caulking product 220. It should be understood, however, that the wires 222, 224 may extend only partially around the perimeter edges.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, comprises the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A caulking product for a toilet base, comprising:

a. a body with a horizontal flange with a top surface and a bottom surface, body configured so that said top surface of said horizontal flange extends completely around and fits under a bottom surface of a toilet base, said body also includes a vertical flange extending upward from said horizontal flange configured to extend outward from said toilet base when the toilet base is placed on said horizontal surface;

b. an adhesive layer applied to said top surface of said horizontal flange; and

c. a removable film applied to said adhesive.

2. The caulking product as recited in claim 1, further including a second adhesive layer applied to said bottom surface of said horizontal flange.

3. The caulking product as recited in claim 1, wherein said body is made of PVC or silicone.

4. The caulking product as recited in claim 1, further including at least one liquid contact indicator that indicates when said body contacts water.

5. The caulking product as recited in claim 4, wherein said liquid contact indicator is a strip of adhesive tape with a hydro chromatic chemical added to the paper substrate or an ink layer applied directly to the outside surface of the caulking

6. The caulking product as recited in claim 4, wherein said liquid contact indicator is an electronic sensor mounted on said body configured to connect to an audible alarm and activated when said body contacts water.

7. The caulking product as recited in claim 1, wherein said body includes collapsible air tubes 23 that allow the body partially collapse when said toilet base is placed thereon during installation.

8. The caulking product as recited in claim 1, further including a transversely aligned, narrow, water outlet conduit formed in the body caulking product configured to allow water inside the toilet base to escape laterally.

9. The caulking product as recited in claim 9, further including a water detection indicator located on or around an exit opening of said water outlet conduit

10. The caulking product as recited in claim 7, wherein said body is made of PVC or silicone.

11. The caulking product as recited in claim 10, further including at least one liquid contact indicator that indicates when said body contacts water.