GB2328253A

GB2328253A - Flexible sealing strip

Info

Publication number: GB2328253A
Application number: GB9811770A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Hobby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-02
Filing date: 1998-06-01
Publication date: 1999-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-01
Also published as: GB9811770D0; GB9711357D0; DE19824602A1; GB2328253B

Abstract

An elongate flexible sealing strip 1 is disclosed for sealing a gap between a bath or shower tray 6, and a wall 7. The strip has a first panel 3 for attachment to a bath and a second panel 2 for attachment to a tiled surface. The strip is characterised by a corrugated portion 4 for bridging the gap between the bath and the tiled surface, the corrugated portion being deformable to accommodate movement between the bath and the tiled wall while continuing to seal the gap. The strip preferably has a capping piece (9, fig 2a) for masking the corrugated portion.

Description

1 FLEXIBLE STRIP 2328253 The present invention relates to a flexible

strip. More particularly it relates to a flexible strip for forming a seal between relatively moveable members.

Newly installed baths and shower trays are generally positioned against one or more walls. To prevent water from splashes or from overfilling the bath running down between the bath and wan and causing damage to lower floor ceilings, carpets and electrical systems, the bath or shower tray must be sealed against the wall.

Silicone sealants are commonly used in the building trade and by DIY enthusiasts to seal these gaps.

A newly installed bath or shower inevitably sinks from its original position, particularly when installed in a new building. The resulting stresses on the seal, which has very little 'give', cause it to crack or come away from the bath or the wan and leave a gap through which water can pass. Silicone sealants also shrink over time, leading to hairline cracks which allow water through.

Frequent use of a bath or shower will also cause it to move, and the same problems appear.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a flexible scaling strip comprising a first and a second panel each capable of being affixed to a surface, and a corrugated portion intermediate said first and second panels, wherein the corrugations can distort to accommodate relative movement between said first and second panels.

Flexible strips in accordance with the invention comprise elongate strips of flexible material, which are preferably formed, e.g. by moulding or extrusion, from a deformable plastics or rubbery material. The strip may include portions between the first and second panels in addition to the corrugated portion. One or more corrugated portions may be present. In general, the corrugated portion is formed with corrugations extending lengthwise of the strip. The corrugations may be of any profile and may be closed or open.

2 Preferably a capping or masking piece is attached to or is formed integrally with the first or second panel, in order to mask the corrugated portion from view.

Tle invention will now be further described by way of non-limiting examples by reference to the Figures, of which:

Figure 1(a) shows a cross section of a strip according to a first embodiment of the invention used to seal a gap; Figure 1(b) shows a cross section of a strip of Figure 1(a) as used to seal a gap between a bath and an adjacent tiled wall portion; Figure 1(c) is the same view as Figure 1(b) after the gap has opened, e.g. because the bath has settled to a lower position relative to the tiled wall portion; Figure 2 is a cross section through a strip according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 2(a) is a view similar to that of Figure 1 (a) showing the strip of Figure 2 in use for sealing a gap between a tiled wall portion and the top of a bath; Figure 2(b) is the same view as Figure 2(a) after the bath has settled to a lower position and increased the size of the gap; Figure 3 is a cross section through a third embodiment in accordance with the invention; Figure 3(a) is a view similar to that of Figure 2(a) showing the strip of Figure 3 in use for sealing a gap between a tiled wall portion and the top of a bath; Figure 3(b) is the same view as Figure 3(a) after the bath has settled to a lower position and increased the width of the gap; Figure 4 is a cross-section through a fourth embodiment in accordance with the invention; Figure 4(a) is a similar view to that of Figure 3(a) showing the strip of Figure 4 in use for sealing a gap between a tiled wall portion and the top of a bath; Figure 4(b) is the same view as Figure 4(a) after the bath has settled and opened the gap; Figure 5 is a cross-section through a fifth embodiment of the invention; 3 Figure 5(a) is a view similar to Figure 4(a) showing the strip in use to seal a gap between a tiled wall portion and the top of a bath; Figure 5(b) is the same view as Figure 5(a) after the bath has settled and opened the gap; and Figure 6 is a cross-section through a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 1 (a) and 1 (b) of the drawings, an elongated flexible strip (1) comprises a first panel (2), a second panel (3), and a corrugated portion (4) joined to the first panel along one edge and to the second panel along the opposite edge. The corrugated portion is provided with at least one corrugation extending parallel to the joined edges and lengthwise of the strip.

The strip may be used to provide a watertight seal between a bath and wall. This is illustrated in Figures 1 (a) and 1 (b). For a time after the bath is fitted, the gap (5) between the top of the bath (6) and the wall (7) is small. The gap can be sealed by fixing one of the first and second panels (2 or 3) to the bath or shower tray (6), and the other to the wall (7) using a suitable adhesive. For example, a waterproof pressure sensitive adhesive can be used, for example, a natural or synthetic rubber solution, e.g. Evostik.

