[0001] The present invention relates to a drain assembly, particularly for a walk-in shower,
which drain assembly is intended for building into a tile floor. The invention further
relates to a drain body for use in such an assembly and to a method for building-in
of a drain.
[0002] A known problem of the existing drains for tile floors is associated with making
the connections between the drain and the tiles watertight. The development of drains
typically takes place from the viewpoint of the plumber. Insufficient attention is
paid here to the convenience of placing for a tiler.
[0003] The present invention has for its object to provide a drain assembly which can be
placed easily and properly by a tiler and with which leakage and/or moisture problems
can particularly be avoided.
[0004] The invention relates for this purpose to a drain assembly which is distinguished
in that it comprises the following components:
- a drain body which can be built into the floor and which has at the top an inlet zone
with a periphery;
- a peripheral flange with an upper surface, extending substantially in a horizontal
plane from this periphery;
- a water-sealing layer arranged adheringly on the upper surface of the peripheral flange;
- a sealing mat intended for placing around the periphery, wherein a portion of the
sealing mat overlaps at least the outer periphery of the water-sealing layer.
[0005] A minimal overlap zone will typically be necessary along the whole outer periphery
of the water-sealing layer in order to guarantee an adequate water sealing. Such a
drain assembly will ensure that penetration of water due to capillary action in the
tile floor is largely prevented. The water-sealing layer will more particularly provide
for a good water sealing close to the drain, this without the tiler having to be particularly
experienced. This water-sealing layer is after all pre-adhered watertightly to the
peripheral flange, and the sufficient overlap between this layer and the water-sealing
mat will in this way bring about an efficient sealing.
[0006] According to a preferred embodiment, the water-sealing layer extends along the periphery
so as to form a peripheral zone with a minimal width. The whole peripheral flange
is more preferably covered with the water-sealing layer.
[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sealing mat is dimensioned to extend
from the periphery of the inlet zone to a position beyond the outer periphery of the
peripheral flange. In this way it will be immediately apparent to a tiler how this
sealing mat must be placed. A smaller overlap part will however generally be technically
sufficient to realize an adequate sealing. In the case that a KERDI material (see
below) is used for the sealing layer and mat, use will typically be made of for instance
a minimal overlap of 5 cm.
[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the peripheral flange is provided
close to the outer periphery thereof with an upright edge, this such that water seeping
in along the sealing layer is held back by this upright edge. This will further improve
the watertightness and reduce the overlap necessary in determined embodiments. According
to an advantageous embodiment, the water-sealing layer and/or the sealing mat comprises
polyethylene. The sealing mat and/or the water-sealing layer are typically adapted
to be water-sealing and to adhere well to tile adhesive, and comprise for instance
polyethylene, wherein a fleece webbing is provided on both sides for a good anchoring
in tile adhesive. According to a possible embodiment, the water-sealing layer and/or
the sealing mat are manufactured from a KERDI material manufactured by the Schlüter
company.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the drain body is a moulded plastic article.
[0010] According to a possible embodiment, the water-sealing layer consists of a KERDI mat
material which is arranged on the drain body by means of an adhesive. This adhesive
must particularly realize a watertight adhesion of the KERDI mat material to the peripheral
flange.
[0011] According to a further developed embodiment, the drain body can be provided on its
underside with a number of protrusions for stabilizing the drain body during placing
thereof in a floor material such as mortar. The inlet zone can further be provided
on the inner side with one or more support edges for supporting a grate assembly along
which the water flows from the floor to the inlet zone.
[0012] According to a possible embodiment, the drain body is substantially elongate with
a substantially rectangular inlet zone, although other designs are also possible.
The inlet zone can further be provided with one or more buffer zones for controlling
the flow rate to the outlet. A modified design can be chosen for these buffer zones
depending on the form of the drain body. In the case of a rectangular inlet zone the
sealing mat for instance takes form of a frame with an inner periphery fitting around
the periphery.
