Water discharging floor tile

Abstract

 Water discharging floor tile (100) comprising a water discharging tile element (110) and a supporting element (120), the water discharging tile element comprises a surface for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, the supporting element being suitable for supporting one end of the water discharging tile element such that the surface is placed at an angle for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, characterized in that the water discharging tile element (110) and the supporting element (120) are separately formed and in that the water discharging floor tile comprises connection means for connecting the water discharging tile element with the supporting element.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a water discharging floor tile comprising a water discharging tile element, the water discharging tile element comprises a surface for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile

[0002] The invention also relates to a method of manufacture of a water discharging floor tile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Shower floors, especially showers of walk in type, are often paved with tiles. It is desirable that the shower area is enclosed in some manner so as to contain water in the shower area, at least to some degree. This avoids that other areas of the bathroom become wet from shower water.

[0004] The center part of the shower area is typically tiled with conventional flat ceramic or stone floor tiles. The border between the shower area and the rest of the bathroom may be indicated using special floor tiles which contain a slanted surface. The slanted surface allows water to run down its side and helps to contain water in the show area.

[0005] A floor tile suitable for use in a shower may be manufactured from a variety of materials. For example, the floor tile may be manufactured out of stone, or out of ceramic. Ceramic tiles may be, e.g., made of porcelain or of a clay composition. Typically a ceramic floor tile is made by dry pressing. A powdered material is compressed into a forming die. After pressing the tile may be glazed and fired.

[0006] A forming die is costly. Moreover, during heating of the tile, it will shrink in a manner dependent on the shape of the tile. Therefore the shape of the forming die has to be adapted to the subsequent baking, making the creating a new forming die time consuming. It would be of advantage to avoid having to use a forming die to create water discharging tiles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A water discharging floor tile according to the invention comprises a water discharging tile element and a supporting element, the water discharging tile element comprises a surface for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, the supporting element being suitable for supporting one end of the water discharging tile element such that the surface is placed at an angle for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, characterized in that the water discharging tile element and the supporting element are separately formed and in that the water discharging floor tile comprises connection means for connecting the water discharging tile element with the supporting element.

[0008] Since the water discharging tile element and the supporting element are separately formed but connected with connection means there is no separate forming die for the water discharging floor tile. In other words the forming die used for the water discharging tile element is also used for the water discharging floor tile. Using one forming die to create different types of floor tiles is an advantage.

[0009] Furthermore, by varying the connection means the angle under which the water discharging tile element slopes may be varied, even though the same forming die may still be used for the water discharging tile element.

[0010] Furthermore, ordinarily when pressing or baking (firing) a shower tile, there will be 8-11% shrinkage. The tile has a tendency to change its dimensions, which is very hard to control. However, a floor tile according to the invention may be manufactured from separate elements which are cut from previously manufactured tiles. Accordingly, one has full control over the dimensions of the completed water discharging floor tile.

[0011] The water discharging floor tile is water discharging since water falling or splashing on top of the tile flows down the water discharging tile element since it is placed under an angle and accordingly the water flows away from the water discharging floor tile.

[0012] The water discharging tile element is preferably flat and preferably extends along some distance. For example, in an embodiment the water discharging tile element is flat and 15 centimeters wide and 10 centimeters long. In other embodiments, the water discharging tile element is more than 10, more than 20, more than 50 centimeters wide. Similarly, the length may be more than 10, more than 20, more than 50 centimeters long.

[0013] The surface for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile is preferably flat but it may also curve.

[0014] The surface is placed at an angle to facilitate water flowing down the surface under the influence of gravity. The angle may be expressed as an angle between a ground plane of the water discharging floor tile, and the surface of the water discharging tile element. In use, the ground plane is parallel to the floor which is to be tiled with the water discharging floor tiles. For example, the angle could be 15 degrees.

[0015] The water discharging tile element is preferably, stone or ceramic. The supporting element is preferably, stone or ceramic. The water discharging tile element and supporting element are separately formed and are only connected with each other through the connection means. The connection means preferably does not comprise stone and does not comprise ceramic.

[0016] The connection means may connect the water discharging tile element and supporting element direct against each other, but the connection means may also leave a joint between them. The joint allows tile grout to be used in between the water discharging tile element and supporting element. If this is done locally when tiling, e.g., a shower floor, this has the advantage that the same tile grout is used to tile the water discharging tile element and the supporting element as is used for other floor tiles, e.g. flat floor tiles used in combination with a water discharging floor tile. If the tile grout is applied during manufacture of the water discharging tile, a highly robust tile is obtained. The grout can be on the basis of cement, possibly with additional additives such as powdered latex or acrylic modifiers.

[0017] An additional advantage of a joint is that the resulting tile has an improved skid resistant surface. A joint filled with grout naturally improves the traction of the tile, especially in wet conditions.