Over time the bath will settle to a lower level whether it be due to floor shrinkage in a new house, or by repeated heavy use. The corrugated panel (4) extends or opens to accommodate the relative movement between bath (6) and wan (7). This is illustrated in Figure 1 (b).

In one embodiment of the invention the angle (et) at the point (8) of a corrugation increases as the movement occurs. The portion (4) flattens to cover the gap without cracking when the gap narrows.

The corrugations may have a saw-tooth shape or be shaped similarly to a sine wave, or even have irregular folds, as long as they are capable of deforming on stretching. The corrugations may be open at one side so that they form a zig-zag profile in section. It is also possible to provide a closed structure, as illustrated in Figure 6. Referring to this Figure, the intermediate portion of the strip effectively has a pair of joined corrugations (4a and 4b) which form a hollow interior (4c).

4 To allow for the above described movement, at least the corrugated portion (4) is formed from a flexible material. The panel may be made from a web or sheet of plastic material, such as PVC or synthetic or natural rubber. Those skilled in the art will have little difficulty in selecting a material which deforms suitably without breaking, is waterproof, and can be adhered with conventional adhesives to bathroom surfaces. Preferably the whole strip (1) is flexible in a lengthwise direction. In this case the strip can be used to seal gaps that follow a curve, and to seal at a corner although it may be desirable to provided separate corner pieces which are joined to the strip.

In the embodiment of Figures 1, 1 (a) and 1 (b), the first outer panel (2) is sealed over the outer facing surface of the tiled wall portion (7). A neater appearance can be obtained by off-setting the first panel (2) so that it can be located between the tiled portion and the bathroom wall. This arrangement is illustrated in Figures 4, 4(a) and 4(b). In the embodiment of Figure 4, the first panel (2) is offset backwardly with respect to the corrugated portion (4). As shown in Figure 4(b), the second panel (3) can be positioned and bonded to the top edge of the bath or shower tray (6) and the panel (2) fixed to a wall surface (20) before finishing the tiling of this part of the wall. The panel may be fixed to the wall (20) by adhesive or mechanical fixing, e.g. nails, staples or screws. After attaching the panel (2), the tiled wall portion (7) is completed, thereby covering the panel (2). As can be seen in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), this method of fixing means that only the outer edge of the strip (3) and the edge of the corrugated portion (4) is visible before the gap (5) increases. Even after the bath settles and the gap opens up, the sealing strip is less visually intrusive, especially when coloured to match the colour of the bath or shower tray.

For the amateur, it will usually be easier to adhere the strip to the face of the tiles and the embodiment of Figure 4 can be orientated so that the panel (2) could be adhered to the face of the tiles. One design of flexible strip could be modified for each system of fitting. For example, the strip of Figure 4 could be moulded with a thinned portion so that the strip can be cut along the line X-X to form a strip having a narrower first panel portion (2). Tlie embodiment of Figure 3 is a simpler design to that shown in Figure 1, in which the corrugated portion extends inwardly into the gap - see Figures 3(a) and 3(b). Tle embodiment of Figure 3 is also reversible so that panel (2) may be adhered to the bath and panel (3) to the wall surface.

In two further embodiments, (shown in Figure 2 and 5), the strip (1) may be provided with a capping piece (9) to hide the corrugated portion (4) from view and provide a smooth, continuous finish. The capping piece may be attached to the strip or formed integrally as part of the strip. In the embodiment of Figure 2, it clips on to the previously applied strip. Retaining means (10) can be provided on the first or second panel of the strip. Preferably the capping piece is attached to the strip by one edge only. Thus when the bath or shower moves and the seal extends or contracts the unattached end is free to slide over the surface of the bath and provide a good finish.

Both the strip and capping piece can be cut to the desired length as and when needed by the fitter.

6

Claims

CLAIMS:

A flexible sealing strip comprising a first and a second panel each capable of being affixed to a surface, and a corrugated portion intermediate said first and second panels, wherein the corrugations can distort to accommodate relative movement between said first and second panels.
2. A strip according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion only is flexible.
3. A strip according to claim 1 or claim 2 which is formed from deformable plastics material.
4. A strip according to any one of claims 1 to 3 which is formed from PVC.
5. A strip according to claim 1 or claim 2 which is formed fl-om rubber.
6. A strip according to any one of the preceding claims which includes a capping piece for masking the corrugated portion.
7. A strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to one or more of the figures of the accompanying drawings.
8. A method of sealing a gap between a first surface and a second surface, the method comprising sealingly attaching the first panel of a strip according to any one or more of the preceding claims to one of the first and second surfaces, and sealingly attaching the second panel of said strip to the other of said first and second surfaces so that the gap is bridged by said corrugated portion.