[0013] The invention further relates to a drain body, particularly for use in a drain assembly
according to any of the above described embodiments, with features as described above,
which can be combined at random.
[0014] Finally, the invention relates to a method for placing a drain, comprising of:
- selecting a drain body having an inlet zone with a periphery and a peripheral flange
with an upper surface extending substantially in a horizontal plane from this periphery;
- connecting a water-sealing layer adheringly to the upper surface of the peripheral
flange;
- arranging the drain body in a floor material such that the underside of the peripheral
flange is arranged in the floor material;
- placing the sealing mat around the periphery,
wherein a portion of the sealing mat overlaps at least an outer peripheral zone of
the water-sealing layer.
[0015] The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a number of non-limitative
exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a drain assembly
according to the invention;
figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the drain body of figure 1 as seen from
below;
figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the drain body illustrated in figure 1
as seen from above;
figure 4 is an exploded schematic perspective view of a grate assembly for use with
the drain assembly of figure 1;
figure 5 shows a cross-section along line A-A in figure 3, wherein two connecting
laid tiles are also shown;
figures 6A-D illustrate schematically an embodiment of the method according to the
invention; and
figure 7 is a schematic perspective view similar to the view of figure 3 of a second
variant of a drain assembly according to the invention;
figure 8 shows a partially schematic cross-section similar to the cross-section of
figure 5 of a third variant of a drain assembly according to the invention.
[0016] A first embodiment of a drain assembly according to the invention will be illustrated
hereinbelow with reference to figures 1-5. The drain assembly comprises a drain body
1 with an upper side 3 and an underside 2. Drain body 1 is provided on its upper side
3 with an inlet zone 4 with a periphery 5. This periphery 5 transposes into a substantially
horizontally extending peripheral flange 6. Underside 3 of drain body 1 is preferably
intended to be arranged directly into a floor material such as mortar. The underside
of peripheral flange 6 is thus placed directly against the floor material here, as
will be further illustrated with reference to figures 6A-D.
[0017] The drain body is preferably manufactured from a plastic which adheres to the typical
floor materials such as mortar, and preferably from a mouldable plastic. It is however
also possible to manufacture the drain body from metal. An example of a suitable material
is a mouldable plastic on the basis of polyester resins and aluminium trihydrates.
Such a plastic is already used nowadays for the moulding of other bathroom components,
such as shower trays.
[0018] Arranged on the upper surface of peripheral flange 6 is a water-sealing layer 7 which
can be connected adheringly to a sealing mat 8 using for instance a tile adhesive.
Water-sealing layer 7 preferably extends over substantially the whole upper surface
of peripheral flange 6. This water-sealing layer can for instance be a KERDI mat cut
to size which is connected with a suitable adhesive to peripheral flange 6 of the
drain body. Such KERDI mats are sold by the manufacturer Schlüter and are manufactured
from a soft polyethylene material, wherein a special fleece webbing is arranged on
both sides of the mat for a good anchoring with tile adhesive and other trowel-applied
covering materials or plaster layers.
[0019] The water-sealing layer must preferably be arranged on the upper surface of the peripheral
flange in adhering manner such that water is prevented from being able to permeate
under the water-sealing layer. According to a possible embodiment, the sealing layer
is arranged by arranging a KERDI mat material on the peripheral flange using a suitable
adhesive. This adhesive must therefore preferably ensure a good watertight adhesion
of the water-sealing layer to the drain body. An example of a suitable adhesive is
an acrylate adhesive with a high adhesive strength. It is for instance possible here
to envisage two-sided adhesive transfer tapes (for instance Transfertape 3M Scotch
969/950). A layer of adhesive of between 0.05 and 0.5 mm is typically provided, and
for instance a layer of adhesive of about 0.13 mm.