[0018] One way to achieve a fixation of the water discharging tile element and the supporting element with respect to each other is to use glue as connection means. For example, the water discharging tile element may be glued against the supporting element. In this case the glue is applied between the water discharging tile element and supporting element. On the other hand the glue may be applied in glue patches below the water discharging tile element and against the supporting element. This allows a joint between the water discharging tile element and supporting element; for example the glue may be an epoxy glue. A connection means can also be made without using glue. For example, the connection means may comprise tile grout, in addition or instead of glue.

[0019] A water discharging tile according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in wet rooms, in particular bathrooms. The water discharging tile is especially suitable for use in showers, such as walk-in showers. For example, a shower area in a bathroom may be tiled with flat floor tiles bordered by floor tile according to the invention.

[0020] The connection means may connect the water discharging tile element to the supporting element, either as a fixed connection or as a connection that stills allows some movement of the water discharging tile element with respect to the supporting element.

[0021] Having the connection means leaving the water discharging tile element and supporting element moveable with respect to each other gives the setter of the tiles the more flexibility in setting the tile as desired by local requirements. It allows some room for adjustment during setting of the tile to local circumstance. Not all floors are perfectly flat and not all walls extend perfectly perpendicular. If there is some movement then a tile setter can use it to his advantage to compensate for local imperfections.

[0022] In an embodiment, the connection means comprises a sheet, such as a mesh, which is one way to implement a moveable connection. The sheet may allow axial movement around the edge between the water discarding tile element and the supporting element. For example, the sheet may be connected to an underside of the water discharging tile element and to the supporting element. Using a sheet to connect the supporting element allows easy manufacture of the floor tile.

[0023] On the other hand, a fixed immovable connection between the water discharging tile element and the supporting element makes it easier to set straight lines and achieve good alignment flat floors. Especially for less experienced tile setters this is preferable.

[0024] In an embodiment, the water discharging tile element is fixed with respect to the supporting element. This can be accomplished in several manners. For example, the connection means may comprise glue. For example, the water discharging element may be glued fixed to the supporting element. In fact, all elements of the water discharging floor tile may be glued together to obtain a robust water discharging floor tile. The glue may be a glue suitable for gluing the water discharging floor tile in wet conditions. For example, epoxy type glue are a commonly known suitable type of glue.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the glue is specifically applied in patches to fix the underside of the water discharging tile element to the supporting element. This makes it easier to leave a joint.

[0026] In an embodiment the surface is flat. During firing of a tile, its color changes. The color change depends on many factors including the temperature of the oven, the duration of the heating but also the shape of the forming die. Water discharging floor tiles arranged to discharge water away from them are often combined with regular flat floor tiles. If the discharging tile and the flat floor tile are made in a different forming die, their colors will be slightly different. Having floor tiles of slightly different color is considered a disadvantage. In an embodiment the water discharging tile element is flat. This has the advantage that it can be cut from a flat floor tile. This guarantees that there will be no color differences between the water discharging tile element and a floor tile of the type from which the water discharging tile element was cut. This in turn allows floor tilings containing both water discharging elements and flat floor tiles without color differences.

[0027] In an embodiment, a design has been applied to the surface of the water discharging tile element. Flat floor tiles also floor tiles for use in a shower may be decorated with some design, e.g. a marble design. Applying the design may be done in a variety of manners, e.g. by using a printing method, such as screen printing. The design may be applied in the form of a coating such as a polymer coating. Applying a design is greatly facilitated if the tile on which the design is to be applied is flat. During manufacture the design is applied on a flat floor tile from which the water discharging tile element is then cut.

[0028] A water discharging floor tile according to the invention allows the water discharging element to be separately formed. Thus even though the upper surface of the finished water discharging floor tile may not be flat, the water discharging tile element may be flat, and a design may be applied to it, before it is connected to the other components of the water discharging floor tile.

[0029] In an embodiment, an underside of the water discharging floor tile defines a ground plane, such that the water discharging floor tile is arranged so that in use in a floor tiling the floor is parallel to the ground plane. The angle extends between the water discharging tile element and the ground plane. In an embodiment, the underside of the support is flat and defines the ground plane. In that embodiment, an edge or at least a corner of the water discharging tile element may also lie in the ground plane. In an embodiment, the supporting element rest only with an edge on the floor, in use in a tiling, the ground floor may be defined by the resting edge of the support and another resting element of the water discharging floor tile, e.g., a resting corner of the water discharging tile element.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the water discharging floor tile comprises a first aligning tile element extending along an edge of the water discharging tile element, the first aligning tile element being suitable for being arranged parallel to the ground plane and with one edge aligned with the water discharging tile element.

