Shower pan

Abstract

 The invention relates to a shower pan comprising a considerably flat one-piece body (1), manufactured by means of molding in a flexible material which is adapted to the construction floor (3) on which it is placed, which has been provided with a certain concavity or drop (31) towards a drainage pipe (2). The surface of the body (1) has a texture and finish imitating various materials, of those used in construction, textiles, woods, or materials and finishes similar to other products.

Description

Object of the Invention

[0001] As indicated in the title, the present invention relates to a shower pan, understanding as such a short vessel provided with an inclination towards an inner point, generally at the center or on a side, in which it is coupled with a drainage pipe for the water flowing from a tap-shower located on a side or at the upper part of the area of the bath in which it is located.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Currently existing shower pans are made of ceramic, acrylic material or of stainless steel. They are, in short, rigid elements which are fixed on site on a cement or plaster bedplate by means of mortar, plaster or another adhesive paste.

[0003] The oldest pans had a considerably deep vessel, nevertheless new design lines have modified this trend and thus very flat and short pans, made of the aforementioned materials, have arisen.

Description of the Invention

[0004] The shower pan object of the invention has a considerably flat body, manufactured by means of molding in a flexible material which is adapted to the construction bedplate on which it is placed, such that it is not even necessary to fix to the floor, it is enough to allow it to rest in its place. For the purpose of facilitating the draining of water from the shower, said bedplate is provided with certain concavity or drop towards the drainage pipe.

[0005] To achieve a shower pan which can be adapted to the bedplate or floor, materials are used which are different from those usually used for these types of elements. The most suitable materials for manufacturing these types of pans are:

a) Rubber or another similar elastomer.

b) Silicone.

c) A polyurethane, polyester, epoxy foam or another low-density resin which allows obtaining a flexible and adaptable element.

[0006] With these materials, obtaining shower pans in which the surface thereof has a texture and finish imitating various materials is feasible. For example, textures of materials used in construction, such as slate, stone, tile or terrazzo, can be achieved. It is also possible to imitate certain textile materials, such as fabrics of wool, raffia, corduroy, sack, woven leather, scrim, cloths of several thicknesses and woven in many ways. Finally, it is also possible to obtain a finish with textures of woods, canes, woven splints and of other materials and finishes simulating other daily life products.

[0007] The process for manufacturing the shower pan with any of these textures comprises the following phases:

a) Choosing a prototype piece with the suitable texture and manufacturing on it a mold which negatively reproduces the engraving and texture of the prototype piece;

b) Manufacturing from this mold a shower pan having on its surface an engraving equivalent to the original prototype piece; and,

c) Final finish of the piece thus obtained with a phase of tinting or staining the surface and applying a coating layer.

[0008] The placement of a shower pan with these features is very simple and contemplates the following phases:

a) A first phase of constructing a construction bedplate, with a certain concavity or drop towards an inner point in which a drainage pipe is located.

b) Once said bedplate has set or hardened, the adaptable pan is placed thereon, which pan is optionally fixed to said bedplate by means of an adhesive.

c) Finally, a ceramic or another material for finishing the floor of the bath is placed around the pan, the pan being integrated or embedded therein as a simple enclosure of another material and texture.

[0009] The shower pans of the invention are elements which, in addition to providing a more advanced design and visual appearance, are very easy to place and their manufacture, by molding, is also very easy and can be carried out on demand or be custom-made.

Description of the Drawings

[0010] To complement the description which is being made and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to this specification in which the following has been shown with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a shower pan placed in position on a construction bedplate (3).

Figure 2 shows respective plan and section elevational views of a preferred embodiment of this shower pan.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

[0011] As can be observed in the mentioned figures, the shower pan (1) is a flat, short, flexible element which is adapted on the bedplate (3) which is constructed in the site of its placement. This pan can be manufactured in silicone, rubber, or any other type of synthetic resin allowing these two features: flexibility and adaptability to the floor.

[0012] The pan (1) is provided with a hole (11) in correspondence with the drain (2) and, optionally with a slight peripheral edge (12) to frame it and prevent the shower water from overflowing.

[0013] The embodiment shown in Figure 2 shows a pan (1) having on its operative upper face a texture (13) consisting of an engraving like a net. This texture and finish can imitate various materials, of those used in construction, textiles, woods, or materials and finishes similar to other products.

[0014] Figure 2 also shows the placement of a pan with these features on the floor, for which a bedplate (3) on which this pan can be placed is constructed; this bedplate is a surface having a single requirement: a concavity or a slight drop (31) towards a drainage pipe (2). The pan (1) is optionally fixed in said bedplate (3) by means of an adhesive and it is peripherally framed with ceramic (32) or another material used in the floor of the bath.

[0015] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, as well as a preferred embodiment, it is stated for the relevant purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elements can be modified, provided that this does not involve an alteration of the essential features of the invention which are claimed below:

Claims

1. A shower pan comprising a one-piece body, characterized in that said body (1) is considerably flat, manufactured by means of molding in a flexible material which is adapted to the construction floor (3) on which it is placed, which has been provided with a certain concavity or drop (31) towards a drainage pipe (2).

2. The shower pan according to the previous claim, characterized in that the surface of the body (1) has a texture and finish imitating various materials, of those used in construction, textiles, woods, or materials and finishes similar to other products.

3. The shower pan according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the body (1) forming it is made of rubber or another similar elastomer.

4. The shower pan according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the body (1) forming it is made of silicone.

5. The shower pan according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the body (1) forming it is made of polyurethane, polyester, epoxy foam or another low-density resin which allows obtaining a flexible and adaptable element.

6. A process for manufacturing the shower pan of claim 2, characterized in that it comprises the following phases:

a) choosing a prototype piece with the suitable texture and manufacturing on it a mold which negatively reproduces the engraving and texture of the prototype piece;

b) manufacturing from this mold a shower pan having on its surface an engraving equivalent to the original prototype piece; and,

c) final finish of the piece thus obtained with a phase of tinting or staining the surface and applying a coating layer.

7. A process for placing the shower pan of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises the following phases:

a) a first phase of constructing a construction bedplate (3), with a certain concavity or drop towards an inner point in which a drainage pipe (2) is located.

b) once said bedplate (3) has set or hardened, positioning the adaptable pan (1) thereon and fixing it to said bedplate by means of an adhesive; and finally.

c) placing a ceramic or another material for finishing the floor (32) of the bath around the pan (1).

Drawing