[0020] The first embodiment of the drain assembly further comprises a sealing mat 8 intended
for placing on the upper surface of peripheral flange 6 around periphery 5. In the
shown embodiment the inlet zone 4 of the drain body is substantially rectangular and
sealing mat 8 takes the form of a frame with a recess 9, the dimensions of which substantially
correspond to those of inlet zone 4. When placed on peripheral flange 6, sealing mat
8 will in this way extend from periphery 5 beyond outer periphery 10 of peripheral
flange 6. This sealing mat will typically be sold together with the other parts of
the drain assembly and arranged by a tiler around periphery 5 before arranging of
the tiles, as will be further illustrated with reference to figure 5 and figures 6A-D.
In this way the sealing mat can form a kind of bridge to other parts of sealing mats
used under the tiles.
[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, peripheral flange 6 is provided close to
its outer periphery 10 with an upright edge 11. This edge 11 will particularly ensure
that, should water nevertheless seep under or over sealing layer 3, this water will
in any case be held back by this edge.
[0022] In order to guarantee a good water sealing, it is typically appropriate in the case
KERDI materials are used to make use of a minimal overlap of 5 cm between adjacent
mats. Similarly, a sufficient overlap is required between the sealing layer and the
sealing mat. When the drain body is provided with an upright edge 11, it is possible
to in most cases to opt for a smaller overlap.
[0023] As illustrated in figure 2, the underside of the drain body can be formed so as to
enhance a stable placing thereof in a floor material. Underside 2 of the drain body
is provided centrally with a recessed portion 12 in which a siphon (not shown) can
be provided which carries the water to outlet 14. In the shown embodiment the underside
is further provided with a number of protrusions 13 intended for a more stable placing
of the drain body. The skilled person will appreciate that more or fewer protrusions
can be provided depending on the design of the drain body. The skilled person will
further appreciate that the invention not only relates to substantially rectangular
drain bodies as shown in figures 1-5, but also to square drain bodies, round drain
bodies, etc.
[0024] Inlet zone 4 can be provided on its inner side with a plurality of support edges
15, 16 for supporting a grate assembly. A possible embodiment of a grate assembly
is shown in figure 4. The grate assembly is formed here from substantially two parts
40, 41, being a substantially rectangular frame 40 and a U-profile 41 fitting therein.
The water can flow to the inlet zone between walls 43 of the U-profile and the inner
walls of frame 40. In order to arrange the grate assembly in inlet zone 4 a number
of supports 44 are typically provided which are intended to support on a support edge
15, 16 of the drain body. These supports 44 are for instance formed in order to receive
and position frame 40 and U-profile 41. Additional support blocks 45 can further be
added. Such additional support blocks allow the height of the grate assembly to be
adjusted to the thickness of tiles 50. This can be seen in detail in figure 5.
[0025] Figure 5 further illustrates how the drain assembly of figure 1 is built into a tile
floor, wherein tiles 50 extend to a position against frame 42 of grate assembly 40.
Sealing mat 8 is here arranged over flange 6 to which a sealing layer 3 has been adhered
beforehand (i.e. prior to being built into the floor). In this way a watertight connection
can be guaranteed without a tiler having to perform complicated operations.
[0026] Figures 6A-D illustrate an embodiment of the method according to the invention. In
a first step (figure 6A) the drain body is positioned on the floor. An auxiliary part
60 (for instance of expanded polystyrene) is typically arranged here in the inlet
zone. After the drain assembly has been built in, this auxiliary part will be removed
and grate assembly 40, 41, 44 will be placed. In a second step (figure 6B) a floor
material such as concrete is arranged around the drain body. Sealing mat 8 is then
arranged over the drain body, after which the rest of the floor and/or wall(s) can
be finished in the usual manner using additional sealing mats (figure 6D). The tiles
can now be placed, these tiles extending as shown in figure 5 to a position beyond
the outer periphery of inlet zone 4 of the drain assembly.