[0031] In use the water discharging floor tile is frequently combined with regular flat floor tiles to tile a floor. The tiles are used with their ground planes parallel to the floor. Tiling a flat floor tile next to a water discharging floor tile with proper alignment is hard since the water discharging floor tile comprises a slanted water discharging tile element. Having an alignment element in the water discharging tile makes it easier to obtain a good alignment between the water discharging floor tile and the next flat floor tile, since the flat floor tile and the alignment element are both parallel to the same plane.

[0032] Aligning tile elements may be connected to a side of the water discharging tile element. A aligning tile element extends along an edge of the water discharging tile element. The aligning tile elements are preferably parallel to the ground plane in use. For example, the edge along which the aligning tile element extends may be at said supported one end of the water discharging tile element. The aligning tile element may extend along another end of the water discharging tile element, for example, along an edge opposite or adjacent to the supported end. For convenience, the aligning tile element may be fixedly connected to the supporting element. Preferably, the aligning tile elements make an angle with the ground plane which is smaller than the angle between the water discharging tile element and the ground plane.

[0033] There may also be multiple aligning tile elements, e.g. a first and second aligning tile elements, each attached to different sides of the water discharging tile element. Preferably, the aligning tile elements, such as the first and the second aligning tile element are rectangular.

[0034] It is advantageous that the supporting element and an alignment element together form a step on which the water discharging tile element rests.

[0035] For example, the supporting element and an alignment element may have an equal length, which is equal to the length of the water discharging tile element at the supported side. The supporting element has a larger width than the alignment element. By stacking the supporting element on top of the alignment element with one side aligned, a step is created. The water discharging element rest on the step.

[0036] The connection means may space the water discharging tile element and the first aligning tile element apart and/or the water discharging tile element and the second aligning tile element apart so as to leave a joint between the water discharging tile element and the first aligning tile element and/or second aligning tile element.

[0037] Leaving a joint between different elements is preferred since it allows grout to be used in the joint. Typically grout will be used to tile a floor including the water discharging floor tiles. To obtain a uniform appearance it is preferred that the water discharging floor tile (at least) appears to be connected with grout. The joint may be filled with grout during manufacture, which is easy in use. The joint may also be filled with grout in use, during tiling of a floor. The latter has the advantage that the same grout is used for all tiles which increases the uniform appearance.

[0038] In an embodiment, the water discharging tile element comprises two parts, the first and second part being connected along an inner edge of the water discharging tile element. An outer edge of the first part and an outer edge of the second part are suitable for being supported and placed under an angle. Having a water discharging tile element which comprises two parts allows the water discharging floor tile to be used in a corner. A water discharging floor tile can be tiled next to each part. In this way, the sequence of water discharging floor tiles can be cornered. Such a water discharging floor tile will be referred to as a corner water discharging floor tile.

[0039] The water discharging floor tile is suitable for use in a shower floor. Preferably, a material is used having water absorption of less than 3%. For example, tiles may be used having an ANSI rating for moisture absorption of Vitreous (High Dense) to Impervious (Extremely dense).

[0040] A further aspect of the invention concerns a floor tiling comprising a water discharging floor tile according to the invention. Such floor tilings have several advantages that follow from the water discharging floor tile that is used. For example, the floor tiling is cheaper to produce since no separate mould is needed to produce the water discharging floor tile.

[0041] A further aspect of the invention concerns a method of manufacturing a water discharging floor tile. The method comprises separately forming a water discharging tile element and a supporting element, the water discharging tile element comprising a surface for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, the supporting element being suitable for supporting one end of the water discharging tile element such that the surface is placed at an angle for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, and connecting the water discharging tile element with the supporting element with connection means.

[0042] The method may also comprise forming a first aligning tile element, the first aligning tile element being suitable for being arranged parallel to the ground plane and with one edge aligned with the water discharging tile element. The method may also include connecting the first aligning tile element to the water discharging tile element.

[0043] It is preferred to manufacture a water discharging floor tile from flat floor tiles. In particular, from flat floor tiles of the same type as will also be used in a floor tiling comprising the water discharging floor tile. For example, the method of manufacturing may comprise cutting a first floor tile to obtain the water discharging tile element and cutting a second floor tile to obtain the first aligning tile element, the second floor tile being different from the first floor tile.

[0044] Preferably, the first floor tile is flat. Preferably, the second floor tile is flat. More preferably, the first and second floor tiles are both flat.

[0045] Corner water discharging floor tile may advantageously be made from two water discharging floor tiles, preferably having water discharging tile elements which are rectangular, and more preferably also flat. For example, the manufacture method may comprise, diagonally cutting a first water discharging floor tile, diagonally cutting a second water discharging floor tile and, connecting a part of the first water discharging floor tile to a part of second water discharging floor so as to create a floor tile, having two adjacent supported edges. The two parts that are combined to form a single corner tile are mirror images of each other.

[0046] The diagonally cutting of a water discharging floor tile includes cutting the water discharging tile element of the water discharging floor tile. One side of the water discharging tile element will form the one part of the water discharging tile element of the corner water discharging floor tile.

[0047] For the sake of good order, various aspects of the invention are set out in the following clauses:

1. Water discharging floor tile comprising a water discharging tile element and a supporting element, the water discharging tile element comprises a surface for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, the supporting element being suitable for supporting one end of the water discharging tile element such that the surface is placed at an angle for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, characterized in that the water discharging tile element and the supporting element are separately formed and in that the water discharging floor tile comprises connection means for connecting the water discharging tile element with the supporting element.

2. Water discharging floor tile as in clause 1, wherein the water discharging tile element is movable with respect to the supporting element.

3. Water discharging floor tile as in clause 1 or 2, wherein the connection means comprises a sheet.

4. Water discharging floor tile as in clause 3, wherein the sheet is connected to an underside of the water discharging tile element and to the supporting element.

5. Water discharging floor tile as in clause 1, wherein the water discharging tile element is fixed with respect to the supporting element.

6. Water discharging floor tile as in clause 1 or 5, wherein the connection means comprises glue.

7. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the surface is flat.

8. Water discharging floor tile as in clause 7, wherein a design has been applied to the surface.

9. Water discharging floor tile according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein an underside of the water discharging floor tile defines a ground plane, the water discharging floor tile being arranged for tiling a floor parallel to the ground plane, the angle being between the water discharging tile element and the ground plane.

10. Water discharging floor tile as in Clause 9, comprising a first aligning tile element extending along an edge of the water discharging tile element, the first aligning tile element being suitable for being arranged parallel to the ground plane and with one edge aligned with the water discharging tile element.

11. Water discharging floor tile as in Clause 10, wherein the edge along which the first aligning tile element extends is at said supported one end of the water discharging tile element.

12. Water discharging floor tile as in Clause 11, wherein the first aligning tile element is fixedly connected to the supporting element.

13. Water discharging floor tile as in Clause 9, comprising a second aligning tile element extending along another end of the water discharging tile element.

14. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of clauses 10, 11, 12, and 13, wherein the connection means spaces the water discharging tile element and the first aligning tile element apart and/or the water discharging tile element and the second aligning tile element apart so as to leave a joint between the water discharging tile element and the first aligning tile element and/or second aligning tile element.

15. Water discharging floor tile as in causes 10 to 14, wherein the glue is applied in patches to fix the underside of the water discharging tile element to the first aligning element.

16. Water discharging floor tile as in clause 14 or 15, wherein the joint is filled with tile grout.

17. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of clauses11 to 16, wherein any one of the water discharging tile element, the first aligning tile element and the second aligning tile element are rectangular.

18. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of clauses 11 to 16, wherein the water discharging tile element, the first aligning tile element and the second aligning tile element are rectangular, the first and second aligning tile elements extending along opposite edges of the water discharging tile element.

19. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of clauses 11 to 16, wherein the water discharging tile element, the first aligning tile element and the second aligning tile element are rectangular, the first and second aligning tile elements extending along adjacent edges of the water discharging tile element.

20. Water discharging floor tile as in clause 19, wherein the water discharging tile element comprises a first and a second part, the first and second partly being connected along an inner edge, an outer edge of the first part and an outer edge of the second part suitable for being supported and placed under an angle.

21. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of the preceding clauses suitable for use in a shower floor.

22. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of the preceding clauses wherein the water discharging element, the first aligning element and/or the second aligning element are made of tile, ceramic, or stone.

23. Floor tiling comprising a water discharging floor tile according to any one of the preceding clauses.

24. Method of manufacturing a water discharging floor tile, comprising

• separately forming a water discharging tile element and a supporting element, the water discharging tile element comprising a surface for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, the supporting element being suitable for supporting one end of the water discharging tile element such that the surface is placed at an angle for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile,
• connecting the water discharging tile element with the supporting element with connection means.

25. Method of manufacturing a water discharging floor tile as in Clause 24, comprising forming a first aligning tile element, the first aligning tile element being suitable for being arranged parallel to the ground plane and with one edge aligned with the water discharging tile element.

26. Method of manufacturing as in clause 25, comprising cutting a first floor tile to obtain the water discharging tile element and cutting a second floor tile element to obtain the first aligning tile element, the second floor tile being different from the first floor tile.