[0027] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a second and third embodiment of the drain assembly according
to the invention. The difference with the first embodiment lies in the provision of
a second upright edge 117 close to the periphery 105 of inlet zone 104, wherein a
sealing layer 103 extends from this second upright edge 117 in the direction of the
outer periphery of peripheral flange 106. In the variant of figure 7 the upright edge
111 is located along the outer periphery of flange 106, while in the variant of figure
8 it is displaced further inward. Sealing layer 103 and sealing mat 108 further do
not overlap fully but only over an outer peripheral zone of sealing layer 103, this
applying to both the second and third variant.
[0028] The skilled person will appreciate that many modifications to the above described
exemplary embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention,
this scope being defined solely by the following claims.
1. Drain assembly for building into a floor, comprising:
- a drain body which can be built into the floor and which has at the top an inlet
zone with a periphery;
- a peripheral flange with an upper surface, extending substantially in a horizontal
plane from this periphery;
- a water-sealing layer arranged adheringly on the upper surface of the peripheral
flange;
- a sealing mat with the form of a frame with an inner periphery fitting around the
periphery, wherein a portion of the sealing mat overlaps at least the outer periphery
of the water-sealing layer;
wherein the sealing mat and the water-sealing layer are adapted to be water-sealing
and to adhere well to tile adhesive.
2. Drain assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sealing mat and the water-sealing layer each comprise polyethylene.
3. Drain assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sealing mat and the water-sealing layer are each provided on both sides with
a fleece webbing for a good anchoring in the tile adhesive.
4. Drain assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the sealing mat and the water-sealing layer are KERDI mats cut to size.
5. Drain assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the water-sealing layer is arranged on the upper surface of the peripheral flange
by means of an acrylate adhesive with high adhesive strength; or is arranged on the
upper surface of the peripheral flange by means of a two-sided adhesive transfer tape.
6. Drain assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the water-sealing layer is arranged on the upper surface of the peripheral flange
by means of a layer of adhesive with a thickness of between 0.05 mm and 0.50 mm.
7. Drain assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the peripheral flange has an outer periphery and that the sealing mat is dimensioned
to extend from the periphery to a position beyond the outer periphery of the peripheral
flange.
8. Drain assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the peripheral flange is provided with an upright edge, preferably close to the outer
periphery of the peripheral flange.
9. Drain assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the drain body is a moulded plastic article or is manufactured from metal.
10. Drain assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the drain body is provided on its underside with a number of protrusions for stabilizing
the drain body during placing thereof in a floor material such as mortar.
11. Drain assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the sealing layer extends over the whole upper surface of the peripheral flange.
12. Drain assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the sealing mat is dimensioned to overlap a peripheral zone of the sealing layer,
the peripheral zone having a width of at least 2 cm, preferably at least 3 cm and
more preferably at least 5 cm.
13. Drain body for building into a floor, particularly for use in a drain assembly as
claimed in any of the foregoing claims comprising:
- a drain body which can be built into the floor and which has at the top an inlet
zone with a periphery;
- a peripheral flange with an upper surface, extending substantially in a horizontal
plane from this periphery;
- a water-sealing layer arranged adheringly on the upper surface of the peripheral
flange;
wherein the water-sealing layer is adapted to be water-sealing and to adhere well
to tile adhesive.
14. Method for placing a drain, comprising of:
- selecting a drain body having an inlet zone with a periphery and a peripheral flange
with an upper surface extending substantially in a horizontal plane from this periphery;
- connecting a water-sealing layer adheringly to the upper surface of the peripheral
flange prior to building into the floor;
- cutting to size a sealing mat with the form of a frame with an inner periphery fitting
around the periphery, this prior to building into the floor, wherein the sealing mat
is dimensioned such that a portion of the sealing mat overlaps at least the outer
periphery the water-sealing layer;
- arranging the drain body in a floor material such that the underside of the peripheral
flange is arranged in the floor material;
- placing the sealing mat around the periphery and connecting the sealing mat adheringly
to the sealing layer by means of tile adhesive, wherein a portion of the sealing mat
overlaps at least the outer periphery of the water-sealing layer.
15. Method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the sealing mat and the water-sealing layer are cut to size from KERDI mats.