27. Method of manufacturing as in any of Clauses 24 to 26, wherein comprising diagonally cutting a first water discharging floor tile as in any of clauses 1 to 23, diagonally cutting a second water discharging floor tile as in any of clauses 1 to 23 and, connecting a part of the first water discharging floor tile to a part of the second water discharging floor so as to create a floor tile, having two adjacent supported edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention is explained in further detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 a shows a cross section of a water discharging tile, along section A-A,

Figure 1b shows a top view of the water discharging tile,

Figure 1c shows a bottom view of the water discharging tile,

Figure 2a shows a top view of cutting a first flat floor tile during manufacture of the water discharging floor tile,

Figure 2b shows a top view of cutting a second flat floor tile during manufacture of the water discharging floor tile,

Figure 3a shows a top view of cutting a first water discharging floor tile during manufacture of a corner water discharging floor tile,

Figure 3b shows a top view of cutting a second water discharging floor tile during manufacture of a corner water discharging floor tile,

Figure 3c shows a top view of corner water discharging floor tile,

Figure 3d shows a top view of further corner water discharging floor tile,

Figure 4 shows a cross section of a water discharging floor tile illustrating a joint,

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a water discharging floor tile illustrating a glue patch,

Figure 6a shows a cross section of a first water discharging floor tile comprising a mesh,

Figure 6b shows a top view of the mesh,

Figure 6c shows a cross section of a second water discharging floor tile comprising a mesh,

Figure 7a shows a cross section of a water discharging tile,

Figure 7b shows a cross section of a water discharging tile.

[0049] Throughout the Figures, similar or corresponding features are indicated by same reference numerals. The Figures have been drawn to scale.

List of Reference Numerals:

[0050] 

100

a water discharging floor tile

110

a water discharging tile element

120

a supporting element

130

a first aligning tile element

140

a second aligning tile element

150

a ground plane

210

a first flat floor tile

220

a second flat floor tile

230, 240, 250

discarded material

310

a first water discharging floor tile

320

a second water discharging floor tile

130a, 130b

a first aligning tile element

140a, 140b

a second aligning tile element

330

a corner water discharging floor tile

340

a corner water discharging floor tile

400

a water discharging floor tile with joints

410,420

a joint

500

a water discharging floor tile

510

a glue patch

600

a water discharging floor tile

610

a mesh

620

a water discharging floor tile

721, 722

a support section

723

additional support

DETAILED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as exemplary of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described.

[0052] Figures 1a, 1b and 1c (together referred to as Figure 1) illustrate a water discharging floor tile 100 in a cross sectional, top and bottom view respectively. Figures 1a, 1b and 1c have been drawn to the same scale.

[0053] The water discharging floor tile 100 comprises a water discharging tile element 110. In the shown embodiment, water discharging tile element 110 is rectangular and flat. A design, such as a marble design, may have been applied to the upper side of 110 (not shown in Figure 1 b). Water discharging tile element 110 is typically made out of tile or stone. The stone may be a naturally occurring stone.

[0054] Water discharging floor tile 100 comprises a supporting element 120. Supporting element 120 is suitable for supporting one end of the water discharging tile element, for example, supporting element 120 may also be made out of tile or stone. Typically supporting element 120 will be configured such that it is not visible when water discharging floor tile 100 is used in a floor tiling. For this reason less demands need be placed on the supporting element 120, at least from a visibility point of view.

[0055] Supporting element 120 is placed at one end of water discharging tile element 110, so that it supports that end. As a result, in use, water discharging tile element 110 will be tilted with respect to the floor. Water that falls on water discharging tile element 110, e.g., from a shower, or spills on water discharging tile element 110 flows down water discharging tile element 110 thus containing the water to one side of water discharging tile element 110. Discharging of water is transporting water away over a surface.

[0056] Water discharging floor tile 100 comprises a connection means for connecting water discharging tile element 110 to supporting element 120.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, water discharging tile element 110 is rectangular and supporting element 120 supports one end of the rectangular water discharging tile element near an edge. The edge of water discharging tile element 110 opposite the supported edge is unsupported. Here, the connection means is made out of glue. Other choices are possible, e.g. grout.

[0058] In a floor tiling, supporting element 120 is fixed with respect to water discharging tile element 110, although before tiling supporting element 120 may be movable with respect to water discharging tile element 110. For example, the connection means may allow some rotation with respect to the supported edge of water discharging tile element 110.

[0059] In figure 1a, a ground plane is defined by the bottom of supporting element 120, i.e. the part that will be placed on the to-be-tiled floor. The unsupported edge of water discharging tile element 110, i.e. the part of water discharging tile element 110 that will rest on the to-be-tiled floor also lies in the ground plane. The latter edge has been indicated with an arrow in figure 1 a. Ground plane 150 in cross section is a line, and has been indicated with a dashed line. For clarity reasons ground plane 150 has been drawn parallel to the actual ground plane, but somewhat below the tile. Ground plane 150 is virtual and introduced for clarity, although the floor tile could be configured with an actual ground plane, e.g., by gluing water discharging floor tile 100 onto a further tile.

[0060] Water discharging tile element 110 and thus its surface is placed at an angle for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile. The angle is defined by water discharging tile element 110 and the ground plane. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the angle is 4 degrees. Other degrees are also possible. For example, any degree in between 1 and 16 degrees is possible; for example, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 15 degrees. Higher degrees, but below 90 degree are possible. Below 30 degrees is advantageous. Water discharging tile element 110 is suitable to transport water away from water discharging floor tile 100 since it is configured in a slanted position with respect to a ground plane.

[0061] If a number of tiles like water discharging floor tile 100 are place in a row, e.g. such that the supported ends are aligned to form a line, a water barrier has been formed.

[0062] In figure 1, supporting element 120 is placed only partially under water discharging tile element 110, but supporting element 120 may also be placed fully under water discharging tile element 110 to avoid the use of aligning tile elements.

[0063] Water discharging floor tile 100 further comprises a first alignment element 130. First aligning tile element 130 is arranged at the supported side of water discharging tile element 110. An edge of first aligning tile element 130 runs along an edge of water discharging tile element 110. First aligning tile element 130 is parallel to ground plane 150. First aligning tile element 130 has the advantage that it is easier to align a tile next to water discharging floor tile 100 in a tiling. Also first aligning tile element 130 allows one to reduce the amount of glue used. Without first aligning tile element 130, supporting element 120 would be further under first aligning tile element 130 leaving more space to fill, e.g., with glue or grout.

[0064] It is advantageous that supporting element 120 and first aligning tile element 130 together form a step on which water discharging tile element 110 rests. In figure 1, this has been achieved as follows. First aligning tile element 130 is glued onto supporting element 120. First aligning tile element 130 and supporting element 120 have an equal length, with is equal to the length of water discharging tile element 110. Supporting element 120 and first aligning tile element 130 also have equal height, as in this case, they are made from the same type of floor tile. This is not necessary. Supporting element 120 and first aligning tile element 130 do not have the same width. Supporting element 120 has a larger width than first aligning tile element 130. In figure 1, supporting element 120 is about 25% wider than first aligning tile element 130. The number may vary depending on the desired angle.

[0065] Supporting element 120 has a larger width than alignment element. By stacking supporting element 120 on top of first aligning tile element 130 with one side aligned, a step is created. Supporting element 120 and first aligning tile element 130 may have an equal length, with is equal to the length of the water discharging tile element at the supported side. Supporting element 120 may also be shorter than first aligning tile element 130, this reduces material costs, but is not recommended.

[0066] Water discharging floor tile 100 further comprises a second aligning tile element 140. Second aligning tile element 140 is connected to water discharging tile element 110 at a side of water discharging tile element 110 opposite to first aligning tile element 130. Second aligning tile element 140 is parallel to ground plane 150.

[0067] Second aligning tile element 140 may be glued to water discharging tile element 110. Water discharging tile element 110 may be glued to first aligning tile element 130 and supporting element 120. First aligning tile element 130 and supporting element 120 may be glued together.

[0068] Water discharging tile element 110 and supporting element 120 are separately formed. Water discharging tile element 110 and supporting element 120 are not formed as a single piece, although water discharging tile element 110 and supporting element 120 may be glued together. For example, supporting element 120 is made out of tile or stone components, none of which are part of water discharging tile element 110. Supporting element 120 and alignment element 130 could be made out of one piece

[0069] Here water discharging tile element 110 and supporting element 120 are formed as single pieces. For example, water discharging tile element 110 consists of a single material, such as stone or tile, which does not comprise the support or aligning elements.

[0070] Water discharging tile element 110 is a floor tile or part thereof, preferably of ceramic or stone and suitable for use in a shower. The floor tile may be used to border a shower area. The shower area may be tiled with regular flat floor tiles suitable for use in a shower.

[0071] Figure 2a and 2b (together referred to as Figure 2) illustrate a method of manufacturing water discharging floor tile 100. Figures 2a and 2b are drawn to a different scale than Figure 1.

[0072] Figure 2a shows a top view of a first flat floor tile 210. Figure 2b shows a top view of a second flat floor tile 220. First flat floor tile 210 and second flat floor tile 220 may be made in a regular flat forming die. Typically, first flat floor tile 210 and second flat floor tile 220 will be of the same type and come from the same forming die. First flat floor tile 210 is cut with three parallel cuts into three parts, indicated 140, 230 and 130. The parallel cuts are also parallel to an edge of first flat floor tile 210. The middle part 230 is discarded and the other two parts are used as second aligning tile element 140 and first aligning tile element 130 respectively. Second flat floor tile 220 is also cut into three parts, indicated 240, 110 and 250, with three parallel cuts, which are also parallel to an edge of second flat floor tile 220. The middle part 110 of second flat floor tile 220 is used as water discharging tile element 110 while the other two parts are discarded. Discarded pieces may be re-used as supporting parts, possibly after additional cutting.

[0073] In this way a forming die for a flat floor tile is used to create a non-flat water discharging tile.

[0074] The shown way of cutting has an additional advantage. All outer edges of water discharging floor tile 100, correspond to an outer edge of first flat floor tile 210 or second flat floor tile 220. Outer edges of first flat floor tile 210 and second flat floor tile 220 are slightly different than edges obtained by cutting. Outer edges have a so-called cushion (slight rounding of the edge), which is absent in a cut edge. The shown manufacturing method obtains a water discharging floor tile which has the same typical cushion edges

[0075] If cushioned edges are not desired, one can obtain more alignment members from tile 210. An undesired cushion edge may be cut off.

[0076] The water discharging floor tile may be manufactured in any suitable size, say 15 cm by 15 cm. Due to the fact that the water discharging tile element is placed under an angle, the length of the tile, measured along the surface following cross section A-A is longer than measured along the ground plane. The length of the tile depends on the size of the connections, e.g. joints, of the tiles and of the angle.

[0077] Figure 3c shows a corner water discharging tile 330 in a top view. Figure 3a and 3b show how corner water discharging floor tile 330 may be manufactured from two water discharging tiles, such as water discharging floor tile 100. The scale of figure 3a and 3b differs from the scale of figure 3c.

[0078] Figure 3a shows a diagonal cut across a tile of the type of water discharging floor tile 100. The cut runs between a corner at an unsupported side to a corner at a supported side. Figure 3b also shows a diagonal cut across a tile of the type of water discharging floor tile 100. Here the cut also runs between a corner at a unsupported side to a corner at a supported side. However, in Figure 3b it is a different supported corner than in Figure 3a, and a different unsupported corner as in Figure 3a. Figure 3b is a mirror image of figure 3a. The diagonal cut divides the tile into two triangular shapes, only one of which contains a supported edge. By combining the parts having a supported edge of figure 3a with the part having a supported edge of figure 3b, e.g., by gluing the diagonally cuts together, figure 3c is obtained.

[0079] Prefeably, a corner water discharging floor tile is manufactured from two water discharging floor tiles of the same type and dimensions having alignment members opposing edges.

[0080] Figure 3c shows corner water discharging floor tile 330. Corner water discharging floor tile 330 comprises a water discharging tile element 110 out of two parts; part 110a and part 110b. The parts 110a and 110b are glued together along an inner edge of water discharging tile element 110. An outer edge of water discharging tile element 110a and of water discharging tile element 110b are supported by a supporting element, i.e. elements 120a and 120b respectively. The supported edges are adjacent. The location of the supporting element on the bottom is indicated with a dashed line. The supporting element is below water discharging tile element 110a and water discharging tile element 110b and also below the alignment elements 130a and 130b.

[0081] Second alignment elements 140a and 140b are connected opposite the supported side. Second alignment elements 140a and 140b together form an unsupported corner.

[0082] Note that also in Figure 3c all outer edges correspond to cushion edges of the original floor tiles.

[0083] Figure 3d shows a top view of further corner water discharging floor tile, which is the same as the tile of figure 3a, 3b and 3c except for second aligning tile elements 140a and 140b which have been replaced with a single second aligning tile element 140c. Single second aligning tile element is made in one part, for example, cut from a single tile.

[0084] Figure 4 shows a cross section of a tile such as water discharging floor tile 100. Instead of gluing the parts of water discharging floor tile 100 tight together, in Figure 4, the connection means are applied in such a way so as to leave a joint 420 between second aligning tile element 140 and water discharging tile element 110 and a joint 410 between first aligning tile element 130 and water discharging tile element 110. This joint will be filled with grout, either during tiling or during manufacture.

[0085] Figure 5 shows one way of achieving such a joint. Instead of applying the glue between the tiles, the glue is applied in patches, so as to fixate first aligning tile element 130 and second aligning tile element 140 with respect to water discharging tile element 110 while leaving some room between them. The size of the joint is taken about equal to the normal room between to floor tiles in the desired tiling. For example, the joint may have a width between 2 and 6 mm, say 4 mm. The width may even be smaller or wider depending on the tile. Even in the presence of joints, supporting element 120 may be glued to the floor tile.

[0086] A joint may also be used in case only one alignment element is used, e.g., only first aligning tile element 130 or only second aligning tile element 140. Joints are also possible in corner water discharging floor tile 330.

[0087] The glue patches 510 are indicated with dashed lines. The glue is applied to the underside of the water discharging tile element, i.e., the side that in use would face the to-be-tiled-floor, and faces away from the room. In figure 5, the glue is applied in rectangular patches covering part of the water discharging element and the first and second aligning element respectively.

[0088] Figure 6a shows a cross section of a tile having a mesh as connection means. Figure 6b shows a mesh 610. Instead of a mesh another type of flexible sheet may be used, e.g., paper, cloth etc.

[0089] Second aligning tile element 140 and water discharging tile element 110 are gluing onto mesh 610 with their undersides. First aligning tile element 130 is glued on top of supporting element 120. Mesh 610 is glued to a side of supporting element 120 which is turned towards water discharging tile element 110. As a result of using a mesh, second aligning tile element 140 and first aligning tile element 130 and supporting element 120 are moveable with respect to water discharging tile element 110. This is an easy way to allow a joint to be formed.

[0090] Instead of glued mesh 610 to a side of supporting element 120, mesh 610 may also be glued in between first aligning tile element 130 and supporting element 120.

[0091] Using a flexible sheet, such as a mesh, allows a particular efficient production method. On a flat sheet second alignment member 140, water discharging element 130 and first alignment member 130 are glued, next to each other. Supporting member 120 is glued to the other side of the sheet. Advantageously, the sheet is still flat while supporting member 120 is glued to it. After cutting of the sheet, the arrangement folds into a water discharging tile element having joints. The cutting of the sheet may be done at different points in the method. The sheet may be turned over to facilitate gluing onto both sides. The order of gluing may be varied. The joints may be filled with grout. Figure 6c shows a cross section of a tile produced according to this advantageous production method.

[0092] The sheet may be a mesh, the mesh may be made out of nylon.

[0093] Figure 7a shows a cross section of a water discharging tile in which the support is formed from two tile sections 721 and 722 glued on top of each other.

[0094] Figure 7b shows a cross section of a water discharging tile having an additional support 723 approximately half way between the support and the second aligning tile element 140.

[0095] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. Water discharging floor tile comprising a water discharging tile element and a supporting element, the water discharging tile element comprises a surface for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, the supporting element being suitable for supporting one end of the water discharging tile element such that the surface is placed at an angle for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, characterized in that the water discharging tile element and the supporting element are separately formed and in that the water discharging floor tile comprises connection means for connecting the water discharging tile element with the supporting element.

2. Water discharging floor tile as in claim 1, wherein the connection means comprises a sheet.

3. Water discharging floor tile as in claim 1, wherein the water discharging tile element is fixed with respect to the supporting element.

4. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface is flat.

5. Water discharging floor tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an underside of the water discharging floor tile defines a ground plane, the water discharging floor tile being arranged for tiling a floor parallel to the ground plane, the angle being between the water discharging tile element and the ground plane..

6. Water discharging floor tile as in Claim 5, comprising a first aligning tile element extending along an edge of the water discharging tile element, the first aligning tile element being suitable for being arranged parallel to the ground plane and with one edge aligned with the water discharging tile element, the connection means connecting the first aligning tile element with the floor tile..

7. Water discharging floor tile as in claim 6, wherein the connection means spaces the water discharging tile element and the first aligning tile element apart and/or the water discharging tile element and the second aligning tile element apart so as to leave a joint between the water discharging tile element and the first aligning tile element and/or second aligning tile element.

8. Water discharging floor tile as in claim 6 or 7, wherein the connection means comprises glue, the glue being applied to an underside of the water discharging tile element to fixate the water discharging tile element and the first aligning element with respect to each other.

9. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of claims 6, 7, or 8, wherein the water discharging tile element, the first aligning tile element and the second aligning tile element are rectangular, the first and second aligning tile elements extending along adjacent edges of the water discharging tile element.

10. Water discharging floor tile as in claim 9, wherein the water discharging tile element comprises a first and a second part, the first and second part being connected along an inner edge, an outer edge of the first part and an outer edge of the second part being suitable for being supported and placed under an angle.

11. Water discharging floor tile as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the water discharging element, the first aligning element and/or the second aligning element are made of tile, ceramic tile, or stone.

12. Floor tiling comprising a water discharging floor tile according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Method of manufacturing a water discharging floor tile, comprising

- separately forming a water discharging tile element and a supporting element, the water discharging tile element comprising a surface for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile, the supporting element being suitable for supporting one end of the water discharging tile element such that the surface is placed at an angle for discharging water away from the water discharging floor tile,

- connecting the water discharging tile element with the supporting element with connection means.

14. Method of manufacturing a water discharging floor tile as in claim 13 comprising forming a first aligning tile element, the first aligning tile element being suitable for being arranged parallel to the ground plane and with one edge aligned with the water discharging tile element.

15. Method of manufacturing as in claim 14, comprising cutting a first floor tile to obtain the water discharging tile element and cutting a second floor tile element to obtain the first aligning tile element, the second floor tile being different from the first floor tile.

16. Method of manufacturing as in any of Claims 13 to 15, comprising diagonally cutting a first water discharging floor tile as in any of claims 1 to 12, diagonally cutting a second water discharging floor tile as in any of claims 1 to 12 and, connecting a part of the first water discharging floor tile to a part of the second water discharging floor so as to create a floor tile, having two adjacent supported edges.

17. Method for discharging water using a water discharging floor tile as in any of claims 1-11.

Drawing